Camping in Wales

During the Easter holidays earlier this year, Jake and I decided to take a short break to Wales. Other than Australia the summer before, this was our first 'abroad' holiday. It was perfect. We had an amazing view with a lovely beach and amazing blue lagoon just a walk away. I really do miss waking up to the beautiful sunrise against the spectacular hills facing he campsite! 

We were there for three days and two nights which was just perfect -not too long but long enough to see everything. The first day was spent exploring what Wales had to offer. We went into the local village on a hunt for a camping shop as we didn't have the extension cord we needed for the electricity. On the way back, we found ourselves on the local beach. It was gorgeous. We could just make out our tent upon the hills facing us.

We were awoken early the next morning by the sunlight shining through and the sound of birds singing along. As we got out the tent, thinking it was just going to be an average cold day in England, we were pleasently surprised with an amazing view. The sun was rising beautifully right behind the hills looking down at us. It was breath-taking. 

The second day was spent driving around to see what we could find. We drove as far as we could one way before returning to the local village we had visited the day before. We were pointed in the right direction and soon found ourselves exploring through the hills in search for the blue lagoon. 

The remainder of the day was spent chilling at the campsite. We had got a bat and ball set from the local shops that occupied us for most of the afternoon. The sun soon came out and it got too warm to be playing games so we climbed as high up as we could and enjoyed the view until dusk. It was so peaceful up there. 

We woke up early again the next morning expecting another beautiful sunrise, however we were highly disappointed. We had planned to spend the whole day on the beach but instead of a great view, we were greeted by a sky full of mist and low clouds covering the hills that once looked over the campsite. Instead we decided to make an early start at our long journey home. Although cut short, this was still one of my favourite get-aways. It truly was perfect.

Through the Lens | Sunday Walk

Through the lens | Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Jake's mum had returned to England for a short break around Easter time this year, so of course, we had to have a family outing! We travelled up to Scunthorpe to meet up with Jake's elder sister, nephew and mum along with his brother, Jordi, and his girlfriend, Lucy.

We decided to visit the local wildlife park (a small zoo) to introduce Archie to all the different animals -his favourite was the giraffe. This was my first proper attempt at using my new camera, and I was so pleased with the results! 

Through the lens | Sydney

So as you may know, my boyfriend, Jake, is currently living in Briabane, Australia and this weekend he has travelled up to Sysney to see what it has to offer. Here are a few snaps he took while exploring.

Star crossed lovers | Our first date

Natalie and I travelled into town for a meal before meeting up with Jake, ready to go ice skating. All I can remember was being so nervous! We were sat talking about how we thought it'd go and whether I actually had a chance with this guy ...I mean, he could have had any girl he wanted. And I'm sure there were plenty of girls that wouldn't mind him choosing them. I was so lucky, but this was pressure that I could do without, all I was thinking was: "what if he thinks I'm ugly?", "what if he doesn't actually like me?", "what if my shyness puts him off?" I couldn't believe what was happening!

We'd finished our meal and started heading towards the ice arena when we bumped into one of Natalie's mates. We told him how nervous we were and that we were about to go and meet Jake Walker for the first time. He was so sweet, he reassured me that Jake was a nice guy and that we'd have a great time (I think he knew him through football or something). I took a massive sigh of relief, but my belly was still filled with butterflies.

We go to the fountain (where we had planned to meet up) but there was no sign, so we decided to take a very slow walk through the shops opposite. I was shaking. I had never been this nervous before. I got a text as we got to the back of the store, saying that he was there, asking where we were. This was it ...I was finally going to meet him. It took us five minutes to get to the front of the shop -the people behind us must have been getting so frustrated as we took fairy steps the whole way through.

He was stood there on the opposite side of the fountain, with his back to us. It was just like the scene in Titanic where Jack was stood, suited and booted by the stairs waiting for Rose. Although I'm sure Rose wasn't as nervous as I was. 

Walking to the ice arena was so awkward. No one spoke. Natalie had asked a few questions, like if Jake had ever skated before but apart from that it was silent. I can remember standing in the queue for the hire skates while Natalie was waiting on the bench. She was looking over at me, telling me to talk but I was far too nearvous. Ice skating was the perfect place for a first date -the music was that loud that awkward silences were never truly silent and if I had said something stupid, he probably wouldn't have heard it anyway. 

