Pitstone mum is a blogging phenomenon

She says: “It was an easy way to keep in touch with family and friends back home in Buckinghamshire, without having to email everyone individually.”

Today, a decade later, that weekly diary (which incorporated the odd recipe and reminiscence), has developed into Englishmum.com – an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog that’s a national phenomenon.

Not only does Becky now write for upmarket national newspapers, Tesco Magazine and a couple of cruise publications, but she also represented family travellers on the Gatwick Airport Passenger Panel and provides tips for family travel on the airport’s website.

In addition she was shortlisted in Red magazine’s Hot Women Awards and fronted Sainsbury’s #Loveyourfreezer TV campaign. She is also one of Samsung’s People of Note in the Huffington Post.

Becky, of Castlemead, says people always imagine bloggers lolling about in pyjamas tapping away on their lap tops while the kids run riot. She’s keen to bust that myth, even though she does work from home.

“I’m a 40-something mum of two strapping lads,” she says. “And in my spare time – ahaha – I’m an enthusaistic cook and food lover. I’m mad about wine, crazy about travel and apart from a small group of very close friends, I’m rather unsociable.

“I love beaches – it’s the smell and the sand-between-the-toes – lip balm and cruise ships.”
She’s also a Disney nut - it would be her chosen subject on Mastermind – a keen baker and photography fan.

Now her blog has been shortlisted in the Best Blogger category of Cruise International Magazine’s Cruise Awards and she’s hoping Observer readers will help her clinch the coveted title by voting for her.

She confesses: “I hate the whole vote begging thing but love the way Cruise International does it, offering the chance to be entered into a draw with two incredible prizes – a trip to Cuba for two with Celestyal Cruises or £1,500 worth of luxury Bric luggage.”

> More info at www.cruise-international.com/awards/ or visit http://englishmum.com/vote-cruise-awards-2016-win-fab-prizes.html