24 Hours in London

A spontaneous trip was planned while on FaceTime to Jack who lives 41 miles away from me while he's at university in Liverpool; we spend weekends together but while browsing Voyage Prive we found a fab deal for a one night stay at the gorgeous Tower Bridge Hotel in London. With some brief discussion and planning, we booked a room in excitement!
Our journey began shortly after Jack finished uni at 5PM, we had a pit stop along the M1 just outside of Watford and filled ourselves up with a Greggs as well as quenching our thirst with a refreshing drink - our throats needed a cool break from all the singing to old bangers! On continuing our journey we relived our final year of high school by finding the 2014 UK Top 40, and proceeded to sing our hearts out until arriving in London city where we were silenced by the amazing sights that surrounded us.

We were both still in awe when arriving at the hotel, we strolled into reception in our comfies and quickly realised we stood out like a sore thumb; surrounded by glorious dresses and suits, so we headed up to our room and out of the public eye to wind down.
As our executive room came with a complimentary minibar, we took advantage of its contents and took a relaxing bath before getting our heads down on the enormous bed!

Of course, we were absolutely starving by the morning and got up early for a breakfast feast- and a feast it was! We helped ourselves to toast, bread rolls, fruit, yogurt, cereals, sugar waffles, pancakes and a traditional full english; enough to keep us going all day...

We started on our way across the Tower Bridge, surrounded by other tourists it wasn't odd to ask some randomer to take our picture, and this has to be my favourite of the day;

It was a drizzly, dreary day but we didn't let that halt our little adventure, we continued to wander around the city and see the sights although we were disappointed to discover that Big Ben was under construction!

The Shard

 The London Eye

Unfortunately we decided not to have a ride on the Eye on this short visit to London, or in fact do any of the other costly attractions but we've promised each other that we're going to come back to do it all another time- a little excuse to have to come back again!

Houses of Parliment

Lunch

We shared a lovely pizza at an Italian restaurant on the side of the Thames, we needed the sit down and a quick dry off and fill up before carrying on our adventure. Although Jack left the gorgeous painting we bought of the Tower Bridge by night in this restaurant and we'd walked too far before we realised, so of course I got him to buy us another as a keepsake!

Downing Street

Now, call me stupid all you like but I really had a blonde moment when we got to Downing Street I actually said OUT LOUD "Oh, I thought you could have a picture outside number 10?", as the gates and security surprised me, and of course Jack just laughed! Anyone else get these silly moments? Please someone reassure my innocent mind...

...

Buckingham Palace

We finalised our journey around London along the Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, got the underground back from Westminister to Tower Hill before packing up and heading for home for a good nights' sleep after a busy and fun little weekend away.

Is there anything else we need to see or do on our next trip to London? What do you enjoy most about going to London or what would you like to do there if you went? Let me know in the comments!

Love, Ceri x

Two Years Later

Two years ago to today the unthinkable happened; I lost my best friend.

After being really close to Tryst for 4 years, an argument tore us apart until we finally reconnected a year later, a reconnection I will forever be grateful for and the reason why I never like to leave things on bad terms with anyone I love or care for immensely- time and life is precious. 
Trystan, Jade and I spent every free moment together, going out for food, gossiping, drinking, adventuring or doing what seemed like nothing for hours on end. We were the three musketeers. We spoke about things which will never be repeated, anything and everything and what was said in whoever's car we were sitting in, stayed there! 

We have so many hilarious, unimaginable, scary and even sad memories shared that I will keep close to my heart forever. Although all Tryst did was take the mick he really did have a soft side that only those close to him got to see; but he wouldn't be happy if I aired proof of that! Our friendship was built on trust and a whole load of banter, if I needed anything I knew he'd pick up the phone any time, and he rang me every day. Getting used to not seeing his name flash up on my phone and no longer hearing his voice whether he was excited, upset, angry or just ringing for the sake of ringing, was one of the hardest things I've had to come to terms with.

I powered through and followed the career route he believed was best for me- getting a job and qualifying that way instead of heading off to university, because he always said he didn't want me to leave. That decision was the best I've made and I have taken so many huge steps forward to reaching my career goals and I hope that he is proud of how far I've come to this day!

If anyone wants to talk to me about how I grieved, what helped me, give me some tips or if anyone wants me to write more about the early days and following saying our final goodbyes; let me know.

It never gets better, it just gets easier to talk about. I'm so happy I got to know and make memories with this amazing young man.

