Guest Post - Misty Rae Cech

Essential Oils For Cold Care And A Strong Immune System by Misty Rae Cech

The true medical aromatherapists around the globe tell us time and time again: the most effective use of essential oils for health is the combating of infectious illness. Aromatherapy in the US is still mostly relegated to support of the psyche - which it does quite well - but study after study continues to confirm the antibacterial and antiviral effects of essential oils, along with their great compatibility with human physiology. Many protocols (detailed instructions) have been translated and published from the European medical aromatherapy literature - information which you can personally incorporate into your own natural health and wellness program.

For the uninitiated, essential oils are the volatile aromatic compounds distilled from plants. They are the chemicals that give plants their smell; the luscious aroma of a rose or the sharp scent of peppermint. Plants use these chemicals for, among other things, defense from invaders such as bacteria, fungus and viruses. Each plant's oils have a unique makeup as a result of the plant's own physiology, natural environment, and its potential microbial invaders. Because of their chemical structure, essential oils are easily absorbed into the human body, passing through cell membranes, then further on into the bloodstream due to their 'lipophillic' nature (a structure in alignment with the lipid components of our cell walls). Essential oils can protect us from microbes in many different ways, from keeping the space around us naturally microbe-free, to readying our immune system for defense, to actually destroying the microbes once they've entered our bodies.

For starters, lets look at keeping the air and our environment pure and healthy. A cold-air nebulizing diffuser works best for this, as it creates a fine mist of essential oils which disperse throughout your living or work space. Diffusing essential oils into your environment provides three primary benefits: First, the oils are directly eliminating microbes in the air, thus reducing the concentration of live pathogens you may be inhaling or touching at any time and reducing the load on your immune system. Second, most essential oils, and particularly the strong anti-microbial ones, have an uplifting effect on the psyche and a sharpening effect on the mind. Your space will smell nicer, and generally will be more pleasant to be in. This can be very pronounced in certain workspaces where the air can be heavy. Lastly, in many cases, essential oils will actually fortify your own immune system to prevent you from catching an illness in the first place - some studies have shown mammalian cells having increased resistance to microbial invaders after exposure to essential oils. Many single oils can be used for this - Eucalyptus Radiata or Eucalyptus Globulus are excellent all-around choices, as is Ravensara, and the oil of Rosemary of the Cineol chemotype. A popular oil blend can be made using 3 parts clove bud oil, 5 parts lemon oil, 1 and a half parts Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 and a half parts Rosemary Cineol and 2 parts Cinnamon Bark oil. Diffuse these oils to your heart's content - it's a wonderful combination!

Next, it's important to fortify your own immune system. Medical aromatherapists don't claim essential oils as wonder drugs in this regard - it is important to keep yourself healthy for your immune system to work effectively. Many natural medicine physicians believe it important to keep your own internal 'friendly bacteria' in balance for best protection. This can be done by eating a 'clean' diet with an abundance of natural and organic foods, and consuming intestinal bacterial support in capsule form (available at almost all health food stores). On the aromatherapy front, the essential oil of Niaouli has been considered by some to be the single most powerful supporter of the human immune system. Niaouli essential oil is distilled from the leaves of the Niaouli tree, native to Madagascar, but now being cultivated in Spain for aromatherapy use. According to Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, one of America's leading medical aromatherapists, "Niaouli oil is as complex in its composition as it is in it's uses...One of the fastest-acting and most effective applications of Niaouli is to apply anywhere between 5 and 20 drops to the whole body during the morning shower. This procedure will become entirely holistic if a loofah glove is used and the oil is worked into the skin along the energy meridians. This application...is especially recommended in the flu season, as it stimulates the defense mechanisms of the body." Niaouli would also be appropriate for diffuser use similar to the Eucalyptus varieties.

Once a bacteria or viral infection has set it, treating it with essential oils can be a little more complex. The difficulty lies in finding the proper oil for one's particular illness, as some oils are excellent against certain microbial strains, though these same oils may not be the right choice in other instances. Prevention with immune stimulant oils as above is best; however, at the very first signs, application of 10-20 drops to the skin of both Eucalyptus Radiata and Bay Laurel essential oils to the skin in the steam of a shower (so that the skin is more porous) is called for. Eucalyptus can be applied to the chest and back, whereas Bay Laurel should be applied directly to the lymph nodes to support the immune response. The vast majority of individuals will have no sensitivity response to such application - if, however, any skin irritation is noted, apply diluted to 5% in a carrier oil such as olive oil hazelnut oils. Green Myrtle can be used in cases of bronchial infection where Eucalyptus may be found to strong an aroma. Ravensara used in the same manner is called for in cases of colds and flu - it can be a stronger antiviral than the above mentioned oils, and has a pleasing aroma.

