2 Wonderful Weeks' Holiday

I’ve had a much-needed break for the past 2 weeks, so as I’m back to school tomorrow (feels so weird saying that!) I thought I would write a post while I still have some time. I’ve had a wonderful fortnight off and feel much better for it.

It started with the end-of-term/my friend Tina’s birthday party which was a nice way to end what had been a very busy 8 weeks, so of course we just had to buy some new bits and bobs and dress up! The photo below is ‘party quality’ (if you know what I mean!) so apologies that it’s not very clear. My maxi dress and necklace are both from New Look: Dress £25 £10, Necklace £6. (I've had the earrings for ages so can’t remember where they’re from!)

l-r: DSL friends Sarah, Sophie, Tina, me, Kate

I then spent a few days down here in London recuperating and getting some homework out of the way. It was lovely to just have a few days to chill. I also saw a few friends in those days so I wasn’t completely solitary! Then I went home to NE Scotland to spend some time with my family. In the few days I was home, we hosted my Uncle Brian’s 50^th Birthday Party at our house and it was great to see some members of my family who I hardly ever see. I also managed to fit in seeing one of my best friends Zocia, so it was a successful trip! Of course time flies when you’re having fun though so of course it felt like no time at all before I was heading back down to London, but as I was bringing my mum and niece, Aria, back down with me to stay for a few days, I couldn’t really complain!

I’ve been living in London since the beginning of August and hadn’t actually done any of the typical touristy things that, let’s be honest, you should do when you move here, so we used mum and Aria’s visit as an excuse to finally do some of these things. My mum is super thrifty and spent a tonne of Tesco vouchers she got with her Clubcard points (I think?!) on tickets for London attractions. So for something like £170’s worth of tickets, she spent only £60’s worth of these Tesco vouchers, so in essence didn’t actually spend a penny! Amazing.

We went to the London Dungeon, Madame Tussaud’s and the Tower of London. Looking back, we probably should have thought ahead before getting tickets for the Dungeon as we did that on the first day and of course, as Aria’s an 8-year-old little girl, she was terrified the whole way round. We had tears within the first 10 minutes and after that she kept on asking if it was the end yet and she wanted to go home. I felt so bad for her, poor thing. Then for the next 2 nights she slept really badly because she had nightmares and kept on thinking Jack the Ripper was in corner of the room. Anyway, the experience itself was good, but it wasn’t my cup of tea so I personally wouldn’t go again. I think it’s the kind of thing that most people only do once anyway.

Madame Tussaud’s was much better. Who’d have thought wax-clones of celebrities would be so much fun?! It was done very well and some of the models were done very well, so we got a few photos with them and then experience was finished off with a 4-D animation of some of the Marvel heroes, which was done very well. I’d recommend it for all ages, though I wouldn’t spend the £30-entry they ask for on the day.

Chilling with my mate Emma

Definitely pulling off the Beyonce moves here...

Aria getting attacked and mum's feeble attempt to help! Gee, at least I'm taking a photo for the police...

We then finished off our sight-seeing experiences with the Tower of London which, too, was very, very good. We were there most of the day (about 4 hours) and took it easy, stopping for a sit-down regularly. (By this point, we were so exhausted from the few days before that we were starting to wilt!) It was interesting to read all about the tower, see the ins-and-outs, all the artefacts and of course the amazing Crown Jewels, which were spectacular. It’s a shame you can’t take photos in the areas I would have most wanted to take some, but at least I have the beautiful, diamond-encrusted memories!

Aria, Mum, Tower of London

Aria getting attacked again

She was annoying us...

Mum and Aria left yesterday morning, and it was tough saying goodbye but I had a great time with them and of course it’s only 2 months till I see them at Christmas-time, so not too bad. I spent the rest of the day with my housemates, Conner and Alex, so we had a few drinks and I thrashed them at a game of Monopoly! Good times. Back to school tomorrow and straight into Scene Study 2, so I’m going to spend the rest of the day re-reading my script and doing bits of research. And catching up on Strictly.

xxx