Now, a little update to say I was totally thrilled (not to mention stunned!) to win Scottish Woman magazine’s Woman of the Year Award in the Wit category. Many, many thanks to everyone who took the trouble to vote for me; there are so many fantastically witty women in Scotland that I really am honoured to be counted among you.

The award ceremony was an amazing fashion show and dinner in Edinburgh, fundraising for the very worthy Macmillan Cancer Support. It was a brilliant event and no one warned me about winning, so I had a jolly old time and was pretty much gobsmacked to be suddenly called to the podium. I don’t really recommend having to address hundreds of people while clutching a surprise award. It’s pretty nerve-wracking… the stuff of nightmares rather than dreams, if you ask me! However, the award came in the shape of this beautiful silver cuff from Edinburgh jewellers, Hamilton and Inches.

The best thing was going into the jewellery shop the next day to have it fitted. The shop is gorgeous (were money no object, I would do all my shopping there!) but even better, I got taken upstairs to the workshop. I do love a peek behind the scenes and this was excellent… ancient old leather and wooden tools, pots of bitumen, little Georgian shutters, someone hammering flamingos onto a solid silver platter for a sultan of Oman! I could have poked about all morning.

As soon as the cuff returns, I’ll post a pic!