The date was going great. Natalie had skated off on her own while Jake and I trailed behind holding hands. We were both as bad as each other. It was perfect ...until half of my year turned up. There was about ten of the most popular kids from school. I wad so scared that Jake was going to leave me to go and skate with them. We skated around a few more times before getting off to say hello. I kept a tight grasp of Jakes hand, terrified that he was going to go off with one of the other girls. We stood talking for a while before going back on the ice. Throughout the whole date, he hadn't let go of my hand once. It was so cute. 

Jake gave us both a lift home. Natalie first, then me. We had arrived outside house -the time had come ...was there going to be a kiss or would it just be another awkward moment? I was so nervous. He pulled up, turn the engine off and turned to face me. My heart was beating so fast. He leaned over to say thankyou with a goodbye kiss. It was probably the most awkward first kiss, but who cares? ...I just kissed Jake Walker!

Through the lens | Warwick Castle

So this weekend we have travelled down to London to stay with my Uncle. We decided to break the journey up by meeting them half way at a local castle then travelling up to theirs that afternoon. Here are a few snaps I took as we explored the ruins of the lovely, historic building.

Star crossed lovers | Our first Valentines Day

Until now, Valentines Day was just another day. But not anymore ...it actually meant something. It was a day for celebrating your love with that one person you were going to spend the rest of your life with. Showing them off to he world. And that's what he did. Jake spoilt me. 

I was rushing around making sure everything was perfect. I had got Jake a mini canvas and a mug filled with the love heart sweets that each had their own messages. I thought it was perfect. There was one problem though. Jake doesn't like sweets.  It was only a few months ago that he told me that it was actually Jordi that ate the mug full of sweets. I was mortified. How did I not know that he didn't like them. I hadn't even considered them as 'sweets'. Now not only did Jake not get the sweets I'd got but he couldn't use the mug ...it was contaminated. I am such an awful girlfriend.

Needles to say, Jake's plans for Valentines Day were much better. He had originally told me that he hadn't got me anything because he couldn't afford it and that he felt terrible. I was half expecting him to turn up with something anyway but he was true to his word and hadn't got me anything. When we got to his, I was greeting with the sound of music. I could hear Celine Dion, 'My heart will go on' playing in the background. Titanic was our favourite film so I guess this had become "our song". As I walked upstairs to try and find where it was coming from Jake put his hands over my eyes and walked me into his bedroom. It was gorgeous. He had laid rose petals on the floor, making a love heart with my initials in the middle (later I discovered that Jordi had helped with that bit as Jake's attempt was terrible, but it's the thought that counts). On his bed sat a huge me to you bear, a box and a massive bunch of roses (minus the one that was scattered on the floor of course). As I looked closer I noticed that around the teddy's neck was a piece of ribbon acting as a necklace with a pandora charm threaded through. I was over the moon. It was perfect. 

Star crossed lovers | nye

It was only a few minutes after being dropped off when I got the sweetest text off Jake. He told me how perfect the date was and how proud he was to be 'holding hands with the most beautiful girl on the ice with all the other guys staring in jealousy' ...it put the biggest smile on my face. I was sat blushing at my phone like a little kid. I was right, he did like me. What had I done to deserve this?! 

The conversation went on, soppy text after soppy text until he asked to see me again. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve so what better to do than go to the cinema to see New Year's Eve (ironic, I know). It wasn't the best film in the world ...well what I saw of it anyway! We spent most of the film kissing on the back row. Come to think of it, we spent the whole day kissing. It was official. There was definitely feelings there. 

Jake had asked me to go back to his after to watch a few films and go into the new year with him. I hadn't told my parent about him yet with it being early days still so when I asked if I could go back to his, of course they said no. But me being me, I went anyway. I didn't want Jake to think I wasn't interested. 

I was so nearvous to begin with. I was just sat at the end of his bed watching tele. He was sat the other end on his phone, texting away. There was just one thought rubbing through my mind ...'who was he texting?' I got if in my head that he was talking to someone else. Someone better. But to my surprise, just as he put his phone down, mine went off. It was him. I received the sweetest text, it went something like this: "I'm really sorry but I've got something to tell you. I've got a beautiful, blonde sat at the end of my bed and I think I've fallen for her..." When I started reading, my heart sank. I was right, there was someone else. But as I read on, I realised that this 'other girl' was me. I was over the moon. 

I had to be home by eleven o' clock so I couldn't actually spend New Years with Jake but we made our resalutions early. Jake told me he only had one resalution and that he planned on sticking to it. He told me that he would have the most amazing and beautiful girlfriend ever. It was official. We were now boyfriend and girlfriend. 

The wait is finally over!

