I'd just like to mention a few words on the excellent weekend just passed in the "Venice of the North", Birmingham in the UK. Pleasantly surprised would be the first two words to spring to mind - because who would have thought a hen weekend Birmingham could be so thoroughly enjoyable?

Before this hen night, the mere suggestion of hen parties was enough to have me run a mile. Not that I have a wedding phobia, perhaps more a fear of tottering through the streets on an unfamiliar pair of heels, crowned with a plastic tiara - but this weekend changed my entire perspective regarding hen nights.

First of all, there was the afternoon locked in paintball combat. Good times and a lot of laughs were had by all, and this meant that we were sufficiently battered, bruised and filthy to really appreciated the next stop at a local health club. Words cannot express the blissful sojourn at the jacuzzi, pool and steam room. After hours of chatting and catching up with old bosom buddies, and making some new firm friendships, we emerged - radiant, pampered and glowing- to begin the partying well it isn't called a hen party for nothing, right?

Blessed with some of the liveliest nightlife in the country, Birmingham is home to some of the nation's coolest bars and clubs.

An ace day of relaxation followed by a night of high-intensity fun, it was superb!

I'm actually quite looking forward the next one coming (it seems to be the season for it!) - it will be a hen weekend in Manchester and I think it's set to be sensational. There's one thing to be said about all these henís weekends - it's getting me out to see much more of England!