Travel, Personal Andree-Anne Brunet Travel, Personal Andree-Anne Brunet

Double A Takes The UK | Part II

Birmingham, England


That evening I first arrived got a bit hectic. After a very long and well deserved nap I woke up to the news that there was a possibility someone in the house had contracted covid. Not really the news you want to wake up too after having travelled for over 12 hours to get there. I sat in the room and waited for the results. That was the longest half hour ever but once it was confirmed, we quickly packed up our things and left. We booked a hotel for two days so I could take my entry antigen test.

Once we arrived at the hotel we made a game plan for the next few days and then passed out after the long day of travel and stress. The next day we waited for my antigen test to arrive. It wasn’t a very long wait considering we had slept till 12 (something I have never done before). Once my test was done and the results sent off, we headed off for a much needed walk in the country.

This was my first experience of country lanes in England which I thought were super small and tight (If only I knew just how small country lanes get, like the ones I would soon experience in Wales). We headed to a place called Clent Hills. It was a beautiful night and we were set to be able to make the trek to the top of the hill to watch the sunset. Something we didn’t account for during this walk was how muddy is was going to be. I did not wear the proper shoes and spent the majority of the walk trying not to fall (but I also spend the majority of my life trying not to trip and fall so nothing new here).

I have to say Clent was a beautiful breathe of fresh air from the city and my first look at the English country side. Endless fields, hills every where and beautiful open forests with Ivy covering most trees. While Ivy is really destructive, it really is so beautiful when it covers the trees.

Once at the top, we were greeted by a gorgeous 180° view as far as the eye could see. In the distance you could make out the faint tops of the Black Mountains in Wales. It also gave a gorgeous view of the Black Country suburbs. I stood there probably until twilight, watching the sun go down and the fog roll in. Our walk back to the car was interesting, it was dark, the ground hat frosted over and become even more slippy. We were greeted by horses coming into their field once we hit the road. Of course I had to stop and admire them as they walked by.

Once back at the car we packed up, headed out to dinner and got ready to make the long drive to Wales the next day.

a few more images from clent hills

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Travel, Personal Andree-Anne Brunet Travel, Personal Andree-Anne Brunet

Double A Takes The UK | Part I

Canada to United Kingdom

It has been 4 years since my last trip abroad. While I have made small trips to the United States here and there, the last 2 years has been a prison in my house. I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally be in a new country discovering their culture and enjoying everything they have to offer.

While this trip was mostly booked to see my significant other. I was extremely excited to see the UK. Considering we both live in different countries, the first trip over to each other has to involve seeing where the other is from and exploring. Our plan was to spend 2 weeks in England, 1 week in Wales and 1 week in Scotland. Did that go to plan, definitely not, you will find out why soon.

Flying out of Pearson, I had never seen the airport so dead before. Between 3pm to 11pm only 12 flights were flying out of terminal one. I remember when I left for Germany 4 years ago, you could hardly keep up with where you had to go because so many flights were heading out. It was such a stark difference. Being the early bird that I am I was at the airport 4 hours early, flew through baggage check and security and had 3.5 hours to kill on the other side. I know they tell you to get there 3 hours early because of restrictions but that had to be the fastest I have ever made it through security in my life.

After a 3.5 hour wait and a 6 hour plane ride (slept through almost all of it), I arrived….

If there is one thing I can say about Heathrow Airport it is that you walk and walk and walk and when you just think you are finished walking, you have to walk a bit more. The airport is massive just like Munich, except Munich has an underground rail system that takes you between terminals so you don’t have to walk as much (I’m looking at you Heathrow, you should install one). After all the walking and going through an electronic customs, I had made it. I will say I’m a bit disappointed that I received no stamps in my passport showing I arrived in the UK. I am grateful how quickly I was able to get through customs but my traveller self was sad.

Once meeting up with Ed, I soon realized he had completely forgotten where he parked the car. While I am one to always snap a picture of the area I am in and the floor, he just decided to wing it. After riding the elevator for 15 minutes he finally realized that the car was indeed parked on floor 1. The floor we started on.

Once we were on our way to his house, I had a lovely two hour drive to enjoy, taking in the country side of England. What I didn’t expect to see what such drastic changes in weather within 10 minutes. What started as a sunny beautiful day, turned into dense fog that you could barely see the car in front of you. That soon turned back into a clear sunny day with only the other side of the highway covered in dense fog. The weather in England had my head spinning with such huge changes in such little time.

Once we arrived at his, we had a relaxing afternoon that turned into the best nap of my life.

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Fine Art, Braid Project Andree-Anne Brunet Fine Art, Braid Project Andree-Anne Brunet

The Braid Project: Gold Beads

Puslinch, On

During the early stages of brainstorming creative braid ideas, glamorizing was always at the forefront. I had always had ideas of cover horses in gold and sparkles since I can remember and bringing those ideas to braids was a no brainer. With how classical and perfect show braids are, how could one not accent them with beautiful sparkling materials!

What first came to mind was to gave a single gold bead in each hunter braid. Thus creating a beautiful golden line, bringing elegance to the braids. I always envisioned these braids to be placed on a beautiful black horse. Allowing the gold to pop spectacularly against the dark colour. I don’t think a better horse suited this vision then Isobel Strain’s Prince. He is such a drop dead stunning boy and hands down the most well behaved!

When creating these braids I thought it would easily take myself and Emily (the amazing braider who helps my visions come to life) at max an hour to get Prince braided and the beads put in. Boy was I far from wrong. It took close to three hours to complete this look and Prince stood so patiently during the whole process. Not many horses would have such patience but thankfully I am always blessed with beautiful, perfect models for each of my projects!

With all of that said. This idea and vision came out perfectly to how I had wanted it to go. I could not have been happier with the images. A huge shoutout to Emily Steenson, who created these beautiful braids and to Isobel Strain for lending me Prince and helping place all the beads in each braid. Without the both of you this dream would have never come true. I can not thank you both enough!

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