Hi, I’m Faye! A student who loves travelling and wants to see the world.
I want to be able to share my adventures and how you can study or work as well as see the world, hopefully inspiring you to do the same. The world is big with plenty to see and experience why not go out and experience it.
With Christmas not too far away we encounter the two types of people when it comes to Christmas gifts!
Those with all their gifts planned months advance an ready to go or (those like me) the last-minute shopper running around everywhere.
Some of the hardest people to shop for are travellers! Never really wanting a lot or at least something that they can put to use, well here are a few gift ideas from stocking fillers to full gifts!
Scratch Map
Most perfect gift for a travel addict as well as the most wanted. Being able to cross off all the places you have been and planning where you want to go next is always so much fun with this simple gift being a pleaser.
It can be something with the world, a plane on it or even a St. Chris the patron saint of travellers can make a simple that is also heartfelt meaningful gift is great for anyone who loves adventure.
Packing Cubes
Helping to organise your backpack will make any trip easier to pack for.
Journal
Know someone who enjoys journaling or writing down all their adventures then a simple plan notebook, easy and effective.
Being able to plan your next adventure is so exciting and fun, with so many ways together info on places nowadays, but the classic travel guide book is a perfect gift.
Globe
Spinning a globe closing your eyes and choosing your next location can be a fun way to pick your next destination. So what better than a globe as a gift
Well, this post is about to explain everything you need to know about geocaching and what you need to go out and give it a go yourself in this beginners guide to geocaching.
What is geocaching?
It is the digitals world version of a treasure hunt which covers the global. Where people use a GPS to find containers (caches) which can be hidden anywhere, with geocaches coming in all shapes and sizes with some being easier to find than others
How to get started?
It is a lot easier than you may think, all you must do is download the geocaching app from the app store
Create a free account then off you go.
How to find your first geocache?
Load the map in-app to find one close to you. Then hit navigate and head in the direction of the coordinates
When at your location have a look at the size of the cache this will give you an idea of how big or small it is.
If you are struggling to find a cache don’t worry, just use the hint in the description to help you out.
Cache screen looks like on the app
Once you have found the cache open it up and take out the logbook, sign and date the book with your name (remember to bring a pen to sign the log) and pop it back inside the cache returning it to its hidden location.
If there is an item inside feel free to swap it out for something else that you have (aim is to swap something for the equal or greater value of what you are taking)
You found a geocache!! Congratulations
Example of what a cache looks like
Hit ‘log’ on the app to mark the one you have found and it’s off to go find your next geocache.
Is geocaching something you are interested in? If so let me know how it goes for you.
In the meantime hope you enjoy navigating the globe in away. Faye
As large parts of the world enter a second lockdown travel and freedom to go out whenever we want things we normally take for granted to seem like they will never be possible again.
However, as the UK starts its lockdown and other nations continue with theirs we are yet again given the opportunity of time which in everyday life seems inaccessible.
Coming up with things to keep you busy during the day for a whole month, especially during the winter months where there are fewer daylight hours can seem an impossible task.
Everyone is different the coping methods and tasks I do to keep busy may not work for you but they will hopefully give you some ideas of things that can be done in the endless rabbit hole of suggests out there.
Scrapbooking
I have piles of photos, tickets and other items from my travels growing up with the plan always being to put them into a scrapbook as a way to look back on the places I have been.
So taking the box of memories and putting them in a scrapbook is one task that will keep busy for a while, however scrapbooking may not be for you and that’s okay.
You may want to do a photo album or maybe you have kept a travel journal and looking how to make it better for your next trip is something you do instead or even a scrapbook for a purpose.
Let me know how you keep your travel memories in the comments, love to hear what ideas you all have.
Getting outside
Whether you are from the city or countryside going for a walk or even a run every day, every other day or once a week is something worth doing during the lockdown.
A few reasons are walking during lockdown has become a favourite of mine.
Fewer people it is as simple as that, getting to see somewhere in a new light.
