Are you stuck for something fun to do during these remaining weeks of Summer? Do you like pleasant views, boats and wildlife? Then do read on..
I'm from North Wales (incase the bio didn't give it away). When my partner visited me, it was already decided that we were going to do a day trip to Beaumaris. A major perk being, he has a fondness for bird watching. For years I've heard things about the trips you can take around Puffin Island but have never done one myself. So, as you can guess, we did one together. Not knowing how full up they'd be, I booked our tickets online at Starida a few weeks in advance. It was a mighty risk given the PMSing ways of British weather, but it thankfully paid off. The sun was shining over us all day long. If you aren't willing to take the gamble, you can buy tickets at the Starida kiosk on the pier on the day you wish to go. It cost a total £18 for two adults, but the prices do vary so double-check on the site prior to taking my word for it.
The cruise itself lasts for roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, but you have to be at the kiosk 30 minutes in advance to pick up your tickets. You may think that's annoying but believe me, once you're seated with the steady motion of the water as your view - you'll think these 30 minutes are a perk to the trip. It most certainly added to the overall experience.
The cruise itself was lovely, you get a fair amount of time circling Puffin Island and the journey was smooth. The crew were friendly and happy to assist you in anything. Upon sitting down you are offered a blanket - which I would 100% recommend accepting, even if you don't feel cold at the particular moment. The Captain appeared really friendly and came to greet us all after we had docked. It was an all round great experience.
Ironically, we didn't see that many Puffin's (which was apparently rare.. yay for us being a special group?), but we did see an array of species of birds, many seals, and fish. But to me the best part was the scenery, as it was beyond beautiful. So if you aren't big on birds, fear not. The view enough is worth the price. Starida offers an array of outings to choose from - from wildlife, photography speciality cruises, fishing trips to speed boats. They have something to suit any party. Have a browse here and see if anything peaks your interest.
First the photos, and then my handy-dandy list for you if you're thinking of doing a cruise. Enjoy!
Things I'd recommend taking with you:
Camera: Duh, right? But you will want to capture some of the moments whether it be with a fancy professional camera or your trusty phone, just make sure you aren't looking through the lens for the entirety of the ride. Take a moment to appreciate the calmness of the water, the laughter of families, and the pleasant sounds of the wildlife going about their day. Your mind can capture a moment and etch it into your memory too, not everything has to be proven by a Facebook photo.
Fluids: This was one we didn't do ourselves but I'd suggest it. Take a small bottle of water or whatnot in your bag, you may be thankful for it. If you have children, they may appreciate some snacks. Maybe even kick it up a notch and take some hot chocolate (or coffee) in a thermos, your hands will certainly like the warmth if you don't end up drinking it.
Glasses: Both sunglasses and prescription (if you require them). I was not the brightest of the bunch (I blame the early morning) and didn't think of taking my glasses as I only need them for long vision at home. But when you're mistaking a seal for a rock, you'll be wishing for them. Better to be safe than sorry. And the sunglasses are self explanatory - it'll be bright. Nobody wants to be squinting against the sun for an hour.
Change: May be obvious but you're expected/asked politely to tip the Captain and crew at the end of the trip. They don't make it awkward in the slightest if you can't/don't, but it is polite to do so. If you're like me and often just carry a card to save the hassle of change, make a note to take a few coins in your pocket.
Binoculars: If you already own them, bring them. If not, it's no biggie. Might just be handy.
Bonus recommendations:
As you're walking onto the boat, sit to your right. You'll be more up close to the Island itself. It's a shame that the boat doesn't circle the Island with a change of direction so both sides of the boat get to view the scenery up close without majority of the view being the backs of peoples heads, but I wholeheartedly put that down to time limitations.
If you're fond of stories and like to hear about the history of the Island and boat, sit in the front. Though they have a megaphone on the boat that ought to help the Captain's voice travel to the back, it is semi difficult to hear him over the water, wind and people's discussions. So definitely sit near the front. The stories themselves are a lovely touch and though he must recite the same stories countless times a year, he doesn't once sound it. You feel as though you are the first lot to take the cruise.
My fondest memory of the trip is the ride back to the dock. Everyone was off their phones/cameras, the excitement had buzzed down leaving everyone contently quiet, children were happy as they ate the snacks their parents had brought along, the elderly couple sat opposite to us were no longer staring through binoculars, instead they held hands and laughed quietly at their whispered conversation, the crew guy who had been up and down throughout the journey was leaning against the front of the boat and was the epitome of peaceful.. It was all perfect. That was the moment I wish I could of photographed.
***Bloggers note: I started this blog post back in May but completely forgot (I'm catching my friend's Dory brain), I thought I'd upload it anyway as the recommendation still stands and I didn't want my partner's photos to go to waste.
I'm from North Wales (incase the bio didn't give it away). When my partner visited me, it was already decided that we were going to do a day trip to Beaumaris. A major perk being, he has a fondness for bird watching. For years I've heard things about the trips you can take around Puffin Island but have never done one myself. So, as you can guess, we did one together. Not knowing how full up they'd be, I booked our tickets online at Starida a few weeks in advance. It was a mighty risk given the PMSing ways of British weather, but it thankfully paid off. The sun was shining over us all day long. If you aren't willing to take the gamble, you can buy tickets at the Starida kiosk on the pier on the day you wish to go. It cost a total £18 for two adults, but the prices do vary so double-check on the site prior to taking my word for it.
The cruise itself lasts for roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, but you have to be at the kiosk 30 minutes in advance to pick up your tickets. You may think that's annoying but believe me, once you're seated with the steady motion of the water as your view - you'll think these 30 minutes are a perk to the trip. It most certainly added to the overall experience.
The cruise itself was lovely, you get a fair amount of time circling Puffin Island and the journey was smooth. The crew were friendly and happy to assist you in anything. Upon sitting down you are offered a blanket - which I would 100% recommend accepting, even if you don't feel cold at the particular moment. The Captain appeared really friendly and came to greet us all after we had docked. It was an all round great experience.
Ironically, we didn't see that many Puffin's (which was apparently rare.. yay for us being a special group?), but we did see an array of species of birds, many seals, and fish. But to me the best part was the scenery, as it was beyond beautiful. So if you aren't big on birds, fear not. The view enough is worth the price. Starida offers an array of outings to choose from - from wildlife, photography speciality cruises, fishing trips to speed boats. They have something to suit any party. Have a browse here and see if anything peaks your interest.
First the photos, and then my handy-dandy list for you if you're thinking of doing a cruise. Enjoy!
-
Camera: Duh, right? But you will want to capture some of the moments whether it be with a fancy professional camera or your trusty phone, just make sure you aren't looking through the lens for the entirety of the ride. Take a moment to appreciate the calmness of the water, the laughter of families, and the pleasant sounds of the wildlife going about their day. Your mind can capture a moment and etch it into your memory too, not everything has to be proven by a Facebook photo.
Fluids: This was one we didn't do ourselves but I'd suggest it. Take a small bottle of water or whatnot in your bag, you may be thankful for it. If you have children, they may appreciate some snacks. Maybe even kick it up a notch and take some hot chocolate (or coffee) in a thermos, your hands will certainly like the warmth if you don't end up drinking it.
Glasses: Both sunglasses and prescription (if you require them). I was not the brightest of the bunch (I blame the early morning) and didn't think of taking my glasses as I only need them for long vision at home. But when you're mistaking a seal for a rock, you'll be wishing for them. Better to be safe than sorry. And the sunglasses are self explanatory - it'll be bright. Nobody wants to be squinting against the sun for an hour.
