15. Help crowdfund a good cause

Its only a small amount but I have made a donation via a crowdfunding site to support a local community group.I choose NF2 -  based in Stowmarket

 NF2 is a rare genetic condition that causes the growth of multiple benign tumours throughout the nervous system, most commonly seen in the brain and spine. NF2 may be passed on from parent to child at the time of conception, or it may start in a family with no previous history of the condition. It occurs in 1 in 35000 of the population, is often life limiting, and currently has no cure.

Can You Hear Us? C.I.C (CYHU) is the first UK organisation to provide informal Social Gatherings that bring people with NF2 together in a carefree, friendly atmosphere. The primary aims of the Gatherings are; to reduce the effects of isolation, increase resilience, improve confidence and self-esteem, and build a supportive community for people affected by NF2 in the UK.

Many people affected by NF2 require psychological support and often carry the burden of multiple disabilities such as hearing loss, visual impairment, facial nerve dysfunction, swallowing complications, chronic pain, balance difficulties, muscle wastage, restricted limb function, and sometimes are reduced to using a wheelchair.

The Social Gatherings give people the chance to try new things in a supportive environment by featuring a variety of fun, and sometimes slightly challenging, activities that help people to build positive attitudes towards their abilities. Contrary to the usual focus on what NF2 patients cannot do, attention is projected onto the things that they can do, which, with occasional support from others, is much more than they think.

There are lots of  crowdfunding sites such as 

http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/
https://www.buzzbnk.org/
http://www.zequs.com/
http://www.sponsume.com/

So if you have a tenner to spare, why not consider giving  it to help some people do something good??

9. Visit Camden Market

Jared had told me all about Camden Market - so it was the place to go on our day trip to London. Well, for those who have never been before, it is full of little stalls selling t-shirts, pictures, jewellery, weird clothes and wacky stuff!

 Plus there are loads of different food stalls to cater for every taste! As it was a Saturday, it was absolutely packed out with people but with a great vibe.

 Jared bought me a proper old fashioned clockwork Pocket Watch and I got a Dr Who T Shirt -  we bought Lydia and Libby some T shirts too and tucked into some Chinese food.

We also found the new Amy Winehouse statue that had only been unveiled last Sunday - behind her was a guy playing live music on a bit of a wobbly wooden stage.

1. Visiting the Island of Crete, Greece

To kick-start my list is the beautiful island of Crete. We stayed in Rethymnon which has a lovely shallow sandy beach, quaint old town, lots of shops, bars and restaurants! 

I had a great time and spent my actual birthday sightseeing in the town of Chania, shopping and drinking champagne cocktails.

I've been to several parts of Greece before but never Crete, but as usual, the Greeks were very friendly and there were also lots of cats around for Libby to fuss over.