Bracklinn Falls: Waterfalls, General Falls and Getting Lost

Not all walks go to plan and todays post is about one of them. This is what happens when you don't follow the map... Enjoy.

We started with the intention of going to Bracklinn Falls, just outside of Callander. The walk is meant to start from a forestry commision car park which is accessed from the East end of Callander. We parked in the main car park, near the toilets and coach stop in Callander so with the help of a local woman got to the Forestry car park after a 15min walk. From here there is a gentle uphill walk to the Falls. This is a simple route that was very busy the day we went with families and dog walkers. We followed the path and shortly got to the beautiful Bracklinn Falls. A bridge has recently been build over the bottom of the waterfall which gives a great vantage point of the river below. There are also large rocks that you can climb on to get closer to the water. Just make sure your shoes are tied tight- we spotted a lost shoe on one of the far out rocks!

From here we crossed the bridge and continued a rough path that followed the curve of the river. The path was close to the edge of the cliff with a lot of plants and tree trunks crossing the route. Then, we got to a dead end. The route leads to a large fence with a farmers field on the other side. We did consider climbing the fence but there was also barbed wire so decided (as we didn't really know where the field would lead, or what it contained) to retrace our steps.

Back on the right side of the waterfall we walked back up the hill and again left the path. This time we took a wild turn into the forest on the left. We wandered through a forest path a while and noticed the route had been recently cleared, and partly changed by a large truck. This is where my memory of the route gets a little fuzzy but at some point we ended up walking through some tress and coming out on the edge of a large ditch. A LARGE ditch. We had come this far so why not try to get down the very steep, very large ditch? Lets just say I got some very muddy trousers...

 

From here we continued the path until we passed a caravan park, some houses, some sheep then back on a straight footpath back into Callander past some newly built houses, and back to the carpark.

We managed to create a circular walk (the sign of any good walk) but there were a few ad-libbed moments, but we enjoyed it and got a good 4 hours of walking done! The weather was also beautiful and we rewarded ourselves with a chippy on the side of the river in Callander. An eventful and amusing Sunday walk!

The Facts on this Walk (around Bracklinn Falls, Callander and some forest):

• Starting point can be wherever you want... we started in the main car park in Callander which you need to pay for. For Bracklinn Falls you can park in the Forestry Commission car park.
• Nearest toilets are in Callander car park which are free.
• Walk is however long you are willing to walk for! I think we done around 6 miles (but it could be a lot more...)
• Time is also variable. We walked for 4 hours.
• Difficult points: deciding what point of the route you want to artistically change to add some excitement.
• Wear: I recommend trousers if you decide to dive some ditches. Maybe something you can tie round your waste to hide the mud marks on your trousers.
• Perfect for anyone with a sense of adventure!

Five Films that made me a Film Student

Ok, the title may be a little deceiving; 5 films do not a film student make! However, I thought I would reflect on 5 movies that made me fall in love with cinema and set me on the path to studying the artform at university.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Peter Jackson, 2001, 2002, 2003)


For a long time I was ashamed to tell people The Lord of the Rings is my favourite film (picking just one is like choosing your favourite child) but as I have become more of an adult and less of a teenager I have been more confident in embracing the things that make me happy. And wow, does LOTR make me happy. My dad read the books to my sister and I when we were kids and just as we were finishing Fellowship of the Ring the film was anounced! We were so excited. It became a family event going to the cinema each December for the next installment. Consequently the films had a massive emotional impact on me and are so entangled with childhood and adolescent memories. Even now, I cry at each film and feel so physically moved by them. It was after seeing the Fellowship of the Ring and studying books and DVD extras on Weta Workshop and the immersive filming process that I set my mind on studying film.

Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders, 1987)

Wim Wenders melancholic masterpiece tells the story of an angel who falls in love with an acrobat, while hovering over Berlin. Shot predominately in monochrome the films lingering, considered and distanced feel reflects the lives of the angels who are eternally watching the city, but never engaging with it. It is a beautiful and thoughtful film and one that hasn't left me since I first watched it at 15. It tells of the individual pains every human feels while also exploring the shared pleasures of love, beauty and music. As a teenager I was entranced by this film and still today it has the power to make me think and step back from my current life to consider a bigger picture (in a non religious way). 