In general, Eucalyptus Radiata and Globulus, Green Myrtle and Ravensara can be applied to the skin (dilute if any sensitivity is suspected) or used with a diffuser or inhaler to loosen mucus and support the body's cleansing process. Rosemary Verbenone is indicated for sinusitis and bronchitis - The medical aromatherapy literature indicates this may be inhaled, applied topically in small amounts, or even ingested (with great caution) one drop two or three times daily. Also, one drop of Bay Laurel can be taken internally at the onset of a sore throat, as it directly supports the lymph system in the area.

When choosing your own self-healing methods as part of your overal natural health and wellness program, it is important to choose the proper modality for each situation. Conventional medicine has it's place, and should absolutely be employed when it will provide the best results. When it comes to common colds, the results have not been so dramatic. Alternative therapies have offered a reasonable solution, and can be effective if used wisely and with discretion. There are many helpful texts available for the use of essential oils as medicines - Advanced Aromatherapy and Medical Aromatherapy, both by Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt, are excellent sources for the intermediate to advanced practitioner. Be aware of your own body's sensitivity to any essential oil and adjust usage accordingly, and seek professional advice whenever necessary.

About the Author: Misty Rae Cech ND is the Director of Wellness at the Ananda Apothecary, a resource for essential oil supplies and information.

Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com

Guest Post - Garden Magick

Garden Magick - Transform a Difficult Garden into a Sacred Resort for the Soul by Carolyn Donnelly

Are you establishing a new garden? Are you trying to bring a long neglected or difficult garden back to life again? You can create a flourishing garden anywhere. All you need is loads of desire, a little imagination and an open mind. In this article I briefly summarise some techniques that I have successfully used for encouraging growth in difficult areas of the garden. By adding a little magick to some basic ecological gardening principles your can create a sensation.

There are a few essential requirements for a healthy garden. These are: soil with the correct texture, nutrient levels, and drainage; water; sunlight and the appropriate plant choice for your local environment. Garden bed preparation is of utmost importance and you would be well advised to ensure that you have provided your plants with the best physical environment possible for their successful growth. But getting the physical environment right is just the first step. To get the best out of your garden you need to provide a happy environment, full of positive energy and a little magick.

Visualize

When you first start planting out your garden it doesn’t look much like it will in two, three, five or ten years. Visualization is a crucial part of the garden design and planning process. It is also important for the growing process. To keep your garden growing in the direction would like it to grow, you need to visualize regularly. This is just a matter of looking at the garden and imagining what it will look like when your plants are fully grown. In doing so you are mentally sending your plants messages of encouragement. Make a habit of visualizing your garden on a daily basis and imagine it as it will look in, say, five years of constant and healthy growth.

In the meantime … fake it

While you are in the early stages of garden creation, try making a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ garden. This simply means creating an interim garden. You can do this by placing pots filled with colourful plants around the area. This will give you some instant gratification for your efforts. It will also give your new plants some company. After all, plants are communal and are not meant to grow alone.

You can quickly and easily create new pot plants by taking cuttings from other plants in your garden or your existing pot plants. Put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots – some won’t grow roots this way, it will be trial and error but many will grow roots within a week. Alternatively, buy some plants, preferably colourful flowering plants. Of course, choose appropriate plants for the location of your garden - shade loving plants for areas with little sun, etc.

Place the pots around the area where you want the garden to be and in between the plants that you have recently planted. If the garden is located in a harsh landscape that is subject to extreme hot or cold or strong winds, you can place the pots so that young plants are protected from harsh winds or direct sunlight. If your environment is particularly harsh, you may consider adding small screens made from bamboo or other natural materials to protect young plants until they establish. In a dark or very shaded area, ensure that your pots will not block any sunlight that your seedlings may be receiving.

Attract Native Animals

Life attracts life, so by attracting as many animals to your garden as possible you will increase the life energy of your garden which will help your plants to grow. Place rocks and logs in your garden to provide shelter and homes for small lizards and insects. If you do not have any tall trees, installing a pole that a bird can perch atop (but a cat can’t climb) is a great idea, as birds will contribute seed laden droppings that can bring additional plants to your garden as well as additional nutrients. Show your delight when you notice a new native occupant and let him know he is welcome.

