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December 2017 Update

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Hello. So it’s nearly the end of 2017 and I thought I’d take this opportunity to do my last blog of the year. To be truthful, if I am going to have a New Year’s resolution it’s to try to write more frequently! I’m pretty good with Twitter and Instagram but for some reason I don’t update my own site that often. Naughty Nicki!

Escaping to the Country

What a year it’s been. From having a big birthday back in January, to a full schedule of filming and broadcasting, I really can’t complain. Highlights, well being relatively fit and healthy has to be up there, loving meeting our couples and families on my shows, a filming trip to Australia, a brilliant holiday with friends to Kerala in India and finishing off with a stint on the majestic Queen Victoria in the Caribbean to help banish those December blues. Presents have been wrapped, cards sent – hope you got yours ok… and I’m ready for Crimble. Ish.

Talking onboard the beautiful ship the Queen Victoria with just a few of the lovely guests….

If you’re up with the larks, feel free join me on BBC Radio 2 from Boxing Day onwards for two weeks for the early festive breakfast show, send a text or tweet me directly. I’ll try and read out as many as possible. Wanted Down Under returns to BBC1 on 2nd January at 11am and Wanted Down Under Revisited returns 26th February at the same time.

Wanted Down Under in Oz

Subtle plug there guys. So here’s looking to 2018. Let’s hope it’s a good year for us all, and at this time I’m allowed to be slushy. Peace, Love and Happiness, and I do mean it.

Take care, thanks for watching and listening and see you in January!

Nicki x

June 2017 Update

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Getting the full car share experience with my bestie, Peter Kay.

Hands up who’s ready for Summer? Me me me! I’m slightly fed up with travelling around the country, seeing much of our beautiful landscape, only for it to be clouded in mist and rain! It’s June for goodness sake!  OK.  Rant over. It looks like we’re finally getting some sunshine, and of course my mood will improve no end.

Although I shouldn’t complain too much, because the one week of the year I desperately want fabulous weather is the end of May for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Huge drum roll please, because it was ‘gor-geous darling’ (said in a Craig Revel Horwood voice). Some of you may have heard me call this week the ‘jewel in my presenting crown’ but truly, that’s the only way to explain it.  A week of glorious weather, 11 acres of incredible horticultural creations and exhibits, a wonderful team and hours of live TV for me. I’m so grateful to all the experts, growers, floral designers, horticulturists, plantsmen and woman, and of course the RHS who teach me so much throughout the week. Knowledge, excitement and pleasure. Now there’s a sentence!  

The fragrant Mary Berry with her very own rose named after her.

This year I’d like to mention just a fraction of the fabulous guests we had on the shows across the week;

My old chum Peter Kay who gave me the full Car Share experience (watch it back on YouTube if you can, hilarious). If you wonder where he gets that wonderful wit from, I can let you into a little secret, it’s from his wonderful mum Deirdre! The delightful Mary Berry and the amazing BBC Radio 2 team for their inspiring ‘5 Senses Gardens’.

Broadcasting live with Chris Evans

Thanks to Chris Evans for the live interview on his garden, which he was so proud of and the huge bear hug. The lovely Jeremy Vine who made ME look like an expert when I asked him to name a few plants. Carol Vorderman and her passion for trees, Cerys Matthews for explaining the importance of encouraging families to think green, as well as Simon ‘florist to the stars’ Lycett. The Don himself – Mr Monty Don, Carol Klein, Joe Swifty and James Wong (our birthday Chelsea boys), Sophie Raworth, Adam Frost, Arit, Toby, Rachel, Joe, Mark and the rest of the team. And last and most importantly, the plants and gardens themselves!! 

With the gorgeous Arit Anderson – top garden designer and presenter

I’m now writing it like it’s an acceptance speech!! Cue huge applause. My only slight moan is that I would like the show to be on for a few more days… I’m sure the designers and exhibitors would probably disagree as it’s a truly exhausting week for them!

But if you are lucky enough to have a garden or some outside space like me, let’s enjoy it!

Take care,
Love Nicki x

Hello to 5-0

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Hello

Hope everyone is keeping well.

I will only be writing this statement once in my whole lifetime. I’ve turned 50! Yes back in January I celebrated the start of a new decade… although when I read some of the biogs about me online, they’ve kindly put me at 51. Hey!! It’s an interesting one because during 2016 I spent many a moment trying to work out how I would feel about turning this momentous corner. Yes, I’m a woman so it is seen as ‘a big one’, and yes I work in the media and we read and see every day the pressures of keeping that’ youthful look’, whether you work in front of the camera or not.

So I was keeping myself busy trying to work out and analyse how I felt. And you know what, I felt good. I decided to embrace the big 5-0 rather than apologise and not think out it. I know we’re all different, so don’t expect everyone to feel the same way (whatever the milestone) but for me I had to give myself a reality check and talking to;

Am I healthy? Yes, mostly. Do I have a great circle of friends and family? I do, thank goodness.

I have a wonderful husband who is amazingly supportive and tells me that every day, and a job I adore. So with a small kick up the backside, I decided to embrace the age, embrace what’s happening to me on the outside and celebrate what’s on the inside. I might not always be in a good place further down the line, so celebrate!

There’s a great sporting saying… Look for the win in every situation. So here’s to being a woman who’s just turned 50. I’m smiling and I’m winning.

Love N x

Nicki Chapman celebrating her 50th birthday with family and friends at Home House, London.

 

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