CONGRATULATIONS to Jenny Ward of Dunbar near Edinburgh for her original and hillarious 'Sparklingly smashing' first date (will their be a second?) with non other than James Cromwell (see photo right).
Jenny's prize is making it's way up to the lovely town of Dunbar in Scotland and her original story is enough to brighten up the most awfullest August's drizzly day.
"Wow, our first date how cool is that" I practised in front of the mirror, I shudded and started again "Hi, please to meet you James" oh my that was even worse what was I doing greeting the Prime Minister (although I wouldn't be pleased to meet him, a swift kick to the shin would be my 'hello' to David you need to resign very quickly Cameron!
I first 'met' James Cromwell, like many people I suppose, in the film 'Babe' if you haven't seen it change that right now - it's a cute gooey account of a pig that talks yeah really, true story, honest gov'. He has of course been in other films I could list them all but there isn't time so I'll just say Babe is my favourite.
He's also vegan, I know cool huh? Cool can forty (plus) year olds say cool and still sound well you know umm cool!
Anyway my date with James was on board a ship well more like a small dingy type thing ok slight exaggeration a small boat with room for a small table with small candles and small plates, small glasses and thankfully (despite being small) a bottle of delicious red wine to go with our deliciously prepared four course vegan meal (I think a little of each course ended up on my lovely new dress I always new I should have taken a bib!)
Sorry you're stopping me mid-flow to ask what? Oh yeah you want to know what I was wearing?
Well I 'd bought an organically made deep purple simple cotton fitted dress (it fitted me well despite having a strange figure, small boobs, shortish legs, long body and thankfully a pretty lovely face, not pretty just lovely, especially when I smile which isn't often!) My make up (beauty without cruelty of course) and perfume (Pacifica - freebies by these two companies for the advertising would be gratefully received) made me feel attractive and James, despite me tripping over some rope and grabbing at him for support and sending him tumbling on to the yacht (sorry I mean small boat) before we'd even said 'Hi,' was a gentleman and twice yep twice said how amazing I looked, I returned the compliment of course after he'd disentangled himself from what seemed like miles of mooring rope and an old sail stuffed under it for good measure. He looked pretty funny poking his face out from under that old thing; the sail being old I mean NOT James.
It had been James' idea, the boat I mean, although he had actually booked a small yacht but what with the mix-up and everything we were 'lucky' to get the small boat.
A quick trip around the islands of Mull not the Caribbean (pretty nontheless') but a tad more chilly, glad I packed a thick warm jumper (that was purple too) in my rucksack; what do you mean who takes a rucksack on a first date? You never know what might occur.
Anyway to cut to the chase - the meal (see below) was incredible, the company scintillating and scenery spectacular....will there be a second date.... well watch this space.
Always for the animals,
Jenny
Appetiser: Crispy cauliflower with sweet chilli sauce and sesame seeds
Main course: Mullbello Stack - sauteed spinach, roast tomato, mushrooms, runner beans and broccoli with garlic sauce (not too strong pheweeee!) with a plate of tiny roast potatoes
Dessert: Chocolate and caramel cheesecake with fresh organic vegan cream AND vanilla soy ice-cream
The amazing cocktail afterwards was not cheese and biscuits ha!ha!ha!ha! BUT 'Isle of Mull Deeeeelight:' double (or was that triple....) vodka, peach, cranberry, lime, strawberry and raspberry juices
Enjoy! They told us, which we did ;o]