Alton Towers | Travel

If you go down to the woods today...you'd better not go alone 

 Due to not being able to leave the country due to corona but also finances... Beth and I decided to take a little mini trip to Alton Towers somewhere we have talked about going for years. I have talked about wanting to go to a cottage for years also so maybe that will happen soon *hint hint* 

Alton Towers is a theme park in Staffordshire, England about 4 hours away, both Beth and I went as kids with our families so nothing was new to us except that we were going as adults and without our parents. Since I got my car back in January we have been talking about the idea of going on a road trip and having a weekend away so we decided to risk it for a chocolate biscuit and give it a go *spoiler, it went really well*

I was a bit nervous to drive all the way as I had never done a long drive really, so like a couple of losers a few weeks before we did a test drive, yes we did drive to a service station and back I have anxiety people this isn't new! So that went great and I ironed out some things I was worried about and was ready to go!

We drove down on Friday in the aggressive heat, it was so hot I felt like I was driving a portable sauna.   As a new driver (passed in January) I was quite nervous but once I got onto the motorway it was fine, apart from the heat it was actually really enjoyable. Could probably do it again but not on my own because I'd get bored.

We stayed in a really nice premier inn in Stoke Trentham Gardens was only £74 for 2 nights, not sure if we just got lucky or they were socially distancing the hotel guests but we ended up in a really big room with a beautiful view. We ended up bringing our own pillows just as another Covid safety precaution. 

On the Friday we went to see my bestie Molly for dinner, we had Pizza Hut and chatted it was wonderful. 

Also huge congratulations to Molly and Jay, they are pregnant and I am very excited to be an unofficial auntie!

On the Saturday we headed to Alton Towers, I am not a fan of driving down country roads and it was country roads all the way I did it but I did not enjoy it. 

Saturday was so unbelievably hot, it was rough. The park was quite busy on the Saturday as it was sold out sat-tues, I hope the park was at a limited capacity but it really did not feel like it. Wait times were between 45-120 minutes which is unheard of for Alton Towers. 

On the Saturday we tried our best to do everything we wanted, we started the day by riding nemesis which was my favourite ride growing up and it did not disappoint me as an adult. We also rode oblivion and duel this day and they were both amazing.

On Sunday we decided to head to the park a little earlier so we could try and ride thirteen. I had spoken to a member of staff the night before and they explained that the park doesn't open until 10am however, they open the gates around 9:30 and allow guests to enter the park and begin to queue ahead of the rides beginning at 10. We arrived at the park around 9:30 and by 10:15 we had rode 13. Another amazing ride!

We then went on oblivion once again and headed home. I was nervous to drive from Newcastle as it was about 4 hours and was the first long drive I have ever done but Beth and Harry Potter audio books kept me entertained and although it was like driving in a sauna it wasn't bad at all.

I was hesitant to include this but I read a lot of forums and they really helped me with my confidence going to Alton Towers. I am plus size so theme parks can seem incredibly scary. For the majority of the rides I asked for modified seating which is the same size seats but instead of one strap clipping your restraints in there are two. This is due to the overhead restraints having a bump around the stomach. In modified seats there are two straps that go around the bump rather than over. The staff were amazing and incredibly helpful, there was certainly moments that made me incredibly anxious but reading lots of forums before hand helped to calm my nerves. 

The links below I found incredibly helpful but there are many many more online.

Forums

https://plussizedguide.com/plus-sized-guide-to-alton-towers/

https://forum.towerstimes.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=41926

http://ramblesofanimpatientgirl.blogspot.com/2016/05/plus-size-at-alton-towers.html

COVID-19 Precautions

Going on a trip during the current global climate was always going to be risky and nerve-racking but with holidays cancelled earlier in the year and all the stress Beth and I decided to take a trip. During the entire lockdown we have been as safe as we possibly can. Alton Towers was no different. 

Anytime we stopped at a service station or going in and out of the hotel we wore masks as well as sanitising and trying our best to keep our distance. 

In regards to Alton Towers, it was incredibly busy and hot. You were only required to wear a mask on the rides along with anytime you are inside the ride stations or shops. We tried our hardest to wear a mask at all times but it was just too hot to do so. It was hard to socially distance as it was so crowded but we tried our best and didn't spend the entire time within the parks.

I feel they are doing everything they can, from cleaning the ride vehicles to temperature checks before entering the park. In regards to the temperature checks it is a gun type machine held at a short distance from your forehead, if your over 38 degrees (I believe) you will be asked to take a break to cool down afterwards they will take your temperature a second time and if again it is over the limit you will not be allowed to enter the park. I found this extremely reassuring as just like bag checks you know everyone has had to go through this in order to gain access limiting the threat.

Overall I had a lovely trip away with my dear friend, it was the first time we have really had a trip together and it was super nice just to spend some time together and chill out after talking about it for so long. 

if you have any questions or concerns about being plus size or the safety precautions please leave a comment and I will try my hardest to answer them as I know I had a lot of questions before my trip. 

Harry Potter Studios 2.0 | Pandemic

As I write this I should be living it up in Disneyland Paris with my best friend but due to COVID-19 that has not happened, yes I am very sad.

