Roll out the bunting

First visit in a while to my lovely cousin Gilly, and the start of a tradition we've vowed to keep going - making and doing something crafty! With her help I've run up some bunting for my newly decorated girl-study at home. I've decorated it in pastel colours and bought white furniture and the room looks fab - the newly sewn bunting will add a nice touch, can't wait to get it home and hang it in position.

Hard at work in the sewing room!

Sleep well mummy bear

Today we said goodbye to the most inspirational, caring and all round fabulous woman - my mum. She was our whole world, and we were hers.

This rainbow appeared just as we laid her to rest and I like to think that it was her telling us she's ok. 

Sleep well mummy bear. I love you. xx

Shuna Mackellar Hill 5.8.42 - 9.9.13

Taking the plunge

For most of us the summer of 2012 is one we won’t forget. It was when we realised it was ok to be proud to be British. We celebrated a Diamond Jubilee and we got behind our sportsmen and women as they took the London 2012 Olympic Games by storm.

One of those elite athletes, whose dreams and hard work led her to this point, is Keri-Anne Payne. She’s an Olympic silver medal holder and twice world champion in the 10km open water swimming event, and I was delighted to have the chance to chat to her. Her passion and love for her sport shines through and I can see why she’s such an inspiration.

 

Under intense media speculation she was the British favourite for gold in the 10km open water event, but narrowly missed out by 0.4 seconds. As spectators we saw what felt like unfair tactics from her fellow competitors and she agrees it felt like that in the water. In her words it was “the most violent race of my life but if I’d been out in front I’d probably have done the same!” 

 

I was interested to understand how she copes with putting it all behind her and looking forward. “Of course I was disappointed, the last four years had been about competing in the race but that’s what the sport is all about. You maybe can’t win every race but you need to know in your heart you gave it all you have, and know you did your best. I’m now focused on making some choices about the Commonwealth Games – although they’re not for another 18 months I need to be starting my training now. Together with my coaches we focus on winning, and build a training plan and schedule to make sure my performance can peak when I need it to.”

Most of us come to work each day without the fear of being hurt. As the reigning world champion, Keri-Anne faces injury in every race from her fellow competitors eager to secure a place on the podium. And that’s aside from the natural hazards of open water swimming – jellyfish, freak waves and all sorts of creepy-crawlies lurking in the murky depths of the sea. She tells me that mental strength is often more important than physical ability. “It’s tough getting up at 5am in the winter but I know if I skip training that day, there’s someone else out there who is putting in the hard work to beat me. That’s a good motivator! It helps that I love swimming. I’ve been competing since I was 10 years old and I’m lucky I can make a living out of it.”

In competition it’s just her and the water – where her body takes a beating – but she’s supported by her coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists and therapists. ‘It’s me facing the challenge, but I know I’m not alone out there. Each and every person in the team has done their part to make sure I’m ready and capable of winning. They are experts in their field and I’m lucky to work with them as part of the team.

Giving something back is important to Keri-Anne. She took part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s SkillForce programme when she was a teenager and loved it. She’s been able to share her experiences with young people, helping them understand where their talents and skills lie and making the most of them. “It’s been a hugely rewarding experience and it can make such a difference to the lives of these young people.”

As a keen cook and home baker myself, it was nice to hear that Keri-Anne also finds this a great way to relax and unwind. I’m looking forward to having a sneaky peek at some of the delicious recipes on her blog www.keriannepayne.co.uk. She’s often asked about what athletes eat to keep them in tip-top condition, so she’s been sharing some of her secrets on her website.

The past few months since the Olympics have kept Keri-Anne busy outside the pool. She married British swimmer David Carry in September 2012, setting up home in Edinburgh as well as moving clubs to join Warrender Baths. She’s looking forward to getting to know her new city so I was able to highly recommend a Harvey Nichols rooftop bar for a few cocktails!

As we finish our chat Keri-Anne’s is getting ready to jet off to South Africa to swim in the Midmar Mile, the largest open water race in the world, and one that she’s competed in for many years. It’s in her native South Africa so she’s looking forward to seeing the sunshine again.

She’s also considering whether to take a break from the open water competitions and focus on pool events. I’ve got my fingers crossed that I see her compete for Team GB in the Commonwealth Games in my home town of Glasgow in 2014.