Centre Point Charity Sleep Out 12/11/15

                                              Centre Point Charity Sleep Out

Steven & I At The Brick Lane Site 

Steven & I Getting Ready For The Night Ahead

The day had finally arrived that my good friend Steven Smith & I had been preparing a few months for now.
We had decided to take part in a charity sleep rough event for London based charity Centre Point which helps homeless young people in London.
We had both campaigned tirelessly to raise by promoting our cause through our Twitter, Facebook & Linked in feeds.
As the day had drawn closer we were both urged on by the amount of donations that we had both received, between us we had raised over £1600.00.

On the day of the even London had turned cold & windy with spells of rain and at time we both had moments of thinking "what have we let ourselves in for"

We had our warm clothes on and our sleeping bags in hand as we headed off to London's  Brick Lane where the event was taking place.
When we arrived the event was well organised with volunteers policing the area to prevent any passers by causing any issues, the RAF were on hand to give us all a warm meal before the night turned to darkness.

 A Quick Refreshment For Some Dutch Currage

 Steven & I Ready For The Night Ahead

The Wonderful RAF Providing Us With A Hot Meal To Keep Us Going

The even had been very well organised with sleeping bag covers provided to help protect our sleeping bags and give us that extra bit of warmth. The atmosphere was a very friendly and lively one with everyone present there with the same thing on there mind, to raise funds for this amazing charity.

 Centre Point Patron Lisa Maxwell

Ready To Settle For The Night

As the night started to fall everyone started to settle down around 11.30pm, it was a cold windy night and a few hours in the heavens opened.

We were all cold, wet and very tired but we all kept each other going knowing that this was only one night that we had to do this where others are doing this night after night without the additional people around to support them and gee them on that we all had. 

At 6am the deed was done and you could feel the mixture of emotions from everyone there was almost a silent cheer as people started to pack up their sleeping bags feeling proud of what they had achieved but also feeling the effects of the nights weather conditions but at the same time never far from anyones minds the poor poor souls that do this night after night.

Steven & I left Brick Lane with heavy but proud hearts, reading the numerous text messages & social media posts of support that we had both received.

The following day was a very strange day for us both filled with a lot of emotional ups and downs but again both feeling a great sense of achievement for the money that we had raised to help this wonderful charity.

13/05/15 The Wedding Of The Year

Well the big day has finally arrived and a holiday from work.

It was lovely having Bryan & Hilary in the hotel. We all met for a relaxing breakfast full of chat and laughter.

Then my friend Tina arrived at 11am to help me get dressed in my kilt for the wedding at 1pm.

The wedding was at a beautiful location in the Bathgate hills called the Vue. Ally looked stunning in her brides dress as did Donna as her bridesmaid.

         With My Amazing Friend Donna (Bridesmaid)

              With The Bride & Groom (Ally & Paco)
It was one of the best days of my year as the wedding was fantastic & I also got to catch up with "the gang" who I hadn't seen altogether for a long time.

I spent a lot of the evening sitting with Donna's fabulous family her Dad, Mum, Son & Daughter.

Then in my true fashion I spent the last 5 hours non stop in the dance floor.

What a fabulous day.

                                 The Lovely Steph

Let's Go To The Ball 21/11/15

Today was the day to head North to Manchester with my good friend Steven Smith to attend our friend Denise Welch's annual charity ball.

This event is always a fun occasion for myself and Steven and we laugh from the minute we meet at Euston station for our journey North.

We always have our lovely M&S cans of G&T (for me) & Vodka & tonic (for Steven) as at weekends Virgin trains do not serve alcohol in the First Class carriages. 

As per usual Steven & I have a total hoot on the train relaxing, gossiping & just enjoying the relaxation. 

Once we arrive in Manchester we check into our usual residence, the Double Tree Hilton at Picadilly.

We head for our room for a bit of a chill out before we start getting ready.

This years theme for the ball is Motown, Dancing In The Street. The idea is you either go in costume for the theme or black tie.

Steven was going in costume and myself in black tie.

After we had gotten ready we headed up to the presidential suite in the hotel where friends of ours were staying for pre evening drinks & Canopys before our car arrived to take us to Old Trafford stadium for the ball.

                 Ready To Leave! 

Once we arrived at the event the fun started.

