Fundraising For Myeloma UK

On the 22nd of June I will be doing a walk up Snowdon with my boyfriend and a close friend. I thought this would be a good opportunity to fundraise in aid of Myeloma UK. I've chosen this charity as it has become a cause close to my heart. My Aunt Sarah-Jane has been having treatment for Multiple Myeloma since December 2017. Thankfully she is currently in remission after treatment however this disease currently has no cure.

Myeloma UK receives no government funding and all money for research comes from donations. Every donation big or small will help me reach my goal. Your donation will help Myeloma UK to provide information and support to people affected by Myeloma and to improve standards of treatment and care through research, education, campaigning and raising awareness. Thank you for reading!

The Best Christmas Present

Back in December the weekend before Christmas to be exact me and my boyfriend had a mini-break to London. This was to be a trip to see some of his family just before Christmas, little did I know there was a surprise in store.

This family trip was actually a surprise trip to see Wicked the Musical at the Apollo Victoria Theatre!

I have wanted to see Wicked for years after first hearing Defying Gravity covered on Glee and learning of the story behind the show. However when it was local or nearby had just never got round to seeing it and I had never visited London properly before this weekend.

Onto the show and I loved every minute of it the story line being a prequel to the Wizard of Oz and how the wicked witch of the west came to be. It was such an interesting take on the story that everyone would have known as a child. The music was all so catchy I had only heard 'Defying Gravity' and 'The Wizard and I' properly before seeing the show and the rest of the soundtrack certainly didn't disappoint with catchy tunes that had you wanting to sing along.

Paris: Disneyland

Back in June last year (can't believe it's been that long since I've posted) I visited Paris. It was during that wonderful heatwave we had and it couldn't have been more perfect weather to visit Disneyland.

I had never actually visited Disneyland in Paris before so I was excited to see how it matched up to the original in Anaheim. We got there bright and early for a full day to try and pack as much in as possible and that we certainly did.

We jumped straight into the rides and went on the Tower of Terror which I had never been on before but really enjoyed, it's a shame that they are getting rid of the ride.

Ghetto Golf Birmingham

The other weekend me and my boyfriend headed to Birmingham for a day out, while there we went to Ghetto Golf.

Mini Golf, cocktails and graffiti art? Yes please!

Located at the Custard Factory entry is £10 per person and there are 18 different mini golf holes.

We did not book in advance so had to wait for the next available session. In the meantime we admired the graffiti and had a cocktail each. The drinks were reasonably priced and tasted great. You also had the option to order drinks as you made your way around the course.

To Be Read List May 2018

Spellbound of the Lost and found- Moira Fowley-Doyle
'One stormy summer night, Olive and her best friend, Rose, begin to lose things. It starts with simple items like hair clips and jewellery, but soon it’s clear that Rose has lost something bigger; something she won’t talk about.

Then Olive meets three wild, mysterious strangers: Ivy, Hazel and Rowan. Like Rose, they’re mourning losses - and holding tight to secrets.

When they discover the ancient spellbook, full of hand-inked charms to conjure back lost things, they realise it might be their chance to set everything right. Unless it’s leading them towards secrets that were never meant to be found . . .'

Sintra: Castle of the Moors

After Pena Palace we then visited the Castle of the Moors. This was included in our ticket with the palace and the two were a short walk from each other. It was a beautiful sunny day in Sintra making for some beautiful views from the castle.

The castle itself was very grand and steeped in history. There were loads of high turrets and steep steps, the walk around it was a really good workout. 

Sintra: Pena Palace

While in Lisbon we took a quick trip over to Sintra for the day. The train is quick, cheap and easy to figure out and there are many wonderful sights to see.

One of the places we visited on the day was Pena Palace. We chose to walk to the palace not quite realising how much of a hike it was, while it was beautiful scenery it sure was hard work! Make sure to get a bus or taxi up- unless you're a fan of a good hike.

Lisbon: Belem: Jeronimos Monastery

Next up on the Lisbon tour we had a trip to Belem to visit Jeronimos Monastery. Construction of the building began in 1501 and was completed 100 years later, it is the former monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. The monastery is a beautiful example of late Gothic architecture and the building has since been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Biddulph Grange Gardens

I have recently invested in a National Trust Card, if you are under 25 the price for the year is a bargain! It's half the price of the adult membership and you get free access to hundreds of magical places! The first place that I visited using my membership was Biddulph Grange Gardens located in Stoke.

The picture of this place in the booklet instantly caught my attention showing a Chinese inspired temple. The site is a Victorian garden with plants from all around the world, a visit takes you on a journey from Italy to Egypt to the Himalayas and finally to China.

Restaurant Review: Tattu Manchester

The Restaurant

The restaurant itself has fantastic decor with a flower wall in the downstairs eating area and of course the infamous cherry blossom tree upstairs. As well as this there are many tattoo themed designs dotted around. The lighting was dim giving a relaxed feel and giving the cherry blossom tree a more central and prominent feel.

The staff were all very helpful and service was very quick. Booking in advance was important as the restaurant books up fast and we just about got a spot on a Saturday night in the early afternoon.

Lisbon: Santa Justa Lift

 Next stop on the Lisbon tour was the Santa Justa Lift located in the centre of Lisbon. It is a vertical structure consisting of a metal tower an observation platform and a walkway across to the shopping complex and the church ruins.