Adventure's in Cardiff

At the start of February the boy and I packed up our things and headed on our way to start adventures in Cardiff. The reason for this adventure; our dearest friends 22nd birthday.

We settled our bottoms down onto our pre-booked train and began snacking on delicious fruit nibbles and reading our books and magazines we had packed for the long 4 hour journey ahead of us. We were especially excited for this trip as we hadn't seen our dear friends Ian and Joshua for a very long time and Mr Ian had moved into his swanky new man flat. It was going to be fantastic.

After long hours of falling asleep, reading and being told off in the quiet coach we reached our destination, Cardiff Bay. We skipped of the train and ran into the arms of Josh. A tear was shed and lots of "I've missed you so" were shared alongside giggles and cuddles and then we trotted off to Ian's place. When we arrived at Ian's lovely flat he wasn't in as he was too busy being Mr BBC and editing the News for the whole of Cardiff to watch (I'm very proud of him). Once cups of teas were made and discussions were had about the future Ian showed up. Upon arrival Samuel greeted him at the door. Ian dropped his bag and gave him the biggest squeeze I've seen, then it was my turn for a hug. Finally the quartet were reunited once more. Mama Casey was also with us for our adventure so we put on our glad rags and headed off to weatherspoons for a cheap and cheerful meal together. It was a fantastic night. After dinner and drinks we headed back to the flat and went into the land of nod as Ian had work first thing, not with out a cup of tea or two first though!

Before we knew it the morning light shone onto our face and it was time to appear and rise out of bed. It was Ian's birthday! We jumped out of bed and jumped onto his and all three of us attacked him with birthday hugs and a chorus of HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR CASEY! After all the hugging and giggling had finished we went into the living where Mama Casey was waiting to give her son a birthday cuddle. Joshua and I started breakfast for everyone (bacon sandwiches yummy) whilst Ian got himself showered for work. Once Ian's belly was full on bacon and tea he skipped out the door and began his journey to work. This is when Joshua, Samuel and I began our work on transforming his flat into a palace fit for a birthday party princess.

I baked cakes, we hung streamers, we blew up balloons, we scattered confetti, we hung the bunting, we curled ribbon, we placed cards, handed out invitations to the neighbors and we decorated the party crowns. The place was transformed. During this transformation we made sure to film it as we wanted to make our wonderful Ian a very happy birthday film for him to watch. Once all the hard work was over and we could relax it was time for Nadine to arrive. Whilst Josh was collecting her I grabbed my chance and hopped into the shower making sure I was ready for the night ahead. Shortly followed by Nadine, Abi arrived then shortly after Mr Casey came back. Greeted with friends and a transformed flat he was so happy. This truly was the perfect birthday and the birthday he should have gotten for his 21st.

Then it was party time. The food was placed, the music was on and the drinks were out. The night was a brilliant night filled with giggles, laughter, speeches, music, drinks and a lot of sneaking around to capture moments for Ian's birthday video. Oh and how could I forget, Ian's giant birthday confetti canon. Wonderful.

The next day was filled with trips around Cardiff, shopping, delicious food at Bills and quality time with some very special people. Oh and when we headed back through London we had to stop of course and grab a late brunch. I had the most amazing hot chocolate and wonderful eggs Benedict. I will be returning there again!

My trip to Cardiff was truly magical and I know Mr Ian had a fantastic birthday. I already cant wait until we can return and continue our fun. I miss them so.

Have any of you ever been to Cardiff? What do you think of it? I'd love to hear your views and recommendations!
Have a lovely day daydreamers and tea drinkers!

The Month of May: Love's War & the boyfriends dissertation

Hello Sweets !

The month of May was an extremely busy month for me! In between work, I was starring in one of my closest friends film dissertation called 'Love's War", helping the boy with his dissertation, my weekly Wednesday helping hand at the Rose Youth Theater and a short trip across the sea to Northern Ireland on a visit to see my best friend in her home land. Can you say busy, busy, busy?! I've decided to split this into two posts otherwise it could get rather lengthy and we don't want you dropping off into your cups of teas !

Love's War

So, during the month of May acting and being in front of a camera was very much a regular thing. Now I'm no stranger to being in front of a camera but I was nervous! I may not be a stranger to film acting but i'm certainly no expert after having only done one previous short film before this one. So yeah, I had some butterflies! These butterflies were partly because I felt a bit rusty, partly because I felt slightly out of my comfort zone, partly because I didn't want to let my friend down but mainly because our scene involved fire, and a lot of it! So when our time came I settled down in the back of the car with my tummy full of butterflies and I started to loose myself in my own daydreams gripping my boyfriends hand as I let my thoughts take me somewhere that did not involve fire! 

We shortly arrived at our set and with us already being in our costumes we headed up the bumpy path which soon quickly opened out onto a wide stretch of bare fields and rubble with two trenches dug out at either side and a partly burnt door in the center of it all. It was slightly calming until Josh approached with petrol then pulled out a lighter, and then informed me that I was going to be walking bare foot along a firey path and then opening up a burning door to reveal my boyfriend on the other side! This was named "The Lovers Sequence". I think now might be the right time to give you all a brief description of the film! So the film is an abstract film on war. Josh shows in the film different images of war, love and the dying men's last visions so to speak of the loves they have left at home. For example there girlfriends, mums, brothers, friends. It's filled with dance, acting and still images and in my opinion a very lovely and gripping piece. Anyway back to the day! So as we started to set up I had realised that I had left a part of my costume at home (I blame the nerves) ! So Ian and I ran and jumped into his car and drove hastily back to the house so I could grab my shirt, then we quickly made a cheeky cup of tea (ssshh don't tell the others) and 

headed back on our merry way clutching our mugs. 

Yes Ian was driving whilst sipping his tea!

So the shoot went on and it was wonderful and not dangerous at all! Josh made it extremely safe and fun. I really do love working with those boys, they create magical things with their camera's and over all he got a strong first for his short film. Very well deserved!

All photographs taken either by Joshua Gwynne, Samuel Joseph Wall, Ian Casey, Jessica Rose McGee or using a tripod.

The Boys Dissertation

I am going to keep this short but sweet as I got a tinsy bit carried away with "Love's War" ! However it doesn't mean that I am not proud of my boy!

When Ian Dressed as a tramp for a victim Photo

So my lovely Sammie's dissertation was a short performance loosely based on Jekyll and Hyde and Elementary (the new take on Sherlock Holmes, if you haven't watched it yet i highly recommend it). It was about a detective investigating a string of murders involving a man called Kane. After some serious investigating happening in front us it became clear that Kane was in fact the alter ego of said detective. Some serious stuff! The piece was filled with riddles and clues ending in a hard hitting confrontation between the two personalities! It really was a truly gripping piece. My boy worked so hard on this piece and had me and one of our good friends called Vicky in there until the earlier hours of the morning watching, commenting and helping him out. It all payed of though as he got a fantastic grade of 2:1 for it! In my eyes he should have got a first but only we know how much time was spent writing and preparing

 himself for such a demanding piece of drama. I am so very proud of him though, my shining star!

Until next time my fellow day dreamers! 

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