What I am up to now: Reel Jen Films

Hi there, whoever may be out there. Years have passed since the adventure to the other side. Things have changed. I've trained in massage and now I am working for the premiership rugby club.

Please check out Reel Jen to see the web videos I have been producing.

The After...

Well, that's me. Back home in flood torn Cumbria and just loving the fact that I am home. This past (almost) week I have enjoyed the delights that is England and I have no regrets what so ever with coming home early. Merry Christmas everyone and have a brrrrrrilliant New Year! 

The highlights! Just so you can have a ‘in a nutshell’ look at what I considered to be the best bits of my four months away. Its not in order of when I did it…

 

• My slow walk round Sydney on my 1^st day. Looking at the architecture, still feeling groggy from the landing and finding the road crossings very humorous.
• The long chats I had with Miriam.
• The walk with Miriam in Sydney’s Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral. We talked about war and religion.
• The ferry trip from Circular Quay to the Aquarium and Wildlife World with Annie. The day in general with Annie.
• Watching movies with Miriam
• Brisbanes City Cat boat ride with my ipod in.
• Hanging out with Tara.
• Whale watching
• The feeling I had when I landed in Auckland.
• My walk round the Domain
• The Auckland and Wellington rugby matches.
• Seeing Dolphins in the Bay of Islands
• 90 Mile Beach.
• Star Gazing in remote places (The Farm and at Shona’s)
• The walk to Cathedral Cove with Zoe, and Cathedral Cove itself (which was featured in the Narian film)
• Watching rugby matches in the pubs
• My pool match with a Kiwi in Franz Josef
• General geothermal activity in Rotorua
• Rotorua Maori concert and Hangi (food cooked in a earth oven)
• Learning to play poker in Taupo (although I think I have forgotten now :/ )
• The Taupo to Wellington bus group
• Horse riding in River Valley on Buster
• Card games at River Valley
• Free Music at Te Papa Museum
• Friday night chatting to the Kiwi Builders, Luke and Rollie
• Seeing two kiwi plays ‘Where are you my only one?’ and ‘A biography of my skin’
• The Cambridge gang, playing cards and generally getting drunk
• Kayaking and glacier walk at Franz Josef
• Chilling out in the outdoor hot tub in Franz Josef
•  Skydive 12,000ft in Wanaka. I am a comedy genius on my video.
• 2 day chill in Wanaka with Creena
• Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka and that Cookie!
• All the random little walks
• Taking all my photos
• Updating my blog
• Waitamo glow worm caves
• Embassy Theatre and my chat with the manager
• Wellington Harbour walks
• Dorothy Brown cinema, Arrowtown where I watched the brilliant ‘Coco, Avent Chanel’
• My birthday week in Queenstown. Booze, men and friends, happy days!
• Cooking, gardening and being made welcome at Alan and Kerry’s at their Mosegil Farm near Dunedin
• Milking the cows. Not sure if it was a ‘highlight’, it was certainly interesting!
• Discovering me
• Coming out of a forest road on the bus just at the height of a Sigur Ros song and seeing a vast landscape of snow capped mountains, which ultimately made me want to do a skydive.
• The beach walk to see seal lions on the Bottom Bus.
• The drive to, and Milford Sounds
• Meeting loads of really nice people; Creena, Claire, Rachel, Kate, Jim, Eric, Ian, Joseline, Josephine, German Jen, Alonzo, Doreen, ‘Papa Ron’, American Andrea, Irish Greg, That Oz Couple on the Milford Bus, Scottish Zoe, Nadia and Zina, Alan, Kerry, Shona, Ishten, Dave, Kym, Chris and everyone else.
• Fishing fro muscles and then trying one raw (not nice, don’t try unless you have water and chocolate on standby!)
• The BBQ/ Concert with Shona
• The concert in the CHCH Cathedral.
• Experiencing a Church service for the first time in probably 10 years. The sermon at the CHCH Cathedral on hell was very interesting.
• Going to the casino in Queenstown with Creena and Claire and helping Claire win some money which she then later spent it on drinks for everyone.

