Hello to you all on another snow covered day in Durham. However the great thaw has started. Today it’s a balmy 4 oC, rooftops and cars are starting to emerge. But before I bore you to death with another blog on snow I realise I haven’t yet written my blog post on the Kreativ Blogger Award which Katie McCullough nominated me for just before Christmas:

“I nominate Helen because I’ve never seen such an eclectic bunch of posts on one blog. You name it she’s got it; politics, writing, photography, lifestyle, gripes and much much more. She’s a Lovely girl with a cracking smile. Go seek her out!”

A big thank you to Katie for the nomination. Now I have to follow a list of things to do (at the bottom of this post if you’re nosey) and share seven things people might find interesting. With my current snow brain the best theme I can think of is weather related facts.

1. The most torrential downpour I have ever found myself stuck in was arriving in Edinburgh back in January 2006. It was raining so hard that the steep steps from the station up to Cockburn St had become a stream. To make matters worse the quick 10 minute walk to our hostel on Cowgate took quite a bit longer as my map reading skills failed me.

Once the rain had been and gone...

2. In my teens my cousin Aimee and I went caravanning in Europe with my parents. We were staying in a valley by the Dordogne river in France. One night my parents had gone to bed and Aimee and I were sat out in the awning looking at the lightening over the mountains around us. Aimee remarked “Can you hear the thunder? I think the storms getting closer.” I listened and concluded “That’s not the storm, it’s my dad snoring!”

3. On a HCPT trip to Lourdes we went for a day trip to Gavarnie, a mountain village in the Pyranees. There had been heavy snowfall the day before and it continued to snow on our journey up in the coach. Until now I had never seen so much snow in one place. I had also never felt so close to reliving the final scene from The Italian Job!

4. As a child we did the Eurocamp holidays. One year we stayed at Lake Garda in Italy and the campsite had a brilliant swimming pool with a mushroom water feature. I loved swimming and my parents couldn’t get me to leave the pool despite the high temperatures. That night my cousin and her husband came to cook us dinner. Between the main course and watermelon I threw up. I continued to throw up the whole of the next day. Since then I have tried to avoid getting sun stroke at all costs!

5. At 15 I learned that theme parks and cold weather do not go together. We went on a school trip to Disneyland Paris in mid-February. I have never been so cold in all my life as queuing an hour for Big Thunder Mountain! It wasn’t worth it.

6. A group of us stayed in a villa in the hills overlooking Alcudia, Mallorca back in 2006. One night there was the most amazing storm and with views over two bays it was spectacular to watch it out at sea. It was the most amazing storm I have ever seen.

I believe this was Dan Wood's photo of the lightening that night... thank you Dan!

7. When I made my decision to do Animation I gave up my idea of studying Geography further. I am fascinated by weather and physical geography in general. Part of my frustration with the snow is that I wish I understood weather more! I still hope to study Geography and Meteorology in future (when I find a few thousand pounds hanging around that I have no other use for), and still secretly harbour dreams of being a weather girl whilst chasing tornadoes, climbing volcanoes and studying earthquakes in my spare time!!!

And now for my nominations. But just before I’d like you to check out Katie McCullough’s blog… it is interesting, witty and I’m in awe of the things she achieves. Like the 48hr Film Challenge. She’s a woman who’s spending her life pursuing her passion of scriptwriting and is kind enough to share the ups and downs with us via her blog.

1. Rachael Blogs… her opinion on anything and everything. Always interesting, often amusing. She points me in the direction of things I might like, and steers me away from those I should avoid. And I love her new 365 project on posterous too!

2. Mister Phill – An amazing photographer who accidentally ended up being a wedding photographer too. Below is comment I left on his website back in October
“In the age of Facebook it is all to easy to compare wedding photographs and from friends hear about their experiences. Most wedding photography ranges from bland to ordinary and the photographers themselves rarely get a glowing report. I get bored of looking through wedding photographs, even as a wedding guest. To find someone who can capture a wedding in a way that pleases the couple, can be appreciated by the guests and enjoyed by the rest of us (that don’t have a clue who any of these people are) is truly amazing. If someone had told me I’d have spent this year looking forward to seeing the wedding photos of complete strangers I would have thought they were crazy. But it reflects the pure talent that you have for capturing emotion and atmosphere that makes you better than most of the rest. I’m glad you accidentally ended up as a wedding photographer and I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings!!!”

3. Why Miss Jones – A fairly new discovery in the realm of blogs I follow. It was her fantastic reviews of Strictly that led me to her blog and her witty writing on her life and all else that keeps me coming back.

4. Jo’s Kitchen – When I’m stuck for a recipe I know where to head. Jo’s friendly take on sharing recipes and restaurant reviews is a pleasure to read and makes me want grab my kitchen utensils and get cooking immediately!

5. James Inman – Every year James compiles a list of his 101 things to achieve. In 2009 he hit 76/101 a huge leap from 54/101 the year before. I’m looking forward to following his progress this year!

6. Whitespider1066 – Darren’s outdoor blog is full of fantastic photography taken on his walks with his iPhone. Plus if you happen to be a fan of the outdoors he has plenty to share on how he does it.

7. Secret Diaries of a Wannabe Yummy Mammy – I think it’s fantastic that Yummy Mammy used her blog to share and raise awareness of the issues around child custody when you and your ex are different nationalities. Having finally returned to the UK she’s onto the next phase of her life and the new challenges that brings!

So now I’m off to let the lucky nominees know that I think they’re wonderful and kreativ! Hope you enjoy their blogs as much as you enjoy mine. And thanks again to Katie… don’t forget to pay her a visit too!

And here’s the list…
* 1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
* 2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
* 3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
* 4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
* 5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
* 6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
* 7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.