hollyberries

I'm the type of person who always has high expectations for things, which often leads to disappointment. I don't mean to, I just prefer to think only about the best possibilities, but they're not always 100% realistic. Before I set off on my year abroad I was so excited to start, what everyone had told me would be, the best year of my life so far. But of course, people only ever tell you the good parts. So I had really got my hopes up that as soon as my feet hit Spanish soil I'd be having the time of my life. The truth is, so far, it hasn't been exactly what I was expecting. In fact it's been quite a bit worse. Moving country is hard, man. I found leaving home to go to university scary enough, and this is the same, but like 100 times different.  I know Spain isn't massively far away from England but it suddenly feels like everything is different. The people, the food, the shops, the language (duh), the lifestyle. Obviously it's amazin

Hola amigos! So I haven't blogged for a while and I've got a bit of an update.  I've moved to Spain! Basically, I am now in the third year of my undergraduate degree at the University of Exeter (aka I'm supposedly almost a grown-up) and because I study languages I have the amazing opportunity to spend it abroad. So that's what I'm doing. A couple of weeks ago I attempted to pack my life into a couple of suitcases and flew to Madrid to start my 9-month adventure.  With accommodation, a Spanish bank account, and even a gym membership (who am I) all finally sorted, I'm beginning to feel a lot more settled.  And if you're wondering what I'm actually doing out here (other than eating tapas , paella , churros con chocolate ...(now you understand the gym membership)), I am working in a school as an English language assistant , helping teachers prepare lessons and helping the students with their English. I know I've only just started but

There are some real weirdos in this world, and I love it . Apparently they all congregate in the beautiful city of Edinburgh during August. This gathering of weirdos is also known as The Edinburgh Festival Fringe . And it's AWESOME . I'd never been to the Fringe before, so on our way up to spend a few days with my parents in Aberdeenshire, my friend Polly and I decided to stop off in Edinburgh for a night and explore the festival. This is Polly. It was all rather last minute, so of course all the well known shows were sold out, but that didn't matter because we stumbled upon some absolute crackers . Even just strolling up and down The Royal Mile there's so much to see, like these amazing roller bladers (who were actually figure skaters but had adapted due to the somewhat lack of ice on the street)...  ...or these amazing acrobats just being completely casual (follow them  here ). The first actual show we went to see was an improvised

Hello again friends! Long time. Long time. I have broken my blog fast (not a thing) to bring you these wondrous cupcakes , sent down from actual heaven above. They literally floated down from the cloudless sky on a heart-shaped board, accompanied by a choir of singing cherubs . For reals.  Only joking.  The sky isn't cloudless. This is the British summer, people. But seriously, these are the Ryan Gosling of the cupcake world.   Dreamy.  Nutella on Nutella on Nutella. And here's how to make them. Ingredients (makes ~12): For the cupcakes: 100g plain flour  20g cocoa powder 140g caster sugar 1.5 tsp baking powder a pinch of salt 20g ground hazelnuts 40g butter (room temp.) 120ml milk 1 egg Nutella (enough for a dollop per cupcake - precise, I know.) For the frosting: 180g cream cheese (1 pack of Philadelphia) 100g Nutella* Chopped hazelnuts (to decorate) *It's up to you how Nutella-y you want the frosting, so just taste

Hello pals. Somehow, my second year of university is officially over. All my exams are finished, and it's all just fun and games now until September, when I'll be off to Madrid (eeeeeep) for my year abroad! (So let's be honest, the fun and games won't stop there). Anyway, so my housemates and I wanted to do something fun to celebrate surviving year two. Staying in a yurt just seemed like the obvious choice really. We booked to stay in the 'Skylark Tent' at  West Kellow Yurts , just outside  Polperro in Cornwall , and it couldn't have been cuter. We were even greeted by a welcome pack of Cornish cider and a little booklet telling us the best places to visit and restaurants to eat at in the area. They have three yurts in total, as well as a wet room with a shower, toilet and sink, a small kitchen area, and a living area. (Complete with giant playing cards. A camping essential. #obvs) Giant snap happened. We were soon all s