Harry Potter World - Studio Tour

For both Alex & Mickey’s main Christmas gift we bought them tickets to go with Dusa and I to the newest attraction in town, the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden. Best of all I managed to buy the tickets the day I first saw it advertised, probably as far back as October 2011 and the attraction didn’t open until April, which meant that we had tickets in the opening few weeks. Initially we arranged to meet at Kings Cross, so we could enjoy a lunch together (Especially as it was the day after the Steps concert), so we met at Benito’s Hat in the newly opened section of Kings Cross Station. Wow, what a transformation. So we all had a nice Mexican lunch and had our picture taken next to Platform 9 & ¾. Now despite having checked the website in advance for travel directions, I could have sworn it said that the trains left from Kings Cross. It must have been subliminal and my thinking that it would actually be platform 9 & ¾. But I was mistaken and we had to take a short journey to Euston, before getting the Train to Watford Junction where it said you could collect a coach to the Studios.

We found the bus stop by the simple fact it was the only one with a huge line and were informed we had just missed a coach filled to capacity. We didn’t however have to wait too long before we spotted a bright purple livery Harry Potter Themed Double Decker heading up the road. Within 15 minutes we were pulling into the Studio Car Park. The Studios themselves, having been home to the most successful movie franchise ever have now sadly closed to the movie making business and this has therefore enabled them to use several of the soundstages to house the new Harry Potter Tour. We entered the large Lobby which had enormous pictures from all of the movies around the top and you could hear the magical music from the movie being played over the loud speakers. We collected our Audio Tour sets from the booth. Expecting something like a Walkman we were quite impressed at being given an iTouch each with Malfoy providing the narration and the guide itself interactive. For each section you could click on a button on the screen to view further pictures or alternatively video clips. We stood in line to enter the tour for a few moments and were then lead through into a small holding room for what they would call at Disney the Pre Show and a movie was played about how the phenomenon of Harry Potter took off and how it very quickly was written into a screen play and the movies were being filmed, long before the final book had been penned. Moving on from the Pre Show, there was an Cinema where we were asked to take our seats and were shown an introduction movie by hosted by Harry, Ron & Hermione. Then totally unexpected the screen lifted to reveal a giant set of Golden Coloured doors.

The guide was hyping us up asking “Are you ready for the excitement to begin?” Then the doors, which must have been at least 13 feet tall opened revealing the Great Hall of Hogwarts on the other side. We were all asked to rise to our feet and the tour began. There we were standing inside the Great Hall. Two of the House Tables had been removed to ensure there was enough space for us all to enter while two tables remained. Down each side Gargoyles, each different hung and beneath them were suspended a giant iron bowl which flickered with actual flames.

Behind each of the tables were costumes of various characters and at the far end the Top Table where there were life size characters of all of the teachers, again dressed in actual costumes.

We were given some information about the great hall and informed that the tour itself was being housed in two of the Sound Stages that were used in the movie, the two that they had saved were Sound Stages J & K in honour of the author.

From the Great Hall we continued the tour at own pace. Where we were able to see props and memorabilia from all eight of the movies and sets both large and small. From the Griffindoor Boys Dormitory to Dumbledoors Office, the home of the Weasleys and Hagrids Hut, The Ministry of Magic. We got to see Harry’s old home, 4 Privet Drive, stepped on to the 3 story Knight Bus and then walked past Gringotts and all the way up Diagonally stopping naturally to take pictures of Olivanders Wand shop and Weasleys Gags and Wheezes.

Mid-way through the tour there were refreshment stands and we were able to each enjoy a glass of Butter Beer and the tour ended with possibly the most magical part of all, a chance to see the actual model of Hogwarts where all of the outdoor action shots were taken before the introduction to CIG in the final 8th movie. For the second time in the tour we all found our body tingling with tiny goosebumps. Seeing it all again made me remember all the fond memories of that first time I picked up my first copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and the memories of reading each and every book. The mania involved of going to the store at Midnight and standing in line with hundreds of other people to get your hands on the copy on the day of release and the wonder of seeing it all come to life on the screen. What a wonderful day out celebrating wonderful stories.

STEPS LIVE

To think that my Facebook Profile said for years "Bring Back Steps", it was at the time just a dream that they would come back but on 19th April 2012, that dream became a reality. I arrived at the 02 at Five PM and met Patsie for a fabulous catch up. We dined in Armadillio and sat down to enjoy Nachos, Cocktails, Starters, Cocktails, Burnt Ends, Cocktails.... How do they manage to serve up the food so quick in these places? We hadn't been inside more than 40 minutes and yet we had a full meal! We made our way across to the Union Bar and it was there that Scott and Jazz found us and then Mikey and Emily. As we browsed our Facebook profiles you could tell that the 02 was uber Gay that night! We made our way to our seats......okay so they were in the Gods and people with Virtigo need not apply, but the great thing about the 02 is you can see the Stage wherever you are. Once they came on stage it was like old times... the hits just knocked out and it even included a solo section. Claire Rocked! We were on our feet from beginning to end and I had forgotten how much of a workout a dance routine can be.... 5678, 1 for Sorrow, 2 for love.... I was so excited it reminded me of seeing them at G-A-Y and I thought it almost compulsory to take my shirt off. We danced we sang we cheered, it was one of the bests concerts I have ever been too. And who would have thought that we would get to see them again? Who's next? ABBA?

