MAD Blog Awards 2015 – the one where I won!

Last Updated on 22 May 2022 by Colette Burgess

If you are a regular reader of my blog or follow my social media channels you can’t fail to have seen that last month saw the 6th annual MAD Blog Awards hosted at the super swanky Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington.

I attended the awards last year to take part in a Flash Mob, this year I was there for an entirely different reason.  This year I was actually a finalist!  From the first moment I saw my name on the list of finalists I was sure I wouldn’t win but I was super excited to have the excuse for a jolly to London, to get dressed up and to catch up with loads of other fabulous bloggers for an evening of fun and celebrations. 

As the weekend drew closer I must admit I started to get a little nervous, not because of the awards themselves but because none of my closest friends were going to be attending this year and my plus one had had to cancel – so I was travelling and staying on my own in a nearby hotel.  I probably should have planned out my underground route a little better rather than just knowing my final destination stop as that would have eased the pressure somewhat on arrival in London!  Luckily there were lots of helpful people dotted around the station helping people to get on their way, with it being the first rugby match at Twickenham they were more than prepared for some heavy footfall through the stations.  I was quite proud of myself when I arrived at my hotel and checked in! 

Once I’d got myself settled in at the hotel I had somewhere in the region of about three hours to get ready – what a luxury!  It did feel a bit strange getting ready on my own, less exciting somehow without someone there to get ready with.  I did try to take some pictures of my outfit but failed – so you’ll have to make do with my face instead:

As soon as I walked through the doors of the hotel I bumped into a gaggle of bloggers heading downstairs for the awards and was soon catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones.  

We had a bit of silly fun with the micro-scooter photo wall to set the evening off in the right tone . . . 

And a good old catch up with Emma and Lucy before dinner . . . 

Dinner itself was epic – for a number of reasons; the food was as incredible as we’ve now come to expect from The Royal Garden Hotel and the company was fab – sat with Dr Ranj, Sally, Merry, Molly, Flea, Jane and Emma it was always going to be a contender for the most raucous table!

And I could leave it there – scooters, wine, food and fabulous company; a good night had by all.  But that’s not the end.  Of course what we were really there for was the awards themselves . . . Welcoming Dr Ranj back as host for another year as quite possibly the drunkest children’s tv presenter you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. I love this man. 

I said to quite a few people in the run up to the even that I knew I wouldn’t win but that I just hoped people would clap and cheer when I was read out as a finalist.  I got my clap and cheer, I was a happy girl.  But, and it’s a big but . . . I only flipping won!  It’s almost a month ago now and I’m still not sure it feels real – I’m an award winning blogger?  Best Pre School Blog.  I sat for a moment in a stunned silence when Merry read my name out, before making my way onto stage to make my thank yous which went something along the lines of . . . 

“Thank you to my ever patient husband and the kids, because without their adventures there wouldn’t be anything to write about” 

Of course there are more thanks to be said – to the wonderful blogging community for their support, to the brands I work with, to all my family and friends.  And, most importantly to every single person who reads, comments, shares and generally supports We’re going on an adventure and all that we do. 

So thanks to Sally and crew for arranging another amazing night – can I come again next year? 

All credit to Tom Arber for his wonderful photography skills – I didn’t take a single photo all night!

Author

    by
  • Colette Burgess

    Colette Burgess is an experienced primary school teacher and has lived in Manchester for most of her adult life. She is married to Dave and they have three children aged 10, 12, and 14.
    Colette has been writing about days out and adventures in Manchester and beyond including day trips and short breaks in the UK and holidays abroad since 2012.
    Colette and her family love festivals, camping and generally being outside.

7 thoughts on “MAD Blog Awards 2015 – the one where I won!”

  1. Woop woop, you go, girl! I was so pleased for you when I saw you'd win. Very much deserved. All the photos I've seen of the night look perfect: natural, full of fun and great angles. Amazing to have a great photographer for the event. X

    Reply
  2. Huge congrats on winning, it's really well deserved, your blog is always a really good read! And you look gorgeous in all your pics too. It looks like it was a really good night!

    Reply
  3. How am I only just reading this now?!?! I am so glad you won and I am so proud of your and your blog – you rock! One day I may actually make it to the MADs purely for the social aspect – it looks awesome every year x

    Reply
  4. It was such an amazing night wasn't it? I am so happy for you well deserved darling. We won together which was so great. I know the feeling I was just grateful to be there but can't believe still that I won. Amazing post and thank you ever so much for linking up Share With Me. #sharewithme

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.