The Hour

As I mentioned in my last blog, I was heading off to cover T in the Park and although I was looking forward to it, I wasn’t sure how my body was going to cope with the long days and cold, damp conditions, given that ten months ago I was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Well I am pleased to say I survived – obviously! The weather didn’t make for the kindest working conditions. My well planned co-ordinated festival wardrobe went out the window in favour of my wellies, tights and an ugly, but cosy, Wax jacket.

I got drenched trying to interview crazy fans who were partying in the quagmire that was the campsite and I felt totally wiped out as I spoke to glamorous stars like Kate Nash and Eliza Doolittle, but I got through lots of work and even had time to squeeze in watching Paolo Nutini’s impressive set.

T in the Park became more like Tea in the Park for me as my wonderful colleagues force fed me warm cuppas, biscuits and the occasional must-have festival falafel.

I was exhausted when I came home and my body ached but whilst the festival is just a fun time for others, attending really was a significant achievement for me.

Last year’s T was the first time I remember feeling really ill and a period which eventually led to my diagnosis. I didn’t think I would be around for another festival but I made it and I am determined to be there for the next.

To celebrate, my mum and I headed off to London for a family friend’s Hen Weekend.

As well as being able to enjoy the madness of dressing up as a glamorous nun to go and see Sister Act the musical, attending a slightly dodgy male dancing establishment (ahem) and riding around London in numerous hilarious rickshaw journeys, it was nice to be able to spend quality time with my wonderful mum.

Whilst covering Cheryl Cole’s recent malaria scare, I wrote an article on how her mum had kept a bedside vigil to ensure she was there for her sick daughter.

I really could sympathise with Cheryl as I know when I felt at my worst after diagnosis, all I wanted was my mum and dad. For the first few days they were in Cyprus and I was very lucky to have fantastic family and friends around me, but for some reason it’s not quite the same as having the strength and support of your parents by your side.

Mine have been a fantastic sense of strength for me and refused to let me get down and I am sure Cheryl’s mum will be the same.

The Hen Weekend was also wonderful because only a few of the girls (the bride and her sister) knew about my illness so I just felt like one of the crowd and could party without people watching what they say around me. It was brilliant fun and the bride-to-be looked stunning, even dressed up with various L plates and a learner balloon permanently attached to her. Note to boyfriend – I am not planning mine yet. I know he gets worried when I start mentioning anything remotely wedding related.

On the Sunday, mum and I caught up with my Uncle Alan who is Terry Wogan’s producer.

We got to be part of the live audience for Terry’s Weekend Wogan show, said hello to the man himself and then headed for lunch with some of the show staff and the lovely John ‘Boggy’ Marsh.

It truly was a great weekend away and a chance to recharge my batteries and spend some quality time with important people in my life.

Back to normal and thrust into planning for my major charity event in September. Big news on that coming next week…

You can email me on laura.boyd@stv.tv It would be lovely to hear from you