I looked at the guest list and gulped. It was full of BIG names; travel publications like Condé Nast Traveller and National Geographic, renowned PR agencies like Four BGB and Hills Balfour and tourism boards ranging from Scotland to Mauritius. And then me, from some little unknown website called 40before30.com.
The awards begun. Prizes were handed out to really talented people from Lonely Planet and to the likes of Kevin May from Tnooz. I skulked at the back and tweeted:
“What am I doing here?!”
The awards were being swiftly handed out and soon enough it was time to announce the Travel Blogger of the Year – this first time this prize had ever been awarded at the British Travel Press Awards. The judges were read out:
Joel Brandon-Bravo, Travelzoo
Pleasance Coddington, VisitBritain
Alison Couper, Expedia Inc
Then the six nominees were announced. I raised my camera to get a picture of my face on screen as a nominee, thinking this was as good as it gets. I wasn’t really listening to what the announcer was saying, getting frustrated with my camera and it’s poor pictures in the dark. I thought I heard something that sounded like my name. My boyfriend was looking at me ecstatically.
“REALLY?” I said.
I fought my way through the crowd to get to the stage. People I respect hugely were congratulating me. It seemed to take ages and the man on the mike commented about the delay. On stage I worried about straightening my dress and breathing in for the camera, completely overwhelmed by what was happening. The announcer was saying something about why I had won, mentioning the 40before30 challenge, how I share my travel adventures and misadventures along the way.
Stepping down from the stage there followed a moment which put the icing on the cake. Resplendent in purple silk and that famous golden tan, “Well done” said Judith Chalmers OBE – to ME!!!! If I was ever asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up I would invariably reply Judith Chalmers, presenter of travel show ‘Wish you were here’. I suppose, in a way, I have found my own way to present the ‘Wish you were here’ concept. A way that fits the current approach for reading, researching and being inspired to travel; through this brand new industry we call social media.
Now for the cheesy thank you bit..
So I really want to thank you guys for bothering to read these musings on travel that I enjoy sharing so much. For caring enough to respond and engage with me, for being inspired to travel to places that I have enjoyed visiting. Thanks to the other travel bloggers who have shared their tips for success with me and to the wonderful fellow nominees I shared the evening with – Abigail King and Paul Corbett. Thanks to my mum for being my first subscriber and to my boyfriend who insisted on attending the Travel Press Awards with me although I told him it would be a waste of his time. Turns out it wasn’t!
You can view a full list of the winners at the British Travel Press Awards 2011 on their website.
Congratulations Jayne, that is great news! You can be (and I’m sure you are) very proud as I believe it is very hard to stand out in between all the great travel bloggers out there. Job well done!!
Thank you Emiel, I feel honoured more than anything, but very happy too 🙂
Congrats Jayne, this is awesome! You’ve always been one of my fave bloggers and tweeps.
Thanks Heather and don’t tell anyone but you are one of my fave readers and bloggers too :p
Secret’s safe with me 😉 Hey, I should be returning to London once or twice in the first few months of 2012. Hoping you’re in town when I come!
Congrats Jayne! So happy I get to congratulate you in person next week in SFO! Weeeee!!!
Celebrating geek style! Yay!!!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Such huge news! SUPER CONGRATS!!!
Thanks Andi!! You are one of my inspirations 🙂
Thoroughly deserve it! Congrats.
Thanks mate!
Big congratulations, you absolutely deserve it 😉
You are very kind 🙂
Woot! Woot!
That’s awesome! Congratulations 😀
Thank you!!
Yesss!!! Well done Jane you totally deserve it xxxx
Thanks Jen. You are very kind xx
CONGRATULATIONS! 😀
Cheers!
Congrats Jane. Well done! Quite the accomplishment!
Ah thank you
Quirkilicious congratulations Jayne – couldn’t happen to a lovelier lady – and great travel blogger x
Thank you Zoe for your kind words and generous support. I feel very grateful xx
Congratulations – well done indeed – I was on the list of nominations but didn’t get to the finals….SO big huge respect! Lx
Thank you so much – and well done to you too! I look forward to checking out your blog xx
Congratulations, even though you did beat my big brother Paul, having read your blog for 5 minutes I am already hooked. I will now be an avid reader of your adventures x
Thank you Suzanne, I couldn’t have been up against a nicer man than your brother. It was great to share the evening with him and he deserves many congrats too! Wonderful to have found a new reader in you though. Hope you enjoy x
Congrats Jayne! 😀
Cheers guys 🙂
Congrats!!
🙂
Congrats!!
Congrats Jayney. Befitting accolade, considering how passionate you are on travel. Give us more! 🙂
Thank you and I certainly will 🙂
I read it on twitter, but it wouldn’t be right not to congratulate you here as well. Well done, Jane! Congratulations!
Thank you so much Deborah – so kind!
Congrats! I can’t imagine how excited you must be 🙂
Incredibly Emily haha
Well done! I’ve just found your blog but I’ll be following your travels on RSS.
thanks and welcome!!
Well done jayney, I’m so pleased for you 🙂
That is so sweet! Thank you!
Well done Jayne.
Dad.
haha thanks Dad! Now where is my present?! :p
Well done – congratulations!
Killin’ it!
Congratulations – and thank you for the shout-out! Was good to catch up with you both again x
Congratulations & Celebrations.
Wishing Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Party Party Party.