Transparent Needle In A Haystack

 The porridge that lined my belly was more than enough to take me up Hay Bluff. We parked up the car, pointed at the big hill and said we're gonna climb that. A short while later we were stood next to a Trig point, admiring the view while surrounded by Welsh sheep. We headed into Hay on Wye for some book shopping, Rebecca was in her element and gave us all the best venues to pop into. Just as we were headed into the final shop I put my hand into my pockets to check for my belongings and noticed I only had one of my Invisalign retainers... I sheepishly informed Rebecca then even more sheepishly retraced my steps around town before resigning to the fact my upper retainer was lost to Wales. I tried to play it cool all the way back to the car, after all it would be near impossible to find a set of transparent dentures in a busy village. 

'Oh, are those them?' Matt asked, pointing at the side of the road where we parked the car. I'd recognize my teeth anywhere and lo and behold, Matt found a needle in a haystack. A quick rinse and they were back in my mouth.

Mum read the Blog yesterday and messaged to say the cottage we're staying at sounds a bit like the one from Withnail and I, which I chortled at, then immediately clarified that it was in fact very lovely, in spite of reading about a past incident in the guest book involving a dead owl and the wood burner. Gosh we found that entry funny, until we ourselves heard a flutter inside the wood burner. 

Rebecca bolted out the room while Matt and I fashioned a cage out of a laundry bag which we pressed up against the cast iron doors. Gingerly, we opened it up. Yet we heard no commotion, nor could we see a sign of life. Had it escaped up the chimney? Maybe died of stress? We moved aside to investigate further, dropping our guard for just enough time for the sparrow to fly into our faces and around the room. I dashed to open a window and it got the memo and quickly flew out.

A beer was in order after that, so we opened the fridge and settled into a lazy afternoon of games and drinks while Ben busied himself with slow cooking a joint of lamb. Every second of marinating and slow cooking was worth it when it finally hit our plates. I just went very quiet as I slowly and deliberately took mouthful. It was that good. 

One more full day in the cottage tomorrow, I doubt it'll top how eventful today was, but I don't want to speak too soon.

Fantasizing about Fun

 The anticipation for wrap was on the mind of every single crew member. The promise of a week off was impossible to put out of our minds. Some are going to Spain, others Corfu, others are having a staycation. But everyone will get the chance to rest and recharge thoroughly and holding that thought in the mind is a very powerful thing indeed. 

For part one of our hiatus fun, Rebecca and I drove along the windy roads up to Hereford. Matt and Ben have a relative who partially owns a cottage there which we're all staying in. Frankly, it's a miracle I can post the Blog tonight since the service it patchy and there's no WiFi here (but after slamming my out of office on, zero interest sounds like a blessing). We dusted the cobwebs off our bed, drank beer in a cost living room and discussed plans for the coming days. Holiday starts now!

Hiatus Incoming

The morning to midday leg went really slow. Then the afternoon just melted away like it always does, leaving me scrambling. Just one more day of work til our week away and by golly, everyone is gagging for it. I'm just excited to rest up and recharge more deeply. I want to watch a boat load of films and take my foot off the gas for a minute or two. Til then, we got one more day.

 

 

Tracking Wide Shot

Made a royal fool of myself on 2nd unit in front of the whole damn crew. I had to go see someone who was on a far side of a field where the cameras just so happened to be pointing. So I ran as fast as my little legs would carry me so I could duck out of the big wide shot. The were nowhere near ready to turn over as it turned out and everyone just watched, their heads tracking me as if I were a very slow moving ball at Wimbledon. 

Everything else went smoothly and I wished my Mum a happy birthday too. She's going off to eat Ramen at a favourite sushi place. I so very much wished I was there. I just had a pale ale for dinner and I'm thinking of chasing it with under 7 hours sleep before I do it all over again. 

Holding My Breath

Got pulled in so many different directions today that I actually found myself booking taxis for people - far from my job role but needs must. When folks weren't getting in touch over email I ended up calling and getting properly involved in their movements which meant my head was constantly shifting gears between a variety of things. On top of that I was prepping a 2nd unit again and arranging a suite of other behind the scenes bits. I didn't really get a chance to catch my breath, quite literally because I noticed that when I start feeling a bit stressed or anxious lately I have a tendency to hold air in my lungs. Everything went fine though so no need to torture myself, but still I wished I could afford a small moment of respite.

First One In, Last One Out

Back to it on Monday morning and the day had some choppy pacing. First one in the office so had about 30 minutes to catch up on all the stuff I may have missed out on while I was away. Next hour or two was just tinkering away. Midday was crunch time as several little jobs all landed on my plate all at once. Then outro into the evening and it was smooth sailing. I was also the last one out the office. What I really want is a day where no one messages or throws me through a loop where I can just crack in with all the other bits that have started to pile up between the cracks. Instead I'm doing a three legged race with myself, limping over the finishing line til our hiatus.

North East to South West

For all intents and purposes, today was a travel day. We packed down the Air B&B in the morning and got back into Bristol in the latest portion of the afternoon. In between there was a Tesco meal deal, a pull over for some plane spotting and a moderately delayed train (entitles us to some money back at least!) To pass the time I stuck my nose deep into the new Donkey Kong game which I just about ended up finishing an hour ago. Gotta get my head out of holiday and video games mode though as another week of work looms... Then it's hiatus time!