Summertime Sadness

I seem to have caught a cold. I had to miss work on Friday as my voice was a mess from coughing. I've been self medicating with the UK's version of Neocitron called Lemsip as well as taking some decongestants. I've been drowning myself in juices as well as Lemon and Ginger tea and a very tasty Echinacea and Raspberry tea. These were on sale from Twinnings so I was pretty happy with that. Trying to also drink lots of water to counter the sugar from the juices. I think I will be well enough to work tomorrow. I don't like being sick.

Leeds Festival!

The day dawned with glorious sunshine and I caught the 771 bus to the festival. Finding myself heading to get my ticket. Retrieving my ticket, I exchanged it for a wristband and headed into the festival. I was very early but there were lots of people around. I wandered around by the campsites as there was plenty of stalls offering different things by the campsites. As soon as the gates were opened to the main field I headed inside.

Off to Leeds I go

I woke around my usual time and got my bags packed before having a small bite to eat. I decided yo try for an earlier train to Leeds and got on the train to Lime Street at 9:41 am. Arriving at Lime Street, I switched onto the 10:12 train heading to Newcastle that would stop at Leeds. Wishing I had purchased a snack or food I headed East towards Leeds passing through Manchester.  Arriving in Leeds around noon, I wandered around the shopping area which is very close to the train station.

Breakfast and La Reina Sofia

Our morning in Madrid started with lovely blue skies and we went off in search of breakfast before our plan to roam around museums and parks. Not sure what to do for breakfast we walked from our little apartment down Paseo del Prado.

I'm going to see the Arctic Monkeys!

So some exciting news, this weekend I am going to Leeds Festival on Sunday to watch the Arctic Monkeys as well as a lot of other bands. I'm quite excited as well as nervous. I have never been to a festival and I am going by myself but am going to be safe and I probably won't drink as the alcohol will probably be expensive and I'm not bothered.

I am going to Leeds on Saturday in the afternoon and giving myself all of Saturday to explore the city and then the full day will be spent at the Festival. This was a bit of a spontaneous, slightly expensive decision but I am determined to enjoy myself and think this will be my only chance to see the Arctic Monkeys this year unless they book in more gigs in the UK which currently they have not.

Hola Madrid!

Doesn't this face say 'I'm going to crush Madrid'?  Jess was ready to rumble with the capital of Spain as soon as we got into the city. We had left Jerez that morning, saying farewell to the South and heading into the center of the the country. We also had to say goodbye to Steve, Cindy, Lori and Chico.  It had been nice travelling with them and I would not have had the opportunity to see Cadiz and Jerez the way I did if it had not been for them. 

Wales/Snowdownia

Off to Wales

A few months ago I had discovered a bus touring company that left for tours from Liverpool called Busy Bus. I now finally have a job so mu schedule is pretty locked in Monday to Friday. I am regretting not doing more travelling in June and July but I was job hunting then and didn't want to be somewhere if someone actually decided to ask me for an interview. So now my options of travelling are a bit limited to weekend trips but luckily I live not far from an airport and the UK has a great network of trains.  One of the places I wanted to see more of was Wales. After a few weeks of working, I decided to see if I could book onto one of their tours. Most of their tours are full day with one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Finding a free spot for this Saturday the 16th of August I decided I would claim the spot. The tour was £39 and I thought it was worth every penny with the fun I had.

A night of Flemenco

Our last night in Jerez with Jess' family we enjoyed a flamenco show. We enjoyed it thoroughly. I did not really know what to expect not really familiar with the style of dance. Aware that it existed but in no way an expert in its style and history. We all enjoyed the passionate singing and dancing that we experienced that night.

Flamenco is a form of Spanish folk music and dance from the region of Andalisia in Southern Spain. It includes singing, guitar playing, dancing and hand clapping.

If you are ever in Spain or ever have the chance to attend a flamenco performance I suggest checking it out.

Cats of Jerez

The cats of Jerez in this little tiny alley of stairs broke my heart. I wanted to capture each and everyone of them and take them home with me. Of course that would never work but all I wanted to do was pick one up and give it a cuddle. Instead I left Jerez with these photographs of these little homeless kitty cats.

Jerez and the Zoo

As the adults in our party wished to venture off on a sherry tasting tour of a Bodega. I cannot remember which one but there are plenty of them in Jerez. Anyways, Jess and I were in no way interested in sherry or taking a tour of Bodega we had to come up with another option of what we could do. A little research and also the pamphlets at our hotel we decided we would check out Jerez's zoo.  (Very photo and animal heavy)

August 4-7

Work has been busy as always, learning new things and trying to understand the different systems that Primark has in place. Might start a little earlier a few days so I can train with this woman who is a fountain of wisdom but she starts earlier than me so is only in for an hour into my shift and really helps me along.

What have I done since I last updated on my daily life. Work and read. Pretty much.

I started and finished The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey which was quite good. It was a quick read for me considering it usually takes me a while to read books these days. 

Now onto a new book I've started today reading The Twice Born by Pauline Gedge. I've read a few of Pauline Gedge's books before and enjoyed them. They are Egyptian fiction books which I really enjoy as I've always been quite fascinated by Egyptian history.

One more day of work and then its the weekend. No plans yet for that but if the weather is nice I may just seek out a park and read and read.

Instagrams from May

More Insagrams >>>>