A lot has happened today, DM has reached his 500th PotD – what an achievement that is. He inspires me (and I think many other PBASErs too) every day and the help he’s given me to help me develop my skills is simply beyond measure. He rarely gives up on me if I say I want to do something that I’ve not got the skills to do. He talks me through the shot and offers tips and advice on how to get the shot I want. The only time I can recall him saying ‘it can’t be done’ was the day before yesterday when I wanted my sparkley apple shot and he said he didn’t think I could do it. I’d been trying to do it in our home studio and not getting there and he said it was impossible…..that’s when I hit on the idea of going outside in the evening sunshine and got my shot.

Today has been extraordinary too because an old flame of 25 years ago has contacted me through PBASE…..how little did I expect that? I nearly fell off my chair. Weirdly, I even mentioned him in a posting a few weeks ago when I was explaining how I came to love the Spurs and chromey 50s cars.

Mostly though, today is special because it’s my little sister’s birthday – Jan Maddern, who talks to many of you I know. She’s just under two years younger than me in reality but she acts ten years younger than me. She’s a complete ball of energy. She runs three businesses, brings up her two little boys of 3 and 5 years old and still has time for all her friends and family. She’s amazing.

Of course we have fights from time to time….we both have a bit of our Dad’s Irish temper in us and we both are as stubborn as mules so can’t be moved when we’ve made up our minds about something. Somehow though we always kiss and make up even if we do need our heads bashing together sometimes to achieve that.

One thing I do know though, we’re each other’s closest flesh and blood relatives and whatever else happens we love each other dearly. She makes me laugh so much. We used to live together in Southall and had the time of our lives. I so wish we could spend more time together but our lives are so different now. Her life is filled with her young family and mine is, well you all know what mine is…..corporate whore, rock chick and old hippy all rolled into one eternally optimistic soul.

Jan attracts mad people like magnets. Her best friend Karen is like a second sister to me and David Palmer (responsible for this ludicrous nick-name) is a wonderful guy. They are both as mad as hatters and that suits Jan perfectly. There is never a dull moment when there is any combination of those three.

She has a memory like an elephant – mine is good but hers wipes the floor with mine. She can remember stuff from when she was two and relate it while my parents’ jaws hit the floor with amazement.

Jan’s never been one to conform to what other people think she should do. She threw in school at 16 much to my parents’ anger and irritation but she’s rarely regretted it and is phenomenally successful at whatever she does. She never ceases to amaze me.

Anyway, a toast to you Jan. I hope you enjoyed your meal in ‘the most romantic restaurant in England’. I’ll see you on Sunday – don’t eat on Saturday because I’ve got a feast lined up……

BTW - from my mad overuse of my starburst yesterday to this subtle approach today in one short step...

PS Janny - I hope when you see this you appreciate the jaunty angle of the pic! Oh and just so you know....it's free 'Esso' glasses and Cava, not Edinburgh cristal or champers like you'd get in your house!!!