Change: May be obvious but you're expected/asked politely to tip the Captain and crew at the end of the trip. They don't make it awkward in the slightest if you can't/don't, but it is polite to do so. If you're like me and often just carry a card to save the hassle of change, make a note to take a few coins in your pocket.
Binoculars: If you already own them, bring them. If not, it's no biggie. Might just be handy.
Bonus recommendations:
As you're walking onto the boat, sit to your right. You'll be more up close to the Island itself. It's a shame that the boat doesn't circle the Island with a change of direction so both sides of the boat get to view the scenery up close without majority of the view being the backs of peoples heads, but I wholeheartedly put that down to time limitations.
If you're fond of stories and like to hear about the history of the Island and boat, sit in the front. Though they have a megaphone on the boat that ought to help the Captain's voice travel to the back, it is semi difficult to hear him over the water, wind and people's discussions. So definitely sit near the front. The stories themselves are a lovely touch and though he must recite the same stories countless times a year, he doesn't once sound it. You feel as though you are the first lot to take the cruise.
My fondest memory of the trip is the ride back to the dock. Everyone was off their phones/cameras, the excitement had buzzed down leaving everyone contently quiet, children were happy as they ate the snacks their parents had brought along, the elderly couple sat opposite to us were no longer staring through binoculars, instead they held hands and laughed quietly at their whispered conversation, the crew guy who had been up and down throughout the journey was leaning against the front of the boat and was the epitome of peaceful.. It was all perfect. That was the moment I wish I could of photographed.
***Bloggers note: I started this blog post back in May but completely forgot (I'm catching my friend's Dory brain), I thought I'd upload it anyway as the recommendation still stands and I didn't want my partner's photos to go to waste.
Imagine waking up tomorrow in a world that appears to be the exact opposite of yours. You are no longer the person you have built yourself up to be. The identity you have claimed as your own has been lost. You're a stranger to yourself, your personality is unfamiliar to your loved ones, they expect things of you that you are not familiar with being. You can't blink and make yourself you again. You haven't even got a blank slate, as the "new" you has already drawn the cards you have to play with. Most things seem out of your hands. Refreshing, or horrendous? I suppose it depends on where you are in life and how much change you're willing to endure. For 17-year-old Ella Samson, it's the latter.
Everyone hates Mondays, but boy, did she have a bad one. The saying "Tomorrow is a new start." gets an entirely new meaning. Waking in a differently decorated bedroom than she fell asleep in, hair that is inches longer, the opposite style of clothes hanging in her wardrobe, strangers on her speed dial, no boyfriend, reclaimed virginity, and a living throwback to a complicated family life.. Everything had changed.
Sure, she didn't have the most adventurous or academically thrilling life before the surprising existence revamp, but she had one. It was hers. She may of not had a large group of friends or a big happy family unit, but she had people who cared for her. A friend who was like her long lost sister and a boyfriend whom she loved. Gone. All of it gone after one night. She doesn't even look like herself anymore. How can you trust yourself when it doesn't appear to be you in the mirror? To top it off, she keeps seeing a crazed old lady who nobody else can see. Is she going mad? Is madness the reason why she's no longer the girl she thought she was? Or is it a ghost? A personality transplant? A bad wish? Science?
This book wasn't what I was expecting in the slightest. At the back it reads "A tense and dark psychological thriller full of unexpected twists and turns about the random events and decisions that make us who we are.", and that it is. Though I wouldn't necessarily call it dark, but that may be due to my horror fascination. It's thrilling and most certainly a page turner. Most importantly.. It's clever. I may be overthinking it, but it seems like any complaint I can come up with has a "Ah! but maybe that was intentional because..." point. It makes your mind run a mile a minute and I loved that. The story is fast paced - maybe a little too much at a mere 261 pages - but it knows how to keep your interest peaked. And everything was wrapped up as it should be.
The characters are enjoyable, and the main character isn't an empty shell. Ella has a firm voice and isn't afraid to use it, which is always welcoming when a book is written in first person (my preferable style to read). She's mature but has some realistic narrow-minded moments that all 17-year-old's have. It was realistic. Any YA readers out there know that most of the time, it's the side characters that steal the spotlight - partly why I think so many books nowadays have prequels. But not this one. Her friend Deeta seems like an enjoyable character from the very few scenes we get to see her in action, but it's difficult to long with Ella for the friendship when we aren't overly familiar with it ourselves, yet I think that was the point (See what I mean by the whole "Ah!" point thing?). We only know Ella as the new Ella. We get brief flashbacks but we don't delve fully into her old life, we merely get her viewpoint of it all. We are learning alongside her about this new world she awoke into and that very possibly prevents us, as the readers, to get the two muddled. We are thrown into this world at the exact moment she is. We start the story with fear and panic and follow alongside her as she comes to terms and uncovers this mystery.
One thing I found refreshing was the relationship dynamic between Ella and Billy, in both her old and new world. It's been a long while since I've read a realistic portrayal of a (older?) teen relationship in a YA book. They aren't perfect and they aren't written in a way that people would yell "#Goals!" at. They have rough edges and they both treat each other questionably at times. They're learning how to love, like most first-time couples, and it's written excellently.
In a non-spoiler way, I want to briefly mention the ending. It wasn't what I was expecting, and three days later, I'm still left questioning whether it was the ending I wanted. Half of me wanted it to abruptly stop at the obvious moment you'll come to if/when you read the book. I wanted to be left questioning, yet at the same time, would that of infuriated me? I'll never know. Either way, the ending was enchanting. It was a satisfactory ending for the characters, and for us, the readers. It is somewhat open to interpretation and it left me with questions about the overall theorised notion that they touch upon during the story (that'll make sense if you('ve) read it. Otherwise I may just seem babble happy right now, which is alright by me).
Out of the entire book there was only one thing that bugged me and that was a certain dress the protagonist bought (the dress on the cover). It's a vital moment that brings the old Ella into her new world (at least to me), yet she never wears it. I was hoping it would be used for a crucial scene - maybe even the last? It isn't necessarily important, but it would've been a nice little touch.
I'll wrap this up now. But I leave you with a question.. Would you take on the new you that comes with new possibilities and run with it? Or would you mourn for the lost soul that may never of existed to begin with? It's a mind boggle and makes you question your place in this world, which I assume was Hilary Freeman's intention when writing this. Nowadays it's more and more common for us to have an identity crisis. Half of me ponders whether this is down to the unfathomable effect the Internet has on us. Before we could only compare ourselves to those we surrounded ourselves with but now, with the power of social media, we are bombarded daily with people doing better than us - which is completely normal and unavoidable, there will always be someone ranked higher than you, someone who looks differently, who has a higher number in their bank account, who appears to have better luck (but most people aren't going to put their downfalls online, right?), the grass is always greener, yada, yada - and don't get me wrong, many find it inspiring and the overall effect helps them in bettering themselves, but the rest of the browsers and constant refreshers? It's like beating yourself up from the inside out. No longer do we need a inner voice telling us that we aren't good enough, we can simply click on an Instagram post and see someone of our own age who is doing better, someone who appears to have a "perfect" lifestyle. Is social media acting as the chip on some of our shoulders? Does it make us long for the impossible, and in turn, cause us to long for the alternative version of ourselves?
If you like YA books, you have an open mind, and you like a little mystery in your reading time.. Go for it. I would recommend When I Was Me.
Next up I'm reading The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin as I've read some mixed reviews and curiosity got the Anne. If you've read either books mentioned in this post, feel free to get in touch and give me your thoughts! My email is RootingBranches@gmail.com and my twitter is RootingBranches.