Allow the ecology of your garden to evolve along with the growth and addition of your plants and other components. Resist interfering by removing or killing particular animals that you don’t like such as spiders. Instead, become curious and learn about them. Talk to them. You will gain an entirely new appreciation for these animals and improve your karma at the same time.

Avoid Using Poisons

Garden shops are full of garden poisons. It’s big business. It would be easy to assume that weed killers, snail killers and the other exterminators are an essential component to gardening. However, the reality is that they are really bad for your plants and the animals that add value to your garden. There is almost always a natural or more gentle alternative to using poisons in the home garden. It is far more effective in the long term to pull weeds out by hand and you will save a lot of money.

Decorate and Communicate

Celebrate your garden area by decorating it with beautiful things, such as hanging pots, statues, bird baths, sculptures and low lighting. These will add positive energy and atmosphere. If possible, include an outdoor table and chairs and spend some time there entertaining friends, laughing and having a good time, or just be there on your own relaxing and smiling upon your garden. Make sure you remove or disguise any ugly or unsightly objects. It is important to keep the area beautiful as you are more likely to spend time in, and give loving energy to, a garden that you like the look of and feel good about.

Take a leaf out of Grandma’s Book

Did your Grandmother speak to her plants? Mine did, and that practice was passed down to my mother and now I do it. It works! You don’t need to spend a lot of time in conversation with your flowers. Simply walk around and admire your plants for a few minutes most days. In the difficult spots, stop and talk to those plants that are struggling. Express pleasure when you see some growth. Smile at your plants and talk to them in a light manner as you are attending to their needs.

Crystals for Positive Energy

Use crystals and semi precious stones to add some beneficial energy to the area. Here are some ideas:

Agate

This crystal is known for its ability to produce abundance and increase yields in crops. It can be used to enhance the health of your pot plants or your garden plants.

Jade

Jade represents life and growth and has been associated with the health of plants and the environment. Place jade statues in the garden or use jade in a decoration that hangs above or nearby your plants.

Moonstone

Moonstone helps to enhance the growth and health of plants. Use it in decoration in your garden or wear it when attending to your plants.

Clear quartz

Quartz will amplify and enhance the qualities of any other stone and can be used to achieve any goal of pure intention. Use it alongside the other stones or alone in your garden to enhance plant growth. I hang crystals over pot plants to improve their performance.

These are examples of stones and crystals that have specific qualities that can assist plant recovery and growth. However, there are many crystals and stones that have healing and nurturing properties so it may pay to experiment. Crystals can be placed in pots, used as a display on a table, in a bird bath or water feature. They are particularly beautiful when they form part of a hanging decoration.

Add a Little Fairy Magick

Fairies have long been associated with gardens. Flower fairies were thought to live in the flowers of plants. They looked after the plant by ensuring it had everything it needed. You can add your own bit of fairy magick to your garden by placing a hanging fairy near the garden that you want to prosper from this energy.

You can also increase the positive energy of your garden area by hanging or placing sculptures of powerful symbols such as the Sun, for positive energy, and the Moon, for receptivity and supernatural powers. Both of these symbols together represent balance and harmony. There are many other symbols of good fortune such as Buddha that will enhance the energy and the feel of your garden. These symbols and bearers of good energy also look great.

Feng Shui Garden

Designing your garden for good Feng Shui

The Feng Shui garden is designed to allow Chi to flow. To create good Feng Shui, design your garden with plenty of curves. If you have a garden with very straight edges, add features that give the impression of curves. You can achieve this by the way you place your garden features and how you locate your plants. Choose rounded pots and curvy furniture to increase the positive Feng Shui in your garden.

Windchime Magick

Another way to increase Chi in your garden is by hanging a windchime or a windchime bell. Windchimes aid in the flow of Chi and add an additional element to your garden through sound. The right windchime can create a sensation of peace through its harmonic tunes. It is worthwhile selecting a well made bell or windchime that you enjoy listening to as this will make a valuable addition to the atmosphere of your home and give you joy every time the breeze blows.

Water Features

A water feature is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a positive Feng Shui garden. The water must be flowing, however, so that Chi can flow and so that it does not become stagnant. The addition of fish to your water feature will provide more positive energy due to the additional life. Be sure to find fish that do not eat the spawn of local frogs. Gold fish, which originated in China, have become an environmental nuisance in some countries and they will eat frogspawn. For frog friendly fish, check with your Government Fisheries Department.

