Cherwell Boathouse, Oxford

So this week seems to have been all over the place.

I've had a lot of important problems to consider and not a lot of the usual things are managing to take my mind off of it all.

Hopefully some sort of solution can come about soon, it's sort of just a waiting game really.

Other than that, my manager came back to work this week and all seems back to normal on that front.

We've even come up with a movie club sort of thing between the three of us. 

We each take it in turns on a Friday to select a film we absolutely love on Netflix and then the other two have to watch it over the weekend and on the following Monday we discuss it.

I think it'll be a nice way to introduce new films to one another as well as getting to know each other better I guess.

There's a bit of an age difference between myself and the both of them so I guarantee they probably won't enjoy the films I pick as much, but it will definitely be interesting.

Anyways, I wanted to write this post about my most recent trip to Oxford (birthday weekend in March posts still to come 'cause I'm mega useless).

I think I wrote briefly before how I headed out of work slightly early a couple of Friday's ago and hopped on a train from Paddington to Oxford.

I had everything all meticulously planned out as per usual (it's me of course, I plan everything down to a T).

Everything was going swimmingly - no problems with the underground to Paddington (or nothing I couldn't handle), no problems at Paddington or with my tickets, and no problems finding the bus stop just outside of Oxford station.

But then came the part I was nervous about. The part where I had to get on a bus I didn't know, state where I was going which I did mention to someone who asked where I was going and he'd never heard of it (promising) and then figure out where to get off in a place I didn't know, once I'd eventually gotten on the bus.

None of this happened though as said bus never actually turned up.

My planning would have had me turn up ten minutes before seven, the time when we would all sit down to dinner, but, alas, they were in tatters as I hastily texted Adeel multiple times to come and get me instead, swanning in later than I had planned.

Great start.

Once we had arrived at the boathouse, however, I was in awe in all honesty.

It was such a beautiful location (plus the group we were eating with was a lot larger than I had anticipated).

Cherwell Boathouse (next to River Cherwell) is a beautiful Oxford location primarily known for its wonderful punting spot, the restaurant a clear bonus.

http://www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk/

With the hasty introductions out of the way, we sat down to our chosen starters already at our places (fancy name cards and everything) - we'd previously selected from a menu what each of us would like for starter, main and dessert - and tucked in.

I had chosen a smoked salmon mousse with pickled vegetables, rocket and lemon dressing for my starter and Adeel chose to go with a gazpacho with red onion, sans olives.

I have to say, out of the three courses I was looking forward to the starter the least as I didn't know what it would be like. I'm happy to say it was amazing. Plus the sweet pickled vegetables and lemon dressing really accompanied it well.

Unfortunately Adeel didn't like the gazpacho that much, in fact not at all, but I suppose you can't win them all.

For mains we both chose pan seared rump of lamb with buttered Jersey Royals, Chantenay carrots, summer greens and salsa verde. This was reallyyy something. The meat wasn't chewy like I've found most lamb to be and the rest of the flavours were just perfect. 

I ended up enjoying this more than the dessert and I am definitely more of a sweet person than a savoury!

And finally, for dessert I chose the orange cheesecake with orange gel and pomegranate sorbet and Adeel had the chocolate fondant with raspberry ice cream.

I know when I considered the menu I almost went for the staples I always seem to pick, but I went out of my comfort zone instead as it was an out-of-the-ordinary dinner with good company and a new hope blossoming.

All of the dishes were served beautifully, the portions weren't massive which was perfect for me who has never gotten through a three course meal before (and was worrying all day about how I was going to eat so much!) and the surroundings were stunning, peaceful and definitely a nice way to relax after a long week at work.

I couldn't recommend this place more. It's a bit off the beaten track - at least for me - but I would definitely go again. In fact, I am hellbent on going back and trying the punting at least!

I wish I had taken more pictures (okay, I only took one, I'm really awful at this!) but I just can't bring myself to take pictures of my food, especially as it was quite a nice place and I didn't want all those older people to look down at me.