 

Another highlight was actually the act of coming home. The flight was shockingly long and my bum at the end and during most of it was really sore. However the feeling when I landed in Manchester was worth all of it. I had a hard time not to cry because I was so happy to be back in England and most of all, Manchester.

 

The past couple of days I have seen a majority of my friends. It was cool that I hadn’t told everyone that I was coming back because their reactions when they seen me made me have a gooey wanted feeling inside. Everyone was happy to see me. Emma even screamed in delight at me! Twas very funny.

 

Now the hard work beings. I have now got New Zealand out of my system. Life and a career is now on the agenda. Over the past 4 months I have thought long and hard as to what I want to do with me. One thought is constant, I want to work in the film industry. I used to think that meant on a film set, which it still sort of (and I will be working on a feature film later on in 2010), but now I think from all my lovely quirky cinema visits in New Zealand, what I want to do with myself now is to open a cinema of my own. Two problems with that is 1) I haven’t the foggiest as to how to run a cinema, and

2) I have NO money what so ever.

So I have two solutions:

1)    Find work in a cinema and learn from the bottom up

2)    Save money/ play the lottery

 

Other things that I would like to do with my time is possibly train up and do the coast-to-coast bike ride. Need a bike for that, so will have to wait until I can afford one. Also while I was at Shona’s I played the piano for the first time in years and I was chuffed to find out that I can still read music and that I could play a tune pretty quickly with some degree of confidence. That’s why I think I may find a cheap keyboard and get playing again, for my own personal enjoyment.

 

Other things that I have to look forward to and goals for 2010:

·      Jenny and Greg’s Wedding

·      Jamie Cullum concert with Anne-Marie

·      Moving in to a flat with a friend, not my sister.

·      Working on a feature film that will hopefully be in cinema’s by November 2010

·      Coast to coast

·      Speed dating (doing it for a laugh, but you never know…)

·      Playing the keyboard

·      Getting some more of my short films made, maybe even direct one myself!

·      Hopefully do a couple more Chorlton Player Plays .

·      HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LIFE!

 

So there you have it. My four months on the other side and a hint as to my adventures to come. Thank you for reading my blog. Remember, Life is short, if you want to try, see something, DO IT! CARPE DIEM! 

Why I'm coming home early...

I have had a brilliant time! Let's make that clear from the start. However one thing that I haven't been able to get over has been home sickness.

I have met a lot of great people along the way but with anyone travelling, everyone has their own agendas. So for a lot of the time I was travelling alone. Most people may think this is brilliant but really it's much nicer to share experience with someone. That's why I loved my time spent with Creena, Claire, Kate, Rachel and German Jen and at the Cambridge Hotel and on the farms. So when it comes to Christmas, I wanted nothing more than to spend it at home, regardless of the weather!

Merry Christmas! (Best Christmas Duet ever!)



On another note, I have had such a lot of time to just think. Think about what I want to do and accomplish. I think I have decided what I want to do and achieve. I'll keep that under my hat for now...
Earlier this year I went to Greece with Katrina and she said something with me that I only understand now about how when you have a lot of time to think the more you realise what you want/need to do and you want to start straight away to keep your motivation up.

I have spent four months travelling which is enough for me. I have seen and done all that I wanted to do. I have kept a list of all of my highlights from my trip...I'll post them soon.

I have had highs and lows but I think I have got a lot from travelling.

Songs :)

Hot sun, rain and Antarctic winds (a.k.a my last couple of days in CHCH)

Well I have spent my last couple of days in Christchurch. Tomorrow at 1pm I leave.
Saturday was nice, the sun was out in full summer glory as I went round the art markets.
Saturday night I went to see 'In the Loop ' at the Metro cinema. It was so small and quirky. The screen I was in had the capacity of 15! The film was dead good as well. Dad, I think you would enjoy it.

