Downton Abbey: A New Era

Though the cinema audience for Downton Abbey: A New Era was by no means packed, I was humbled by how many people were invested in the story of these characters. The saga continues for the Grantham's and their servants, a French Villa is contested and a film crew visit the stately home, but otherwise it's buisness as usual. There's almost a Christmas panto energy to the proceedings that keeps everything light and airy, but it knows how to handle emotional beats with grace.

The hidden power of the film, to me at least, is how it manages to resummon memories of our own family and those who have passed during Downton's long run. Amidst all the not-so-subtle nods to Singing in the Rain, I found myself looking inwards a lot more than I expected, smiling fondly at the thought that Granny Sue could have been sat in the darkness next to me, chuckling at the screen.

Sink-Gate

With the work for my week neatly tucked away behind me I was expecting an easy breezy Friday... That is until sink-gate hit. Our costume department need some big, chunky commercial sinks to dye clothes, do laundry, general costume department things. Me and a colleague spent a good chuck of the day scouring eBay and the Facebook marketplace for nearby sinks and find some good looking contenders. Turns out even the biggest sink we found wasn't big enough... Costume instead wanted one they found going cheap... If someone was willing to collect it... From Essex. Really hope I don't have to do that drive on Monday.

Unphased Food Mule

Gathered wifi quotes and did multiple trips to Lidl during my day. Our little kitchenette is in a state of flux right now so none of us wanted to commit to buying a whole bunch of food... But then everyone got peckish. Not too fussed about having to do kitchen restocks on this job, mostly because they don't treat me like a second class citizen and are legitimately grateful for all my help. I've never had to buy balsamic vinegar for a production office before though, guess some if the guys there really love salads.

Washers Going Round and Round

Cast  my eyes over several dozen washing machines, comparing their prices before our production company buys a whole lot of them for our staggeringly big costume department. I wrote up a little report and my colleagues were very happy with what I found. Come to think of it, they're always pleased with what I put together for them - guess I'm making a good impression. We'll be moving office pretty soon and it low-key sounds like I'll be spearheading a bit of that move, good timing too because my muscles are starting to calcify being sat at a desk all day.

Late Chugga

Though my train was delayed, I still ended up being the first one in the office. Buried my nose deep into data inputting and spreadsheet updating... You know, exactly what we climbed out of the primordial ooze to do. Jokes aside, it wasn't so bad as I could sense the importance to the work. I'm also tweaking the green memo, giving it some chutzpah to encourage more people to read it. 

I wished Grandma Margaret a Happy Birthday over the phone too. She had a bit of a fiddle turning the volume up on her new phone but we talked about our cats and the garden. Her neighbours threw her a little party today too, that's the kind of old person I'd like to be when I get to that age.

Cardiff Cooperator

First time back in Cardiff for a little while, I wasn't there for sightseeing though as I had to head to my new office and pick out my desk. For the next two weeks I'll be working out of a soon to be demolished building helping out a production company with prep work for their upcoming shoot - little bit of a strange gig in that respect but my coworkers have all been immensely friendly. Didn't go in too strong on day one, I'll be bringing in my coffee stuff tomorrow though to blow their socks off.

Suction Power

Bless our old hoover, it had a good run but its lack of suction power really rubbed us the wrong way. It was luck of the drawer whether it manages to pick up an errant crumb or not... Well today was finally time for an upgrade! Since I do most of the home vacuuming I was the first to try out our swanky new one (I know where all the trouble spots are so I had a control area to base my testing) the difference was almost night and day. Rebecca infamously sheds a lot of her hair, once it fell to the floor her hairs became one with the carpet. The new hoover picked up old hairs that have likely been hanging around since we moved in... Which is a horrible thought. I went round the whole house and already filled up the internal waste bucket! Feeling much tidier now though - a great mindset to enter my first day on a new job tomorrow. Cardiff Ho..

70's Disco

 Walking home with a suade jacket on and a 'disco' shirt I bought 14 hours earlier I wonder if everyone I pass can tell I'm a little tipsy? Perhaps I am too self aware. Most other folk are in high heels, button ups, pressed trousers to even pay me mind... And that suits me fine as my head is filled with the conversations and bonds forged a few hours prior. I met with some old work friends from old jobs, all of them looked like people I wanted to spend time with. We talked about careers and relationships (and many of which recoiled when they learnt my age). Though I was at a house party, a core few of us stuck together like glue, bonded from the old times. We all laughed loudly as the party host hushed us, but we all knew we all shared a mindset. Now the party is over I think about the echos of joviality and how much I want to spend more time with them.

