January - a busy month in the diary

Hi all - and welcome to a little round-up of January on planet Derky.  It's been a busy one too.  First up, I hope you and yours had a fantastic Christmas and New Year Celebrations.  It all went a bit quickly for my liking - but I hope you all enjoyed a good break.  I was working to and from a visit to catch up with the family in Kent, which was fantastic.  Great to switch off, and see what everyone has been up to.  My Christmas Day proper at home, with presents and all was on the 30th of December - hopping straight from Christmas to New Year in 24 hours was a little odd, but all good nevertheless.   Then, along comes January - a mammoth month of cold and snow - and one or two adventures, including Venice.  It was the start of a mammoth week that started off in the 'millionaire's row' of the South Coast, down in Poole to film a new series of 'The Showcase' for The Holiday and Cruise Channel.  TDN Management put on a mammoth showcase of performers for the night - and I'm excited to see the show when it is edited together later this year.  The following day, I hot-footed it off to Gatwick Airport for a brief 24 hours in Venice, for the Vicenza Jewellery Fair for The Jewellery Channel, watching our buyers negotiating some great deals for the upcoming season.  Back home, via a shift to The Jewellery Channel to a snowy Chorley.  Great to meet so many people at the Liverpool Cruise Club Cruise Fairs too.  I have learnt so much about cruise holidays and why they are so appealing from many people telling me their adventures.  If you've ever been on a cruise - what did you love, what would you recommend.  I'd love to hear from you.  Drop me an e-mail at derek@derekmarks.co.uk .  Well, two more days of January left, I'm spending the 30th in the company of Jewellery designer Rachel Galley www.rachelgalleydesign.com as we have a TJC show - and on the 31st meeting a brand new UK based designer - Sari Jules. Let's see what February brings - oohhhh yeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhh.  Talk Soon :)

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