Vikings Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

TV Favourites with Freeview Play

November 11, 2015 by Bel 1 Comment

I was recently asked by Freeview Play to make a post about my favourite TV shows and while this sounds like a great thing to talk about (and it is!) how do you narrow it down to an actual list of favourites, when you love so many shows?

As most of you who read my blog will know, I started a small sewing business a few months ago and since then I’ve spent more time sat at the dining table, than I have in the lounge. For the first month I got really behind on all my shows, until I decided to use my iPad to catch up and then keep on top of all the shows I love. Not only that but I have been binge watching series’ like Grimm, Switched at Birth, Awkward, Constantine, Orphan Black and many more. I’ve realised that I like so many different types of genre and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a current series or an old one, I’m ready to give it a go!

So here are some of my favourites.

Currently running – At the moment I’m really into the various superhero series that seems to be popping up everywhere. I’m watching The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl (which are all DC) and though they’re not currently airing, I also love Marvel’s Agent’s of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter and Daredevil. Other shows that I love and are currently airing are Once Upon a Time, Grimm (which as I mentioned I recently binge watched from series 1-4), Modern Family and Switched at Birth (another one I recently binged on 3 series of). There are of course a few other series that are between series and waiting to start, such as Game of Thrones, The 100, NCIS, Gotham and Vikings.

British TV – while most of the afore mentioned shows are US ones that we either get a day after the US or wait weeks for, there are a few British shows I love. Casualty and Holby City air every week, while X Factor and I’m a Celebrity are only on this time of year. Orphan Black is also a British show that I recently fell in love with and I’m waiting for it to start again. Though most of these shows are my guilty pleasures, I’m not afraid to say I enjoy them. We’re also watching Release the Hounds which is a recent find but an enjoyable light-hearted watch.

Cancelled shows – over the years there have been a lot of cancelled shows that I’ve loved, including Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Doll House (all Joss Whedon!). However I recently watched one series of Constantine and really enjoyed it and I started on Defiance (though I’m not sure if I like it or not) and I found out that had been cancelled too. I also enjoyed both The Following and Revolution, both of which have been cancelled and a recent TimeHop post reminded me of a series called Flash Forward which was so good and such a shame it was cancelled. Finally I’m just now catching up a the last few series of Glee. I was a hardcore fan for the first few but it dropped off and while I still enjoyed it for light-hearted entertainment, I wasn’t bothered either. Now I search for TV to watch and have plenty of series to go at, so I’m just making my way through 4-6 with the hope of ticking it off the list.

There are so many more shows I could give a mention to but I would be here all day. I hope to find and enjoy even more over the weeks to come but I’ll be sure to let you know of what I find!

Vikings – TV Show

September 4, 2014 by Bel 2 Comments

Have you heard of the TV Show “Vikings“? Until recently, I hadn’t… but in less than a week, Chris and I made our way through two seasons of the show.

For me, the best way to describe it, is a little like Game of Thrones – but with less gore, less incest and less nudity. The style and themes feel very similar though. Vikings is basically a historical drama and while I’m not usually into that type of thing, I really really enjoyed this show.

Filmed in Ireland (a lot like GoT), the story follows Ragnor Lothbrok, a well-known Viking in norse mythology. Ragnor, who begins as a farmer, becomes famous by raiding England with the help of his family and fellow warriors. While there are no blockbuster names, there are a few familiar faces. For example, Cato from Hunger Games? He’s Björn, actor Alexander Ludwig. Another familiar name is Skarsgård, though not Alexander. This time its his brother, Gustaf and he plays Floki, in my opinion – one of the best characters in the show. Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick and Clive Standen all deserve a mention though. And while I said no big names, Gabriel Byrne does make an extended appearance in season one.

There are currently two seasons, both of which have ten episodes. Vikings has been renewed for a third season and I can’t wait… though sadly I’ll have to, till summer 2015.

If you have a spare few hours, I definitely recommend you check it out. In fact, if you have Amazon Prime, both Seasons are available on there, even though only the first season has been shown in the UK.

Week 35 – Monday Round-up (say what… it’s Sunday!)

August 31, 2014 by Bel 2 Comments

So Sunday on my blog is usually the 52 Project – however this week instead of a photo, I wanted to share with you my two daughters doing the Ice Bucket Challenge. Unfortunately though, I can only download one of them and not the other, so until I get hold of my daughter (she’s at her dad’s), I can’t share them both with you! Instead, I decided I would do my weekly round up today and the 52 Project tomorrow.

This is my last week off work for the summer *sob sob*. I’ve had seven in total and I have to admit they’ve been lovely and I’m gutted to be going back to work. However it’s only another seven weeks until I’m off again so I probably shouldn’t moan too much! This week started off with the girls away with their dad. Like I mentioned last week, it was for four nights and four days this time, so it felt much more than their usual visit. To be absolutely honest, Chris and I didn’t do an awful lot between Monday-Wednesday. There was a lot of watching Vikings and plenty of movies too. I took my car to be re-tested for its MOT (and it passed), plus I went out to play Bingo with Nat (my first time!).

Chris and I had a date day/night on Wednesday. We went to watch Guardians of the Galaxy at the cinema and then went out for dinner at The Bronze Pig. I bought myself a new dress and I love it – can’t wait to share it with you all! I got nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge and did it on Thursday, along with my partner Chris and our friend Jon. When the kids got home, Megan insisted on me nominating her and then Lily asked Megan to nominate her and that’s how they ended up doing it as well (though not for a few days after).

Friday we all went out to National Forest Adventure Farm and spent the day there. It was lovely to have another day out as a family – this time with Chris instead of my mum. I don’t know if I mentioned or not last week but Chris has two weeks off so its been really nice spending the last week with him, without worrying when and what times he’s at work. Since it was pretty late when we got back Friday, we didn’t do much else. Saturday was a day around the house but included bike riding and ice bucket challenges for the kids. While the house is much noisier now the kids are back, I have to admit its great to have them back.

Today has been another lazy day for most, though ironically I think I’ve done more around the house today than I have my whole holiday. The girls played on their computer and Chris went between Xbox and computer, all while I tidied up the house. However after lunch we went out on the bikes and down to Aldi, then Chris ended up outside with Megan for a while longer, while Lily and I came inside and played on the iPad together. I made the girls dinner and then their dad came to get them.

So that’s pretty much my week. I’ll be posting about some of the highlights – my new dress for date night, Bingo with Nat, and maybe even Guardians of the Galaxy review! I’m heading into work for 7am tomorrow and then I’m sure I’ll go back to being completely tired all of the time. Fingers crossed I’ll find the effort to keep posting – though at least tomorrow is an easy one now! Hope you’re all having a great summer.