Frog Magick

Frogs represent good luck in many cultures around the world. The first frogs hopped this earth alongside the Dinosaurs. They are wise beings, worthy of respect and they will bring good energy to your garden. Be sure to locate any pond a good distance from bedroom windows, however, as frogs can croak up a storm at night.

Scent

A wonderful way for a garden to enrich your life is through scent. You can create a special atmosphere by planting the shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden that provide certain scents that enhance particular moods. Add some instant inspiration by filling your pots with lavender, jasmine, geranium, lemongrass or whatever your nose desires.

Burn incenses outside or light a scented candle at night while sitting in the garden. Select the scent that will be most beneficial for your garden’s growth. Try gardenia or lavender for love and healing, ginger for success, patchouli or rosemary for love and growth, the invigorating benefits of sweet orange or frankincense and myrrh for healing and growth.

A closing thought ..

Your garden reflects the relationship it shares with you and the other inhabitants of your home. By increasing the positive loving energy in your garden you will create a place for growth and harmony, a place where life will thrive. In return you will receive much enjoyment. By combining good ecological concepts with a little magick you can turn a difficult garden into a sacred resort for the soul.

About the Author: Carolyn is an ecologist, avid gardener and supporter of new age spirituality. Her website, Placid Moon www.placidmoon.com, features a range of products that can assist you in building your ‘sacred resort for the soul’, such as essential oils, incense, scented candles, incense burners, candle holders, oil warmers, crystals, hanging sculptures, windchimes and bells.

Article Source: NewAgeArticles.com

Weekend Reads

With just a week to go until Newark, we're very busy with last minute prep and getting ready for this popular event.  We can't wait.

In the meantime, have a great weekend x


Stone Soup


Healthy eating, loads of gorgeous recipes with all diets catered for!


Angels on Earth


A massive resource of true angel stories.  Entertaining and inspiring.



Body Mind Spirit Guide


A general Mind, Body, Spirit site, with lots of articles to browse through on a lazy weekend morning.


Druidry

With sustainable living and  a more "close to nature" sprituality seeming to be on the rise this is your first stop if you have an interest in Druidry.  Lots of information and advice.

Interview - Simon Goodfellow from October 2013

Re-posting this interview with Simon Goodfellow.  He will be one of the speakers at Newark this month.

To start with could you tell us a bit about yourself (a quick intro, most people know you!)

Simon has been working professionally now for coming up to 14 years.
The Spiritual journey stated when Simon lived in Spain, at the time he was the owner of a very busy and successful bar.
But Simon felt very drawn to crystal healing.
Simon flew back to the UK and went on crystal healing course he sole intention was to work in hospitals and clinics.
However when Simon was healing people he would start to pick up messages for people.
After a while Simon stated to ask the people he was healing about the information he was picking up.
To his surprise the information was spot on.
This then lead Simon to have a reading, Simon was told he needed to develop is abilities.
This Simon did by attending the Arthur Finley college of Mediumship.
Soon after his return to Spain Simon started hosting small Mediumship evenings in his bar, these became very popular and Simon increased these to once a week.
Simon also started one to one readings for customers in the bar.

"The Spiritual work did take over the bar in Spain and because I was flying back to the UK 3 and 4 times a month it was time to leave Spain behind and return to the UK.
I still travel back to Spain to work as I have many clients over there."

You do a lot of different type of work, which do you find most rewarding - readings or developing other peoples skills?

Simon gets great satisfaction from all the aspects of his work but if he had to just pick one it would be developing other people's skills.
Simon does run three levels of Development workshops which are very popular.


What advice would you give to someone who has had some psychic experiences but is a bit scared of it?

The advise would be there is nothing to be scared of, Spirit want to work with you and to develop your abilities, but please don't confuse your self stick to one way of teaching.
There are many mediums and clairvoyants and we all work very differently.
When you want to start developing always go to the person you are drawn too, much like when you want to book a reading.


Do you have any plans to write a book? 

Yes, a book is very much in the horizon but sadly this as not been done as yet.
Dave my partner set the wheels in motion and we will be getting the book done soon.


Which writer/thinker has influenced you the most.

 I love many different books about a very diverse subject range, but I must admit I do love books by Doris Stokes she was an amazing lady.


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given.

To develop my Mediumistic abilities. The satisfaction I get from bring closure to people is truly rewarding.


