Archive for category: Latest Blog

Hello

I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I’m a natural writer but hey, everyone has something to say and, hopefully, one or two of these may contain a few interesting nuggets.  What is it with writing?  Some people can just natter away and everything makes sense and is quite humorous. Me, I constantly read what I’ve just written on Twitter and Insta and then spend the next few minutes criticising what I’ve done.  And we are only talking 280 characters people!!! Sometimes, and this is the honest bit, it takes me ages.  Yes, ages to write one paragraph.  Add graphics? huh, you’ve got to be joking!  I think people must have master classes in writing on social media.  Where did they learn?  How long does it take them?  Perhaps they have a small army of friends/colleagues who are constantly churning this stuff out.   Insta stories well, still plucking up the courage to post on that.  If I do get it wrong, please don’t laugh…  As I’m slightly obsessed and love reading other peoples tweets and stories, I should at least have a go shouldn’t I?   Watch this space. Ok. Watch my Insta space!!

Pancake ingredients… bubbles compulsory!

Love Nicki

Hello

January – yes one of the harshest of months and the time we all feel like hibernating until Springtime. I tell you, hedgehogs have the right idea. So hands up if you’ve kept your New Year Resolutions? Umm. Doing better than me. I decided to go pescatarian as much as I could during this tough month. Dry January would be a cop out for me because I hardly drink… however, on that very subject Hubby decided he would.. until it came to my birthday (bubbles are allowed apparently), a wedding reception (white wine doesn’t really count does it?) and so on and so on. It bottles down (pun intended) to no beer for January. Well, at least he’s stuck to that, and I’ve had so much seafood this month and loving it. Don’t think I could cut out meat entirely but plenty of veg and fish has to be the way forward. Remind me in March….

Going back to my childhood

I’m trying to make a concerted effort to go to the theatre and cinema more this year. So far I started off and absolutely loved Dick Whittingham at the London Palladium. Going back to my childhood here folks. Imagine Julian Clary and that title and you get the gist… least said but I haven’t laughed so much in ages. Would I ever do Panto? Apparently it’s great fun but 13 performances a week. Yes a week. What would I play…? Don’t answer that unless the character is young and beautiful…haha! I’m very good a slapping my thigh mind you.

The next show was Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at the Royal Albert Hall. Two outings and we’re still in the same month! Opening night no less and it didn’t disappoint. This show is quite incredible, the performances sometimes death defying and have you literally on the edge of your seat. Do you remember the old days when we still got impressed (TV sadly has changed that). Well Cirque still has that ability. Never seen before acrobatics and performances. Truly fantastic.

Cirque du Soleil’s OVO at the Royal Albert Hall

Ok now onto the cinema which I love but seriously, I’m no Film 2018 critic. Until now! Coco (take the whole family) will leave you laughing and crying at the same time, whereas Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri is a film you will never forget. Please. Go.

So that’s the culture vulture bit out of the way. As you can see, when it comes to entertainment I am no snob and I’ve some time on my hands. Send me your recommendations on twitter, I’d love to hear what’s impressed you. Work wise, taking it easy or ‘resting’ as they say this month. No Escape or Wanted Down Under filming at the moment but have just finished an exciting documentary for BBC1. More on that next time.

Hope your year has started strong and healthy.

Take care and speak to you soon,
Nicki

It’s now December and we’re coming to the end of 2016. Seems quite funny to type that. As they say, where have the last 12 months gone?

So let’s wrap up this year. You probably know by now I love anything equestrian and The Spanish Riding School of Vienna were back in Blighty, performing at Wembley and also the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham. The SRS are the oldest riding school in the world, and to be hosting this event was quite incredible. Thank you to all who came along.

As a regular contributor on Sky News reviewing the papers, it was a first for me in the new ‘glass box’ on Sunrise. Very space age and hi-tech. I don’t think you could get any further removed from my usual position, standing in a field talking property! 2016 has certainly been a year for news stories….

My filming schedule is now nearly over for this year with Escape to the Country, The Escape Revisit Shows and Wanted Down Under put to bed with transmission dates looming. Wanted Down Under will now go out at the beginning of January 2017 on BBC1 and is a bumper series with more episodes and revisits than ever.

One of the most powerful and impressive projects I’ve been involved with is called People Power. The documentary, which we filmed in Bristol with Dave Myers (Hairy Biker legend), Mark Millar, Juliet Sargeant and Martyn Ashton, should transmit on BBC1 the week of 12th December and was a truly brilliant and eye opening experience. Try and watch it if you can, or if you miss it take a look on iplayer. It shows the power of volunteering and the differences it can make to peoples and communities lives. Both ends. Having always done charity work but never volunteered, not only was it a lesson on giving back or giving someone a leg up, it also spurned me on to become a volunteer near where I live. I’m not going to preach as it’s a very personal thing to do, but it’s certainly changed me and how I look at certain situations. Working with such devoted and tireless volunteers, from all walks of life and all ages, showed me how powerful people and communities can be. A true lesson.

Lets finish with a glam shoot! Thank you to the superb Sunday Express Magazine team for my ‘In The Closet’ feature. Loved every minute of it…. wish I looked like this every day….!!!

Time now to sign off. Whatever you’re doing, I hope you have a smashing Christmas and I’m going to wish you health and happiness in 2017. What will your new year’s resolution be? Mine… patience, tolerance and kindness. And also to enjoy turning 50 in January. Gulp.

Take care

Love Nicki x

So it’s early June, the weather has improved again thank goodness, and I’m sitting in my hotel room in Norfolk looking out over the most beautiful woodland.  I’m on location for Escape to the Country and when the weather, county and houses all work in unison, it has to be one of the best jobs in television.

Kelly & I

Spring into Summer is always a busy time for me in a good way, with the month of May being dominated by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  And what an event it was.

I always talk of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show being the highlight of my presenting calendar and this year certainly didn’t disappoint. 11 acres which have been transformed within just 3 weeks into horticultural excellence with a few glasses of bubbles and pimms consumed along the way.  Glorious. For those who either haven’t visited the show, or missed the coverage on television, let me explain.  Take the catwalk of the fashion world, and then replace it with 17 Show Gardens, 7 Fresh (contemporary/cutting edge) Garden Designs and 6 Artisan Gardens, a Great Pavilion packed full of floral displays from nurseries around the world as well as glorious floral art plus the Floral Design Studio.  And that’s my office for the whole week.  Lucky me.

This year my guests included Kate Adie, Meera Syal, Brendon Cole (still no invitation to appear on Strictly sadly), floral king Simon Lycett, Noah Huntley, Kelly Brook, Monica Galetti, Alex Polizzi and Sol Campbell.  An eclectic mix all linked by their love of gardens and horticulture.

Joe, Sophie & I

Just before the show, all the presenters were asked to arrange a floral container, or pot,  which would be included on the RHS Feature Garden, designed by the super talented Anne-Marie Powell, as part of the Greening Grey Britain campaign.  Imagine my delight when I spotted my floral container taking pride of place right at the front of her garden.  ‘Oh Anne-Marie, I’m thrilled you love my pot enough to have it right at the front’ I trilled… ‘Yes’ she replied, ‘I needed something to stop people stepping into the water feature…’  I think that elusive gold medal is still some way off for me.

Sol, Nick & I

It’s a huge team effort with hours and indeed pages of coverage and by the Saturday, I’m always disappointed that the show is over for another year. Here are a few snaps taken behind the scenes with guests and presenters.

Until next May I’ll just have to make do with my own small garden escape ….

Take care and thanks for all your messages on twitter, instagram and on this site too..

Nicki x