London: Doctor Who Experience

Today was the day! The day that was going to make my fandom heart soar! My was it the perfect day. I went on the Doctor Who walking tour of Cardiff to all of the filming locations. I ran like a little child all over the main entrance taking pictures of everything. I also had my first tea and scones in the museum.

The actual interactive walk-through itself, I was such a child. Pushing myself to the front and squealing with delight as the Daleks attacked and my eyes peeled open as I walked through the forest of angels. in the end I walked into the museum part and stood in front of the original TARDIS used in the Hartnell years and cried. My heart swelled with happiness that I could not control. I took pictures of everything I could and had the employees take pictures of me in front of everything I could.

To explain everything in writing is not possible, I will just post all of my favorite photos of that day here.

London: Weekend in Cardiff

So when I was preparing for this trip I found out there was a weekend trip to Wales that the school put together. When I found this out I was extremely excited. That meant that I could go to Cardiff and go to the Doctor Who Experience Museum! Looking more into the trip I found out we don't go into Cardiff, so I decided to go on a personal excursion of my own.

A new friend of mine, Hope and I decided that we were going to spend two days in Cardiff before our Wales trip specifically to get to the museum. We prepared to leave after class Thursday then take the train into Cardiff and stay at a hostel.

The actual preparation for staying in Cardiff was done rather quickly. We found a hostel that was only £16 a night and had free wifi, breakfast and had shower accommodations along with a TV. We booked our hostel and waited for class to end.

After class Thursday I ran back to my room and then had the difficult decision of which Doctor Who shirt to take with me to Cardiff. In the end I picked my Tom Baker shirt since he is my first Doctor. I then changed in order to wear my Tom Baker scarf on the train into Cardiff.

When Hope was ready we took the tube to the train station. Once we got there we only had a few minutes to grab our tickets and get on the train. We got our round trip tickets and had three minutes until the train left. We ended up running through the train station and got onto the train with mere seconds to spare. We did make it and were able to find seats and relax as we caught our breath.

I got the chance to look out the window during our train ride. In all honestly I was a little disappointed. The scenery looked like that of Pennsylvania. The only difference is I saw a lot of sheep and small British houses.

When we arrived in Cardiff it became apparent that we did not plan too much about where the exact location of the hostel was. We stood in the main courtyard of the train station staring at a map trying to figure out how to get there. In the end we asked some locals and they pointed us in the right direction.

The walk to the hostel was not far at all. Maybe two miles so it was a nice pleasant walk. When we reached the hostel it was jointly decided that we will just stay there and relax.

We unpacked our things and went downstairs to have some food. I ordered traditional Welsh Cawl. It was absolutely divine!

Because I was in Wales everything needed to also be in Welsh. So my butter, I had no idea what it said! 

To end the night we were lazy bums and watched TV until about 10 P.M. We then went to bed to prepare for a day of Doctor Who!

London: Sherlock Holmes Adventures

So who here are Sherlock Holmes fans? Read the stories? Seen the movies? Watch the BBC TV show? Well this is the post that is going to make you fangirl all over your computer.

First stop, filming location of the BBC show Sherlock.

There it is! Speedy's Cafe. We decided we were going to have afternoon tea there before hitting the real Sherlock Holmes stuff on Baker Street.

What is so fantastic about the location of filming it the flat they turn into 221B is inhabited. People actually live there! Man I would't mind having my flat used as the set of Sherlock.

I enjoyed some tea and an egg sandwich while in Speedy's.

It was really cool to be sitting in the little cafe. We could not sit where Watson and Mycroft do in the show since someone was already there, but it was still an incredible experience.

Next stop, Baker Street!

 We got off at the Baker Street tube station and it was already decorated with the face of Sherlock Holmes. We got out of the station and headed straight down Baker Street towards 221B.

It was amazing to see the sign and the doorway into such a well known story. I will admit the fangirling began when I saw the doorway. I am such a fan of the stories that it was surreal to see it right in front of me.

Almost immediately I purchased my ticket (which was £10) and got in line.

We waited about a good 15 minutes to get into the museum, but that gave me time to read my pamphlet ticket. When we finally got to the door we went on a self guided tour of the flat. Everything there is meant to look like it is described in the stories.

The first room encountered, once ascending the stairs, is the room of Sherlock Holmes which was in the rear adjoining the study.

From Doctor Watson's descriptions the sitting room overlooking Baker Street was quite small. There is one occasion where Holmes emerges from his bedroom and took one spring across the study to close the curtains.

In the sitting room you were allowed to sit in the chairs and there were hats to take pictures with.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting the chance to hold the pipe, even though I am wearing Watson's hat.

Heading up to the second floor we entered Watson's room which is next to Mrs. Hudson's.

Finally there were figures of some famous mysteries of Sherlock and Watson.

One thing that stuck out to me was a collection of letters written to Sherlock Holmes. I did not know you could write to him.

After the tour we took pictures with the policeman outside of the door.

Once again, I know Sherlock has the pipe but I wanted it too badly.

After the tour we went into the museum shop and I did get a few things. Some gifts for family and friends back home.

Walking back to the tube station I did see a sign that thoroughly amused me that I wish to end my post with.