I thought I’d write this piece to record my thoughts while running, and what’s been on my mind as I prepare for the 2026 London Marathon. It won’t be about the numbers and science - it will be more of a brain dump.

I’m also raising money for St John Ambulance in this marathon campaign, and donations are always welcome. This piece may lack structure or purpose, but I hope to highlight what goes on in a runner’s mind – my mind.

Donate to my London Marathon fundraiser

12 weeks of training complete, 8 weeks to go. Back in December 2025 as I was drawing up my training plan and sticking it to my bedroom wall, the task and event of London ’26 seemed ages away - 5 months - almost half a year. Yet as I write this, 8 weeks doesn’t seem like a lot of time. 3 months of training – 3 runs & 2 weight sessions a week has flown by, and I’m entering the period of soon peaking my weekly mileage in the next few weeks.

Compound interest doesn’t just apply to money

Compounding effects are real, and I’ve seen it with my training. Little by little, session after session you get better, and it’s only when you look back you realise how far you’ve come. Consistency pays off and works even when you don’t realise – in this training block to date I’ve run my second fastest (unofficial) half-mara, set a 5k PB, and lowered my resting heart rate. Not to mention the overall feeling of being a better runner. Even if on all those training runs (38 completed as I write this) there’s no medal or crowd cheering you on, the fact that I can see self improvement is good enough for me. As a colleague at work said – “Train hard, race easy”. We’ll see on the 26th of April if how it all pays off…

Visualise

Something I’ve done different this year in preparation is print off a physical copy of my training plan and stick it above my desk on my bedroom wall. These days, the world of apps and digitalisation is prominent. Everything is linked to your watch, phone, or app and your race plans are all on there. But there is something about crossing off a completed run or workout that you can’t beat. The satisfaction that you get knowing you can literally see yourself getting closer to your goal. I’ve enjoyed having my training plan up on my wall – it gives me clarity, removes decision making and keeps reminding me of my goal everyday.

Are runners selfish?

To train for London requires many hours , not to mention adequate sleep and nutrition. All for a completely optional goal that you set yourself, which only (directly) benefits you. Is this even logical? To train for a solo event like the marathon requires sacrifice – turning things down that you would usually jump at. For me, I said no to some very appealing travel plans, just because it didn’t align with my schedule. Social plans may become a hindrance for a few months rather than something you look forward to. Is this selfish or self centred? I’d love to hear from anyone reading this what they think. Because for me, if you want to achieve something badly, sacrifices will have to be made (even if for only a few weeks). It’s hard to do everything and expect to achieve great results.

Food & rest

Marathon training has taught me to better enjoy my de-load weeks and rest days. It’s not all about training, nutrition and recovery are equally important too. Funnily enough, I now look forward to my slow, easy runs, whereas before I would find them boring. For me, it’s also important that I have a healthy relationship with food during marathon training. You need to be able to fuel your workouts, and I absolutely enjoy having to eat without calorie counting or tracking. Following a plant-based balanced diet has worked for me so far (I’ve been vegan for 6 years now), and improvements are showing.

Be wary of social media– the cost of kudos

Strava is great – I love it. A non-addictive form of social media that I find hard to doom scroll on. Recently, I’ve realised more and more that excessive social media use makes me feel unregulated and unbalanced – a lot of highly charged, polarised and graphic content coming at you in huge amounts. Comparison is the thief of joy as they say – and this is the biggest downside of over-comparing and scrutinising others’ performance against your own. Comparing could make you feel good, but equally it could also sow doubts. I’ve been trying to be mindful of my social media use, reducing it and using it to connect with who I want to, not what the algorithm feeds me.

Fueling the engine

My fuelling strategy this year has been far better than last years, using the lessons I learned from completing Brighton Marathon (5hrs 10 min) and DNF’ing at London (I tapped out at mile 21 last year - more on that here). Gone are the cereal bars and sweets eaten at random times – in come the gels and electrolytes in measured, specific, engineered amounts. Practicing my fuelling has been important to check my gut can handle it, and also starts building the muscle memory for race day. 45 mins – first gel. Then a gel every 30 mins after that. This is the plan. Still got a few things to figure out, such as what I’ll be wearing to store gels (belt vs vest) and to try out the electrolyte gels, but that’s all due over the next 2 months.

