Ski season number two! ❄

I'm so, so, so excited to be heading back to Switzerland for the winter again! Yaaay!

A new season means, new gear! And boy, have I spent far too much money on things I already have and don't really need replacements of! I think my bank account hates me now.

Having been skiing for the last 15 years or so, I have collected plenty of equipment and clothing to last me forever, but that doesn't stop me buying new stuff...

Firstly, a new pair of skis. Having skied at a competitive level for most of my skiing life, I have never had the use for "recreational" skis. But last season I bought some, because everyone knows, skiing powder on race skis, is just a fail (and powder days are the best days). I bought them during last season on discount through the company I work for, but sadly, I didn't get the bindings fitted to them until I got back to England so haven't used them yet, but the excitement to use them for this first time this year, is too much! I bought the Nordica Nemesis 2014 skis and Atomic FFG 10 bindings. The skis are so much longer and wider compared to what I'm used to, but I'm sure I will get along with them just fine! Of course the race skis will still come away with me...perfect for ice or on piste, and attempting to smash my top speed down the mountain!

Secondly, a new jacket. There was nothing wrong with my last 5 years worth of ski jackets, and I haven't grown out of them, but like any jacket or coat in any season, you don't want to wear the same one every day, which I will do on season. So I bought a new, even more awesome jacket for 2016! I got the Roxy Jet Ski jacket, of which they do many colours and patterns in this style. I'm lucky enough to be able to fit in kids' clothes, so it only cost me half the price of the adult one with the same design, plus it was in the sale after last winter!

Then, a new pair of goggles. I bought a new pair for last season, but just fancied a change. There was a pair that I really wanted last year, which were too expensive for me at the time, so I settled for some much cheaper ones, but this year, I said I would get them, as a Christmas gift to myself. I've been looking at some online for ages, but putting off buying them until a lot nearer the time. Until I found a different, but very similar pair on ebay. Ex-display so never actually worn, and £25!! £100 less than buying brand new!! I'll take that! They are the Smith Optics Virtue Sapphire Prism goggles. I looooove them so much! I have a problem with buying goggles, because I have a small head and face, so big goggles don't suit me well, but these are perfect!

A new pair of gloves is next on my list. I bought a pair last year because they matched my jacket, but I bought them online really cheap, and they were too big for me. I wore them anyway, but they're not too great. I really need a pair that fit me properly, because having gloves which are too big, or too small, can cause you to end up with very cold hands, and that's never fun! So I got a new pair in a size that fits my tiny hands. Also, the pattern on last season's ones doesn't go with the pattern on my new jacket, so fashion says I need some new ones, of course. These are actually my Christmas present from my mum, as she asked me what I wanted, and I was only going to buy these anyway. I got the North Face Montana Mittens, in black. They are super cozy, and they also have a wrist strap attached ,which means taking them off on a chair lift or as I'm half way down the mountain, means I'm not going to drop them, which is always a good thing to avoid.

Backpacks are always a must have on the mountains, especially when you're not relying on someone else to carry your lunch for you. I've always had a relatively small bag when I'm on the mountain, which is big enough to carry my packed lunch, and a spare layer or two, but as I'm getting more into taking photos and carrying my camera around with me everywhere I go, it isn't really big enough to fit everything in. So I bought a bigger one. I bought the Dakine Heli Pro 20L backpack, which is plenty big enough for me, but it means I will fit everything I need in it, without forcing the zips shut! I got an awesome patterned one, which kind of clashes with the pattern on my jacket, but I don't really care. It's practical, so thats what's important. It also has loads of handy features and pockets, such as a ski/snowboard carry on the back, if I'm too lazy to use my arms, and a whistle on the chest clip, which I will probably annoy everyone with because I'm such a child and can't leave it alone. I've been using it over the summer as my gym/travel bag, so I'm definitely getting use out of it all year round.

Something else I spent my money on, which technically isn't brand new for this season, but is something that I really needed to be done, was getting my ski boots re-fitted and moulded to my feet. I bought a pair of boots for last season, but ended up with an injury on my left ankle, as that is my smaller foot and it was moving about too much in the boot causing impact and friction, giving me a big problem. I went back to the shop I got them from, Snowfit in Norwich, and they helped me out by sorting me with some specially moulded footbeds and some extra padding and protection in my boots. So hopefully, I won't get any problems with my ankle this year!

Lastly, I bought a GoPro! The one thing I really wish I'd had last season. I know I would have got so much use out of it last year, but I didn't have one, so always said, if I go back again, I would definitely buy one. I bought the GoPro Hero4 Silver Edition, as I like the touch screen feature on the back, and didn't fancy spending more money on buying the latest version, as I don't need to. I've had a play around with it at home, and so far, I am really happy with it. I can use the GoPro software on my iPhone and MacBook to control it, as well as using the touch screen, which is super handy, as I can also view my footage back on them without having to take out the memory card and upload them. I am certainly going to have a lot of fun with this!