Last year myself and Molly planned this trip to celebrate her birthday at one of our favourite places but just days before we were meant to set off all 6 Disney Parks closed. I accept that it's for the best but it still sucks. I am trying to keep a positive mindset throughout this entire lockdown situation.

We were determined to make the most out of this trip so we decided to go back to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford. We went last May for my birthday (post) and weren't planning on going back until the summer as they are showcasing the Slyherin common room and we need to show our house pride. Both Molly and I are big Harry Potter fans so it might not be Disneyland but there's still plently of magic.
We also decided to extend our trip an extra night and go and see the West End show Jamie. I personally have never seen it but Molly loves it so I was excited.

My trip started on Saturday, I jumped on the train down to Derby to meet Molly and her family for her birthday meal at Pizza Hut and starting off the trip well I had to pay £110 on the train as my railcard had expired (who knew they had to be renewed thought after I was 25 I couldn't use it anymore apparently not). As you can imagine I was thrilled.

Once I arrived in Derby we went for a lovely meal and then I got to hang out with Molly's dogs Paddy & Seamus who I love very dearly and miss so very much.

The next day Molly and I travelled down to London where we followed our tradition of having a Nando's every time we see each other. Nandos baby I miss you. We then went back to our hotel chilled and watched Tik Toks and chatted all night.

Althought we had been to the Harry Potter Studios only last year it is still so interesting and fun to be there. We got extremely lucky as the studios was closing at 8pm that day, so although Disney let us down Harry Potter did not! 

We spent the day going around the studios being idiots and getting our fake passports stamped (low key so fun & free highly reccommend) which was something we didn't do last time.

I have so much love for Harry Potter so going to the studios is one of my favourite things in the world and one of my favourite places to visit! I can not wait until we get to go back and celebrate Slytherin in all it's glory.

I didn't know what to expect walking into the studios but it was relatively busy. No where near what I have experienced before, we got the first avaliable slot of 10am to make the most out of the day, I highly reccomend this as you can stay at the studios until it closes if you wished. Jumping on the train from Euston to Watford Junction at 9am and waited for the hogwarts express! 

The shuttle bus from the train station to the studios is a £3 return which I dont think is bad. It's always exciting seeing Warwick Davis talking to you about the studios as you drive through Watford.

After a day at the studios we headed back to our hotel to collect our belongings and move to our second hotel in covent garden. We decided to move hotels to be closer to the theatre and it was cheaper.

We sanitised every inch of our souls before getting on the tube (Corona tings you get it) and ventured to Covent Garden. 

We checked in to our hotel and went out to meet Becca who I have known for years and years but never met (Vamps friends who lives at the opposite end of the country problems) before we were going to go to see Jamie on the West End.

We had a lovley Bella Italia, it was so nice to finally meet Becca! Make sure to check out her Youtube Channel - Link
Then 40 minutes before the show was meant to start the tories started acting up and the show was cancelled. That was fun. 

Mol & I really went through it this trip all we have ever wanted was to go to Disney together but we can go next year and we will go Florida together. I still had a lovely time even if I did complain the whole time about how much I hate Corona. 

I hope everyone is staying safe, regularly washing their hands and self isolating where possible we can get through this! Can't wait to be in a GCSE text book. 

Here is a collection of images from my few days off work before I was furloughed: 

love ya mol cya after Corona

Rome | Travel

Hey,

For a moment I forgot my blog wasn't just another outlet for me to post photography, I miss just sitting down and writing so I thought I would talk about my trip to the beautiful city of Rome. Back in March myself and my dad took a mini break away to Rome, I've never been to Italy but I have seen the Lizzie McGuire movie so it felt right.

We only went for a couple of days but it was absolutely amazing, it's one of those cities that people on instagram always seem to be visiting and its plastered all over travel sites as the "ultimate city break" but in all honestly I only ever seem to be interest in attending holidays if they're to Disney. That being said I loved every second of our little getaway!

We started the trip off by going to a restaurant around the corner from our hotel where they served what I can only describe as the best bread I have ever tasted, it was so good we went twice. Months later I miss this bread so much.

The next day was our first proper day and we decided to go and see what we had decided was the Spanish Steps (that is exactly what it is not) it's a monument where there is an anonymous Italian soldier inside that represents the Italian army and he is guarded 24/7 - this monument became a  "we are lost but near our hotel" spot.

We spent the rest of the day walking miles, eating ice cream and exploring.

My all time favourite day was our guided tour of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. Both myself and my dad love history and we love to learn, I had barely any knowledge about gladiators so it was so interesting to learn all about that form of entertainment. My favourite part of that day was 100% the Roman Forum, walking around all the ruins yet still being in the middle of a huge city was a bizarre experience. Learning the value of the ruins and how the Romans used to go by their day to day was so interesting to me, was like walking in the past. My dad then went back to the forum and I laid in bed and watched Glee - my perfect holiday really.

We spent the rest of the holiday relaxing and hitting the top historical destinations, we happened to arrive the week all the historical activities were free - would be rude not to. Unfortunately I did not get to see the pope but maybe next time.

Here is a collection of images from our time in Rome - thank you dad for a lovely time even tho it was months ago. Where do you want to go next?

If any companies wanna send me on holiday for free don't be afraid to get in touch.