I went to my first National Landlords Association (NLA) lecture last night at the Institute of Directors (IOD), organised by MaryAnn Richmond-Coogan and her team. What a great bunch of speakers, from experienced landlords, to a representative of the Bank of England and a wise tax and financial planner and that doesn’t even mention the audience! Read the rest of this entry

Isn’t it interesting how people react to the way you present yourself to them? Consider how a great actor can be a very pleasant, positive character in one film and yet ooze menace and hostility in another. In other words, we take people as they present themselves to us. It’s quite natural really… Read the rest of this entry

I always feel a build-up of excitement at the prospect of flying somewhere for a break. I make my living in property investment and I really feel that it is in my blood, but, even I need a break from time to time! As the holiday approaches, anticipation builds up and, with that, the hope that the flight will be enjoyable. Read the rest of this entry

I am not sure if it is down to radio waves distorting their brains or sheer mindless “lemmingness”!  How can someone leave home and not know where they are going? Read the rest of this entry

Is your money in tidy compartments? One for notes and a section for coins and cards?  I watched someone open a wallet the other day – it was such a mess – there was “screwed” up notes, credit cards and coins all in the same area. As they rummaged around a ten pound note fell to the floor, they didn’t notice and I waited and didn’t say anything. Read the rest of this entry

Like Neo in the Matrix … I can dodge raindrops – that and I am a brilliant weather witch!

For years we used to cycle once or twice a week with friends – all year round. It never rained on a Tuesday or Thursday evening if I was out cycling. And that’s not because I didn’t go out on wet days!! Read the rest of this entry

I think I have just had a conversation about accepting the authentic you and being comfortable with it – being comfortable with who you are. Read the rest of this entry

Bob and I always joked that my favourite meal was Swedish meatballs in Ikea (though not now I have seen the light with the help of Lesley Wallace) and romantic rendezvous was Tesco in Yeading, because when we both had jobs we used to meet there to shop on the way home – silly I know and not really the point of this blog…. Read the rest of this entry

I understand that what you focus on is what you get but sometimes the environment around you just sends a wake-up call. Read the rest of this entry

I have had just the funniest series of email chats with Georgina Lester about being busy. We have been “trying” to meet up to talk about social media. I have been out speaking at property events and busy writing my new book and Georgina has been busy developing her new social media business. Georgina wrote that she had had to come to terms with not being a four brained octopus with enough fingers to match. Read the rest of this entry