#Edinburgh to London is usually 5

[mankillercalledbunny]

Some people will be out here writing shit like a Brit getting an overnight train (extremely rare) leaving at 11:30pm (most trains from major stations stop running between ~11pm and ~4am) on Christmas eve (trains don't run after 6pm on Christmas Eve/NYE and don't run at all on Xmas/NYD) between two UK cities that are a 3 hour trip at most and that's if you're hitting every tiny country station along the way

Meanwhile I'm checking that my character's brief distracted geological ramblings are factually accurate by checking a research paper on quartz inclusions and asking a geologist to proofread them

We are not the same

[greenwitchcrafts]

January 2024 Witch guide

Full Moon: January 25th

New moon: January 11th

Sabbats: None

January Wolf Moon

Known as: Bear Moon, Chaste Moon, Cold Moon, Disting Moon, Goose Moon, Moon of Little Winter,  Moon of Strong Cold, Quiet Moon, Snow Moon, Stay at Home Moon, Sun Has Not Strength to Thaw Moon & When Snow Blows Like Spirits In The Wind Moon

Element: Air

Zodiac: Capricorn & Aquarius

Nature spirits: Brownies & Gnomes

Deities: Freya, Hera, Innana & Saraswati

Animals: Coyote & fox

Birds: Blue Jay & pheasant

Trees: Birch & Hazel

Herbs: Cones, holy thistle &marjoram

Flowers: Crocus & Snowdrop

Scents: Mimosa & musk

Stones: Chrysoprase, garnet, hematite, moonstone, onyx & jet

Colors: Black, blue-violet, grey, silver & white

Energy: Adventurous, ambitious, awareness, beauty, beginning & conceiving; business, career, conserving energy, energy below the surface, organization, political matters, potential, protection, recognition, reputation, reversing spells & spirituality

The name for the January full Moon is believed to have originated from Celtic and Old English roots, which European settlers then brought to the New World.

At one point, gray wolves were among the most widespread land mammals on our planet. According to the Wolf Conversation Center, gray wolves “inhabited most of the available land in the Northern Hemisphere.” Habitat destruction and persecution by humans have reduced their range by about a third worldwide and 90 percent in the lower 48 states.

The wolf’s adaptable nature to survive in a wide range of habitats and ability to prey on the largest mammals living in those regions made it widespread. Basically, if there are enough deer, moose, elk, caribou, bison, and musk ox, wolves can survive. Predation of domestic animals caused friction with European settlers and early Americans who aggressively hunted the wolves.

Werewolf myths can be found in ancient Greek and Roman societies, throughout European history and among some Native American tribes. In modern storytelling the transformation from man to wolf has been closely tied to the full Moon in films like “The Wolf Man” and “American Werewolf In London.”

Howl at the Moon means to waste energy pursuing something unattainable. It’s shorthand for doing something crazy. However, howling is hardly a waste of energy among wolf packs. And they aren’t howling at the Moon. The Moon just happens to be shining during times when wolves most often howl.

A wolf’s howl can be heard miles away. The vocalization helps wolves locate separated members and even communicate between packs marking their territories. One study recorded spontaneous howls and responses happen most often between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The cry of wolves doesn’t play into the Sioux name for the January full Moon, which is known as “The Time When Wolves Run Together.” Wolves do plenty of running to defend territory that can stretch hundreds of square miles to find enough prey to support the pack.

Other Celebrations

• Hogmanay | January 1st: is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year's Day (1 January) and, in some cases, 2 January—a Scottish bank holiday. In a few contexts, the word Hogmanay is used more loosely to describe the entire period consisting of the last few days of the old year and the first few days of the new year. For instance, not all events held under the banner of Edinburgh's Hogmanay take place on 31 December.

The origins of Hogmanay are unclear, but it may be derived from Norse and Gaelic observances of the winter solstice. Customs vary throughout Scotland and usually include gift-giving and visiting the homes of friends and neighbours, with particular attention given to the first-foot, the first guest of the new year.

• Compitalia/ Feast of Lades | January 3-5: was an annual festival in honor of the Lares Compitales, household deities of the crossroads, to whom sacrifices were offered at the places where two or more ways met.

Dionysius said that Servius Tullius founded the festival, which he describes as it was celebrated in his time. Dionysius relates that the sacrifices consisted of honey-cakes (Ancient Greek: πέλανοι) presented by the inhabitants of each house; and that the people who assisted as ministering servants at the festival were not free men, but slaves, because the Lares took pleasure in the service of slaves. He further adds that the Compitalia were celebrated a few days after the Saturnalia with great splendor, and that the slaves on this occasion had full liberty to do as they pleased.

During the celebration of the festival, each family placed the statue of the underworld goddess Mania at the door of their house. They also hung up at their doors figures of wool representing men and women, accompanying them with humble requests that the Lares and Mania would be contented with those figures, and spare the people of the house

Sources:

Farmersalmanac.com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Llewellyn's 2023 magical almanac: practical magic for everyday living

Wikipedia

Encyclopedia Britannica

[shoshiwrites]

SMALL ANNOUNCEMENT OF SORTS

Most of the reasons for me being a total space cadet lately are the usual — the 9-5, the world — however. It's also because for the past few months I've been planning a birthday trip at the beginning of May. I will be 30 at the end of June, and (lighting every candle here, and realizing there will never be a good time to get over my fear of talking about good things publicly) am taking almost two weeks to explore (some of) the UK, namely Scotland for couple of days and then bumping around England while attempting to hit every MotA-related site, secondhand bookstore, wildflower field, coffee opportunity, and dear friend between Edinburgh and London. Which is all to say that if I'm not getting any better at not being a space cadet over the next month or so, my apologies. I am very very very excited and trying to temper that excitement while also planning and also still being. Very very excited.

[scotianostra]

July 5th 1847 saw the final run of the Edinburgh to London mail coach.

By the mid 19th century coaches had become outdated throughout most of the country with improved rail links, the Newcastle Berwick Railway opened throughout on the 1st July 1847 which caused the demise of the coach service. The last coach carrying the London mail arrived in Glasgow on 14th February 1848. The extension of the Caledonian Railway from Beattock to Glasgow came into operation the following day.

Horses have been used to carry messages from the very early days, when post boys would deliver messages by horse. In the 18th Century horse-drawn mail coaches were introduced, which cut mail delivery times by more than half.

The coaches also carried fee paying passengers, at first four inside, later more were allowed on board but had to sit up with the driver outside, the passengers sitting inside the mail coaches had to pay considerably more than those exposed to the elements on the outside.

