Hogwarts in the snow

I can finally say I did it. This muggle visited the wizarding world and loved every second of it! I'd been waiting to go for so long, so when I bought it as a Christmas present for Jay (along with making, yes making, Harry Potter Monopoly) I've had a countdown ever since. My inner witch jumped for joy when my alarm went off at 5:45 on Saturday morning, and probably the only time I will be happy to hear my alarm at that time in the morning unless Disney is involved.

Now before I go on to tell you about the wonders of my day, if you don't want anything spoiled stop reading now. This will be the only time I tell you not to read one of my blog posts, but if you've already been or just want to keep reading then you may continue. 

My day began with a very early wake up call, curly hair that dropped after about 10 minutes and a 2 and a half hour train journey divided by a change at Clapham Junction. Not the nicest of stations, and I could have sworn my toes nearly dropped off, but I was on my way to the Harry Potter Studios. The best part of that morning journey was being greeted with snow. Real life precipitated ice falling from the sky. Being a Southampton student, I never see snow even when it's the tiniest bit and Jay has never experienced it since being away in Malaysia, so this just made us even more excited.

Now where to begin...

The journey starts walking through the doors to the Great Hall, yes I walked down the same floor as Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint; fan-girl moment! After listening to one of the guides you're free to begin your adventure into what can only be described as 'Aladdin's Cave' of props, sets, costumes. They recommend 3 hours to complete the tour, but me and Jay took 5 as we like to read everything. But why not. There's so much information to take in, and so many secrets to learn.

Halfway round you're taken to the back-lot, ultimate tourist experience. You'll need to make sure your camera is charged for this part as this where you get to board the night bus, ride Hagrid's motorbike, visit 4 Privet Drive and ultimately have a photo with your Butterbeer mustache! It tastes like a butterscotch cream soda with a dollop of ice cream if any of you are wondering! 

After this you get taken through the creature shop, and learn about all the interesting going ons behind the scenes, and one thing I will say, you will never watch Harry Potter in the same way again. Upon leaving the creature shop, you turn a corner and find yourself down Diagon Alley. From Olivanders Wand Shop to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, you'll want it to never end, and next comes one of the most amazing parts of the whole tour, Hogwarts itself. Don't rush this part, and make sure you look through the screens of information as you'll find out things you never would have dreamed of. Finally after absorbing yourself in Olivander's Wand Shop your tour comes to an end with the gift shop. This will add another half an hour to your journey, and you better have a pocket full of galleons if you're wanting to buy anything! I will admit, we did buy a Marauder's Map, but we couldn't come away empty handed now could we!

We then had a 2 and a half hour journey back, and bed never felt so good, but it was a day and a half, an experience I would recommend to everyone and anyone. And it excites me to say I'm going back again in a month (a raffle prize won by my dad for the family, I couldn't say no to Harry Potter now could I!)

New Year, New Me

I know what you're all thinking, another one of those 'This is going to be my year' posts. Don't worry, it's not. I'm all for people seeing the New Year as a fresh start, but I'm not one to post my yearly and future activity all in one 1000 character post on Facebook (that's where the Twitter 140 character rule comes in handy). I don't think I can even remember what my last years resolutions were, most probably along the lines of I will take up jogging, or I will start going to bed earlier, none of which made it past the 1st January 2014. However, even though I'm not one to stick by resolutions, I am one to make lists. Whether it be a grocery list, birthday present list, chore list, to do list, I worship them. This is the year, I graduate University, turn 21 and move in with the boyfriend. So why not make it one of my most memorable years yet by creating a 2015 bucket list.

1) Visit a new countryI want to go somewhere I've never been before, somewhere where not many of my friends and family have been before so I can create some memories there.

2) Read 365 booksI love reading and I don't do it enough. Which is why I want to have read one book for every day of the year by the time it reaches 1st January 2016 (maybe 5th January 2016 as I am 4 days late on writing this post)

3) Start my driving lessonsI may be 3 years late, but better late than never aye. And if I start, who know's maybe I'll even finish driving lessons and pass my test.

