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Vimto Fusion Festival 2015 – August Bank Holiday Weekend!

Hi everyone,

So during the last August bank holiday I attended a huge music festival with my younger sisters in Birmingham’s Cofton Park. The event has been running at the venue for the past three years and hosts Capital FM had promised that this year’s festival would be the biggest yet and they certainly didn’t disappoint! With huge headline acts over the three day weekend, including Ed Sheeran, Rudimental and McBusted, Vimto Fusion Festival was one of the highlights of the 2015 music calendar so far.

Image courtesy of Google Images

We visited on the Sunday, 30th August, to see supergroup McBusted as the headliners along with a host of other stars including British pop princess Jess Glynne, US rocker Adam Lambert, hit boybands The Vamps and Union J and teen heartthrob Conor Maynard to name but a few. We arrived at the festival shortly before the gates opened at midday so didn’t spend much time queuing. Our transport was courtesy of a brilliant Fusion package put together by the festival in conjunction with National Express. Our ticket price was £79pp including entry to the festival and a return coach journey from Cheltenham which worked out brilliantly as the coach stop was virtually opposite Cofton Park. The event was very well organised with each act on stage at an allotted time and intervals in between each one so there was plenty of time for toilet, food and drinks breaks which was essential!!

The layout of the festival was brilliant, the site was enormous and there were plenty of food and drink outlets offering almost every type of food you could think of; from pizza to pancakes and curries to candyfloss there really was something for everyone! There were a couple of bars on site and drinks prices were about what you would expect to pay at a pop up event but there were also free wine samples being handed out which me and my middle sister took advantage of… much to the dismay of our disapproving 16 year old sibling!

As well as food and drink outlets there were also a range of pop up shops selling sweets, confectionary and typical festival items including flowery headdresses, glow in the dark boppers and, of course, the trusty pac a mac’s and ponchos that have been seen everywhere during this rainy summer! Although it did rain most of the day, it was warm and humid and was lovely when the sun was out! The umbrellas and wellies were out in full force though and this added to the festival vibe that was present throughout the event- think Glastonbury but without the tents and communal showers!

As the event was sponsored by Vimto and Capital FM, there were free goodies being handed out throughout the day along with various competitions and prizes up for grabs. Vimto staff members were handing out as many free drinks bottles as you could manage, whilst Capital FM were giving away free ponchos (extremely useful as mentioned above!!) and were mingling with the crowds taking professional photos for their online social media gallery. Huge loudspeakers blasted out the latest chart tunes across the park whilst the entertaining Dance Cam was on hand to capture the audience singing and dancing along to the music before projecting their beaming smiles on the large screens on stage. There was also a large bouncy castle and a fairground for the kids (and adults) which was a great way of passing the time before the show started at 2pm.

We had been sitting on our coats up on a hill a short distance away from the stage and were getting up and dancing along with fellow crowd members before we walked down towards the stage to get our spots prior to the larger acts being introduced. Blankets and coats were allowed but deck chairs were forbidden so be mindful of this if you are hoping to set up for the day! Capital FM DJ Christian Williams did a warm up to the concert shortly before 2pm, playing new music and chart hits to get the party started before fellow DJ act Gorgon City opened the show. They were followed by teen sensation Conor Maynard and Youtubers Alexa Goddard and Karen Harding along with new Irish boyband Hometown before the bigger acts appeared on stage from around 5.30pm until 9pm. Union J and The Vamps both played brilliant sets and really got the crowds going – there were hundreds of screaming girls everywhere we looked! Adam Lambert was brilliant and Jess Glynne was incredible, both of their voices sounded amazing with the live music!

Finally, just after 9pm, headliners McBusted graced the stage and kicked off their show with hit song Air Guitar. They sounded brilliant together and it was easy to see why the newly formed super group had been such a hit with audiences. They proceeded to delight the crowds with Busted classics including You Said No, Crashed The Wedding and Thunderbirds Are Go along with McFly chart toppers Five Colours In Her Hair, Obviously and All About You. The set was brilliant and I have never danced so much in my life! I saw McBusted in July when I went to their outdoor Concert at Westonbirt Arboretum so the set was virtually the same, but seeing my sisters faces light up when all our childhood classics were played was an amazing moment and made for a fantastic concert. McBusted bowed out to the hugely popular Year 3000 which we were singing all the way back to the coach and was a perfect ending to the show.