Easier to take photos whether I am doing a landscape shot or taking a photo of myself in that location, having fewer people around makes the whole process quicker and easier. Also, have more time to play around with your camera if you are just getting into photography.
Fewer people in your way, easier to move around places
Going for walks through the countryside
Learning something new
During this lockdown having more time to learn something
I found it felt as though I had more time than normal to practice learning Spanish. Taking up the guitar is something I am also getting back into.
Taking an online course is something you could do too.
(I find myself always switching between tasks which is why I am learning Spanish and guitar again, but there is no pressure to learn anything or do more than one thing so don’t worry if this isn’t for you)
Video Calls
Having a video call with friends and family from just having a chat to watching a movie at the same time while on a call or a quiz finding a way to keep in touch with people can help make a real difference.
Don’t be afraid to speak to someone you are close to or trust about how you are feeling if you are feeling low or struggling everyone is dealing with this in their way and its okay to not be 100% and on it at the moment.
Read a book
As the nights get darker and colder sitting inside me my favourite jumper with a cup of tea reading a good book sounds more and more appealing.
Most of us have a pile of books that we keep saying we will read and never do even if it is a chapter a day you get through you are making progress on something you have been wanting to do for a while.
Going on YouTube and finding a workout or yoga session is so easy nowadays with 1000’s of options out there for you even if it is for 5 mins doing something active can help.
Start your Christmas shopping online
With the UK lockdown ending right before lockdown a mad rush to the shopping to get gifts for my family doesn’t like fun or something I want to do.
Starting to get an idea of what I will get everyone and finding it online looking for the best deal on that item sounds like a plan to me.
Getting things early can help with cost as well as being to shop around more online for the best price as comparing to needing to go into numerous stores or frantically google online while in a store to see if you are getting the best deal.
Doing something you never get chance to do
It can be decorating a room, to doing the garden, baking, whatever the task is to try and do it.
As I have said everyone will deal with this lockdown in their own some of these ideas maybe use some may not and that’s okay don’t feel as though you have to follow any of these suggests just do what is best for you to help you through this lockdown.
Let me know in the comments below what you will be getting up to this lockdown?
Hope this helped navigate your way around lockdown
London is known for being an expensive city but a visit there doesn’t always need to be, there are plenty for free things to see and do while in the city helping lower the cost of any trip to London.
As long as you prepare and research where you are going like with any other trip the cost can soon come making even London accessible on a budget.
This UK capital has so much to offer with more than you expect being free. Having been to London only a few times I am always left feeling as though there is more of this city to visit.
Here are my top sites to visit for free when you go to this UK capital.
Museums and Galleries
There are several museums and galleries across the city you can take a trip to London just visiting the museums and galleries with so much to see inside them it will keep you busy for days or years even just to go round them all and see everything.
There is a list of some of my favourite museums and galleries in London:
National History Museum
British Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
National Gallery London
National Portrait Gallery
Science Museum
Tower Bridge
London Eye
While you have to pay to go on the London eye itself, getting to see this monument itself is, of course, free and something worth doing.
London Eye across the Thames
The parks
There are several parks across the city and taking a stroll through any time of the year is something worth doing, here is a few of them.
Hyde Park
St. James Park
Regent’s Park
Green Park
Big Ben and Parliament
Bit of a fun fact for you all, the tower itself that you see is now called the Elizbeth tower with Big Ben being the bell tower.
You can see this site from the outside across the Thames however to get a tour on the inside you will have to pay but getting to just see this amazing structure just from the outside is something that you should do when in London.
Elizbeth Tower with Big Ben inside
Buckingham Palace
See the changing of the guard and home of the Queen of England
Guards at Buckingham Palace
Churches
Some of the churches you can visit for free if you go to a service.
Olympic Park
Fancy a throwback to 2012 then take a stroll through the Olympic park and seeinf where all the action took place.
Part of the Olympic Park with the Swimming centre
What are your favourite sites in London or the ones you can’t wait to go and see let me know?