A Script for Cowboys

At long last, the script for my next video is written. Spent the morning sharping it and reworking the intro and it's all the better for it. It's also twice as long as any of my other video scripts so it'll be a doozy to do the final cut. Once I get some more time off I can commit to that and have this damn idea out into the open. I'm gearing up to enjoy my last weekend before a burst fire of work over the next few weeks, commuting to and from Cardiff each day will munch into my free time so I'll try and make the most of it.

Cosmic Headache

The singular worst headache greeted me when I woke up, it matured later on in the morning and basically left me bed-ridden for an hour. Never experienced anything like that before, Rebecca reckons I slept too deeply so maybe I just need to start getting up early again. Next week will sort me out if that's the case, especially if I'm commuting to Cardiff.

Community Gamer

I think... I've finished the first pass of the script for my next video. I'll read it again with fresh(ish) eyes tomorrow and tweak it a bit but right now I think it's all there. Made a Pho tonight to celebrate and luckily for everyone I didn't go mental with the 5 spice. Turned out delicious, balenced and brimming with garlic... Just what I needed before heading out to play board games with total strangers.

While walking around Totterdown I spotted a sign for a board game night at an art gallery. I took a mental note and decided today I'd take the plunge into the unknown and I'm very glad I did. Met a bunch of friendly faces and played a handful of games I'd never even heard of before, it was a very light evening and gentle, icebreaker vibes all round. I think the owner is keen to make his space a bit of a community centre in the local area and a games night is the perfect way for people to start networking. If I'm free for future Wednesdays I may we'll go again.

Balls of a Feather...

The cat was in a playful mood today, lucky for her, there's a whole you box of toys Rebecca bought online for her that's stocked with unseen goodies. One of them is literally a ball with a feather attached and she went mental for it, mostly because it keeps moving after she nudges it. We have the infamous cat nip stuffed owl too, but dropping that in front of her is the parenting equivalent of passing a child an unlocked iPad.

While cracking on with my own little bits an old colleague got in touch and offered me a few weeks work starting next week. Based in Cardiff so I get to spread my wings and meet a few new faces - actually quite looking forward to it!

Stuffed to the Rafters

Didn't really want to leave Newbury as the holiday weekend has gone by so quickly. Dad rustled up a leg of lamb alongside flatbread and, with the help of Louis', a mountain of microcubed salad - all of which was top notch. My Aunt and Uncle popped round to wish us all a happy Easter, not seen them since Christmas I believe so it was good to catch up with them. 

Good grief I don't need to eat anything else for a fair old while now though. I've felt full for a day and a half now, reckon I need to pace myself a bit this week, then at least I won't feel so guilty about tucking into my chocolate... Or Rebecca's...

Happy Easter 2022

I kinda forgot chocolate eggs are a big part of Easter, I'm mostly jazzed about the hot cross buns these days and the cheese and Marmite ones likely won't make it to 2023's breakfast table. An Easter walk is customary so we did o e first thing around a nearby estate and canal, spotting plenty of sheep (and tiny lambs) as we walked. Garden furniture was unpacked and we'll used once we got home, a light lunch of cold turkey meat and Summer pudding filled us up... Until we all remembered there was chocolate to be eaten.

We tried out the board game Mordern Art too with a full table if 5 players. Though I wrapped my head around the rules, explaining the clever conceit of the game proved tricky to start with, though Rachel got it immediately and stormed ahead with points. Not enough to pip Louis though, figures he'd thrive in a game about art.

Scaredy Cat

Said hello to Rebecca's parents while trying to comfort a skittish cat in the living room. Though she never quite acclimated to the two new strangers in her territory she was still very well behaved. Leaving the cat behind we went on a walk again to the cemetery where carpets of wild garlic grows so I picked a whole bunch for some flavour boosters next week. Louis. Rachel and I all then drove down to Newbury for the Easter weekend, already had a cracking roast dinner so can't wait to see what else will line my plate!

Well actually, I already know one thing... Cheese and marmite hot cross buns...

Tudor Portraiture

While trawling the busy highstreets of Bath we spotted a few cross-bearers dragging themselves along the cobbled streets. Easter weekend is indeed a time for Jesus but everyone around them just wanted to do a bit of shopping in the sun. The cross carrying effect was somewhat diminished once we passed the same chap a while later, but he got his side kick to carry the lode while he wore a sandwich board... 

Yes, we were in Bath today, the cute town where you're always within earshot of a grandfather clock each hour. We were there to look at Tudor portraits that were on display in an upmarket gallery. There was a higher uptick in footfall there since the venue was also a filming location for Bridgerton (that may also explain the high ticket price for admission). All the Tudors were still there, their likenesses immortalized on canvas. I couldn't stop thinking about how Henry VIII was the origin of our nation's love of scandal and Love Island. Rebecca took a much more serious view of it all as it still is her favorite period of history. We did some customary bookshop browsing while in town before calling it a day, Bath does get swamped with people on nice Bank Holidays and we ducked in and out with perfect timing.