I'm far too excited for the season to start now! I'm am all ready to go now, just waiting on December - I can't wait for the waist deep powder days to arrive!

xoxo

44 hours in Amsterdam.

A few weeks ago, I decided that adventure was waiting for me, and booked a random little holiday. A trip to Amsterdam. A place I've always wanted to visit. I've travelled alone before, but I've always done it and went as part of a group of people I didn't know. This time, I would be going completely solo! So scary!!

A couple of my friends who have done a lot of travelling before reassured me that I would be okay and that it is one of the greatest experiences ever!

With that in mind, I pushed myself way too far out of my comfort zone and booked my flights. There was no going back.

As the weekend was approaching, I was getting more and more excited about my weekend away, but also more and more nervous, as backing out of it would mean me losing lots of money, and a good weekend. The week before my weekend in Amsterdam, one of my good friends was there, his first time there also. Once he was home, I got some recommendations of things to do, places to go, where to eat, and what to most definitely avoid!

Friday 21st...
17:20 my flight departed from Norwich airport. 18:00 and I'd landed. Honestly been on longer bus journeys to school! After arriving at the airport, I got a train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station, which took about 15-20 minutes.

A 40 minute walk through Amsterdam to my hostel at Vondelpark, my goodness it is warm! It is quite muggy weather so my skin is definitely "glistening"!

After checking into my room, finding out a bit more about what to do and see, I headed upstairs to where I was staying.

My original planned night of chilling in the hostel, probably with a movie on my laptop in bed, to get myself ready for a long day of exploring the next day, was changed when one of my roomies said that she was going out for food at 11pm if I wanted to join her. Well if that's what all of this travelling stuff is about, I shouldn't say no! After scoffing a pizza bigger than I could usually manage, it wasn't until 1:30am when I got to bed. So much for an early night.


Saturday 22nd...
A not too early start to the day. There was a free walking tour with a pick up from my hostel at 10:40, so I hung around until that started. 3 hours of going around Amsterdam learning about the history and the culture is exactly what I wanted to do, but being told by someone who knew, rather than reading from a book. Plus, it was free! Our tour guide, Peter, was very good. Knowledgable and gave us good information about all sorts; the Amsterdam stock exchange, churches, prostitution, drugs and coffeeshops, canals, bicycles, cheese, the many many choices of museums, and much more.

The tour was great. A few people from my hostel were on the tour with me, and we all got chatting with each other and a few others on the tour. Once the tour had finished, we all ended up in a bar together, and spent to rest of the day hanging out. Basically any museums I had planned to visit on Saturday afternoon, didn't happen. It was a good day, and we all met up again in the evening for a fireworks display. There was a big event on over the course of the weekend called 'Sail'. It happens on one weekend every 5 years, so there was a great atmosphere throughout the city, with music, and an awful lot of boats!

Once the fireworks were over, we all walked back to our hostel, via the red light district, which was certainly an eye opener and something I wouldn't have done had I been completely alone!

Back to the hostel and into bed.


Sunday 23rd...
The one thing I really wanted to do in Amsterdam, was to visit the Anne Frank House. Countless times as I was growing up did I read her diary, so going to the museum was one of my main reasons for visiting. Tickets were all sold out until about October, so to be able to get in, all you have to do is see if any random tickets appear online, or queue up for several hours to get in. I had planned on getting up super early, and queueing up before the museum opened at 9am, as at this time of day, firstly it wasn't so hot and exhausting, and secondly, the queues wouldn't be so long. Also I had to head back to the airport at around midday, so I had to get there early to be able to catch my flight in time!

When I got home from the fireworks on Saturday night, I logged online to see if, on the off chance, any tickets had become available. There was a ticket, for 8:30am! Frantically trying to rummage through my packed bag, without waking up my room mates to find my bank card, and I managed to buy the ticket to the museum. No waiting in a ridiculously long queue for me. It was perfect, I was so lucky!

The Anne Frank museum was amazing! All the way round the museum, I was so emotional. Having read the book many times before, I already knew her story very well, but seeing where it all happened, and trying to imagine being her, silent in the Secret Annex for 2 years, it was so interesting!

After the museum, I had a couple of hours to kill before I had to be heading back to the train station.

My friend sent me a list of recommendations after his trip to Amsterdam the week before, and on that list, I was advised to find "the best apple pie". I love apple pie, so definitely went on the hunt for it.

