So I know this is a random time of night to write a blog post, but it has been one heck of a day!

I think this might be the biggest news I've ever been able to share... Jared and I have just bought our first house together!

I'm so proud of our achievement and that we managed it all by ourselves. It's taken a lot of saving and dedication but it was worth it in the end!

We first found out about the house back in March and went to view it in April, so it's been over six months from the first steps to getting the keys. It's been a long and a difficult road that at times has seemed impossible.

I'll write details in further posts but for now I just wanted to share our exciting news!

Buying a home has been top of my goals for a long time and I can't believe that we have actually done it.

Right now life is a bit hectic and we are frantically sorting things out, so I'll keep this post short and sweet.

Once things are more settled I'll share more info, but for now I've got packing to do!

Exploring Wiltshire - Visiting Old Sarum

The August bank holiday weekend already feels like it was years ago rather than just a few weekends back. The Friday before the bank holiday was such a great day. First off, it was payday, which is always a great start to any Friday. The forecast for the weekend was fab and it was already sunny on Friday. My work treated us to bacon sandwiches and let us go home at 4pm! To top it all I had the whole following week off work. I was practically skipping by the end of the day.

We spent the Sunday of the bank holiday visiting Old Sarum to watch the medieval joust. For those who aren't familiar with Wiltshire, Old Sarum is the earliest settlement in Salisbury and lies about 2 miles north of the current city. The site itself has been settled since prehistoric times and the fort dates from the Iron Age. 

It was later controlled by the Romans and the Saxons where it was used as a stronghold against the Vikings. The Normans built the Motte and Bailey castle and the cathedral, the remains of which can still be seen today.

When construction began for the new (and current) cathedral in Salisbury during the 13th century Old Sarum began to decline and many of the buildings were used to provide stone for the newer buildings. 

If you have any interest in history this is well worth a visit and isn't as packed as some of Wiltshire's more popular sites (and by that I mean Stonehenge). It's really cool to walk around it and imagine what it must have been like to live there. 

My parents used to take me to visit when I was little as it's a great day out for small children, plenty of room to run around safely and history that is actually tangible enough for even little kids to understand.

Jared has never been and what better day to go then when the fort is playing host to a medieval joust? The sunshine was glorious, we packed a picnic and spent a day enjoying the sunshine.

There was plenty to watch with the falconry display and the knights displaying their skill at arms.

Finally at the end of the day there was the joust itself, which was action packed and great to watch!

If you're ever in Wiltshire and you're looking for things to do that showcase the history of the area, then Old Sarum is a must see.

We have so much history right on our doorstep here in the UK, that sometimes I think we don't make enough of an effort to get out there and actually see it. 

Plus the view from the top, overlooking the modern city is pretty cool as well.

Have you ever visited? Or do you have something awesome near your home town worth seeing? Let me know! I'm always looking for new things to see and do!

20 Reasons to be excited for Autumn

Like every blogger in the world I am super excited that Autumn is just round the corner now we're in September. Without wanting to sound like a dick, I liked Autumn before it was cool and all about chunky knitwear and berry toned lipsticks. 

It's been my favourite season since childhood and people used to tell me I was weird for liking it better than summer. I suspect it's because I've always associated it with going back to school and the fresh start that it brings.  Like the true goody two shoes I am I've always loved school and got excited about going back to learn new things.

In some ways Autumn is sad because it's the end of the summer, but to me I've always seen it as more than just pretty coloured leaves. It represents wiping the slate clean, ready for a fresh start to be born come spring. I also secretly love the stark barren landscape of Wiltshire in the winter. It has it's own unique beauty to it that is masked by all the growth of the summer. 

So because blogger cliches are cliches for a reason here is why I am excited for Autumn to arrive!

1. Layers. All the layers. You're not really that British unless you have got more than one jumper on. You can whip out your chunky jumpers. Your fine knit ones. The oversized sweatshirts. And the fun doesn't stop at jumpers, your extensive cosy scarf collection comes out of hiding. Time to wear all. of. it. 

2. Being able to wear ankle boots with every outfit. Doesn't matter what the outfit is, a sassy black ankle boot with a mid heel will instantly improve it. 

3. No more shaving your legs. Or painting your toenails for that matter. Your razors can gather dust because those babies are not seeing the sun again until mid June at best. Let's face it, it's way too much effort anyway. 

4. Picking blackberries and making the world's sexiest blackberry and apple crumble with enough custard for the crumble to do laps in.