Don’t forget to like a save this post for the future.
This city is probably best known for being home to the UK’s oldest university, however, this city is home to so much more with history and culture to see all around you.
Whether you are in Oxford for a day, weekend or even a week this list should give you lots to do while you are there and if you are anything like me still feel like there is still so much more to explore of this classic city.
Museums
This city is all about learning so its no surprise that there are several museums found across Oxford with something for everyone’s taste you are bound to find one for you.
Botanic Gardens
Want to explore more of the green spaces in the city then a trip to the Botanic gardens is one to add to your list while navigating your way around the city.
Radcliff Square
Trip to Oxford would be complete without a short walk through Radcliff square and getting a pic of the iconic Radcliff Camera (basically a library for the university)
St. Mary’s Church
Fancy getting more of a bird’s eye view of the city then heading up the tower of St.Mary’s Church is a must and located right next to the Radcliff square visiting both these sites at the same time couldn’t be easier.
Covered Market
This classic historic market has it all from a bite to eat to a spot of shopping, if you want to experience less of the tourist areas then just walking through here will get you to experience from local farmer stalls to small cafes with students having a coffee between lectures will give you a sense to day to day life is like.
University Parks
Another area of green space in the city is the university park with art pieces, bridges along various waterways and ponds a walk around the park is one thing that you defiantly want to do.
Bridge of Sighs
One of the quicker stops you will possibly want to make while in Oxford is walking past the Bridge of Sighs which is also right by Radcliff Square so if you are heading there would recommend walking past the bridge ticking this site of the Oxford bucket list.
Hopefully, this has helped you plan your time in Oxford and some of the sites to visit or inspired you to plan a trip there yourself.
As autumn is now upon us I feel that it is only right to give this underrated season a bit love, while autumn is known for the longer nights and wet weather there is still so much to do during this time of year that you wouldn’t do in any other season.
Autumn or fall as it gets called across the Atlantic is a favourite of mine, it’s the time in the year which I can reflect on what has happened so far but still have enough time in the year to achieve what I want too. This is my bucket list of things which I do my best to do each Autumn ticking off as many as possible before winter hits and the snow starts to fall.
Go pumpkin picking
Autumn is the home of Halloween sometimes a forgot holiday but a fun one, going to the local farm to grab yourself a pumpkin to carve ready for the 31st is always on my list. The best thing about this bucket list item is that after you have finished craving you can do some home baking making any pumpkin flavoured food that takes your fancy.
Read a book on a rainy day
With rainy days bound to happen sitting by the window in my comfiest jumper watching the rain fall against the window reading, a good book is something I look forward too. Having a day to myself doing nothing is always needed at times and having something simple to do on those days always makes those colder autumn days which are always bound to happen better.
Autumn walk
Going out for a walk is something that can be done any time of the year but there is something about wrapping up and walking through the countryside with the crisp autumn air before coming home to some home-cooked food I just enjoy.
If you are brave enough to face the great outdoors and slightly colder weather going somewhere new for a new adventure than getting this item ticked off your bucket list is defiantly one for you.
Home Baking
Something pumpkin-based or not going a bit of home baking is always fun and relaxing at the same time. So whether you are a sweet or savoury person making an old favourite or even trying something doing a bit of home baking for yourself or others is a great bucket list item, it helps me when I am wanting to feel those autumn vibes my favourite things to make is a soup (simple but tasty and loved by all) with pumpkin version always on the menu this time of year.
Bonfire and fireworks
Either an at-home fire or going to your local bonfire and watching the fireworks is always a must for me it is the one time of year, with all my friends are back in town being able to go to the local bonfire and watch the fireworks is always on the list for us.
Bonfire night is one of those final autumn nights before the winter is finally upon us where you can wrap up warm in your favourite coat along with your hat, gloves, scarf and even fully socks whatever it is that keeps you warm watching the night skies light up with colour watching the firework displays with the warmth of the bonfire nearby.