Would you name 6 “Desert Island” books or films (ones you would like if you were stranded on a desert island - for young ones who don’t know about Desert Island discs!)

Again my Cd collection combined with Dave's is truly diverse and sometimes a little camp and cheesy but I'm a very big follower of the Eurovision Song Contest.
When I first met Dave he made me a compilation CD for every Eurovision winner since the contest first started.
So the Cd's would be that one plus a little of Susan Boyle, Jane McDonald, Michael Buble.

The Life and Times of an Event Promoter - Things That Have Gone Wrong!

Things That Have Gone Wrong – a trip down the memory lane of my biggest nightmares and some of the things that have provided the steepest and sharpest learning curves!

I think one of the primary necessities for being an event promoter is a sense of humour.  You simply have to be able to see the funny side of things, even if this is retrospectively.  Over the 14 years of show promotion, we have had many crisis points and unexpected happenings to deal with.

We usually manage to keep a calm, unruffled surface so that neither visitors nor exhibitors have any idea of the panic going on behind the scenes.  However, there has been more than one occasion where I have been searching for the nearest rafter to hang myself from!

Here are just some of the more memorable ones from the ‘casebook’ ………………………….

‘THE CASE OF THE SHRINKING TABLE STOCK’ –

On my very first show I learned a very important lesson – be specific or check for yourself!  My first attempt as a promoter, was a one day show in a hotel in the market town of Sleaford, Lincolnshire.  An acquaintance of my then partner wanted to help and be involved and as I was living on-board a boat in Scotland at the time and as she lived in Sleaford, she acted as go-between with the hotel.  One of the things I asked her to check out, was the number of tables the hotel had to offer as I needed thirty-eight and wanted to be sure they had enough.  Sure enough, she popped down and counted them for me, later announcing that there was no problem, they had forty.

We had been granted access at 8 p.m. on the evening before the show, following a conference during the day, so we eagerly arrived to lay up the room.  It was at this point we discovered the forty tables were actually forty 3’ square tables, not forty 6’ trestles as I required. My forty tables had in a matter of seconds become twenty as two would be required for each stand!

That was my first experience of what I now call ‘brain-freeze’.  You know you need to do something to prevent impending disaster, you need to start planning, you need action, but the brain simply freezes up and can’t see beyond the problem staring you in the face!  It was my son Phill bless him, who melted the freeze this time – ‘Dad stores the rabbit club tables at his place – should I see if we can borrow them?’  That was all it took – just something to tip the brain out of freeze and into action.

We duly borrowed the rabbit club tables which were 8’ trestles, my son’s dining table, various coffee tables and occasional tables and anything else we could lay hands on.  That was the first outing of the now established phrase ‘Floor plan, what floor plan?’ as my carefully, hand-drawn as it was back then, plan disintegrated.  8’ tables took up the carefully measured 2’ 6” gaps between the tables, the odd shapes jutted out in all the wrong places – oh boy!

Exhibitors arrived on the morrow after a very sleepless night and ‘What a shambles!’, ‘This will never work!’ and other such comments were rife as you might imagine.  We fielded the moans and complaints to the best of our ability, making changes as we went and eventually fitted everyone in, in a fashion anyway, and opened the doors.

In the public flooded!  On that first day we had just short of 700 people through this small hotel with odd shaped tables!  It was wall to wall people – all the readers were doing back to back readings, the talks rooms were full with people standing and sitting on the floors to get in and traders couldn’t wrap goods fast enough!

From ‘This will never work!’ in the morning, we graduated to ‘When’s the next one’ by the end of the day, and learned my first two important lessons in the process -

Lesson one – be specific – don’t say tables, say 6’ trestle tables!

Lesson two – double check arrangements, dot I’s and cross t’s.



‘THE MYSTERY OF THE FLOATING CARPET’ -

In the early days of the Lincoln show, we used what will always be to us, ‘the cow shed’, now more grandly called ‘the exhibition hall’.  Actually, I think that is what it was called back then – just not by us J

We arrived at the point after a few shows, where we thought it would be good to incorporate music.  For this, we hired our first marquee to be erected on the hard standing at the front of the building, using one of the fire exits for entry from the show.  I discussed the drilling of the hard standing with the venue, they advised what they required as repair following removal………….  all was going swimmingly!  Swimming was nearly what we were doing!  We had discussed carpeting the marquee to give a better ambience.  We even got to choose the colour – a nice, deep blue I remember.  I assumed that as we were having carpet, the marquee company would automatically realise we wanted a false floor laying…………….  Not so!  We didn’t even notice on set up day that the carpet had actually been laid direct onto the concrete hard standing area, rather than onto a built in raised floor.  They had laid the ramp between the marquee and the hall, carpeted it and – it all looked wonderful.

