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Sophie x

Monkey business in Bournemouth

Awaking at 9.30 I jumped out of bed all bright eyed and bushy tailed and like a little kid at Christmas I was dumbstruck with excitement. This wasn’t a typical lazy Sunday spent doing my washing. I was instead about to go visit one of Bournemouth’s top attractions, Monkey World. A half an hour train journey from Bournemouth to Wool train station landed me practically on the doorstep of this brilliant monkey rescue centre.

A centre designed to host monkeys that have ‘suffered abuse or neglect and rehabilitate them into natural living groups.’  Essentially this enclosure has transformed into a huge monkey play area and not just for the animals. The 65-acre complex is home to a staggering 150 primates, which animal lovers can admire and observe.

The sun was high in the sky and armed with a map of the park I was itching to get started. As I ran over to the window to view the first monkey of the day I started to compare myself to the little kids who ran excitedly behind me in awe at what might have been their very first monkey sighting ever. I then wondered when exactly I had become somewhat captivated by these creatures. I recalled one of my first visits to the zoo and remembered the first place I wanted to go was to see the monkeys. I think it’s their human like mannerisms and playful characteristics that draws me to them. The first memory I have of a monkey was one weeing on the crowd, it jeered loudly and ran around its playground before sticking its genitals through the fence and urinating on the crowd that had formed. It was utterly hilarious. Thankfully these monkeys were a bit better behaved although still seemed to thrive off the unlimited amount of attention. As I peered through the glass they would play fight, bang on the window and run around performing. The park was filled with monkeys who were fighting for centre stage.

After a tiring roam around the park I was ready for a quiet sit down in the sunshine. That was until I saw the monstrous play area created not for the monkey but for us! (Well 10 year olds) but I thought it was time to recapture my youth. The swings were amazing they were huge domes, which even allowed you to lie down. It wasn’t just me that was amazed by this playground; parents (especially the dads) were dragging their kids around the monkey style obstacles. It was like monkey world had released a little immaturity in everyone.

A weekend in Birmingham

The City Centre of Birmingham buzzes with the sound of shoppers, workers, students and clubbers. Birmingham is a city that never sleeps, opening the doors to one of Europe's best shopping centres the Bullring during the day and then offering a night of partying well into the early morning on Birmingham's most popular strip Broad Street.

Shopping


Bullring- One of Europe's biggest shopping centres, which hosts a huge variety of stores, including designer favourites such as Karen Millen, All Saints and French Connection. Plus high street wonders like New Look, River Island and H&M. The Bullring is also home to one of the most iconic shopping buildings in Britian, Selfridges, the sci-fi themed building attracts tourists from all over the world, and why wouldn't it, the store caters for every consumers needs. My advice- get a Crispy Cream dooughnut.

Mailbox- Boasting over 50 exclusive stores, the mail box is nicknamed Birminghams premier shopping centre. This shopping centre is your designer destination, and has become a popular waterside location for exclusive dining and cocktail drinking. My advice spend some time here when the sun is shing and you don't mind splurging on a fancy cocktail or an expensive dress.


Digbeth Vintage shopping- Digbeth is known for it's array of vintage clothing stores, including Vintage Uk also nicknamed "the big yellow garage". This is the all you can eat vintage world with racks and racks of cheap and cheerfull clothing.










Clubbing

Broadstreet- This clubbing hotspot attracts hundreds of clubbers whose main aim is to have a good time. The strip caters for ever clubber possible, with everything from 80's bars to dubstep. This magnificent clubbing spot is also the home of Gatecrasher one of the best clubs in England. The 4-roomed venue blasts a variety of music styles. A perfect night out with friends.My advice- look out for events some of the best DJ's play here every year including Calvin Harris.






Arcadian- This unique location is home to a variety of clubs in the middle of China Town. The plaza style layout enables clubbers to easily stumble from one club to the next. Not only is it one of Birmingham's clubbing hotspots it is also the perfect place to relax with friends over cocktails or a Chinese cuisine. My advice- If you love chinese definitely go to the Golden Pond chinese buffet restaurant.






Snobs- This club has survived generations of party animals, although a bit scruffy inside don't judge this club by its cover. Cheap drinks and a later last entry time (1am). This club is perfect for a cheap and cheerful night out. Snobs is renowned for being the best indie night in town. My advice- definitely worth a visit on a bank holiday Sunday (lazy Sunday) what better way to celebrate a Monday of work.

Adjustment Bureau

Adjustment Bureau epitomises the hybrid genre of rom-com meets sci-fi. The film which includes an all star cast examines the unbreakable connection between senate candidate David Norris (Matt Damon) and dancer Elise (Emily Blunt). However what is tagged as 2011's Bourne meets Inception turns out to be a heavily diluted version of the spectacular convoluted action illustrated in one of 2010's most successful block busters.

Adjustment Bureau loosely challenges the perceptions of free will and fate, by revealing an under cover organisation thats purpose is to ensure everything happens according to plan. But what if their plan goes against everything your entire being aches for? David Norris is everything a Senate Candidate shouldn't be, he's young, quirky and a bit rebellious. After being exposed in the paper for mooning at a college reunion David's success begins to plummet causing him to drop in the polls. As he practices his losing speech David unexpectedly meets Elise a young British women who is hiding from security in the men's room. Their witty exchanges and flirtatious chemistry leaves an impact on David as he delivers the best most truthful speech of his career. But without any way to contact Elise again David's path is on track and his destiny is set for him to never see her again.

Three years later David unknowingly strays from his set path after an adjustment bureau worker, Henry fails to intercept him on his way to catch the bus. Here he once again meets Elise and his entire world is suddenly turned upside down. His undying attraction to her is constantly conflicted by the adjustment bureaus determination to keep him on his path. David battles to maintain his free will and risks everything to be with the one he loves. It's this fast pace urgency that keeps your attention transfixed to the screen as David scrambles desperately to get to Elise. Ultimately it is their willingness to sacrifice everything for one another and their never ending conviction to fight against the path that leads to their expected happy ending.

Ultimately the film entices the audience just enough to keep their attention focused for the full two hour, however in comparison to inception this storyline only begins to touch the surface. The storyline had plenty of potential however it became too predictable and the generic series of events ultimately lead to a failed attempt at reaching Inception's explosive action and clever intricacy. Essentially Adjustment Bureau is an enjoyable, easy watching film perfect for both sexes to enjoy, which I would rate at 7/10.

This seasons high street trend's in pictures

Yes ladies, the spring/ summer season had returned. So pack away your earmuffs, ruffle coats, fur jackets and tick tights. The spring season is baring all with high waisted numbers and floaty dresses. The shops are blossoming with floral patterns, pastel pieces and denim numbers and although money may be tight at the moment there is no harm in treating yourself to a few key pieces that will keep you set throughout the sumer.

Take a look at the photo gallery which has picked a selection of this seasons high street fashion from a variety of price ranges.

Or alternatively view the slideshow below for a quick browse.


Topshop, Newlook and Primark