Marquise De Cats

A friend popped round to spend the day with me, guess a little bit like a play date. Mostly it was spent playing a variety of games, Rebecca joined in too laterly for a smattering of board games that went on a little past our bedtime. (Our cat was intrigued to see us up so late!) Nothing too important to get up for tomorrow though as Good Friday looms, get yet hot cross buns and Easter chocolates ready!

 

 

Pizza Ponderer

Glued myself to my writing chair to furiously try and finish my current project. Though the sweet, sweet end is not yet fully in sight I had another little 'ah ha' moment that opened up a few avenues, and deleted away several paragraphs of likely redundant text. Brevaty has thankfully always been a strong(ish) suit with me - why work harder after all when you can work smarter and write less in the first place. 

Once my brain was melted into goo I scraped it back up again, stuffed it into my cranium and went out with Rebecca for pizza with some of her friends. Lots of big personalities around the table so I was content to sit back and listen for most of the night. Bless Rebecca, whenever I'm a bit quiet during a social outing she always checks in on me. Really it's nice not to keep my brain running all the time.

Poke Bowl (Gotta Catch them All)

A few months back a friend shared a recipe for a chicken poke bowl with me that looked fool proof... Or so I thought because the first time I made it back in January it was a bit thin and underwhelming. I wanted to give it another stab today (having learnt what pitfalls lie ahead in this meal prep.) Turns out, I can make a delicious spicy chicken broth in under 30 minutes - one that I couldn't get enough of once I started eating it.

Monday Scratches

The start of a new week, it's always tricky to get back into the swing of things. I've set myself a mental deadline for when I want to be done with my current writing project, especially since I'be been tinkering with this one for so long. I'm enjoying plugging away at it though and it's consistently getting sharper so I'm finding it fulfilling but I'd get even more satisfaction out of a fully done piece. Owning a cat has naturally made it harder to stay focused too (it hasn't but it's a fun excuse), getting up to play with her or to give her a chin scratch is plenty fun too. We keep marvelling at how well she's settled into our home, she was snoring next to Rebecca all evening so I guess she feels comfortable around us. Cat's Protection even ran a small Facebook story about how she's found a good home after Rebecca filled out a questionaire - it's mostly just photos of Rebecca looking enamored with our cat... I didn't know what else to expect though.

Jaipur

Louis, Rachel, Rebecca and I all went out this morning for a cooked breakfast at a very local brunch spot. I'd heard only good things about this place and it surpassed my expectations thanks in large part to a superb veggie full English platter. Filled me up enough to walk around the block with Rebecca afterwards, the Sun was shining so Arnos Vale cemetery was the perfect place to head to for a quiet stroll. 

Once home we caught the postman just as he was about to deliver a very small board game I got for me and Rebecca. Jaipur was the game I wish we had in the hight of lockdown as it's built specifically as a 2 player experience. It clicked immediately with me and Rebecca, I won overall which instantly lands it in my good books, but Rebecca is keen to beat me. Knowing her brain for games this'll be the only time I ever win.

Chill Sunday overall... About as chill as this cat:

Keeping it Virtual

You know what they say about the best laid plans? Dan was meant to be coming down to Bristol this weekend to hang out with Mark and me, unfortunately Mark tested positive for Covid so we called the meet up off. That didn't stop us from having a lengthy afternoon of games though, including a virtual rendition of a board game Dan and I were very excited to show Mark. Time flew by today as a result, too much jollyness clearly. We'll try and get down again sometime later, it was pre-pandemic before I last spent any real time with him face to face.

Uncorked Brain

The most thudding headache weighed me down throughout the day. Not coffee, nor water nor painkillers could dull the pain so I just had to muscle it out while trying to do some writing. Typically I work until 5pm each day if I'm doing my own projects, but moments before my deadline I achieved a state of writing nirvana. Suddenly everything I worked towards fell into place and words sprayed out of my brain. The headache too was gone, expelled like a cork from a bottle of champagne. Never had this sensation before, almost feels like the relief I felt when finishing my dissertation.

Shaded in Weston

The coast if Weston Super-Mare beckoned. I spent the day locked away in a derelict beach building going through all the art assets of a show that recently ended. I had to re-catalouge everything, from the egg cups to the bathtubs and add pictures to the inventory. The plan was that I'd record everything today and haul it all somewhere next week. Turns out there's a lot more stuff than we realized though so I may need a honking big van. At last, an excuse to drive another big rig.