The average speed of the coaches was usually 7-8 mph in summer and about 5 mph in winter, but with improvements to the quality of the roads, it had risen to 10 mph by Victorian times.

The coaches were privately operated and the coachmen earned much more in tips than in wages. They were fined if caught carrying goods on their own account. The only Post Office employee aboard the mail coach was the guard. He was heavily armed, carrying two pistols and a blunderbuss. He wore an official uniform of a black hat with a gold band and a scarlet coat with blue lapels and gold braid. He also had a timepiece, regulated in London to keep pace with the differences in local time, and recorded the coach’s arrival and departure times at each stage of the journey. The guard sounded a horn to warn other road users to keep out of the way and to signal to toll-keepers to let the coach through. As the coach travelled through towns or villages where it was not due to stop, the guard would throw out the bags of letters to the Letter Receiver or Postmaster. At the same time, the guard would snatch from him the outgoing bags of mail.

Mail Coaches continued in the north of Scotland until modernised rail connections were introduced, the last one was in Kingussie and ran until the beginning of World War One The horses didn't enjoy a happy retirement though, they were requisitioned by the Army and sent to the continent during the first world war, 8 million horses were killed during the conflict.

[tocitynews]

A Widespread Microsoft Outage Disrupted Flights, Banks, Media Outlets And Companies Around The World On Friday And Highlighted Dependence On Software From A Handful Of Providers – New York City reporting

The issue affected Microsoft 365 apps and services, and escalating disruptions continued hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing it.

Microsoft 365 posted on X that the company was “working on rerouting the impacted traffic to alternate systems to alleviate impact in a more expedient fashion” and that they were “observing a positive trend in service availability.”

Major disruptions reported by airlines and airports grew. Flight tracking website Flightaware reports more nearly 1,000 flights canceled and over 12,000 more are delayed. Chicago O'Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Newark , La Guardia and Boston Logan International Airport lead Flightaware's "misery map" with the most delays and cancellations.

In the U.S., the FAA said the airlines United, Delta and Allegiant had all been grounded. American Airlines lifted its ground stop just after 5 a.m ET, saying they were able to "safely re-establish operations."

An earlier ground stop for Frontier Airlines was lifted just after midnight, and the carrier said they had resumed normal operations, for now.

Travelers at Los Angeles International Airport slept on a jetway floor, using backpacks and other luggage for pillows, due to a delayed United flight to Dulles International Airport early on Friday.

Across the pond, Edinburgh Airport said the system outage meant waiting times were longer than usual. London’s Stansted Airport said some airline check-in services were being completed manually, but flights were still operating.

The budget airline Ryanair said they are "experiencing disruption across the network due to a global third party IT outage which is out of our control. We advise all passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time.”

Widespread problems were reported at Australian airports, where lines grew and some passengers were stranded as online check-in services and self-service booths were disabled. Passengers in Melbourne queued for more than an hour to check in, although flights were still operating. Airlines Virgin Australia and Qantas were severely affected by the outage.

News outlets in Australia — including the ABC and Sky News — were unable to broadcast on their TV and radio channels, and reported sudden shutdowns of Windows-based computers. Some news anchors broadcast live online from dark offices, in front of computers showing “blue screens of death.” Telecommunications providers, banks and media broadcasters were also disrupted as they lost access to computer systems. Outages reported on the site DownDetector included the banks NAB, Commonwealth and Bendigo, as well as internet and phone providers such as Telstra. The New Zealand banks ASB and Kiwibank said their services were down.

Television stations in the United Kingdom were being disrupted by the computer issues.

Hospitals in Britain and Germany also reported problems.

Israel’s Cyber Directorate said that it was among the places affected by the global outages, attributing them to a problem with the cybersecurity platform Crowdstrike. The outage also hit the country’s post offices and hospitals, according to the ministries of communication and health.

In South Africa, at least one major bank said it was experiencing “nationwide service disruptions” as customers reported they were unable to make payments using their bank cards at grocery stores and gas stations.

Numerous European airlines are using manual check-in.

[mirza-majoris]

Chapter 5 : O Flower of Scotland !

When they arrived to Dingwall, Desmond hopped from the train and looked around, yawning a bit. This train trip had been rather long considering how far they now were from London and from England. They had taken a small train to go to Victoria Station before taking another very long one to go to Edinburgh, and he had been taking some time to sleep since his night had been pretty rough until now. It was also during that time that his father and Raymond had been discussing the idea of renting a house together and find a job to ease their expenditures. Desmond vaguely remembered something about Ray's mother and how he had explained the whole story to them.

His mother owned a small cottage near Cullicudden, a quarter of hour long trip in car was necessary to go there from Dingwall but it was always closer than anything considering trains couldn't go where there was no railroads. Also, there was another reason Ray wanted to stop to Dingwall. His mother was being employed as a domestic by a very rich family living in Dingwall and her cottage was not inhabited most of the time, that was why she had asked his son to come back to Scotland someday, to help her with the house since she was living in the same mansion as her masters. "The cottage is away from any big city, very few neighbours and good air indeed", that was how Raymond had described it and, somehow, after a good hour of thinking about it, Leon was rather opened to such an idea. And he knew that life could be expansive when you were raising a little boy as a father, and alone. Just thinking about Rachel and how she would've wanted her boys safe and sound, living a normal life, had been enough to convince him to give it a try.

Once in Edinburgh, they had to take another train to Iverness, but before doing so they stopped to buy some coats considering the weather was being less clement than in London, and Leon and Desmond hadn't brought one since they had to leave in a hurry. It wasn't winter yet, so they had some time to buy everything they needed. Only Raymond seemed unbothered by the very wet air coming from his homeland, and in fact he was almost happy to come back home. Desmond had been very interested in the landscape and even though it wasn't his first time traveling somewhere –his parents once travelled to Nazca, in Peru, when he and Theodore were younger– he was a bit nervous since this time they had some evil guys trying to look for them in order to take them away to a very bad place. Scotland was very much different from what he thought it would be, and hearing everyone's accent was enough to trouble him a bit at first. But he had been more than excited when they saw the Loch Ness when changing train again in Iverness. He even had the time to see the castle a bit and eat an ice cream !

Finally, after a whole travelling day, they were finally done and getting out of the station. The evening was near and they had not eaten much, merely two sadnwiches and an ice cream for the boy. But with a smile Raymond told them not to worry, that his mother would be more than happy to take them to diner tonight.

–Still, Leon had said, I don't want to impose my presence and Desmond's to her... and if she's kind enough to allow us to stay in her cottage, I might at least be the one offering her a diner.