4) Go to an outdoor cinema
Just like the movies, literally. On a warm summers night, with blankets and a flask of hot chocolate what could be more romantic?

5) Sort photos into a photo albumMaybe a bit of boring antic on my to do list of 2015, but I don't want to look back in 5 years time and have to look at my photos on a screen. I want to be able to flick through photo albums and relive the memories

6) Do something spontaneousI don't have a clue what this might include, but I want to look back and think I'm glad I did that rather than turning down an opportunity because of something like money.

7) Drink more water
I feel good when I drink the recommended amount of water. My skin looks good when I drink the recommended amount of water. So why don't I already drink the recommended amount of water?

8) Earn lots of moneyIt would be so nice to be able to look at my bank account and see a nice healthy figure rather than one that makes me shut laptop at the speed of light.

9) Ride a tandemSomething I'm yet to experience, but I will be equipped with a helmet and elbow pads.

10) Learn the constellations
The night sky fascinates me, who wouldn't wan't to know more about our wonderful world we live in.

11) Go surfingLets cruise the waves? Totally dudeeeee.

12) Learn sign languageI feel this is language which should be second nature to everyone, and I want to be a part of it.

13) Throw a Disney partyI'm 20 years old and yet to have had a Disney fancy dress party, who even am I?

14) Go Skinny Dipping 
Yep, I've said it. I've never done it, but how can you feel at one with the world until you have been naked with the world?

15) Complete my travels of the UK
I technically have only seen half of the UK due to only ever visiting England and Wales, so nationally I should make it up to experiencing the whole country right?

So there you have it, 15 challenges for 2015. Some of the things on there may seem a little out there for the year but you've never heard of dreaming small. Happy New Year!

Why Christmas is my favourite of the year...

Now it is officially December I feel I can finally begin to start spreading some Christmas cheer (not like I have been buying presents and watching festive films since the start of November)! Yes, I'm one of those people who gets overly excited at Christmas adverts, store decorations and that first radio play of I wish it could be Christmas everyday. There are so many things that make it the most magical time of the year. 'Like what' you Scrooges may be asking, well look no further...

1. Fairy lights. Fairy lights are acceptable all year round, but not everyone believes that. However, come Christmas time and almost every house has something twinkling in their window.
2. Christmas Trees. We have always had a real Christmas tree, so one of the best parts of the lead up to Christmas is the hour long choosing of the Christmas tree and then of course the decorating (Me and my sister have to alternate who's turn it is to put the angel on top of the tree).
3. Woolly Jumpers. There's nothing nicer then wrapping up in a snug jumper ready to brace the cold winter air.
4. Advent Calenders. Who doesn't want a piece of chocolate every morning for 24/25 mornings?
5. Snow. Now I know it's something that seems will never happen, but there's no harm in wishing for a white Christmas.
6. Family time. There's nothing more precious than spending time with your family.
7. Open Fires. "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" Need I say anymore?
8. Food. Christmas seems to be the one time of year that it's acceptable to eat as much food as you want, because hey, it's Christmas.
9. TV. When the Christmas Radio Times comes out in my house you'll flick through it and all you will see is circles, stars, underlining of all the  Christmas specials that want to be watched or recorded (Normally evokes a  small disagreement when programs clash)
10. Christmas Songs. There's nothing more traditional then having some carol singers knock on your door, or wrapping up presents singing along to The Best Christmas Album Ever.
11. Disney. Disney at Christmas time is just WOW.
12. Presents. I love watching the ones I love open their presents.
13. Mulled Wine and Mince Pies. Why aren't these an all year thing?
14. Ice Skating. You can go ice-skating any time of the year, but outside rinks with Christmas trees in the middle make it that little bit more fun.
15. Santa. The magic of Santa makes everything more enjoyable, especially when you're in the company of younger children.

Now, for all you who still say Bah Humbug after reading that list, go and watch Miracle on 34th Street and get yourself a glass of wine (mulled of course)! For everyone else, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.