Well, 2011 has been a busy one and my blog has suffered. I apologise for not keeping up with it but now I am back and so is my next interviewee.

This is Gabriela Margarita Houlgraves or 'Gabby', 34 from Sittingbourne.  Gabby works as a Customer Support Assistant at Maidstone Library.

Our beloved county is the reason I write this blog.  It is the best!

Gabby loves our county to because it is 'so green!'

"This surprises a lot of the people here when I say it.  You all [Kent residents] think it's very, very urbanised, but I just look at the vast fields and meadows.  Always so close and forests everywhere, and think 'Dude, this is the Shire!"

As you can tell from the last part of that quote, Gabby is a Lord of the Rings fan. Everyone needs to have a hobbit!

As part of my 2011 revamp, I have added a question to all my new interviewees which has been instated to find out if the people of Kent have interesting facts or information to share with me.  I always like to learn new things about Kent!

Gabby has selected to inform us about the history of Dover Castle, commissioned to be built by Henry II in the 12th century.

"The tunnels were first dug for the Napoleonic Wars, and then used as a command centre for Operation Dynamo which was the operation set up for rescuing soldiers from Dunkirk.  This is all well known."

This can be found on the English National Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk

What was more intriguing was what Gabby relayed next.

"There was also a lower level call 'Dumpy' which was the command centre during the Cold War and it was going to be opened to the public after the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act made it legal to do so.  But English Heritage went under there and found a lot of subsidence and were not as sturdy as the Napoleonic ones and also left in a hurry when the level got decommissioned, so they're not structurally sound. Lovely chalk!"

"And that is why the public won't be allowed down there!"

Gabby feels it is a shame as she would love to go down there and see them.  I would love to see it as well, it sounds fascinating.

We moved on to one of my favourite subjects: FOOD!

Gabby likes to dine at Maggie's cafe on Week Street.  I agree Maggie, whoever she is, does a blinding fried breakfast!

"The wholemeal baguettes and fillings are wonderful, not to mention the salads, the chilli, the cakes and pastries (all home-made) and the staff are the friendliest in town."

Also, Gab enjoys eating at Kitsu, a Tunbridge Wells based place that has, in her words 'The best sushi and teriyaki beef I've ever had."

Equally, Gabby likes an Indian at the Royal Tandoori in Chatham, traditional chips from a chippy in Lenham and her favourite pub is the Ringlestone nr Harrietsham.

We definitely have something in common here!

I always like to be a little bit nosey and find out what my interviewees get up to in their free time.  It feels like I can relate to them if they have something in common with me (in addition to food of course).

"Reading, reading, reading. I can't get enough of books!" Gabby says. "Guess it's lucky I work in a library!"

"I also love visiting English Heritage sites, you see something new every time.  And spending time with family and friends.  Nothing beats a house full of the people you love, all having fun and laughing, sharing life and food & drink."

I think Gabby is a great person, who lives life to the full.  That's the kind of people we need more of in this county to keep up its awesomeness.

This is always my favourite part of the interview: hearing a short story that sums the interviewee up.  I have heard some whoppers since I have been writing this blog - waking up half naked on a beach, buying items such as a bouncy castle on impulse, walking into walls or buying 'Chillis' when you are supposed to buy 'Jelly'.

"I was born in Puerto Rico (in the Caribbean), and I moved to New Orleans to my master's degree.  I still miss New Orleans, every day I'm not there, though I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world but here, in Kent."

That's what I like to hear!

"My first apartment burnt down, soon thereafter, I met Mark (now my husband- he's English, of course), and moved into a lovely shotgun house in New Orleans (For all who are not familiar, it is a narrow, rectangular building)."

"Mark and I got engaged, and i started getting my paperwork for the visa to come here to live and get married. There was a rumour that someone burned down their house near my house to collect the insurance money. The whole block of houses, including mine, burnt down.  I barely had time to grab my cat and laptop and run out of the house.  When I came back to see what was left, almost everything was burnt, except my visa papers and my winter clothes, and a crocheted Afghan my gran had sent me from Puerto Rico."

I want it noted now that Gabby has done fantastically to bounce back from this ordeal where others probably would have rolled over and given up.

"I took that as a sign from God and the Universe that I needed to go with my heart, to Mark and England.  And I didn't look back."