–Oh, trust me, sassenach, try to offer to pay and ye'll be facin' a beast ! She'll never accept it. Trust me, A've tried twice. And she scolded me in the middle of the restaurant as if A was still a toddler !

Desmond chuckled a bit and was already picturing a little woman scolding that biker as if he was but a child. Leon smiled when he saw him being a bit more joyful than usual. This was enough to make his heart lighter for a few moment. Ray let them for a short moment, going to take back his motorbike which had traveled with them, in a wagon dedicated to these heavy things. Leon rolled his eyes when he saw that Scottish lad being almost in live this his engine.

–Come on, it's just a vehicle ! It's not some kind of wonder.

Raymond gasped and exaggerated his reaction just to make the boy smile again, boy who was really intrigued by such a mechanical prowess.

–It's not "just a vehicle" sassenach ! It's a Norton Model 40 International 350cc 1 cylinder from 1938 ! A've restored it ! T'was me dad's.

–How does it work ?

Desmond had sparkles in his eyes and he was hopping around the vehicle trying to figure out how it was possible for such a thing to be driven by someone on the road. Leon sighed, not knowing how to react to Desmond's enthusiasm since he didn't like mechanical stuff much. He was a more... traditional man regarding technology and mechanics. And he was barely capable to use a television so he wasn't an expert regarding the topic.

–Well, maybe he can explain it to you once we've seen his mother. How do we do that ? We wait for the end of her service or what ?

Raymond took a peek at his watch and thought about it for a minute.

–OK, well... I'll take her at her job, it's almost October's holidays for her, they always give her Samhain.

–Sowhat ?

The Scottish man sighed again and rolled his eyes, pulling his motorbike to follow as they were walking together.

-It's pronounced "Soween", and it's... well, 31st of October. The All Hallows eve, if ye prefer. Go on, have some nice walk time or go to the park, A'll join ye here with me mom. Sounds good ? There's also a few shops. To get yerself a Scots dictionary. Because ye'll need it.

He chuckled and winked to Desmond, promising him a nice ride later, and he made the motor roar before flying away to a very big mansion, away from the city center, and the more he was getting closer and the more his smile was fading. What he hadn't said Leon about all this was that he wasn't exactly in good touch with his mother and he wanted to go there forst to try to talk to her. Last time he had seen her, it was another glorious argument they had, about family mostly, and he has had very harsh words to her, before leaving like a thief, without even saying goodbye. By now he has had enough time to think about it and he regretted a good portion of what he said six years ago. That large amount of time was also the reason he hasn't told Leon about his relationship with his mother. Because at this point he didn't even know if she was willing to talk to him anymore.

He had written him letters 2 years ago, if you can call that writing a letter considering he's done nothing but traces a few line on the paper, for Christmas, All Hallows Eve, New Year's Eve, Easter, her birthday, etc. Just a few lines, and she had never responded to any of them for the simple reason he's been avoiding to leave any address to reply. His life wasn't the most glorious one and by now he was really regretting it, trying to make up for things he's been too stubborn to apologise for.

Without him realising it, his motorbike had almost ridden itself alone, bringing him right to main gates of the big mansion where his mom was working. He sighed and entered the property, leaving his engine near the portal gates, and proceeded to go up the alley to reach for the doors and knock on them, disdainful enough not to ring the bell. He wasn't used to ring bells anyway, he preferred the simple knocking, bells were some fancy way to summon someone and he didn't like it.

A young woman came soon after, looking at him with red cheeks and a shy smile across her face.

–Good evening sir... Who may I announce ?

–Hi, huh... well, A'm not here to see Lord McGregor, A'm lookin' fer me mother, Maighread, is she workin' or does she have... ye know, a few minutes ?

The young lady though seemed a bit troubled by his accent, for sure she was probably not used to Scots and Scottish accent either since the master of this old creaky mansion was trying to speak as "normally" as possible.

–I deeply apologise but... May-who ?

–Maighread, me mom. Ye know her surely, a li''le woman, heavy brown hair, she's the one in charge of the whole domestics here A think.

This time the lady figured it out and her eyes seemed to lighten up.

–Oh, I see ! You're looking for Mà Bannag ! Everyone calls her like that, she always bakes the most wonderful pies !

Ray sighed, a bit nostalgic, and thought that this nickname was truly fitting his mother. He nodded and offered the maid his most charming smile.

–Would ye be kind enough to allow me to see her ? The day's almost done, and A need to talk to her...

Being put in front of such a charming man, the woman blushed again and chuckled like an adorable chick before allowing him to enter and asking him to wait in the hall while she was going to bring Maighread in.

Ray looked around, not that impressed by such a decorum displayed through this hall. Big wooden interior, sculptures, old architecture, dark wooden stairs and ceilings, some tapestries which colours were slowly being less and less shiny considering they were older than everyone in this mansion, some carpets, everything making this house wealthy was only the furniture while the house itself was creaking each time there was a windy day. The man had lived there, with his mother and father, in the domestic aisle, most of his life, before leaving when he was a teen. He knew this corridors like no one else and he also remembered some nice little pranks he did to his parents when he was hidden in the library secret passage. A bit cliche but always worked. The thought was enough to bring a smile on his face but it quickly vanished when he heard the voice of an old man coming from up the stairs.

–It's been a while since last time you came here...

Raymond barely looked up, he wasn't much impressed by the old lord and his grey hair, grey moustache, grey tuxedo and severe figure. In fact, all that was filling his eyes right now was animosity.

–A'm not here to talk to ye. A'm here for me mà.

The old lord seemed to feel some heavy pressure on his shoulder and he looked away. Even his voice seemed less full of assurance.

–She should be here soon, I saw Maggie, the maid who introduced you in, rushed to the domestic aisle... ... you know, if I can do something, I-

But Raymond shook hisbhead and interrupted him right away.

–A want nothin' comin' from ye. And don't ye dare bring Maighread into this. Ye've done enough already, don't ye think ?

The old man sighed but replied nothing. Instead, he only nodded and went away, coming back to his room, just a moment before a shaky voice came to Ray's ears. He turned with a small smile hanging on his lips and waited anxiously for the little woman to come closer, uncertain how to react.

In front of his, his mother was looking at him, her hazel eyes wide opened. Her dark wair was tied into a severe bun but her cheeks and wrinkles at the corner of her eyes were indicating a very joyful woman. She was a bit skinnier than last time Ray had seen her and she had aged indeed. Her hands were shaking because of how unreal the moment seemed to be to her and her uniform, her apron indeed, was covered in flour. The man sighed and messed with his own hair, embarrassed and not knowing what to say. Suddenly his mind had gone blank.

–Hey.... huh... well... hi mà...

