My adventures in London

This past week I went to London for a few days with my mum and dad. We went specifically at this time because I booked tickets to see the Tempest which you can read all about here. Instead of just going up for the show we decided we would take a mini break and spend a few days doing some other things.

Tuesday 6th August.

We basically spent most of the day in the car driving up and stopping at the services. We got to London around 5:30 and we went to our hotel to freshen up and go out. I saw the Mousetrap at the St Martins Theatre which was really good: surprisingly good actually. I don't really know what I  was expecting but either way it was very entertaining which is my main need for a theatre production. If you ever have time I'd recommend going and having a look, its celebrating its 60th anniversary and is the longest running west end production!

Wednesday 7th August. 

Probably a day that will be forever imprinted on my brain. In the morning we went to M&M world and Kings Cross Station to go to Platform 9 and 3/4, had a little bit of lunch, although I couldn't really eat much because I was too excited. Then at about 12 we made our way to the Shakespeare's Globe. We queued up for a while then we got let in and well the rest you can read here because it has its own blog post already because it was honestly one of the best days I ever had. Its also dangerous for my friends and family because if they thought I was annoying going on about Colin Morgan before well then they are in for a nasty shock!

Thursday 8th August. 

We went to the zoo on this day, ZSL zoo. It was fairly good but to be honest compared to the day before it certainly lacked a certain Colin Morgan shaped hole. I do remember zoo's being absolutely amazing when I was younger but they seem to have lost its zing for me now I'm slightly older, which is sad. The best zoo/safari park I've been to is Longleat so its pretty hard to get something as good as that. I did however, buy a giraffe toy which I named Gregory and I had probably the best milkshake I've ever had in my life. My mum and I also went shopping in Oxford Street and all places like that, so it was a pretty fun day.

Friday 9th August.

We went to The Warner Brother's Studio tour again for the second time (if you want to see pictures from the first time click here). It was amazing and I think I probably spent my life savings in the shop (no changes there then). Honestly you put me in a Harry Potter shop and I am possessed woman. After the Studios we drove home which took bloody ages.
So all in all I had an amazing few days, but I'm not sure I'd want to live in London because its too fast paced for me and it gets a bit claustrophobic with all the people on tubes and in the streets. I'm not a person with lots of patience so you can see how this would annoy me.

The Tempest and meeting Colin Morgan!

On August 6th 2013, I went to London with my family for a few days. The reasoning behind this was because I brought tickets to go and see Colin Morgan in the Tempest on the 7th, we live in Wales and so its not really easy to just go down for the show and come back. I have been excited for this day since buying the tickets at the very beginning of this year, I held on to the hope that even if I couldn't meet him I would still be able to see him in the play.

I am not a Shakespeare lover and so I didn't really know what to expect, I did have misconceptions that it would be dull, boring and lifeless however, in retrospect I couldn't have been more wrong. It was actually hilarious and very interactive. The cast were amazing and interacted with the audience whilst still staying very much in character. However, the star of the show for me was obviously Colin Morgan: he was breath taking; not just because he is obviously ridiculously attractive but his acting is absolutely mesmerising. He has said that he trained in parkour for the role of Ariel and he was swinging around on the stage with such ease that you thought he was walking down the road. He was literally swinging around the walls, steps and stage. There was a moment where he sat on a rock literally about a metre away from me (I think I died slightly). As for the actual play I was very impressed and I wouldn't rule out seeing another one. The only downside was that I stood up in the gallery which killed my legs but when you're there you get too wrapped up to really notice; its only when you try walking afterwards it becomes a bit of a problem.

After the play I rushed out with my mum to get to the stage door. There was absolutely loads of people there on the 7th and so we went behind a barrier because there was probably about 90 people there, I was lucky enough to get right at the front and so had an amazing view. When he came out everyone was fairly respectful and there wasn't too much pushing. As for Colin himself, he was everything I expected and more: he was so modest, happy and kind. He must have been there for a good half an hour trying to sign everything, and he basically got round to everyone and if he didn't sign something he at least acknowledged them. He signed two things for me and I managed to even speak to him, I told him that he was amazing and was wicked in the play and he looked me in the eye, smiled and said thank you it meant a lot(!!!!!). Then I asked him if he could sign the programme as well as the ticket and he said yeah sure.

