Summer dreaming

Yesterday I went on a bike ride after work with a friend from work who's leaving to university. I haven't been on a bike ride in so long and i had a wonderful time! we went strawberry picking on the PYO farm although most of them were out of season.We also ate a few along the way... then we headed of to a lake with an island and some ducks and geese which Sam terrorised on his bike. Afterwards, it was off to the pub for some cider and chips. we chatted on the swings in a park I haven't visited since I was seven, which brought back so many memories of being a little girl and getting lost in the woods nearby. My chain came off when I cycled over a big tree root so we had to walk all the way home. It was a fun few hours and lovely to enjoy the few, but glorious, summer days that the British must come to expect.

Banksy vs. Bristol Museum: This is not a Queing oppurtunity

Today we drove all the way to Bristol at 8 in the morning to see the Banksy exhibition we ended up queuing for 4 hours! There were hundreds of people queuing down one road and around the corner to get into the official queue! We were waiting in the rain but no one seemed too bored or tired, probably from excitement and anticipation. I also had time to do a spot of shopping and wandering round Bristol whilst Mum and Dad waited. I bought a vintage sailboat scarf in Motel and this song was playing. Strangely I had heard it before this week in Germany and had to ask what it was. It makes me feel like dancing in my room in a bubblegum dress. Anyway I returned and we waited another hour and a half in the pouring rain. Kindly the people behind us sheltered us with their large umbrella. We also had a giggle at the terrible busking didgeridoo player. Eventually we got a hand stamp and into the queue at the entrance and finally into the exhibition. It was a really fun layout with a melted ice cream van as the information desk and Roman statues in silly poses. I don't think I've ever laughed or gasped in an art gallery before and really enjoyed the exhibition and hunting down the various vandalized paintings hidden on the three floors. I also saw the Owl and the Pussycat by Peter Blake, 2 Beryl Cook paintings and a Renoir. But I was most inspired by a tall vase and an enamel picture by Edward Raby. They reminded me of the paper flowers that appeared at Chanel and were spectacular!

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Kanibal So Shei Work Experience

I haven't written in so long as I have been very busy doing work experience in London I stayed in Barnet and got the Northern and Central Line to Bond Street station. I was working at a Lingerie designer called Kanibal UK, who design underwear for their label So Shei and Sista Shei as well as Primark, Next and Ann Summers. I was so frightened at first for many reasons. I was sure I would get lost on the tubes, I did a few times but always found my way back, I thought I would get kidnapped or robbed, I would be late, I would be working on the shop floor the whole two weeks, the people at Kanibal would be terrifying fashionistas, I would do things wrong and I would miss the train home each Friday evening to Waterloo. So much anxiety... Well it was such a wonderful two weeks. I feel so at home in London. I love the anonymity of cities although I dislike it at times. Nobody seems to take much notice of each other, but sometimes there is a sense that they are just uncaring. I enjoyed the tube journeys the first week although I had to get up so early to catch the train. I like sitting and looking at all the books, papers and magazines passengers read, trying to figure out the language they are chattering down the phone on the overground, watching the men eye up the girls and the girls being totally oblivious. But the novelty wore off in the second week when they became huge metal saunas. Armpits were in faces and the strong smell of body odour circulated the rail car. There is also the fight to grab a seat before your 15 stops are up. One woman practically rugby tackled me and two commuters to a seat in front of me, I decided I'd rather be polite and wait for another person to get up. Not that I had a choice. I got work experience through a friends sister, Nicola, who was a former student at our school. She still comes back each year to show students her work at uni and the work she is doing at the moment. She said that students could come and do work experience with her if they likes, although I think it was aimed more at foundation students than A Level, but I thought why not? and Nicola said none of them had contacted her anyway. The shop is down South Molton Street just a few doors down from Butler and Wilson and Browns, Luella was at the end of the road on New Bond Street which was exciting but I didn't dare venture in. I did wander further down New Bond Street to stare at Graff diamonds, Tiffany, Hermes, Chanel fine jewellery, Pringle and the boards for the new Louis Vuitton store. I headed down to the Burlington arcade to gawp at the delicious Laduree shop, with its golden walls encasing Marie Antoinette's sweet treasures. I boought some macarons for the office, my Auntie and Mum and Dad to say thank you. The office of Kanibal is above the So Shei shop and the showroom has large windows that look down upon the street and passersby. I worked towards the back of the building, at a computer by the kitchen, encased in as fortress of cardboard boxes filled with bras, knickers and suspenders. I was taught how to design underwear on illustrator, how they gather ideas and research and was shown briefs from the various companies. I even got to design some socks for Primark! On my last day Nicola made a map of her favourite fabric shops in London so I went out on my lunch break to find them. I ended up buying £30 worth of a gorgeous cotton printed with teapots that appear to be flowers. I had previously considered buying a wonderful Grayson Perry printed cotton in Liberty's which I had seen in Vogue but felt it was too expensive. After I left Berwick Street Fabric shop I realised the time. I'd been gone two hours! I called Nicola rushing back but got lost. Eventually I found my way and we frantically printed off my work and she put into a folder for me. They were all so kind to me and i was allowed to choose some underwear to take home! I chose the lovely Summer Fete set with its ladybird print. Another surprise was that they had bought a beautiful cake for me from Patisserie Valerie which we sat and scoffed with a few glasses of Prosecco. I was sad to leave but had a lovely time.

