This Week in History Series!

This Week in History: Week 27

June 29^th: 1613, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre burns down during a production of Henry VIII, a stage canon ignited the thatched roof and burned down the theatre in less than 2 hours.

 

June 30^th: 1882, Death of Charles J. Guiteau, he was an assassin, who assonated President Garfield, he was found guilty and hanged at 40 years of age.

 

July 1^st: 1905, Albert Einstein introduced his theory of relativity.

 

July 2^nd: 1850, Death of Robert "Bobbie" Peel. He was a British Prime Minister and the founder of the London Police. He died at 62 years old.

 

July 3^rd: 1793, Birth of English poet John Clare. He was born in Helpston.

 

July 4^th: 1862, Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll,  created Alice in Wonderland for Alice Liddell on a family boat trip on the river Isis (Thames) in Oxford.

 

July 5^th: 1973, the Isle of Man began issuing their own postage stamps.

 

Thanks for Reading!

 

Claire

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The Movie Tag!

 

Hi again, this week I have chosen to do a Movie Tag!

 

So off I go again!

 

 

1) What is your all time favourite film?

Ok, this was a hard decision as there are so many that I love, but I have chosen to go with The Great Escape. I can watch it over and over and never tire of it!

 

2) What is your favourite scene from that film?

The French Resistance scene, where James Coburn is saved by them. I don't know why but I just love it!

 

 

 

3) Who is your favourite Actor & Actress?
My Favourite Actor is Sean Connery, not just because he is Scottish, but because he is a great actor. There are so many movies where he has been a brilliant actor, such as the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen to The Untouchables.

My Favourite Actress is Goldie Hawn, I love her acting and think she is just fabulous. Every role I have seen her she has been amazing. I think she is rather stunning too!
 

4) What was the first film you saw in the cinema?
I think it was 101 Dalmatians, the live action movie.
 

 

5) Favourite director?
I have 2, Tony and Ridley Scott. I think their movies are fantastic! Their direction is amazing. Especially Blade Runner.

 

6) Favourite Guilty pleasure film?
John Tucker Must Die. I think its great and rather funny. This is the first time I'm actually admitting it too! haha!

 

7) What is a film you hate that everyone loves?
Avatar. I'm not sure what it is, but I can't stand it! My Dad loves it, yet I hate it!
 

 

8) What is a film you love that everyone hates?
I'd say Grease 2. I love it and think its a good movie, but many Grease fans will hate it, yet I find it good because it is slightly different from the original.

 

9) Which Actor/Actress do you have a crush on?
I do have a wee crush on Chris Evans, but not sure why. I think it may be my love of his marvel characters... who can say!

 

10) What is your favourite animated film?
Beauty and the Beast, no doubt about it. Always has been, always will be!

 

11) Who is your favourite film villain?
It's a villain of a different sort, its a bad guy from the film Pacific Heights, Carter Hayes played by Michael Keaton. I hate him so much...so much so I would punch him myself if I ever met the character!

 

 

12) One remake you wish had never been made?
Footloose! To me it will always be Kevin Bacon as Ren!

 

13) Favourite film genre?
I go between Comedy and Fantasy!

 

14) Favourite Sidekick?
Doc Brown, he is just crackers, but I love him!
"Great Scott!"

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Claire

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My Favourite things! Part 1

Hello again! This post is all about my favourite things! I'll be sharing these by using non other than the alphabet hahaha!

 

This was an idea given to me by my wee cousin Bethany, so thank you for your inspiring idea!

 

Here goes!!!

 

A= Anime, I love reading anime and have recently come to like watching it too!

 

 

B= Berwick Bandits! They are and always will be my favourite and most loved team in the world!

 

 

C= Chocolate, what is life without chocolate!

 

 

D= Dancing, I love dancing, whether it is me bogeying to tunes in my room or watching it on telly, like the Charleston or a Foxtrot, I love them all! 

 

 

E= Elephants, I adore them and one day would love to go to Africa and help the baby orphans.

 

 

F= Family, my family are the best anyone could hope for in life. we may be slightly nutty and belong in an asylum, but they are who I love most in the world!

 

 

G= Gravy, I love gravy, I have it on almost everything that is potato based haha!

 

 

H= Hogmanay, a new year, means a new beginning.

 

 

I= Irn Bru, not doubt about it. Need I say more!

 

 

J= Jokes, I have a strange sense of humour, I will mostly laugh at any joke!

 

 

K= Koala Bears, I know they aren't the most friendly of creatures but I love them none the less.

 

 

L= Learning, its one of my favourite pastimes, I like to learn new things and as much as possible, I must be a bit geeky after all!

