I have very little to say on the subject - I know that if every square inch of road and pavement were gritted our council tax bills would skyrocket etc etc - But, this morning in an act of public spirited bonhomie, I marched to the end of my road to witness cars sliding on the hill that joins the junction to the main road. I was armed with my shovel, ready to cast grit on the incline and ease the motorists ire - what did I find? You've guessed it - the grit hopper was full of Big Mac boxes and empty tins of cider. No grit - no surprise really!

Hello!

I am writing this latest entry from the wiles of Culworth, as the adverse weather conditions have forced me to work from home for the last couple of days. I wouldn't mind but it's warmer in the office then it is in my house! As I sit here writing this I have 4 layers on and I am thinking about reaching for the gloves!

I have seen the odd 4x4 driving, albeit slowly through the village, but with the lack of gritting in this area and down the Banbury Lane, means that my poor little Micra could not make the 8 mile journey to Banbury!

Never fear though the February magazine is still on target to hit deadline, as I have always got plenty of work I can do out of the office. Once I have finished this entry I will be working on some wedding copy for this months main feature. The theme for it shall be spring and summer weddings, a far cry from the cold conditions we are experiencing at the minute!

I am sure by the time the February magazine hits the streets the country will have come out of this weather spell, that as usual were are not prepared for, well heres hoping anyway. Don't get me wrong I do like making the odd Snow person and throwing snowballs at my unsuspecting boyfriend but I really would like to feel my fingers some time soon!

Please be safe on the roads if you really do have to travel, leave plenty of time for your journey and don't sit too close to the car in front of you.

Happy sledging!

Well, at 6.30am this morning I wasn't too keen to get out of bed - considering it was -3.0c outside! Ah well, back to work and life seems great - beautiful blue skies and none of those horrible grey 'tupperware' British skies that Bill Bryson is so fond of. Oh - the January 2010 magazine is out and looks great. It is priced at £2.50 - a  price rise - I know, but considering it's been 5 years since the last increase I think we've been doing pretty well.

Well, it's official the last page of the January Edition has just been laid out!!! It will hopefully be whisking its way to the printers tomorrow to be with us on the 30th!

The first issue of 2010 promises to be a beauty. It has 3 wonderful features, Education, Helath and Beauty and Homes and interiors along with all the usuals. There is also a glorious double page spread celebrating banburyshire nativities and a feature on the 12 years of the four shires!

AN ISSUE NOT TO BE MISSED

I hope that you all have a wonderful festive season and an equally spiffing 2010!

 

 

Many thanks to all the marshalls, helpers, officials and non-official officials who made the 2009 Tour De Trigs such a great event for those of us who took part. The event was doused in rain and high winds buffeted us - but it was still a highly enjoyable experience. The breakfast at the end of the walk was very, very welcome and I would have liked to have stayed for the prize giving later on - but I can guarantee that I would have fallen asleep! Yes, we did finish, although as an adhoc team - Magda our gallant lady member having reached her limit at 30 miles. (Mark Bathe, Magda Bichajou and Jeremy Wilton pictured).

Yesterday marked a milestone anniversary for me. I reached two years of employment with the magazine. It has gone so quick and it really doesn't feel like I have been here that long....which I believe to be a good thing?! What can I really say about my job apart from I love it, every day comes with a new challenge and is full of zany, often clumsy moments, I am most definitely the clumsiest member of the team! I have also recently moved desks (I no longer freeze sitting right next to the door) and continue to do my job with the same passion I always have. Oh well onward to the January edition!!!! Keep popping back to see what's on my mind during 2010!!

I would like to say a very happy 30th birthday to my lovely partner Crian and wish him a wonderful 3rd decade!

On a magazine note the December issue is now on the streets and features a wonderful Christmas section along with all the regualrs, including Pictures from the past and Out and About.

It's hard to believe that we have reached December already, Even though the abundance of Christmas songs in every shop around town should be a slight giveaway!

anyway I should probably get back to the January issue as these deadlines do tend to sneak up!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Well its that time of the month again when we are racing towards deadline with but a few days to go before the mag must be FTP'd to the printers!

This is normally, as you can imagine, a stressful time in the Four Shires' offices. Everyone scrambles together the last of their ads and editorial to ensure that the issue is up to our usual high standards. This month however things seem a little more subdued as we are all just getting on with what has to be done, occassionally stopping for the odd teabreak to get some perspective.

I am in no doubt that the November issue is going to be a success as things seem to be shaping up nicely with an extensive wining and dining and health section and plenty of the good ol' favorites.