Sunday 19th November 2006: Joshua's ChristeningThis morning Mum and I did a car boot sale to raise some extra cash for my Disney adventures, well what a waste of time it was. I made about £30 after we had taken out the costs and Mum made about £10. Not a lot of cash for a mornings work. Anyways after standing in the cold for hours, we headed home as we had my cousin Joshua’s christening to attend in the afternoon.
It was very nice to go to the christening as I got to see all of the family together and Joshua was very well behaved. I was good to be with all the family again and it won’t be the last time as they are all coming to my leaving party at my house on the 3rd December.Pics L to R: Pic 1 - My Cousins Aaron & Amy, Aunty Rachel, Cousins Jessica & Joshua, Uncle Adrian, Cousin Robert, Ian and Nikki (Rachel's Brother and G'friend): Pic 2 - Me and Jessica (Also my Goddaughter): Pic 3 - Aaron, Rachel, Adrian, Joshua, Ian and Nikki (Parents, Baby and Godparents): Pic 4 - Joshua and Jessica (very cute): Pic 5 - Joshua (after enjoying chocolate biscuits): Pic 6 - Joshua, Me and Jessica.
Wednesday 08th November 2006: Visa ArrivalToday my visa finally arrived after I missed the delivery on Saturday as I was in Thorpe Park. It is really cool to know that I have my Visa and I can now call Disney and get my flights organised yay.
Monday 06th November 2006: Bad NewsToday I was given some very sad but exciting news. I was speaking to Holly and she has decided not to come with us and work for Disney, which is very sad for us as she is a lovely girl. However she is going to go travelling around the world, which is extremely exciting for her as it’s something she’s always wanted to do. Good Luck Holly we are going to miss not having you with us and make sure you keep in contact.
Sunday 05th November 2006: My Leaving Party with Hilton FriendsTonight I meet up with the Reception and Back Office Teams for my leaving party at Frankie and Benny’s at Gunwharf Quays. I had a very nice dinner and it was great to sit down and chat to everyone socially for a change. After dinner we went to Bar 38 for some drinks, where Claire joined us. Then we moved onto Bar Risa for more drinks, however that closed at 12pm so we made our way to Guildhall Walk to go clubbing in Route 66, but when we arrived they said that the doors were closed (very disappointed). So we spent the rest for the night in the V Bar (I don’t usually go in there, but I had a good night). Thanks to everyone that came I have a brilliant evening and I’ll see you all again soon I hope.Pics L to R: Pic 1 - Lucy, Emma, Me, Lesley, Hannah & Michelle (Reception Team + Hannah): Pic 2 - Lizzy, Lucy, Lorna, Michelle, Emma, Me Caroline, Lisa & Lesley (Reception Team - Claire and Back Office - Tracey): Pic 3 - Spinnaker Tower at night (very pretty).
Saturday 04th November 2006: Thorpe Park
I spent the day at Thorpe Park with Kirsty, Chris, Beth and Holly all people from my departure date. I had a great day even though it was very cold and I ended up with a cold the following day. Never mind because it was really nice to meet up with Holly and the others again. The first ride we went on, whilst waiting for Holly to arrive, was called Depth Charge, which was a small water ride and we all got a little wet, as shown by Kirsty and Beth in the picture below. I went on a few rides during the day including the new ride called stealth, which was very good as it launched you from 0 to 80 in a matter of seconds, it was amazing and the whole ride only lasted about 15 seconds (WOW). However there were a few rides which Kirsty and I didn’t go, but we watched the others and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. I had a great day at Thorpe Park and a wonderful few days in London with my new friends. It has made me feel a whole lot better about going to Florida in a few weeks.Pic L to R. Pic 1 - Kirsty and Beth (a little wet): Pic 2 and 3 - Holly, Beth and Chris on Samurai: Pic 4 - Beth, Holly Chris on Detonator: Pic 5 - Beth, Chris, Holly and Kirsty watching Pirates 4-D (nice glasses, starting a new fashion trend i think, hehe): Pic 6 - Stealth at Sunset (last ride of the day).
Friday 03rd November 2006: Day 3 of London Trip
Today was our last day in London, so we did a bit more sightseeing. Firstly we walked down to Oxford Street, to Chris’ friends work to drop our bags off for the day. We decided to do a little shopping and headed towards Hamleys to look around as we are all big kids, (good reason to work for Disney I guess).
After getting very excited in Hamleys, due to seeing loads of Disney toys, we headed to Camden Market and Locks to have a look around as both Chris and Kirsty hadn’t been there before. I was a bit disappointed as they were resurfacing some of market, therefore some sections were closed. We walked around the locks, which are very pretty and then had lunch in Lloyds Bar.
We when went to Leicester Square again and Kirsty and I went on a dance machine, very funny and I was very bad. After that we walked back to Oxford Street and collected our bags a said farewell to Chris, as he was staying with his friend for the evening. So Kirsty and I got the tube to Victoria Station and made our way to meet the coach.