 

 

M= Mike and the Mechanics, one of my favourite bands of all times!

 

Part 2 will conclude next week!

 

Thank you for reading!

 

Claire

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The Island of 100 volcanoes!!

Hi everyone! Back in May I went on holiday to the island of Lanzarote for the first time! So I thought I'd share my trip with you all!

 

Now, Lanzarote is now covered with mostly lava fields due to the volcano erupting over 300 years ago!

 

The island consists of 100 volcanos and 300 volcanic peaks! 

 

The main volcano of the island is in the Timanfaya nation park and  is called Mount Timanfaya, but there is a twist....the Volcano is still very much active!!

 

So, me and my parents decided to go on the volcanic excursion and have a look at the volcano.

 

view from the car park

view of the national park

one of the many buses going on the tour

 

 

The greatest recorded eruptions occurred on the island between 1730 and 1736. The volcanic activity continues and can be felt on the surface. The surface temperature in the core ranges from 100 to 600 °C at the depth of 13 metres (43 ft)

 

We were shown three different demonstrations of the volcano, firstly, we were given some of the volcanic rock from the surface pile that one of the volcano guides handed to us. he dug it out from about a few inches. It was so hot that I couldn't hold it in my hand, I was almost juggling it, as it was at a rough temp of 60 degrees.

 

The guide waiting with his shovel.


The second demonstration was going up round to see a hole in the ground about 10ft in, and the guide at this part, took a long metal fork with dry grass on the end and put it into the whole and left it there. Within a few minutes the grass was a in flames from the heat of the volcano.

 

The third demonstration was the most exciting for me, we were taken up to another level, where there are pipes in the ground that go down about 13 metres into the volcano. the guide on this part had a pale of water ready to show us the reaction of the volcano.

 

In the above picture the guide is telling us to stand back!

Here is a video that I found on YouTube of my experience(not taken by me!)

The video shows how very much active the volcano is! But there are volcanologists who monitor the activity of the volcano and will be able to alert the islanders if it id going to fully erupt again.


In 1993, the Island was made into a designated Biosphere reserve and the volcano and its national park is one of the core areas they focus upon.

Up at the volcano there is also a gift shop and a restaurant, the restaurant uses the volcano to cook their food, here are some pictures of how they do it!

 

 

That is a pretty awesome way to bake your potatoes haha!!!

 

After our trip to the volcano, we were shown the rest of the national park, which is only accessed by tour buses as cars are not permitted on the route. There is a mass area that is covered in volcanic soil and the remains of lava.

 

The Timanfaya restaurant and visitor centre.

 

The volcanic landscape is almost like being on the moon, nothing lives there and nothing grows there other than lichen, which is a type of fungus.

 

The national park has it own symbol!

 

 

The Diablo, known as the Devil. Timanfaya is know as fire mountain or the mountains of fire!

 

Hope you've enjoyed this, there will be a follow up post about the rest of my trip soon!

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Claire

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This Week in History Series!

This Week in History: Week 26

 

June 22^nd: 1911, King George V is crowned king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and all his realms and territories beyond the sea.

 

June 23^rd: 1894, birth of Edward VIII, King of Great Brit, Northern Ireland and Emperor of India. He was the oldest son of King George V. He was born in Richmond in Surrey.

 

June 24^th: 1314, the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce fought the English and Scotland regained independence from England.

 

June 25^th: 1483, Edward V, king of England, is murdered. He was one of the Princes in the Tower, and this is the date he and his brother disappeared from the public view, and there are many theories that King Richard III had them murdered in the Tower.

 

June 26^th: 1483, Duke of Gloucester appointed himself King Richard III of England.

 

June 27^th: 1959, the musical "West Side Story" closed at Winter Garden Theatre in New York City after 734 performances.

 

June 28^th: 1846, the Saxophone was patented by Antoine Joseph Sax.

 

Thanks for Reading!

Claire

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The Book Tag!

 

Here we, another weekend, another tag! This time I've chose to do the book tag, I complied most of the questions myself!

 

Here goes!

 

1) What is your favourite book?

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. I love the way the characters are written and the whole story. My Mum says I have the same disorder as Dr Jekyll haha!

 

 

2) Who is your favourite author?

It's hard to chose between Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen. I love both of them and their works. I'll stick with both as they are so different.

 

3) What genre do you prefer?

Gothic/ Victorian Literature. Especially 18th/19th century literature.

 

4) What is your favourite book series?

I'd have to say the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead. but I also like the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.

 

5) What books did you hate reading in high school?