Training Offshore

A peculiar part of my job is that occasionally I have to work offshore in the middle of the sea, which brings its own challenges when marathon training. The treadmill becomes my most used gym resource – and my biggest nightmare out there. Long runs become a chore rather than feeling free. Staring at the same piece of wall for multiple hours? Not fun. Training offshore I’ve found is a lot more mentally tough than on land. 12 hour shifts for an entire hitch (7 days a week for 3 weeks), then putting a couple of hours of training in the gym, and trying to get 8 hour sleep. Once you do the math, there’s not much time left in the day for other stuff. In some ways, this gives me a tunnel vision and focus – you’re here to work, train, sleep, and repeat. But don’t get me wrong, I’d much rather be out there on the roads running. To accommodate being away from home and travelling my training schedule and work rota have been synced up as best as I could. Do the hard training weeks and big runs on your time off. Taper and deload weeks (ideally) whilst offshore.

T - 8 Weeks

This will probably be the only below I write before the big day. I started this piece by mentioning I’m 8 weeks out from the 2026 London Marathon. So what happens in these next 2 months? My key weeks of training - the longest long run (34km), highest weekly mileage (58km) are all to look forward to. The final month before race day will be for tapering - activity levels reduce, but eating and rest continue. Glycogen levels build. Rest improves. Body regenerates. That’s the theory. But of course life isn’t theoretical.

Marathon excitement will certainly build - the buzz of London will return to the running community. Hopefully, I’ll hit my fundraising target of £2,000. Most importantly? I’ll continue to enjoy and trust the process.

See you at the start line.

J.S.

Donate to my London Marathon fundraiser

I first visited the island of Madeira in October 2022, after which I also wrote a few blogs (linked below). If you have a look through these they will give you the key points surrounding logistics, things to do etc. Almost 4 years on, I paid a second visit to the island, with this blog covering some of the new experiences I had over the 6 days.

Jinal Shah | Travel, Fitness & Lifestyle – Explore, Stay Fit, Live WellJinal Shah

Jinal Shah | Travel, Fitness & Lifestyle – Explore, Stay Fit, Live WellJinal Shah

Jinal Shah | Travel, Fitness & Lifestyle – Explore, Stay Fit, Live WellJinal Shah

I've also updated the map below to include additional points of interest from this trip:

When and where we stayed

Our base for the week was the Pestana Grand, an ocean resort located a 15 min drive / 1 hour walk from Funchal, the capital. Would I recommend the resort? Yes - they have a good range of facilities (gym, sauna, steam room, pool, games room, outdoor pools), and are also able to cater for a wide range of dietary requirements. Just make your needs known to the staff (especially the head chef), and they will look after you.

The Grand also has direct access to the coastal walkway that leads into town, and is on the south coast of the island - offering great views of the Atlantic and uninterrupted sunshine in their gardens.

Pestana Grand

Taking the bus 🚌

Last time I was in Madeira we had hired a car to explore the island. This time we opted to use the public transport system - a network of buses that can get you pretty much most places. A lot of the buses will terminate in Funchal, hence most of your trips to other parts of the island will require you to pass through the main town.

• Cost: cheap compared to taxis / hiring a car. One journey costs between €2-4 (depending on where you go and if you pay at the bus or have a ticket - more on that below).

• How do I pay for the bus? You have 2 options - pay with cash at the bus, or buy a reloadable travel card. The travel card can be pre-loaded with a set number of trips at a discounted rate to if you buy a ticket on the day. This is what we used, and is useful to have especially if you know you're going to be making multiple trips during your stay.

• Frequency and timetable. This was the bit that was a little tricky to work out. However, the staff at the hotel reception were very helpful in printing off the bus timetables for various routes that we needed. Generally, buses arrive every 30mins - 1 hour, depending on the route and day.