The old woman didn't let him say anything else and rushed to hug him tight, happy like she had rarely been. Since she was littler, he had to lean a bit but he didn't complain and hugged her back.

–Mo mac ! Balach beag, A've been so worried, me boy !

If anyone wondered where that young man got his accent from, then the answer was his mother, because she was the one always using this soft voice and little words to speak with her son. Even Ray's father had less of an accent than her !

–Ye are insufferable, young man ! Do ye know how very few informations ye put in yer letters ? A didn't even know if ye were doin' fine or not !

–A'm fine, mà... A just... well... A just had... rough days back then... A'm sorry...

A mother would always be a mother and this one knew her som very well. She backed away a bit, softly put her hands on both his cheeks and look him in the eyes with a worried frowned wrinkling her forehead.

–Yer eyes tell a lot, mo mac... Ye'll explain to me later ?

Raymond sighed and looked away. Maighread sighed too and kissed his forehead before smiling.

–I know ye're not here without a reason... do ye mind helping me grab me things ? Then ye'll tell me all about it, sounds fair ?

For how much Raymond wanted to be serious and for how much guilty he was feeling for the past few years, he cracked a smile and followed his mother. This little reunion had been going rather well but the main topic wasn't even brought on the table yet, they would need a long conversation, preferably with a cherry or a good whiskey.

–Yeah... let's go... Care fer a ride on me motorbike ?

–A thought ye'd never ask !

-> First chapter

-> Previous chapter

-> Next chapter

[captainsavre]

Feeling excited about the new year? Any great plans or anything to look forward to?

well i don’t usually make big plans, i’m more like go with the flow type of person!!

that being said, there are in fact some big events this year i’m actually looking forward to 🤭

1. first is already next week, i’m travelling to London to go see a gig of my fav singer, Melanie C (Sporty Spice) 🥹 although i’m a bit terrified ‘cause i’m going all alone and i hate to travel and going to concerts alone but hey, i’ve been waiting more than 20 years to see her live (as a solo, seen the Spice Girls live a few times already), so yeah i’m excited 😊 and yes, i’m a Spice Girls fan… sue me 😅🤭

2. really hope i can make it to FRR3 and/or CTF2 🥹 looking forward for my very first con… and again, terrified for going all alone and not knowing anyone in the fandom that well yet! i just really REALLY hope Danielle and Stefania will be guests because they’re the only reason i’d go 😬

3. my very first Keane show, here in Portugal in May! big fan of them so yeah, again very excited about it 😊

4. late this year i’m planning to travel to Scotland for the first time, Edinburgh has always been one of my top cities to visit and hopefully it will happen this year 🥰

5. oh and there’s also one more thing… Station 19 being saved, that’s probably the biggest of them all and the one i’m more anxious about!! all of this has consumed all my energy lately and made lose big part of my excitement for all my other plans and it sucks, i really hate it 😔 it has been a rollercoaster of emotions lately, there are days i believe we can make it, there are days i lose all my hope… but yeah gotta believe, right?! 🥹🤞🏼

and for someone that doesn’t make plans, my year is already looking pretty busy 😅🤭

[standupcomedyhistorian]

Hey, everyone!

I'm doing better (although living on my own is WEIRD after being with my ex for 21 years), and I wanted to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. I'm getting through this one day at a time, and I'll make it to the other side of the road. 🐔

Anyway, there was a recent list of best comedians in the 21st century in the Telegraph on the eve of the Fringe Festival, and some of my favorite comics were included! 👀

Here's the descriptions for those curious—I highly recommend all of these incredible comics, ESPECIALLY number 1:

44. Kate Berlant (my article about her and Bo; audience interviews for Kate coming soon!)

A warped mirror for millennial smugness, 36-year-old Berlant’s narcissistic persona and fast-paced, deadpan delivery have inspired a host of great younger acts ­(including Leo Reich). Her ­half-improvised, stream-of-­consciousness patter is a kind of thrilling comedy glossolalia, while her mind-reading routine is some of the funniest failed ­stage-magic since Tommy Cooper. The ­American’s luvvie-mocking ­Broadway show Kate (directed by Bo Burnham) arrives in London next month. Fight for a ticket.

16. James Acaster (my article about him and Bo)

It’s easy to take Acaster for granted – he’s constantly on panel shows and podcasts. But his 2018 stand-up shows (collected on Netflix as Repertoire) are works of borderline genius; baroque puzzle-boxes, all buried callbacks and high-concept whimsy. If he once seemed a bit aloof and impersonal, that mask fell with his most recent West End show: a confessional tour-de-force about being dumped by his girlfriend for Rowan Atkinson.

5. Tim Minchin (my article about him and Bo)

The kohl-eyed, frantic-haired ­Aussie already felt like the ­finished article when he parachuted into the 2005 Edinburgh Fringe with his sensational debut, which ­parodied teen popstar dreams with precision-tooled, beat-perfect musical numbers. Almost two decades later – after stage-musical success with Matilda and Groundhog Day – his live shows come with more ­contemplation and political edge, but that twinkly-eyed mischief is still there. Minchin evolves with age, and is all the better for it.

4. Maria Bamford (my article about her and Bo)

A critic once called Bamford ­schizophrenic. She corrected him: “That’s not my mental ­illness! ­Schizophrenia is, of course, ­hearing voices, not doing voices.” An ­impressionist whose vocal ­acrobatics are usually used to ­imitate her own family, Bamford can be surreal, confessional or ­staggeringly dark (especially stories about her time “in the psych ward”), but is always ­thrilling. Her rare ­performances – in her own front room, car parks, or to just one ­audience member at a time – are unique. Wildly original, and a crucial influence on countless young British acts, she is, to my mind, America’s greatest living stand-up.

1. Bo Burnham (my primer and SOOOO much more on my website haha)

Burnham is the 21st-century ­comedian. Recorded in his ­bedroom, the razor-sharp New ­Englander’s piano-driven songs made him a ­YouTube sensation by the age of 19, at which point, in 2010, he ­astonished British audiences with an almost bewilderingly precocious stage debut, Words, Words, Words. 

His follow-up, What, was better yet, a royal-flush hour of ingeniously sly musical, character and meta-comedy that was the undisputed hit of 2013. As he told me at the time, “I do hope my sort of frantic, the-floor-is-lava type of comedy is a mimic of what it feels like to be alive now.” Indeed it was, and, although panic attacks took Burnham away from the stage for some years, he blithely whipped up the acclaimed feature film Eighth Grade in 2018, and three years later returned to the public eye with the Netflix ­special Inside. 