Everyone hates Mondays, but boy, did she have a bad one. The saying "Tomorrow is a new start." gets an entirely new meaning. Waking in a differently decorated bedroom than she fell asleep in, hair that is inches longer, the opposite style of clothes hanging in her wardrobe, strangers on her speed dial, no boyfriend, reclaimed virginity, and a living throwback to a complicated family life.. Everything had changed.
Sure, she didn't have the most adventurous or academically thrilling life before the surprising existence revamp, but she had one. It was hers. She may of not had a large group of friends or a big happy family unit, but she had people who cared for her. A friend who was like her long lost sister and a boyfriend whom she loved. Gone. All of it gone after one night. She doesn't even look like herself anymore. How can you trust yourself when it doesn't appear to be you in the mirror? To top it off, she keeps seeing a crazed old lady who nobody else can see. Is she going mad? Is madness the reason why she's no longer the girl she thought she was? Or is it a ghost? A personality transplant? A bad wish? Science?
This book wasn't what I was expecting in the slightest. At the back it reads "A tense and dark psychological thriller full of unexpected twists and turns about the random events and decisions that make us who we are.", and that it is. Though I wouldn't necessarily call it dark, but that may be due to my horror fascination. It's thrilling and most certainly a page turner. Most importantly.. It's clever. I may be overthinking it, but it seems like any complaint I can come up with has a "Ah! but maybe that was intentional because..." point. It makes your mind run a mile a minute and I loved that. The story is fast paced - maybe a little too much at a mere 261 pages - but it knows how to keep your interest peaked. And everything was wrapped up as it should be.
The characters are enjoyable, and the main character isn't an empty shell. Ella has a firm voice and isn't afraid to use it, which is always welcoming when a book is written in first person (my preferable style to read). She's mature but has some realistic narrow-minded moments that all 17-year-old's have. It was realistic. Any YA readers out there know that most of the time, it's the side characters that steal the spotlight - partly why I think so many books nowadays have prequels. But not this one. Her friend Deeta seems like an enjoyable character from the very few scenes we get to see her in action, but it's difficult to long with Ella for the friendship when we aren't overly familiar with it ourselves, yet I think that was the point (See what I mean by the whole "Ah!" point thing?). We only know Ella as the new Ella. We get brief flashbacks but we don't delve fully into her old life, we merely get her viewpoint of it all. We are learning alongside her about this new world she awoke into and that very possibly prevents us, as the readers, to get the two muddled. We are thrown into this world at the exact moment she is. We start the story with fear and panic and follow alongside her as she comes to terms and uncovers this mystery.
One thing I found refreshing was the relationship dynamic between Ella and Billy, in both her old and new world. It's been a long while since I've read a realistic portrayal of a (older?) teen relationship in a YA book. They aren't perfect and they aren't written in a way that people would yell "#Goals!" at. They have rough edges and they both treat each other questionably at times. They're learning how to love, like most first-time couples, and it's written excellently.
In a non-spoiler way, I want to briefly mention the ending. It wasn't what I was expecting, and three days later, I'm still left questioning whether it was the ending I wanted. Half of me wanted it to abruptly stop at the obvious moment you'll come to if/when you read the book. I wanted to be left questioning, yet at the same time, would that of infuriated me? I'll never know. Either way, the ending was enchanting. It was a satisfactory ending for the characters, and for us, the readers. It is somewhat open to interpretation and it left me with questions about the overall theorised notion that they touch upon during the story (that'll make sense if you('ve) read it. Otherwise I may just seem babble happy right now, which is alright by me).
Out of the entire book there was only one thing that bugged me and that was a certain dress the protagonist bought (the dress on the cover). It's a vital moment that brings the old Ella into her new world (at least to me), yet she never wears it. I was hoping it would be used for a crucial scene - maybe even the last? It isn't necessarily important, but it would've been a nice little touch.
I'll wrap this up now. But I leave you with a question.. Would you take on the new you that comes with new possibilities and run with it? Or would you mourn for the lost soul that may never of existed to begin with? It's a mind boggle and makes you question your place in this world, which I assume was Hilary Freeman's intention when writing this. Nowadays it's more and more common for us to have an identity crisis. Half of me ponders whether this is down to the unfathomable effect the Internet has on us. Before we could only compare ourselves to those we surrounded ourselves with but now, with the power of social media, we are bombarded daily with people doing better than us - which is completely normal and unavoidable, there will always be someone ranked higher than you, someone who looks differently, who has a higher number in their bank account, who appears to have better luck (but most people aren't going to put their downfalls online, right?), the grass is always greener, yada, yada - and don't get me wrong, many find it inspiring and the overall effect helps them in bettering themselves, but the rest of the browsers and constant refreshers? It's like beating yourself up from the inside out. No longer do we need a inner voice telling us that we aren't good enough, we can simply click on an Instagram post and see someone of our own age who is doing better, someone who appears to have a "perfect" lifestyle. Is social media acting as the chip on some of our shoulders? Does it make us long for the impossible, and in turn, cause us to long for the alternative version of ourselves?
If you like YA books, you have an open mind, and you like a little mystery in your reading time.. Go for it. I would recommend When I Was Me.
Next up I'm reading The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin as I've read some mixed reviews and curiosity got the Anne. If you've read either books mentioned in this post, feel free to get in touch and give me your thoughts! My email is RootingBranches@gmail.com and my twitter is RootingBranches.
- Anne x
5 Ingredient Apple Crumble
7/29/2016
-
For the Yummy Apple Goodness:
5 Bramley Cooking Apples
2 Tablespoons of Soft Dark Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon of flour
1 Tablespoon of Water
For Crumble Topping:
2 Cups of Plain Flour
1 and 1/2 Cups of Soft Dark Brown Sugar
6 Tablespoons of Butter (proper butter works better, but this was all we had in the house.)
Pinch of Salt
Optional:
Cinnamon
Custard or ice cream to serve
-
Start by making your crumble; Sieve your flour, brown sugar and salt into a bowl. Bit by bit begin to crumble in your butter. Be careful to not mush everything together as you will end up with a paste. Using just the pads of your fingers to create little bits. Have patience but work somewhat quickly to prevent the butter from melting. If you find that you need more or less butter than the recipe indicates, don't worry. Each crumble differs. Eyeball it. Once you have a chunky sand texture that somewhat resembles the (poor) photo below, you're done.
Now for the lower half of this magic duo; Peel and dice your apples into roughly 3cm chunks. Add to a separate bowl and mix in your brown sugar and cinnamon (optional). Add a tablespoon of water and mix together until each piece of apple is coated.
Get your dish, grease it with some butter, and as expected, spread the apples evenly at the bottom and top with the crumble.
Bake for 45 minutes in the centre of the oven, but continuously check after the 30 minute mark to prevent the top from over-browning.
Serve with either custard or ice cream and enjoy!
- Anne x
I suck. I'm fully aware of this. I'm really sorry for the recent lapse in posts. Life has been a little overbearing and I haven't found the time to write up the second and last post about my trip to Scotland. In all honesty, a small okay, large, part of me didn't want to write about it as it then meant that the trip was indeedly (that's a word, yup, not taking it back) over. My lovely partner was back home in California and I was left here to mourn for the mornings of french toast, adventures, and being with the man who completes me. Somewhat pathetic, but true. Alas, I am putting my big girl pants on and giving you a run down of all things Edinburgh, and a little Glasgow peak.
If you have read my first post on the trip (click here if you haven't), you'll know that we spent two nights Glamping near the Loch Ness and then drove down to Edinburgh to spend a further four(ish) days. We arrived on Tuesday evening and drove down to Glasgow on the Friday. We had two half days and two full. I wish we'd had more time, and I wish I was at the peek of health so we could do the various other things that were on our list (Edinburgh Castle, World of Illusions, The Jazz Bar, etc..) but we'll one day get to them.
