X-TRIAL BARCELONA!

Hello everyone! Apologies for being so inactive- I've just been really busy.

Last weekend I went to Barcelona for the Indoor X-Trial and had a really good weekend, despite the awful weather we encountered!

(Apologies for the terrible photo quality, I didn't want to risk taking my camera so these are all phone shots)

We flew out on Friday afternoon from Newcastle and dropped off our bags at the hotel before heading out to find a small restaurant along the street.
On Saturday we walked to the Sagrada Familia which was designed by Antono Gaudi in 1882. The cathedral is still currently under construction (hence the cranes) and is estimated to be completed in 2026 (the centenary of Gaudi's death).

 Then we continued walking towards La Rambla. We passed the Arc de Triomf, which was built in 1888 by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas.

 I was designated map reader and despite taking several wrong turns, we eventually arrived on the iconic street of La Rambla. It stretches for 1.2km and was originally a sewage filled stream-bed. In 1377, construction started on an extension of the city walls and in 1440, the stream was diverted to run outside the new walls and La Rambla gradually started turning into a street. In 1703, the first of the trees lining La Rambla were planted. There were 280 birch trees which were later replaced by elm trees. In 1832 some acacias were planted and the currently standing plane trees started to be the common tree from 1859.

We found the Indoor Market which sold everything from fresh juices to nuts and chocolates to sheep heads (1 euro 75 cents each!) We had a look around and then went back onto the main street and found a classic bar called Los Caracoles (translation = snails). More photos of the indoor market are on my Facebook.

Indoor Market

Los Caracoles

After a few drinks at Los Caracoles, we walked along Port Vell and saw the Dilbar super yacht (launched in November 2015). It is the fourth longest yacht and is considered to be the largest yacht in the world by volume. The length of the yacht is 156m (512ft) and the beam is 24m (79ft). The draught is 6.1m (20ft). The yacht is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov and is estimated to be worth 600 million dollars.

We ate along the harbour at a nice restaurant. Unfortunately I was unable to sample the local paella dishes as I am allergic to shellfish.

On Sunday, we headed up to the Palau Sant Jordi indoor arena to watch the X-Trial. We had golden tickets and received a souvenir t-shirt before heading backstage to the paddock area to meet the riders and watch them prepare for the event. There were nine riders: Toni Bou (Montesa), Adam Raga (TRS), Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa), Miquel Gelabert (Sherco), Jeroni Fajardo (GasGas), Jaime Busto (GasGas), Takahisa Fujinami (Montesa), Arnau Farre (Vertigo) and James Dabill (Beta).

 I didn't take many photos in the paddock but took quite a few videos so if you'd like to watch them head over to my Instagram (@charlottebrown23) or Facebook (Charlotte Emily Brown).

Then we were shown to our seats and the main event started. It was split into three rounds and between the first two rounds, we headed to the golden pass area where we received complimentary drinks and snacks.

Miquel Gelabert

Benoit Bincaz

Toni Bou

 On Sunday and Monday, the weather was horrible. It rained all day and on Monday morning there was thunder and lightning and hail. We flew back on Monday evening.

I had a lovely weekend sightseeing and watching the event and I'd like to thank my dad for taking me and Mia and Lee for coming with us and making the weekend even better.

Well done to all the riders and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Arnau Farre after his crash!
Hopefully I'll be back next year for another fantastic weekend!

Charlotte x


X-TRIAL BARCELONA 2018 RESULTS:

1- TONI BOU
2- ADAM RAGA
3- JERONI FAJARDO
4- BENOIT BINCAZ
5- JAIME BUSTO
6- TAKAHISA FUJINAMI
7- MIQUEL GELABERT
8- JAMES DABILL
9- ARNAU FARRE

Holiday Highlights- Christmas 2017

Hello everybody and Happy New Year!

In this blog I'm going to be sharing some of my favourite decorations, gifts I received and Christmas moments.

We had three trees in our house this year- two artificial and one real pine tree.

Of course, the real tree was my favourite and it featured some beautiful baubles and decorations that we bought this year.

