Brrrrrrr, It's Cold in Here

My boyfriend and my flatmates are CRAZY! They're BMXers, right? And although the weather has dropped into the negative (celsius!! remember) they are still going out and riding. I, on the other hand, prefer to stay out of the cold as much as possible. I'm not used to this weather!

Even though London and much of Northern England have inches of freshly fallen snow, the coast (Bournemouth at least) hardly gets any. If it does happen to snow, it's more like slush that just melts away after a few minutes. The snow tonight, however, seems to be sticking so I thought I'd snap a few shots before it disappears.

The freezing cold weather is exciting and disparaging at the same time. It is a mission preparing for the cold. Putting on mitts and beanies and scarves and boots and fluffy jumpers is a comfort in the cold, but such a hassle once you've reached a warm place and start to overheat before getting the chance to take them all off. Also, being in the house when the radiators are not on is like living in an ice box. I gladly stay in bed, covered in layers of warm blankets, giving the heat a good hour to make things manageable.

This is not the first time I've lived in the cold. I've had my fair share of winter wonderlands and school snow days while growing up on the east coast of the USA. One huge difference between England and America is that at least in America there are tons of malls and indoor shopping centers that don't make shopping and going out to eat that freezing. Here, there are very few arcades to keep warm in. If you need to get something, you brave the cold. Oh, dear.


♡- Kristen

Winchester Round Table & Castle

Winchester, once the capital of England, is home to the Winchester Castle and its Great Hall in which the Winchester Round Table is displayed. No, this is not thee round table as in Arther's Knights of the Round Table. This table, rather, was made in likeness of Arther's table to embody the symbolism of equality that the round table implies.

Historically, King Arther was said to create the first round table to prevent quarrels among his barons; Being that there is no head, everyone seated is equal. King Arther's court was well-renowned for its traditions and code of chivalry, and tournaments featuring jousting, dancing, and feasting were held in imitation of Arther's court. These tournaments were known as "Round Tables" and it's believed that the Winchester Table was created for such a tournament.

The Great Hall, which houses this table, is immense with large intricately designed stained-glass windows, wooden beams along the ceiling, and rows of large medieval columns. Standing in the center of the hall, in the cold shadow of the great ancient stone walls, I felt minuscule, as a commoner certainly would have felt in the exact same spot decades ago in the presence of royalty.

The surrounding castle, also decorated with shiny, flint stone walls still looked the part of historical royalty on the outside, but after peering into the windows to spot some ancient world, I was disappointed to see a completely modern revamped interior with a man sitting at his office desk. Guess it makes more sense to use the buildings then just keep them old and empty.

There were, however, underground tunnels still intact from medieval times that visitors are able to explore. The passageways were dark, with water tripping down the walls (it was raining when I visited, surprise, surprise...). The tunnels formed a sort of labyrinth that was made to confuse intruders, and the tunnels were curved in an attempt to deflect the path of arrows from enemies.











♡ - Kristen

Pudsey Bear

As I strolled through the high street on my way to Caffé Nero the other day I was confused by a giant yellow teddy bear roaming about. A sad teddy bear, might I add, that had a little bandage over one eye. I kept on thinking, what kind of sick twisted children's mascot is that?! But besides one small girl hugging his leg, no one else around seemed bothered or surprised by its presence.

I came to find out later that night that the bear, known as Pudsey Bear, is the well-known mascot for the Children in Need charity. Last night, in fact, BBC held its annual Children in Need telethon to raise money for organizations supporting children in the UK aged 18 and under who have mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioral or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, sex abuse or neglect.

Each year in November, BBC dedicates one entire night to the telethon. Last year the event raised 39 million pounds, while last night's telethon has raised a little over 18 million so far (though the final total is still not confirmed).

We have telethons in the USA still too, right?

♡- Kristen

Rain AND Shine

There's something calming yet lively in feeling a crispy cold wind on your face while being snug in a cozy cardigan. Having seasons and a change in weather is a nice alternative to the sunny all-year-round Cali coast. (Really!) With that said, however, I'm still not use to the unpredictable weather here.

It's like being on Mars, as in, in the shade it's freezing but in the sunshine I find myself stripping off layers before overheating. And it constantly feels like a battle between rain and shine each day. Yesterday, on a walk along the beach, I got a change to see a big black rain cloud making its way to destroy the sunny weather (just see the pics below). And today is rainy, rainy, rainy, if you wanted to know.

Ashley mentioned to me the other day how all this rain must be so different for me. But it's not like it doesn't rain in the States too, you know? The only thing that does make a difference, however, is that I don't have a car so I'm actually in the rain much more than I would be if I had one. Running to the car to escape the rain is a lot of fun, as I recall. I miss that!


^^^ I spotted two magpies. Lucky me!