A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)

At 16 I studied Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange novel. It was the first time I got to choose my own book to study and I became engrossed in the world of Alex and his droogs. Despite this, my dad wouldn't allow me to watch the film, and I had to sneakily watch it at night. It was notoriously hard to find the film in the UK for 27 years and highlights the influence film can have on society. A Clockwork Orange is simultaneously delightful and disturbing, Kubrick's use of colour and style is hard to rival and the story is powerful while shocking. I think it is this blend of controversy and art that has had such an impact on me. At university I became increasingly interested in the relationship between film and controversy and its power to shape and reflect our society. A Clockwork Orange reflected our society and continues to do so.

Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001)


Donnie Darko is a mix between an outsider teen drama and a science fiction film, yet it is more than that. As a teenager my friends and I would watch this film on repeat and bat about our theories on Frank (Donnie's imagined 6ft rabbit friend who can predict the future) and Grandma Death, while the soundtrack still reminds me of being 16. I don't want to give too much away because it is a joy to watch for the first time (and the tenth). The first film we actually watched at University was Donnie Darko and it instantly made me feel I had chosen the right course.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004)

Eternal Sunshine tells of a woman and man who, after a break up, erase each other from their minds... but then they meet again and fragments of memories start to tell of the love they previously shared. Directed by Michel Gondry the film is beautifully unfolded through colour and hand made effects. When choosing what university to study at I was torn between academic film study and practical film at an art school. This film tugged at my desire to study the art of film and despite finally deciding upon academics, every time I watch this I wish I knew how to create images that could show internal emotions.

It was hard for me to narrow this list down and I'm sure that there were many films that subconsciously impacted me, not to mention the people who really influenced my decision. But its interesting to consider in reflection, the lasting impact a 2 hour film (or 9 hour for LOTR...) can make. Has a film ever changed your path in life? I'd love to hear about it if so!

Invertrossachs: A Short Walk in the Rain

Summer has faded fast in Scotland, trees are already turning copper and I don't think I have managed a non-jacket day since the first of August. Despite the chilling climate, this weekend we found a great walk that is enjoyable for this changeable season, a short jaunt on the south side of Loch Venachar to a secret mini loch near the forest. To get to the small car parking area we left the Callandar to Brig o' Turk road (A821) on the South side of Loch Venachar and continued on the minor road past Invertrossachs house to the car park near the cycle route. We started our walk by turning out the car park and continuing to the left past the Loch and the boat club. There were a lot of canoes and small boats on the Loch as we passed and even someone in swimming (which made me instantly feel warmer!). Despite being near the Loch there are plenty of trees nearby which gave some shelter to the drizzly windy day.

We continued on this path until we got to a signpost of the left pointing out the Right of Way to Aberfoyle via the Menteith Hills. We followed this path up a steep grassy hill and through some overgrown ferns. As we pushed past the foliage we were spattered in water so I would recommend a waterproof if doing this walk on a damp day. The upwards climb was fairly steady with rocky paths to lead the way. Once the route levels out you can take time to observe the beautiful view of the Loch below. At the time we went there were a lot of trees cut down and some had been lain over the track we were following. To get around this we took a brief detour through the edge of the forrest just to get around the logs then continued back on the path, with the forrest on either side providing cover from the elements.

 

This route shortly led us to the hidden Loch (and Scout hut on its banks). On a warmer/ drier day this would be a lovely spot for a rest and picnic and I can even imagine people out canoeing on the secret Loch. At this point we walked past the Scout hut and started on the stroll back to the car park, following the clear path. We passed a few cyclists along the road here and looked out over Loch Venachar and spotted a rainbow (perks of Autumn showers!).

Altogether the walk, at a leisurely pace, took us around 1hr 30mins and is great for all abilities and weather conditions. I loved spotting the changing colours of late Summer into Autumn while also having the shelter of the forrest around us. The views of Loch Venachar and the opposing banks were impressive while the Hidden Loch was peaceful and still (and made me feel like I had discovered something that those in cars cannot!). Hopefully, the sun will last for a couple more walks this year, but if not I'm glad to know there are some shorter hikes for rainy days.

The facts on Invertrossachs walk:

• Starting point is at the car park behind Invertrossachs House.
• Nearest toilets are in Callendar which are free to access.
• Walk is around 3 miles.
• Takes around: 1.5hours at a casual pace.
• Difficult Points: Slightly steep climb through overgrown foliage and if logs are across the track.
• Wear: Waterproofs if the weather needs it and longer trousers for going through high ferns.
• Perfect for all abilities including children and pets.

