Westray is one of the small North Isles that make up the Orkney archipelago, off the north coast of Scotland. So many people skip these islands or don’t have enough time to visit – but I absolutely recommend visiting, and staying the night here to maximize your time! If you’re planning a visit to Westray… Read More What to See and Do on Westray, Orkney
Well, well, well. I finally let the cat out of the bag this week. I’ve just quit my job and I’ll be moving abroad – again! I’ve got a one-year visa and I’m moving to Australia!! I am equal parts excited and scared shitless. I’ve never been to Australia, and at the moment I have… Read More Surprise – I’m Moving to Australia!
Papa Westray is one of the smallest inhabited islands in Orkney, the incredible archipelago off the north coast of Scotland. It’s only about 4 miles long, and 1 mile wide at its longest point – but there’s plenty to see here. I made it out to the North Isles and Papa Westray (also known locally… Read More A Travel Guide for Papa Westray, Orkney
Like so many others, I visited Orkney in the hopes of seeing the Old Man of Hoy. At 449ft (137m), this is the tallest sea stack in Europe. It’s located just off the island of Hoy, which is just south of Mainland Orkney. So when I was planning my trip to Orkney, I knew I… Read More Hoy, Orkney: Visiting the Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick Bay
Yorkshire has been my home for 6 years now, so I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Yorkshire Dales. One area that has eluded me for so long is the Howgills, in the part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This part of the Dales is partly in the county of Cumbria – it’s… Read More How to Spend a Weekend Around the Howgills, Cumbria
My trip to Orkney in June was one of the top highlights of my year, my (nearly) 6 years living in the UK, and possibly my life in general. I chose to visit in June specifically for wildlife, and really – to be honest – because I wanted to see puffins. I love puffins! They’re… Read More Where to See Puffins on Orkney
One of the top reasons I was obsessed with visiting Orkney? I wanted to take the shortest commercial flight in the world, which is between two of the small islands – Papa Westray and Westray. This was something I’d dreamed of for years, since I found out it existed. Here’s everything you need to know… Read More The World’s Shortest Commercial Flight: Papa Westray to Westray With Loganair
On all of my trips, I keep track meticulously of how much things cost. I tally up every meal, every beer – everything I spend money on. My trip to Orkney was no different! I planned my trip to be a budget trip – I wild camped for the vast majority of it, which was free,… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Visit Orkney on a Budget?
My trip to Orkney in June was the adventure of a lifetime. I had so many bucket list experiences and got to see and do so much! This is an incredible destination, and one I can’t recommend visiting enough. But what do you need to pack for a trip to Orkney? What are the Orkney… Read More What to Pack for a Trip to Orkney, Scotland
Orkney… one of the most magical trips of my lifetime. This part of Scotland has been on my bucket list for years. After my 2020 trip was canceled due to the pandemic, I planned the trip of my dreams for June. This was one of the most exciting, fascinating, and rewarding destinations I have ever… Read More Orkney: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Today is a big day – it marks 6 years since I moved to England! I got off a plane back in 2016 and arrived in the UK. And wow, what a journey it’s been since then. I moved to be with my (now ex) husband, dealt with so many complex issues about living abroad and… Read More 6 Years in England: Then and Now
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I absolutely adore puffins. A lot of my trips this year were organized to be able to visit some of the best puffin-spotting locations around the country. One of the best places to see seabirds in Britain is the Farne Islands, in Northumberland. I’ve loved my trips… Read More Puffin Heaven: A Guide to the Farne Islands, Northumberland
The Big Easy! New Orleans is such a vibrant city and an excellent option for a city break in the US. I went mainly due to flights to get to my best friend’s wedding in Florida, but turns out New Orleans is one of the most fun cities I’ve ever visited. There is a lot… Read More New Orleans Travel Guide: What to Do and Where to Eat and Drink
Wondering what a bothy is? Or what you should know before you plan to stay in a bothy? I love spending time outdoors and hiking on my trips, and this year I’ve had some truly spectacular experiences staying in bothies around Britain. This bothy guide will hopefully answer your questions about bothies and get you… Read More A Bothy Guide for Beginners: What to Know About Bothies in Britain
There are so many wonderful hikes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it’s hard to choose one. After exploring so much of Yorkshire in the last nearly 6 years here, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Upper Wharfedale. This is a great part of the Yorkshire Dales, and home to the Wharfedale Three… Read More Upper Wharfedale: The Great Whernside Hike from Kettlewell
I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent the last several years living in York. And one of the best national parks in the country has been on my doorstep: the North York Moors National Park. Over the years, I’ve explored nearly every single corner of this area – there are so many incredible places to… Read More The Best Hikes in the North York Moors
The Cairngorms National Park – what a place! My trip here over the extended Easter break was a wonderful introduction to this incredible part of Scotland. This is one of two national parks in Scotland and home to the Cairngorm mountain range – including Ben Macdui, the second-highest mountain in the UK (after Ben Nevis). For an… Read More Cairngorms National Park Travel Guide: What to See and Do
Have you ever been camping and been woken up at 2am to someone creeping around your tent and trying to get inside? That’s everyone’s worst camping nightmare, right? Well, it’s definitely mine, and it happened to me at a campsite in the Peak District a few weeks ago. #TentGate: What Happened I booked a small… Read More Experiencing My Worst Camping Nightmare in the Peak District
At 736 meters, Whernside is the highest peak in all of Yorkshire. And it’s also the highest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks – which include Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent. While a lot of people do all three mountains in the Yorkshire Dales in one single (very long) hike, I chose to do all of them as… Read More Whernside: The Highest Peak in Yorkshire
There’s more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam – although the capital definitely deserves a visit. This spring, my travels took me to Groningen, to visit one of my best friends who’s living there. I visited the Netherlands back in March 2014, during my year-long study abroad in Nottingham, but haven’t been back and have actually… Read More A City Break in Groningen, the Netherlands