This was locked-down comedy – as “live” as it could be at the time – about the misery, isolation and gnawing insecurity of being a young comic unable to perform, so finely observed, intricately ­constructed and beautifully ­written it made your head spin. In terms of capturing that bizarre moment, mining it for laughs, and speaking both to his own generation and to all of us imprisoned in our own homes, no one else even came close.

Congratulations, Bo! ✌🏼

[walkingstackofbooks]

I'm sure there are plenty of people who might feel differently, especially if they're younger than me (I'm 27), but for me I definitely feel this might be more noticeable a phenomenon in the US than the UK?

Kind of, anyway. The freedom of my teenage years compared to the freedom of those in prior generations seems like it was more limited, and there were definitely opportunities my parents had that would have been unimaginable to me. (Backpacking around Europe without a mobile phone on hand, for instance.) And 100% we're experiencing the erosion of safe, free/cheap public spaces for young people to be, and the rampant capitalism forcing us to prioritise work over actually living life happily 🙃

But on the other side, I've been taking the bus by myself since I was 11 -- some of my friends lived way out of town, so to meet up either they or I would have to do the 1/2 hour bus journey. It wasn't a problem for me to catch a train to London - 40+ miles away - with a group of friends from when I was about 16 or so, and just wander about there for the day. And on a regular weekend, I could walk pretty easily into town from our suburb - about 40 minutes, 50 perhaps to the cinema?

Hell, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions are a common sight each summer - a group of 14+ yos with backpacks practically as big as them wandering around the countryside for 3 days, trying to follow a route on a map, maybe having an adult check in on them 3-5 times in the day but otherwise left to their own devices and to walk miles in the wrong direction if they make a mistake. The shit we got up to in the campsites was real 😂

I feel like a lot of teens get a chance to do do young, dumb stuff in college, too (college in the UK being an optional educational institution for 16-18yos instead of staying on at secondary school.) (That's very simplified but shh.) It would depend where you are in the country I guess but definitely both of my 25yo housemates have some wild stories from college. Plenty of 17/18 yos I know went interrailing for a few weeks in Europe, too (although I know that's more difficult for the current generation with Brexit and price hikes and such).

And then as well if teens do go to uni* they're usually able to drink straight away, being 18 (which is debatable whether or not it's a good thing I guess) but Freshers' Weeks are certainly always wild and pubs and clubs always seem busy in uni towns -- and tbh I have friends who still regularly go clubbing well into their twenties, if it's their thing. And like, whatever you're doing when you're 18, you'll be able to hang out at a pub in the evening, and just have a chill night with your friends - half of us don't even drink alcohol. (I do feel minorly bad for always asking for tap water, but 🤷‍♀️. Sorry local pub for maybe spending only £20 there in the past 10 years 🙈 )

*(which I think is easier here? You only pay one ~$35 fee to apply to ALL your unis, not one-by-one, and our loans are less aggressive here too -- you don't pay them back until you're earning £25k ($30k) and they're written off after 30 years -- so it's more manageable to go? [Though don't get me wrong, it's still a damn sight harder if you're not middle-class+])

Ugh, sorry, this got long -- I don't want to diminish the importance of what you've all said because it's true. And it's been 8 years since I was a teenager, so younger folks might feel their freedom's been diminished since then. But at a time where social media was very much a thing, I had a 3/14/40 mile radius as a teen and it just doesn't ring true that we didn't get the chance to do dumb, stupid shit. 🤷‍♀️

Maybe this is the wrong platform to pose this question given the average tumblr user but

Is it just me or did our generation (those of is who are currently 20-30 ish) just not get the opportunity to be young in the 'standard' sense?

Like, everyone I talk to who's over 40 has all their wild stories about their teens and 20s, being young and dumb, and then I talk to my friends and coworkers and classmates, and we just... dont.

[nimilphilip]

Top 5 Countries to Study in Abroad in 2025

The ease to which studying abroad has become has transformed the way it is perceived especially since it is no longer a luxury to be taken up by students across the globe. As the universities start providing globally accepted degrees, better career, and international networking opportunities, the number of students moving abroad to study has increased. As we get into 2025; there are some countries who have been ranked as the best places that international students should be in terms of their academic standards, their support systems to students, work opportunities after studying as well as their openness to other students.

If you're planning to study abroad in 2025, here are the top 5 countries you should consider: United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Germany, and Canada.

1. United Kingdom: A Timeless Education Destination

Why Study in the UK?

The United Kingdom has always been among the most popular study abroad destinations of the international students. The UK has some of the finest universities across the globe including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and University of Edinburgh, which is not matched in any other country.

Highlights:

Globally Recognized Degrees: UK degrees are highly valued across the world, making it easier for graduates to find employment internationally.

Shorter Program Duration: Undergraduate degrees usually take 3 years, and postgraduate programs just 1 year, saving both time and money.

Post-Study Work Visa: The Graduate Route allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after graduation (3 years for PhD holders).

Cultural Diversity: The UK is a multicultural hub with students from over 150 countries.

Scholarships: Options like Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and university-specific funding ease the financial burden.

Popular Courses:

Business and Management

Engineering and Technology

Medicine and Health Sciences

Social Sciences

Creative Arts and Design

Cities to Study In:

London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham

2. Ireland: The Rising Star of European Education

Why Study in Ireland?

The high rate of tech growth, English-speaking culture, modern universities ranked worldwide make Ireland a premium study location in the coming years. Ireland offers excellent job opportunities to foreign graduates as it is the home of such companies as Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.

Highlights:

High-Quality Education: Institutions like Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and University of Galway are known for research excellence.

Post-Study Work Options: International graduates can stay in Ireland for up to 2 years to seek employment under the Third Level Graduate Scheme.

English-Speaking Nation: While located in Europe, Ireland’s education and daily communication are in English – a huge advantage for Indian and other international students.

Safe and Friendly Environment: Ireland ranks as one of the safest and friendliest countries in the world.

Rich Culture and Heritage: Students can immerse themselves in music, literature, and natural beauty while pursuing their education.

Popular Courses:

Data Science and AI

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Computer Science

Business and Finance

Nursing and Healthcare

Cities to Study In:

Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick

3. Australia: Quality Education with a Laid-Back Lifestyle

Why Study in Australia?

Australia is known for its best universities, pleasant nature, and student-friendly cities. By 2025, it will remain popular among students due to its accessible approach to the study process, friendly environment, and effective post-study employment policies.

Highlights:

Top-Ranked Universities: Institutions like the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the ANU are ranked among the best globally.

Post-Study Work Opportunities: Australia offers 2-6 years of post-study work rights depending on the level and location of study.