It may not seem like a lot but it honestly has made my entire year, despite the fact that he had just done a three hour show he still came out to meet his fans and was happy and so lovely. It's honestly so refreshing and I know I am waffling on now but my opinion of him has gone so high right now that its sky high. Also you should probably spare a thought for my family and friends because I don't see myself shuting up about this little escapade any time soon!

When life gives you lemons

Obviously the most imminent thing that I am looking forward to is my trip to London and of course seeing Colin Morgan (*internally screaming*). Honestly I cant believe that this has come around so quickly, I remember when it was like 200days until when we first booked the tickets but nope its only 4 days until London and 5 days until the Tempest(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Then on September 1st I am meeting Alex Vlahos at Cardiff Comic Con! I am so excited because I have paid to have a photo with him so I know 100% that I will be meeting him! Its great because he is my favourite Merlin knight.

Then two days after that I am starting sixth form (well, if I get the results I need from my GCSEs). I am looking forward to sixth form more than any other year because I finally get to meet new people and hopefully make new friends because the schools in the area combine their sixth forms to let you have more range of subjects. Also I am looking forward to doing subjects that I like and not doing them because I am forced to (Maths, science, I'm looking at you). 

Then possibly the most exciting thing possible that is happening this year... Florida in October! Honestly, I don't think I have been more excited for a holiday ever. When we booked this holiday I think we had about 412 days until or something like that and I thought it would never come around, but it is and I couldn't be more excited. I am also looking forward to buying a Mr Potato Head, Sully and Mike toys and Despicable Me Minion along with many other things I am sure. Despite my age I'll never grow up.

After Florida, it doesn't end there, oh no, I am then going to a Doctor Who convention on the 23rd of November with my friend Molly in London. It will be the last Doctor Who convention that will have Matt Smith as the current Doctor and hopefully we will get to see him if not meet him and all of the older Doctors as well! Very exciting stuff!

I have also decided that whilst I am on summer I will continue to post whenever I want but when school starts back I will probably only post once a week, probably on a sunday, just so you know.

London and MCM Comic Con!

Yesterday I went to MCM Comic Con in London. It was amazing and an incredible experience to see all of the different Cosplay costumes. I went with my friend Molly and met a girl called Emma, that Molly is friends with at Kings Cross Station.

We started the day by waking up at 5:30 AM (cry) to get the half past 6 train. Unfortunately that train got cancelled because of a fatality on the tracks so we got the later train at ten past 7. The train ride was pretty uneventful except for the fact myself and Molly were duelling on the train and getting funny looks, until we realised we were in the quiet carriage. Woops, sorry passengers! 

When we arrived at Paddington Station we got our tube tickets and made our way to Kings Cross. This was ridiculously exciting for me as I haven't been to London since I was about 4 and had never ridden on the tube, by the end of the day however, the novelty had somewhat worn off! 

When we arrived at Kings Cross we found Emma, Molly's friend, and got in the queue to go on Platform 9 and 3/4. The man who was taking the professional photos was very impressed at how prepared we were with our scarves and wands. 

After we had had our pictures taken we took a trip inside the Harry Potter shop on the platform. It literally took every single ounce of self restrain I had not to buy the whole shop! I did however, buy the photo of myself and Molly on the platform (she brought the one with us doing the spell) and a Ravenclaw scarf! We also got our purchases inside a Platform 9 and 3/4 plastic bag... which may not seem exciting to you but seeing as we have to pay for our plastic bags in Wales, this was great getting one (which was also very cool) for free! ...The simple things in life.

After Kings Cross we made our way on several tubes to London Comic Con. I forgot to take any pictures here, but as I say it was incredible with all the Cosplays. My particular favourite was someone who dressed up as Jack Sparrow, I had to do a double take because he looked so much like him! We saw several YouTubers like Jack and Dean and Crabsticks but I didn't get any photos because I didn't want to stand in the line. We also saw Tom Baker who was the fourth Doctor which was pretty cool but I didn't want to pay £15 for an autograph and a photo so I just watched from afar. 

My overall impression of Comic Con was very positive and I shall be going back next year however, I think my experience would have been ever better if there had been celebrities there that I knew well rather than people who I just vaguely knew in passing. All in all, I would definitely recommend you go if you even vaguely like anything to do with Sci-Fi or especially Anime and Manga.

