Last Saturday I did something I've wanted to do for quite some time now. And to most people it might be a bit silly, but to me, it was definitely on my to do list whilst I am living in London. As the title of this post has already told you, I wanted to do my grocery shopping at...
I've visited the market a couple of times now. Usually with friends from Belgium who've come to visit me. A couple of time when the market was in full swing and a few times when the market was closed. (Sundays!) Now that I've moved house, Borough Market is within a 30min distance. One 20min bus journey and that is it! It's absolutely fabulous!
Of course, it was Saturday lunch time so the market was packed with people. But rather than letting it annoy me, I joined the crowd. Browsing past all the different stalls. Deciding where to buy my cheese, bread and little treat. I had a blast ^^
It is defintely not a place to do my weekly shop, but I think every few weeks I might make a little splurge ^^
The trip lasted for about an hour, if not even less. I walked to London Bridge to catch my bus back home, but not before I caught a glimps of this view.
On Sunday I went to Peckhamplex (again) to see Bastille Day with Idris Elba and Richard Madden. 'Review' will follow ;)
Monday evening I wanted to make some amendments in my planning for my trip to Scotland. I had originally planned to have 3 days of hiking on the Isle of Skye, but I wasn't sure if it was manageable so I wanted to tweek it a bit. By 11pm half of my original schedule was rearranged and all my accommodations were booked... During lunch break at work I had also already bought my train tickets to Edinburgh and on Sunday evening I had booked my car. All of the sudden my trip to Scotland is completely booked! What was first an idea, is now fact. I will go to Scotland for 15 days in less than two months! I can't tell you how freaking exciting I am!
Thursday evening, a colleague and I went to the launch of the Captain Amercia/Iron Man range in Uniqlo on Oxford Street. The first 200 people to arrive got a goodie bag (with premiums that we made x)), you could win a voucher, your portrait drawn by a comic artist or win a trip to San Fransisco. Of course we went to win that trip, which of course, we didn't. But I did win a golden ticket to have my face drawn next to captain America. I'll take that ;)
And to finish off the week lovely and start the bank holiday on an excellent note, Friday after work I met up with some people of my Thursday evening class. I'm in the late class, so there is never really a chance to mix with the early class and get to know them, until yesterday! It was so much fun ^^
And that is it for me this week! I'm very excited for bank holiday this weekend!^^ You'll see next week ;)
Disney has done it! Again! They've created something magical that just warms and melts your heart. Is there anything more that I need to say? Be prepared when you're watching:
Zootropolis
** spoilers **
2016 Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K Simmons, Alan Tudyk, Shakira,... Lenght: 1h 47min Genre: Animation
8/10
Set in an animal ruled world. Prey and preditor are living side by side and Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin), a bunny, is our main character. She grows up in a lovely town surrounded with her many family members and friends. Her parents are carrot farmers and when they try to convince her that is the best career path for a bunny, she resolute replies that she wants to be a police officer in Zootropolis. The first ever police bunny. Of course she passes all the classes at the police academy against all odds and when the time comes for Judy to graduate, she is placed in Zootropolis! A dream come true! But of course, there has to be a mystery case for our heroine to solve 'cause where would the story go otherwise? Together with sly fox, Nick Wild (Jason Bateman), ever optimistic Judy start the investigation of 14 missing mamals.
Et voila, one of the main focuses of the story is already mentioned in the synopsis. Try everything. A bunny wants to be a police officer? Keep trying until you pass. You want to get rid of your preconceived reputation? Proof everyone wrong! You can't have a Dinsey story without at least one great message for the youngsters? If you want something badly enough, work your ass off until you get there!
And yes, you've read it correctly, 'cause this movie doesn't have one, but two messages for the audience to take home! The second one is not to be prejudice! In this specific case it is not to be prejudice of all preditors. Just because a couple went wild, doesn't mean all of them will go crazy within seconds. Same can be said about our day to day life. Just because someone has a tattooed sleeve doesn't mean their aggressive. Believing in Allah does not make one an extremist. Wearing obvious Harry Potter branded/themed clothing in public does not make you an awkward weirdo. Don't be prejudice. Don't judge.
As per usual script, animations and score are amazing. Nick's looks are heavily based on non other than Robin Hood.*sigh* This is also the 3rd Disney movie only featuring animals in the principal roles. I believe Robin Hood was the first in 1973 and then the Lion King in 1994 (not including the sequels). Please correct me if I'm wrong :) Script is witty and has enough jokes for the adults to be entertained. I've had to restrain myself of seeing it again just to have a closer look at all the details worked into the background. The little Easter eggs that I've missed the first time I watched the movie^^ Definitely going to be added to my DVD collection.