Mmm, apple pie!

Apple pie for breakfast, yeah why not! And "the best apple pie" it certainly was! I wanted to bring some more home with me, but I couldn't fit any in my bag! Sad times.

Last stop before I headed home, was the Amsterdam Duck Shop - a shop just selling rubber ducks! We walked past it on the walking tour on Saturday morning, and as we went past it, I knew I was going to have to make a visit back to it. In our family, we take rubber ducks on our travels as little mascots and put them in our photos (here's 3 ducks enjoying one of our many ski holidays), so it was only right to buy some from a dedicated rubber duck shop! Silly me forgot to actually take a photo of my duck in Amsterdam, but here's a mock up photo! Also, note how appropriate the duck I bought for myself was...meet Princess Duck.

Princess Duck checking out the map of Amsterdam.

Well, that was it. I had to end my brief visit to Amsterdam and head home :( I definitely needed longer than I had so that I could visit more museums and not try to pack so much in to a short space of time, but if it means I have to plan another weekend to go, then so be it! 

My first solo trip was a success! Here's to many more in the future, I hope!

If there's anyone out there hesitating about going away on a solo trip, do it! I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone to do this, and had the most amazing time! Somewhere like Amsterdam is such a great place to go for your first solo trip, it's fairly small, there is plenty to do and see, and it's so easy! Plan ahead, even if your plans don't stick, and have some fun!

Thanks to the people who let me hang out with them whilst I was there! Was good fun!

Here's some more photos from my trip...warning: cliche canal and bicycle pictures!

A bike in front of a cute Dutch house.

A canal.

A bridge, over a canal.

A bike, on a bridge, over a canal.

Jheez, another canal!

Evening sun over the Vondelpark.

A massive ship at the fireworks.

Happy travelling! xx

A Little Sunset Stroll.

I live in a village, surrounded by fields. I've never really taken advantage of the open spaces that surround the housing estate I live on.

I watch the sun set from my bedroom window every night, so today, after a day of fairly beautiful weather, and a sunshiney drive home from work, I decided to take a little evening walk behind where I live.

My sciatica is playing up a little bit at the moment, so while I don't want to do any full on exercise in the gym, I also don't want to sit about for too long to let my hips seize up.

So off I went, armed with my camera, taking a few photos on the way! Here are a few that I took.

4.5 miles later, it's time to put my feet up, put the TV on, and have a ham and cheese toasty. I think I deserve it!

Norfolk really is a beautiful place to live!

The secret wedding project!

A few weeks ago, my mum got married!

I wanted to give her and my step-dad-to-be, a gift that no one else would. A gift that money could not buy.

My step-dad proposed to my mum in March 2014, on a ski holiday to Serre Chevalier. Shorty after it happened, I came up with this crazy idea. An idea that I thought would never become a reality.

A music video. A video where all their family and friends would sing along to a song, dressing up, being silly, generally having fun, to a cheesy song about love. After all, who doesn't love a bit of karaoke, right!?

I wanted this to be a surprise for their wedding day, and I spent countless hours trying to work out how I could make it happen without them finding out.

After a mass email was sent to all of their friends and family, I knew there was no going back! Thrilled by some of the responses I got for it, I knew that I was doing the right thing! As you can also see, people were starting to chuck their ideas in as well, which was great!

It was now a thing. A thing that I had to be fully committed to!

I began travelling around to people's houses, armed with my camera and a bag full of props, and started to get the ball rolling. 

This was a year long project. After taking five months out of filming to enjoy life in the Swiss Alps, I was still working on this, right up until 2 days before the wedding.

The editing was tricky. Trying to get everyone in time to the music, without it looking out of sync, it took a lot of precision. But the whole process was fun.

The best part was, no one let it slip what i was up to, not even on a night out after a few cocktails!!

The wedding day came, the video was, by this point, now in the hands of the best man, and still, they had no idea!

I was so overwhelmed by the response from my parents, and everyone else: those who were involved and had no idea what I was really going to do with their crazy footage, and those who didn't know what I was up to. Secretly, really proud of it!

After a few upload issues to the internet, due to copyright, and the risk of me getting into trouble, this is the best way that I can share it, finally! It's a little while coming, but I got round to it eventually.

To everyone who has already seen it, here it is for you to watch again. For those who are in it, here you can see you embarrass yourself, again. And for those of you who haven't seen it, enjoy it!

Click here for the Wedding Video!! :)

Hopefully, this can also give other people ideas if they want to do something similar! I loved making it, and I'm so glad everyone loved watching it! Feel free to share it too...you never know who might have the same crazy ideas as me, and who don't think their ideas are realistic.

xx