Where We Stayed:
Our accommodation was a roller-coaster. We had one beautiful. homely place and one that I wouldn't send my worst enemy to. Let's start with the good. The Strathallan Guest House. Homey interior, a mere 20 minute walk from The Royal Mile and an all round great atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were surprised with an upgrade (originally having booked the attic room as it was cheaper) and a pleasant interaction with the owner. Breakfast is included in the room price. They offer an array of cooked breakfasts, cereal, fruit, juice, hot drinks, and a few other things. This has since been voted the best place we stayed solely for the pleasant atmosphere. You never felt rushed nor a nuisance for coming and going. The staff were helpful and were happy to engage in conversation. I can't rate it highly enough. There was only one minor downfall and that was the wifi. It didn't work. But if it had been important enough, we would of asked and I'm positive they would've solved the problem.
Now for the bad. 16 Pilrig Guest House. This is a newly opened establishment so I can understand having some faults and things that need tweaking, but in all sincerity, it was awful. If I hadn't been unwell and we were staying for longer than one night, I imagine we would of left. The windows wouldn't close (which in Scottish weather is not the best), the owners of the establishment were loud and didn't quiet down until almost midnight, the lock of the bedroom door wouldn't properly lock so we were forced to wedge it closed, the heating didn't work, my partner cut his leg on what appeared to be a nail sticking out of the bed base, and the owners weren't necessarily welcoming. It felt like a minor interrogation for our information (which was in form of a three page Q&A sheet that required a passport number). They said they had parking on the ad for the place, but that consisted of street parking that wasn't all that easy to find. We didn't take photos as it didn't occur to us to (this blog post wasn't planned). It was disheartening and a far cry from our first place. The only positive was that the bed was comfortable.
Where We Ate:
We ordered in a lot, so this list in tiny and I'm sorry for that. I repeat for the millionth time, my health was at a low and that stopped us from going out some nights. I hate that fact but it is what it is. Sometimes you need a caring person there to tell you to get your ass on the bed and watch Last Exile with him. (Okay, that may be me and him specific but I stand by the overall meaning).
We ordered in a lot, so this list in tiny and I'm sorry for that. I repeat for the millionth time, my health was at a low and that stopped us from going out some nights. I hate that fact but it is what it is. Sometimes you need a caring person there to tell you to get your ass on the bed and watch Last Exile with him. (Okay, that may be me and him specific but I stand by the overall meaning).
Burgers and Beers Grillhouse: For a good 97% of you, I won't have to go any further with this recommendation, you'll be down for it. Situated on The Royal Mile, B&BG is in an ideal location if you're thinking of doing any of the tours (mentioned below). All patties are made fresh to order, the shakes have a risk of giving you diabetes, and the options are endless. You can transform any burger to veggie, which is a giant bonus. The interior is comfortable, the staff are friendly and the music choices are flawless. There won't be one song that you don't know. Definitely worth a visit if you're in need of giant portions and an endless list of drinks (they also have hot drinks and many non-alcoholic options).
Ironically, we forgot to take photos from our favourite place. So you will have to go on faith with this one. (And my stolen photo from their site, credit to them!). Serrano Manchego is a little gem hiding on Leith Walk. We did the ultimate vacation crime and went here twice, but it was entirely worth it. Even if you just get coffee and chiros.
Things We Did:
As mentioned above, we didn't get to cross off most things on our list due to health complications, and as this post wasn't planned from the get go, photos weren't taken at every destination. But I can still list and link, and I hope at least one place catches your eye if you're planning a Scottish trip. Enjoy!
Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour (with Mercat Tours): Come on, you're in Edinburgh, you have to do at least one (or in our case, two) ghostly tour(s)! It's mandatory! The vaults was fun, if rather brief. We spent the first half of the tour wandering around the streets of Edinburgh with ole'horror tales of the past acting as our background music. Our tour guide was really good, though a little dramatic when attempting to make a story eerie which made it a tad bit more comical than scary. The vaults were exactly how you'd imagine and it was a really fun activity. If able to relive the experience, I might have changed our tour to a nighttime tour for the added effect of the nightly atmosphere. We then went on to do the...
City of the Dead Graveyard Tour (with City of the Dead): First I would like to say that our tour guide was really great during this, she was ever so friendly and easy to strike up a conversation with. The tour however was a little.. dreary. I would still recommend it as it was fun and a pleasant way of spending 90 minutes (there was even a little scare!), but for the most part, it was a woman cancelling out some stories you read of Edinburgh. I was waiting for her to say something sinful about Santa too. Would I do it again? No. But it wasn't a waste of money or time, so I'd push it at someone who is visiting. It has a great atmosphere and makes for a memorable evening. Have a glass of wine or beer beforehand and go with a light heart. You'll have a laugh.
As mentioned above, we didn't get to cross off most things on our list due to health complications, and as this post wasn't planned from the get go, photos weren't taken at every destination. But I can still list and link, and I hope at least one place catches your eye if you're planning a Scottish trip. Enjoy!
Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour (with Mercat Tours): Come on, you're in Edinburgh, you have to do at least one (or in our case, two) ghostly tour(s)! It's mandatory! The vaults was fun, if rather brief. We spent the first half of the tour wandering around the streets of Edinburgh with ole'horror tales of the past acting as our background music. Our tour guide was really good, though a little dramatic when attempting to make a story eerie which made it a tad bit more comical than scary. The vaults were exactly how you'd imagine and it was a really fun activity. If able to relive the experience, I might have changed our tour to a nighttime tour for the added effect of the nightly atmosphere. We then went on to do the...
City of the Dead Graveyard Tour (with City of the Dead): First I would like to say that our tour guide was really great during this, she was ever so friendly and easy to strike up a conversation with. The tour however was a little.. dreary. I would still recommend it as it was fun and a pleasant way of spending 90 minutes (there was even a little scare!), but for the most part, it was a woman cancelling out some stories you read of Edinburgh. I was waiting for her to say something sinful about Santa too. Would I do it again? No. But it wasn't a waste of money or time, so I'd push it at someone who is visiting. It has a great atmosphere and makes for a memorable evening. Have a glass of wine or beer beforehand and go with a light heart. You'll have a laugh.
I would like to mention that I booked both the above tours using GetYourGuide (Vaults/Graveyard), they were cheaper and had a 20% discount code. I strongly advise you do a quick Google search to see if you can find a discount code of your own and shop around.
National Museum of Scotland: It's huge. That's the first thing that comes to mind. The second being, it's free! The interior of the building in and of itself is breathtaking. There is an exhibition for everyone (we favoured the space and animal sections). I wholeheartedly think this is a must stop if you're visiting Edinburgh.
Heaven. That is all. If you know me at all, you'll know that I'm a Christmas fanatic. My partner was the sweetest man alive and had such patience as we looked for these magical places. If you only have time for one, I recommend sticking with Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe as it has more of a choice and the interior is like an elf has been exploded. Did I mention that they wish you a Merry Christmas when you walk in? Because they do!
Expensive but a really awesome experience. We hardly have photos from here because they managed to suck you into the world prohibiting you from remembering to take your camera out (which is a good thing!). If you have kids, then this should be at the top of your list. I won't explain it eloquently enough, so I'll allow you to click on the link and look yourself. But so much fun! A perfect end to our trip.
The Elephant House: This was a super quick stop but if you're a fan of Harry Potter or just writing in general, it's worth a visit. If you don't know, J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book here as she looked out at Edinburgh Castle. They sell merchandise and it's a quaint stop to grab a coffee. The only downside is that it tends to be really busy, so be prepared to wait in line for at least 10 minutes.
