In Pictures...
I’ll be relieved to say goodbye to the
inconveniences and injustices I’ve faced here in the U.K., (British
organisations causing life admin nightmares), but as we cross off dates on the
calendar and prepare to leave the U.K., I find myself reflecting on the
wonderful adventures my fiancé and I have had in the past year and a half, and
just how much I will treasure these memories forever.
Rather than writing the usual ‘essay’, I
thought I’d organise my experiences into categories… complete with pictures!
Most Magical:
3. Christmas with my fiance’s family at
their log cabin by the river. Have I ever seen a more Christmassy home,
or sang so many karaoke Christmas carols? I think not.
2. ‘Harry Potter’ Studios on Christmas Eve.
‘Nuff said!
1. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. A foggy,
cold day in London spent ice-skating while carollers sang classic Christmas
tunes.
Most Beautiful:
3. Waking up to birthday balloons, banners
and presents on my 29th birthday.
2. Walking along a long, deserted pebble
beach in Bournemouth with my love, and discovering a retro diner along the way.
Happiness at best.
1. Cotswolds engagement weekend. Even before
the wedding proposal, it was a misty-turned-golden weekend in an old, sandstone
town surrounded by amazing scenery. A weekend I will never forget.
Most
Quirky:
Glastonbury. This town is so mystical. The
shops and local businesses centred largely around magic, which was both odd and
really cool at the same time. Locals wore unusual outfits, as if stepping out
of an old timey English storybook where travelling fortunetellers were not
uncommon.
Most Memorable:
A weekend trip to Germany, where we spent Easter
Sunday in Koln Dom (huge gothic cathedral) on a cold and rainy day… followed by
a visit to the Lindt chocolate factory along the River Rhine.
Most Ironic:
Sitting in an Irish pub watching Tottenham
play Bournemouth in Germany. Then, me sipping my first Guinness (and hating
it).
Most
Delicious:
Again, Germany, you win – hands down.
Merzenich may be a common bakery chain in the fatherland, but it lives on in
our hearts forever. Seriously. Best. Baked goods. EVER.
Most Sneezy:
Blenheim Palace. Gorgeous grounds and
beautiful in the summertime, but silly me forgetting to take an allergy tablet
beforehand! I had never sneezed so much in my entire life. I looked as though I
were crying, and my nose kept dripping down my face! (A highly recommended tourist
destination if you’re in the area – but take your hanky and allergy tabs!)
Sweetest Getaway:
Isle of Wight, Valentine’s weekend. We explored
the whole island, visiting the most northern, southern, western and eastern
points over three days: [East] almost drifting into hypothermia on Sandown
Beach (coldest, windiest experience of my life); [West] drinking coffee at The
Gossip Café on a cool, sunny morning, then heading to The Needles, where the
calm ocean was crystal-grey and looked like something out of a fantasy story;
[South] the golden hills of Godshill; [North] dinner and cocktails with my love
on Valentine’s Day at a lovely local bar/restaurant.
Busiest Hot Spot:
Bath at the start of summer. Very European.
Very touristy. Very muggy… rain was expected, so I’d worn winter clothes and boots…
boy, was that a mistake!
Shortest Time/Longest Distance:
Day trip to France with two teachers and group
of Year 7 girls. We drove to Dover by bus, took the ferry over to Calais, then journeyed
further inland for shopping, ice-cream, a visit to a huge, amazing cathedral before
heading to the aquarium. It was a LONG day, leaving home at 3:30am and
returning home at midnight, but luckily we were allowed start work late the
next day.
Most Unexpected:
Happening upon Stonehenge after a day out
in Salisbury. “Quick! Film it as we drive by!” I cried, too tired to bother
parking up and paying an entry fee. Salisbury on the other hand was lovely, and
we saw the Magna Carter up close.
Longest Road Trip:
A tiny village hidden away in Wales, where
we visited family for the day. After witnessing incredible landscapes, crossing
a rushing fjord and driving up a steep dirt road mountain, we looked out our
right-side window to see nothing but white fog emanating from the valley below,
blending into the white/grey clouds above - the abyss. And it was terrifying.
Awe-inspiring, but terrifying.
Best Celebrity Sighting:
6. Studio audience member of ‘The One Show’
at the BBC. I turned to my right, and there was Simon Pegg – again, within arms
reach! Also featuring on that night’s show were members of Earth, Wind, Fire.
5. Coldplay at Wembley Stadium.
4. After creating Gigamov, I ventured into interviewing artists for promotion on the website. So far, I’ve interviewed Saint Motel, Sam Sparro, and UK band Alpines. I was invited to cover Alpines’ London gig (among others), and gained my first Press Access pass. I’ve since gained my writers entry to gigs in Australia and Comic Cons in the U.K. A bit proud!
3. Walker Stalker Con – 2016/17. I cannot remember the total number of ‘Walking Dead’ cast sightings, but I can tell you I met/had photographs with the following: Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), David Morrissey (the Governor), Jon Bernthal (Shane), Scott Green (Hershel), and Greg Nicotero - who refunded my money when he discovered I was a teacher, saying “You teachers work so hard”. Amazing!
Other ‘TWD’ characters seen up close include:
Carl, Daryl, Negan, T-Dog, Gabriel, Jesus, Tara, Eugene, Abraham, and Rosita.
Many, MANY others were seen in the flesh, but far too many to recount!
2. Matthew Perry. My friend and I bought
front-centre tickets to his play ‘The End of Longing’ on London’s West End. He
was incredible, as were his fellow cast. We felt so privileged to see Perry at
his very best, and so close to the stage. (Katie claims he was so close, he was
spitting on our shoes!)
1. Ricky Gervais within arms reach while
working at the BBC. He’d just performed as David Brent at Children In Need,
2016. Cool.
Best Show:
‘Macbeth’ at the Globe Theatre. Ray Fearon
amazed as the title character, and the unique direction (especially considering
the witches and the motif of Macbeth’s son) had me discussing it for weeks.
Happy to be a groundling (standing) for a full three hours to see my favourite
Shakespearean play!
Most American:
Jaguars vs Colts NFL game, Wembley Stadium.
It truly was a spectacle - in the best possible way. American food stands, NFL
merchandise galore (with huge lines to boot), music, giant inflatable
footballs… and that was just outside the venue. Once the crowd was seated, the
fanfare truly began.
Robin Thicke opened with a live
performance, fireworks began as the players ran onto the field, and every
spectator waved the Jaguars flag they were given under their seats. Super cool.
But of course, the game couldn’t begin before the traditional national anthems
had been sung – both U.K. and America - with absolute passion.
Most Comforting:
Ian Moss, live at The Stables. Not only did
I get to see my favourite Australian solo artist (former Cold Chisel guitarist)
Ian Moss for the first time, but he also sang my favourite song ‘Such A
Beautiful Thing’ - as per my Twitter request, and even personalised the intro!
Most Anticipated:
Honeymoon in Rome! 😍
There have of course been many more ‘mini-experiences’
in the past year and a half, but the above are those that hold the very best memories. I wonder how long a photo book would take to
make? Hmm…
Now, back to sorting, selling and
job-applying!
By Belinda Pearce
4/8/17
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