25 September 2016

Penelope movie location just around the corner of the office!

Hallooooo!

Weekly update numer 37, 91 days until Christmas as of today and Bridget Jones' baby hit theater on Friday 16th September. So of course, I had to go see it opening weekend.

Saturday morning started with waking up due to a nightmare. The start of a week full of bizar dreams... After I'd made myself some breakfast, I chose Penelope as the movie to eat my breakfast with. I'd seen Penelope before and genuinely enjoyed the little feel good film. Halfway through the movie, I saw some familiar backgrounds. Wait a minute, a few scenes were shot around the corner of the office where I'm currently working! And the pub used in the film, is the pub me and my colleagues always go to whenever there is a leaving do or birthday worth celebrating!


Reason I'd never noticed before, is because when I first saw the movie, I didn't live in London. Also, the movie isn't set in London and the actors are having an American English accent, yes, even James McAvoy, so it can be quite confusing. Anyway, of couse I had to take a picture of the locations ;) Here is one.


Then at 12.30pm Bridget Jones' baby started at the local cinema and let me tell you, I can't wait to see it again ^^ It's funny, witty and endearing. You get devided between Jack and Mark, which is new, as Daniel Cleaver was a no go from the bat. Not too convinced about the Gangnam style dance scene, but Rene is brilliant, as are Colin and Patrick. The old gang is still around, but introducing a new 30 something friend into Bridget's circle. Emma Thompson is gold, as per usual, and you can tell she had something to do with the script ;) I might do a proper review, actually, come to think of it :)


After the movie and a bit of grocery shopping I was home again around 4 and ready to see another film. This time it was Miss You Already. Complete opposite of Penelope. No light heartness to be found... Great movie though. Very gripping, honest, real, ...


And to end a day on a bit of lighter note, I watched Laggies again. I can kind of relate to the main character. She has no clue what she wants to do with her life... Something very very very familiar to me...


Later in the week I started rewatching Outlander season 2, because why not? And I've also seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Mainly because I've visited Doune Castle back in June and the audio guide was spoken by one of the actors/producers/directors of the movie. The audio guide also played a few dialogue scenes of the movie which made me laugh out loud like a fool x) I haven't had the best week, but this sure put a smile on my face x)



The week ended in the pub that featured in Penelope to celebrate my deputy account manager's birthday. Always good fun, but it wasn't a late one as per usual. I had a skype call with my dear friend Molly before I went to bed to start my weekend a fresh.

And that is it for this week. Hope it gave you a few more movie recommendations ;)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

18 September 2016

Alnwick Castle and the Borders with Rabbie's Trail Burners

Halloooooooo!!

You're in for a beast of post today! Very photo heavy. I did and saw much in the course of just 3 days, that by the time I was back at the office I felt like I'd been on holiday for at least 2 weeks. But lets just jump right into it.

Saturday morning I arrived in King's Cross at 7.30am as my train would depart at 8.30am. Although it was half an hour earlier then when I went to Edinburgh back in August, there were so much more people around! oO Anyway, had my breakfast just like I did last time I was about to leave for the North. Rather then waiting patiently for the train to be announced, I ventured out in the station to buy some lunch to eat on the train and to visit Platform 9 3/4, because unlike last time, it was actually open now! Don't worry, I didn't buy anything ;) 8.30am arrived and I was all settled in ready for the 4h30min train ride North. I watch a movie (I forgot which one!), did some reading, eat my lunch,...

At 1.30pm we finally arrived in the capital of Scotland. As it was too early to check in to my hotel I do what I usually do: go to the Royal Mile. As the fringe was over, it was a lot quieter on the high street, but there were still a few street musician around. After listening for a bit, I was getting a bit peckish so I made my way to the Starbuck with the splendid view. Sat at the exact same table as I did last time, enjoyed the view and the time travel back in Voyager, 3rd book in the Outlander series that I'm currently reading. After my tea and delicious muffin I made my way to the guesthouse to finally drop off my stuff. Just like last time I travelled super light: my North Face backpack with clothes and pair of extra shoes, a little handbag for the essentials and then a foldable bag to put in my scarf, jacket and food when bought. Honestly, people who pack an entire suitecase for just 3 days, I don't get it...

Around 4.30pm I left my room to explore the city abit. In the past, when I stayed in Edinburgh, it was usually South of Old Town. Now I was staying West of New Town, super close to Haymarket station, so a completely different part of town! Time to get exploring! I heard a bit of the place in Edinburgh called Dean Village and I had seen some beautiful pictures of the area so I needed to go and see it for myself. Once I found it, it was hard to believe I was actually still in a city...



After wandering around for a bit, I made my way back to Princes Street to find something to eat. Yes, I had eaten a muffin not too long ago and yes I was hungry again already. What can I say? Healthy appetite or do I have parasite living in my tummy? One way or the other, Byron burger was delicious and I ended my first day back in Edinburgh with an hour of listening to two street musicians whilst contemplating if I could ever call this city my home. It certainly feels like it, but could I actually live here?

