Football and Holiday Homecoming

A leaisurely morning gave way to a slopey afternoon. It's been a nice long week away for me and Rebecca but it's time for us to head back home. There's bills to pay and a cat to feed afterall. So the car was loaded up, I drove and two hours later I was back in Bristol. First thing I did was dismantle my isolation chamber - airing the room and stripping the temporary bed, nuking all memory of that nasty few days locked away from the world. The football was begging to be watched so we tuned in while Rebecca eagerly gripped the edge of her seat. 'Its a proud day to be a woman in the UK' she said, then followed up with 'and you don't get to say that very often.' sadly true.

London Heat

Got tipsy pretty quickly while day drinking with some friends from Uni. We were out celebrating a recent Birthday in London at a very swanky pub. I felt a bit merry after just one beer, likely the heat and the hunger put me quickly over the edge. Fearing I'd look like a wet blanket I ordered another pint which I nursed at a much more modest pace. That didn't spoil my day however, though I worked with this particular friend for the last few months, this would be his send off before he shipped out to Canada for a spell. One last hurrah in London was just what he needed, even if it came at the cost if my sobriety.

Perspiring

 Bid Bournemouth farewell and moved onto Rebecca's neck of the woods in London. A long drive in the sun took us into the heart of the heat where only cool drinks and cat naps got us through the day. When it came time to BBQ in the evening however the clouds appeared to give us a little shade, just enough to cool me off. I began perspiring again once Rebecca and her folks announced they'd be watching out for me in today's episode of Sanditon which features me in the deep background of one of the scenes. My acting has been branded as 'Awkward as all Hell's by my Brother and, while I agree, it's still a proud moment for me. Glad I could make a physical mark on a show that consumed 1/56th of my entire life.

Choppy Waters

With sand between my toes and my skin feeling greasy from lotion, I was beach ready. Been a hot minute since I've been in the sea but all the steps came back to me, except bracing myself for the cold, cold water. That's something I'll never get used to. The water was choppy today which meant the whole time Rebecca and I were bopping up and (sometimes) over waves. Dad quickly lost his prescription glasses in the sea, I tried looking round for them but I think the ocean claimed them. Nothing left to do but read and doze off in the Sun. There's no pressure, no rushing, no stress by the sea, just recentering and learning to vibe with the moment. I've missed that.

Your Local Tip

 There was a lot of talk about hitting the beach today, but the Sun didn't want to come out and play. So instead I headed to the second funnest place in Bournemouth: the dump. Hurling mattresses into a big skip is the definition of male bonding and me and Dad made it look like we were born to hock soft furnishings over chest-high walls.

Beach tomorrow... It's overdue now.

Wimborne Eggs

Mum and Dad took us on a little walk to Wimborne, a town I only visited when I was a toddler to see the model village. I didn't fancy treading down memory lane today. I just wanted baked eggs with Turkish meat paste on sourdough and miraculously there was somewhere in town that could accommodate.

Mum's Wasgij puzzle was finished in under 24 hours - with that rich vein of entertainment well and truly tapped dry my mind wandered to other sources of fun. As is customary everytime I come to Bournemouth I redownloaded Fortnite to see how it's coming along. I garnered an audience while I played and came first on my second rodeo of 2022... Still got it.

Admiring Bournemouth

 It wouldn't be time off in Bournemouth without an Ikea flatpack build! Mum and I constructed a chest of drawers ready for the new students, all the while I was thinking about all the stuff I got to build this time last year as I prepped the Sanditon Production Office. Rebecca and I went for a stroll down to the city centre, popping into our favorite shops and weaving through the crowds at the Lower Gardens as we approached the pier. It was bustling today, even on an overcast day I forgot how busy the beachfront can get. Once it brightens up a bit, I'll be first one down to the seaside.

Negative, By Gumbo!