"Do I miss my family and friends from the other side of the Atlantic?  Oh yes!"

"Would I change anything? Not really. I only wish I'd met Mark before so we could have stated our life together sooner and that I had the power to teleport so I could visit my gran and my friends as often as I liked."

What a great story with both highs and lows but an overall outcome that is justly deserved.

It is always important to evolve and progress over time. That is true in both people, nature and our much loved county.  Gabby has some interesting suggestions on how to achieve this.

"I think we should have a better public transport network and it should be more realistically priced, so that people are seen to be quite foolish to take their cars out.  

I agree as I walk every where and think they should pump more money into transportation.

"If the buses and trains took us to where we wanted to go, frequently and cheaply enough, I swear people would give up cars quicker than you can say 'petrol'.  This is particularly true for people in rural locations, who are often quite isolated if they don't have a car.  But even between town centres, the service provision seems almost random!"

I think Gabby talks absolute sense and is valid in that our services are at times extortionate and something needs to be done to preserve the environment for the future generations.

And now to the finale.  My random question of the week.

You hear the four minute warning, you know it will only take you 10 seconds to get into a safe place, what would you do with the other 3 minutes and 50 seconds?

"That's a hash one!  Wow. I wasn't expecting that."

I like this reaction as it is meant to be surprising and awkward to answer.  It is my unique thing!

"I am close to Mark and Sebastian (my son) so I can make sure they're safe with me but even if not, the same applies.  Get as many people as I can into the safe place, hold them close and send a prayer up for the rest of my loved ones and the world!"

Sounds depressing but a nice answer and a good way to round off this sensational lady's interview.

Thank you Gabby for your time and I wish you all the best for the future. This interview has been a pleasure!

Well that's all folks for this week, check in again soon to see who will be my next victi... interviewee!

Now the winter snow has melted, service is resumed in shops, on motorways and in most people's lives.

This is Richard Roger Gaskin, also known to his friends as 'Dickie'.

Dickie lives in Maidstone and has done so the most part of his life.  Before moving to Maidstone at the age of 5, Dickie grew up in the village of Horsemenden near Tonbridge.

In the present day, Dickie gets his pay cheque from hard graft and long hours as a Butcher in The Mall's J.C. Rook and Sons, Maidstone.  Now in his fourth year of employment with the company, he has no intentions of leaving because what he does keeps him happy.

"I didn't think I would love a job like this when I left school but as it stands, I really enjoy it."

Despite starting early in the morning and finishing late in the afternoon, Dickie enjoys getting involved in sports.

"I am a really big football fan so I enjoy playing the game too.  Recently I have started to play Snooker which takes a lot more technical ability and thinking power then I first thought."

Dickie also has become a fan of reading (This blog would be a great piece to read), which he claims he never thought he would be, and socialising with friends and family.

"Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today."

I like when my interviewees praise our County because Kent is a great place to live. Dickie is no different.

"I like the fact that Kent is only a small drive away from the coastal towns or to the big city itself: London."

As Dickie rightly points out though, Kent has an excellent reputation both regionally and nationally.

"I think Kent has a certain quietness and dignity.  I can not really recall being mentioned on the news or in the national newspapers for bad press.  I mean I am sure we have our moments and problems but none such though to be broadcast to the nation in a bad light."

When he has time aside from his busy work schedule and taking part in his hobbies, Dickie can just about manage to have a night where he can eat out.

"I like to eat on Earl Street's restaurant Prezzos.  It's a little Italian place with a calming atmosphere, very polite staff and the food is delicious.  With very compromising prices too, I always recommend it to anyone that asks."

So we already know Dickie has time constraints so I was interested to find out what TV shows or movies he managed to watch.

"I can't say I've got any favourite shows or movies at the moment but my all time favourite TV shows are Thundercats and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from my younger days.  What boy doesn't like action as a kid.  As I've grown older, it has become shows like South Park and The Simpsons because they are easy viewing."

"Moviewise it has got to be The Dark Knight.  I can watch it over and over again and any film that makes me laugh.  It takes less muscles to smile then frown!"

Good point!

Dickie can be stubborn and the story of when he was 10 years old proves my point.