The plot twist towards the end of the movie makes you think and draw even more lines to our present situation in reality. A group of people trying to create chaos and creating devisions between people to meet their own interests, etc. Ugh -.-
As woman in lead rolls are increasing, Disney is no exception. Almost all their films have leading ladies, but more recently those leading ladies also kick some serious ass. Rapunzel in Tangled is perfectly capable of defending herself with a frying pan, Tiana in the Princess and the Frog works her ass off to make her dream come true and doesn't throw herself at the first man that comes along, Merida in Brave refuses to marry just because she is a princess and wants to be free. And then of course you have Elsa and Anna. Really don't need to elaborate on those two. And now Zootropolis has joined the long list of movies with leading ladies. Judy Hopps is smart, determined and kind and is perfectly capable of standing her own man. Of course, no Disney leading roll without a "side kick". In this case, misunderstood fox, Nick Wild.
Also, the casting of the characters were spot on. Just to name a few: I never really pictured Jason Bateman as a voice actor, but boy does he do a terrific job. Judy Hopps has basically the same voice as Ginnifer Goodwin, but you don't picture Snow White either, so job well done Ginnifer! ;) Idris Elba, of course, was involved as well. He's been in quite a few good films recently: the Jungle Book and Bastille Day just to name a couple.
All in all, it is your everage fuzzy feel good Disney animation. They don't diverge from their classic formula, same look and feel, but with a different lesson ;) If you love Disney, you'll definitely enjoy this one as well :)
As per usual, here are the trailer and some videos for you to enjoy :)
Trailer
Interview
Clip
Music video
Oh my Disney. The day that Walt and Roy decided to start up a cartoon business. Little did they know, hein?x)
The Shard, Gherkin, London Eye, South Bank Lion, House of Parlement, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent street and finally Oxford Cirus. These are all the famous landmarks that I get to see every single day on my way to work. Some in the distance like the Gherkin and the Shard. Others upclose like the Big Ben and Trafalgar Square.
On Wednesday I will be living here exactly one month and it's been the best decision I've made so far. Not only are the landlord and my housemate very easy to live with, I am actually looking forward to go home at the end of the day, which is a new feeling for me. Every once in a while I still have the reflex to reach for my earplugs, but thankfully I haven't had any need of them since I moved here.
I've moved closer to town as well and on the corner of the street is a bus stop where about a billion busses can take you to various areas in London. Nearly everything is within 1 hour distance! Compared to the 1h30min or more before... I even live close enough to consider walking home after work. That is what I tried on Wednesday. I say tried, because I didn't make it all the way. A bit past Elephant and Castle I had to take the bus for the final bit. The walk from Oxford Circus up until Lambeth is very lovely. I passed Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, walked over the bridge toward Waterloo station and then Lambeth. From there the surroundings are less familiar, so I tended to follow the main road, which aren't very nice to walk past. I also didn't wear the correct footware and I kind of underestimated the weather. My hands were freezing! Anyway, I'll definitely give it another go when I'm more prepared. Maybe find a route via Borough, walk along the Thames for a bit. If I leave the office at 5.45pm I could be at home by 7.15pm! Not bad compared to where I used to live.
The most exciting thing that happened this week was probably the fact that I passed Lily James on the London streets! Well, not sure if it actually was her. Not sure she's even in London, although I should think so since the production of Romeo and Juliet is about to start in less than a month... Anyway, my brain convinced me it was her and I'm more than happy to believe it x)
That was it for this week. Besides passing Lily James on the street (if it even was her), nothing exciting happend. Half the people on my floor were ill or on leave, so there was about 3 of us to manage everything. Stressful is the least you can say about that. I've been swearing... A lot...
Anyway, tomorrow is the start of a new week and it should be a better one. Maybe not at work as two colleagues are on holiday, but next weekend I have a friend from Belgium staying over for bank holiday!^^ So looking forward to that!