For our first experience at Fusion we all had a wonderful time and categorically agreed that we would all be back next year without doubt! The festival was great for adults, kids, groups and families alike and there was something on offer for everyone. A big thank you to all the organisers and the brilliant acts for putting on such a fantastic concert, we will certainly be back!

Have you ever been to a music festival before? How did you find it, and was it worth being out in the rain all day?! I’d love to hear your experiences!

Love Jess x

September 15, 2015/2 Comments/by jessicalouise1601

British Summertime Festival: London

Hi everyone,

This week we are set for a heatwave here in Britain with temperatures in some parts of the country reaching as high as 33 degrees! I love a good old British summer, with the sun shining gloriously one day and then the skies pouring with rain the next! It looks as though we are in for a good few months of warm weather though so fingers crossed it stays that way. Luckily my family are one of the thousands that have booked a stay-cation and we will be holidaying in the UK this year. We are off to sunny Cornwall at the end of this week so I’ll be posting about that on my return, in the meantime you can check my Instagram account while I’m away to see all my seaside snaps!

Anyway, back to this post and in line with the GB theme that’s present throughout many of my articles I thought I’d bring you a review of a summers day out I recently had in London. I headed to Hyde Park in the capital on for the annual British Summertime Festival that returned for its second year running. This year the line up was huge, with headline acts including Kylie Minogue, Blur, Taylor Swift & The Who. Spread across two different weekends, the concerts provide a fun filled day out for all the family with plenty of food stalls, bars, kids activity dens and fairground rides. I attended with one of my close friends on Sunday 21^st June and our headline act was global superstar Kylie Minogue featuring disco band Chic & Nile Rodgers, pop star Mika, icon Grace Jones and the up and coming Years & Years and Foxes. There was a real festival vibe throughout the venue and it was very chilled, the weather was great and we had a fantastic time!

General admission was at 1pm so we caught a late morning Oxford Tube from Thornhill Park & Ride direct to Marble Arch – this is a brilliant way of travelling from Oxford to London and our adult return fares were just £14 each! After we were allowed in we checked out the attractions around the park, got our faces painted for free by the Palmolive promo team & had a ride on the fairground. Just be aware that once you’re into the park and your tickets have been scanned you aren’t allowed out again so there’s no chance of popping back to Oxford Street for some last minute shopping!

We were worried that we’d have so much time to waste before the concert that we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves, but by the time we checked out the surroundings and had something to eat the music was nearly starting and the concert was in full swing! Food-wise I opted for meatballs, chips and garlic bread (£10 with a drink) and my friend had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich with chips and a drink (£13). The food is a little on the pricey side but the portions were a very good size, larger than we expected, and included a drink which was a bonus. There is so much choice with cuisine from all around the world as well as plenty of sweet treat stalls including Spanish churros and Belgian waffles – they were to die for!!

On to the music which started just before 4pm, with newbies to the pop scene Years and Years performing first on the Great Oak Stage. They were followed shortly by Mika who really got the crowd on their feet with his famous pop tunes. After an interval dance legends Chic and Nile Rodgers took to the stage and added to the party atmosphere getting everyone to sing along to their greatest hits. Over on the Barclaycard stage we watched young Louisa , also known as Foxes, perform some of her well known songs. Shortly afterwards the iconic Grace Jones performed some of her wacky songs back over on the Great Oak Stage in a choice of rather revealing outfits until it was time for the main event to take place. We had all been waiting for Kylie and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills provided an entertaining countdown to her set whilst the crowds flocked towards the front of the stage. There was a Barclaycard VIP arena for celebs and people with priority tickets but we were stood in the general admission area with good views of the stage and there were plenty of big screens around aswell.

Kylie’s set was fantastic and she was certainly the star of the show! unfortunately we had to miss the end as the Oxford Tube’s from Marble Arch finished early but we were actualyl glad to be able to get back and beat the crowds so it all worked out well in the end. We had a fantastic day out at British Summertime Festival and can’t wait to return next year! I’ll certainly be keeping my eyes peeled for the 2016 dates and line ups once they’ve been revealed!

