Holiday Blog!

Day 4 in the Vonitsa Boat

Having such a lovely time! I was wrong about Ay Nicholaos, it's really nice here, the taverna is so nice and the sea is amazing!

Had a lazy day today, no sailing, large lie in. Went for breakfast and had the best orange juice ever (considering thats my favourite drink, that is quite amazing for me). We then set up the dinghy, pumping it up and putting it together. Then went out in it with my dad and brother (who was driving), its was so funny because we went really far out to the rocks and almost crashed into them, my dad and I were just shouting at Andrew saying 'turn way, NOW, we're gonna hit the ROCKS!' It's ok, we survived.

Got a bit bored momentarily but it's ok because I ate biscuits (I eat when I'm bored, don't judge me!) Greece's answer to Oreos are actually better than the real thing.

The shower on the boat was freezing today due to the engine not having been on all day, so my mother and I boiled water in the kettle, put it in the sink bowl with a lot of cold water, and used it to wash our hair, it was a bit of a fail to be honest!

Tried Oozo for the first time tonight, tasted so horrible it felt like my throat was dying so I decided not to finish it.

Holiday Blog!

Day 3 in the Vonitsa Boat

Why is it I seem to make a fool of myself everywhere I go? First in Scotland I trip over a bollard (earning the nickname: Vicki Bollard) and now in Greece, I miss two steps out of a restaurant and plant my face straight into the gravel! Hurt like hell, I only have a few grazes but I'll tell you, my ego's pretty bruised!

An early start today, set sail about 10:30am because we had to go a looooong way! Took us about 6 hours to get there, I was afraid I'd be bored. No chance! First saw some dolphins, then fell asleep on deck for about an hour only to wake up by being splashed with water. Why? Because giant waves were splashing against our boat due to high winds, you couldn't stand up because if you did, you'd be on your bum again within seconds, it was so rocky. At one point I though it had calmed down a bit so I got my book out, opened it up and suddenly a huge wave hit and soaked it! Somehow my dad still managed to fall asleep at the wheel (how, just how?), it was only for a second though.

The harbour looked a bit empty and desolate, and apperently we're here for the next 2 days, typical! But for now, swimming will keep me occupied :)

After our swim, we all went to the public showers to get the sea water off, only to find out they had no heating! I could not deal with a cold shower so I went back to the boat and walking out of the taverna is when the INCIDENT happened. (See above)

Had an amazing dinner, the Greeks do good chips! And yet more tzatziki, I love that stuff!

So what an adventure today has been, there's been laughs and good times had, I can't write it hear otherwise it would be bigger than all the coursework I've done this summer (which is about 10,000 words)!

Holiday Blog

Day 2 in the Vanitsa Boat

Woke up this morning feeling so at peace, I'm in Greece, on a yacht and I have no cares in the world! Ahhhh, it's such a nice feeling, I like to relish on it when it ever comes about!

Started sailing about 11ish this morning and am loving it! you can't understand until you're doing it, how wonderful it is. Soaking in the sun to the gentle rock of the waves on the boat. The view is spectacular, I sat on the back and put my legs in the water as we were motoring on (no sailing due to lack of wind and experience), it was so refreshing. We even had the music blaring at one point, no one could hear us , we were in the middle of the sea, so far away from land and people. I was actually allowed to steer the boat at one point, taking charge of the wheel, and we didn't die - BONUS!

 At one point we did manage to get the sail out and were actually going along without any engine power at all, of course this beautiful moment was ruined by my father who decided to do a full 360 with the wheel. My mother was thrown around the cabin downstairs and my brother almost went over the side!

We soon arrived in Ay Euphemia and parked up (interesting experience) and met up with the other for a few V&T's and a dip in the sea, swimming around our boat and trying to avoid being hit by other boats parking up!

Had a lovely group dinner with the whole flotilla, and then it was karaoke night. I had to skip on it though as I am exhausted now and need to get some beauty sleep.

So again another joyous day, and favourite foods so far: oregano crisps and tzatziki, YUM!

Holiday Blog!