Then, Sunday morning. I had booked myself a 1 day tour with Rabbie's, or Rabbie's Trailers Burners to go to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, England. The tour left at 9.30am, so not too early. Our guide would be Gillian, who turned out to be a hilarous tourguide who would take us off the beaten track. Rabbie's tag line proofs to be actually true :)

Whilst making our way out of the city, Gillian told us about grave robbers, the World's End and Little France, the Romans and how they were responsible for the roads going straight over the hills rather than around which resulted the people in the back (including me) to be tosted around. Thank god for seatbelts!

First stop on the tour was Kelso, a little village in the Borders with a very old cathedral, or what is left of the cathedral anyway. When Protestantisme made its way through the country a lot of the cathedrals, chruchs, anything to do with Christianity would be destroyed, including the grand cathedral.




We had about 30min to marvel over the grandour of the cathedral and have a little look around Kelso. Although I had my coffee in the morning, I was actually craving a tea. Unlike London where the shops are open every day, it was a bit of search to find a bakery or coffee shop that was open on a Sunday. Sure enough I found something. Tea was £1, which is the correct price in my opinion, and then I sat on a bench on the town square with my face in the sun for a bit.


I would have stayed longer if I wasn't part of a group on a mini bus, so when the time came, I headed back to the mini van to be driven towards England.

Arriving at the border, rather then just driving us over the bridge that acted as a cross over from Scotland to England, Gillian dropped us off so we could walk from Scotland to England. Really cool idea Gillian! I can actually say now that I've walked from Scotland to England.


England is left, Scotland on the right

Turned out that Robert Burns, the famous poet who's house I've visited back in June when I was in Alloway (link to that blog post is here) walked over this bridge in 1787. So basically, I've walked in the footsteps op Robert Burns.

Once we were all on the bus, we headed to the main attraction of the day: Alnwick Castle. My main motivations were Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. This castle was used as Hogwarts in the first Harry Potter film: the Philosopher's Stone and as Brancaster Castle in the season finale of Downton Abbey season 5 and season 6.



We had about 3hours to visit the castle, the gardens and to eat lunch. I had to do everything in a bit of a hurry. First priority was lunch, 30min for that. Then I had given myself an hour and 30min to visit the castle and then an hour to visit the garden.

The state rooms were absolutely stunning. The family actually lives there and family pictures are to be seen everywhere. This meant that I wasn't aloud to take any photographs myself. *snif* But if watch the season final 5 of Downton Abbey you get a glimps of the interior ;) Also, in the small liberary scenes, try to notice the paravant in the distants. It is there to hide the massive flatscreen television that doesn't really fit in th 1925 vibe ;) There was actually a display of costumes worn by the Downton cast which was pretty cool for the Downton fan in my :)

After visiting the state rooms it was time to find all the exterior film locations and boy did I found a lot :) Here are just a handful.







The final hour was spent in the gardens. I wish I had had a bit more time there as it was just stunning.


I nearly skipped the oriental garden, but so glad I didn't! As I was looking around I saw this rose that looked very familiar... If it does look familiar to you too, then you know your Disney Classic's pretty well ;)


When I saw this, it confirmed my initial idea. And when I found out that the rose's name is actually Deep Secret, I only found it very approriate.


From the Oriental garden, which was at the very back of the garden, I made my way back toward the beginning of the garden. That is when I stumbled on these. Rows upon rows. Such a marvelous idea! People can just go and sit there, enjoy the quietness, shielded from the rest of the garden and the world for that matter and just relax. I sat in one of them for only a few minutes, as I had to be back at the bus on time!



After Alnwick castle we made a little stop at Bamburgh castle. Not to visit the castle, but to enjoy the view over the North see. In the distance you could actually see the Holy Island! The island where the vikings first landed back in the fist century and robed the monks who lived there from all their valuables. One of the reasons why I've started watching the series Vikings ;)


Some locals
Bamburgh castle

Our stop before the last one was in Berwick upon Tweed. A place the train always passes through when going to Edinburgh or London. I actually saw a seal!



And then the final stop was at the borders between Northumberland, England and Scotland. Picture time!


By 7pm, Gillian dropped us off back in Edinburgh. Time to eat! But first, snap a picture of Carlton Hill bathing in a sunset.


And after dinner, a picture of Edinburgh Caslte by night.


On Monday I was determined to find locations used in the Outlander series, more specifially Voyager. But I soon came to the conclusion that eventhough that big events such as the battle of Culloden actually happened, Diana Gabaldon made up quite a few locations such as Craig Na Dun and Lallybroch. No difference in Edinburgh. Although the World's End pub actually does exist, even to this day. It would be pretty cool to actually see the wall that lays underneath the pub :)

The above pictures was taken on my way to the Queen's gallery. When I was in Edinburgh back in June, I visited the gallery as well and as it is valid for a year, why not visit again? It was a different collection and sniffing up some culture and art never hurts :)

After that it was late afternoon and time to get a cream tea :) I sat in a little tea shop, hoping to write last week's post, but an older lady sat at my table and we started chatting. As you do. So I had to go elswhere to write and upload last week's post. Starbucks on the High street it was. Starbuck again. They just have the best views in the city... I sat in that Starbucks until it was time to make my way to train station. As per usual I arrived way too early, so headed back up towards Princes street to sit in the sunset with view on the sir Walter Scott memorial. I wasn't ready to just sit for 30min in a train station. I wanted to get as much Edinburgh out of the wait was possible.



