Rachel's Gap Year Travel Blog

"Not all those who wander are lost" - JRR Tolkien

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Romeo and Juliet

Dir. by Kenneth Branagh @ the Garrick Theatre

Starring Lily James and Richard Madden <3

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Sunday’s adventures - Lunch with Beth followed by a trip into Hyde Park with Eli and Sam looking at the Serpentine Gallery and the beautiful Serpentine Pavilion

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Squad brunch to say goodbye to Bella, meeting Sam from Melbourne (Fiji trip friend) and Tilan (Radford friend)

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School trip to Gatton Park in Surrey to look for mini beasts

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The magnificent Sky Garden 35 floors high, with the most spectacular view of London ❤️❤️❤️

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Out with my friends on Friday night

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HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD parts 1 and 2, the most incredible play, show, anything! that I've ever seen in my entire life. The story, set, acting, magic was all phenomenal. Here's myself, Catherine, Bella and Tiana outside the theatre and alongside some of the most incredible actors #keepthesecrets

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The Trooping of the Colours for the Queen’s 90th Birthday 2016

Including: The Royal Marching Band, Cavalry, Flyover, Fabulous Policeman named Mike, The gals (Brittney, myself and Rachel) outside Buckingham Palace after the event AND the entire Royal Family!

Dream come true :)

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Visiting ITV Studios

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Brunch for Catherine’s birthday with all the gal pals

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Jane Austen’s House

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National Portrait Gallery London 

1. Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry and Prince William

2. Emily, Charlotte and Anne Bronte (painted by their brother)

3. Series of beautiful photos from the Black Chronicles exhibition, highlighting “an important and complex black presence in Britain before 1948.″

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Monday’s adventures (an excerpt from my diary):

First I caught the tube to Tottenham Court Road (the whole way listening to Flume’s new album and reading Me Before You) and then walked through Soho to a café I’d seen on Insta called Muriel’s Kitchen, here I had the best cappuccino I’ve ever had and some amazing pancakes with blueberries, maple syrup and bacon. It was so good, the cutest little restaurant with good vibes, so I’ll defs be going back there! After some brunch I headed back around the corner to Foyle’s, London’s largest independent bookstore (5 floors). Such a beautiful bookstore, less range then Waterstones, but it had a nicer, more intimate feel to it despite the size. I purchased a new book called The Girl on the Train. After that I walked to Forbidden Planet, London’s version of Impact Comics and omg rest in peace me, I could’ve spent a month’s or more worth of wages… the posters (only 3.99 quid each!), the Pop vinyl figures, the comic books, the random bits and pieces it was amazing!!!! I was sending SOS snapchats left right and centre. After that I walked into Picadilly Circus and then along the road which Waterstones is on which I’ve never been down before. I ended up walking through Mayfair which was crazy! I’ve never seen so many high brand stores next to each other, with such fancy cars lining the streets it was unbelievable! Once I got down to Oxford Street, I beelined to Selfridges, because I haven’t been in before! It was crazy… the mothership of all department stores for the rich and famous. I got lost in there and boy could I have spent all my pennies, but alas the price tags tore me away. I also visited the massive Adidas shop. With low battery on my phone, I headed back to the tube and found my way to Baker Street, stopping only to take a photo outside the world’s most famous detective’s home. The museum shall wait for another day.

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Lovely day with my newfound extended family :) exploring and eating

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Had a fantastic last day before half term. Sports Day and then chilling on the Common all afternoon, with my Class 1 assistant gals Olivia, Hannah and Phoebe :)

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Out to see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform their Film Gala at the Royal Albert Hall! It was magnificent!!!

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The most amazing evening at the XMEN APOCALYPSE premiere. I got photos and signatures from the likes of: Evan Peters, Oscar Isaacs, James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence. SURREAL MOMENTS!!!!! <3