Oh well, if you would like to see any more pictures their website is here: www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk

This post is not sponsored, all opinions are my own.



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X-Men: Apocalypse

Like with City of Glass, this review (along with Alice Through the Looking Glass - to come still) has been a long time coming.

In fact, it's been so long I probably can't even write a proper review because I can only remember snippets of each film.

Having said that, I remember the overall feeling I felt after them.

Image from Pinterest

This one I felt was a good film. I, at least, enjoyed it as much as any of the other films in the X-Men franchise.

The plot was standard with there being a bad guy trying to take over the world and the X-Men needing to stop him as usual. Although hardcore comic book fans have complained that it was rubbish compared to it's origins, simply not doing it justice.

I enjoyed the introduction of the well-known characters (Cyclops, Jean and Storm) in their younger days. I particularly think Sophie Turner did a wonderful job as Jean. It was refreshing to see her play somebody who wasn't a helpless high-lord's daughter for once (although not so helpless in the most recent series of GoT, I must admit).

I wasn't entirely convinced by Apocalypse's character. I thought he would be scarier or more dominating or something. He just seemed a bit merh to be honest.

I did love the Egyptian theme though, there's something fascinating about it all and the locations/set was pretty magnificent.

As for the four horsemen accompanying Apocalypse, I thought they, too, fell a little flat (except Magneto of course). I just wasn't convinced they were the all powerful group. It was too obvious that the X-Men would win because, well, they always do.

Two things I really really enjoyed though:

1. The way they showed Jean's capabilities even this early on was pretty interesting. Even in the early X-Men you don't really believe how powerful she is.

2. The scene with Erik and his family. It's awful, absolutely heartbreaking, but probably the most perfectly shot scene in the entire film.

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Rating: ★★★★☆



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Life Lately

Well, summer sure has arrived.

London has been sweltering these past few days. My window hasn't been shut in months. There isn't any air in my room even with a fan on, circulating warm air.

But, you know what?

I'm enjoying it.

I used to hate summer. Loathe it in fact. I felt like the heat never agreed with me because I always felt mneh whenever it got over 23 degrees.

I don't know what changed.

Maybe because Adeel really likes the sun and it had an effect on me? Or maybe because I'm a lot happier than I used to be and happy people tend to like the sun I guess.

It's been a quiet few weeks at work with my boss away on his holidays, leaving myself and my other colleague to hold the line in his absence.

We were both worried chaos would rain down on us with an urgent crisis popping up here, there and everywhere. But, nothing of the sort happened. Not one thing. Nada.

I suppose I should appreciate the quiet time as I'm sure it will be busy again soon enough.

The only busy day turned out to be the day before I knew I wasn't going to be in due to an ASAP dentist appointment for my first filling.

But all was under control again by Monday. Filling went ahead with no problems and I feel like a proper adult now with all these weird, adult-y problems (I can't even see the filling).

I also went to see Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday afternoon with a friend which was different.

I'm so used to watching musicals that the lack of music and the strong Shakespearian meant we actually had to concentrate for the couple of hours instead of sitting back and relaxing.

Admittedly, we did only book to see it because a certain Mr Richard Madden (aka Robb Stark) was meant to be Romeo. But, alas, he had a jogging injury so his understudy performed in his place.

We still got to see Lily James and Derek Jacobi though, which was nice.

This weekend has been a slow one, but well needed with the heat we're trying to live through.

Hopefully I'll get to go away somewhere nice soon.

Dreaming of a proper summer holiday.

And also kind of feeling a little regret this week seeing a lot of people posting graduation photos and going off to prom.

Okay, so I live near a school and I saw those people and only those all dressed up, filing onto a number of coaches, evidently going to prom.

My Facebook is the one that has been filled with all of these graduation photos and people announcing their new jobs or new locations and certificates and degrees.