So today is the dreaded day ...it's finally here. Results day. Unlike every one else, the rest of my life wouldn't change depending on what was on that bit of paper folded nicely in the brown envelope. But I was still nearvous. That bit of paper still told me if all the effort made over the past two years had paid off. And it had. B in Media, C in IT and Distinction * in Forensics Science. I was so pleased! 

I know they're not exactly straight A's but I was really panicking about the Media and IT exams. I didn't get the best grades in my Media mock exam ...and by that, I mean I got the worst possible grade! An F. So to come away with a B at the end of it is just amazing. 

As for IT: the first exam as part of AS went as wrong as it could and the second wasn't much better. The printer decided to break half way through an exam that awards marks for printing correctly. It was terrible. The A2 exam itself was much better, however the teacher decided to fall ill the week before. I mean I know it wasn't her fault that she was ill and of course I felt sorry for her; but she had a whole week off with no warning. She just left us to fail with a whole section left to learn.

This has proved to me that no matter how hard things get regarding A Levels, as long as you work hard enough, and put that extra effort in; it is possible to get the grades you want.

Through the lens | Insects

These photos were taken during my week on the broads. I've tried to take similar shots before but could never get my head around the manual focus and auto just couldn't capture it right. I was so proud of the quality of these shots, they may not be perfect but the detail in the insects is impressive ...if I do say so myself! 

Star crossed lovers | The start of a new chapter

For this series of blog posts, we will be going back in time, reliving our story, year by year.

It all started in 2011 when I made the leap of faith to add Jake Walker (the gorgeous elder brother of Jordi and Ryan) on BBM -I know , I know... Not very romantic or traditional but what can I do in today's day and age? Anyway, we spoke for a few months, getting to know each other and become great friends. There was no question about it, I had developed strong feelings for the guy. He was perfect.

It was around Christmas time that I realised he liked me back and we began to speak more and more. Things were going great. There was just one problem ...I was so shy around people as it was, let alone a boy! Jake had tried to meet up a few times (nothing too special, just going for a walk) but I came up with every excuse possible to avoid the awkward situations I may face -after all, I didn't want to ruin what we had!

I finally gave in when he suggested going ice skating one Saturday (mainly because it meant I could drag my friend, Natalie along too. At least then I wouldn't feel so nervous!)

Through the lens | The Canal

Summer is here! The first sight of sunshine this year and I had to make the most of it. So I dragged Jake along to a peaceful walk around the local canal.

Through the lens | Wollaton Park

I've always had an interest in photography so when I got my very own camera for Christmas, I was over the moon! A good friend of mine recently got a new camera too so we used the nice weather as a perfect opportunity to explore what Nottingham has to offer, testing out our new toys!

A week on the broads

While all my friends have been jet setting across the world,  my family decided to go for a traditional English get away. We spent a week on the Norfolk broads. It's definitely better than a trip to skeg-vegas but it's not quite the same as living it up in the sunshine. That said, I still had a great time, and that's all that counts, right?
The holiday definitely started with a bang! ...Within five minutes of sitting on the front of the boat, Osar decided to go for a swim. And by that I mean, he fell in trying to say hello to the family of ducks passing by. I was ready to jump in after him. My dad managed to grab hold of his colar and lift him up within minutes but as he lifted, the colar got loose and snapped off. We were in a blind panick ...'what if we couldn't get him?', 'what if the tide picks up and carries him away?!' I finally managed to grab onto the scruff of his neck and highered him up onto the boat. But as I got him, he got his paw caught on my bikini top and managed to pull it down, giving all the people passing more than they bargained for. 

We started off on the outskirts of norich and got as far as great yarmouth by the second day. It was Oscar's first time on the beach. Well, actually it was his first time out side of Nottingham too! He'd never been on holiday before! He seemed alright with the crowds of people we walked through to get to the seafront. He didn't even bark at any other dog! But as soon as we set foot on the grotty half of the beach, just for dogs, the wind picked up and we found ourselves in the middle of a sandstorm.

Oscar loves water. He'd been itching to get in the water since we got on the boat! But the sea was different. It was unknown. Oscar didn't understand the waves, and that scared him. He was jumping around and dancing all over the place to try and get away from the  water crashing into his feet. I admit, it was funny to watch but I think it all got a bit much for the dog so we sat in the sand, braving the sandstorm.

Although I wasn't abroad like all my other friends, I still managed to come home with a great tan. Well what do you expect when I spent every morning sunbathing while we travelled to the next destination and most evenings walking around in the sunshine or sat fishing off the front of the boat. It was bliss!