On Sunday and Monday I spent the day on the Trams, punting and gondola. On Sunday I did something I haven't done for donkeys years, I went to a Church service. Two in fact! Holy Communion where there was a really interesting sermon on hell (I am interested due to my A-level in ethics and philosophy) and then in the afternoon I went to Evening Choir Song where everything was sung. Found that a tad bizarre. The sermon for that service was boring.

Today I went to the Antarctic Centre opposite the Airport. It was bbbbbbrrrrrrrrilliant! You got to experience a Antarctic storm which was amazing. Got cold so quickly. Good practice for when I get back to the UK! I paid a little extra and got to get a guided tour of the little blue penguins (penguin comes for a welsh word for white head!). Got really close to a poor little fellow who was blind in one eye. So cute! There was a huge theatre where they showed images of Antarctica with music. It looks to be such a stunning, barren and vast landscape, after the storm simulator I would not want to work there! Also! I went on a...shoot I have forgotten its name but its link a tank kind of vehicle that they use over there. They can go really fast, float and at 45 degree angles. It was a fun and very very very bumpy ride. My stomach could only handle one, but you could have any number of rides with the ticket. Dead good day out!

Shona's Place

Today was my last day at Shona's. The Gardening Group was here this morning. We planted some maze and weeded the tiny sprouts of carrots.

Been thinking about what I want my garden (its OK to dream Mum!) to look like in the future, when I possess one!

It will mostly be a lawn but it will have a creeper plant at the bottom of the garden, probably Sweet Peas. I will have two beds, one for flowers and one for veg/ herbs.

Flowers I want:

• Sunflowers
• Tulips (my favourite flower)
• Poppies (the small dainty ones)
• Snow Drops
• Daffs
• Lavender
• And maybe a rose bush.

Herbs/ Veg:

• Garlic
• Leeks
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Basil
• Sage

So basically I can make a mean spag bog or winter lentil soup!

We also picked some Black currant pie... still to have a taste... slightly burnt round the edges :/

Tomorrow, I am off to Christchurch to spend 4 days there. I am going to do the Tram/ Gondola/ Punting ride, go to the Antarctic Experience where you can experience a blizzard and get up close to the tiniest penguin in the world. Also there are art markets and there is a new Kiwi film with Sam Neil in it that looks really good. Its called 'Under the Mountain'.  

Jen is...

... shattered. 

Manual labour + a warm North Westerly = Knackered Jenny!

Stacking fire wood...

Katrina you would not like this job. It's not the stacking of the wood that is the problem... it's where I need to get it from. Shona has 4 hectares of land and in a small paddock there is the fire wood. In this paddock there is long grass and loads and loads of cobwebs!

It is nasty. I'm going to the wood pile and (because its hot I have a vest top on) all I can feel is the cobwebs hitting my skin. When the sun hits the field right all you can see is cobwebs! Eeek! Oh and a couple of flying spiders on there cobwebs blowing in the wind. What fun!

Oh! There are 3 piles of wood. I have been doing it all morning and I am still only on pile one. Might split them up so it's a morning job...

BBQ Concert

Shona, who I am staying with, is part of a gardening group. Last night, one of the members held a BBQ so that their son (who has just completed a music course) and his friends could have a jamming session. 

It was really good. Ate so much, which wasn't so good. The slab of steak sandwich was my favourite. Medium rare....mmmmmmmmmmm. Then there was the deserts! Any weight I may or may not have lost over the past 4 months will have been put back on from last night and previous days of cake eating. Ooops!

I had a really good night. The thing that is really screwing with my mind is that it is December, it's warm, its doesn't get dark till 10 o'clock and people are having BBQ's!?!? Its not normal!!! Well for me anyway! :)

CHCH Cathedral

So on Monday I had planned to go into Christchurch to break up my time on the Hobby Farm with Shona. Just my luck then that it rained all day.

I spent a lot of my time on the Internet, catching up with emails and chatting to my Mum and friends online. My mate, Debbie, introduced me to a new folk band from London who I am now obsessed with and hope I get tickets to see them in Manchester for Christmas. They are none other than Mumford and Sons. 

