• Favourites,  TV AND FILM

    My love letter to Xena (Xena turns 30), from an old fan

    October 24, 2025

    In September 2025 Xena Warrior Princess turned 30. I still remember when it was on TV in the 1990s to early 00s. I loved it then & I love it now. I’ve always been a fan!

    [image from Google search “Xena”]

    As a child and teenager I was completely obsessed with Xena. I used to tune into Sky one when it was on TV and bought the entire box set on both VHS (yes I’m that old) and many years later on DVD..

    Lucy Lawless played the title character in the US fantasy series and her partner Gabrielle is played by Renee O Connor. The hit show aired from 1995 to 2001.

    Lucy Lawless is a childhood hero of mine, I even fancy dressed as Xena once, for Halloween or something similar.

    Xena warrior princess was a big part of my life because I found the main characters strong, independent women that I could look up to. I also enjoyed the show itself for its many storylines. 

    It helped the show with more serious topics played out with sensitivity, that echoes modern day & there were some comedy moments too. Not forgetting my favourite episode ever. The musical based episode: “the bitter suite”

    Overall my experience with Xena was a positive one and made me the proud, ambitious woman I am today. Always striving for my next goal to accomplish.

    Read More

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  • "NEWS & REVIEWS"

    COMING SOON – “News & Reviews” – #LocalNEWS

    July 11, 2025

      Hello guys, It’s been long time no see.. or post!

    This is a quick short post to say..

    I am starting a new series of posts dedicated to the area which I live – the Vale of Glamorgan (South East Wales, UK).

    I will be talking about all the hotspots to visit, places I recommend and any interesting news in the area.

    I hope you will stick around for my new posts and find them useful, as an interesting twist on blogging & the news, specifically for my area.

    I will be covering anywhere within the Cardiff – Bridgend area, to start off with. Then potentially expand to further, if people enjoy my posts.

    See you soon,

    Danielle Marie Mcdowall

    Read More
  • Food & Drink,  Lifestyle

    Why I eat local and mostly avoid chain restaurants

    March 15, 2025

    What I like about eating local (including being closer to where I live)

    I live in a small (yet expanding) village, in Wales. I find eating in local pubs and restaurants easier, than searching out for chain restaurants. This might be because it’s easier to get to, I know the location and it’s always nice when I bump into friends I know and catch up with.

    Local pubs tend to be smaller in size and have their own choice of food and specials, so even if they have a sister pub (same landlord, different pub) they tend to have slightly different menus and prices.

    I also find local pubs make it easier, as a disabled person, to access because I find it hard going further than where I live most of the time. So when going to a chain pub that tends to be further away and it makes it harder for me to get there, especially as I don’t drive and rely on lifts, or my bus pass..

    Some negatives of eating nearby (including different menus, difficult parking and higher prices)

    Some of the negative side of local pubs include having a car park that is smaller so when locals try and get a space it is harder, especially on rugby and football big matches such as the yearly Rugby 6 Nations and all major football matches.

    In the opposite direction, when it’s a quiet time sometimes visiting an empty pub can be lonely, whereas major chains around the country tend to have an influx of customers all year round and at lots of different times. 

    The chains also tend to have the same menu, and mostly cheaper prices in all their restaurants, so if you’ve been before you know roughly what to expect on the menu

    My final verdict 

    Although I do like eating and drinking local, supporting local landlords and keeping their businesses open. I am definitely open to, when I’m in the city such as Cardiff, popping into the local wetherspoons for a quick drink or bite to eat. I am not completely dismissive of chain restaurants if I am nearby, but I openly choose mostly my local pub when I can.

    LOCAL CHAINS NEARBY (LINKS):

    Brewers Fayre: https://www.brewersfayre.co.uk/

    Toby Carvery: https://www.tobycarvery.co.uk/

    Wetherspoons: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/

    Read More

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  • Books

    Why I buy, kindle and borrow books

    February 15, 2025

    What do I mean in the title you ask?

    Many people are probably wondering where I get my books from. Simple: I either buy them from Amazon online, Kindle store or borrow them from the local library – if they are in stock.

    ANTI KINDLE?

    The only inconvenience in this scenario is either waiting for stock or delivery, but if I time it right this isn’t really a problem. Just order, say a week, in advance and you’re sorted. I have to agree, sometimes like today, there are times when you think a kindle would have been helpful – as I could have just clicked and read my book in seconds. But like I already thought, I’m still reading the last book anyway – Actually, I just started it, so the next will be here in time for me to finish the last. Sorted.