Preparing for an Interview

Interviews scare me, so to feel more relaxed and comfortable with the situation I try to prepare as best I can. Like with exams, interviews are a high pressure situation and putting in some preparation time can really make a difference to how you feel on the day (well, I know I'll always be a bit of a nervous wreck but I try my best). I thought I would write down some of the things I do when I am preparing for an interview and hope they are even just a little bit helpful.

• Know the Job

Doing some research in to what the job you are applying for involves and the company it is with is a good place to start when preparing for an interview. Each company has its own quirks and ethos and if you can show an awareness of this in an interview I think it is a great start. Employers want you to fit in with the rest of the organisation and by showing you have an understanding of their beliefs it is easier to illustrate that you could fit in to the team. Also, having an idea about what the job involves can help you think of some of the skills and knowledge needed to carry out the role.

•  Study the Job Profile/Person Specification

After investigating the job and company I turn to the person specification to get a better understanding of the skills needed for the role. I have been told that interviewers will grade your answers against these requirements so all questions will be based on the person specification. Obviously, every company is different and we've all heard about the infamous personality based questions (What would you do for breakfast if... What would you do if you had a time machine... If you were an animal...) but if the job you are applying for provides a person specification it can be a good basis for your preparation.

• Pretend you are the Interviewer

From the person specification I create example interview questions. For example if a specification is that you have a particular qualification or course I would create a practice question asking "Tell me about a qualification you have that is relevant to this post?" I go through each point in the person spec and create possible questions from these. "Tell me a time" or "Give an example when" are very popular interview questions so I also take some time to think about some past experiences which show various skills that are asked for. For this it can be helpful to think of times that you have worked as part of a team, supported someone with a problem, dealt with a difficult situation and organised an event. Every interview is different but by thinking of particular examples that show generic skills such as team work and working to deadlines these can be tailored in an interview to highlight transferable skills.

• Ask your own Questions

At the end most interviewers will ask if you have any questions. I always try to prepare some questions in advance as after answering their questions I would be too relieved/ exhausted to think up some on the spot. Asking the interviewer questions also highlights that you are interested in the job and wanting to learn more about the post that you might get. General questions that I consider are if training is provided and when will I hear back, but studying the company and post can be really helpful to thinking up more original and personal questions to the particular role. 

• Be Prepared

Even if you are the sort of person who can "wing it" and think up questions and examples on the spot I would recommend knowing the exact details of the interview beforehand. Read the email or letter inviting you to the interview and note what format the interview will take and if you are required to bring any information. Some posts may ask you to bring a passport, driving license, qualification or disclosure details, among other things. Also, check the format of the interview; some are just made up of questions and answers but for others there may be a scenario or a practical test such as for admin. It may be obvious but remember to check the time and location of the interview. I once had an interview at a location I had never been and was trusting Google maps which had recorded the location completely wrong. You don't want to turn up to an interview sweaty, or even worse, late! I also like to sort out my outfit in advance. Being confident in the things you have control over, such as what shoes you want to wear or what time to leave, can really help make you feel more prepared and relaxed on the day.

• Relax

I admit, this is the hardest step for me.  There are few things I dislike more than interviews and I find them very unnatural, but when you take a step back you realise that you are just talking to some people that you may never see again- they aren't better than you. If you find it difficult to relax I'd recommend the Bach Rescue Remedy Spray. I haven't tried any other anti-anxiety pharmacy options but have found Bach useful. Also, having some mints can help. I normally listen to music on my way to the interview to distract me and also give me some confidence (I may pretend I'm a rock star and too cool for interviews, nevermind working...) Most people recognise that you will be nervous at the interview and it can be a sign that you actually care about the role you are going for!

• Afterwards

Apart from being incredibly relieved I try to take some quick notes after my interview on the questions that were asked and what I talked about. This can be really helpful if you get a second interview and for any others in the future. Interviews take practice and with time you do improve. Also, its important to be proud of yourself. Even if you don't get the job, it is an achievement to get the interview and to go through with it! Give yourself a treat and a night to just relax and enjoy yourself.

I have just done an interview this week and know it all seems so much easier in reflection, but I hope these ideas are helpful and I wish you good luck! If you have any interview preparation tips I would love to hear them.