♡- Kristen

Mold Killed My Rainbows

This damn cold English weather has murdered my beloved Rainbow sandals that I have had for years.

Countless friends have begged me to replace these unsightly things forever now it seems, but I just couldn't. Despite their unattractiveness, they were the most comfortable sandals I've ever worn. The rubbery soles were completely melted to my feet shape, and after nearly six years of sandal misuse (like wearing them through mosh-pits and muddy trails) they survived. But I think I have to draw the line at scrapping mold off of them (emphasis on think. They're not in the bin yet!).

Mold is a common enemy in many homes in England. The damp, cold, rainy weather causes many old drafty buildings to breakout in spotty black mold. Luckily, my flat actually isn't that bad. There's no mold on the walls or ceilings, only in the deepest corners of closets.

Another, more annoying problem with the mold, however, is my endless hay-fever. I've never had a problem with allergies in my life, so itchy eyes and a blocked nose at least once a week is very new and horrible for me. I've taken to buying allergy-clearing pills at the local department stores to battle the elements. I'm thinking since I'm not an English native, I'm now being exposed to mold/pollen/dust that I have no immunity to and likewise getting sick. Bloody hell!

♡ - Kristen

The Black Keys Concert

As fate would have it, the amazing American blues-rock duo The Black Keys played a short walking distance away from my place at the O2 Academy venue in Boscombe. I had bought Ashley tickets to the concert for his birthday in October and now was the time to enjoy.

We missed the beginning of the first band The Walkmen, of whom I'm also a fan. But managed to find really good spots on the second story balcony before the Keys' performance.

The duo put on a brilliant concert playing some of my favorite tunes, including "Girl Is On My Mind," "Strange Times," and "Your Touch". And although there were only two of them on stage, their presence was massive and the sound deliciously full. The singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach retained his rich bluesy vocals and did not disappoint live. Go see them!







♡ - Kristen

Bonfire! (& fireworks!)

As I mentioned in my previous post, Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated by huge bonfires and fireworks. And although it's a day late, the turn out for the Christchurch celebrations was massive, and the bonfire and fireworks - even more massive! I had high expectations and I can gladly say I'm satisfied.

Ashley and I paid five pounds each to enter the clearing in which the bonfire and fireworks were to take place. I normally hate paying for anything, but I felt like this experience was worth it. Although I missed the lighting of the fire, so I'm not sure whether dummies of Guy Fawkes were thrown into the blaze. (Oh well!)

The bonfire was guarded off from the public by short metal railings, and men in fire-protective gear monitored the event from within. After about 20 minutes, in the opposite end of the clearing the fireworks show commenced. Like many firework displays I've seen in the States, the fireworks were blasted off to specific music, in this case Katy Perry's Fireworks, Shakira's Waka Waka and a couple of Irish folk tunes, which blared from the several speaker stations set up along the perimeter.

After, a local "umpa" band called The Gugge played while people enjoyed the many charity booth games and snacks. The one booth that caught my eye, in particular, was the Rotary Club of Bransgore's plate breaking booth where, for a little money, you'd get a bucket of balls to throw at the white china lined up in the back. Fun!





^^^ The variety of fireworks was impressive, there were spiraled ones, ones that changed color, and some larger with gold ribbons that seemed to stream down close enough to touch. ♡ - Kristen

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

In 1605, on this very day in the early hours of the morning, a bearded man named Guy Fawkes was brought before King James I and tried for treason. Fawkes was infamously taking part in an failed assassination attempt known as the Gunpowder Plot, this in which a group of English Catholics planned to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. (Sound familiar? Guy Fawkes's persona was used in the popular movie V for Vendetta starring Natalie Portman.)

Each year since, on the anniversary of the failed assassination, the English celebrate the King's escape from death and give thanks for the joy of deliverance. The night, known as Guy Fawkes Night and Bonfire Night, usually is celebrated by large bonfires in which effigies of Guy Fawkes or other publicly hated figures are burned. (Although, oddly enough, Fawkes was not burned in a bonfire, but died while trying to flee the gallows where he was to be hung.) Fireworks, incidentally, have also become part of tradition.

The following is a popular rhyme telling the tale of the Fifth of November:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

There happens to be a proper Guy Fawkes bonfire tomorrow night in nearby Christchurch. The guys and are going to get some Roman candle fireworks and join the festivities. I'll let you know how it goes! I love fireworks and bonfires so this holiday is right up my alley!


^^^This is an example of a traditional Guy Fawkes dummy that would be paraded in town before begin burned on the bonfire. (Seems kind of harsh, right?! But the English didn't start the ghoulish Halloween celebrations like Americans until long after 1605, hence Guy Fawkes Night was their naughtiest holiday for a long time.)

♡ - Kristen