5. Making homemade jam, or going pumpkin picking, or whatever other wholesome venture your heart desires that can only be done properly at this time of year. 

6. Feeling no guilt whatsoever about spending your evening snuggled up watching Harry Potter because there is zero point in doing anything productive when it's already dark and raining.

7. Your extensive blanket, candle and fairy light collection is finally dusted off and put to good use again. 

8. Baking gingerbread to make your house smell warm and cosy. And because baking is a million times more fun with a hot cup of tea and a soothing cooking programme on while you wait for it to come out of the oven. 

9. Getting up early, making yourself a flask of steaming hot chocolate and taking yourself for a walk in the crisp air. 

10. Knowing that every Friday brings you not only the weekend, but that little bit closer to Christmas and all of the magic that December holds. 

11. Forget PSL (gross) it's all about the Spiced Apple tea. If you've never tried this then you need to, it's the most warming and comforting thing ever.

12. Sitting inside on a Sunday with a good book, listening to the rain outside.

13. Making the incredibly difficult decision of which one of your 487895521 winter coats you're going to wear to work today. 

14. Your biggest, fluffiest dressing gown can become your favourite item of clothing again.

15. Treating yourself to a new, fluffy pair of slippers because a girl has got to have warm tootsies at all times. 

16. Shepherd's pie, lasagna, toad in the hole, roast potatoes, gravy... you can stick your fancy summer salads and get back to the old school hearty basics.

17. Halloween and Bonfire night are just around the corner.

18. It's no longer so hot and sweaty that showers are all you can stand. A good long soak in the bath after a long day is just what you need. Preferably with candles, a good book and your favourite bubble bath.

19. Putting your wellies and a coat on and getting out of the house for a good walk to clear your head. Even if it's raining. 

20. The magic of the first proper frost. The cool crisp air, the way everything is really still early in the morning. How the landscape seems so unfamiliar. 

Are you sad the summer is over? Or are you secretly like me and prefer the subtle charm of Autumn and Winter? Let me know what you're looking forward to!

Exploring Wiltshire - Trip to Avebury

Ah Wiltshire. The glorious county that I am lucky enough to call home. After 4 long years in urban Southampton I am so relieved to be back in the countryside where I can actually breathe.
At the same time that I moved back here my boyfriend Jared also moved in with my family, which was a huge change but I have to admit I am surprised how well its going so far.

Despite being a country boy at heart Jared has grown up in the suburbs and is entirely new to Wiltshire and the many hidden delights it has to offer.

When most people think of Wiltshire's landmarks (and the UK as a whole) they often immediately think of Stonehenge. However as a local I find Stonehenge to be a tourist nightmare that I have seen so many times that it kind of makes me want to claw my eyes out.

So for Jared's first trip round Wiltshire we jumped in the car and drove the 45min to Avebury.
Less well known than Stonehenge and much larger, I've always preferred the freedom to explore at your own pace offered at Avebury.

The stone circle is not fully complete (but then neither is Stonehenge) as a lot of the stones have been pilfered to build the gorgeous old stone houses that are nearby. It is also free to visit and there are numerous walks you can do that connect Avebury to nearby attractions such as Silbury Hill and the East Kennet Long Barrow.

After merrily sailing past the car park and having to find somewhere to turn around a very kind Australian tourist gave us his all day parking ticket. The National Trust car park is free for members or £7 for a whole day. This seems steep  but contributes towards the maintenance of the site.

We wandered around the stones for an hour marvel ling at how ENORMOUS they are and how on earth anyone managed to move them in the first place.

The best thing about Avebury is that there are no tour guides, just signs that you can read at your leisure. As we went on a pretty overcast weekend at the beginning of October there was hardly anyone else there which is always pretty magical.

My parents used to take us to Avebury a lot when we were small as its a great day out for kids. There's lots of space for them to run around and let off steam and most of the other visitors were young families out for a cheap day out in the fresh air.

The village itself is actually set in the heart of the stone henge and after a chilly walk we headed to the local pub, the Red Lion for lunch. Warm and cosy with friendly staff we filled up on fish and chips and a toastie for less than £20 with drinks for both of us. The pub is considered to be the most haunted pub in Britain with an ancient well in its centre that has been converted into a table. There is said to be a female ghost that is seen entering and leaving from the well... Spooky.

It was such a lovely day out and it was really nice to revisit a place that I used to go often as a child.
If you're ever in Wiltshire and don't fancy forking out a fortune to visit Stonehenge then Avebury is well worth the trip as an alternative.