Adventure Podcast (26.11.13)

Check out the podcast below for an insight into some of Europe's most beautiful Christmas destinations and much more. I'm leading the podcast, along with special guests Andrew McHarg and Hannah Hayesmore.

See the original script below. This had to be tweaked to fit the less scripted and more spontaneous conventions of a radio features bulletin.

Festive Frenzy.

I am currently enjoying the satisfying lull that follows Christmas and New Year, having spent most of my time catching up with family and friends after twelve intense weeks of forceful motivation and hard work.

Granted, my first semester turned out to be both fun and enriching and I now embark on a New Year freshly bathed in knowledge and experience.

Wishing you all an exceptional New Year.

Wintershall Nativity (19/12/11)

Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.

As we embarked upon a muddy trench with umbrellas in hand, we anticipated the Christmas spirit brought about by the annual nativity play. The sky was a translucent burn't blue. Typical as the rain continued to pour down.

The breeze was chilling as we passed beacons of fire orientated on both sides of the path. Their essence filled the smoky air comforted by their warmth. My shoes were an inconvenience as they moulded into the clay-like mud that blanketed the pathway.

The service began at the top of the hill with Mary riding a donkey that was guided by Joseph. The crowd, like a swarm, were led east by a star to a near-by barn. I was more concerned about falling into the sticky mud that was now riddled with shoe impressions.

When the service finished we were guided along a walkway scattered with hay and were given the opportunity to interact with the cast. This was the highlight of Mum's evening as she got the opportunity to shake the hand of the man who played Jesus in the previous production.

The service was performed by a troupe of Christian volunteers and was mildly compelling. I'd seen them earlier this year in The Passion Of Christ (a reenactment of the Easter story) and even then, by their presence alone you could tell they had the passion.

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?

Happy Blogiversary!

That's right. On this day in 2010, I set up my blog.

Mainly with the intention of making a good impression at university, as this time last year I was halfway through drafting my personal statement. 

How times have changed. I am now at a university I love. I am studying a course that I love and I am living with housemates that I, well, love.

We've spent most of the day decorating the house with paper chains as we're all cheapskates when it comes to Christmas.

(insert reference to bonding here)

At 4:32pm it's already getting dark outside and it's turned bitterly cold. I'm cuddled up in bed with freshly washed sheets feeling rather nostalgic. I want to savour these moments as they don't come by often.

I hope you've enjoyed reading and there's plenty more to come.

I mustn't forget to credit my rather awesome housemate Devan for the rather punnerific title (casual neologism). #TheOneWhatsAttemptingBlogging

Lights. Lights. Lights.

Today was a historic moment, as for the first time I watched the Christmas lights in Winchester illuminate the town square. 

December will soon be upon us and it's hard to believe that another year has passed. This will also be the first anniversary of my blog. I have been blogging for almost a year and what a great year it has been.

After a tough couple of months I am happy to say that Winchester finally feels like home. It's a beautiful place full of beautiful people and honestly I couldn't be happier. 

I spent the evening in the town with my housemates, preparing to see the perfectly placed lights sparkle in the navy sky. It was a bit of an anticlimax but a sea of cheers from the ever-growing crowd soon made this insignificant.

I officially love Winchester.