Movie Night
Who doesn’t love a movie night either with on your own or with those you love, in your PJ’s and comfy socks wrapped up in a blanket and as many snacks as you want spending a night relaxing and hiding from the cold outside just makes a cosy night in sound even better.
This simply bucket list item is one that defiantly gets done more than once for me but is something that I always love doing and will never get old.
Hope this list of autumn activities has inspired you and giving you something new to do this season getting you feeling those autumn vibes.
Shropshire is most likely a place you have never heard but this underrated county is defiantly somewhere you will want to add to your travel destinations for England this county has so much too often from small villages to town full of culture and history however Shropshire is best known as being home to the birthplace of Charles Darwin but this rural farming county which borders Wales is home to a whole lot more. With not one city within the county if it is a rural escape you are after then this is the place you will want to come.
Areas of outstanding natural beauty take up a large amount of the county’s area with even mobile signal unattainable in certain areas, so if you want to get away from the rushes of life and get some time in nature when in the UK than coming to Shropshire is for you, from day time walks to hilltops with a view which is even perfect for watching the sunset and stars on a clear night I have you covered.
Here are just a few of my favourite and most accessible walking and hiking routes across the beautiful county.
Long Mynd
The Long Mynd is normally associated with Carding Mill Valley causing these two locations to come as a pair, in part of Shropshire’s area of outstanding natural beauty and when there you can understand why, with streams and waterfalls to a range of wildlife across the valley. The Long Mynd itself is a plateau across the landscape making its heather-covered hills accessible to most.
With many walks across the Long Mynd and Carding Mill Valley, you will never run out of places to walk with a car park and tea rooms also available, you could even drive up the hill and save yourself the walk if all you are after is the amazing view which you will get at the top.
The Wrekin
People from Shropshire often use the phase going round the Wrekin but with little reference to the actual Hill itself, but this short walk is defiantly a must-do with 360 across Shropshire and the Black Country that is a must-see. The Wrekin is often believed to be an old volcano however to most people disappoint this is not true, however, the hill does have an igneous background.
This walk takes most around an hour at a relaxed pace with the stunning the views and iron age fort at the top, as well as a café halfway up giving you a lovely little pit stop on your way, most of the way up the Wrekin is also covered in woodland giving you a bit of everything on this gentle walk.
Top of the Wrekin
The Stiperstones
The Stiperstone is known for their more rocky and ridged look, with the highest point being around 530m with the views of this rugged landscape, not ones to miss. The most famous part of the Stiperstones is known as Devils Chair which is one of the 6 rocky outcrops and the point most people head to when climbing up.
Stiperstones have amazing 360 views as well as views back across the Long Mynd and Carding Mill Valley in the centre of Shropshire’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rocky crops seen across the Stiperstones being some of the oldest rocks that are visible in the world making this hike one you want to take.
Clee Hills
There are two hills which make up the Clee Hills you have the Brown Clee also known for being the highest point in Shropshire and Titterstone Clee. The two hills are about a 30-minute drive away from each other and both being walkable in a day if you so wish. The Brown Clee can be found in Cavern Arms and Titterstone Clee in Ludlow with both towns being full of history and culture a trip up the hill and then into the town also makes a great day out.
Both walks are doable by many with you even being to drive up most of the Titterstone Clee however the views are still some of the best, when on a clear allowing you to see as far as Snowdonia (yes you are that close to Wales!). These two hills hold a lot of culture and history behind them and while there may be one of the more out of the way walks they are still worth the trek to them.
Top of Titterstone Clee
Wenlock Edge
This National Trust site is most likely famous of all these walks being a site special scientific interest thanks to the geology of the area (can even find a fossil or many in areas along the edge). The edge itself is 18miles long however there are car parks so you don’t have to walk the full 18 miles and just take shorter strolls.