My Birthday and Gaunts House

Six formers went on a course at Gaunts House, a beautiful country mansion in Wimborne, which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere although it is a ten minute drive to the bustling town. It is a heavenly and blissful place. My favourite room reminded me of a modest Versailles. There were portraits of Jane Austen-esque Lords and Ladies and a mural of kissing swallows swooping in the blue sky had a circular ornately carved border. The curtains were a pale blue, silver and gold and two huge gold rococo mirrors were at either end, a glass house attached to the side. The Breakthrough course aims to improve confidence and helps you to achieve your aims in life through studying how you view yourself, the ways in which you approach tasks and speak to and about yourself. At first I thought the course was wishy-washy and full of psychobabble but tried to look at it open mindedly and took each task with a fresh outlook. And by the end I think it was a really effective and useful course which I will take on and improve on for the rest of my life. The atmosphere at the house was really friendly and reminded me of an old hippy commune where everyone chipped in with housework. There was a real community spirit and felling of people supporting one another. The food was good too and all vegetarian which made a nice change. Breaks were the best part of the day as we got to roam around the grounds, soak up the sunshine and swim in the pool. The boys were in at every opportunity diving and bombing. Half the water ended up on the poolside but it was fabulous fun. on the way home i was serenaded 'Happy Birthday' by the coach which was embarassing but sweet. In the evening we went to the beach swimming and on to Wagamamas for a delicious meal and a slice of chocolate cake with a little candle on the top.

Banksy Exhibition 13th June-31st August

I must visit the exhibition in Bristol museum this summer but am so busy. Apparently the woman who collaborated with Banksy in organising the exhibition lost her job, not telling her boss what was happening. But she said she has no regrets. :) http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2009/jun/12/banksy-bristol-art-exhibition?picture=348798024

Clara

I had a lovely day today although it was the first day of school. Period 4 and 5 were frees so I sat outside and sunbathed. Cindy and I stayed behind at school after period 5 talking. It was lovely to talk properly, alone for a few hours even though we really should have gone home. When I arrived back home a letter from darling Clara had arrive! I was so thrilled! There is something so precious and personal about a letter, especially when most communicate long distance through email and Facebook. I wrote back immediately, although I wrote so much it took an hour and a half. I miss her and Daniela desperately and cannot wait to see them in Frankfurt this summer. Today I wore my favourite new 50s skirt that I bought for £8 at a carboot sale, although I had to restitch the side seam and take down the dodgy hem. I have decided it is lucky as when I wore it to Salisbury I bagged 4 60s Crimplene dresses at a charity shop and a 50s wastepaper bin, and today has been such a lovely day.

Hazy Days in the Springtime Garden

Sunshine

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