Work While Studying: International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the academic term and unlimited hours during breaks.

Strong Job Market: Australia’s growing sectors include engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, and education.

Supportive Visa Policies: With streamlined visa processing and health coverage (OSHC), students can transition smoothly into Australian life.

Popular Courses:

Engineering and IT

Hospitality and Tourism

Health Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Business and Marketing

Cities to Study In:

Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide

4. Germany: World-Class Education at Minimal Costs

Why Study in Germany?

Germany is also a country that does not charge any or minimal tuition fees particularly in its public universities. The nation is also referred to as a land of academic rigourousness particularly in subjects such as engineering, business and natural sciences.

Highlights:

No Tuition Fees: Most public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees for international students, making it highly cost-effective.

World-Class Education: Renowned universities like TU Munich, Heidelberg University, and RWTH Aachen are known for high academic standards.

Innovation and Research: Germany is a global leader in scientific research and innovation, offering extensive research opportunities.

Strong Economy and Job Market: Being Europe’s largest economy, Germany has abundant opportunities for graduates, especially in STEM fields.

Post-Study Work Visa: Students can stay for 18 months after graduation to find a job in their field.

Popular Courses:

Mechanical and Automotive Engineering

Data Science and AI

Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering

Economics and Management

Biomedical Sciences

Cities to Study In:

Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Heidelberg

5. Canada: A Safe and Inclusive Study Environment

Why Study in Canada?

Canada continues to be a major destination to international students because it has a good quality education, multiculturalism, and welcoming policies when it comes to immigration. The Canadian degrees are recognized all around the world and the country has great prospects of a permanent residence.

Highlights:

World-Ranked Institutions: Universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia (UBC) offer a wide range of programs and research opportunities.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Allows international students to work in Canada for up to 3 years after graduation.

Affordable Living and Tuition: Compared to the US and UK, Canada offers a more affordable education without compromising quality.

Pathway to PR: Many students choose Canada because of its strong post-study immigration pathway, particularly through the Express Entry program.

Diversity and Inclusivity: Canada is known for its welcoming policies and multicultural environment.

Popular Courses:

Computer Science and IT

Nursing and Healthcare

Business and Finance

Engineering

Media and Journalism

Cities to Study In:

Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary

Final Tip: Get Expert Guidance

The process of applying to universities abroad can be complex, from selecting the right course and university to securing a visa and accommodation. At Cliftons Study Abroad, we help you every step of the way. Whether it’s personalized counselling, admission support, visa guidance, or finding scholarships, we ensure your study abroad journey is smooth and successful.

Reach out to us today to explore your options in these top countries and make 2025 the year your global dreams take flight!

[cfeuk]

MRes Programs in the UK for International Students: A Pathway to Advanced Research

The UK has always been a leading destination for higher education, attracting students from around the world to its world-class institutions. For those looking to pursue a research-focused postgraduate degree, the Master of Research (MRes) is an ideal choice. Tailored for students aiming to build a foundation in academic research, MRes programs in the UK offer international students a unique academic and professional edge.

In this article, we explore what an MRes is, why it’s valuable, and why the UK is a top destination for international students seeking research-oriented master’s degrees.

What is an MRes Program?

An MRes (Master of Research) is a postgraduate degree that focuses primarily on independent research rather than traditional taught coursework. While it may include some taught modules, the majority of the program involves completing a substantial research project or dissertation.

MRes programs are ideal for:

Students planning to pursue a PhD

Graduates interested in careers involving research, policy, or academic work

Those seeking strong analytical and critical thinking skills

Why Choose the UK for an MRes?

1. Globally Respected Universities

The UK is home to some of the top research institutions in the world, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), and King’s College London. These institutions are renowned for their innovative research output and high academic standards.

2. International Recognition

An MRes degree from a UK university carries strong international prestige, which can boost your chances of getting into competitive PhD programs or research-related jobs across the globe.

3. Diverse Subject Areas

UK universities offer MRes degrees across a wide range of disciplines including:

Life Sciences and Medicine

Engineering and Technology

Business and Management

Social Sciences

Arts and Humanities

This flexibility allows students to tailor their research to their interests and long-term goals.

4. Excellent Research Facilities

From advanced laboratories to comprehensive libraries and digital archives, UK universities provide outstanding research infrastructure. You’ll have access to world-class tools and support throughout your studies.

5. Scholarships and Funding

Many institutions offer scholarships specifically for international students, including full or partial tuition waivers, research grants, and living allowances. Universities may also offer MRes programs that are integrated with funded PhD opportunities.

6. Post-Study Work Opportunities

The UK’s Graduate Route Visa allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years (three for PhD graduates) after completing their degree. This gives MRes graduates time to pursue research jobs, assistantships, or further studies.

Top Universities Offering MRes Programs in the UK

Here are some well-regarded UK universities that offer MRes degrees for international students:

University of Oxford

University of Cambridge

University of Manchester

Imperial College London

University of Edinburgh

King’s College London

University of Southampton

University of Birmingham

Each institution offers specialized MRes courses with unique research themes and support structures.

Eligibility Criteria for International Students

While specific requirements may vary, most universities will expect:

A strong undergraduate degree (usually 2:1 or equivalent)

A clear research interest or proposal

English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

Letters of recommendation and academic transcripts

Some programs may also request interviews or samples of previous research work.

Final Thoughts

The MRes program in the UK is a strategic choice for international students who are passionate about research and academic advancement. With access to world-leading institutions, advanced research facilities, and valuable post-study opportunities, studying an MRes in the UK sets a strong foundation for a research-focused career.

👉 Interested in pursuing an MRes in the UK? Visit our website to explore programs, universities, scholarships, and application guidance for international students.

[minibusandcoachesinbristoluk]

Backpacking Smarter in the UK: Travel Tips with Minibus and Coach Hire

Backpacking through the UK is a dream for many adventurers — rich history, stunning landscapes, and diverse experiences at every stop. But smart travel isn’t just about packing light or finding the best hostel. It’s also about how you move between destinations. For budget-conscious explorers, using minibus and coaches can make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to elevate your UK backpacking journey with group-friendly transport options like Oxford coach hire and services from trusted names such as the Edinburgh minibus company.

Travel Light, Travel Together

Backpacking often means solo adventures, but the UK is best explored with a few companions. Sharing transport through a minibus or coach not only saves money but also builds memorable experiences. These services are ideal for groups of all sizes — whether it’s a group of friends, a school trip, or fellow backpackers on the same route.