I guess I'm just jealous because I never got a prom and for my graduation it poured it down with rain and I wore jeans instead of a dress. 

Half of my family couldn't even come in to see it, they had to stream it in a restaurant just outside. 

Plus I realised I felt all alone in there. I was surrounded by classmates and teachers and other pupils but I couldn't feel more alone.

They say university is the time for making the "friends for life". 

But he was sat outside with my family, unable to get in due to a two-ticket-per-student rule. Plus he graduated a couple days ahead of me because he was in a different school.

I never really knew how disappointed I was with it all until I saw all of these other people posting their happy, sunny photos with huddles of friends and family.

Sorry for the downer of a post, but a girl is feeling pretty rubbish about it all and wanted to write it out.

Hope your week was a more successful one.



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The Mortal Instruments: Book Three, City of Glass

By Cassandra Clare.

So I completely forgot to write this review. 

I actually finished it ages ago, but I guess I was so excited for the next book in my TBR pile, one that I had pre-ordered 6 months previously, that I overlooked writing about this one.

Whoops.

[Amid the chaos of war, the Shadowhunters must
decide to fight with the vampires, werewolves and 
other Downworlders - or against them. Meanwhile,
Jace and Clary have their own decision to make:
should they pursue the love they know is forbidden?]

Anyways, all I'm going to say about Jace and Clary, without giving anything away, is I knew it!

Funnily enough though, I felt the same way about this book as I did the first, it wasn't as dramatic and twist-worthy as the second.

In fact, I figured out a bit of the plot on my own before it happened, so in that sense it was a little predictable.

I am happy though, in a way, with how things turned out in the end. 

Clare's description as always was beautiful, the character's growth was nice, especially Jace and Simon's friendship, and the final moments were a good way to tie it all up, leaving a few seeds of doubt for the future novels I imagine.

I still found Clary to be whiney and annoying, and even selfish at times. 

Jace grew a bit soppy in the end, Alec and Isabelle grew on me some more. 

But Magnus was probably the standout for me as he was still his good old, charming, hilarious self.

I wonder what the rest of the novels will hold in store.

To be continued...



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What I'm Loving Right Now

It seems summertime is when all my time is eaten up by countless trips home, social events and actually going out with my boyfriend.

It was only a mere few months ago that I remember complaining to my housemate that I never do anything on weekends. I just sit at home and watch TV.

But, now, I don't honestly remember a weekend that I haven't been busy.

Today is the first day in ages that I feel like I can get back to my usual self and slob out. Except, because I haven't done it in a while, it feels wrong and I have all this pent up energy spent on doing nothing.

Eh, who am I to complain?

Here are the things I've been loving recently:

1. One Tree Hill - yes, I've given in and am re-watching it for the third time. I just can't seem to get enough of all the drama and twists in this ridiculous programme. I had to find something to fill the PLL-shaped hole (although I am watching series 7 of it, but weekly episodes is never as good as a full on binge).

2. Travel confidence/striving to better my anxiety again and again - This goes hand in hand with the following point but it deserves its own mention to be honest. It wasn't all that long ago that I felt jittery and worried about leaving the house, even for work, let alone letting it all go and just going everywhere and anywhere I get the opportunity to. Beckenham, home, Faversham, Oxford. It may not seem a lot to those accustomed to just following their heart, but I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and how much I can truly push myself.

3. Oxford meal with Adeel and his work colleagues - Last Friday I left work at 4 o'clock, headed to Paddington for the first time and caught a train to little ol' Oxford for a three course meal in a boathouse. It was amazing. I'm going to do a full post about it later down the line, but it deserves a quick mention as I just loved it. Take me back.

4. The City of Mirrors - mannnnnn, this is also going to get its own post in review format but this book! Final instalment of Justin Cronin's vampire, end-of-the-world trilogy and it was as good as I could have hoped and better. READ THEM.