So there you have it, our Edinburgh experience. It was a wonderful few days. Originally we planned to spend two nights in Glasgow, but we found there was more on the agenda for Edinburgh. We did however make a pit stop to the Science Centre in Glasgow and that was a lot of fun.
I'll do more travel posts in future as I have an exciting trip planned for the end of September, until then I will do my darn best to get a better routine going with blog posts. The pas few months have been a tad dreary and I'm working on snapping myself out of that funk.
I hope your week has gotten off to a great start!
Until next time,
- Anne x
Fibromyalgia || My Story
5/21/2016
Fibromyalgia is found under the category of "invisible illnesses". It's something that sounds made-up when you list the symptoms, as it seems unlikely that so many things can affect one human being without driving them insane. I was officially diagnosed at 16, but had been to countless appointments about my odd variety of complaints since I was 12. Three years I have "officially" had this illness and the doctors have offered therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, pain clinics, short term medications.. but they can't offer a long term solution. They can instead only offer temporary band aids to cover the parts that are screaming at that particular moment in time. Barring the pain clinic - which I'll be starting at the beginning of next month, I have done them all. So far, nothing has helped or offered relief.
Like most illnesses, each individual's symptoms differ. Mine include widespread pain after what my body classes as strenuous activity (grocery shopping, walking the dog, cleaning my bedroom, sleeping too long), inflammation of the joints, joint stiffness, skin sensitivity, insomnia, migraines, fatigue, nausea, loss of eye-sight, muscle spasms, bruising, inability to concentrate, and low blood pressure. Sounds made up, right? You can't see it show up on any medical chart, nor can you get a 100% accurate diagnosis from blood work. It's instead like a game of Tetris. All the symptoms acting as the colourful blocks until ding, ding, ding you've reached the top and are officially a Fibro victim. Much like the game, reaching the top means you lost. That's a terrible analogy and I'm pretty sure there aren't any dings in Tetris, but I hope you see what I meant.
Fibromyalgia is supposedly triggered by some life changing tragic event - whether on your body or in your life. I wouldn't say I have had either so I cannot relate to that, but know of many who have connected an event to their diagnosis. I simply began to experience abnormal pains at a young age.
I haven't found a magical cure yet, nor have I found anything that really soothes the pain. My mother continues to push a hot water bottle at me when my back is aching, but it doesn't help. Just makes me sweaty. It's rather bitter-sweet - family and friends. I spent the first half of today, or rather, yesterday, running a temperature in my bed with a banging headache, sick at the back of my throat, and pain shooting up and down my spine. I took some painkillers and lay there for 2 hours until eventually drifting back off. My mother was in the next room and my boyfriend was a phone call away, but I didn't see the point in telling anyone. They can't do anything and in honesty, I'm sick of telling people what hurts when I'm unable to show them evidence of it. I sometimes wish there was a thick gash on my arm with blood pooling around my bed, as I would then feel better in going "Hey, hi, yeah. I'm in pain here. Mind keeping me company until it stops?" It isn't even a matter of feeling as though I'm burdening them, or feeling like they don't care. As neither of those are true. It's simply a matter of feeling as though it would be pointless. A waste of breath when I can lay there and wait for it to ease all by myself.
As you may of seen from my previous (and future, it's coming, I promise) Scotland post, I went on a little vacation with my partner. And my body didn't react well to it at all. I spent one night in Edinburgh literally shaking for a solid 3 hours - making me wish I was spineless in the process, and unable to stand without falling right back down. It was the first time this illness has terrified me. When I could barely muster the strength to grip the edge of the bed to pull myself up, and to then experience the sensation of my knees and ankles giving out from under me.. It was indescribable. I'm a 19 year old girl and my joints felt as though they were those of a 90 year old. My partner had to help me to the bathroom (which he thankfully doesn't remember. Let's all take a moment of gratitude for sleepy brains.), and I spilt water down my front as I couldn't hold the glass steady enough to bring it to my lips. The following day I felt as though I was hit by a bus. We took it easy and did a small walk down the town, which was torture. Every breath hurt like hell, my sides and back felt as though they were covered in dark ugly bruises. The pain was close to unbearable. I fell asleep at 07:30pm. I'm a young adult, I was in a city I had never been to, and I was fast asleep by 8pm because my body didn't have the strength to hold it together for a couple more hours. I was ashamed of my health, and still am.
There is no direction for this post, nor is there a reason for my writing it. It's 06:19am and I'm at a loss. I've spent half the night worrying over the future - my future. My back is throbbing like it has been for the past few days, and my leg continues to give me a good ol' sharp pain when I straighten it, all because I was stupid and did some yoga as a Instagram post made me feel like crap for not working out. (Social Media is a wonderful thing, but acts as the devil for anyone who is either lonely or stuck in the house.)
I'm, ironically, a carer for my mum. I don't study as I haven't the funds for online education, and my health wouldn't handle going to an actual college. I can't get a part-time job due to Fibro. I'm uncertain as to whether I can will myself to have children, knowing that they may inherit this and/or the Porphyria gene - the kidney disease that is the reason behind my being a carer. As mentioned above, I volunteer when I can but that is becoming increasingly less due to the pain. I write for fun, but struggle as my wrists begin to ache and creak. It feels like every good thing has a flip side - that side constantly being pain.
I take Circadin to help me sleep, Dihydrocodeine on the bad days, Cyclizine for the nausea, Ibroprofen in hopes that they might miraculously help, and something for the inflammation (which also doubles as a stronger painkiller when mixed with Ibroprofen), but I can't find the box and haven't the faintest chance of knowing what they're called. I've tried the bath salts, oils, gels, creams, but alas, I sit here today with no recommendations to you on what could help anyone who is going through this. I'd like to say I've come to terms with that, but I haven't, I still have those days where it gets a little too much. I'm a part of this lovely little community on Facebook that was made for people with these types of illnesses and although I act more as a bystander and watch/read what others have to say without contributing much - I find it interesting how most are upset by their stories (though I entirely understand why). I'm more fearful. Of what I'll be feeling in another 5 years time, - how I'll cope. I can't concentrate on the now as I fear I'll implode at the situation I'm in.
People look at me with disgust when they see my Grandma carrying two shopping bags and my hands are empty. People expect me to able to lift boxes or move things as I'm "a strong young woman". People don't understand and I can't expect them to, as I barely understand myself - both theoretically and literally speaking. It's consuming but sometimes too easy to forget. It's my life but isn't what should dominate it. I struggle to find a balance, and I imagine many who walk in similar shoes will understand that. You can't allow an illness to control you, but it's difficult to follow that rule when every move you make in life will trigger said illness. Mind boggling.
I'm just a girl and the world I have at my feet is seeming smaller by the day. I have it better than most, I don't doubt that and I'm thankful for the life I have been given, even during the bad days. My life will be okay, no matter where it leads. I'll aim for great but am willing to settle for okay. The bad days pass, whether after 24 hours or a longer period of time. We all find our good days again. Much like a storm, you just have to wait somewhere safe until it passes. Thankfully I'm also the type of person who finds rain beautiful.
- Anne x
Loch Ness: Glamping, Exhibition, Food.