After my time on the Internet, I was going to venture to the cinema due to the crappy weather, however, for some reason I decided to go into the Cathedral. There setting up for a 2 hour concert was a music school from Brisbane. They played three sets; string, wind and big band. My favourite was the strings who played a Chopin mash up which was cool. There was also a young player who played a Viola solo beautifully. 

Something really spiritual about music. It can soothe the soul so easily. Love it!

The Cathedral was the best I have seen in New Zealand so far. It was traditional. Pure and Simple. I don't think of myself as religious but there is just something about being in a church or cathedral that I just love. I think religion is important its just when it get manipulated and radicalised that it becomes a problem. So in that sense what I believe is: Religion=bad, Faith= good.  Sometimes I wish I was more religious and went to church more often. I can see it as a kind of free counselling if you have something on your chest, there is where you can get it off. Also its the community aspect of the congregation. Being recognised and to be part of something and having 'someone' there to look over and protect you.

I suppose my Church is the Chorlton Players. Miss you guys! x

My Journey to Christchurch...

... was not the high light of my trip! 8 hours in a cramped bus (no leg room) which had a busted sound and air conditioning system. It just so happened to be a really hot day so everyone on the bus was really hot and there was a prevailing smell of sweat. 8 HOURS!\

On the up side however there was some amazing scenery. The man made lake by Mount Cook was a stunning brilliant aqua blue. Ill put a photo up soon of it. 

My next couple of week is spent with Shona who lives on her hobby farm just outside of Christchurch. She is an American who has lived in New Zealand since 1992 and works as a scientist, studying pastures. My tasks are basically weeding. Joined her at her Salsa class on Thursday and I realised how frustrating it is when your partner doesn't know how to move and keep a beat. I had a lot of fun with the partners I had who did know what they were doing. I must start going to salsa class when I get back to Manchester.

Today has been a bit of a slow moving day. Me and Shona read from 9-12 noon. I am reading 'Persuasion' by Jane Austen at the moment and really enjoying it. Mmmmm Captain Wentworth! I will probably finish it tomorrow, so Shona has suggested that I spend the day in CHCH where I will nip and get another book. Shona is reading about Uganda as she went to Africa in September. Shona is making authentic Mexican tonight. I hope I like it!

Bottom Bus and Milford Sounds

The Bottom Bus hit the towns of Invercargill, Te Anau and the a day trip to Milford Sounds, then back to Queenstown for two nights before I am off to Christchurch.

Highlight was Milford Sounds. Everything was perfect. The bus driver was funny and very informative. The passangers were easy to talk to and I had a laugh with. The weather was bright blue sky. The drive there was a highlight in itself! Amazing what nature can do. I seen a cushion today and it said "Nature never makes mistakes" and it is so true! Milford Sounds area was carved out by glaciers, MASSIVE glaciers. I sat at the front of the bus so I got the best of the scenery. It was such a fun drive there and the actual boat trip was really nice. Got a lavish buffet and a trip to an underwater observatory.  Has to be the highlight of the trip!

My last couple of days in Queenstown was just hanging out with people that I previously met, saying goodbyes, drinking at the Dux's and going to see New Moon which was an alright film.

moooooooooo

On the Farm in Mosgeil, Dunedin, I have milked some cows!

Granted it wasn't the traditional way, still have that to try. It was with automated suckers. You had to be on constant watch for the raising of the tail and it was the luck of the draw as to what came out... mushy or solid! It is really hard graft and the people who work there get up for 5 in the morning and do the same thing twice a day with 600 cows! I am glad I only had to do one shift of it!

This past week I have really been gardening. Weeding in the chilling south westerly wind and blazing sunshine today (I think I have burnt my ear). Other duties has been the cooking! I LOVE COOKING! Twice I have coked my apple and ginger sponge cake, best served hot with ice cream. It such a change from the manky really cheap unhealthy meals I have had in the hostels. I have used heeeerrrrbbbs! Garlic! And I have had VEG!

