The Chelsea Flower Show

Christmas was becoming more imminent when I finally decided to purchase two tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show for my mum for Christmas. I knew she had always wanted to go so I saved up and planned to go on one of her days she had off work, during the week it was being held.

I booked the 3.30-8pm slot as I thought we could take a slow ride up to London and have some lunch. We had to go to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and had to queue as we arrived early.

A definite tip for anyone thinking of going next year is to definitely arrive early and queue so you're one of the first people into the Show.

My mum and I standing by the most beautiful flowers that were named after ice cream flavours!

We went round the gardens after looking at the main map at the start of the park.

The map telling you the layout of the event.

These are some of the photos I took of the day...

Prince Harry's garden, inspired by an african theme.

The tree coming into the photo on the top left is over 150 years old.

Dead and alive plants hanging from the ceiling.

Outside the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

Inside the large marquee, where plants from over the world were shown here.

After spending the day here, I definitely felt like I had more of an idea which plants can be grown in 'acid soil' and which gardens I wanted! Unfortunately, my favourite, Roses weren't to be seen! I would love to go next year, so will keep an eye out for tickets when they go on sale. 

Kirsty

xxx

My round up this week

So this week has seemed to have flown by, and I cannot believe that my weekend is here already as I have no lectures on Friday. With that, I with give you an update on what I have been up to this week.

Sunday was a surprisingly bright day in Glasgow. Instead of spending it inside my room at Murano, I asked my flat mate if she would like to go for a walk down to Byres Road for afternoon tea. We slowly made our way down and went into a cafe called Cup. I ordered an Earl Grey tea and a cupcake, which was amazing. Although, I still prefer the Hummingbird Bakery cupcakes! Laura ordered a Scone and a Cappuccino.

We then walked back through the Botanical Gardens around dusk and the scenery was lovely.

The beautiful botanical gardens.

On Monday, I awoke to the doorbell ringing. Addressed to myself, a big package was brought into my flat and I looked at it in disbelief!

The box I had to bring in!

My boyfriend had sent me the most beautiful Roses, a dozen to be exact and at present they are still blooming!

I put them by the window so they caught the sun!

Later in the day, after my Theatre Studies lecture (which was very boring), I went for dinner with my friend Heather. We went to Bar Soba on Byres Road. For someone who hasn't been before, I would compare it to Wagamamas, as it had the same sort of menu. The only difference is that their bar menu looked amazing and I would definitely go back for a drink one time!

We both ordered the Singapore street noodles.

Tuesday I had a busy day at uni which was rounded up by going to see the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with my friends at the Cineworld in town. Honestly, if you get the chance, do go and see it. It is such a feel good film! 

And on Wednesday I went for dinner with my friend Jess to Gourmet Burger Kitchen and got their classic strawberry milkshake, it was beautiful! Oh, and I got a burger, also.

Yesterday I did not do a lot and spent most of the day in bed watching Gossip Girl but had to attend a radio meeting for Subcity. 

Today I hope to get some notes done for my History course, that's if I don't sleep in!

How has your week been so far and what have you been up to?

Love

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

My weekend in Loch Lomond

It was such a surprise when my parents said they wanted to come and visit me in Glasgow. They would be staying at Cameron House in Loch Lomond and they planned to pick me up so we could go out somewhere for the day.

I've been waiting all month, but finally, Saturday evening came and mum and dad picked me up at Glasgow airport and took me out to what looked like the wilderness, when coming from such a busy city like London and the south east!

My dad excitedly getting into the car!

We arrived at the hotel and I was shocked to see such a lovely swimming pool with a flume. I wish my parents had told me and I would have brought my swimming gear! I left my things in the room and we went to Duck Bay for dinner where I had the most amazing steak accompanied by my favourite - BBQ sauce and chips! My Mum knew that I love a good Strawberry Daiquiri and so one was ordered to the table for me - And it was perfect! The evening was lovely and we came back to the hotel after and both had a hot chocolate, whilst my Dad enjoyed a Scottish beverage - Irn Bru in the bar at the hotel overlooking the Loch and watching the snow fall. It felt ever so christmassy!

The next morning I awoke and opened the curtains to see the utmost amazing view!

The view of Loch Lomond from my window.

We all knew that today was going to be a fab day just from the weather. The breakfast was unbelievable! I had Kippers while my Mum had Eggs Benedict and Dad had a Full English. After this, our adventure began as we decided to get in the car and go off on our travels further into the highlands! 

The first place we visited was Luss, a small village with cute gardens, exceptionally well kept. A church was also in this town to highlight the religious element upheld in this village. After a quick stop here to see the view of the Loch we made our way further up to the next village on our journey.

Loch Fyne

We stopped in a little town called Inveraray, where we were allowed to park free as it was out of the summer months. The town was deserted but had the potential to be buzzing full of tourists in the summer! 

Inveraray Castle.

Coming into Inveraray, over the bridge we saw this majestic castle, where my dad slowed down so I could take a photo.

We got out of the car and had a wander around the village to take photos of the views. There was also a memorial of the men who fought in the World War, which I thought was a lovely gesture.

We then stopped in a small teashop to have a drink and I ordered Chowder, it was beautiful! 

It was such a lovely afternoon I didn't want it to end. On the way back, it was like driving another way because you had such a different view of what you saw on the way there.

We then went into Balloch, the town right by Loch Lomond to the farmers market. As it was closing at four, we got there right before the end. I managed to get an onion, which was needed for my Spaghetti Bolognese I'll be making later in the week! I also got an Apple Crumble, which was homemade by one of the ladies at the stall. It was such a lovely view, with the wonderful colours in the sky.

The day came to a close as I was then dropped back to my halls, as my parents made they're way to the airport back home to Essex.

Do you ever have any spontaneous weekends where you just get in the car and go off to somewhere you've never been before?

Kirsty 

xxx