5/20/2016
I was going to write a monster post about my week long vacation in Scotland, but figured small snippets from each place would be more efficient for you and for my sanity. So here we have our first stop, Loch Ness! The drive up there from North Wales was fun for me, but likely brutal for my better half who kindly drove. So many things went wrong along the way, but sometimes you just have to look past them and force your company to listen to many, many, many Glee songs and watch as he shakes his head in shame (he loved it really). The views were breathtaking and the long stretch of 108 miles on a single road was.. fun. Especially for those 10 miles that were spent with a limited amount of gas, a desperation to pee and no sign of a station or anything as we were literally in the middle of nowhere. Fuel up and pee at every possible opportunity, kids.
In the Armadilla itself, you have your double bed, TV, a mini wet room meaning you could shower in privacy (quite a few Glamping sites offer community showers only), a kettle, toaster, fridge, under bed storage, draws, small closet and outside bins. Even wifi. Everything you could really need. You also have the option of a cooked breakfast delivered right to your door in the morning for an additional £7.50 per person. We chose to do that for our first morning only. It wasn't the best breakfast we've ever had for the price, but you're paying for their incredible hospitality and convenience of having hot food brought to your doorstep. So I think it's fair. A photo of my partner's breakfast is below, as I blanked on taking one of my veggie option. Speaking of, I think it's great that they offer both a vegetarian AND vegan cooked breakfast. Many places wouldn't go to the trouble.
Also at Loch Ness Glamping, you have your own private BBQ/fire pit and outdoor seating area. We wanted to use ours to make smores but wound up going out for dinner instead, which I'll get onto in a moment. Lastly at the site, there are two indoor BBQ houses (pictured below), which you share with the other campers. Inside there is the BBQ itself, a microwave, and seating. A great idea if you're travelling and wish to meet new people. It may be worth mentioning that you buy the coal separately from reception.
All in all, I would highly recommend Loch Ness Glamping. The only slight downfall of the place is the bathroom fan, as odd as that may sound. Placed right next to the main light, it is really easy to accidentally knock both at the same. Which would be fine, except one quick flick of that switch and you will be stuck with the whirling sound of the fan for a good 30 minutes. It was maddening, especially at bed time. But not a deal breaker and likely uncontrollable.
The Loch Ness Inn: On our second day but first proper night in Scotland, we went out for dinner to The Loch Ness Inn. The restaurant offers a free pick-up and drop-off service for anyone staying within 5 miles of the place, which was what we chose to do. Might I just add how much of a nice touch that is, especially if only one person of your party can drive. The food was great, the atmosphere even better, and the service was excellent. All staff were really friendly and happy to engage in conversation with you. They offer a range of Ale options from the local Loch Ness brewery that sits a short walk away from the restaurant itself, which my partner would recommend to you. He had the beef and I had pasta - the range of veggie options isn't spectacular, I think there were two on the menu and one on the specials board, but if you know that going in, it's no biggie.
It was a lovely place for a spontaneous date, and I would definitely recommend it if you're staying in the area. I failed miserably at taking photos of my food during this trip, but my partner did so I'll just keep putting his at the end of these restaurant "reviews".
The Dores Inn: The Dores Inn was a miracle in our eyes. Located in a beautiful spot right near the water (pictured far, far below), it was the perfect spot to round up the Loch Ness part of our trip. The restaurant itself has a warm interior, with comfortable seating. The food was really good. On the menu there were your classic pub dishes as well as options you wouldn't find in most places, a nice mix for the traditional and foodies. Near the bar they offered a range of homemade cake slices, which I had to steer my partner away from. It was.. comfortable. I think that sums it up. You didn't feel rushed or out of place, the scenery was beautiful and I imagine it could be a rather romantic option in the evening.
My partner had the haggis stuffed chicken, which he has now decided was his favourite meal during the trip. I was plain and ordered a Quorn burger, but it was very good and a nice change of pace than a regular vegetable burger, which is what most places offer. Once again, I forgot to take a photo but my cameraman took a snapshot of his.
Things We Did
I wasn't feeling too well after the car journey (thanks Fibro), and although my ever understanding partner didn't mind staying in and simply watching something together, we had to do some touristy things. I mean, we were in Scotland! So be prepared for tourist cheesiness in this section of these blog posts.
Loch Ness Exhibition: The Exhibition is situated just down the road from the Glamping site, so it seemed like a smart choice for our first day. It was enjoyable but in the words of my guy: it's a tourist trap. And bloody expensive for what it as. I think you have to do some cliché touristy things when in certain areas as it all adds to the experience, but would I go again or recommend it to someone/you? Maybe not. It's mostly a lot of sitting and watching a projector as they tell us how Nessie isn't real. You may be better off spending your money elsewhere.
Loch Ness: After checking out of Loch Ness Glamping, we went on the maddening search for the actual water of Loch Ness. It really ought to of been simple, but we were either blind or the roads are lacking in clear directions. Either way, we were driving in circles for an embarrassing amount of time. Every person we had asked prior to the search recommended going to Urquhart Castle to take in the views and for the historical aspect, which was the initial plan. But I still wasn't feeling well, thus making the justification of spending close to £20 to look at something that we ought to be able to do for free just plain silly. Food was our saviour. Unknown to us, The Dores Inn sits right near the water and I would like to thank our driver the previous night for suggesting we eat there.
So after lunch, we wandered out and took in the scenery. I'll let the photos do the talking for this one, as no words can do it justice.
Please excuse my deformed looking hand in the last photo. And that damn strand of hair. I felt and looked like a mess that day. But the views were beautiful and it was the perfect end to our 2 day trip. From there we got in the car and drove down to Edinburgh, which I'll get onto in the next Scotland post.
We didn't do a whole bunch, but we accomplished what we wanted and will hopefully one day return for a more backpacking type trip. Health can just be a bitch. You have to enjoy what little moments you can manage. I'll be eternally grateful for how much patience that man pictured above had with me for the duration of the week. It was his vacation and he never once made me feel bad for unintentionally ruining some of our plans. I'm a very lucky gal, that's for sure. I'd also like to thank him for unknowingly adding to the blog post with his camera skills, all credit goes to him. You can read his movie/TV review blog posts, right here on the SomewhatNerdy site. Just saying.
Hope you're having a lovely day, and thank you for taking the time to read this ramble of a blog post. The second part covering Edinburgh will be up soon.
Eventually we got to our destination and arrived at roughly 9:30pm on the Sunday, April 17th.
Where We Stayed: When myself and the boyfriend decided to drive up to Scotland we knew we wanted to visit Loch Ness. It wasn't even a question. And as the one responsible of our accommodation, I began to look for an Inn or something similar that was reasonably priced for the two nights that we'd be there. That is how I stumbled across the Loch Ness Glamping site.
Loch Ness Glamping: When I say Glamping, you may think of something Only Way Is Essex style and instantly want to mock me. It's okay, I did the same to myself when I first brought up the idea. But it was actually really beautiful and at £58 per night, far cheaper than most things I was finding. I want to add that never in my life have I gone camping. I'd love to but I've never known how I would handle it. I'm not overly fond of nature (grass phobia, it's a thing), and I'm usually freezing in a house that has central heating. See where I'm going with this? I digress. This was a new territory to me, and if anything, it's made me want to actually camp.
We opted to stay in an Armardilla (Number 3, to be precise), and it was perfect. We arrived quite late due to the drive and the owners of the property, Sonia and Graham, were nothing but understanding. Upon arrival, Sonia came out to greet us and after showing us the accommodation suggested that we pay in the morning to save us from having to trek back to the car, which I thought was very kind. I'd like to quickly add that when I was researching our options, they were also incredibly helpful through email and responded quickly. Little things, but admirable. All of which add to the experience of your stay.
Where We Stayed: When myself and the boyfriend decided to drive up to Scotland we knew we wanted to visit Loch Ness. It wasn't even a question. And as the one responsible of our accommodation, I began to look for an Inn or something similar that was reasonably priced for the two nights that we'd be there. That is how I stumbled across the Loch Ness Glamping site.