So last week's post went up on Monday. Super late, as Sunday is usually the latest that I upload a weekly post. Reason being: I spent most of my weekend in the past... x) Not literally of course, but via means of DVD's and tv series. Not to get ahead of myself, on Saturday I went to an independent movie theatre in Peckham (about 25min walk) to see the movie Zootropolis. Be assured, a post will follow about that one ^^
And then, on Sunday, I binge watched Downton Abbey, season 5 finale and season 6. A complete day spent in 1924-1925. I saw the Christmas special for season 6 on Monday evening. On one hand, I'm sad that there will be no more new Downton Abbey episodes, but on the other, they did a good thing to end on a high note. It's such a satisfying ending for all characters that are still around. Well, I thought anyway :) Rumor has it there is talks of a movie, so fingers crossed that will happen soon!! ^^
I also saw the first episode of season 2 of Outlander on Monday evening. If you're not familiar with Outlander, I highly suggest you watch season 1 ASAP. 16 episodes of pure blisfull time travel to Scotland 1743. The show was such a hit and they are now back with season 2! Apparently, the number of people who've watched the first episode of the second season has increased! Yay!
The first book and season focus on Claire, a woman born in 1918. After WWII she goes on a second honeymoon with her husband to Scotland. There she touches the standing stones on Craig Na Dûn and somehow, she falls 200 years through time and ends up in Scotland 1743. You see the story very much through her eyes, how she tries to survive, her attempts to get back to 1945, etc.
The second book and season focus more on the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and how Jamie and Claire are trying to stop it as Claire knows who it will end... It is set in France instead of the Scottish highlands, so a change in look and feel is inevitable.
I've read the first two books, but I've been informed that season 2 will step away from the 2nd book. The first episode of the second season already proofs that and I'm looking forward to see how the producers, writers and directors will approach the rest of the story. Mind you, please see season 1 before you watch the first episode of season 2. It's a very emotionally heavy episode and you need all the information of season 1 to fully understand what is going on. I think it might scare people off who don't really know...:s I've also noticed, that because I've read the book and already know what will happen, I don't have the suprised reaction of most of the viewers... Not sure yet if I think that's a pitty or not...
So yeah, there you have it :) One final video of the intro of the series. I freaking love it!
The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. I've started watching Downton Abbey again from season 1, just because x)
Anyone else who's seen the first season of Outlander or the first episode of the second season? I need to talk about it!! x)
Firstly, before I get started, I must warn you: this is a picture heavy blog post!
Secondly, I know this post is unusually late for me, but my only excuses is that I was too busy watching the last season of Downton Abbey yesterday...
And then thirdly: let's get started.
On the 2nd of April, I went to Basildon Park with a friend. The name of the great country estate might not ring a bell, but Netherfield Park might. That is correct. Basildon Park was the set for Netherfield in the movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in 2005 and again in the most recent adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Even more interesting, is that the interior of Basildon Park also served as the interior set of the London house of the Crawley family in Downton Abbey. Why on earth haven't I visited that house earlier!?
One of my favourite scene, ever, was filmed there!
So, our trip started as per usual: our train left from London Paddington between 8am and 9am. We arrived in Goring and Stealing around 10am, walked around a bit, had a large English breakfast and then walked for about an hour until we reached the house. (I highly recommend getting off the train at Pangbourne. From there it's only 40min walk.)
Once we'd arrived at the park and the entrance to the grounds, I said to my friend that I was surprised with myself that I wasn't a member the National Trust yet. After all, I've been living in London for 2 years and I have visited a few houses/museums/gardens that are part of the National Trust.
Upon entering the little shop to buy our entrance tickets, a lady asked us if we were members of the National Trust. No, we freaking weren't! The lady mentioned a reduced price to anyone under 26 (hurray) and it was basically a no brainer for me. I signed up! As did my friend. So I gather that my friend and I will do some more exploring in the near future ^^ 15min later, we both were in possession of the National Trust handbook, entrance to the house was 'free' (included in our new membership) and off we went.
The first view on the house was just stunning.
Luckily my friend is just as big a fan of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice (and zombies) as I am ^^ Not to mention Downton Abbey x) Also very lucky that my friend can deal with my squeals and excitement. Well, if she's embarrassed, she hides it well.
Soon all the movie/ series connections were made. Outside and inside the house. It's easier to see for yourself...
Bingley waving goodbye to the Bennet family (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005)
Bennet family on their way home after Netherfield ball (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005)
Lady Grantham (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013)
Evidence for mr Bates (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013)
Breakfast at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005) and Ball at the London house (Downton Abbey, the London Season -- 2013)
Bennet sisters (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- 2016)
Goodbye between mr Darcy and Lizzy (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies -- 2016) and a ball at Netherfield (Pride and Prejudice -- 2005)
The house itself has a rich history, but if you're interested in that I suggest you read Wikipedia or the website of the estate. My main interest were the film locations. Did I mention that nearly every scene at Netherfield in Pride and Prejudice was filmed there? And the London Season of Downton Abbey as well!? In every other room there was a book with pictures of the scenes that were shot there. Hurray for people who understand what some people are interested in x)
FYI here is behind the scene of Pride and Prejudice (2005)
What I did pick up during that grand tour of the house was that Lord and Lady Iliffe who bought and restored the house, did an amazing job in preserving the true character of the house. It is now in hands of the National Trust. It reminded me greatly of Beatrix Potter, who bought 4,000 acres of land, 16 farms and cottages in the Lake District to preserve the community and protect it against industrialisation. After her death, she gave all her land to the British people and left it in the hands of the National Trust. So very moving.