Love, Ceri x

20 Questions... 3 Years Later!

Weird things I do when I'm alone:
I've got to be honest, this isn't the best question to open up with as I'm a rather boring person; so in my alone time I don't do much other than nap, paint my nails, eat and watch my fave YouTubers.

How I've changed in the past 2 years:
The real changed in me happened when I lost my best friend. I've started to realise and take in a lot more about life, stuck up for myself and my beliefs more and focussed on the important people to me more since then. I think I've also grown up and become a much more independent person since such a heartbreaking thing happened to me, and it has opened my eyes to a wider range of attitudes and behaviours in others.

What kind of person attracts me:
Definitely someone who can make me laugh and shows how much they care for me; this is all I really look for in a man. His smile and his eyes must also be gorgeous if I'm really going to be attracted to him!

What I wear to bed:
A pair of my boyfriends boxers and one of his t-shirts... sorry lovey.

5 things that irritate me about people:
This did ask what irritates me about the opposite sex, but there's nothing really that isn't equal to males and females... 

1. Mess
2. Those who are 'fake'
3. Non-listeners
4. Stubborn (that's me!)
5. People who don't share their food (I'm just greedy yet share everything)

The person I like and why I like them:

Jack Gary Morris. He stuck by my side and has been a distant yet good friend for about 4 years, he's always listened to my rants and understood my feelings and been able to cheer me up, be there for me (mainly because he's a nosy bugger) and make a joke out of anything... in the right ways! I'm able to tell him everything, we have so much fun together and we're always our complete selves around each other. Partners in crime.

Something I'm worrying about:
There isn't anything that really stands out to me at the moment, I'm starting at a new place of work at the end of the month and I am a little nervous for that but I wouldn't say I'm worried.

My views on drugs and alcohol:
Drugs are dangerous, but I do believe a controlled use of marijuana should be legalised for obvious health reasons. Alcohol can be just as dangerous and I believe it does need a little more control; there's not much I can say as I am a young, social alcohol drinker.

My current relationship:
In a happy, committed and fun relationship with Jack.

Date I'd love to go on:
There's sooo many different dates I'd love to go on, I am a hopeless romantic so the top 3 things that came to mind when I read this question was; to have some dinner sat in front of the Eiffel Tower before strolling around Paris, have a posh meal at the top of the Shard in London, or ride on a Gondola in Vienna... nothing too extravagant!

The best thing that happened to me this week:
Becoming well enough to be let out of hospital in time to catch the last day of hot sunshine!

3 things I am proud of:

1. Gaining 3 A-Levels and getting offers from 5/5 universities
2. Volunteer work with children, leading to my amazing career
3. Gaining and working towards many different childcare linked qualifications

Some things I'm afraid of:

I am terrified of moths and wasps... and as weird as it sounds I do not like being in a bathroom in the dark; it scared the living s%$t out of me! I occasionally get worried about the future and where I'm going to end up, but other days I'm positive and excited about the future!

Things that never fail to make me feel better:

• Jack
• Mum
• Chocolate
• A cuddle from a loved one 

Last argument:

More of a disagreement as Jack and I couldn't decide what to make for tea last night, ended up making some delicious peanut satay chicken noodles!

My religious beliefs:

I was Christened as a baby and I went to a Welsh church school, but I do not attach myself or practice to any religion. I believe religion causes too many world problems.

Do I have any siblings:

I have one younger sister who definitely has always looked older than me! She recently turned 18 and I can't get over the fact she is now an adult, I mean I still can not get over the fact she drives! 

My happiest month this year so far:

Weirdly enough I was the happiest I'd been in a long time in January. I came up to Liverpool and Jack took me on a wonderful date to Chamber 36, we then booked a little get away to London and stayed at the Tower Bridge Hotel for one night and spent a drizzly day exploring the sights of London. At the end of the month I had a fab night out with a few of my favourite people, so being that January is usually my worst month, this year it really set a positive mood for the rest of the year!

What I hope will happen next month:

As I mentioned earlier, I start my new job at the end of this month so I'm excited to settle in to a new setting and routine, as well as getting to know my new work colleagues and the children in the nursery. I also hope to continue babysitting the two little boys I babysit at the moment as I really enjoy looking after and keeping them occupied; I'd miss them if I had to give it up!

A picture of me:

Feel free to start a discussion or leave any comments below;

Love, Ceri x