Loch Ness Glamping: When I say Glamping, you may think of something Only Way Is Essex style and instantly want to mock me. It's okay, I did the same to myself when I first brought up the idea. But it was actually really beautiful and at £58 per night, far cheaper than most things I was finding. I want to add that never in my life have I gone camping. I'd love to but I've never known how I would handle it. I'm not overly fond of nature (grass phobia, it's a thing), and I'm usually freezing in a house that has central heating. See where I'm going with this? I digress. This was a new territory to me, and if anything, it's made me want to actually camp.
We opted to stay in an Armardilla (Number 3, to be precise), and it was perfect. We arrived quite late due to the drive and the owners of the property, Sonia and Graham, were nothing but understanding. Upon arrival, Sonia came out to greet us and after showing us the accommodation suggested that we pay in the morning to save us from having to trek back to the car, which I thought was very kind. I'd like to quickly add that when I was researching our options, they were also incredibly helpful through email and responded quickly. Little things, but admirable. All of which add to the experience of your stay.
 |
| Bonus photo: On the second day we were greeted back at the site with a double rainbow. |
Where We Ate
Food. Probably the second best thing about a vacation. I'll admit we didn't go crazy in trying new things, but my better half did develop a fondness for Irn Bru and tried Haggis, twice. Nutter. So I have two mini restaurant reviews for you. Exciting stuff, especially as I'm so good at reviewing stuff (sarcasm).
The Loch Ness Inn: On our second day but first proper night in Scotland, we went out for dinner to The Loch Ness Inn. The restaurant offers a free pick-up and drop-off service for anyone staying within 5 miles of the place, which was what we chose to do. Might I just add how much of a nice touch that is, especially if only one person of your party can drive. The food was great, the atmosphere even better, and the service was excellent. All staff were really friendly and happy to engage in conversation with you. They offer a range of Ale options from the local Loch Ness brewery that sits a short walk away from the restaurant itself, which my partner would recommend to you. He had the beef and I had pasta - the range of veggie options isn't spectacular, I think there were two on the menu and one on the specials board, but if you know that going in, it's no biggie.
It was a lovely place for a spontaneous date, and I would definitely recommend it if you're staying in the area. I failed miserably at taking photos of my food during this trip, but my partner did so I'll just keep putting his at the end of these restaurant "reviews".
The Dores Inn: The Dores Inn was a miracle in our eyes. Located in a beautiful spot right near the water (pictured far, far below), it was the perfect spot to round up the Loch Ness part of our trip. The restaurant itself has a warm interior, with comfortable seating. The food was really good. On the menu there were your classic pub dishes as well as options you wouldn't find in most places, a nice mix for the traditional and foodies. Near the bar they offered a range of homemade cake slices, which I had to steer my partner away from. It was.. comfortable. I think that sums it up. You didn't feel rushed or out of place, the scenery was beautiful and I imagine it could be a rather romantic option in the evening.
My partner had the haggis stuffed chicken, which he has now decided was his favourite meal during the trip. I was plain and ordered a Quorn burger, but it was very good and a nice change of pace than a regular vegetable burger, which is what most places offer. Once again, I forgot to take a photo but my cameraman took a snapshot of his.
Things We Did
I wasn't feeling too well after the car journey (thanks Fibro), and although my ever understanding partner didn't mind staying in and simply watching something together, we had to do some touristy things. I mean, we were in Scotland! So be prepared for tourist cheesiness in this section of these blog posts.
Loch Ness Exhibition: The Exhibition is situated just down the road from the Glamping site, so it seemed like a smart choice for our first day. It was enjoyable but in the words of my guy: it's a tourist trap. And bloody expensive for what it as. I think you have to do some cliché touristy things when in certain areas as it all adds to the experience, but would I go again or recommend it to someone/you? Maybe not. It's mostly a lot of sitting and watching a projector as they tell us how Nessie isn't real. You may be better off spending your money elsewhere.
So after lunch, we wandered out and took in the scenery. I'll let the photos do the talking for this one, as no words can do it justice.
Please excuse my deformed looking hand in the last photo. And that damn strand of hair. I felt and looked like a mess that day. But the views were beautiful and it was the perfect end to our 2 day trip. From there we got in the car and drove down to Edinburgh, which I'll get onto in the next Scotland post.
We didn't do a whole bunch, but we accomplished what we wanted and will hopefully one day return for a more backpacking type trip. Health can just be a bitch. You have to enjoy what little moments you can manage. I'll be eternally grateful for how much patience that man pictured above had with me for the duration of the week. It was his vacation and he never once made me feel bad for unintentionally ruining some of our plans. I'm a very lucky gal, that's for sure. I'd also like to thank him for unknowingly adding to the blog post with his camera skills, all credit goes to him. You can read his movie/TV review blog posts, right here on the SomewhatNerdy site. Just saying.
Hope you're having a lovely day, and thank you for taking the time to read this ramble of a blog post. The second part covering Edinburgh will be up soon.
- Anne x
Book Review || Room by Emma Donoghue.
5/01/2016
Hello there blogger earthlings and trusted readers, yes, I'm alive. As you may notice, I've abandoned my blog for a good month and a half. Usually I'd be apologizing for that, but to be frank, I'm anything but sorry. During the first three weeks of April, I was having the most wonderful time with my better half. Travelling, doing touristy things, and just enjoying each others company with barely any Internet time. It was refreshing, but I'll delve into that whole thing on my next blog post. Stay tuned.
Today I'm going to write up a quick review on a book that I put down not 10 minutes ago. You've probably heard of Room by Emma Donoghue, whether by a friends recommendation or the latest news on the movie. It's a No. 1 Bestseller and as I just mentioned, it's been adapted into a movie starring Brie Larson as Ma and Jacob Tremblay as our protagonist Jack. But I'll talk more about that later, for now let's concentrate on the novel..
In Room we follow the story of 5 year old Jack and his Ma, both of whom live in a renovated shed that their capture "Old Nick" has turned into a.. well, room - Ma's home for the last 7 years and all that little Jack has ever known. We don't know why they're there straight off the bat, nor do we know whether they can get out. That's all revealed to us as it's revealed to Jack, which I like. I've always favoured stories that are written in first person, and Room is no exception.
To be entirely honest, Room isn't what I was expecting and I can't really give a detailed description of the story without giving spoilers which I want to avoid at all cost. So trust me when I say that it's a beautifully written novel. As there are very few characters, you quickly grow attached to them and their development (especially Jack's) is a wonderful thing to read. For some reason I was expecting a tense and suspense-fuelled read, but what I got instead was a endearing story about what comes after a story ends. That may not make sense, but it might if you read it.
I would advise anyone to give Room a go, if they have the time. It comes in at 401 pages and I finished it in a little over 3 hours. Yes, I read it in one sitting and I think that aided in my ability to be sucked completely into the story. Not once did I look at the time, nor did I grow tired of reading from the perspective of a five year old, which, to be truthful, I thought I would. There aren't chapters to this book, it's in 5 parts and in my opinion, you ought to read it like that. Thinking about it, you have to be in the right mood for Room. You need the silence around you. Truthfully, I'm uncertain as to whether I would of remained consistent with it if it were not for today. I might have put the book aside and then lost the atmosphere, ruining the experience of the story as I dipped in and out of it.
It's an experience more than entertaining, one you ought to go through in pace with Jack.
If I were a book reviewer or on Goodreads (I really should get on that), I'd rate Room a 4 out of 5.