We met up with other friends at the venue and chatted before we headed to our table for dinner.

           The Boys Are Back In Town! 

     With My Lovely Friend Steven Smith

           With Scott Wright & Danielle

The evening is in support of the GEM Appeal which Denise is a strong supporter of and she has held her annual ball for this amazing cause for the last 14 years.

The entertainment is outstanding with the Drifters and other singers performing as well as an auction to raise money for the charity.

Once the auction is completed its time for the dancing to begin.

I had lots of time to catch up with friends on and off the dance floor, managing to hit some moves with the lovely Angela Carson & Rose - Marie.

         Lots Of Fun With Rose - Marie

          With The Lovely Angela Carson. 

The night is attended by numerous celebrity guests including Shane Ward, Jane McDonald & Real housewives of Cheshire stars, but all of them joining in with the fun. 

           Singing Star Jane McDonald

      With Dawn Ward (Real Housewives)

What a night, Steven & I left with Rose - Marie & our friend Janice to head back to our hotel room for a few nightcaps in our room.

We all went to bed exhausted after an AMAZING night. 

Hectic Day 08/10/15

What a day.

Full on day at work with an all day meeting before dashing home for a quick change and to finalise my packing.

Then into town to meet my lovely friend Steven to go and see out friend Denise perform at G-A-Y in London.

What a great night and amazing atmosphere.

Getting the 3am train home for a quick shower before heading to Gatwick to fly to Alicante at 630am.

Return Of The Mac!

I can't believe it's been 5 months since I last updated my blog! 

The original plan of a daily blog is definetly not going to work.

I think the best route moving forward is an update when I have something to blog about.

I am now lecturing myself & saying I must try harder 😉

Watch this space! 

16/05/15 A Day Of Fun

Wakening up in Manchester to a lovely bright sunny day was a delight.

Steven & I had a leisurely breakfast then Steven headed to the hotel gym while I got myself back to bed for a snooze.

We then spent the day wondering the shops before heading back to the hotel to get ready for our boys night out.

It was so good to not have to rush to get ready we relaxed had a few drinks in the hotel room before heading to Manchesters Canal Street around 730pm.

The bars were getting busy and had a great atmosphere. 

We started off our evening the Via which is a stunning bar with the most fantastic decor.

We then moved on from there to Bar Pop where we enjoyed an evening of cheesy camp tunes & we met so many friendly people to chat to. 

We spent the remainder of our night in the bar and I as usual took to the dance floor.

We headed back to the hotel around 1am very tired but very happy after a great night.

15/05/15 Manchester Bound

After waking UK this morning in my own bed I knew yet again I wouldn't be tomorrow.

Today I worked from home in the morning and had the afternoon off.

I had to travel from Earlswood by train to London Euston to meet my good friend Steven for the train up to Manchester for the weekend.

Steven's friend Marie Ann joined us for the train journey which was full of laughs and a few cans of M&S Gin & Tonic.

We had a 4 seater table and I had a man sitting in the seat next to me well actually he was half in my seat too. 

The train wasn't busy with lots of 2 seat areas free we dropped so many hints but the man didn't take us up and sat next to us the whole journey.

Who knows why he would want to do that.

Anyway when we arrived at Manchester Picadilly we said our goodbyes to Marie Ann & Steven & I got a cab to our hotel in the city centre.

It was a quick change then off to Oxford Road station for a trajn to Bolton to see our lovely friend Denise Welsh in her play the ancient secret of youth. The play was fantastic & Denise's acting was outstanding.

We managed to catch Denise for a coffee & chat after the show and then she dropped Steven & I back at Bolton station for our train back to Manchester. 

When Steven & I finally for back to the hotel it was after midnight & time for bed.

Scottish Boy In The South

Scottish Boy In The South

Howard MacKinnon 

Hey my name is Howard MacKinnon, for most of my life I lived in the central belt of Scotland in a new town called Livingston.  This is where I was brought up and continued to be based from and in fact where my family, My Mum (Helen), My sister (Helen), My niece (Iona), My brother (Kenny) & his family still live to this day.  I spent many years traveling around the country for work & pleasure mainly by car.
Now after living in Surrey (England) for the last 2 years & commuting most days into London  by public transport this is a very different experience for me.
My blog is based around my travels, experiences & exploits during my day to day life.