Love Jess x

June 30, 2015/by jessicalouise1601

All Posts, UK

A Royal Day out: Ascot Races

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently returned from my very first Royal Ascot experience and I’m delighted to be sharing this with you all; I had a truly fantastic time and the atmosphere was incredible. Unfortunately my bets didn’t pay off so I didn’t win any mega bucks, but the day was brilliant none the less! So without further ado here is my Amazing Ascot round up…

We travelled to Ascot as part of a coach trip group leaving from a local Burford pub, The Mermaid, located on the busy high street. I went with my mum, sisters, cousin and aunty and my cousin’s fiancé’s family actually own The Mermaid and they all came with us as well. There was a large group going from the pub and the coach was full so there was a brilliant party atmosphere on board!

The journey took around an hour and a half and we stopped at a lovely village pub (The George on the Green, nr Maidenhead) on the way for a quick drink before heading towards Ascot. Our ticket price of £45pp included transport there and back, a champagne breakfast and access to The Silver Ring Enclosure at Ascot.

Upon arrival at The Silver Ring Enclosure we split up in to our separate groups and enjoyed the day with our families. The enclosure is huge and the dress code is much more relaxed than the Grandstand and Royal Enclosures which require you to look very formal and to wear a certain attire. I chose to wear a coral coloured shift dress with matching clutch bag and comfy tan wedged heels. My dress was a bargain from Quiz clothing and I didn’t want to take it off I loved it that much! I would have liked to have worn a fascinator if we weren’t in the Silver Ring, but it wasn’t compulsory and not many other people wore one so I went without!

The day doesn’t officially start until Her Royal Highness the Queen arrives in the Royal Procession which takes place each day at 2pm. We got a great spot on the sidelines so we could watch the carriages ride past and I got some lovely photos of the Royal family. I’d never seen the Queen before so it was super exciting!

We placed our bets for the first race and watched the horses gallop past, they were so close we could feel the ground move and it was such a great experience. We moved around the enclosure for the other races that took part throughout the day so we could see the track from different areas. There were tonnes of betting stands dotted around so you could get the best odds on offer. Many race goers took picnics and drinks with them but, if you’re like us and hate carrying things, there’s plenty of food stalls and bars offering a range of products.. just be prepared to pay a bit more than average as it is Ascot after all!

There are six races in total on each day of Ascot and famous jockeys from all over the world take part and compete for first place. We witnessed horse racing history as we saw the legendary Frankie Dettori win his 50th Ascot race with his horse Osalia. He was congratulated by the Royal family and cheered loudly by the enormous crowds. The racecourse was packed full of around 40,000 people on the day that we went and the atmosphere was electric!

Image courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

With a 300 year history, Ascot is a five day long world famous extravaganza best known for its sporting, social and fashion highlights. We had a truly amazing experience and I’d urge everyone to go at least once in their lives as its definitely something to tick off the bucket list! As their strapline says.. Ascot really is Like Nowhere Else..

Image courtesy of www.essexlifemag.co.uk

Have you ever been to Ascot or are you wanting to go next year? If you’ve been to the races before please comment and show me your best outfits I’d love to see them!

Love Jess x

June 25, 2015/by jessicalouise1601

Charming Cotswolds Escape

Hi everyone,

I can’t believe it’s June already, the rainy weather we’ve been having over here in South West England certainly doesn’t reflect the time of year at the moment which is super depressing! I have however just returned from a lovely family weekend break at nearby Bourton on the Water, a pretty village nestled in the heart of The Cotswolds. Although its only around 30 minutes drive from home, we were meeting family for a special anniversary get together and wanted to pick somewhere that wasn’t too far for a party of 15 to travel to! Bourton provided the perfect location for us and offered plenty to see and do whilst giving us the relaxing break we had hoped for.

We booked 7 rooms at the gorgeous Chester House Hotel right (http://www.chesterhousehotel.com/) in the centre of the village and had a brilliant stay, all the staff were so welcoming and the rooms were lovely. The interior of the hotel is very pretty and we loved the old fashioned Victorian decor mixed with impressive new mod cons such as power showers and flat screen TVs. Most of the rooms are located in the main part of the hotel, but there is also an area referred to as The Coach Houses which offer a mixture of larger ground and upper floor rooms and have a more self contained/studio feel. All of these rooms are located outside but are adjoined to the hotel and the ground floor rooms are dog friendly should you be bringing a furry companion! Our stay included bed and breakfast for two nights, and the breakfasts were plentiful and so filling- you could choose from either cooked breakfasts or cereals, fruit and pastries.

