I returned home only to find that Melanie hadn't arrived as one of her cats hadn't returned home so it was 11.30 before we left home for our trip. Just before leaving I placed a newly printed car magnet on the bonnet of my car.
Here we were off to Brive to meet Amanda Kiff from the FBCCI for an evening of fun all be it 4.5h away.
10 minutes from home along a very busy road something large and red flashed before our eyes. Melanie then said I think that was your new car sign. Great I thought and looked quickly for a turning point on this very busy road. By some sort of miracle we saw it rolling about to the side of the road. I pulled over and Melanie started to play dare with the lorries to grab it while it was being blown down the road. The day had barely started and I felt the urge for a
drink!!. Still onwards and upwards we continued for an hour or so had a bite to eat and reached Brive at about 5.30 a little later than anticipated. We off loaded our things in the hotel room and cracked open a bottle of fizz. We were now ready for our business speed dating. A shining star was in front of us with the biggest smile ever. Yes it was Amanda Kiff at last we had met her and we both felt that we had known her for ages. We were given a number and instructions on where to go. I was excited but as we looked around we were relieved that it was only business speed date and not one for love!!.All sorts of people arrived, tall ones, short ones, funny ones and one came with straw on her back! We think that she must have had her bit of dating before!!. What a great time we all had and so many people had heard about us but it was so nice to meet face to face. Three minutes seemed such a long time to talk and the last group told me not to bother as Melanie the other wing had explained it all. Fine I thought, as by this time I was sick of hearing my own voice. By eight o'clock it was drink time and Guy from Barclays bank was very good at pouring the wine in fact too good. The food was delicious too. We noticed that we hadn't had the chance to speak with everybody and Melanie had spotted a 6ft something giant and she asked me who he was. Oh yes Melanie he is a professional rugby player. Well that was it as she has had a plan for angel Traders to create a rugby calender I think more of a fantasy than a business plan!!. Well I will be dammed I could hear her explaining that her beautician skills would be necessary for the job and he was agreeing and said he was sure that the team would agree. With excitement her feet went from under her and she grabbed this giant who helped her get on her feet. I turned to Amanda Kiff and the words "sorry" came out. I think Melanie was so excited at the idea as she had met a photographer the same evening and in her mind the calender had just started!!.
Amanda Kiff had also organised a business card prize draw to win two tickets for a rugby match in Brive. Guess who put their cards in first? Yes it was Melanie. Oh no I thought if she doesn't win what would be her next plan to get them!!. Well she didn't win but chatted a rather long time with the guy that did. He said " what are you doing on the" and before he could give a date she said "nothing". I thought come on girl have some standards. When she wants something she won't give up!!. The great evening came to an end and we were on a mission to find a nice bar and see the highlights of Brive. Mind you I think Melanie had had a lot of high lights on this evening already. We said our good-byes and walked towards the town and bumped into Philippe the man who had won the rugby tickets he asked, " where are you ladies off too?" We replied to find a bar". With that he offered to take us in his car to see the beautiful town of Brive. It was fascinating and so was he. How kind was that?. We were not so sure that we would have the same welcome in England. With his rugby tickets firmly held to his chest he dropped us off at an Irish pub just a stones throw away from our hotel. We had just one drink and a bowl of perfect fat chips. What a wonderful time we had and it was only 10.30 when we were tucked up in bed.