My company has been really good with Kerry and Alan. I have chatted about cooking, rugby and films! Kerry was kind enough to take me to see a New Zealand director's latest film "The Vintner's Luck" which you can read about on my film blog. Also Alan made me watch a New Zealand film "Once were warriors" (also on my film blog).

I am back to Dunedin tomorrow to start again on the "Bottom bus" on Friday which will take me to Invercargill (another Scottish settled town). Good week in all respects!

Farm Life

For the past couple of days I have been living on a farm with Kerry and Alan.

Today.... I have never been near so many cow rear ends in my life!
I milked the cows! It was OK but I am glad I don't have to do it as my living. Hats off to those who do!

Today I also gardened! Yes Mum! I gardened! And I am surprised to say I liked it! Bring on my own wee garden when I get home!

Queenstown

Thus has ended, one week in the place known as Queenstown. And what a week!

Queenstown started as a sheep depot and then the Gold Rush began and the town just BOOMED! Today it purely exists for the tourists, outdoor and extreme sports.

My Mother will be happy to know that my extreme shenanigans started and ended with the skydive. Although I think that my friend Debbie has other plans...
You could say that my extreme sport this week has been drinking because if your not out during the day it is because of the hangover from the night before. Queenstown has a huge night life and I enjoy 4 almost consecutive nights of it. Yes, I do feel rough! I drank some real dark ale 'Sou'western', it tasted like liquorish(6.7%) from Dux-lux pub (which brews its own beer- you would of loved it Dad!), the cramp the morning after was not as enjoyable!

Last night me and Creena went up the Skyline Gondola to watch the sun set. It was the first time that I was truly wowed by what I saw. Lake Waktipu is 84Km long and the mountains that surrounded it were just... wow!

If I do say so, I took some brilliant photos. I will share them with you but, this computer doesn't have the necessary ports for my camera.

In a nutshell, Queenstown was beautiful. I've had the best nights out but I am pretty skint from it, so onto Dunedin (Gaelic for Edinburgh) to search for Haggis and to work on a farm for a week!

Remembrance Sunday

I got up early. Walked to the nearby war memorial... no one there. Walked to the information centre and asked if there was a Remembrance Serivce and the reply was "What for?" My reply was "Errr the World Wars?"

SHOCK HORROR!

But apparently New Zealand and Australia have their Remembrance Day on the 25th April. They call their day ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps).

St Peter's Square

I am gutted though, because last year I went to St Peter's Square in Manchester. The square was packed! It is brilliant how people come together to Remember those brave souls past and present and I am really quite upset that I can't be a part of it this year.

Manchester, 2008

Some photos of Queenstown...

Boat trip over to the Remarkables

Just after a rain/ snow storm on the mountains

FERGBURGER!!!!

This is an independent burger joint in Queenstown.

The burgers are massive and the best ever. It is imperative that when you come to Queenstown, you have a Fergburger.

I was told that this one little independent shop was responsible for running Burger King out of town. Love it!

Sadly with my dodgy head I was defeated by the massive feast. Also the chips are the best I have had so far.

Last night...

...I celebrated my birthday in Queenstown and what a fun night I had!

We (me, German Jen, Rachel, Creena and Kate) tried to go on a organised pub crawl thingy but there wasn't enough people on it so it got cancel :( No matter, because I think I had a better night than I would of if I had gone on it.

We just drank and partied at the Altitude bar and the World Bar (where we met up with Claire).

Being that it was my birthday I got a few birthday kisses (he he he he) from a two kiwi's and a really good cuddle from a Canadian. Good times.

24

Today I celebrate a 37 hour (NZ + UK time) birthday. The plan today is to just chill out in the day. Probably go for a walk and take some photos and then tonight I have quite a few people coming together to do a Queenstown pub crawl. Should be interesting and I will probably be dead to the world tomorrow.

Full report tomorrow...night most likely...