Flights got changed...exploring Birmingham instead: Blakesley Hall

Two nights before my flight, a VISA issue rendered the flight cancelled. I'd worked myself up to going on the Friday and realised I hadn't planned to enough to fill my time over the next 2 two weeks. As a lovely surprise, to help me get over the empty space to fill before my flight on the 17th May, Michael treated me to a lovely visit to Blakesley Hall! It's quite hilarious to think that though I live in Birmingham, I haven't visited all these places in the city that I would love to visit. I'm pathetic when it comes to history and musuems...and I'm known to drag a few friends into visiting Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery when we're in the city centre. Seeing as this blog is just a place to scribble my thoughts and experiences on, I thought that covering my two unseen weeks before my flight would be a nice thing to do. Probably not interesting to 99.9% of people but oh well!

On the BMAG website, there is a brief history of Blakesley Hall (in YARDLEY) which is quite interesting, if you're into history like me. It's free to visit the entire site on the first Sunday in every month during the open season, however, we visited on a Wednesday and forked out £4 each which isn't bad at all. Other charges:
Adults £4
Concessions £3
Children under 16 FREE

Blakesley Hall is lovely on the outside as well as inside and I loved the entire visit, though I've got to say I wish I could have explored it more, the third floor is sealed off which is a shame. Some rooms were also sealed off which prevents visitors from exploring the entirety room and getting to see it all in its glory. Though its understandable to prevent original pieces from getting damaged..I still wish I could have explored it more! The highlights of the visit would have to be the very unusual but fascinating hallway on the first floor (I get excited easily) which has become slanted over the years - it only enhances the building's charm - like the 400 year old wall decorations in the Painted Chamber.
I'd recommend a visit if you live in Birmingham or even if you're visiting! Some pictures from my visit:

Sunaina x

Restless Development Fundraiser: SKYDIVE!

On the 6th of April, me & my other fellow volunteers going to South Africa, (inculding the only male in the group brave enough to jump - Michael) got prepared to complete our skydive! I had scheduled the skydive at 1pm and we'd all got there with plenty of time to spare. Some of us were more nervous than others, with some of us having no nerves at all, - I'm surprised at how relaxed I felt throughout the whole experience.

We all completed the skydive as a fundraiser event, (more information on my JustGiving page:http://www.justgiving.com/sunaina-deol) & I would to take this opportunity to thank everyone that sponsored me! To give an indication of where this money will go:

• £10 provides a young person's platform, where individuals can speak out to their community regarding issues such as HIV/AIDS
• £50 enables us to provide essential health education to 5 young people on a weekly basis, lasting a whole year
• £500 trains 10 rural community leaders, health workers, police or teachers to deliver youth friendly services

There is still time to sponsor so please go to my JustGiving page and spare a little change!

We completed the skydive at Hinton Skydiving Centre in Brackley, my tandem instructor being a very lovely man called Glen. After several jokes regarding my height and how small I am, the instructors told me I'd be going last as I'd take the longest to come back to ground - a longer experience wahey! We all jumped out the plane rather rapidly at 15000ft, freefalling, going through cloud, seeing the most perfect view, Glen even let me steer the parachute! Eventually we got to the ground and I landed perfectly with my legs at 90 Degrees sitting on the floor (like we were trained to)...even though Glen landed standing up, slightly embarrassing. I eventually got up though!

However, I loved the experience and I would recommend it to everyone to complete one at one point - it's an experience like no other!

& I'd like to repeat myself once more and send thanks to everyone who sponsored!

Sunaina x

Restless Development

Hello everyone!
Just started this blog to share my scribbled experiences of South Africa, where I will be volunteering with Restless Development! Needless to say I'm excited! Just over 2 weeks left and still tons left to prepare. I've completed my skydive in order to fundraise and a blog post will soon follow with the ins and outs of the experience itself. I'm still fundraising, however, and more information can be read on my JustGiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/sunaina-deol

Thanks to everyone who has contributed!

Sunaina x