Before the sleep dust was rubbed from my eyes, I had a lateral flow swab firmy up my nose. By golly, I was going to get a negative result... And I did! After some trepidation I was coaxed out of my holding area and rejoined my family... Without going overboard on the mingling. Outdoor activities like strawberry picking was ideal (and delicious) plus a venture into our beloved Winton High street favourite shops was a good time shared by all. Looking forward to enjoying my holiday to it's fullest now.

Boy in the Bubble

Though I was still testing positive this morning, Rebecca and I made a genuinely Covid safe trip down to Bounemouth so I could self isolate in a brand new room! It was also Mum's Birthday today so it made sense to make the effort to go down and see her, come what may! And so, for Mum's Birthday I got to be the Boy in the Bubble - distanced during meals or behind a window in one instance. Obviously it was a little surreal and far from ideal, but it was really great to spend a bit of time with my family, even through a barrier. 

I'm feeling miles better today too, fingers crossed I get the all clear as early as tomorrow so I can rejoin the fun and begin properly enjoying my holiday!

Classic Covid Friday

Just another classic Friday night of being locked in a room. I prepped my handover for today and officially signed off on Malory Towers Series 4. Ain't much more to do on it now other than check my final payslip. I left without much fanfare as I slipped into the shadows. My duties were mostly fulfilled, but nothing my team can't handle going forward. Once I clocked off I dove into a rare treat these days, Mark and Dan were around for game this evening, something I haven't been able do with them for almost 2 months now. It was great to debrief with Mark and compare little stories about how our jobs were going. Even though I was stuck in a room, it goes by quicker when spending time with good friends.

Trademark Bung

 The Covid swiftly migrated toy nose today, giving me that trademark 'bunged up' sound whenever I tried to make phonecalls. I have a hand over to do tomorrow as I finish up on Malory Towers, but it's looking pretty good on my end with virtually no loose ends. I just keep looking forward to the next time I can sleep these days, time goes quickest with your eyes closed and I'm clambering to get back to normal now. Fingers crossed my blocked nose doesn't stope from enjoyingy resting time to it's maximum capacity.

Closing 4 Walls

On the slow road to recovery I worked from within my 4 walls, I'm convinced that every morning they're all just a little closer together. We've been making the most of it though, after work we had electronic board games and take away to tuck into - an initiative to make Rebecca's evenings a little less plain. I'm feeling overall on the mend but just constantly feeling a bit tired. Gotta catch my rest while I still can.

Dreaded Double Lines

 Ran a few errands before listening properly to my body. I developed a sore throat sometime last night and it came to a head this afternoon. Ran a Covid test and sure enough, I got the dreaded double lines.

So once again, I'm slumming it in the spare room. Detached from human contact and unable to spread my wings in the balmy heat. I'm really, really hoping I didn't pass it onto Rebecca in the run up, she's fine now but we're keeping a close eye on her. I've just got a head cold, very mild but I'm irritable in the heat. If I can make it through the night though I'll be fine.

Monday, Bloody Monday

Though my team decreed today to be Production's day off, I somehow found myself working through most of it... Bit of a recurring theme really. More phonecalls and emails bled out into my day - one courier booking in particular should have been an easy task but I ended up spending most of my day babysitting it. As the day grew warmer, my energy and patience evaporated. All I could think about was how much I just wanted to decompress without niggles of emails. Once this week is up I'm out and the work I did today hopefully means I'm in for an smooth exit.

At Last... A Sunday

Wow, I'd almost forgotten what Sunday's feel like. A cooked breakfast at home followed by some easy chores. I made another batch of lemonade now that I have a peeler that actually works, I left it steeping while Rebecca and I sat in the coldest room in the house and played many, many board games. The day went too fast though, now I'm ever closer to Monday when the hijinxs and bedlam starts up again. Plenty to do even after the filming is over.