I'd say anything by Chaucer, I don't mind the stories, but the old English puts me off. We read the Miller's tale and I really hated that one!

 

 

 

6) What is the first book you remember reading as a child?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it is the only one I ever remember from my childhood.

 

7) Book shops or Libraries?

I'd say book shops, I could spend hours searching for books to buy. I tend to drag my friends and family into all sorts of book shops!

 

 

8) How many books do you own?

I've never actually counted, but I'll take a guess at an average of 150.

 

 

9) Do you read before bed?

Occasionally but not always, depends on the day I've had.

 

 

10) What is the most recent book you've read?

The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead, which I am still currently reading at the time I wrote this post!

 

 

 

 

11) What quote from any book will you never forget? Why is it significant?

"I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." From Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is significant because it is true, each day we are different and not the same person we were the day before.

 

12) What book can you read hundreds of times and never get tired of?

Regeneration by Pat Barker. Each time I read it the truth and reality of it all hits me and I never tire of the story or the images it sets in my mind.

 

13) What is the biggest lesson you've learnt from a book?

Learn to love another, no matter how they look or how they act.

 

If any one wants to give it a go, feel free!

 

 

Thanks for Reading!

 

Claire

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A year’s difference.

Hi everyone, I have been so busy lately and my creativity and inspiration is lacking a little at the minute. So I’ve decided to have a bit of reflection of the last year of my life.

 

A year ago: I was studying my STLS Level 2 to become a teaching assistant.

Today: I have qualified my level 2 and I’m studying my STLS Level 3 now, which I complete in April 2016.

 

A year ago: I was back in my shell and didn’t socialise an awful lot.

Today: I have my friends back around me and keep In touch with them as often as I can.

 

 

A year ago: I wasn’t living in the moment, I was stuck in a rut doing rather boring things.

Today: I have become slightly spontaneous and taken on the motto of ‘you’re only here once.’ I’m living for the now and doing things that I normally wouldn’t do.

 

A year ago: I was part time at work and was trying my hardest to save as much money as possible.

Today: I’m now full time and finding it easier to save and able to afford the thing in life I want.

 

A year ago: I was a little bit calmer and more carefree.

Today: Now I worry about so many things, that I don't actually need to worry about.

 

All in all, I think I have defiantly changed in this last year!

 

Thanks for Reading!

Claire

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15 Random Facts about Me!

 

1.       I like to cook and bake, but I think I’m not very good at it.

 

2.       I am completely T-total after drinking so much in my university days.

3.       My favourite type of food is Italian, so much so I’d happily move to Italy.

 

4.       I have had 2 pets a Dog called Sweep and a Cat called Thomas. Both are no longer with me.

 

5.       My natural hair colour is blonde, but I prefer red, as it looks fake being blonde now with my complexion.

 

6.       I have a stigmatism in my right eye, which causes me to have slight dyslexia.

 

7.       I am completely obsessed with Vampires and Jack the Ripper.

 

8.       I am named after Clair Huxtable from the Cosby Show.

Clair Huxtable

9.       I was School Librarian and School shop assistant.

 

10.   I have lived in Berwick-Upon-Tweed for 22 years on average, taking out the time I actually spent at University.

11.   I have a massive fear of Clowns, Spiders, Snakes and China Dolls.

12.   I am a Pisces and I believe in astrology.

 

13.   I rather like astronomy, but my eyesight lets me down for seeing the stars.

 

14.   I have my ears pierced 3 times!

15.   I’ve been passed my driving test for 6 years, but still never had a car.  

 

Thanks for Reading!

Claire

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This Week in History Series!

This Week in History: Week 25

June 15^th: 1849; James Knox Polk the 11th US President from 1845 to 1849 died in Nashville, Tennessee aged 53.

 

June 16^th: 1943; Charlie Chaplin aged 54 married actress Oona O'Neill, who was aged 18. They eloped and got married in Carpinteria. She was his forth wife.

 

 

June 17^th: 1239; Birth of Edward I, King of England from 1272 to1307. He was also known as Edward Longshanks and Hammer of the Scots. His men captured William Wallace and he had Wallace executed.  He was born in the Palace of Westminster and was the first Son of Henry III.

 

June 18^th: 1639; Treaty of Berwick: Ends the First Bishops' War between England and Scotland. It is also known as Peace of Berwick, Archibald Johnston was involved in the negotiations before King Charles was forced to sign the treaty.

 

June 19^th: 1566; Birth of James Stuart, who was King James VI of Scotland from 1567 to 1625. After the death of Elizabeth I he became James I of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625.

 

King James VI & I

June 20^th: 1837; Death of William IV of the United Kingdom, He was aged 71 and died in Windsor Castle.