• Quality of transport - Pretty good I'd say. Bus drivers are friendly and more than happy to direct you if you are lost. Buses were safe, clean and easy to use. No issues there.

Hikes

São Lourenço Peninsula 🥾

• How to get there: from Funchal, take the 113 bus to Baía d'Abra. Initially it wasn't obvious to us where to take the bus from, but after some Googling I found the location of the bus terminal where you can catch the 113 from. I've included this in the map above. At the bus terminal, there are staff at hand who are very helpful at providing you with directions or advice if you get stuck. Note that the 113 bus does not look like the buses that go around Funchal - instead it is more of a 'coach' style (think of it like the National Express coaches in the UK vs the red buses you see around London).

• Hike length: 8km. We completed this comfortably in ~3.5 hrs.

From Funchal, the bus takes ~1 hour to get to Baía d'Abra, the last stop on the route. On the way, you will pass through the towns of Santa Cruz, Machico & Caniçal. The peninsula walk starts close by to where the bus stops - you can't miss it as it is a popular route amongst tourists.

I did this walk in 2022, and something which had changed was the introduction of a fee to do the hike. As of January 2025, Madeira has introduced a mandatory €3.00 to €4.50 fee for non-residents over 12 to access popular, official PR hiking trails to fund maintenance and manage congestion. Payment can be made on the spot to a member of staff who will be there, or in advance via the SIMplifica platform. We didn't even realise there was a fee until the day, but it wasn't hard to use the system to make the payment (an internet connection is required). From what it looks like, they are still rolling out the system across Madeira, so depending on where and when you hike you may not be stopped to pay a fee.

The São Lourenço peninsula hike was as I remember it - hot, rocky, ups and downs, and no shade! You get some great views of the easternmost part of Madeira and the Atlantic Ocean around it. There is a cafe at the halfway point with toilets (fee of 1 Euro to use them). Take plenty of water, and dress appropriately for the weather. This route has got more popular over the years, so if you're bringing your own car to the start point note that parking is limited. Nonetheless, I think it is still a walk worth doing and shows you one 'personality' of the island - which contrasts massively to some of the Levada walks elsewhere (which are more green, shaded and quiet).

Walk into Funchal 🚶

Not really a hike, but a nice walk to do regardless. The south side of the island has a nice coastal trail that runs from Funchal to Câmara de Lobos. If convenient, you can catch this walk and make your way into town. The walk goes through Funchal's hotel district, before finishing at the promenade near the cruise ships. We were staying at the Pestana Grand hotel, and it took us about an hour to walk into town. Don't want to walk back? No worries - there are plenty of buses which run out of Funchal, most of which can be caught from the main road, Av. Do Mar.

Câmara de Lobos to Cabo Girão 🍇

• How to get there: Take the number 96 bus as far as to Levada do Norte bus stop. The walk then starts on the Levada next to the bus stop.

• Hike length: 10km. It took us around 3 hours to complete.

This hike took us along the sides of valleys, through vineyards and behind local houses as we followed the Levada do Norte route towards Cabo Girão. This was my favourite hike of the trip - very few tourists, some stunning views across the south of the island and relatively flat (not too taxing on the knees).

The walk starts in Câmara de Lobos. and immediately follows the Levada do Norte Route. This will take you into the Ribeira da Caixa valley, with the path following the edge of the valley as it winds its way west and then south. You'll pass many vineyards and other crops, often located close by to small villages who tend to the fields. For those unfamiliar with the Levadas - these are narrow irrigation channels that cover the whole of the island in a cleverly devised network, to transport water to people, crops and towns. Just before reaching Cabo Girão, the highest coastal cliff in Europe, you'll get some great views across the island.

Upon arrival at Cabo Girão, the increase in tourism to Madeira now means it is 5 Euros to go onto the viewing platform - we didn't bother as the views we got along the hike were far better. At this point, I would recommended ending your hike here and either catching a bus or taxi (Bolt & Uber both work in Madeira), back to your accommodation.

