Quick Turn Around

I stepped into the truck almost before the sun rose today. As my team and crew started piling on I could sense an electricity in the air - it was the signature Friday feeling. Sure enough, they churned through it in the floor and we mostly got out in great time, ready for the weekend. I got off so early in fact that I got to pop out to the local board game night again and Rebecca even joined in for the fun and games! Though my brain may have been turned to mush by my work week, I always have a second wind for my hobbies.

Fit and Healthy Kitten

 Worked from home this morning so I could load up the cat into the carrier so Rebecca could take her to the vet for her annual checkup. She got a clean bill of health, but noted she'd put on a little bit of puppy fat, gotta keep her diet a bit leaner before she turns into a chonker.

Back at base it turned out my entire day would revolve around coffee - but not actually making any of it. I dashed out to get more pods for makeup department and did a cost report on the price differential on getting the cast a mini pod machine vs them asking for posh coffee from nearby shops. I managed to massage that request in our favour but there's still a few more battles to fight. Keeps me on my toes these fun requests!

Babysitting

As a little thank you from the cast, we were treated to a coffee truck on set today. Once upon a time I used to ask if I could man the machine but I let these chaps to the heavy lifting today - I was unusually busy in the run up to lunch helping out the catering department do some leg work. That and a wifi chap came to peddle his wares to our top dogs and I had to chaperone him around set. If I was being pessimistic I would call these two instances babysitting... Let's just say I was indeed feeling pessimistic today.

Low Profile

 Another 2nd Unit day but I didn't have to do anywhere near as much heavy lifting. Our units were only a few minutes from each other so catering and all other requirements could be easily serviced. I kept to myself for the most part, playing the role of wifi engineer whenever I could and doing a supermarket run. We've just about hit a nice stride now, with any luck we'll keep on this pace until we wrap.

Blessed Monday

Returned to the truck for another day of shooting. The crew seemed much more chipper after a 3 day weekend, refreshed, peppy and generally in high spirits so it was a fun day all round. I even got to toddle down onto set to watch a bit of the action unfold. Since we were outside there was plenty of space to meander around the place, chat to people and watch the monitors. The weather was nice too! All in it was just one of those days where I felt blessed to be working in such a unique industry with a solid crew.

Can't Handle the Hot Pot

Turned the key for the last time in our cosy sheppards hut, our long weekend holiday was over. We left Wales feeling refreshed and rested, an ideal city break for us both after a busy March. Such a quirky accommodation, no doubt it'll stay in my memory for a long old while.

My parents came visiting from lunchtime onwards, in-between cups of coffee and sofa chit chats we took them to several of the finest eateries in town. Rachel recommended a hot pot place - the kind where you cook you own food in a bubbling cat of broth. We opted for a 50/50 split on the soup, a classic side and a spicy side. We asked for 'low' spice level, god help anyone that asks for anything more potent than that because I sweated out my body weight after only a few mouthfuls. Louis kept glancing at me and giggling because I couldn't handle the heat. I don't think he could either but he just masked it much better. Doing something different with my parents is always a good time though, shame the day went so quickly because it was great to see them again.

A "Short" Hike

Starting in Monmouth Rebecca and I had high hopes on hiking out to Symonds Yat and back again. It would only be 4 hours of walking, how hard could that be? We'll, in the sunshine and showers plus the muddy terrain it turned out to be a bit of a mission. Luckily we packed a top tier lunch and just keeping that in our minds gave us so much mental will power. With aching legs we returned to our hut filthy and battered, ready to crash out in our digs and enjoy the peace and quiet. I took a beer outside and read some of my new books, drinking in the countryside in between page turns. You forget just how revitalizing a little break can be.