Now let's quickly mention the movie adaptation that I haven't seen, nor do I have any plans to. Normally I wouldn't mention anything about it, because why would I? I haven't seen the movie. What on earth could I possibly say about it? Well, definitely one thing.. Don't watch that trailer if you're even thinking of reading Room, as it dismisses the first third of the book and completely spoils one of the focal things in the book. As in, practically shows the whole scene. I may be bias and many people who haven't read it may have already heard spoilers or whatnot, but I still can't wrap my head around why they would completely give away most of the story in the first 20 seconds of the trailer. I'll stop ranting now. But, really? Oh, and my other vice with the trailer is, what the heck were those scenes? I spotted at least 3 that weren't in the book. Movie adaptations are known to cut scenes from the book to fit into their time restraint, so why add other scenes causing you to lose more that were actually in the book? At least the casting is half decent, unlike Dark Places that cast purely on actor recognition.
To put it simply, a movie adaptation is never going to work tremendously well when the entirety of the book they're basing it off is built around you - the reader - experiencing the world through the eyes of a five year old boy. You simply can't translate that to screen, which is why stories like this are usually told in written form. Ah well.
If you do see the movie, tweet me at @RootingBranches and give me your thoughts. I'd love to know them!
Look out for my Scotland stuffed blog post coming your way later this week.
- Anne x
#MentalMovement
3/18/2016
"When we deny the story, it define us.
When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending."
My debut post was released today into the big wide world of the Internet, but that isn't necessarily why I wanted to quickly write up this post (although it is somewhat of a shameless plug). The platform #MentalMovement hopes to tarnish the stigma around mental health and hope to offer a safe haven for those of us who are finding it hard to wake up in the morning and are crippled with the fear that we're going through our battles alone.
It's a varied site with something that could help each and every single one of you, so I'd truly appreciate it if you went over there and gave it a look through. The writers are all incredible humans who have first hand experience in the topics they discuss, which I'd personally find comforting as a reader. They know what they're talking about, and they will not make you feel silly or inadequate for having problems that aren't what class as "visible". They will help you.
Use your Internet time to make your heart lay softer.
Here are the links to everything surrounding the site:
And lastly, my post:
We are living in the age of the Internet - where it is possible to connect with someone halfway around the world by typing a few words. There is no longer any reason why someone should go through a mental illness alone.
- Anne x
The Visit
Becca and her younger brother Tyler go to visit their Grandparents for a week. Upon arrival, everything is great and Becca eagerly records everything on her camera (Oh, yeah, this is the "found footage" type of movie. Something I usually hate.. But we'll get onto that in a bit,), as the young teen is filming a documentary on their visit to Nana and Pop Pop's. Her main goal actually being to unravel the mystery of why her mum left home and no longer has contact with the Grandparents. But things go haywire real fast. The kids are given two rules: Don't go in the basement as there is mold. And don't come out of your bedroom after 9:30pm. Simple, right? Nope, cue Grandma acting a little loony. And a cookie craving.
As I previously mentioned, this is filmed entirely through a handheld camera which I do usually hate and to be perfectly honest, I wasn't overly fond of it in this movie either. Especially for the last few scenes. It made it hard to see what the hell was going on and that took away the scare factor. But then the first half might of not been as creepy if it weren't for the style of filming. Eh. I'm in two minds about it. Tell me your opinion if you've watched it.
There isn't much else I can say about this movie without giving away the plot or the few scenes that are actually creepy. It's most definitely one you have to experience for yourself. Throughout the 90ish minutes of The Visit you will be wondering what the hell is going on, and the reason for it all was actually a pleasant surprise to me which is usually not the case. If I choose to re-watch this any time soon (which I'm unsure whether I would, to be honest), it will be creeper now I know why the Grandparents are acting odd.
Oh, I almost forgot - the acting. It was actually good. It's always a worry when children/teens are the main character(s) in a thriller type horror as the acting can be questionable, but Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould did a decent job. As did the Grandparents. Nothing extraordinary, but believable.
On a whole, I liked it more than I thought I would but I wouldn't jump at the chance to watch it again. If you enjoy the atmosphere that such films as Annabelle, Orphan, or The Possession give, then maybe give it a go.
You can watch the Trailer for The Visit HERE.
The Green Inferno
Cannibals? A group of students that will likely get slaughtered? Sounds like a good time. You may think I'm being sarcastic, but no, that was my reaction when I read the back of this case in the supermarket. The Green Inferno can only be described as Ghost On Mars meets Hostel (which makes sense as it has the same creator as Hostel. Duh, Anne.). To be entirely honest, I'm not usually a fan of Eli Roth, his movies seem one dimensional to me and I'm not a huge fan of the torture porn aspect that he seems to enjoy so much. Knock, Knock was hands down the worst movie I watched last year, and despite my usual love for horror movies, the Hostel's don't do anything for me though I can appreciate them for what they are intended to be. My point being.. I was a tiny bit apprehensive watching The Green Inferno due to my usual dislike of his movies and I'll admit to going in with my judgemental hat on, but alas, it was for not. I really, really, really liked it.
The protagonist of the movie is Justine, a student and daughter of someone important. She gets roped into going along with a group of student activists to "save the Amazon rain forest" from desecration. but of course, it doesn't exactly go to plan once they discover they aren't alone. Standard. It is incredibly gory, but I'm assuming you knew that once I wrote the word "cannibals".
The cast in the movie is definitely the strong point, I very much doubt it would be as good if the actors were shoddy. There is somewhat of a cliché when it comes to the student group - we have the douchebag leader guy, the bitchy girlfriend who you want to punch in the nose, the tattooed "no messing" girl, the friendly guy who people keep putting down for his looks even though his isn't overweight or bad looking, the hysterical blonde girl who looks like she should work on a farm, the smart guy who looks like he's in his thirties, and the stoner dude - but I'm willing to look past all of this. Really, I am.
I think what made this movie a sitting at the edge of your seat, sweaty palms, stress-mess is the story itself. It's realistic and things similar do happen, unlike say, a burnt guy visiting your dreams. There is one scene that had me squirming enough to sympathize with any guy who watches Bone Dry. Two words for any fellas out there: cactus and penis. Yeah. I won't ruin the scene in The Green Inferno for anyone who enjoys horrendous pulse-quickening scenes, but you'll likely guess what the scene will be within the first 5 minutes of the movie thanks to a lecturer educating us on the lives of those living in the rain forest. Eek.
If you enjoy gritty horrors that are less about the scares and more about the gore and chase, then I recommend you give this a go. I'm looking forward to watching it for the second time.
You can watch the trailer for The Green Inferno HERE.
The Culling
The movie follows five decently acted friends (one being Jeremy Sumpter who starred as "Peter Pan") as they travel to a music festival, when much to the drivers dismay, they take a detour to stop at a roadside diner for food and happen to stumble across the little girl, Lucy. Stranded and alone due to her Grandpa supposedly laving her there, the gang are left with no other choice other to drive the lost girl home. The series of events that follow are a little long-winded and questionable, but result in them having to spend the night and eventually, face shadows and things that go bump in the night.
If it weren't for the mystery element of this movie, it may of not been as enjoyable and perhaps that is why I have no interest in re-watching it. But my mother, someone who loves paranormally type movies, really enjoyed it. So, it depends on what style you enjoy. If you can find a way to watch it for free and have a few hours to kill, then have at it.
You can watch the trailer for The Culling HERE.
So there you have it. This is a new style of post and I'd appreciate your thoughts on it. Also, if you have any horror recommendations, that'd be much appreciated. Shoot me a tweet at RootingBranches, or you know, comment.
Have a lovely day!
- Anne x
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