This is me!

I can?t believe this is my 100th blip! I have really loved being a part of this great community and so I thought long and hard about what I should blip today. Eventually, I decided to gather together a few things that really explain who I am and what is important in my life. So here goes??

The spotting scope was bought for me by my wonderful Dad (who has featured on one of my blips). I love using it to see what is going on in the Firth of Forth, on Craigleith Island and Bass Rock in particular.

Dangling off the scope about half-way down is my First Responder badge. I really enjoy being part of the First Responder Group and helping the community in the way we do.

Next to that is a cat collar! I wanted to get the cats in the picture but no chance of that so this represents Marmite and Twiglet, who you will have seen in other blips.

Under the scope are my running shoes. I love to run and this was introduced to me by my Dad. I went to watch him running the 1992 London Marathon and was so inspired I decided I would run the 1993 race ? and I did! Dad and I ran it together and since then, I have run 7 other marathons (6 other London Marathons and the Edinburgh Marathon), some of these with Dad again and I still love running now.

Next to the shoes on the left is a toy Great White Shark ? and I don?t think I have to explain again how passionate I am about these magnificent creatures!

Inside my left shoe is my RNLI pager. Being in the local lifeboat crew is another big part of my life and I couldn?t imagine life without it! I have made so many friends and it is such a privilege to be part of such a worthwhile institution.

In my right shoe is my dive computer. Again, diving is such a big part of my life and many of my best friends are those I have met through diving. I have also been all around the world and to parts of the UK I would probably never visited if it hadn?t been for diving. I love it so much that words can?t describe how I feel about it!

My diary is leaning up against my left shoe and this is my lifeline! I am never sure what I am doing when without it!

The mug you see in front of my left shoe belonged to my lovely Mum. This was her favourite mug and I loved it too so she arranged for a friend to buy another one for me! I have them both now and I always think of her when I use it (as well as numerous other times of the day!).

On top of the mug is my business card! I am quite proud of myself at having set myself up as a contractor and now I am working, it feels even better!

The fluffy toy on the right of the mug is a gannet. I am constantly in awe of these amazing and beautiful birds which live on Bass Rock and I have used a picture of a gannet for my company logo!

And finally, leaning against the wall is my address book. In here are all the details on my best friends, without whom I don?t think I would be as happy and content as I am today.