Day 1 on the Vonitsa boat

Just arrived and the place is beautiful, very picturesque, there's gorgeous blue sea and the sun is beaming down on us. Met up with my Uncle Robin and Kirsty who bought us some beers to welcome us (they were the ones who persuaded us to do this holiday). Now I have eaten nothing but some plane food and a bacon roll in about 11 hours so am pouring this beer into an empty stomach, not to mention I don't ever actually drink beer, so after about 3 large bottles, you can guess I'm a bit tipsy right now, haha, that's a little pathetic but what can I say, I'm not usually a drinker!

Now sitting in Syvota bay and it is just the complete opposite of home, for one thing its enjoyable and I could stay here forever! The boat itself is quite amazing, very small, kinda like a caravan that floats, but I like things like that, its cozy and personal and comfortable, well for me anyway. My room is literally made up of a bed, a cupboard next to the bed and about 2 feet of space to stand between the bed and the door, but like I said, I don't mind! Cannot wait to set sail tomorrow but for right now all I need is sleep, I'm exhausted, been up since 4am BST and got 2 hours sleep last night!

I'm moving side to side and feel very dizzy, not sure if its the boat or my tipsiness?

Dinner was beautiful, the food is so fresh and flavourful here, I had souvlaki, kinda like a kebab stick, and it was so nice, and apparently the food only gets better from here on out so I'll be letting you know of some of my favourite foods a long the way!

Till tomorrow dear friends!

Long time no speak!

14th of August was my last blog post, it's now 23rd of September, shame on me. What can I say the last months been a blur, I went on holiday a week after my last blog and I was so busy before that finishing coursework. Holiday was AMAZING by the way and my next few blogs will be my Holiday Blog, I wrote up every day of my holiday on my phone and will type it up here. Well, two weeks ago, I got home from my holiday and was thrown back into college lifestyle, so have been very busy lately.

Holiday Blog

So for two weeks I went sailing around the Ionian Islands in Greece, my family and I rented a boat called Vonitsa and we went flotilla sailing with a company name Sailing Holidays Ltd (I thoroughly recommend). Flotilla sailing is when you go sailing with a group of boats with a load of people you don't know and a lead crew made up of a Hostee, Skipper and an Engineer. In my next few blog posts I will be going over what happened day to day on this holiday, so beware, it could be pretty lengthy. But I'm sure you'll enjoy it because every day we went somewhere different and everyday there was a different story. So read on and I hope you like it!

Pet Peeves!!!

Haven't written in so long! Well a week, but that’s because I've been spending all this time procrastinating over doing my coursework, always fun! So today's blog is all about my biggest pet peeves, I do have a few but these two are ones that really tick me off.

Since I started learning to drive back in February I've realised something, people don't seem to know how to use their indicators. It's not that hard, you just push the thing up or down depending on left or right. Yet it seems most people seem to be completely incapable of performing this tiny task. The amount of times I have gone up to a roundabout and either stopped abruptly because someone told me they were going left when in fact they were going straight or slowed down and came to a stop because it looks as if someone is going straight ahead but in fact they are going left! Why can't you tell me where you are going?

It really gets my blood boiling when I'm driving along, minding my own business and another driver completely puts me off by turning off into a side road without signalling. I don't see what the problem is, why is it so hard? I'm a new driver and I get scared easily on the roads, so it would be nice to know that other drivers could perform the basic functions needed to drive a car!

The other night I dropped my brother off at a party at about 10:30pm, it was dark and I'm not used to that so I was being cautious. Then, whilst I'm trying to pull out of a side road onto a main road, a woman who is coming from my right down this main road looks as if she is going to carry on straight, so I stop for her, but suddenly she turns left into the road I'm coming out of. 'Thank you very much' I shouted sarcastically, this woman has just made me come to a stop and get back into 1st gear when I didn't need to be, and that has annoyed me because I'm a new driver and quite often I stall!

But it's not just new drivers stalling that can be the outcome of a lack of signalling, it can also cause unnecessary accidents, so in my opinion, anyone who cannot signal properly or at all, should not be allowed on the roads, because they CAN'T drive!

My second pet peeve is less reasonable, for this I should be a bit more forgiving as even I have done this before, but when I see it, I just get so angry. I'm talking about grammar or spelling mistakes. Ok, I know that there is such a thing as typos but if they are occurring often, then you need to look in a dictionary!