Cat Flap King

While patiently awaiting a phonecall I thought I'd try again with the whole 'taking our cat outside' thing. She bolted out the door, while I was doing up my shoes she'd already hopped onto the neighbours fence. With trepidation I watched her ponder leaping into the adjacent garden, though my heart clutched the cat treats, my brain told me she'd be fine out on her lonesome. I immediately changed my mind the second she leapt down out of sight. Re next 15 minutes I spent scrambling around, looking for vantage points to get a line of sight on our wandering kitty. Like all Father's, I mused to myself 'how long can I keep this mis-parenting time bomb a secret from my other half?' Eventually I involved Rebecca and with her by my side I felt only slightly less embarrassed to be shaking cat treats in front of all my neighbours. 

She returned to us eventually after a grand little adventure, in fact it was so good for her we let her out unsupervised for a little bit - a test to see if she could find her way home without us. Rain begun to fall and a soggy cat pottered quickly back home while I sniggered to myself behind the window.

Best part about today is how I saved us £200. We always anticipated getting a new catflap installed, Rebecca found some online and I researched contractors to fit it. One by one they all said 'if you got one already, just fit the new one yourself!' As I inspected the one that came with the house I spotted it was exactly the one we were looking to get - a bit if TLC later and it was up and running. We scanned in our cat's microchip and now only she can use the little door. Chuffed we didn't have to spend any money! A true Durrant win.

Boiling Point

Took the cat outside for the first time ever. 'Supervised Outdoor Time' was recommended online, at least for her first venture out so I sat with her while she pawed around the garden. Latterly I discreetly watched her from the living room window... They say all cats are opportunists and she saw her moment to try and leap over our garden wall. Hilariously, she only just made it up, a scramble got her hind legs up and over. I was too anxious to laugh in the moment though and sprung out with treats to coax her off the wall. She came back to us thankfully, next time we'll pop her collar in and then she's ready to enjoy the great outdoors.

She was tuckered out after her adventure so Rebecca and I watch Boiling Point in peace - what a thrilling one shot film! Set in a high end restaurant, the film takes us through the head chef's start to a very, very busy shift. Squabbles between the team and personal demons manifest - the success of the night balences on a knifes edge. Much more praiseworthy though is how it manages to dedicate just enough screentime to the side characters to make you care about each and everyone of them. The night is going downhill without brakes, but all the staff are facing their own battles, carrying their world on their shoulders, privately choking back the tears in an effort to keep on going. Short and snippy, there ain't no fat on Boiling Point.

Back to the Bone

Louis hopped into the car and we both drove down to Newbury to wish Dad a happy Birthday. Wine, cheese and some Bristol beers were produced alongside a big lunch and a slap up meal at a new Indian restaurant. Was nice being all together, just the core 4 of us throughout the day, though Dad was mostly working from home today I hope our presence made the day a little more special.

My parents are trying to do their bit with the Ukrainian war effort by opting to host some refugees. To do this though Louis and I would need to gut out our bedrooms, so we prepped the bun liners and hacked away at our childhood once again. I pulled down my very, very old Mario poster and purged cupboards and drawers. Louis did an almost full empty of his room, taking it back to the bone - you'd barely known he'd lived in there now. It's easy to get overly sentimental about childhood tat, for the first few hours I repressed that feeling for stuff but once it started to creep in I had to wrap it up else I'd be getting nowhere fast. Both rooms look sharp now though, ready to take on guests for certain. Plus the house is 4 bin bags lighter of gubbins.

Once a Regular...

Took a walk with Louis and Rachel up North Street, I wanted to pop into Coffee #1 to see how my old colleagues were getting on. The place was still ticking along, I even spotted a few regulars on some tables. I gave Rebecca a great big hug when she got home from London, feels like far too long since we saw each other so it was lovely spending some quality time together watching Sanditon and The Last Bus while dispencing behind the scenes info to her.

Almost a Lap Cat

With Rebecca once again away in London this weekend to watch a Broadway musical, I am once again cat sitting. Pretty sweet gig though, she's getting increasing playful and affectionate as the days go by. While watching films she likes to jump up on the sofa and rest her head against me now which is adorable. She never sits still when you stroke her though, makes reading subtitles really tough since she keeps fidgeting so much.

The Last Bus

Chuffed as anything to finally announce that Netflix have at long last put out The Last Bus - the very first big-time project I've been involved in. Rebecca and I watched episode 1 during our lunch break and I'm already dying to see what comes next. Well, I already know what happens, but I love seeing it get brought to life off the script pages. My name is in the credits too which is electrifying!