What made you join Cam City WI?

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I had resigned myself to the idea that I had to wait until my mid 70's to become a member of the WI however, after meeting our good lady president at our local craft group (shout out to Craft Corner!) I heard about Cam City. I joined in January 2016 and I'm so happy that I did. 

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Who inspires you and why?

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I have been lucky enough to have two truly inspirational women in my life, my Nana and my Grandma. My Nana was a wee rotund lady from Aberdeen. She was a nurse and the kindest soul you could ever wish to meet. Her legacy is 'Nana Soup' - no Nanas are harmed in the making of this dish. 

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My Grandma is the one I have to thank for my creative side. She worked as a teacher and was the adrenaline junkie in the family, zooming around in a Ferrari on her 70th birthday and subsequently acquiring quite a few speeding tickets with her new skills. 

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They have sadly both passed away but I draw from their knowledge and guidance on a daily basis. I know it sounds a tad cliché but I hope my future grandchildren look up to me the way I looked up to them. My Grandma's parting words to me were, 'enjoy life, I've enjoyed mine' and I intend to keep my word. Her other famous phrase was, 'where have I put my handbag?' - I use that one a lot too!

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What's your life philosophy?

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Be kind. Be cosy. Live simply. Put your keys on the hook or you'll lose them again. 

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What are your secret skills?

 

I'm struggling with this one. I can dislocate my thumbs....not so much a skill as an inconvenience. I am the queen of excuses. I used to sell excuses to the kids in my class when they had forgotten their homework, I was pretty good at forging signatures too and I built up quite a good little business over the years.

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What's your guilty pleasure?

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The first three things that popped into my head were; Martin Clunes, serial killers and Bakewell tart. It's quite disturbing to see them all grouped together! 

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I'm not entirely sure why but I love Martin Clunes. Don't get me wrong, he's not the kind of chap to tickle my pickle, I just appreciate his acting! If I've had a bad day I like nothing more than to snuggle up and watch a few episodes of Doc Martin......and gaze at the framed picture I have of him in my living room. 

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Serial killers is easier to explain. I studied criminology at university and I now work at Cambridge Crown Court as a clerk. Crime fascinates me and the bizarre mix I encounter on a daily basis at work keeps me entertained. I've joked about designing a range of crocheted serial killers and other assorted criminals for a while now. Perhaps I'll give it a go one day. 

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Bakewell tart. Mmmmm.  Enough said

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If you had a million pounds, what would you do with it?

 

I've already planned for this. The first thing I would do is buy a beautiful piece of land in Yorkshire where my partner Harvey and I could run a campsite. We would run a little cafe and I would teach crafts in the barn and rear alpacas. This has been my dream for a long time and I hope to one day make it a reality. 

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What's on your bucket list?

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Traveling to Iceland is currently at the top of my bucket list. It looks like an incredible place and I have to see the northern lights before I croak! I love winter and the magic it brings with it so Iceland seems like the perfect destination. I'd like to travel around and experience the landscape and nature, especially whale spotting....or narwhals! I love a narwhal. 

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Next is to crochet a pair of socks. A fairly simple dream but something I wish to do all the same. 
 

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What would your ideal day entail?

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I have my ideal day planned out for my birthday this year. Myself, Harvey and our wolf Apogee are bundling into our campervan and heading to Wells-next-the-sea for the day. I'm expecting a gourmet breakfast picnic (or there will be trouble) then we will spend the day pootling about before having chips on the beach and watching the sunset (and probably Martin Clunes' critically acclaimed performance in 'A is for Acid'....whilst munching on a Bakewell).

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