Why it works:

Split the fare and reduce travel costs

No need to juggle multiple tickets or train schedules

Travel together and arrive together — simple and stress-free

Go Beyond the Train Lines

While trains cover most major towns, many of the UK’s hidden gems are off the beaten path. That’s where minibus and coaches shine. With private or shared minibus hire, you can explore scenic villages, remote hiking trails, or historic sites that aren’t easily accessible by public transport.

Providers like those offering Oxford coach hire often provide flexible, custom routes that help you see more and spend less.

Choose Comfort on Long Routes

Backpackers usually spend long hours on the road — but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort. A well-equipped minibus or coach offers reclining seats, air conditioning, storage for backpacks, and sometimes even Wi-Fi. Compared to cramped train carriages or confusing bus changes, this is a major upgrade.

Services from the Edinburgh minibus company, for example, are known for their clean, comfortable vehicles and friendly, knowledgeable drivers who understand what travelers need.

Save More with Group Transport

One of the biggest travel expenses is getting from place to place. When you choose a minibus or coach, especially with a group, the per-person cost becomes incredibly affordable. Many services include fuel, insurance, and even driver costs in the quote, helping you stay on budget without any surprise charges.

Look for providers that offer clear pricing, like those under Oxford coach hire or the Edinburgh minibus company, where value and transparency go hand in hand.

Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible

Backpacking is all about freedom — and minibus and coach hire gives you exactly that. Book in advance to lock in good rates, but choose providers that allow schedule changes or flexible pick-up/drop-off points.

Some tips:

Ask about custom itineraries

Check if they offer one-way journeys or return options

Inquire about stops at attractions or photo spots

Many backpackers have found that local providers are happy to work with changing plans — a big win when your travel style is more “go with the flow.”

Final Thoughts

Smart backpacking in the UK isn’t just about the gear you carry — it’s about making smart choices in how you travel. With trusted services like Oxford coach hire, and well-reviewed options from the Edinburgh minibus company, minibus and coaches make it easy to explore the UK comfortably, affordably, and flexibly.

Whether you're chasing castles, hiking coastal trails, or hopping between cultural hubs, choosing group transport is a smart step toward a smoother, richer backpacking experience

Contact Us

Minibus Rental in bristol, Oxford Coach Hire,

sales@minibuseslondon.co.uk

182-184 High Street North East Ham, London, E6 2JA

+44 121 318 3555

Edinburgh Minibus Company

5 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AN

sales@minibuseslondon.co.uk

+44 121 318 3555

https://www.instagram.com/minibuseslondon/

[studyabroadworldedx]

Public Universities and Colleges in the UK for International Students (2025 Guide)

The United Kingdom is home to some of the most prestigious public universities in the world, attracting thousands of international students each year. Known for their academic excellence, research-driven programs, and globally recognized degrees, public universities in the UK offer exceptional value and opportunity.

Whether you're planning to study in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this guide will help you understand your options when it comes to public universities in England and beyond.

What Are Public Universities in the UK?

In the UK, most universities are public—meaning they are funded by the government but operate independently. These institutions are highly reputable and follow strict quality standards set by regulatory bodies such as the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Public universities offer:

Competitive tuition fees compared to private institutions

High-quality academic programs

Access to government-backed student support services

Eligibility for international scholarships

Top Public Universities in England and the UK (2025)

Here are some of the best public universities in England and the wider UK, known for their international student support and academic excellence:

1. University of Oxford

Located in England, Oxford is a world leader in research and education. It ranks consistently among the top three universities globally.

2. University of Cambridge

Another gem in England, Cambridge is known for its rigorous academic programs and centuries-old tradition of excellence.

3. University College London (UCL)

A global top-10 public university located in central London, UCL is a favorite among international students.

4. University of Manchester

A major public university in England, Manchester offers world-class research and a vibrant city life.

5. University of Edinburgh

Scotland’s top public university, offering a diverse student population and strong research credentials.

6. University of Birmingham

Located in the heart of England, Birmingham provides a great balance of academic quality and campus life.

What About Public Colleges in the UK?

In the UK, the term “college” usually refers to further education institutions that offer diploma or certificate programs, rather than full bachelor’s degrees. However, many public colleges in the UK offer foundation and pathway programs that lead to university admission.

These include:

City of Glasgow College

West London College

South Thames College

Newcastle College

These public colleges in the UK are great options for international students looking for vocational training or a stepping stone into a full university program.

Looking for More?

If you're interested in exploring a full list of public universities in the UK for international students, including admission tips and available scholarships, visit:

👉 WorldEdX’s official guide to public universities in the UK

[scotianostra]

July 5th 1847 saw the final run of the Edinburgh to London mail coach.

By the mid 19th century coaches had become outdated throughout most of the country with improved rail links, the Newcastle Berwick Railway opened throughout on the 1st July 1847 which caused the demise of the coach service. The last coach carrying the London mail arrived in Glasgow on 14th February 1848. The extension of the Caledonian Railway from Beattock to Glasgow came into operation the following day.

Horses have been used to carry messages from the very early days, when post boys would deliver messages by horse. In the 18th Century horse-drawn mail coaches were introduced, which cut mail delivery times by more than half.

The coaches also carried fee paying passengers, at first four inside, later more were allowed on board but had to sit up with the driver outside, the passengers sitting inside the mail coaches had to pay considerably more than those exposed to the elements on the outside.

The average speed of the coaches was usually 7-8 mph in summer and about 5 mph in winter, but with improvements to the quality of the roads, it had risen to 10 mph by Victorian times.

The coaches were privately operated and the coachmen earned much more in tips than in wages. They were fined if caught carrying goods on their own account. The only Post Office employee aboard the mail coach was the guard. He was heavily armed, carrying two pistols and a blunderbuss. He wore an official uniform of a black hat with a gold band and a scarlet coat with blue lapels and gold braid. He also had a timepiece, regulated in London to keep pace with the differences in local time, and recorded the coach’s arrival and departure times at each stage of the journey. The guard sounded a horn to warn other road users to keep out of the way and to signal to toll-keepers to let the coach through. As the coach travelled through towns or villages where it was not due to stop, the guard would throw out the bags of letters to the Letter Receiver or Postmaster. At the same time, the guard would snatch from him the outgoing bags of mail.

Mail Coaches continued in the north of Scotland until modernised rail connections were introduced, the last one was in Kingussie and ran until the beginning of World War One The horses didn't enjoy a happy retirement though, they were requisitioned by the Army and sent to the continent during the first world war, 8 million horses were killed during the conflict.

[9087miles]

The holiday you wouldn’t read about… after Dante’s Divine Comedy

I know it has been almost five years since we last blogged. In fact, I never even finished the series that I was writing. It’s not even that there has nothing blogworthy. It seems the pandemic just threw a crown-shaped spanner in the works of everyday life, and broke a five-year habit.