Something out of a Tarintino Movie

Did my duty to the wrap party and helped with the cleanup and pack down this morning. There were a few groggy faces this morning, mine included. An empty stomach and a splitting headache is a deadly combo, as soon as I felt like I'd done all I could I drove out to the nearest McDonald's for a shameless late breakfast. So there I was, eating chips and nursing a black coffee with a face of pure desolation amidst a children's birthday party. Just as I felt myself becoming self aware, a pair of familiar faces popped in: our Director and DOP were driving my way and also wanted to get a bite to eat. So, like in an old Tarantino movie we chatted about nothing while chowing down on a burger. Great to see them once last chance time before they fly back to Canada.

I staved off the worst of a nasty hangover and drove back home to Bristol. Just walking through my front door gave me a wave of comfort. Home. How I've craved it and how sweet it feels to be back with Rebs and amidst my creature comforts.

That's a Wrap - Malory Towers S4

And so, after a crazy, manic busy day, the shoot is over. The wrap party I spent a good week planning went off without a hitch, food drink and cars home all turned up on que. Just a shame we couldn't go past midnight with our partying, everyone wanted to go on for more but we had a hard out for midnight. I'm totally shattered, but a little more to do tomorrow before I finally get to go home and give Rebecca a massive hug. I honestly cannot wait.

The Road to Barnstaple

I gave more hours of my life to the long road to Barnstaple today than ever before. Three individual to-and-fro trips punctuated my day, all for good causes mind but gosh it's a boring drive. I tee'd up the last few bits for the wrap party, crew were bubbling with excitement today and you could feel it in the air. Can't believe there's only one day left.

Wrap Wrangler

T-minus two more shooting days... I don't know if I have time to sort everything out! It's always a made scramble on the last couple of days but we're even losing our truck early now so we need to arrange that being gutted. I'm still the chap who's across most of the wrap party stuff which seems to be slowly but surely coming together. All of the booze got misdelivered today so I'm having to go out and chase it down tomorrow... Aside from that it's going ok anyways. 

One part of the wrap gifts arrived today too which look way better in person than on email. Everyone in the office is stoked with them so I'm very keen to see what the crew reaction is.

Life Giving Lemonade

 I once again did my very best stretch Armstrong impression today as I was tugged around l over the place. Started with a big old drive to Barnstaple and back, then I was launched into a mind melting few hours during another sweltering day. I grifted hard to get some cheap pizzas for our wrap party and did my very best to keep on top of all the transport requests to get the cast home. In the middle of it all I presented a bottle of my home made lemonade which was like a tonic for the office. Smiles returned and we all got on with our day, each of our burdens a little lighter.

Lollies

Every phonecall I received was giving me bad news today. Things are difficult to wrangle so close to the end of the job, especially now when it feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day. I was already scrambling around for a lot of the afternoon but a call out for me to go to pickup 100 ice lollies for the crew was a bit cheeky. The team were incredibly grateful though which was good to see, reminded me that we are all in it together.

Very early start for me tomorrow as I take a big van and swap it for a smaller one, all before 7:30 tomorrow morning.

Croyde

There was a 50/50 chance of me feeling violently hungover as the morning progressed, thank the stars nothing came of it! Instead I felt fit enough to head down to Croyde with some if the crew for a well deserved day off. I think today is actually the first real 24 hour period where I did nothing pertaining to the shoot. Instead I ate Pringles on the beach, dipped my feet in the ocean and sunned myself on the gorgeous seashore. Perhaps I was a little too keen to go sunning as I burnt on a few choice patches. Guess that's what you get when you're having too much fun.

Moonlight Shadow

 Kept trucking through a working Saturday, nothing crazy or bonkers happened until the day ended, for that was our final bit of time off until the end of the job. I ran down to the local pun to spend a bit of time with the crew, but when I got there, there was only a smattering of us. But weade the most if it and shot pool with strangers and held toasts to the ever-drawing end of shoot. Walking back home through the woodland I kept my phone in my breast pocket and trundled through the wilderness. Then I looked up at the sky, Hartland has minimal light pollution so it was easy to make out all the stars. What caught me off guard was seeing my shadow in the light of the moon. In bed now, ready for a very, very well deserved lie in.