After Comic Con we went to pizza hut because we hadn't eaten all day and and then Molly and I walked around London. We visited Hamley's because of the massive Harry Potter section they have, M&M World which was amazing and then Buckingham Palace to have tea with the queen and Trafalgar Square to cry that the Harry Potter preimere was held there.

Then at about quarter to eight we went back to Paddington to go back on the train only to find that our carriage was the entertainment carriage and we had a TV in the back of our chairs with four episodes of Doctor Who and five episodes of Miranda along with other things, so that was us sorted!

Colin Morgan in The Tempest

So as you may know (its not as if I don't talk about it enough) I am going to see Colin Morgan performing as Ariel in the Tempest at Shakespeare's Globe in August. I don't think I can quite contain my excitement. I literally cannot remember the last time I was this excited for something; how I am supposed to function enough to do my exams is beyond me. So I thought I would share with you some pictures that The Globe have released in the past few days since opening night on the 23rd of April.

And also some pictures of him inside the Globe have been released today

 If you would like to see more official photos of the rest of the cast in the Tempest click this link here to go straight to the Shakespeare's Globe Facebook Account
If you would like to see some more of the normal photos click here to go to a fansite Facebook account

My trip to London in the summer

So back in December I made this post listing all of the things that I was looking forward to in 2013. One of the posts on there was that I was going to London, although at the time of the post I didn't quite realise how excited I am for the trip, and here's why...

I am going to see COLIN MORGAN(!!!!!!) in the Tempest at the Globe Theatre which means that I get to see this face in only a matter of months.

and I can't quite tell you how excited that makes me feel, so much so that I have no idea how I am forming coherent sentences. I am hoping to go on one of the few days that the cast will be staying behind for a Q and A session after the play. 

The main reason we are going is so that we can have a break in the summer before our main holiday to Florida in October, but we decided on London after debating with Cornwall or Devon because I have not been to London since I was much younger and can barely remember it, so we are going to visit the landmarks such as Big Ben, Tower of London, London Eye, Houses of Parliament etc

We are also going to go to Madame Tussauds because I have never been, I'm very excited to get a picture next to the Queen and Barack Obama etc, we are also going to visit the museums because my dad is big on history and loves museums. We are also going back to Leavesden Studios again!

So as you can imagine all of this leaves me to absolutely uncontrollable excitement, bring on June/July as I'm not 100% sure when I am going and if they are the final plans but I do know that we will be going for 3/4 days so its a lot to fit in but I am so excited. Who knew so much excitement could be on my front door?!

2013

In 2013 I am looking forward to...

1. Finishing compulsary education in May/June 

2. Going to see McFly in May

3.Turning sixteen 

4. Going to London in the summer after exams

5. Then going to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour again!!!!

6. Starting sixth form (hopefully)

7. Going to Florida in October which also means going to the Wizarding World of HP!!

So hopefully this will equate to the best year yet!

*photo from tumblr. 

see my blog post from my first time visiting the WB Studios here

Warner Brother Studio Tour

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and for my birthday for my present I went to the Warner Brother Studio Tour in Leavesden. I found out I was going as soon as they announced they were opening it up for the public, so I had to wait nearly a whole year before being able to experience the magic first hand, and what a tough year that was! If you are a fan as big as me it is like fulfilling your dreams of going to Hogwarts, even if you're not a huge fan it will still be a very enjoyable day out. 

The entrance before you go into the actual tour 

The Hufflepuffs!

Ravenclaws!

Slytherins!

Gryffindors!

 Teachers and Dumbledore in the Great Hall

 

The Gryffindor common room, where Harry, Ron, Seamus, Dean and Neville sleep!

Potions classroom

Entrance to Dumbledore's Office

The Burrow!

Tom Riddle's grave

Diagon Alley

This is one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my entire life

Of course, you can't go to the tour without going into the gift shop. I brought The Elder wand and Some Gryffindor robes (which are probably my most prized possession). I also brought some posters, sweets, a chocolate frog (which I didn't eat until I had my exam results in the summer, so that meant for a whole two months it was staring me in the face waiting to be eaten, and it was not a disappointment when I finally stuck my teeth in to it), I also brought some key rings.

Click here to find out more and maybe even book some tickets http://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/