Vegan in Madeira

Fala-Fala

I visited this place last time I was in Madeira, and would happily go again (and again!). Fala Fala is a fully plant based restaurant in the heart of Funchal, serving some delicious falafel as well as other dishes. They also do a vegan version of Pastel de Natas (a Portuguese custard tart) which was awesome - but be warned these sell out quick! Friendly service and happy to accommodate any allergies (as they make their food fresh), Fala Fala is a place I would highly recommend.

Gela-Tó Artesanale 🍨

Vegan and looking for ice cream? Look no further than Gela-Tó Artesanale - an ice cream shop located close by to the Forum Shopping Centre (a short walk from the Pestana Grand if you're staying there). They offer a range of flavours, and the 2 we tried were the pistachio and custard apple. I preferred the former, but both were made fresh and tasted great. A nice sweet treat after a day of hiking 😋.

Other things to do

• Visit the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers Market) - located in Funchal, this building with an internal courtyard features various sellers of fruit, fish, meat and souvenirs. If you're in town it's nice to visit and walk around - although note that prices are usually marked up for tourists. If you do want to get some of the local fruit, supermarkets are often cheaper (but may not have the full range of products you're after).

• Try local fruit! - During the week I had 3 types of passion fruit, mango, custard apple and bananas. These were all locally grown on the island and tasted amazing. Something about being in the sun and eating fresh fruit that does wonders for your mood and body...

Final Thoughts

My second trip to Madeira was equally as enjoyable as my first. I managed to tick off some new experiences with my parents (I visited with my cousins the first time), do some new hikes and revisit experiences and locations that were great the first time. Staying at the Pestana Grand provided a nice base from which we could do our sightseeing, or alternatively just chill out at the hotel.

I did sense a change in the way tourism exists on the island now - with Madeira becoming more famous and popular there was definitely a larger number of tourists on the island. This has meant some aspects of the island have become busy, more commercialised or expensive - however this is not the case for all things and you can still get away from the crowds if you wish.

Would I visit again? Maybe - If I did go back I'd like to see more of the west and north coast of the island and get away from the crowds. There are plenty of Levada walks that I haven't explored, but then again my list of countries to visit is always expanding!

Nevertheless, obrigado (thank you) Madeira! Until we meet again.

In December 2024 , it had roughly been 12 months since I had finished my studies at university. Whilst at school / university, from year 9 onwards I kinda fell out of love with reading. I was spending so much of my day buried in textbooks and studying, my thoughts were "why would I want to pick up another book to read in my free time?". However, since graduation my typical routine has changed, and having a shelf-full of textbooks isn't the norm. So as part of my 2025 new year resolutions, I set myself the following goal: read 1 book a month this year. 12 months. 12 target books. So how did I get on?

As I write this blog on the 28th of December 2025, I have read ten and a half books this year. Short of my target of 12 books - but the motivation behind the goal was met - to simply read more. Here is a breakdown of what I read in 2025.

P.S - there are no spoilers below!

Book 1: Hero - Michael Grant

Part of the 'Monster, Villan, Hero' trilogy by Michael Grant, author of the famous 'GONE' series, Hero is the final piece to the 3 part story. It involves the same characters (along with some new additions) from the 'GONE' series. Whilst 'Monster, Villan, Hero' is a standalone series, I would recommend reading it as a follow up to the 'GONE' series, as the background information will help you understand the plot better. If you're into dystopia, superpowers, sci-fi and potential global catastrophise, this book (along with it's 2 counterparts) are an easy read.

Books 2,3, 4 & 5: Mortal Engines Quartet - Phillip Reeve

This 4 part series were books that were coming out as I was growing up during school. I remember seeing them in the libraries at school, but never gave them a go. Fast forward almost 15 years later, I picked up Mortal Engines, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Set thousands of years into the future, it tells a story of mobile cities moving across the globe, after historical wars have ravaged the earth. At the same time, it follows a handful of key characters as they discover what their future will look like, whilst also uncovering their past. It has themes of technological steampunk, dystopian futures, sci-fi and adventure in a post apocalyptic world. All 3 subsequent books were as good as the first one, and the series finishes strong (no spoilers!).