A Trio of Bourjois Foundations

Easily available on the high street and of a high quality Bourjois foundations are a go to for me. I was hooked from the first pump of Healthy Mix Serum, and have recently ventured to the CC Cream and Happy Light Foundation. All receive positive reviews but what one do you really need?

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (shade 51- light vanilla) £10.99

This gel foundation was the first I tried from Bourjois and is still one of my favourite foundations I own. With a gel formula it applies easily and smoothly to provide light coverage and blurring. I find this creates a dewy, daytime feel and is my go to foundation for casual or work days. One pump is all I need for an application and can be simply applied with fingers. The shade I own looks very natural for pale skin, which is something traditionally hard to find on the high street. Healthy Mix Serum has a light fragrance which smells slightly fruity but this does not last on the skin. The packaging boasts that the foundation lasts 16 hours. I don't think it does but for short outings or casual days I think it looks natural and provides just enough coverage to even out your skin and give a bit of healthy glow.

Bourjois Happy Light Foundation (shade 50- porcelain) £11.99

Happy Light provides more coverage than Healthy Mix and feels creamier to apply, creating a more even base but still with the dewiness of Healthy Mix. I again apply this foundation with my fingertips (one pump is enough) but like to use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to buff the product in to create a smooth, natural base. The bottle boasts that it lasts 8 hours and I think it does last longer than Healthy Mix and is still visible when I get home from work at night after 8 hours. Again, I have the lightest shade in the range but I find it a little dark. The colour looks better once it has been buffed in but I do prefer the shade of Healthy Mix. Scent wise Happy Light has a heavy perfumed smell which isn't to my taste but this fades on the skin and is not noticeable after a couple of minutes. I like this foundation on days when I need a bit more coverage or are not feeling as confident about my skin. The finish is glowy and I think it works well in Summer or if you have a tan.

Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream (shade 31- Ivory) £9.99

As a CC Cream this base is much lighter and runnier to apply, providing a very light base which I think is good for warm Summer days, perhaps when going a walk or to the beach. It boasts SPF15 which is a great addition for when it is sunny outside. Standing for "Colour Correction" this base should balance out any discoloration or tiredness in your skin to leave a bright and awake appearance. This does not provide coverage for any blemishes but is successful in brightening up my complexion, while also being light enough for it to feel comfortable on a warm day. Unlike the other 2 bases the CC Cream has a nozzle to dispose the product. I apply a little on the back of my hand at a time and apply with my fingertips until I am happy. The scent is similar to the fragrance of Happy Light but again fades once on the skin. Shade wise this base is a good match and as it is quite thin it is easily blendable.

To summarise each of these foundations has a lot of good points and covers a range of situations from sunny days on the beach to more full coverage evenings. The Healthy Mix Serum is a good all rounder, a good colour match and provides a light, dewy finish, while the Happy Light provides higher coverage and lasts on my skin most of the day. I'd recommend trying these foundations if you like light coverage and dewy finishes.

What is your favourite high street foundation?

Learning to Run: Week Two

Week Two hasn't been an easy one, there have been some challenges and low points,  but I have stuck with it and completed another three runs. Following the C25k running trainer app, this week each of the runs was made up of 5 minutes warmup at the start, 5 minutes cooldown at the end and then alternated 90 seconds running and 2 minutes walking. Although it was only a 30second addition to each run I really felt it and had to force my legs to keep moving.

A big difficulty this week was the change in the weather with last weeks sunshine being replaced with heavy rain and winds. Being a newbie to running outside, I learnt that running in the rain is hard and not very pleasant. I wore a waterproof jacket and the wind had some fun blowing down my hood. Despite this we completed all 3 runs outside.

On top of the weather I also had a bit of a cold which was effecting my sinuses and breathing. Rain and sore throat don't make a successful runner and I could really feel the impact on my run. By the end of the second day I was starting to feel frustrated that I wasn't getting faster and my stamina wasn't building, but I think running is something that needs to be worked at and I'm starting to realise that even slight changes can effect my performance.

As a treat for the third run we left the city and had a countryside run past railway tracks, a natural sandy beach and some sheep fields. This was really enjoyable and the 30minutes passed very quickly. I think it can be motivating to run somewhere new and have fresh sights to occupy your mind, instead of the pain in your legs. Altogether, this week has been challenging but I feel I am making slow progress and am just as motivated to start week 3!

Week Two:

• Lowlight- Running in the rain with a cold *sniffles*
• Highlight- Wearing running shorts outside for the first time and not feeling self conscious!