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Just a quickie today, but wanted to share something with you.

Been out in the garden this afternoon just pottering as the weather was so pleasant. There were some seagulls up in the sky (well, that`s where they usually are I suppose!!) and I was thinking about the day we spent filming on Flat Holm island counting the hundreds of seagull nests.

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Kate was not happy with the midges - but none of us were. Kate was not happy that we took so long to see some animals - but none of us were. Kate was not happy camping - but she wasn't alone. I loved the camping :0)

Kate moved into her car and listened to the world service instead of camping in the tent. But this time she just did it - no fuss. A NEW KATE!

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By now I've totally lost all track of time. Haven`t a clue what date of the month it is. It actually feels like I've been filming for about 2 months, yet it`s only been about 4 weeks. It`s probably because we have completed so much in such a short time.

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Having recalled a few stories from my past I was inspired to revisit my old home and surroundings in Aberthaw Road, Newport, where I grew up.
As I approached Alway School where I attended nursery, infant & primary school, the memories came flooding back.

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A change of hotel - a pool and some relaxation.

But soon we're on our way again. This time it's bikes - my inner thighs burn, but I enjoy the experience. I also met Abul - nice guy - fitted in easily.

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I approached our next filming stint as a mini holiday, although my previous experience should have told me it would be far from a holiday!

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What a week I've had! Not too sure how I feel about it though!

It`s now Saturday morning and it`s taken me 4 days to actually manage to sit down by the computer to write my next blog. I really have lost track of my week.

Following on from our last challenge, I had hoped that I would be going home to try and catch up with my missed sleep! Unfortunately, I didn`t.

I tucked up into bed all nice and cosy and closed my eyes. I waited, waited and waited and still nothing happened. My body was sooooo tired, but my mind was racing. All I could see where birds flying round in my head and Iolo going "Sssssshhhhhhhh"!

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Okay, I've got an hour before I go back to work so I'm going to write some stuff - it might help me unclench my teeth.

I like to be very organised and when we have people coming I like to be able to prepare properly, nice and calm and collected - do lots of lovely things to eat and have the house looking nice, if not exactly immaculate.

Today I have six people arriving so with those already here, that's eight to feed and look after for the whole weekend.

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This is what I wrote on the train after 'S' day (Snake Day) in between bouts of sobbing - it seems a bit lame now (the sobbing I mean) but I wasn't happy:

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Right. It's now Tuesday and the first opportunity I have had to put anything down on paper about last week. I have just made flapjacks for the crew for tomorrow night and my hands are sticky but I don't have much time so it's now or never.

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I've just arrived home after filming most of the night just outside Wrexham. My feet are actually throbbing from being in my walking boots since 2am, so I`m currently having a waggling session with my toes!

I actually feel like I have a hangover. I haven`t, I promise you. I'm just seriously lacking sleep.

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Another fantastic day's weather. It's clear the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Religious Department has a hot line upstairs ;0)

Leaving the hotel, which was excellent & very relaxing, and onward to a different bit of West Wales - St Bride's Haven.

Once again - stunning - more blue sea - more blue sky and yet again that orange thing in the sky :0)

The task = the water. DA DAAHH! My Achilles heel, I swim like a brick - width, maybe a length, but that is it.

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Watch Chris's video diaries

Another fantastic day's weather. We arrive in west Wales, driving past St David's to White Sands beach.

Stunning - blue sea, blue sky, orange thing in the sky :0)

After the shock about Laverne not being able to make it for the day's filming and meeting Carly, we walked and walked and walked. Grumbles were already brewing among some of the group.

;0(

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Once again a totally exciting week, though I`m sure the wonderful sunshine does help everywhere look even more stunning!

We didn`t have a clue where we were being taken, so when we arrived St David's, I was totally excited to see such a beautiful place. We could have been anywhere abroad, but instead, we were here in our home country!

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Just arrived back from Cardiff having been filming most of the week With Iolo and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales crew. Wow - what a fantastic time we had! And to top it all, the weather was absolutely glorious! Doesn`t everyone feel better when the sun is shining? I won`t need a spray tan this week - got it naturally instead!

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Rising star in the Koi Carp world - 'my Ghost Carp' - has died. Some have already suggested it was the pressure of the recent filming for 'Not in My Nature'

Young fish star goes off the rails?

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I was still recovering from the red kite shoot in Mid Wales and at around 10.00am I surface bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to take on the day. Well, it was a rest day after all.

I headed for the shower, but was distracted by the beeping downstairs of the answer-phone. So in my undies with full-on bed hair I listened to the message. Laverne is ill, can you help? We need you in Caerphilly by 11.30am.

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2.15am: Left my bed - AARRGGHH!

4.15am: In Cardiff - WORK!

First job - empty train to Swansea - good start

5.30am: Eat big - wake me up - breakfast - "The Big Boy" sausage / black pudding / 2 eggs / 2 bacon / beans / chips and milky coffee.

HEAVENLY : 0 )

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Yesterday was interesting - I made canapés on and off all day. I don't think people have any idea how time consuming that is. Next time you are at some function, popping those half a dozen tiny morsels of smoked salmon and cream cheese into your mouth, spare a thought for the poor schmuck who probably spent two days making 1,500 of the blasted things!

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The tv crew arrived this week to film 'normality' in our household. I don't know how they expect you to 'act normal' when there's a camera following you around everywhere.

I`ve got to be honest, I did spend a couple of days blitzing my house before they were allowed in! (As if you would let thousands of people into your home without getting rid of dirty washing and not cleaning the toilet!) My house isn't usually that clean and tidy, I promise you!

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I have to admit I'm beginning to flag. After wearing myself out at youth club the night before, the couch potato in me is surfacing. But so is my determination to overcome tiredness and achieve the goals ahead.

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I seem to be having another Victor Meldrew moment - they are coming thick and fast. I am obviously turning into a grumpy old woman these days. Watching the current series of The Apprentice is painful as they seem particularly inept this time.

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It's a few days into the filming process. I really will have to get into writing things down soon after something happens, as I'm going to forget stuff otherwise. It all seems to be moving so fast!

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I'm like a coiled spring. Tomorrow, filming will take place at my Church Youth Club at the Bridge. Kids are going potty - something like the zombie attraction in the movie Dawn of the Dead.

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