Book 6: The Trading Game - Gary Stevenson

Moving away from the fictional reading, I first heard about this book during a course I was taking at work. It was recommended as an entertaining and insightful read into the trading industry, told with no frills or flowers. The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson was certainly a great read, with a mixture of humour, shocking numbers, and Gary's authentic east-London style coming to light. It tells a story of Gary's rise to the top of Citibank's trading division (his words, not mine), but the dark side that it also brings. The book read like a fictional storybook, but it was based on Gary's life experience. A good read, whether you're interested in finance or not.

Book 7: Walk With Me - Acharya Chandanaji & Vastupal Parikh

From high finance to something more spiritual now, Walk With Me tells the story of the last saint/guru in the Jain religion, called Mahavir Swami. The book cleverly delivers his teachings in story format, with each chapter focussing on a different lesson or moral. I've read this book a few years back, but decided to revisit it as the teachings are timeless.

For those who haven't heard of Jainism before, is is an ancient Indian religion/way of life that teaches non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and self-discipline as the path to spiritual liberation. Followers strive to overcome desires and harmful actions to free the soul from the cycle of birth and death. There are many parallels between Jainism and Buddhism, and Walk With Me is one of the most accessible ways to understand it's teachings.

Book 8: What Doesn't Kill Us - Scott Carney

A few of you might have heard of seen on TV the 'Iceman' - also known as Wim Hof. He is known for his amazing ability to deal with the cold under extreme circumstances, having completed a number of cold challenges over the year. What Doesn't Kill Us puts some science behind Wim's behaviours, with Scott Carney acting as the independent tester of his methods. Whilst this book follows the story of Scott's Bid to summit Kilimanjaro in nothing but a pair of shorts, I enjoyed learning about the science, human psychology and techniques to dealing with the cold, many of which we would apply immediately to our lives. As someone who is a keen long distance runner, the breathing exercises for example would allow me to take in more oxygen into my blood, keeping me from reaching an anaerobic state for longer - clearly beneficial. A good, well explained read on all things cold.

Books 9 & 10: BZRK Series - Michael Grant

Michael Grant is back with another great trilogy - this time diving into the microscopic / nanoscopic world. The BZRK series is a fictional story on something that I haven't seen covered before, using tiny robots controlled by someone's mind to spy, infiltrate and alter people's behaviour. It's something that feels far from reality, but at the same time you do wonder if something like this could actually happen.... This year I read the first 2 books, and am halfway through the final one of the trilogy - BZRK Apocalypse. Similar to the 'Monster, Villain, Hero' series, it is an easy read if you're looking for something fictional.

And with that, those are the 10 (and a half) books I read in 2025. Overall I have enjoyed reading as a hobby way more compared to a few years back. I find it a great alternative to reduce screen time just before going to sleep, as well as being a nice screen-free alternative when waiting for flights or after a long day in the office. As we head into 2026, there's a few books that I've already got on my list, but would love to hear any suggestions you may have - so get in touch!

Happy holidays 🎉

J.S.

On a cold winter's night on Wednesday 26th November, I set a new PB in the 10k - 00:44:46. Funnily enough, when I signed up to run at the 'Battersea Park Chase the Moon' event, it was actually from a social point of view. A group of my friends, having known each other since university, all decided to take part following some light peer-pressuring 😅. This event had a 5k and a 10k option, so we each chose what we wanted to do and bought a ticket to race here. I wanted to write a brief blog on it to cover how the race went, but also how I found running a race at night rather than early on a Sunday morning - which is usually when races occur.

Training 💪

I hadn't been training in particular for Chase the Moon - just doing my regular biweekly running sessions which consisted of a shorter tempo run, and a longer easy run. As I mentioned above, I didn't go to this event with a goal of setting a new PB - it was more a reason to get out after work one evening and do something different for a change. I did know that I've been quite consistent with my training following my marathon attempts earlier this year (you can read Brighton & London if you wish) - so I had a feeling my general fitness had improved. Time to put that to the test.