The house tour lasted for about an hour, an hour and half tops, so after that we decided to walk one of the various tours around the grounds. The 1.5mile seemed like an appropriate distance and was estimated on 1h30min walk. Well, I guess those calculations were based on either very small children or very slow walkers. My friend and I walked the entire tour in less than an hour... Beautiful walk, but a bit short... Nothing else to do but to drink a cream tea ;)
Before we knew it, it was 4pm, the house was closed and soon the park would be too. Around 4.30pm we started walking towards Pangbourne station to catch the 5.47pm train. By 7.15pm we were in back in London.
About a year ago, when I first discovered Downton Abbey, I did some research and I quickly found out that the interior of the London house in Downton Abbey was the same as the interior of Netherfield Park. I saw a floor plan with the Octagon drawing room, library, dining room, etc. I just never put two and two together to consider actually visiting the house... The Octagon drawing room! The very room where Miss Bingley tries to impress mr Darcy, where Lord Grantham, lady Mary and lady Rose come up with a scheme to distract Simpson so they can retrive a letter... I guess you need to be familiar with the movie and/or tv series to know what I'm talking about :s
I sure glad I did pay a visit in the end! I'd say the house is well worth it. After my visit, of course, I did watch Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey again just so I could point out all the rooms that I've actually visited. Just so cool x)
Anyway, I'll leave this as final picture x)
Please let me know if you know any other film locations that I might be able to visit! Suggestions are always welcome!
This weekly update will not be interesting for anyone who doesn't know in what a dump I used to live and how long I've been looking for a new place to live. So feel free to clic away :)
To my aunt, uncle, sis and the few friends who occassionally read this blog: I'VE. MOVED. HOUSE!!! After 13 months of viewings, rejections, doubts and changing my mind, I've finally, finally, finally left that dump. Hurray!
My parents, amazing as they are, came over on Easter to help me move. The amount of stuff that I've collected over the 19months that I've lived in Thornton Heath is ridiculous. Thank god the new room isn't on the other side of London, so we managed to move everything in two runs on the same day. By Monday noon, nearly all my stuff was unpacked and had a new home. I have considerably less storage space than in my previous room, but that is a minor detail that I'm more than happy to compromise on. Just like the fact that the area isn't the prettiest in London.
Instead of living with 7 men, I'll be sharing an apartment with only 2 other people: the landlord and another tenant. My new housemate and I have had a couple of brief conversations and by the looks of it, we have a lot in common. Last night I was watching Pride and Prejudice on my laptop in my room. All of the sudden I heard a knock on my door. It was my new housemate and she asked: "Are you watching Pride and Prejudice? I LOVE that film!" She can guess a movie based on soundtrack and dialogue alone. My kind of crowd x) The landlord is currently on holiday, so it'll be interesting to see how it'll be when he is around as well.
Compared to the previous house, I will not have to worry if there will be electricity in the house when I get home or not. The heating works perfectly and there is a television at our disposal, although I haven't used that yet. AND THERE IS WIFI! Slowly but surely I'm making my way into the 21st century x)
I'm also about 30min away from Greenwich with public transport, so I'm guessing that I'll spent a lot of time there now that summer is around the corner ^^
Of course, whilst packing up my entire life in London in boxes, a series of movies flashed through my mind where someone moved as well... Just a little insight as to how my brains works x)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Sex and the City (2008)
Miss Potter (2006)
It was a very busy week. First 2 days Cambridge and then on Sunday moving house, so I had to pack everything before I left for Cambridge. Luckily it was Easter Monday so still some time to relax :)
All in all, I'm very happy I finally made the decision. The busy week was so worth it and sleeping without earplugs is still a very odd sensation. I went back to Thornton Heath today to hand over the old keys to my previous landlord and when we said goodbye I couldn't get to the bus stop fast enough!! x)
If you've managed to read this post til the end, I thank you for putting up with my moaning and gloating. I'm just so darn happy. Fingers crossed it'll last!