The journey home was about 3 ½ hrs but for the price we paid, we couldn’t complain. Also we went passed Heathrow Airport where to both realised we would be in about 4 weeks (how scary) and made us think that it’s coming around very quickly. We arrived back in Portsmouth and Kirsty came back to my house to stay, as we were travelling to Thorpe Park in the morning.Pics L to R. Pic 1 - Kirsty and Chris (playing in Hamleys): Pic 2 - Chris (Looking soo smart in Kirsty's glasses): Pic 3 - Kirsty and Chris in Llodys Bar: Pic 4 - Chris at Camden Locks: pic 5 - Camden Locks: Pic 6 - Camden Market:
Thursday 02nd November 2006: Day 2 of London Trip
Today we all had are appointments at the US Embassy, so we were feeling a little bit nervous, as this was the last point where we could get turned down to work for Disney. We walked down to Oxford Street from the hotel as we were meeting Beth outside the tube station at Bond Street, so we could go to the Embassy together. We arrived at Bond Street a little early as Beth’s train was running slightly late. To make sure we knew where we were heading we continued to make our way towards the US Embassy. Once we arrived at the Embassy just seeing how big it was and all the armed policeman around made me feel even more nervous about the appointment. We turned around and went back to the tube station to meet Beth and then walked back to the Embassy.
We arrived at about 10am ready for are 10.30am appointment and we were told to queue up in one line. Then at about 10.30am they told us to move into another line where they checked are documents and passports. We continued through the security, walk around the building, entered and had our passports checked again and then we were all given a number and told to take a seat. When our number was called we had to make our way to one of the 11 desks, where they took all our paperwork and took our finger prints. We were when told to take a seat again until our number was called. I was the first to go up, however 2nd time round I was the last to go out and speck to the American Immigration Man and have my visa approved. However it all went well and it was approved, so I’m going to work for Disney in a few weeks. I was also really surprised that the whole process only took 2 ½ hrs because I know that Mike’s application took about 6hrs (you poor boy).
When we had just finished our second appointment we met a girl called Carla who is also flight out the same day as us and she seemed really nice. So we all headed off to find somewhere to eat and Carla joined us after she had finished her interview and she was even quicker than us. After the pub we headed back to the hotel to drop all our paperwork off and then walked Carla to the tube station so she could get to the airport. It was really nice meeting her and the next time I’ll see her we will be in Florida ahh.
Then we started to walk towards the London Eye as we were taking Chris on it for his birthday, which was on the pervious Monday. Before we got to the London Eye we went to Waterloo Train Station so that Beth could catch her train back to Southampton, so we said good bye for now as Kirsty and I may be able to meet up with her before we leave as we all live so close to each other.
We went on the London Eye and London looks so beautiful at night which you’ll be able to see from the below photos. We all had a great time and Chris liked his Birthday present as he had always wanted to go on it. After the Eye we walked towards the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and continued walking to Leicester Square. We went passed Westminster Abbey, The War Cabinet, Whitehall, Downing Street and Trafalgar Square again. Then we went to China Town and found a nice little restaurant and we ate a whole Chinese meal just by using chop sticks. Kirsty and I were very proud of ourselves as we have never used chop sticks before. After dinner we walked back to the hotel and watched a little TV and chatted.Pics L to R. Pic 1 - Chris and Kirsty at the London Eye: Pic 2 - London Eye: Pic 3 - Parliment from Eye: Pics 4 to 7 - Views of London from Eye: Pic 8 - Me, Chris and Kirsty on the Eye: Pic 9 - London Eye from Parliment: Pic 10 - Big Ben.
Wednesday 01st November: London Trip
Kristy and I travelled to London from Portsmouth by National Express, which cost us, the bargain price of £5 return (can't complain). It was a good journey and we arrived on time, but we were both hungry so we headed to Weatherspoons in Victoria Station and had a very nice lunch.
After lunch we started walking to the hotel via the tourist attractions. We saw Buckingham Palace (The Queen was at home but didn’t offer us a cup of tea, how disappointing), The Mall, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Covent Garden. We arrived at our hotel (Travellodge Covent Garden) and went to our room it was very nice. We dropped our bags off and headed out again to explore London.
Firstly we found the tube station where we were going to meet Chris later that evening and then we went to Covent Gardens shopping. The first stop of course was the Disney Store, which was very impressive and I could’ve spent a fortune in there, however I managed not to spend a penny (which is very good for me). Then we made our way to Leicester Square, where we found a premier about to take place for Jack Black’s New Film Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny with Kyle Gass. We saw them arrive and Kirsty and I got Jack’s Autograph and I had my picture taken with him. We also saw Charlie from Busted, The Blue Peter Gang, Gail Porter, Ellen from Casualty and a few more famous people but I don’t know their names (Silly me).
After the Premier we made are way back towards the hotel to meet Chris at the tube station, we then put his bags in the room and went out to dinner at TGIs in Covent Garden (Look familiar to anyone, hehe). I had a very good, but tiring day and it was great to meet up with Chris.Pictures Below LtoR. Pic 1 - Buckingham Palace; Pic 2 - Trafalgar Square: Pic 3 - Jack Black: Pic 4 - Kyle Gass: Pic 5 - Kirsty (with her authograph from Jack Black and New hat): Pic 6 - TGIs