A long Wenlock edge there is a mix of woodland forest and evidence of its industrial use with the old quarry site still being seen. This gentle walk even has viewpoints which looks across the valley as you go and with the nearby town of Much Wenlock you won’t be short of somewhere to find a bite to eat.
Hope these walks inspire you to come to Shropshire and to add this beautiful county to your bucket list for when in England.
As autumn is now upon us 2020 seems to have got quicker than any other year as it slips away from us with not a lot that we can do about it as safety rules limiting what we can do and changing all the time can make coming up with plans more difficult than ever. However COVID has had many positives it all comes down to how you look at things and sometimes trying to find the good in a bad situation is all you need, which this post aims to do brightening up your day just a little bit more looking at things from a new perspective.
Time for yourself
This is something which has been spoken about a lot and does have some truth behind it, thanks to lockdown people were able to slow down and do those things they never had a chance to do and think about what is important to them. For some it was about getting into that fitness routine you have always wanted too, other it was learning a new skill or a new self-care routine.
But this rare opportunity to have the time to start something for you isn’t something which happens a lot in the busy chaos of life. I know I have taken advantage of this, hopefully continuing as things return to more of a normal setting.
Travel local
With border closing and travelling aboard still coming with some difficulties, it has encouraged more people to travel in their home country seeing things they wouldn’t normally explore going to the untouched parts of your home allowing you to see and experience it in a brand new light. Appreciating the natural beauty and adventure of where you live is something which I hold dear, as a true believer of why travel across the world to see everything when you haven’t even seen your own home
The environment
As one who tries their best to be as environmental where and when possible, hearing various news stories on how fewer people commutating every day and being more active has allowed nature to come out more, which is something I have defiantly noticed with fewer cars I noticed more roadside flowers growing when out on walks, heard more birds singing and even spots one or two deer which I haven’t before thanks to fewer cars flying about scaring them off.
Support local
This is probably my favourite positive about COVID and that is has encouraged people to shop more locally, experience what is around, find the hidden business gems around them rather than heading off to the big store by everyone supporting local also having a positive impact on the local economy and environment.
Hope these positives around COVID has brightened your day even if it is a small amount and allowed you to see things in a new light, but remember don’t worry if you haven’t started or done something you wanted to do the year isn’t over yet, with everyone on their path comparing yourself to others is something you should never do.
England is known as being full of rolling hills and scenic views but its cities are also something to marvel at with each English city having its unique features to it. While there are many cities up and down the country each with their sites to see and wonders to discover these are probably my favourite cities in England to go visit.
1. Newcastle
This city is probably best known for its nightlife but there is plenty you can do during the day in this city, for example seeing the Angle of the North which gives Newcastle the title as the ‘gateway to the North’ there are still plenty of castles, museums and walks around the city which will keep you busy as well as bars and cafes.
2. London
What would a list of English cities be without the capital on it? Having been London a few times already I still feel like there is still so much this city can offer from museums and art galleries through to various buildings and pieces of amazing architecture.
3. Oxford
This city is probably best known for being home to the University of Oxford however there is so much more to see and do in this beautiful city from the botanical garden to museums and parks there is something for everyone in this city.
4. Birmingham
This black country city does have more to offer than you think. With a large number of attractions in this city from Cadbury’s World, The Thinktank through to the Sea Life Centre there is always something to do when I visit as well as the Bullring known for shopping a day or even weekend in Birmingham is never boring.
5. Bath
Another must-see city is Bath which of course is best known for the Roman baths, however, the rest of the architecture across the city is something not to be missed with places to visit right across the city as well as several cafes and restaurants for a lovely bite to eat during your time here.
6. Liverpool
This seaside city is full of history and culture when in Liverpool a trip for a walk along the beach is always in order but there are so many other things you can do from Royal Albert Dock to a trip to the Cavern Club as well as several museums.
These are just a few of my favourite cities to visit up and down England with there being so many more to visit as well. If you are travelling to England or fancy exploring more of the country you live in these cities will have plenty for you to see and do.
Navigating the Globe 