Title Unknown - Fame Puzzles (1000 pieces)

Another donated puzzle, but with a twist. This one had been completed and placed on a board and covered in plastic. However, during transit it has slipped and collapsed with large sections detaching and ending up in a crumpled heap in one corner under the plastic. It took a little while to carefully gain entry, but once in I was able to put it back together quite quickly. The image is a fairly standard country cottage, but the type of scene I like - especially as it has lots of bright colours and good patch of sky! 

Time taken: 30 minutes 

Dreaming Angel - Schmidt Puzzles (1000 pieces)

 I was passed this puzzle by a friend who had had enough of the dark outer space. They normally puzzle in the evening and they rightly knew that to have success natural light would be needed. I wasn't complaining about its surrender though as I love a Schmidt puzzle - somehow they seem to have less dust than other brands. The angel in the middle didn't take long, but the outer darker bits were a little taxing - not least because of the miserable October weather and dark skies. However, it proved a lovely puzzle overall. 

Time taken: 4 hours 

BBC Points West

 I received a friend request on Facebook from someone I didn't know. I checked out her profile just to be sure, saw we had no mutual friends and her interests didn't look like mine so declined....but then I spotted that she'd also sent me a message. My curiosity took hold and I opened it to find she was connected with the BBC and they were looking to do a 'piece' on competitive jigsaws - would I be happy to be interviewed? 

Sure, why not! I'm always happy to talk puzzles and agreed.

It was soon set up, and what became apparent rather quickly is that the piece was actually to be about me specifically and my competitive puzzling - well this increased the nerves. I'm very happy with my geeky little hobby, but also realise it leaves plenty of room for people to have a laugh at my expensive. I needn't of worried - the reporter and cameraman took it all very seriously and made me feel totally at ease. The finished segment was a mixture of humour and understanding and I wasn't too embarrassed by how I came over on camera. 

Here's hoping some people watched and felt good about owning up to also being a puzzler!