But let's be real as to why I made up this feature: I just want the opportunity to post something about Harry Potter.
As I mentioned in my last post, I took a trip to the UK at the beginning of May. And what does an immense Harry Potter fan like myself get up to while gallivanting in the place where the magic was created? Well, go in search of the Wizarding World, of course!
Step one in my attempt to infiltrate the Wizarding World: break through Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station!
Turns out, this is nothing but a tourist photo-op and won't actually get me through the wall! Harrumph!
Next step, dial 6-2-4-4-2 into this telephone booth in an attempt to get in through the Ministry of Magic!
Not willing to give up yet, the next logical step is to check out Leavesden Studios, which now holds the Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour.
Aha! Hogwarts!! AT LAST!!
Desperate times call for desperate measures: the next step is to take the train from King's Cross and head to Scotland. I will find Hogwarts in the Scottish Highlands even if it kills me!
Aha, here's a real castle finally!
Becoming increasingly more frustrated in my quest to infiltrate the Wizarding World, I take to the grave of Tom Riddle and curse his name!
Feeling disheartened, I then make my way up the street to the cafe in which J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book to drown my sorrows with a cuppa.
WOE! Will I ever find my way to the Wizarding World?
I am well and truly desperate now: time to return to London where I make my stand on the Millennium Bridge and await a Death Eater attack to take me (à la Order of the Phoenix movie).
And that's it! That was my one great chance to finally infiltrate the Wizarding World and make it my home, and sadly I failed. It was not without trying though. And at the very least, I was able to make some great memories in the process!
Eeee this looks like you had a fantastic time!! Scotland is one of my top 5 places that I wish to go someday, so I'm so jealous!! I'm sorry you didn't break into the wizarding world, but it looks like you very nearly did! :D
ReplyDeleteI was close :)
Deletehaha I love this post. It does look like you had a blast, even if you didn't make it to the Wizarding World. I would love to visit all of these places! I hope to make it to Europe sometime in the near future.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Ooh, I hope you can make it too, Lauren! You will someday!
Deletehahahaha oh my, this post is glorious! I love you for doing it up this way, I laughed wholeheartedly throughout it all this morning ♥ I wish I'd been there for it all right along with you :D You look like you had a truly incredible trip Aylee, I wish I could hear ALL about it in detail over a cuppa or butterbeer (real kind, not the nauseating Muggle variety) For real though, Platform 9 3/4, the entrance to the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, Scotland Highlands, Tom Riddle's grave O.O, JKR's café and the Millennium Bridge...yup, that's it. That's my DREAM vacation right there! You got some amazing pictures and surely made memories to last a lifetime. I hope I can make it to Europe myself some day - sooner rather than later ;) In the meantime though, thanks for allowing me to live vicariously through you with this post^^ xxxx Welcome back!!
ReplyDeleteHeehee, thanks Micheline :):) You would've been the perfect travel partner for this quest! We might not have managed to break in to the wizarding world together, but at least we would have had a lot of fun doing it! You'll have to recreate this quest yourself someday - maybe you'll be more successful than I was!
DeleteHa! It's true. And I am WAY overdue for a reread, I'm telling you!
ReplyDeleteOh, noes! I'm sorry you were denied entry to the wizarding world, Aylee, but look at the bright side! At least those Death Eaters failed to show up. Seriously, though, it's obvious that you had a wonderful vacation and I couldn't be more thrilled for you. In fact, I plan to retrace your footsteps next summer.
ReplyDeleteTrue! Not sure how I would have dealt with Death Eaters without a wand.
DeleteAnd that's so cool!! OMG I hope you find success!
You tried pretty hard! And at least you had lots of fun, which is what matters. Also, I love your lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex :)
Deletehaha this is adorable! Though I am sorry your travels did not result in entering the wizarding world. :( I hope you had some fun, at least! How awesome to visit where J.K. Rowling wrote book 1!
ReplyDeleteHee, thanks :) I did have loads of fun!
DeleteAww, this is so cute! And it looks like you had a fantastic trip! Everything over there looks so beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteHee, thanks!
DeleteAmazing!! :) Glad you are having fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I had an amazing time!
DeleteLol, I love this post! It's so nice that we get to see some pictures of your trip. Are you planning on posting your pictures from France as well? (I hope they're on your phone because I want to see more when I see you :)
ReplyDeleteWas it cold during your trip? You seem to be wearing a light jacket in quite a few of your pictures ...
Thanks :) I'll post more photos/recaps soon-ish.
DeleteIt was chilly in Scotland! Windy and rainy. France was hot though.
Love it!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time. You even made it to Scotland! I am impressed. I feel your disappointment in you inability to infiltrate the wizarding world. Next time- for sure!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I did! And yeah, next time! There are still some things to try, like flushing myself down the loo in the underground...
DeleteSo sorry you weren't able to break through and find your way to Hogwarts Aylee! It looks like you put in quite the effort though and had an amazing time doing it:) That model of Hogwarts is gorgeous!
DeleteThanks, Jenny!
DeleteLol, sorry you couldn't get into Hogwarts, Aylee. Glad you had a blast on your Euro trip though. I always wanted to go to Scotland and that Hogwarts lookalike is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAh, well, it was still worth it!
DeleteI am so jealous of your travels! That is the trip of a lifetime for me as I am also a huge Harry Potter fanatic. I admire your dedication and I wish you the best of luck in finding a way to break through. Let me know if you do. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I will :)
Deletelol, love this post. Looks like you still had a fun time in the muggle world. :)
ReplyDeleteI did, thanks :)
DeleteYes, at least you still were able to have a nice time and make some great memories! (And imagine all the wizarding people who saw you and had to stifle their chuckles? I bet SOMEONE wanted to show you the way through!) Wow for finding a Riddell grave, and I had no idea that the Hogwarts model was so big! It makes it all the more incredible, for sure. xx
ReplyDeleteHeehee, thanks Romi :) The thought of wizard folk spotting me is funny. Maybe next time!
DeleteI missed the Millennium Bridge. That looks really cool! I'm glad you had such a good time. I wish I could go back again - or just move there.
ReplyDeletehaha, if only apparition existed IRL.
DeleteWOW!!! This must have been like a dream come true for you, Aylee. I'm sure you must've pinched yourself to know it's all reall. I am so happy you could experience this, and I only hope that one day, I can too. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
Heehee, yes pretty much! Thanks, Sarika :)
Deletehaha Eilidh, I love you so freaking much! This post was hilarious and adorable!!! :D I applaud your efforts...if anyone could've gotten into the Wizarding World and Hogwarts while in London...it's you! ;D And your pictures are fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteHeh X) thanks <3<3
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