8-Bit Cinema

*SPOILER ALERT*

…if you haven’t seen these films. If you have then you may continue to watch, because these are brilliant. There’s plenty of other films, on the 8-Bit Cinema YouTube playlist, as well – some of which I haven’t personally seen.

Everything is NOT Awesome

This makes more sense if you’ve seen The LEGO Movie but still if not, wow, hard-hitting.

– Greenpeace

Knebworth House

On Sunday, I ventured into Bedfordshire’s neighbouring county – Hertfordshire. There I met my boyfriend, Steve, and we had a lovely day exploring Knebworth House and gardens. Including, but not limited to: trees, sculptures – recycled metal animals and impressive carvings from trees, gargoyles, pre-Sonisphere festival tents, [Bruce/Batman] Wayne Manor and DINOSAURS.

It was awesome.

Onigawara: The Gargoyles of Japan

I am a big fan of the kind of gargoyles that you get on old churches, cathedrals and medieval architecture in general. As far as I’m aware, gargoyles are generally a typically European thing – maybe with some appearing in American and Canadian architecture (but they probably got it from Britain and France anyway!). But when I visited Japan, in April, I discovered that they have something very similar within their traditional architecture.

“Onigawara, literally ‘goblin tile’, are decorative roof tiles typically placed at the ends of the main ridge on temple structures, shrines, and residences. […] The term is also used for decorative roof tiles in the shape of flowers or animals. The goblin-faced Onigawara is one of many decorative elements found in Japanese religious architecture. Other examples include the magical shishi (lion dog), the elephant-like Baku creature (thought to devour nightmares) and the dragon. […] Today Onigawara are found most frequently on temple structures.” – Onigawara

’zilla

I will get back into proper blogging at some point… soon. I have just been really busy with moving house/town and popping over to Northern Ireland for a mini holiday, as well. Plus, I am generally trying to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts and explore my new home location – Bedford – rather than sitting at my computer!

So anyway, here’s a cool poster of Godzilla by Andy Fielding.

Northern [and, briefly, Southern] Ireland

Yep, I’d been living in my new home in Bedford for less than a week – just about settled in – before I was off travelling somewhere else. Somewhere new, in fact. Northern Ireland.

On Saturday morning I left Bedford and drove to Luton Airport where I hopped on a plane to Belfast – shortest and easiest flight I’ve ever taken. There I met Emma, a friend from Falmouth, and spent a few days with her as my guide around Belfast, the north coast and countryside, plus we also took a brief trip across the border into Ireland, to visit Dublin.

It was a wonderful weekend full of amazingly sunny weather, stunning surroundings, all manner of Game of Thrones related things and the odd leprechaun.

Saturday: Belfast

Wandering around town, The Big Fish and the Game of Thrones exhibition.

Sunday: The North Coast

The Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, Ballintoy Harbour and the Dark Hedges.

Monday: Dublin & Armagh

General wanderings and the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, followed by Armagh on the way home.

Tuesday: Belfast

Stormont, Titanic Belfast for the “Brick City’ Lego exhibition and City Hall.