"I was on a holiday abroad in Spain with my family and another family.  The weather was boiling hot in the first couple of days and my mum told me to put on my t-shirt because I am fair skinned.  Let's face it, mums always know best much to their child's annoyance."

Yep they do!

"But as all children that age, I thought I knew best and decided to ignore the advice.  As I got out the pool, I must have wiped off the sun lotion because when I woke up the next day, I had blisters the size of tea mugs.  We went straight to the pharmacy and was given cream and gauzes with strong tape to hold them down."

"The following day, I was taken to the doctors who informed us that the gauzes were on wrong and that they would need to be removed.  The doctor slowly removed the gauzes with the tape and my first few layers of skin.  Those five minutes seemed like an eternity."

"I chose this story because as much as we think we are always right, the truth is the parents always know what is best no matter what.  I always wear sun lotion at all times in hot weather."

I don't blame you Dickie.

I felt we needed to move on swiftly because I didn't want my readers to feel ill and I didn't want Dickie to dwell on his mistake.

After his earlier praises of Kent, I was curious to find out how Dickie would make Kent a better place.

"I think to make Kent better we should try and bring in some income to restore part of the outgoing funds from the county.  We could use a big venue like the O2 arena that is capable of dealing with different events, from stand up comedy to conventions and concerts.  Or we could have a sporting venue for football and rugby because we don't have a really big team that represents this beautiful county.  Let's face it, we deserve it."

I think Dickie was worn out with his intense questioning so I wrapped up the interview with my random question of the week:  What is your ambition in life?

"I wouldn't say I have a lifes ambition.  I do want to bring happiness to my friends and family and to always be there when and where I can."

"I would also like to start up my own business, whether that be a butchery company or another type, I don't know.  It might fail but at least I can say I've tried and done it."

"I think another if it counts is to take a holiday to Australia.  It is one place I've always wanted to visit.  I just want to live a happy life and create a loving family."

I'd like to thank Dickie for his openess and in depth answers, best of luck to him in the future.

So another week, another interviewee interviewed.

Who is next week, who knows?

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

As the title suggests, on my own weekly deadline, this interview came just at the right time.

This is Nicholas David Turrell from Maidstone.

Most of his life has been spent in Maidstone, primarily in Loose and Boughton Monchelsea but he did venture south to Portsmouth for a 3 year stint at University.

He believes that he will spend all his life in Maidstone due to his family and friend ties but who knows what the future holds?

Nick enjoys to go on holiday with the lads and has a passion for watching and playing football.  Currently he plays for MGS Allstars 6 aside team at Armstrong Road, Maidstone and unfortunately supports Liverpool FC.

Aside from these two hobbies, he is a fully signed member of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).  This 'entitles' him to try new ales around the country as well as visiting beer festivals when he can. 

When asked what he liked about Kent, Nick responded "I think it's quite a good place to live.  There is a good mix of large towns, nice little villages and countryside, especially around Maidstone."

Being able to see a change a scenery quickly is another thing Nick likes about Kent.

"One minute you can be in the centre of a town and a 10 minute drive later you can be in the countryside.  It's also close to London and not that far away from the major airports and ports so you can get away from it all fairly quickly if you want!"

Local cuisine is a favourite of Nicks and knows of some great places to eat in Kent.

"I believe Kent has 4 or 5 Michelin Star restaurants.  I personally enjoy The Chequers in Loose.  It is close to my family home and is set in the Loose Valley.  The food is pretty good, pub-style food and the portions are generous."

He likes The Chequers because it satisfies his healthy appetite.

Like Adam last week, Nick is a keen comedy watcher and wrote a 10,000 word dissertation on comedy parodies for his Film Studies university course.  Films such as Airplane & Hot Shots he enjoys in particular.  He was correct in saying they were classics.

Nick, like a few of us, has experienced the feeling of being drunk.  Where most of us cross the line and then stop, Nick will cross it and then keep going.

"I was leaving the Lockmeadow complex in Maidstone, having had more to drink than I should have.  Basically I ended up in the River Medway."

Wait! It gets better.

"What makes it worse is that I couldn't get out because the bank was too steep.  I had to swim across the river and clamour out on the other side.  After that I had a 45 minute trip home dripping wet because it was clear no taxi would've entertained the notion of picking me up."

I think we have all once been a little worse for wear but Nick has missed the benchmark by a mile!