Don't Tell the Crew

Attention is slowly shifting out towards the wrap party now. I asked our lovely Art Department team to help decorate our marque and I'm scrambling to find catering and transport for it all. It's basically a mini wedding I'm working on right now, yet I already feel like I've covered more ground than any Don't Tell The Bride contestant. 

Working the final Saturday tomorrow, usually that equates to an easier day but historically they like to throw curveballs towards us.

Bye Bye BoJo

The whole shoot crew was rather energized after hearing of Boris Johnson's departure. Jibes of 'About time!' and 'Thank the Lord's could be heard while queuing up for breakfast. That aura lingered with me for about 30 minutes, then it was back to the grindstone of, no wifi, booking cars, cancelling plans and doing long drives to the supermarket. I learnt how hard it was to break a £10 note these days too. Not even the off lisence would look me in the eye when I asked. Luckily I found a classic 'old man pub' which didn't even bat an eye when I asked. The crew shan't go out without their laundrette money this weekend on my watch!

Canadian Road Trip

 Took one of our Canadian cast members on a little road trip to get them a hire car. We chatted about hometowns, work and bonded over coffee. Dropped them off at midday, which funnily enough was only the first hour of work for me. We went up until just after 10pm tonight, working late once more to get some evening stuff in the can. My sights have shifted towards wrap plans now, specifically the get out side of it all which ain't fun but someone's gotta think about it.

Summer Sunsets

 I became our unofficial wifi engineer around Unit Base, seemingly I was the only one with the magic touch to get the system up and running again. Even with all my good efforts, the signal kept dropping out all the time which made it near impossible to get anything done at times. Still, we shoulder the hardships and move on. More Luton driving and plenty of printing today, classic stuff really. We segwaying towards later days now so I'll be finishing after Summer sunset for most of this week. My circadian rhythm has been a little disturbed already but I'll soon settle into a groove.

Misspent Monday

Rest days on Mondays are forever cursed. Though your meant to be enjoying a day off, the rest of the world doesn't give a damn. So my morning was spent replying to emails, when I looked up it was lunchtime and the only thing that went into my stomach up to that point was a cup of black coffee. It did slow down latterly and Matt and I watched some CBBC together to catch the live link of our cast chatting with the TV hosts. Crazy to think I'm on the other side of that looking glass now, children's TV used to be my life growing up and now I'm making it.

At least thinking like that makes my misspent Monday feel a lot better.

Tintagel

As a team, we reckoned we should make the most of our off-day. We were due to travel back from Cornwall to Devon but we thought we'd do a pit stop at Tintagel - a spot that I was recommended to visit last year but never made the time. Well let me just say that even thought the ticket price was jolly steep, it was gorgeous there. There's an English Heritage site there which is mostly cliffs and reminents of an old citadel. It's an insanely beautiful part of the world and we somehow got permanent blue skies the whole time. Ice cream, mead and coffee completed the day out. With a camera full of photographs we continued up the coast and back into Hartland. This felt like my first real day off since we started shooting and reminded me of why I loved this job so much last year.

Production Guardian Angel

Most of my working day is spent teeing up well laid plans, then scrambling to sort them all out when they invariably come off the rails. A taxi I booked for someone never materialized. It was a farly time sensitive one as someone had a train to catch so I had to hoof it down to get them myself, screeching in at the train station with only 7 minutes left to spare. I helped another colleague sort out their car that got badly damaged on the road in the morning, all the while I had to rush down car keys to a member of cast many miles down the road. A lot of problems landed on my desk basically but I took a lot of pride in helping sort them. Just hope I can stop being a guardian angel for the weekend!

Run Ragged

Think the highlight of my day was double booking the same courier job, then having to make an awkward cancelation phonecall in front of my whole team. Felt like such a plum. Friday has been and gone, now it's just one last push through Saturday to complete the week. There's actually zero room for error tomorrow so we just gotta keep ploughing through it. I don't remember the job being so tough this time last year, perhaps we've bitten off more than we can chew...