Something else that was important was that I had been consistently strength training in the gym since April - my longest streak since 2023. This has made a big impact on the quality of my running, recovery and pace, by making sure my body can withstand the loads and stress when stomping some tarmac. So overall, my fitness consistency had improved, but would that lead to a faster time? Let's find out.

Race Day 🏁

'Chase the Moon' was organised by RunThrough, an organisation who, in my opinion, do a brilliant job of organising races across the UK 👏. Their events are slick, with minimal faff (unlike some of the bigger and more popular races where you spend the entire day at the event). My race bib was posted out to me a week before the event, with clear instructions of what I needed to do to prepare. A race pack was also available with all the information a participant could need. Upon arrival at the race village in Battersea Park, there was a bag drop, toilets, a table with spare safety pins, and lots of volunteers on standby to answer any questions. The weather was dry and cold that evening, although it had rained in the days leading up to the event so the ground was still wet. I tried to keep my layers on for as long as possible before changing and putting my bag away, to keep warm.

A short group warmup later and we were herded to the start line, which was a few hundred meters away from the race village. The 10k race was 4 laps of the park, finishing at the bandstand. As the clock hit 19:04, the 10k started:

• Lap 1 - There was a bit of a bottleneck where the chip timing sensor was, so the start was crowded as everyone tried to set off. I ran fast out of the start line to try and clear the crowds and get a clean section of path to run on without being obstructed. As expected, after the first km the runners started thinning as people fell into their pace, and from then on crowding wasn't an issue. As I didn't really have a time in mind for this race, I was running based on 'feel' - my perceived level of exertion rather than keeping my eyes glued to what my watch was telling me.

• Lap 2 & 3 - Continuing to run on 'feel', I fell into a nice cadence and rhythm for the middle section of the race. These laps went by without too much effort. As I had already completed 1 lap of the course, I now knew where the best bits of the path were to run on, how to take each turn etc. (there's a lot of commonality between F1 & running strategies it turns out!).

• Lap 4 - As I knew this was the last lap, I pushed on faster, but not overdoing it, ensuring I had enough in the tank for a strong finish. 2km out from the finish line I upped the pace, and held it as I crossed the line in a time of 44 minutes and 46 seconds - a new 10k PB! 🏆

I was pleased and happy with the result - despite being my fastest time, it felt comfortable and controlled. I paced that run well, and my choice of clothing was pretty spot on for the weather conditions. That being said, I had to chuck back on my warmer layers soon after I finished, as you get cold quickly once you stop running.

For anyone looking for a 'B' race (a race you take part in to prepare for another event), I'd recommend having a look on RunThrough's website. They have so many things going on, wherever you're based in the UK.

A Note on Gels 🧪

Next year I'm running the 2026 London Marathon (more on that in future blogs 😉), and an aspect I need to get right is my hydration and nutrition. I've started to experiment with gels and will continue to do so in the run up to April 2026. Prior to running this 10k, I took a High5 gel as I wanted to see how my body would react running with gels in my system. No issues which is a good sign - and (coincidentally) I was catching up with a mate today in London (shoutout to Sach) who suggested I read into FODMAP compounds, and the impact they can have.

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are types of short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can cause digestive symptoms in some people (bloating, gas, abdominal pain or diarrhoea)

FODMAP class

Representative chemical compounds

Chemical type

Oligosaccharides (FOS, GOS)

Raffinose, Stachyose, Verbascose, Inulin

Short-chain polysaccharides

Disaccharides

Lactose

Disaccharide (glucose-galactose)

Monosaccharides

Fructose

Single monosaccharide

Polyols

Sorbitol, Mannitol, Xylitol, Maltitol, Erythritol

Sugar alcohols

I mention this as some gels contain FODMAP compounds (fructose being a popular example). So have a read of the ingredients and see if you can spot any of these chemical compounds in them. BUT, at the end of the day, experimentation and what works best for YOU is most important, irrespective of the science. Thought I'd include this in the blog as it was news to me, and might be for you.

More updates to follow on my running endeavours. Take care and as always, reach out if you want to have a chat!