Kent is the county we all live in and all want the best for.  Nick is in agreement with this too.

"Finances for Kent should be better used.  We have a strange pole that lights up at night beside the Maidstone one way system and it does not serve any real purpose.  That money should have been better invested into Maidstone Hospital or a cause that really needs it.  Heathcare, for me, would come before 'art'.

Here, here!

And as I always like to give my interviewees something fun to finish with, I asked Nick my random question of the week:

If you were told you had a day left to live, what would you do for that whole day?

"Probably just not worry about what others think anymore, tell people what I think of them, good or bad, without having to worry about how it would affect your relationship in the future.  It would be quite empowering if you think about it."

For better or worse, this is a risky 'last thing you ever do thing' but refreshingly honest!  Cheers Nick.

Once again a big thanks to my interviewee of the week, Nick Turrell, and watch out because you could be next!

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

This week's interview took place over a cuppa, the nation's favourite hot drink and on a cold November night, it hit the spot.

This is Debbie Elaine Collins, 53 from Maidstone.

Debbie works as a partner in her own company with her best friend  and together they make up K & D Cleaning Services. (It's a household name).

During the minimal free time available to her due to her long working hours, Debbie enjoys being outside, tending to her garden.  When the cold weather hits though, she enjoys sitting in front of the T.V, tuning into to one of her favourite shows or heading off to town for a bit of retail therapy.

Her favourite T.V shows include Emmerdale, I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, The Only Way Is Essex and The Apprentice.  I can't agree with many on this list but I do enjoy watching Lord Alan Sugar firing candidates that think a motto like "I taste success in my spit" is going to win them the competition.  I love it!

When asked what she liked about Kent, she responded "Kent has a beautiful countryside which sometimes is helped by some nice weather. Also Kent has a good and rich history."  I knew by the emphasis on the word 'sometimes', that Debbie meant to say that in Kent the weather is very much like the Gillingham F.C. week to week scores.  Unpredictable.

Debbie named quite a few places in Kent that she liked to eat at but highlighted a few that she highly recommends to others.

"There is a great Beefeater at Eureka Park in Ashford.  I have been there with my son before and the food was really nice and the service was great.  Also I enjoyed eating at the Thomas Wyatt on London Road, Maidstone (A20)."

Aside from her soaps and reality television, Debbie enjoys to watch the Twilight Saga, Dodgeball and Disney's Up.

"I like anything action / thriller based."

Now at times Debbie can sit up a little too late at night watching her television or movies and nothing accomodates them better than a nice, big bar of chocolate.  Chuck in a laptop and falling asleep and you have a receipe for Debbie's story.

"One night I fell asleep whilst on my laptop and left some chocolate on my lap.  As you can guess, the chocolate melted all down me and all over my laptop."  Blushing a little, I couldn't help but laugh even when she added that she dribbled a little too.  Sorry Deb, I had to add that, it was too good to leave out.

I have probably embarrassed Debbie enough so I will move rapidly on to relay Debbie's ideas for a better and cleaner Kent.

"I think Maidstone Borough Council should give some of the town centre streets a good sweep and tidy, some are really messy and unappealing to look at.  Additionally I think people who leave their front gardens like a waste ground, should be made to tidy it up and make it more presentable."

Despite the plan to open new shops in Maidstone and Kent, Debbie feels that the money that would be used to achieve this could be better placed elsewhere and spend more wisely.

"The money should be spend on roads, particularly Bishop's Way given the amount of cars that go through there on a daily basis.  They [town officials and councils] keep squandering money on needless projects when they should focus on the issues that need improving.  Parking where I live is an example of one of these issues that need addressing."

Debbie feels that the money lost on these 'needless projects' should be injected into the towns and cities of Kent to help it cope with the future growth of the county.

I totally agree with Debbie, money is spent extravagantly and, in my opinion, not put to best use.

Although she was satisfied with her interview, Debbie thought I had wrapped up. But of course none of my interviews are over before I ask the week's random question of the week:

If you could travel to 5 destinations on a round the world trip, where would they be?

"Australia."  Straight away Debbie came out with this.  "I'd like to go to America, the Caribbean, I would like to go back to the Balearic Islands and it may sound odd but I'd like to go to Ireland."