Most of the decorations on the tree were bought from York on various market stalls, but we also bought some beautiful pheasant feather baubles from High Bird Designs.

                                                                                      

High Bird Designs

               

  I also received some other pieces by High Bird Designs, including the Sterling Silver Pheasant Necklace and a Feather Pin which is on my new Rydale Tweed Jacket.

High Bird Designs Pheasant Necklace

Rydale Tweed Jacket

Another favourite was my Mackenzie and George Wycombe Shotgun Shell belt with my initials embossed in gold.

M&G Wycombe Shotgun Shell Belt

I also received a subscription to In The Country Magazine for 2018 and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Hollie-Ella's work!

After Christmas, we went to see Mia McKenna Bruce performing in Jack and the Beanstalk at Tennants in Leyburn. The pantomime was really good and we got a chance to take some photos with the actors at the end too (featuring my new Rydale jacket and Jack Wills scarf)

I'm very grateful for everything I received this year and had a lovely Christmas with my family. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and I'd like to wish you all the best for 2018 (a little bit late on the bandwagon, I know).

Charlotte x

P.S. Cheeky self-promo here but I've recently created a photography Instagram account so if you'd like to check that out it's @cebphotography23

 

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE- LADS

Now it's time for some ideas to get your boyfriend, father or grandfather. These are a few things that I liked the look of and some things that my dad chose for himself as well!

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Firstly, let's start with the most expensive item! My dad has the Schoffel Oakham Fleece Gilet in Navy and has his eye on the Berkeley 1/4 Zip Fleece for Christmas. He's currently debating between the Navy and the Kingfisher.

Schoffel Berkeley 1/4 Zip Kingfisher

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The next thing is the 12 Gauge Shotgun Cartridge Cuff Links by High Bird Designs. I think these are lovely and are at the extremely affordable price of £8! If I was a lad I would definitely wear these!

12 Guage Shotgun Cartridge Cuff Links by High Bird Designs

Also by High Bird Designs, the 12 Bore Shotgun Wood Effect Keyrings would make a lovely edition to a set of keys and are very reasonable at the price of £5 each!

12 Bore Shotgun Cartridge Keyring

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And of course no Christmas would be complete without a 'his and hers'! To match the Wycomb belt I listed on my last gift guide for lasses (http://thatmardyyorkshirelass.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/christmas-gift-guide-lasses.html). The Mackenzie and George belts are of amazing quality and can be personalised with initials in gold foil, silver foil or plain. Mackenzie and George's products are of a high standard and come with a Built to Last Guarantee and they also offer a TLC service for when your products need shortening or refreshing!

Mackenzie and George Chester Belt

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Another winter essential is definitely wellies! These Barbour wellies are crafted in super-vulcanised rubber and lined in Barbour's signature Classic Tartan.They are sure to keep your feet warm in style. They're also not badly priced at £79.95.

Barbour Griffon Wellington Boots

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John Norris currently have a huge Barbour sale, including these gorgeous Redcar Oxford Brogues. They feature a suede upper, cotton canvas heel counter and classic tartan cotton lining. The sturdy rubber sole is detailed with Barbour's iconic 'Walking Man' motif.
These shoes are currently reduced from £109 to £59.99! Get yourselves on the John Norris website or visit their store in Penrith to grab yourself a bargain!

Barbour Redcar Oxford Brogues

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Another winter essential is definitely a nice warm scarf! Hortons have some really nice scarves at the moment and I really like the Hexham Scarf in 'blue check'. I have a multitude of scarves but I think you can never have too many!

Hortons Hexam Scarf

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Jack Wills have some lovely jumpers and a huge knitwear collection available.
You can't go wrong with jumpers in winter and I know my own jumper from Jack Wills is brilliant quality and has lasted me a few years now.

Marlow Merino Wool Cable Jumper

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Thank you for reading and I hope this has inspired a few people who were worried about last minute gift ideas! Sorry I haven't been posting as much recently- I've just been extremely busy trying to balance uni interviews, college work and Christmas preparations!

Charlotte x