Marvellous Marseille

On Monday, my boyfriend and I jetted off to the South of France for a small adventure. We're currently at our first stop, but will be continuing our journey further along to the sunny city of Cannes in the next few days. However, Marseille has brought beauty and bliss as we're exploring the city's touristic sites and exhausted its many coffee shops! 

Upon leaving our bags at the hotel room on the first day, we hopped on the Metro from our stop, La Timone to Vieux Port, the escalator climbed to the city floor and we sprung upon this beautiful view!

We walked around the port and landed ourselves in Le Panier district. I would recommend anyone to go here as it is bustling full of unique shops and squares of independent restaurants.

                     

At the end of the port we found ourselves at Cathedral de la Major. The architecture in this cathedral was so beautiful, and a definite place to go to when exploring Marseille. 

                     

                   

                    

                    

After walking around this beautiful and historical cathedral, we then left to walk back around the port and book a boat trip to Les Calanques, something I will talk about on my next blog post! 

However, this insight to Marseille on the first day excited me of what was to come in the following couple of days we were here. 

I will write to keep you updated on our adventure in the south of France!

Kirsty 

xx

Wednesday Stroll

It's almost the weekend and I've been extremely busy recently, and will be able to tell you all soon about my new adventure I will be going on. For now though, I will let you in to what I have been up to these last couple of weeks!

My friend Heather came down to stay during the week and we went into London numerous times to play tourists and go partying. On Wednesday, when she arrived, we got the train to Brick Lane and had a nosey around. As usual, we made our way to the Beigal Bake and got ourselves a smoked salmon bagel and a jam doughnut. I can confirm, as ever, both impressed.

Later, after walking around, we found a lovely café where we both got a Mocha and stayed to chat more for a few hours.

 

Upon leaving east London, we both thought of west end shows we wanted to see. I had a friend who worked at the Shaftsbury Theatre and so messaged him to see what the availability was for Memphis. With a lot of luck, we were able to get tickets to see the show and so we made our way to Covent Garden.

Neal's yard, Seven Dials

Shoreditch

Memphis

Set in 1950s in Memphis, the production kept me on the edge of my seat as I watched Beverley Knight sing away. The show introduces Huey, a white man who goes into Del Ray's underground bar. As the regulars begin to leave, Huey tells the black men and women that he loves the music they produce and goes on to prove that he can sell and play their music successfully. In the midst of this, he falls in love with Delray's sister, Felicia (who is played by Beverley Knight). 

The story is an interesting one, and keeps me hooked throughout. Its catchy songs and dazzling voices, I enjoyed every moment.

I would definitely recommend anyone to go and see the show, whilst it is still on!

Kirsty

xx

My weekend in Oxford

Hey bloggers,

I have been so busy recently, I finally have the time to sit down and write about the weekend. I have just spent in Oxford with my friend Jack. Because I've finished uni so early at Glasgow, compared to the English universities, I decided to make the most of it and catch the train from Leigh-on-Sea to Oxford.

I didn't know what to expect in Oxford, but en route, it really was a nightmare to get there. Upon arrival at Paddington, I was told on the train that it was cancelled as a man had jumped in front of a train at Twyford. Despite this horrid news, I had to get off and was really annoyed as Jack had planned to attend a 'formal' at the Trinity College, one of the colleges amongst the others at the University of Oxford. He wanted me to experience of the more posh side to Oxford and its traditions!

Luckily, I arrived JUST in time, with only minutes to get changed and then made our way to dinner.

Jack and I at dinner.

After this, we made our way to drinks that were being held by the Cherwell News. The newspaper that Jack writes for, before making our way back to the room to sleep before the activities next day! The next day we went to walk around the different colleges. Here's me at Trinity College in the day:

And then we booked a punt with Christchurch as Jack attends there (YES! The university where Harry Potter was filmed in the Great Hall!!) 

Punting down Cherwell River.

Jack and I.

Jack punting at the back of the boat.

I had such a great time, as we played music down the river and relaxed in the afternoon sun. 

Afterwards, we made our way to the Great Hall for dinner with Matt, another school friend who attends Balliol. 

Outside the Great Hall where Harry Potter was filmed.

I was definitely thinking of returning, as I made my home on Sunday. Oxford itself is such a small city and we were able to walk all around it. It was surrounded by tourists as they walked around the city looking at the picturesque scenery of the ancient buildings standing that are now owned the university.

Did you do anything nice this Bank Holiday weekend?

Kirsty

xxx

Valentines Weekend

My workload has been so busy recently with essays to be completed and a busy seminar season, there has been a lack of sharing on my blog. I will try to update you with what I have been up to over the last few weeks!

On 12th February, Brandon and I flew to Amsterdam for a weekend away exploring in another city. We departed from London Southend which was so much quicker travel wise, as I usually go to Stansted to get my flight back to Glasgow.

Taxiing to the runway.

Above the clouds!

We arrived early Thursday evening and checked in to our hotel, ready to explore the next day.

On the Friday we wandered around all that felt like the whole of Amsterdam the amount of walking we did! We stayed just off Dam Square and so we walked through here everyday to get to the different places. 

Dam Square with the Royal Palace in the background.

We visited numerous shops, many where I longed to buy all the clothes in the shop. The only thing stopping me was the number on the price tag! We also found a lovely teashop that sold the most amazing cakes and had a view where we could just watch the world go by.

The cupcakes were so lovely!

On Saturday evening, we went into Dam Square and got the tram to this restaurant Brandon had booked. It was lovely and we were spoilt by a four course meal and entertainment, consisting of poetry and acoustic music.

The starter was my favourite, usually I don't do salads!

The singer entertaining us for the evening.

On Saturday before dinner, we also went for a canal ride. It was so pretty, and lovely to see the city in the dark. 

The canals were so lovely with the lights around the bridge!

On Sunday afternoon we found a gap and we had been told that if we get a chance we should go to the Sex Museum, soooo... we found it on google maps and made our way to the tiny museum!

yeah.. me, a penis and bran

It really was one of the most obscure things I think I have ever been to! As hilarious as it was, I can't believe how popular this place was!

However, in the evening, we made our way to the Ice Bar! It was so fun, but very, very cold and I didn't manage to make it the full 20 minutes inside! We first had cocktails though as we arrived early. I had a Sex on the Beach and Brandon had a Mojito!

Our cocktails before heading inside the Ice Bar!

It was a lovely weekend and it ended really nicely by going to the Zoo on Monday, something which I love! We managed to see the elephants, giraffes and lions, amongst other mammals and sea creatures. We also went to a planetarium.. although this was in Dutch, it didn't stop us seeing some of the most amazing views by staring above!

I did not want to leave, but unfortunately we had to go back to reality.

Until next time!

Did you get up to anything nice over the Valentines weekend?

Kirsty

xxx