Easter Break Villas Blancas

One of the best things about working in Finance is the fact you are forced to take a full ten days block leave every year off. And what better way to spend it than with friends in Gran Canaria. We had our bags packed and met up with Mark & Richard at New Cross Gate Station for the short journey to London Gatwick Airport.

There were no queues at the airport, it was just drop off the cases and go straight through to the first class lounge. Well thanks to Priority Pass the four of us made our way to the VIP Lounge where we could relax and enjoy the facilities away from the hassle and bushel of the regular terminal building. A Bloody Mary poured and the wifi connected. This is the life. The lounge was heaving to be honest, I have never seen a busier VIP lounge. Why do they allow in Children? Isn't that what we paid to escape? But relax Neil, its fine. And we soon learn that if you unscrew the caps from the easy-pour you can get much more booze in your glass! So we settled down and relaxed in the lounge pre flight. Bliss.

Air Europa had us settled down in Madrid in just over two hours. Rain was pouring down the windows of the terminal building but as they say "The Rain in Spain stays mainly on the plane", now we had to change terminals. Okay, so you can fly direct, but the flight times are awful especially on the home bound, and considering it was Easter we got a bargain. So are we flying to Gran Canaria or walking. Seriously, it feels like we have walked miles to get to Terminal Two. Finally, there's the gate! Hmmm Subway. I'm starving. So I make my way over to the Subway Concession. Okay, what shall I have. There's no Chicken Teriyaki here. 6 inch or 12? hmmm. Are they starting to board? They cant? Surely? I mean, its not time is it? This is n't like a Subway at home at all. The queue isn't even moving and there are what? 15 people in front of me? They are definitely shuffling forward towards the gate. What kind of Bread do they have here? Okay, this queue is definitely not moving fast. Hmmm I give up, I return my water to the refrigerator and rejoin Dusan, Richard and Mark at the gate. I'll buy a Sandwhich on-board.
Sorry sir, can you come back please... there is a problem with your seat. The lady quickly calls back Mark and then as she cans each of our boarding passes crosses out the issued seat number and writes on mine 4C. Ooh an upgrade! The four of us, upgraded at the gate. Richard, you've done us proud. As we walk down the gangway and are greated "Welcome Aboard" ah to the Left please. Yes, as Alex always says Never Turn Right on an airplane. Wow this is a big Jet an Airbus 330. We are seen to our seats and the stewardess takes our coats and hangs them up for us! Would we care for a glass of Orange Juice or Water before take off? How big is this seat? I stretch out my legs and for the life of me can not even touch the seat in front of me! Wow. We have a lovely flat screen TV in front of us and the four of us can not believe our luck. Why us? Dressed in jeans? But who cares? Here we are in First Class! Marvelous.
The flight took off and that's really when the fun begins. First I had a lovely Jack Daniels and Diet Coke and what's this button do? Wow, no really this bed does go flat! Brrrrrrrrr I press all of the different settings just to get a feel of what its like? If only we were flying further than the Canaries. What's that smell? Is something burning? Don't be silly. That's our dinner. Out comes the service and were fed a lovely three course meal and did I mention the flat bed?

We had private transfers booked and so once we collected our cases our driver was waiting and the car whisked us away to Villas Blancas. Our home for the next ten days. Our Villa was devine. We had been given a 3 bedroom one in Villas Blancas II, Marvelous. Set around the quieter of the two pools it had everything we needed. A nice kitchen, Television, Dining Table. A table on the Terrace and a Breakfast Bar.

All of us wanted to ensure it was a proper rest and the trouble with Gran Canaria can be that you come back more tired than you leave, especially as many of the bars and venues don't really open till around midnight so our first night we decided to have some food and stay home.

We never made it to the beach! The first day was somewhat overcast, so Richard, Dusan and I took a long walk down to the Faro Lighthouse and a look along the promenade and the newer area of Maspalomas. Thankfully the weather improved and we all managed to work on our tans. We alternated our nights out dining in restaurants and taking turns of cooking at the villa and you know you feel at home when your so happy in the resort that your not worried about leaving the complex. With its Two Pools and a fabulous Jacuzzi it was just heaven. On the Friday evening Villas Blancas hosts an event, so we joined them for a lovely Barbecue. Which is more of a social gathering than anything else. For your 16 Euros we received 3 glasses of Cava each and a sumptuous meal. Very nice.

Thankfully the weather picked up and we soon had our base tans developed. Bliss. We alternated nights out with nights in and before we knew it our time was up. Another fabulous holiday was over. Thanks to the boys for a fabulous time and now time to hit the gym and work off some of those cocktails!