Not odd at all Debs, a good variety of places to visit and the Irish know how to celebrate their patron saint's day in style so why not.

Once again, a huge thank you to Debbie who was my person of Kent this week. 

If you live in Kent, let's talk!

If you would like to appear on my blog, all I ask is that you live in Kent and that you are willing to talk to me for 10 - 15 minutes about yourself.

If you think you'd like to give it a try, drop me an email on millendauthor@gmail.com and we will see what we can do!

No I’m not talking about the Isle of Sheppey (although they do have similar weird & wonderful attributes)

I’m talking about Ibiza, official name Eivissa. It should be pronounced 'Ee-bee-tha' but many Brits like to pronounce it Eye-Beef-Ah. Under no circumstances should it be pronounced as if it rhymes with 'eat pizza' (unless you are in the 90s pop group)

An island in the Mediterranean Sea, 79 km off the coast of Valencia, Spain. It attracts thousands of tourists every year... old & young for many different reasons.

Take my parents for example. Both nearing 50 and still make it to the infamous island every year. There’s a charm about the place; the beautiful sunsets, the clear sea, the trendy people. It’s all very relaxing, exactly as you would expect for one of the most popular holiday destinations.

 That’s not to say the island doesn’t have a rebellious side. I’ve recently come back from Ibiza and to say it was a relaxing holiday would be... well ... inaccurate. The nightclubs draw you in the minute you step off the plane. Girls sporting bikini’s thrusting the latest flyer at your family as you pass through with your suitcase. I found myself pulling faces at them as though my Nan would have, had this been 8am at Gatwick.

So we got to our villa which was absolutely stunning. Very modern and chic. So modern in fact, it was brand-new and no local taxi’s knew how the hell to get there! Our lacking knowledge of the Spanish language meant most of our nights out, ended with a 15 minute hike up the rocks. Two days into the holiday and my boyfriend had a face full – (not just alcohol) which left him with lip, elbow and knee scabs. Hence his newly acquired nickname as ‘Ibiza Rocks’.

The average amount of precipitation days in September out in Ibiza is 4 – we managed to find two of them in our week’s stay. Nevertheless, the Balearic Island still has lots to offer on a rainy day. We did some shopping & went to a bar in the evening. The 15 minute rock climb to the bar felt like an hour with 6 of us huddled under a sun parasol. Seemingly getting more drenched than if we had saved us the extra weight and ran without it!

We took a trip to Ibiza Town, and this is when I realised why the older crowds flock here in summer. It’s more upmarket than San Antonio and is coated in character. Lots of expensive restaurants and pretty stalls line the cobbled streets. It makes you wonder how us Brits haven’t managed to ruin it yet. Even here it seemed you couldn’t escape the festival vibe, come midnight and the drag queens are out in their circus attire. I managed to get a photo with one of them however he/she was very reluctant. Anyone wouldve thought I was asking the queen to kiss my feet!

On to the nightclubs... Amnesia grabbed our attention the most. One of the biggest clubs in Ibiza brought into the public spotlight with its feature in the Kevin & Perry Go Large movie in 2000. It had promised a night of the best DJ’s so for £45 entry, it seemed quite reasonable. They put on a free bus to and from the Ibiza Rocks bar which was a big tick in my box. The club is amazing with 2 huge rooms, a terrace and VIP area. All was going well until we reached the bar... £13 for a bottle of beer and £16 pound for a Vodka mix! Wallet-brain kicks in and thinks ‘water’ but you’re looking at £9 for a bottle of Still.

You can see why the 18-30’s love the clubs in Ibiza; They are on another level compared to any Kent nightspot. Saying that, for £5 entry and £3 a drink... I’ll be sticking to Maidstone for the rest of the year!

 Just a few notes for anyone planning a trip to Ibiza:

• Spain will never beat a proper English breakfast.
• Definitely try the traditional Paella and small octopus.
• Visit a Sunset Bar such as the Cafe del Mar to watch the sun go down.
• Go to the Hippy Market which is between Santa Eulalia and Escana (on every Wednesday)
• If you are hitting the clubs, take lots of money... and enjoy yourself!

I’d just like to make a special mention to a local girl named Francesca Foulkes, aged 21 who was tragically killed by a hit and run in Ibiza this summer. Rest In Peace xx