With so many eateries in Bourton there are plenty of places to go for dinner, but as there was such a large group of us, we decided to eat in two of the hotel’s restaurants on both nights. The Croft was a restaurant serving traditional pub food whilst L’Anatra was an Italian restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. We had to pre-book our meals as there was such a large group of us, but the quality of food both nights was very good and I’d highly recommend the Italian in particular.

In terms of tourist attractions, there are plenty of things to see and do in Bourton; we only had one full day there so didn’t fit everything in (although I’ve been many times before!) but it does get extremely busy especially during the summer months. The weather was good on Saturday and the sun was shining, so hundreds of people flocked to the village to enjoy a picnic on the riverside! The Dragonfly Maze, Model Village, Motor Museum and the brilliant Birdland are all popular attractions and provide families and couples alike with plenty of fun. There’s also the pretty St Lawrence’s Church situated towards the end of the village along with a number of B&B’s, hotels, cafe’s, restaurants and shops. Don’t forget to take part in the hourly Duck Race on the river- pick a duck and if yours wins the race you get a prize! Great fun for all the excitable children running up and down the river bank egging on their chosen ducks!

We had a lovely relaxing family break in Bourton and I’d highly recommend the village to anyone looking for a relaxing break in the charming Cotswolds. People flock from all over the world to see Bourton on the Water; with its meandering river, pretty bridges and lovely countryside it’s easy to see why!

Have you ever been to visit The Cotswolds or stayed somewhere similar? I’m lucky enough to live in the area so am on hand to answer any questions you might have.. I’d be delighted to help!

Love Jess x

June 2, 2015/2 Comments/by jessicalouise1601

Bank holiday weekend: Chill out in the Cotswolds

Hi everyone,

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the second bank holiday of the month, May is spoiling us and the weather has certainly been living up to all of our expectations. I was actually meant to be going away for the weekend but after a change of plan I found myself staying at home instead. Luckily, I live in such a beautiful part of the country and I’m never stuck for something to do, especially when the sun is shining!

On Sunday I headed to the nearby town of Burford for a spot of afternoon tea with the family. Known as The Gateway to the Cotswolds, Burford is the perfect place to go for a day out although it does get very busy with all the tourists, particularly in the summer months. Visit one of the many local pubs, shop in the little boutique stores or take a scenic walk along the river windrush for a relaxing day out in this pretty Cotswolds town.

We always visit the famous Huffkins tea rooms for cake or a light lunch and have never been disappointed. Typical delicacies on the menu include scones with jam and cream, chocolate brownies and vanilla slices as well as savoury bites such as pasties, pies, sandwiches and main meals. The food is quite pricey but you do pay more in Burford and its so yummy so its totally worth it!

After lunch we strolled down the high street and popped into the beautiful St John the Baptist Church at the bottom of the hill. Dating back to the 12th century, the Church is full of history and definitely shouldn’t be missed. In 1649 the infamous Oliver Cromwell imprisoned 340 Levellers inside the Church and ruled that three of the men should be shot whilst the remaining prisoners watched the execution from the Church roof. Many of the Levellers carved their names into the walls whilst waiting to be freed, and to this day the words that were inscribed can still be seen on the brickwork.

On Monday we drove to Blenheim Palace in Woodstock for the first annual food festival that was being held in the grounds. With tens of stalls selling foods from all over the world, cookery demonstrations, kids face painting and even champagne bars, there was something for everyone on offer. We bought a selection of homemade fudge, cookies, muffins and breads and that was before we’d even decided what we were having for lunch!

After a stroll round Blenheim’s grounds to work up our appetites we settled on a Spanish treat of paella and tapas for our festival lunches. There were no tables to sit on, only hay bales which made a right mess but it did add to the festival vibe! You could however bring your own blankets and chairs if you wanted to set up for the day.

The food festival was great, not overly priced at all and with so much going on you could easily spend a whole day there with the family. Free entry if you’re a Blenheim season ticket holder, or £22 per adult for a day ticket to the palace and grounds but don’t forget to convert your ticket to a 12 month pass for no extra cost- excellent value for money as we’ve used ours six times this year already!