Standing on brands hatch track!!!!!!!

Well I don't think every 21 year old girl can sit here and tell you she stood on the track at Brands Hatch. Firstly because it is super cool and secondly because I will be honest its still surreal for me. Im sure my clients are bored of having their ear chewed off about it. But come on, not everyone gets the chance to walk along a race track. But let me explain how I ended up along this beautiful track. 

Back in July I visited Snetterton to watch the British superbikes. You can find that blog post here. Well its now October, and I find myself on the gassy bank of Brands Hatch. Being my first time there I was super excited. We straight away found our place on the bank and put our chairs down. We wanted to make sure we got a good place as we had left Norfolk early to make our journey, early being 6am!! The walk round was awesome as they have lots of things to see, especially food places. The breakfast we had well and truly set us up for the day. When the racing started thats when the excitement started. I still get that thrill every time I watch them. Im still learning what I am watching and what types of bikes they are but I am getting there. When the superbikes came on for their first race, I was beyond excited. I managed just to see over the people in front of me and even though the bikes go so incredibly fast I did try to keep up. Not that I done that great as I lost the one rider I went to see part way through his race. I later found out Jake Dixon never finished. 

You can really see the excitement this sport brings to people, the way the crowd changes as soon as the superbikes come onto the track. One thing I love is when they play the music on their warm up. The bikes already have you on edge because you know how much they are going to push once the race begins, and boy do they push. We are talking 170mph, which is truly amazing, yet so so scary. I have so much praise for everyone out there doing it. I can only imagine the thrill they get. 

As the day went on the sun continued to shine, which lets face it for motorsports events thats pretty good going. We had a ponder about and ended standing at the very top of an open top double decker bus having a drink, it was amazing. But for someone who apparently isn't that tall it was a struggle to see over the top. Even on tip toes. But I loved it all the same. We then watched the second race and I managed to keep track of Jake on the track. He finished 12th and came 6th in championship. I could not of been more happy. We decided after instead of rushing off we would grab something to eat. But then we noticed they have opened the gate onto the track.

Next thing I find myself doing is standing in front of the podium watching the riders claiming their trophies. There I am watching at awe because its not something you see everyday when my mums husband calls us over to the other gate. Before I know it I'm standing in paddock number 7 with Jake Dixon. Yes it was an unreal moment. After him signing my ticket and having a picture taken we hung around a little bit chatting to his team. We then went out onto the pits and there was James Ellison walking towards us. So yes it was full of breath taking moments.

I honestly couldn't of asked for a better day, I was shattered but absolutely loved it. Think the KFC on the way home helped keep me awake. Can not wait for my next adventure.

Love

A Norfolk Blondie

xx

300mph in three days

Yet again, I am here late as usual telling you about my life. At the beginning of September I had a whirlwind weekend away. I travelled to Northampton, my first time visiting, to stay in a beautiful hotel and spend my days along one of the UK's only drag strips. Sounds great right, but not everything goes to plan, which is no surprise. 

The journey to Northampton is a lovely journey, with plenty to look at most of the time. The weather was also sunny and warm just as I had been praying. As spending my next three days alongside a track meant I wanted no rain. So this was perfect. Obviously every journey is not complete without stopping for food, well anyway it isn't for people like me. As a complete and utter foodie, there was no question when approaching the nearing subway. So with a quick wiz round the desk I'm sat in my chair enjoying my subway. From then on the journey is a blur and we are arriving at the hotel. 

The Park Inn Radisson in Northampton was a lovely hotel but slightly on the expensive side of life with only the basics on offer. The room was certainly something special, but this could of just been the colour changing LED light round the bed. Which let me add was awesome, but also not always appropriate. The bright red for instance was certainly not appealing. When we thought about turning the lights off and using it as mood lighting, we soon realised this was not the case. Unless you liked sleeping in what felt like a silent nightclub. Putting the lighting aside because I was actually quite fan, the hotel was equipped for what we needed. For instance the hot chocolate they refilled everyday was only a step away from bliss for me. I turn into a child when it comes to hot chocolate. Yes that means in bed by 8 drinking it, can you blame me though. The first night of our stay we stayed at the hotel to eat and well lets say that was an expensive night. But after what was an awesome burger, a cheesecake to remember and a bottle of bulmers I wasn't complaining. The hotel was perfect for what we needed for our passing visits over the weekend.