I also know that dyslexia can cause many spelling mistakes and I'm forgiving of that too, I know many people who suffer dyslexia and therefore I know not to get angry at their grammar errors. But if you don't suffer from dyslexia then you have no excuse. The other day I was reading someone else’s blog and I started getting really annoyed at the lack of capital letters at the beginning of sentences. If it occurred once then I would think it a typo but this was frequent, there were no capital letters at all. I knew this person didn't have a problem with spelling and grammar because the blog had started with capital letters; it looked as if half way through the author got lazy and so gave up! How hard is it to press shift? Or Caps Lock? You might be thinking 'what a nerd,' but grammar is important, it's the difference between sending a lovely message to your wife and breaking her heart:

'Having a lovely time, wish you were her.'

Having a lovely time, wish you were here.'

Or it could even save a life:

'Let's eat Grandma.'

Let's eat, Grandma.'

I know, I know, rubbish examples but you get what I'm trying to say. Just take the time to look over what your writing, otherwise I will have to have a 'Grammar Win', in which I point out you're mistake and make you look stupid!

And I hope to God that you noticed those grammar mistakes I put in that previous sentence, if you did then you are as much a nerd as me, if you didn't then check again!

Song's on the radio, Harry Potter and Taylor Swift

So this is my second blog post and today's is going to be a bit of a jumble of stuff that has caught my attention recently.

The first thing is something that has always bothered me. Overplayed music! Why is it most radio stations feel it necessary to play a song over and over again, sometimes once every hour. I get bored of it more easily that way. Take Lady Gaga's song 'The Edge of Glory' for instance, probably the only Lady Gaga song that I actually really like. I heard it on the radio once and instantly loved it, but now I can't stand it. I've heard it so much that if I have to hear it again I'll might actually rip my hair out (and I've just got it the way I like it). Why this sudden change? Maybe because I hear it ALL THE TIME on the radio, everytime I get in the car and put the radio on it's on! You know, I never hear Taylor Swift on the radio, amazing singer, very popular, good music, why isn't she on the radio? Maybe I'm biased since I am in love with Taylor's music! Paramore also are rarely on the radio, and they have recently released a single! And how about a bit of glee every once in a while? If I'm wrong then say so but I think I have a point!

Anyway... So I am a giant Harry Potter fan and have to blog about it!

Might sound a bit sad but I've been looking up videos of Harry Potter on youtube recently, some are pure rubbish but I've found a few diamonds in the rough. One video I love is a 'Friday' parody and it's hilarious not to mention the acting in it is perfect (I tend to notice peoples acting), it's created by The Hillywood Show and I just can't stop watching it. So you should too, click the link to watch Harry Potter Friday Parody 

Another I found is Harry Potter in 99 seconds, very good sum up and also very entertaining! There were quite a few videos of this but this one is my favourite. Click the link to watch Harry Potter in 99 Seconds

I also found a great song, 'Wizard Love' by Meekakitty and HeyHiHello. This song is great, a very catchy pop song with a Harry Potter twist! Click the link to watch Wizard Love 

I also found it on Itunes!

Last but not least. A Very Potter Musical/Sequel. Any true Harry Potter fan would have heard about this! It is, in my opinion, pure awesomeness and is probably the best quotable musical of all time.

And soon there will be a threequel so mega-excitement for this.

Click the link to watch A Very Potter Musical Act 1 Part 1

Well I should probably shush now! Till next time :-)

Introduction to my life and my new blog

So I should probably introduce myself a bit. I am Vicki and this is my blog 'A Random Assortment of Flavours' and here you'll read about little tidbits of my life. BUT, considering my life is not that incredibly interesting, I will also be sharing my views on the world and current issues. You might be thinking "oh dear, not another person who thinks they know everything about the world and can solve all it's problems," however I'm hoping to be a journalist so one day that might actually be my job! I'm kidding of course. So this blog is about me and my troubles as well as current affairs, random facts and info and a lot of opinions from me, which is why my blog is called 'A Random Assortment of Flavours'. Gettit?!

So to start off my new blog, I think I'll start talking about some recent events in my life. Last Friday I recieved probably the best present I have ever gotten from my parents, and that is... Daisy, my new car!

