LONDON & BIRTHDAY

My birthday was TWO WEEKS AGO but I'm only now getting the chance to write this post (sorry about that)

On the 27th of October, I turned the age of 17 years old, and for a change I actually did a few things 'worth-while' to celebrate. Over the surrounding days of my birthday I done multiple things, and enjoyed every bit of them. I had such a amazing birthday thanks to my loving family and friends.

For my birthday, me and my friends decided to take a little day trip to London. We all woke up on the Monday morning at 5:15am (YES, 5:15AM. A M. IN THE MORNING) scrabbled to get dressed and ready half asleep and ventured to Cardiff to catch our MegaBus. And I understand that MegaBus isn't the most elegant, fast and sophisticated form of transportation, but for a £24 return to London and back each is unimaginably amazing compared to train prices, even though it took twice as long to get there as a train would.

After spending 4+ hours on this bus as a result to heavy traffic caused by a crash, we arrived at London Victoria Coach Station around 12pm, grabbed a quick bight to eat and then ventured on the Underground, heading straight towards the shops. While we emerged from the Tube we straight away stumbled across the MOTHER-SHIP OF ALL TOPSHOP/TOPMAN. After exploring many stores, spending to much money and having slight panic-attacks in the extremely, crazily full of people who don't care if you're "in the way" Primark, we were all pretty pooped out, shopping for 5 hours straight in the congestion and fast-paced High Streets of London, we headed back to the Coach Station while grabbing foods and drinks as we went along, as we did have an hour left, we took our time.

FINALLY arriving back at the Coach station (early if I might add) we got ready to board our coach and head home for the 7pm MegaBus too Cardiff. Well more like 7:30pm as a result to delays. We jumped on the MegaBus Gold (slightly posher version of the standard MegaBus) and headed home back to rainy Wales.

The trip was such a great experience, actually pulling this off an having no major disasters I must say I done a pretty good job. Especially as I have never organised a trip away for just me and my friends! *accepts trophy for Best Organisational Skills 2013.* We have been talking about going up again in the Christmas Holidays and staying the night, hopefully that will happen.

My AMAZING birthday cake
made COMPLETELY by my
Mam

Overall I really enjoyed my 17th birthday, and have to thank so many people for celebrating it with me! :) 

GOODBYE AUGUST & SUMMER

I do realise that's its now September 9th, but being back at school and starting a new job has drasticly taken up most of my time, and I have not had much chance to post my 'Goodbye August' post, but HERE I AM!! ;)

So August for me is the month we say goodbye to Summer, and August has been a very family orientated month and a month of the future and new beginnings! 

At the beginning of this month, I had a lovely little phone call, inviting me for an interview, lets just say I was ecstatic! My first actual interview! And as soon as that came I was a nervous wreck! But my nerves were for nothing as I ended up being offered the job, and obviously I accepted!! BLOG POST HERE! I have finally become somewhat independent, and I have started my job and its going great! Everyone is so friendly where I work, if I'm not sure on anything, everyone is so willing to help! A real confident booster for a newbie!

August was also the month that I finally got awarded my GCSE Results BLOG POST HERE!! I passed every single one of my subjects and couldn't be happier!! Hard work really pays off, I worked hard for good grades and I achieved them. If you want something, its never going to be handed to you on a plate, if you want it that much, it has to be worked for!! And that's something that I am very focused on.

I have been extremely social. I have made and spent time with so many people, and are in gratitude for their company! I have spent quality time with my family. I have been to the cinemas and released my true child side (Despicable Me 2 & Monsters University are AMAZING!! A true MUST WATCH!!) I have been out on multiple meals to celebrate my GCSE results. I have been away for a well deserved weekend break BLOG POST HERE. But have also spent time with my friends. And I have enjoyed every minute I have had with everyone of these people that I love.

I have picked up my motivation and am back exercising. I am currently attending a Kettle-Bells class on a Tuesday every week and am at the gym every Sunday, also all the walking in work is a real workout. And in only 2 weeks I have lost 1lbs! (Not a huge achievement but I couldn't be happier!!)

So it is now September and Summer is over. And I must admit, I am glad. We had such a good Summer this year. I have done so many things, been super busy, and the weather has been amazing compared to the almost constant rainfall of last year. I am now ready to wrap up for Autumn and Winter. I'm ready for jumpers and gloves, the cold and frost. And most importantly, the events (Bomb-fire night, Halloween, My birthday, and even more impotently, CHRISTMAS) I realise these things are a long way off, but they are my favourite events of the year! And I cannot wait!! :D

I must admit I really do enjoy these Goodbye blog posts, its a nice way to recap my months, and have a little blog post for a future read! :)

P.S. Every single photograph in this blog was taken and edited by me. I am very passionate about photography. All of these photo's were taken this month! :) HERE is my photography Instagram if you would like to check that out!! :)

WEEKEND BREAK - WEST BAY

So every year for the last 4 years or so I have gone on a little family camping break. This year me and my Dad travelled for a long weekend to join my Uncle, Auntie and Cousin on their two week camping trip down on the South Coast of England. To be more precise West Bay, Bridport. Where we stayed was actually the area in where they filmed the popular murder mystery TV series on the BBC earlier this year, Broadchurch.

On our tag along for a 4 day / 3 night break me and my Dad shared a 4 (2) man tent on the Parkdean, West Bay site. The park was pretty basic considering there's a Parkdean holiday site down in a local beach town just down the road to me with so much more, and better facilities. But the West Bay area its self was BEAUTIFUL! It was all you could ask for for a small, quaint, sea-side village. 

There was a harbour full of fishing boats and privately owned boats, among others. There were quaint little stalls all along the harbour selling fish and chips, ice-creams, cream-tea's, you name it! The food from these stalls was soooo good and soooo affordable, such great value for money! Along with the old-timey pubs and quaint sea-sidey establishments, there were super modern apartments right on the sea-front with a beautiful, clean, long seafront walk way/road. The mix of old traditional and modern was so great to see.

We were busy off doing activities pretty much everyday. From going into  town to eat at this GORGEOUS Indian restaurant (it was sooo good!!!) to having a little adventure on a speed boat, zooming across the blue ocean of the Jurassic Coast of the South. And that 15 minute speedboat ride was possibly the highlight of the whole holiday, highly recommendable!! The surrounding areas had gorgeous walks/hikes with amazing views looking across the ocean from the high cliff tops, I could of walked for miles!

It was nice to get away for a weekend, just have a little relax with the part of my family that I only truly spend time with on these camping trips. It was nice to do new things, relax, talk, debate, and most of all have fun now and again. :)