I can't believe I missed a week of the blog!  I've found since starting blogging that it's quite theraputic, and will be a great thing in years to come, when I can easily look back on these weekly documentaions of whats's went on!  

 

My excuse for missing last week is the crazy goings on in the run up to December! We were also busy getting ready to offer cocktails, mocktails and mulled wine at both the Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie Christmas Lights Switch ons.

 

We were excited to try out our fancy new generator! We didn't really need it at either but thought it was a good way to get to grips with using it before the trailer pod comes.  For those that don't know, we are branching out, and taking our cocktails on the road.  After doing a good few outdoor events, we realised that there is a demand for quality cocktails, served quickly at places such as festivals, shows, civics etc, and so Event Cocktails by The Market Inn was born! The trailer, sadly, wasn't going to be ready in time for our December events, but we managed to set up and deliver regardless, and had a really great time at both the above events!

 

We did, however hit a big bump in the road when it comes to the generator! Firstly, we don't have the first clue about generators, engines, and the likes.  So after a bit of advice went for the one we thought was going to serve us best! When it arrived we were a bit taken aback!  It was so big and heavy and with it just being us 2 girls handling it, we were immediately a bit panicked! "Not to worry!" I told Megan, "We are stong, independent women! We can do this!" So, reassured, Megan was happy to proceed with this generator.  We asked my brother in law, Lee, to come and help us set it up, attaching the wheels etc, so we can, just about, manage to wheel it around! I know, I know, already having to ask a man to do the work, but, if either of us had attempted it, the wheels would have been attached back to front, and probably punctured by the time we had finished! When Lee walked in he gasped, "What are you trying to power, the whole of CD!" We all have a good laugh, and tell him in the event of a mass power outage, he's welcome round ours! Anyway, so here we are, all smiles and cheers as we look at our shiny new generator, piece of cake we thought! We locked it up ready to use at the first event on the 28th November.  

 

So, after reading the manual 10 times, we both decided we should do a little test run before the event, so that day we put in the oil, success, already feeling very accomplished and proud of ourselves, no spills!  Next, get petrol from the garage in our fancy little petrol can, again, feeling like we have cracked this, easy as! Put in the petrol, again, no splills! All smiles, Megan says "Amazing, well done!" I beam proudly and turn the key, press the start button..............nothing! Silence! I press it again, nerves setting in! Nothing! "What have you done wrong?!" Megan asks.  "Eh, nothing!" I say, louder than I intended! 

 

"The batteries flat!" I say, "It must be!" Megan has the most worried look on her face, she sourced the generator, and handled all the paperwork, and I could sense she was about to hit total panic! "Right, let's keep calm" I say! I decide to call the company, the man tells me that yes, it does indeed sound like the batteries flat! I'm already imagining how on earth I can get this battery changed before the event that starts in 2 hours! I'm also thinking about how much it will cost!  Megan can tell this, and next thing I know, a cup of tea is placed in front of me as I'm on the phone to the man! He said, "did you connect it up okay?"  I replied, "yes, I managed to connect the wheels just fine" (sorry Lee, white lie!) He said, "No! The battery, did you connect the battery up okay, they come disconnected for shipment!.    Long pause.........."Well, maybe I did something wrong!" I lied as I told him I would check and call him back! We both laughed so much, and checked, yes, the battery was indeed not connected! 

 

Total relief, but then panic once again, how the hell do you connect a battery! Us, two strong independent women, stare at this black brick, wires here and there, and I slowly say...."just you leave me here and I will do this, I can do this!  Megan leaves the room, but not before I smack my head against the handle of the generator so hard I see stars, she asks if I'm okay, I say I am, but shed a tear when she leaves! Dizzy, I look up "Battery" in the manual contents! Studying the manual, the image, looking at the battery over and over again, deep breaths! I think I'm a bit too concussed to be the strong independent woman in this situation, so I head into the bar.......my knight in shining armour, Rab!!!!! "Hello Robert!" "What do you want!" he asks! 

 

So, here we are, me and Rab, facing the battery, he asks what side was the red cover on? I asked why and he said well, if I touch that bit there with the wrong wire, we are toast! I say, well I think I took it off that one! "YOU THINK!" he shrieks! "I mean, I'm pretty sure, but you're making me doubt myself!.....Yes, that one! I'm sure! I took it off by accident thinking it was the protective cover, but it wasn't!"  "Shhhhh!" says rab, "we are about to find out!" I back out of the room to protect myself, and he turns to look at me...."Aye very good Emma!" He laughs and takes a leap of faith in me!  The fact I'm writing this blog will tell you I did indeed guess right! 

 

Battery connected, the moment of truth comes, and we head outside, plug in a lamp to see if this thing is working! I press the button, and yesss! Perfection! 

 

The generator works a treat, and powered our events like a dream! I may have pulled 3 muscles wheeling it to the Market Hill, but we can work on that! Back into lock up storage until we need it again, I'm already dreading it! 

 

So, us two very strong and very independent ladies, owe two gentlemen a big thanks for doing everything to the generator in order for it to be operational, and apologies to Rab for the close call!

 

So many laughs though, and we are still laughing about it this week! 

 

All fun and games! 

 

I haven't forgot about the ladies pool team stories, funny and exciting things just keep happening, but I'll get there! Next week though, I'll tell you another cracker about Sheena and her lost car keys! 

 

Thanks for reading.  Have a great weeeknd! 

 

Emma.