5. Runtastic - hey, look who's kept it up and hasn't given in to laziness again?? I'm actually loving it, it's hard work and a killer on those muscles, but the feeling of completing 1-2 miles twice a week is the best feeling ever and this app is a huge motivator.

6. Empire soundtrack - I'm always looking for new music since joining Spotify and the Empire season has not long finished and I found myself craving to hear Jussie Smollett's lovely tones. Powerful and You're So Beautiful seem to be my favourites at the moment.

7. Counting down the days to moving out - okay, so we haven't set a date or anything for actually moving in together, but it is getting nearer and nearer to our presumed month at least. I just cannot wait to leave this shared accommodation and live with my best friend and boyfriend. Sure, he'll probably drive me nuts at some point but, God, give me that any day over sharing with someone I completely loath.



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What People Fail To Tell You About Growing Up

No one ever told you the exact age you would start to, well, age. Pretty sure my forehead has gotten a few wrinkles already from just pure frown creases. Boo.

No one ever told you that the jealousy of others would never dissipate. Women and men in their 30s and 40s seem to have it so together but does it ever leave us no matter what clothes, cars or objects we own?

No one ever told you in school the important things you'd need to do as an adult such as taxes, credit cards and how to get by when things aren't going so well.

No one ever told you that you would continue to feel like a teenager even once you're a fully fledged adult.

No one ever told you how hard it is to find different meals to cook each night and not just the same basics over and over again until you want to pull your hair out.

No one ever told you how much you'd regret not doing at university (for most this would probably mean more studying, drinking less and going out less) but for me, I wish I had taken the chance and gone out more.

No one ever told you how hard relationships actually are and how you have to be constantly working at them and figuring out a future together is one of the most exciting, frustrating of processes.

No one ever told you how to have a spotless house all of the time. Where does all that dust come from?!

No one ever told you how to love yourself for who you are and to enjoy your own company.

No one ever told you that your so-called teenage acne would persist into your adult years.

What did no one ever tell you?



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Me Before You

Oh, wow, this filmmmm!

I've been wanting to see this since I googled Sam Claflin sometime last year and saw he was to be in a romance film with Emilia Clarke.

I thought it would be soppy and just meh okay, and I only really wanted to see it because of the cast. But, it was actually really good.

Image from Pinterest

Let's start with the cast.

Emilia Clarke, even though at first it took some getting used to (for a Game of Thrones fan) of seeing her all bubbly and smiley, she portrayed the role really really well. 

By the end of the film I was convinced that this was probably more of what she is like off screen as well. 

She was funny, had an awful eclectic taste in fashion and always managed to paste a smile onto her face and look on the bright side. 

We should all be a little like Lou if I'm honest (maybe except the fashion sense!)

Sam Claflin, although he didn't have many mobile scenes due to said accident in the film, I think he still did a grand job. 

I loved watching his character progress from a bitter, sarcastic know-it-all to an open, calmer, more loving one. 

With such a limiting role, in the sense of movement, he really did it justice and it looked very realistic!

The supporting cast were all quite good as well. 

I was surprised to see Matthew Lewis in it (!) but he plays such a different character from his Harry Potter days, that (even if I didn't think it before) he is such a talented actor to make me feel frustrated by his character in this. 

Charles Dance as always was fab. There isn't a role out there that he can't play. 

Steve Peacocke did a good job of being the on-call Doctor. 

And Janet McTeer did a wonderful job as Will's mum. The struggles over their son between her and Charles Dance's character were heartbreaking and definitely shows the friction an accident can cause and the different mindsets between even parents over what their son should do.

Now, as for the plot, I had a feeling something awful was going to happen at the end, I just didn't know how it would come about, but it was stated pretty early on in the film of what Will wanted. It was just a case of if Lou could change his mind. 

In that case, as a viewer, I had that sense of doom hanging over me for the entire film which made me not really believe all of the little happy moments. 

There were so many ups and downs with his health and with him finally trusting Lou and then the wedding moment and all (not Lou and Will's - sorry, spoiler!) 