The track was incredible, better than I could ever imagine. One long strip ready to hold some of the fastest cars I have ever seen. The first day we arrived far too early and took a nice long walk around the pits and had a look around. As it was my first time at the track I was keen to know my way around. I was absolutely amazed  at the amount of things there, I loved it the moment I got there. But our sunshine and lolly pops didn't stay for too long, the rain made its entrance. Nothing can race while its wet so we had to wait for the track to be dried. After what felt like ages we were ready to race. But the torrential rain was also ready. Boy did it come down. The day finally progressed and after a long wet day we finally headed back. The next two days were also full of rain on and off all day. Though on the second day we did give in by lunchtime and went back to the hotel. We spent the afternoon in the swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and steam room. Only what I can describe as complete bliss. Even though the rain got in our way the days at the track were absolutely amazing, cold but amazing. My favourite one to go down the track was the jet school bus, yes I know cool right. The top fuel dragsters were what I could only describe as mind-blowing. Honestly like something out of this world. The noise is incredible, you will need ear defenders. I love the feeling as they go past you at nearly 300mph, it feels like it is going right through your chest. I know sounds weird but it is the best feeling ever. 

Overall was an amazing weekend and I honestly can't wait for my next adventure.

Love

A Norfolk Blondie

xx

Expectations....

Life is full of expectations. Whether this be the expectations of others or our own personal ones. The choices we make in life are what fill these little wonders. People will always make their own views on how your life should go. But you must be the one to finalise what will happen. I personally have many expectations for myself, which I believe can't always be good. It is these small things in life which begin to challenge us, if we do not find peace with them. It is good to have expectations as long as they do not turn into your demons. 

One of my expectations is that I will go to the gym 4 days a weeks and run 3 days a week. But I ask myself is this possible? Yes, I have done this before. Am I achieving this? Absolutely not. By no means am I meeting my aim. So I sit here on a Sunday night at 9pm in bed, yes I'm in bed at 9pm, please don't be shocked. As I sit here thinking about why I'm just not getting there. Firstly I have had roughly two weeks off the gym. Which was not by choice firstly my car went to the garage and then my membership was waiting to be renewed. Which trust me your not the only person to find that shocking, I actually have a gym membership. If you asked me this 2 months back I would of said not in a million years, I can't workout in a gym. But apparently its easier than I thought. So after all this I now find that 6am start the demon of my day. Yes I know I could workout later but I'm a morning gym freak I thrive from a morning at the gym. So if that isn't enough autumn/winter is just round the corner and we get to welcome the awful dark nights we all dread. Having no time in the evening to run 3 mile before darkness falls really makes that expectation hard on me.

Then there are expectations from others. Some want to encourage you to do these things. While others are trying to get you to stop or just simply don't understand why you do it. This is when expectations become hard, especially for someone like me. I am a people pleaser. If others around me are happy it makes me happy. Life can get confusing when you are juggling different opinions all over the place. 

My advice is thrive from them expectations, be they yours or someone else's. You only have one life to live, love and enjoy. Take each day by the horns and try your hardest. One thing I have learnt is to never expect the unexpected from myself. I believe in PUSHING myself but not expecting a miracle. I am one 21 year old girl, with dare I say, the world at my finger tips. By overthinking every little detail in life you feel you loose your grip. When you loose your grip you feel everything is impossible. But no more, this is your life. Live it how you wish. I will no longer be having such high expectations in myself, I can only achieve so much. I am here for the ride and I can't wait to see what else life has to offer.

Love

A Norfolk Blondie

xx