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Happiness & Joy

Thirty Two Today – My Birthday Plans

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, LifeNo Comments

Good morning everyone,

Today is my thirty second birthday. I’m not actually sat here writing this, it’s a scheduled post.

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I’m Thirty Two Today!

My birthday plans include a well-earned break from work for a week.

Today I’m off to Newcastle to see castles with Simon. In fact we are probably already on our way as this post is published. There are two English Heritage castles nearby that we want to see, along with Newcastle Castle.

Later in the week, mum and I are off to re-visit Harry Potter Studio Tour. You can see photos from when first visited the Harry Potter Studio Tour in 2014 here.

So expect to see blog posts about the above soon. In the meantime have an awesome week.

Write soon,

Antony

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Monday 14 May 2018

Handmade Pumpkin Spice Scented Candles – Made with My New Candle Wax Melting Pan from Candle Shack

By Happiness & Joy, The WebNo Comments

Hello all,

I’m excited to be writing to share news of my latest creative project. This afternoon I have completed a batch of 15 handmade Pumpkin Spice scented candles as presents for Samhain. All 15 candles are spoken for, but you’ll have to wait till around Halloween to see if you’re one of the lucky people getting one.

I had the initial idea for these candles back in the end of 2016. But like most of my creative projects, lots of time passes between the idea and the completion of the project.

I bought the wax and dye from Supplies for Candles. I bought the fragrance from craftovator on ebay.

I treated myself to this brilliant candle wax melting pan from Candle Shack. If you make candles as a hobby you need this pan. I used to use a plastic jug in a pan of boiling water. This melting pan has quartered the time it takes me to make candles.

Once you have this candle wax melting pan, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. Here are some photos of my new candle wax melting pan:

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My new candle wax melting pan from Candle Shack (1).
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You fill the melting pan with water like an iron. It holds a massive 1.5 KGS of melted wax. I had been using a plastic jug in a pan. This melting pan has quartered the time it takes me to make candles.

Here are some photos of the candles. They just need finishing off by tying a witchy charm to the jar.

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My batch of handmade Pumpkin Spiced Scented Candles.
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One of my Pumpkin Spiced Scented candles. They just need some witchy charms tying to each jar.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Saturday 28 April 2018

Beeston Castle in Cheshire – More a Ruin than a Castle

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, History, LifeNo Comments
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Beeston Castle Gatehouse.

 Earlier today my good friend Steve and I went to Beeston Castle and Woodland Park. The weather was glorious, sunshine, temperature in the high twenties and not a cloud in the sky.

Beeston Castle is more a ruin than a castle. The gatehouse is at the bottom of a hill and it houses a small gift shop. It’s a uphill walk to the main ruin of the castle, a walk that I felt in my legs and reminded my of how un-physically fit I am.

There was a St. George & The Dragon event on which was popular with families.

Here are some photos:

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Beeston Castle has a small exhibition detailing its history.
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Beeston Castle exhibition display cabinet (1).
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Beeston Castle exhibition display cabinet (2).
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Ruins of a tower.
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The path up to the main ruin.
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The main ruin from a distance.
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The entrance to the main ruin (1).
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The entrance to the main ruin (2). From the bridge was a sheer drop of at least thirty feet.
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Me.
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Inside the main ruin (1).
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Inside the main ruin (2).
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Inside the main ruin (3).
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Inside the main ruin (4).

Essential Info

  • Beeston Castle is ruins of a castle. It also has a woodland park to walk in.
  • Recommended, but it is pricy for what it is.
  • Admission Fee: Adult £7-9.
  • Opening Times: To see Opening Times on English Heritage website click here.
  • Parking: A paid carpark is opposite Beeston Castle’s Gatehouse.
  • Caution: If your mobility is poor, this isn’t a great site for you to visit. It’s an uphill walk to the main ruin site.
  • Has a small exhibition.
  • Has a small gift shop.

I’ve wanted to visit Beeston Castle for a number of years and I’m glad I did, especially on such a lovely day. But because it’s more a ruin than a castle, I probably wont be going back any time soon.

Especially not when I have Rivington’s Lever Castle on my doorstep with no entry fee and beautiful woodland to walk in.

Blog soon,

Antony



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Saturday 21 April 2018

Last Weekend: My Housemate’s Hunt For A Cockatiel

By Happiness & Joy, Life, PetsNo Comments
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Steve’s new Cockatiel – Charkuro

 Last weekend my housemate, Steve, and I set out on the hunt for a cockatiel. Steve had wanted a cockatiel for years and decided it was finally time to get one.

We scoured all the local pet shops. Most of them weren’t getting any cockatiels in for few weeks. But then we went into PAWS Pet Shop. They had three, two females and one male. We instantly fell in love with the male, who is cheeky, chirpy and curious.

The staff at PAWS Pet Shop are knowledgeable, genuinely care for the animals (evident by clean cages, fresh food and water and gentle handling) and were more than helpful. In fact they were superb. I should add here that I’m not getting paid to say any of these things. I was just impressed with the small local business and want to spread the word.

We left PAWS Pet Shop with the cockatiel, a cage, some food, some toys, some sandpaper and various other bird-related bits and pieces.

While Steve was trying to think of a name for his new pet, I started calling him Charlie or Cheeky Charlie. Steve made me chuckle by saying: ‘You don’t get to name my pet.’
‘Well what do I call him until you think of a name?’ I replied.
‘The Bird.’
‘Okay. I’ll call him “The Bird.”‘

Luckily for “The Bird,” Steve came up with a name the following day: Chakuro. He’s the newest addition to our household and settling in well.

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Another photo of the extremely cute and chirpy Chakuro.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Friday 30 March 2018
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