I loved watching the pair blossom into friendship and then a little more, it was just so sweet.

An all over the place with emotions kinda film! 

But definitely a great watch, albeit a sad one.

If anything came out of it, it's that it made me want to rush home to A even more and never let him go. 

You really do have to appreciate every moment you have with someone.

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Rating:
★★★★★



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What I Want To Do In The Next 6 Months

I just sat opposite a man on the tube who had the hairiest chest and, equally, hairy mole right on his chin. I honestly thought he had a goatee at first... Whoops.

Anyways, as my countdown app kindly reminded me this morning, it's just six months to Christmas (as I write this post) and that brings me to look back on my resolutions from January. 

I haven't quite achieved many of them as of yet, but I've created another similar list of goals in this post of what I would like to have achieved in the next 6 months.

I don't know how much I can actually accomplish with my ever dwindling motivation, but maybe this will get my butt into gear. So here goes:

1. To visit home/friends/my dad more

2. To book my trip to Venice

3. To buy a sketch book and start drawing again

4. To finish the second draft of my novel

5. To travel more, even if just in England

6. To do a writing retreat and lock myself in a hotel away from home and get a substantial amount of writing done

7. To find more inspiration. Create mood boards if I have to in order for my motivation to return

8. To meet some more of Adeel's family

9. And to equally not worry so much about it and what people think

10. To celebrate Adeel's new job (when he gets one)

11. To donate money and the rest of my unwanted clothes to charity

12. To have a clear out and a tidy up of my room

13. To take more photos in photo booths or more photos in general

14. To decide when I want to return to Dubai and visit my mum and Neil

15. To run 96 more miles

16. To increase the percentage of my wages going in to my pension

17. To stop buying cheap clothes that always seem to fray or break easily, buy something expensive and durable

18. To find a new home, one that we can start calling our own with new furniture and everything

19. To give away or sell all my old textbooks

20. To spend more time offline



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Spew Of Restless Thoughts

It's been one of those weeks where I literally feel all over the place.

I've been so restless and easily bad-tempered that it's a surprise no one has told me to snap out of it.

Like, I'm soooooooooo fidgety at the moment with, well, everything.

I think what I really need is a nice, long, relaxing holiday. Somewhere far away, preferably hot with a stunning beach.

I mean, before Dubai in November I hadn't had a proper holiday for almost (or more, can't quite remember) four years.

Yet, now, a mere 6 months or so after my last holiday I'm craving another one and feel I will go mad without one.

Frustrating.

Another thing making me bad-tempered and restless is the lack of online shopping I've been able to do.

I've been searching high and low for just a nice pair of flats as I've thrown one pair out, another pair absolutely stinks and the third is just merh.

I've literally searched every chain store known to man.

Maybe I will actually have to go in to a shop to find a decent pair.

I have successfully bought a new pair of black jeans though and a couple of tops from Misguided which is nice, recommended highly by my sister as I couldn't trust the ASOS sizing (who measures themselves by the waist and/or leg length anyway? I like the good old numerical way).

In other news, I'm reallyyyyyy excited having spoken with A about our future living circumstances.

I've always wanted to live in Beckenham (ever since my dad lived there) and it looks like it may just happen.

Although I've struck a deal with him, that it will only be for a few years and then just maybeeee a move to America will be on the cards. Eep! 

Ever since he mentioned it and I took it in a not-so-serious-dismissive-sort-of-way, I can't stop thinking about it and how good it might actually be.

Well, after that jumble of thoughts has now been strewn out of my head and onto this wonderful page, I think I will sleep a little better knowing the future is looking a little brighter (even if I have been a moody so-and-so all week!)

Am also thinking about doing an ASOS/general wish list as I can't seem to make up my mind and actually buy anything, just ogle at them and um and argh over the out-of-stockness of everything I want.

Humph. 

How has your week been?



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