Well, on Friday I attended the MADs as a finalist in the Best Family Travel Blog category and I only went and won!

It was amazing. I was honesty so shocked I couldn’t move out of my seat to go on stage and collect it and had to be given a bit of a poke.

First of all, thank you to all of you for your support, and for your votes. The MADs are voted for by readers and my peers in the UK blogging community, so it means a lot that enough of you were inspired enough to use your vote for me. 🙂

So what were the MADs like? I was asked afterwards to describe on video what the awards were like. I think I may have used the word “mental”. T’is true. It was a bit surreal – one of the poshest hotels in London, and there we were with Dr Ranj from CBeebies, a supply of wine, and some huge electronic games to play. Oh, and Pikachu from Pokemon.

There was a flashmob of dancing mum-bloggers, and the occasional “balls up” from the host and the crew, which were forgiven, but never forgotten. Dr Ranj was a legend, and disturbingly seemed to enjoy being in a room full of busty, loud, and mostly ever-so-slightly tipsy ladies (and a few brave men).

My acceptance speech was ok (I think). I remember fangirling a bit over Chris Mosler, and gushing about all the people who have guest posted for me – Jennifer, Sian, and Debbie were the ones I could remember off the top of my head, although there has been many more, and I convey a huge thank you to everyone who has sent me reviews of their favourite places, or taken on travel blogging assignments that I couldn’t reach. You’re all amazing!

Thanks to Jennifer for having the good sense to take some photos for me. No doubt there will be official ones soon enough.

This is what I won……

I also won a travel voucher courtesy of category sponsors HomeAway.co.uk, and as soon as I know where we’re going, I shall let you know. Perfect prize for us!

The whole event was a good excuse for meeting up with some familiar blogging friends, and meeting a whole bunch of new ones. I also got to finally meet up with those I have considered friends for a long time, yet have never had the opportunity to say hi/waffle at incoherently/squeeze. So big mention for Joy, Sarah W, Helen W, Alex, Charley, Steph C, Dani, Sian, Mrs ATTWAH, Sam, Fiona C, Kirsty, Greta, Tori, the Team Honk ladies, and of course, Jennifer J, for making a good night great. Hopefully I will get to see you all again very soon.

You can find out more about the MADs here where you may soon find an updated winners list, and more!

THANK YOU again for all your support. Here’s to another year of award-winning family travel blogging. It’s going to be a good one!