To recap:

1. We got back from France in mid-March 2020 and a couple of days later went into lockdown.

2. In the summer of 2020, we did a two day fell pony trek through the Lake District, camping overnight in a high field overlooking Lake Windermere. Also, I grew a regrettable lockdown moustache / soul patch combo.

3. Throughout 2020 and 2021 we saw a load more of the UK once we were allowed to - Cornwall, Devon, the south coast, the Midlands, more of Wales, Manchester.

4. In 2022, Tom’s sister Donna visited. We visited all of the usual sites and then Paris for the first time. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away while we were in Paris. Donna and Tom attended the Queen’s lying in state, queued for hours and ended up sleeping at London Paddington station after missing the last train.

5. In May 2023, we woke to find that our lovely Judy had passed away after a gradual decline into senility. We were all distraught.

6. In September 2023, my parents, aunty and uncle came. We did all the usual sites and we went to Edinburgh. We stayed in an epic apartment with a view of the castle from the bedroom, then a panoramic view of the entire city from the dining room. We saw the decommissioned royal yacht, the amazing Kelpies and even visited Perth.

7. Edie never really recovered from losing Jude and, following a few bouts of illness and fits, by April this year we made the tough call to put her down.

8. In amongst losing Edie, Tom has been back forth to the USA for the installation of a sculpture he’s been project managing over the last five years.

It has been the hardest time adjusting to life without our girls… after all, they were on this 9087 mile journey too. It has given a little bit more freedom to holiday, because we don’t need to find a dog-sitter or look for dog-friendly accommodation.

Which brings us back to the present - just over ten years since this journey began. Speaking of presents, as a birthday gift in June, Tom got tickets for us to go to Il Giardino die Tarocchi, a sculpture park by the renowned French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It is at the bottom of Tuscany, so he also booked EasyJet tickets to the closest airport (Pisa).

It took us forever to plan out an itinerary, but it ended up quite simple:

Friday: Fly into Pisa mid-morning. See the sights and stay the night.

Saturday: Pick up a hire car and drive down to Capalbio (where the Giardino is). Drive to Siena, drop off the hire car and stay the night.

Sunday: Catch the train to Florence. Stay two nights.

Tuesday: Train back to Pisa Airport and home again.

That was the plan anyway… of course, it wouldn’t be a 9087 Miles adventure without a few hiccups. I’ve named this blog series after one of Dante Alighieri’s well-known epics, because he is a notable Tuscan export. In his Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy), the main character travels through hell, purgatory and finally heaven. That should give a taste of what is to come, and sets up the three posts to follow; Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso.

I leave you at the end of this introduction with a quote from the first of three parts in Divina Commedia, written on the gates of Hell (Inferno):

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here”.

[sceneloc8official]

Explore Stunning Filming Locations of Brahmastra — A Guide for Content Creators

Exploring the filming locations of the Hindi movie Brahmastra offers a unique glimpse into the breathtaking backdrops that enhance its narrative. This high-budget fantasy action-adventure film, directed by Ayan Mukerji, showcases a blend of Indian and international settings that can inspire content creators such as vloggers, photographers, and influencers to explore these picturesque locations for their projects.

Overview of Filming Locations

Brahmastra was shot in six stunning locations, four of which are international sites and two in India. These locations not only serve as a visual treat but also provide diverse environments for various content creation activities. Here’s a breakdown of each location, accessibility details and content creator ideas.

1. Varanasi, India

Scenes Shot: A significant part of Brahmastra is set in Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest cities. The song “Kesariya” highlights the colorful life along the Ganges River and masterfully captures the renowned ghats and tiny alleyways.

Accessibility: Road, rail, and aviation connections to Varanasi are excellent. Filming in public spaces usually does not require special authorization, but verifying local laws is always a good idea.

Content Creator Ideas:

Pre-Wedding Shoot: The romantic backdrop of the ghats offers a serene setting.

Photography Shoot: Capture the essence of spirituality and culture.

Vlogging: Document experiences along the ghats and temples.

2. Manali, India

Scenes Filmed: The lush landscapes of Manali feature prominently, showcasing its snow-capped mountains and verdant forests.

Accessibility: Manali is accessible via road and has an airport nearby (Kullu). Filming permits may be required for specific locations.

Content Creator Ideas:

Photography Shoot: Ideal for nature photography amidst stunning mountain views.

Dance Shoot: The scenic vistas provide a perfect backdrop for dance videos.

3. New York, USA

Scenes Filmed: Iconic landmarks like Central Park and Times Square were utilized to depict urban life in Brahmastra.

Accessibility: New York City is easily accessible via multiple international airports. Filming permits are necessary for commercial shoots in public spaces.

Content Creator Ideas:

Vlogging: Explore the city’s vibrant culture and attractions.

Music Videos: Use urban landscapes as dynamic backdrops.

4. London, England

Scenes Filmed: Landmarks such as Big Ben and the London Eye are featured prominently in the film.

Accessibility: London is well-connected by air and rail. Filming permits are needed for public locations.

Content Creator Ideas:

Photography Shoot: Capture iconic British architecture.

Film Shooting: Utilize historical sites for narrative-driven projects.

5. Edinburgh, Scotland

Scenes Filmed: Edinburgh’s enchanting architecture and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for several scenes.

Accessibility: Edinburgh is accessible via air travel and has good public transport. Permits may be required for filming at certain sites.

Content Creator Ideas:

Voxpop Places: Engage with locals about their culture.

Dance Shoot: Use historic sites as a backdrop for creative dance videos.

6. Bulgaria

Scenes Filmed: The majestic mountains of Bulgaria serve as a dramatic backdrop for key sequences in Brahmastra.

Accessibility: Bulgaria is accessible via Sofia Airport. Filming permits may be needed depending on the location.

Content Creator Ideas:

Photography Shoot: Capture the stunning landscapes.

Vlogging/Film Shooting: Document adventures through Bulgaria’s rich history and natural beauty.

Songs and Their Locations

The film features several songs that enhance its storytelling:

“Kesariya” (Varanasi): Shot along the ghats, showcasing traditional Indian culture.

Each song’s location contributes significantly to its visual appeal, making them ideal spots for content creators looking to capture similar aesthetics.

Conclusion

The filming locations of Brahmastra not only enhance its cinematic experience but serve as inspiring destinations for content creators. By exploring these sites, vloggers, photographers, and influencers can craft engaging narratives that resonate with their audiences while leveraging the visual splendor captured in this film.

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