    The great thing about this idea I’ve come across is not only am I saving money, I get to really feel the book. To judge it’s size in comparison to the last. Give it a smell and see if it’s bindings are old or new. See it if its fresh out the package and a new copy. I also have a big thing about always having the bookmark right before the new page, and as it’s nearly always a new chapter it just looks cool.Random fact for you: I have a weird thing, which I don’t know if anyone else does – always stopping and starting books on a new chapter when I take a breather. You just can’t get the same feeling from a kindle!

    PRO KINDLE?

    There are many pros to buying on Kindle instead of buying paper or hardbacks. I personally have gone from not liking my Kindle to relying on it, mainly for big epic books to read it easier, such as I have got 20% through both ‘A Game of Thrones’ and Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’, both books weigh in with over a 1,000 pages each.

    I love to get stuck into a books plot and that means reading a big (epic, long read) makes more sense to me. I have also got into reading classics such as Dickens and Wilde on my Kindle too because they are under a £1 each on Kindle, instead of full paper/hardback price if I were to purchase it.

    For information regarding the library and borrowing books read more HERE.

    Read More

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  • Favourites,  Lifestyle

    Having a blog break/Started a Substack

    November 23, 2023

    Hello.

    It’s been a long time since I wrote a post on here and felt I owed you an update since 2021/22. I now no long work in my local library and looking actively for another volunteer position local.

    I have decided this will sadly be my last post on this blog for a while, however you will be able to keep reading my content already posted and archives.

    Also just incase you want to keep in touch via reading my work online, I have created recently an educational and writing based account.

    I didn’t come to this conclusion lightly but I decided a Stubstack account is capable, in the long run, of furthering my career and education.

    For those of you that are unaware of Substack , it is a website for people to join and read articles. Some free, some paid in a monthly subscription. My article to start up with will be free.

    For those who don’t know my future goals, I am interested to a studying for. BA or Bsc degree and a job as a paid fiction writer from home.

    I want to thank all my readers and people who have been reading my 5 year journey into blogging so far, and will be here when I come back!

    Read More

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  • Favourites,  Lifestyle

    Update 2020-2022 … FINALLY!

    October 10, 2022

    A new blog post… FINALLY. It’s been over a year, right? Maybe even 2 years.

    So here goes. An update…

    I am in the process of finding myself & purpose in life. I am thinking of starting up Yoga & meditation but I am still not sure how to go about it – as it’s all new to me. All I know is it’s meant to have many health benefits. I’ve also found over the past few years I have gained a few stone & lost some weight in lockdown but I have become more motivated to get fit & healthy which I want to do in the next few years!

    ….

    So, what have I been up to over the last few years?

    I’ve been to a few events over the last year but the main thing that happened to me was in July 2021 I broke my ankle and had to have surgery and learn to walk on it again. It’s 50% fixed now, but still plays up sometimes, by that I mean it gets stiff occasionally and my walk isn’t right. I’m considering rebreaking it and starting with physio to get me back walking 100% normal again.

    Other than breaking my ankle in 2021,

    I managed my way through lockdown in 2020. Lockdown was a struggle for me a social bee who loved meeting up with friends regularly. Not being able to pop out for coffee or drinks and food was a nightmare. I did have one socially distanced meeting outside with my best friend. Also on the 75th anniversary of VE DAY, I celebrated in a street party with neighbors.. socially distanced, but it was still fun with music, drinks & dancing outside.

    How did I cope with the lockdown? With friends who weren’t nearby or I couldn’t meet at that time. I relied on social media and video calling like Zoom, Google Meet & Facebook Video chat. Over Christmas time all of my friends got in a big group chat & organized a Christmas quiz with drinks, at home over Facebook Video. I was last at the quiz, I’m always rubbish at quizzes but it was great fun.

    This may not seem like much as I struggled through the lockdown but also gained great memories too. Other than the ones mentioned already, there was; a clap for the NHS, Queues outside shops, face masks, and loads of other stuff. I managed to lose about a stone that year by going for long walks around the block & the local park.

    Lockdown was a different time,
    I don’t think it will ever happen again in my lifetime.

    Take Care,

    Read More

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