I arrived home quite late on Monday and Tuesday morning I had to be back at the office. From there is the usual week. Going home, watch Viking, read Voyager, etc etc. Waiting for the weekend to come.

And that is it for this week's update! Apologies for the long post, but there were just too many pictures I wanted to show :)

Thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

12 September 2016

I have a new roommate, Outlander SE2 and PanAm

Hellooooo!!

This post is going live rather late. I have a good excuse though, I'm currently in Edinburgh. Yes, again. Don't judge me, alright? I've just found a little peace and quiet, so I took the opportunity to write my weekly update :) Not that there is much to tell. Well show. I can tell enough. You see, I've locked myself out of my room this week and I've got a little room mate! I just can't show any pictures.

Anyway, to start from the beginning: the weekend. Saturday I discovered a new tv series: Pan Am. 10 or 13 episodes of 1 season and I binge watched it in one go. The series honestly gave the great urge to travel x) Although I'd be bad at it, I'm not a fan of uniforms... The series is set in the Jet Age, 1960's and it simply looks fabulous.




Sunday morning I finished the series (told you I binge watched it) and I moved on to the final 5 episodes for Outlander season 2. I started watching back in April, but I'm so bad a waiting a week for another episode, so I decided to call it quits for the time being so I could watch all the remaining episodes in one go. Although I knew how it was going to end as I've read Dragonfly in the Amber, the second book in the series and the book on which this season is based. And anyone who is a bit familiar with Scottish history and the Jacobite rising in particular, knows the ending as well.



After watching the season finale, I needed to know what is coming next, so I've started reading Voyager, the 3rd book in the Outlander series. It is a book of a whopping 1059 pages but at the end of the week I had already reached page 400. Give me two more weeks and that book is finished.

Then, on Tuesday I managed to lock myself out of my room. I had my windows open and when I went to the kitchen, I stupidly forgot to put the lock open so it doesn't close. Sure enough, my room door closed so I couldn't get back in. 'No biggy' I thought, as I was sure the landlord would have a spare key. Turned out he didn't -.- So we started trying various methodes to break into my room. Somehow my landlady managed to open the door with a piece of paper. I was thrilled, but very worried at the same time. What is the point of a lock if it can be opened to easily?:s Anyway, got a spare key now.

And on Wednesday I got the fright of my life, for about 10seconds. Just after I'd finished my dinner and I was leaning back in my chair I saw a movement in the corner of my eye. A tiny little mouse was scuffling around. I am well aware that having mice in the house isn't the ideal situation and I knew the mouse had to go, so I went to my landlord to ask for a mouse trap. With a very heavy heart I set the trap and went to bed. Following morning the chocolate, the bait, was gone and the trap didn't collapse. So Thursday evening I tried again, set the trap and see what'd happen. Halfway through the night I woke because of it. It was running around my floor, shivering from whiskers to tail. Poor thing. It was so scared. I'd be too though, if I'd known someone wants to kill me... Anyway, Friday morning, the trap did collapse. However, no mouse and the bait was gone. Clever little fella! So Friday evening I decided to try another technique all together: block off the hole he is living in. Saturday morning I left for Edinburgh really early so I have yet to discover what has become of my little roommate.

That is it for this weeks update. Nothing fabulous, just your everyday life with a tinge of stupidness and heart,

As always thanks for reading!
xo - Sara

5 September 2016

Introduction to the motorbike

Halloooo!!

As mentioned in my previous post, Sunday was possibly the highlight of my week in Belgium. Saturday before we had a barbecue with the family and then on Monday evening I took the train back to London.  And as for the rest of the week, it was working week as usual.

So Sunday morning my dad and I left really early to a training track an hour and 15minutes away from where we live. The journey was so quiet and beautiful. The rising sun, not too hot, little traffic,...

It was a one day course, starting from 9am until 5.30pm with an hour lunch break. Classes were in French, which went much better than I had expected :) My understanding of French is much better than my active use of the language, which is a start I guess :)


The first hour was theory for everybody and at 10 we were devided in the 3 classes: discovery, advanced and master. The discovery class turned out to be all ladies, which was a lot of fun :)

In the morning it was the first meeting with the motorbike. How it works, how to change gear, how to stop, etc. And after lunch we did some exercises on turning and stopping quite suddenly.







It does run in the family x)




Although my jacket was waaaay to big and my motorbike slightly too small, I had the best time and it was a good first introduction to the motorbike. I might look into getting my driver's licence now...x)

So Monday was a day stayed at home. I went to buy chocolate to take with me to UK, packed my bag, did some DIY, etc. By 6pm I sat on the train to Brussels, from where I would take the Eurostar back to London...

Tuesday morning I was back at the office... And the rest of the week passed very uneventful...

So that is it for this week's update!

If anyone in Belgium is interested in a discovery course or advance/master course in motorcycling, Touring organised various days in the weekend for anyone who's interested :) http://training.touring.be/

As always, thanks for reading :)
xo - Sara

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