Overnight we had torrential rain, so when we arrived on the Saturday and were going about the early morning jobs,   I asked one of our helpers to go and open up the marquee and check the roof hadn’t leaked.  She came back ashen faced – the roof was not the problem, the rain had washed down a nearby slope and flooded in under the marquee.  This was when we discovered the missing floor, quite simply because the carpet was actually floating on a large puddle – well, more like a mini-lake!

Brain freeze! Fortunately not for long this time.  Living on a boat meant pumping and sucking up water was something with which I was not unfamiliar!  We need a commercial strength wet vac I announced!  They all looked at me with blank expressions – 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning in Lincoln showground – where were we to get such an item?

These were the days of what was termed ‘bare bones hire’.  They gave you a key to the facility and left you to it!  No event’s manager, no site staff – we were on our own.  We located an out of date yellow pages in the office of the ‘cow shed’, sorry, exhibition hall, and set to work phoning around the tool hire companies.  Most didn’t open till 8 a.m., which did nothing for the nerves.  My butterflies had somehow acquired hobnail boots and were dancing a jig somewhere in the pit of my stomach.

We eventually located one and someone was dispatched to fetch it.  Forty-five minutes later we were taking turns to vac as much water and squelch out of the carpet as we could before opening at 10 a.m.  We got rid of most of it, but the music had the additional accompaniment of ‘squelch’ to go with it for the rest of that day.

Lesson three – never assume anyone from whom you are acquiring equipment or services knows what you want or what you mean, or will even use common sense.



‘THE ROADSIDE SIGN ADVENTURE’ –

In the early days of building shows, one of the most effective forms of getting people through the door, was our signs campaign.  We used to have anywhere up to fifty boards made, depending on show, and place them on grass verges, telegraph poles, lamp posts, fences and anywhere where traffic might slow down long enough to read them.  In some cases we even had larger banners made that could be staked into the verge if there was space.

Without a doubt, this is what built up the attendance in the early days as visitor after visitor would tick ‘Roadside Sign’ as the reason that brought them to the show on our marketing survey.

It was a real blow therefore, when in around 2005/6 local authorities started enforcing Fly Posting law and issuing fines to those who flouted it!  More on this in a later blog!

My first experience of this new drive to reduce fly-posting when it first became law was at Grimsby.  At that point I knew nothing about it.  I quickly learned after that day however!



At about noon on the Saturday, an officious little man appeared at reception asking for me.  He was a council official and his new job was to enforce the fly posting laws that had suddenly become fashionable.  He announced that he had counted twenty signs and could fine us up to £350 per sign.  My mouth dropped open so much, it is a wonder my chin didn’t hit the desk!  He was going to give us an hour to get them removed …………  in the middle of a busy Saturday show!



Brain-freeze!  Not for long though, this was seriously going to hit my pocket – one of the quickest and surest reasons to melt brain-freeze!  He was clearly the sort of chap that loved his work and would pursue it to the fullest extent, but aAfter some reasoning and sweet talk, I managed to melt him sufficiently to give us till 7 p.m. that evening – two hours to do it in after the show closed.  The butterflies were past jigging, they were now into a full samba!



I was in no doubt that Saturday night or not at 7pm he would be inspecting to see if we had complied!  Needless to say, the minute the venue was secured, we were all off in different directions to retrieve the signs!  We actually had forty-five out, something I saw no reason to inform him of – he had only spotted twenty, but which twenty?  We had no way of knowing, so down the lot had to come.  I have known more entertaining ways of spending a Saturday evening than stumbling through wet grass verges, in the dark and cold, trying to cut down signs with one hand and hold a torch with the other!  By the time we had finished, we were too late to get dinner anywhere, so it was a quick MacDonalds – ughh!  Maybe not entertaining, but certainly memorable!



In the next instalment – More Things That Have Gone Wrong!  Including, ‘The Strange Affair of the Delayed Monk’, ‘The Mystery of the Missing Market Licence’, ‘The case of the Mysteriously Shrinking Hall’ and ‘The Adventure of the Appearing Kitchen’!