June 21^st: 1948; Birth of Ian McEwan, an English writer. He was born in Aldershot, London. He is best known for Atonement.

 

Thanks for reading!

Claire

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The Twilight Tag!

 

Hi all, I thought I'd continue on the tags till inspiration hits me haha! So I've chose to do the Twilight Tag this week!

 

1) Which book in the Series is your favourite?

This was difficult for me to decide, but I'd say Breaking Dawn, meeting the new vampires and Bella's 'new' life is the big appeal.

 

 

 

2) How long did it take you to read the books?

It took me about 2 weeks as at the time I was in sixth form, so had to focus on my school work and avoid my friends who had already read it from telling me what happened haha!

 

 

3) Who introduced you to the books?

My Best Friend Tanya, she had read them all and recommended them to me, especially after we went to see the first movie.

 

4) Who is your favourite vampire?

I have 2, the first is Jasper, I love him and his background and who he is. I feel for him as he is so misunderstood. My second is Benjamin, I love his powers and everything about his personality and his nature.



 

5) Who is your favourite werewolf?

Seth without a doubt, I think I'm drawn to his youth and innocence and the fact he is always up for a fight, as well as being so loyal to Jacob.

 

6) What is one of your favourite quotes from the stories?

I had to think long and hard about this, the quote I chose is from Eclipse, "You are safe inside your mind, no one can reach you there." Reading that makes me feel safe knowing that it is more  or less true, you are usually safe in your head and safe with your own thoughts.

 

 

7) Which book cover is your favourite?

Twilight, the holding of the apple. It is like the apple of temptation, like that of the apple Eve ate. I also love how they represented the cover within the first movie.

 

 

8) In which book did you like Bella's character best?

Breaking Dawn, seeing her so motherly and strong, as well as protecting her family. It was great to read about her changing from human to vampire, as well as changing from a teenager into a mother and wife.

 

 

 

9) In which book did you like Edward's character best?

New Moon, to his world shatter around him within a few moments, the showing of his love for Bella and seeing his vulnerability. Especially when he is about to "commit" suicide.

 

 

10) In which book did you like Jacob's character best?

Breaking Dawn, when he becomes free of his feelings for Bella and his loyalty to the Cullens. I also loved seeing him take on the role of Alpha, being the strong character and taking charge of his own future even if it now with Renesmee.

 

If anyone wants to do it feel free, but I know tag Tanya over at http://tanyasteaparty.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Claire

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4 Things Tag!

Hi all, this week I really struggled for a post, as I don't really have a throwback this week. So I found that my friend Danielle had done this tag, now it's my turn haha!

 

Four….scratch that Three places I have lived:

 My Home in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.  

University of Cumbria Halls of Residence.  

Fern Bank, Lancaster.

My Halls of Residence!

 

Four jobs I've had:

Dish Washer.

Sales Assistant.

  

Barista

 

Waitress

          

Four things I don't eat:

Onions

Cabbage

Bananas

Oranges

 


Four of my favourite foods:

Flaming Hot Monster Munch.

Pizza

Pasta

Cheesy Chips and Gravy

Four movies I've watched more than once:

Twilight

Titanic

Oliver!

Schindler's List

Four TV shows I watch:

(Still running)

Family Guy

Neighbours

 

Chicago PD

 

Days of Our Lives

(Ended)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
 

Roswell
 

Friends
 

Sex and the City

Four things I'm looking forward to this year:

Going to the Speedway GP in Cardiff in July.

Just going to Cardiff.

 

Doing my Christmas Shopping,

 

Hopefully my parents going on holiday & me getting house to myself!

Four websites that I visit daily

Blogger

 

Facebook

 

Twitter

 

YouTube

Four things I can't live without:

My Phone.

 

My Laptop

 

Jelly Babies

 

Irn Bru.

Four places I've visited:

Ypres, Belgium.

Pila, Italy.

 

Paris, France.

 

Barcelona, Spain.

Four pet peeves:

People blowing their nose.

People eating with their mouth open.

 

People not pushing their chairs in!

 

People slurping their drink.

Four Things I Wish I Could Do:

Travel the World.

 

Go to the Moon.

 

Publish a book.

 

Live Like Jane Austen.

Four Subjects I Studied at School:

History

 

Sociology

 

Geography

 

Philosophy & Ethics

Four Things Near Me Right Now:

 

My Phone.

 

TV remote

 

Bottle of Irn Bru.

 

My Story book.

Four names people call me other than my real name

Bear

Lou Lou Bell

Fan Ann

Clarabunda

 

Thanks for Reading!