I am so pleased that I now have a car, it fills me with immense freedom, I no longer need to get my mum to take me out, I can just go myself. Yesterday, I went out and bought myself a frappacino from Starbucks, it was amazing to be able to just do that and I could just take myself!

However with this new found freedom comes a HUGE responsibility, you're thinking the usual right? Washing it, not crashing, not speeding, not scratching the car etc... No I'm talking about not getting lost! Let's just say my sense of direction is a bit off after the fiasco I had on Monday.

I had planned my journey perfectly, I live in Farnborough and I needed to get to Camberley to drop of a friends birthday present, I knew where she lived and I knew how to get there. I then needed to go back to Farnborough to pick up another friend from work and give her back the cake tins I'd been harbouring for 5 months. Sounds pretty simple right? WRONG! Don't get me wrong, I got to Camberley just fine but couldn't find my friends road. I hadn't realised that I had gone past it and got to the A30 in Camberley which was queued with traffic for about a mile, fun! So I joined the queue and looked down at my clock to see that I had to pick up my other friend from work in less than 10 minutes. So at this point I knew I was gonna be late but there was no way of getting out of this traffic queue. So I sat and waited for 20 minutes until finally I got to the front of the queue. The reason why there was traffic was apparent when I got to the end, the Meadows Roundabout, as there were roadworks going on and only one lane was open, and when my car decided to break down, I was blocking that one lane with a mile long queue of traffic behind me! Oh dear. I tried to keep calm and I called one of the men doing the roadworks over and told him I had broken down. He was a lovely man and kindly helped me move over to the outside lane. He told me I had flooded my engine (how did I do that?) and needed to let the car rest for a minute, he then stopped the traffic going past so that I could get out. I shouted thank you back at him from out of my window, I was so pleased!

Of course my troubles did not stop there.

I drove up to Sainsbury's in Watchmoor Park, I needed to park up and calm myself down. I rang my friend and told her I was going to be late picking her up from work, she kindly said she was willing to wait for me. I then got on the map on my phone and found a way to my other friends house to drop off this present. So I found my way there and went down the 2nd exit at a roundabout which lead to her road which happened to blocked off (just my luck)! So I texted her to come to the end of her road and turn left, where I was parked up. So I managed to get one task finished that day!

After leaving her I knew I needed to go back past Sainsbury's and go up to the roundabout that lead to the motorway to get back to Farnborough. There was a bit of a problem though, I didn't know what exit to take and there was no way I was going on the motorway until I do my PassPlus. So I got to the roundabout and with a choice of 2 exits, I took the wrong one and ended up on a slip road to the motorway. I panicked but knew there would be no way of going back, so I continued. I got to the motorway and just got on it! I was so pleased and proud of myself, I did it safely and managed to not to kill anyone. Unfortunateley, the problem with going this way is that I was heading to Windsor and Ascot, and not back to Farnborough. So I managed to get on the motorway safely, I just got on it the wrong way! So I got off at the next junction and suddenly saw a sign saying 'Welcome to Bagshot'.

Now, those of you who know the area will know that Bagshot is only a 15 minute drive from Farnborough and it's not that far away. But as soon as I arrived there, on my own, not knowing the way back, Bagshot suddenly felt like a foreign country hundreds of miles away!

So I parked up in a car park next to a garden centre and it happened... I knew it was coming... I'd been holding it back for the past 2 hours... there was no way of stopping it... I burst into tears! Hey, it's not my fault I was in shock, it had been a very, VERY bad day! So I rang my mum and as she heard the despair in my voice, she immediatly thought I had been in a car accident only to find out I had got lost in Bagshot. Next I texted my friend and had to break the news, an hour after she had finished work, there was no way I would be able to pick her up, I felt awful but I was so in shock that I just wanted to get home, I would not trust myself going out again, at least until I'd calmed down. Luckily for me my mum was kind enough to come out and get me, I followed her car home and arrived at my house at ten minutes past 6 in the evening, that was a whole 3 hours after I had left the house that afternoon!

So to sum up what was a longer story than I had intended, always make sure you know where you are going before you leave for a journey and plan detours in case of things like traffic queues and roadworks because you never know what is going to happen out on the roads. OR get a SatNav!