Eira's bootcamp - by Sarah

Ok, now let's see if I can get this technology stuff going...  First of all, I've put Eira's Top Ten Tips for fitness on our web page so click here if you want to find out all about it.

And she's also introducing a bootcamp to Cowbridge - email her at parklife1@rocketmail.com or have a look at the flyer below - let us know how you get on!

January event - by Sarah

That was another FUN night!  The brilliant Lorraine gave us all food for thought, Eira made us wonder whether we should be eating so much food, and the nibbles from the Quarter Penny Cafe were just gorgeous, especially the little ultra-light meringues with cream and strawberries - yum!

And I kept very quiet when Lorraine asked how our New Year resolutions were going.  Mine had been to 'train more, drink less'.  Well, I've almost done it.  Just the wrong way round so I'm 'train less, drink more'.  Seems what I should have done was set a limit on it.  Like 'I'll drink less for two weeks' so that I might actually have achieved it.  Maybe next year?

And if I lived a bit closer to Cowbridge I'd definitely join Eira and a bunch of ladies behind the cattle market on Sunday mornings for her new boot camp - yes, outdoors!  She gave really good advice on nutrition too - we'll post her 'ten top tips' here soon.

January event - by Debbie

Well I certainly felt inspired by our speakers last night  to create an environment for change in my life!  On Lorraine's advice for changing our little routines to wake us up a bit this morning I did my normal dog walk in reverse and discovered a new path, assessed the entrance to my home (a dumping ground of coats, school bags, junk mail and muddy boots) to give it some more positive energy, and then I was off to buy some snowdrops for the forlorn pots at the front door - perfect timing with Imbolc on the calendar tomorrow! 

And after Eira's challenge to find little ways of increasing the calorie consumption I walked briskly around the perimeter of the field I took  the dogs through - rather than taking the usual diagonal shortcut! I have to secretly confess though I am looking forward to the wine tasting and lovely canapes that will be on offer at our next event at Glyndwr Vineyard without feeling guilty! 

Christmas - by Sarah

Ultra nervous little rescue dog had emergency surgery at a new vets for something our own vets had missed ALL YEAR.  Spent the rest of Christmas a bit in shock over the fact that she could have died at any moment during the past 12 months.  Still, drink is good for shock, isn't it?  And we were very shocked...  And Guy and I wore matching reindeer sweaters to a family get-together.  They were supposed to be super-naff but I apparently (and completely accidentally) bought something quite stylish.  Yay!  Now in super-training mode for the next mud-runner event.  Anyone want to join me??? Anyone?

Christmas - by Sue

Had the norovirus.  Didn't eat, didn't drink, lost 4 pounds.

Was that it?

Christmas - by Debbie

Sustainable Fun was had in the Leigh household this year despite my total bah humbugness over the excess spending and waste that traditionally mars my festive season. 

My guests were asked to bring along eco-gifts only. Something they had made, were re-gifting, or had bought from a charity shop. Despite the stress for some of not being allowed to go to M&S and buy a token set of smelly stuff,  eco-gift swapping was the highlight of the day.

It was especially brilliant as Dad confused the £10 spend limit on the kids with the eco-gift rules and bought everyone a charity shop item for £10 - which meant some real top quality items were to be had!