The West Highland Way has been dubbed by some as one of the best walks in the world. Prior to completing it, I had seen a little bit of the Scottish Highlands, completing a 2 trip through the Isle of Skye & Cairngorms National Park. However, the West Highland Way (WHW) & Ben Nevis challenge showcased a whole other side of Scotland that I hadn't seen before. One that you can get well acquainted with as you complete 96 miles (+10 more miles if you do Ben Nevis) on foot. This blog will provide you with some snippets of the 7-day hike I completed, and give the WHW the credit it deserves.

The below map shows the start / end points for each day of hiking we completed, to give you a visual indication of the journey as well as the hostels we stayed at:

Who did you do this with?

Desi Ramblers are a local hiking group founded in 2014, and since then have organised a variety of hikes over the years. They've grown from a handful to quite a large group of walkers, and since starting have raised over £300,000 for charity. They were the ones organising all the training walks, as well as leading on the trek itself - a massive thanks to all those involved, including the logistics and catering teams. You can find out more about them here: Desi Ramblers 🥾

Day 1 - Milngavie to Milarrochy Bay

• Distance = 21.4 miles

• Elevation gain = 519ft

The day after the long drive from London and staying the night in Glasgow, day 1 saw us begin the West Highland Way from it's southern end point in Milngavie (pronounced Mul-guy). Most people walk the WHW from south to north, and we were no exception. This is because the scenery gets more dramatic and wild as you work your way towards Fort William.

Our trip had been planned such that we would walk the length of Loch Lomond by the end of day 2. That meant day 1 had the largest mileage of the entire trip to set us up for success, and saw us cover 21.4 miles. As you leave the town of Milngavie the route is mainly countryside walking - flat and through large fields of farmland (and the odd distillery! 🥃). The Scottish lowlands also included some wooded areas. This was very similar in feel to the training hikes I had done in the Chilterns National Landscape.

The elevation peaked at Conic Hill ⛰️(519ft), where we got our first glimpse of Loch Lomond, and then the path descended down towards this huge body of water. Day 1 finished with walking past the town of Balmaha and some of Loch Lomond, before finishing at Milarrochy.

Arriving at the hostel after 8-10 hours on our feet, the evening was filled with nursing sore legs, enjoying some delicious food prepared by our catering team and sharing stories from day 1. It turns out that this post-hike routine would become the norm throughout the week.

Day 2 - Milarrochy Bay to Beinglas Campsite

• Distance = 20 miles

• Elevation gain = 440 ft

Day 2 was the toughest day in the week for me. The distance wasn't so much the problem, more the terrain that the 20 miles went over. Day 2 was about walking the entire length of Loch Lomond 🌊, finishing at Beinglas Campsite. What I remember about this section of the WHW is it can be split into 3 distinct sections:

• First 7 miles from Milarrochy Bay to Rowardennan Lodge - easygoing and similar to day 1.

• Next 6 miles from Rowardennan Lodge to Inversnaid Hotel - getting a little trickier, but still options to join a main road in case of emergency.

• Final 7 miles from Inversnaid Hotel to Beinglas Campsite - tough with no cut-off option. To your left you'll have Loch Lomond, and to your right you will have forest. There's many tree routes, waterfalls, rocks and dirt tracks to navigate, so extra care had to be taken with our footing. These 7 miles generally felt a lot longer, especially on not-so-fresh legs 😓.

Once reaching the other end of Loch Lomond, do take a moment to turn back and see just how far along the rugged shoreline you've come - you'll be amazed! There's some nice beaches by the waterside where you can grab pictures of Loch Lomond, as from day 3 onwards you'll begin your journey into the Scottish Highlands...

Day 3 - Beinglas Campsite to A82 past Tyndrum

• Distance = 14.1 miles

• Elevation gain = 1,050ft

Compared to day 2, you'll find this relatively easy going as you climb higher into the Trossachs. There is a gradual incline until the halfway, after which it levels off. Our support vehicle picked us up at a layby option along the A82, just past the town of Tyndrum. Day 3 was really when I started to notice the scenery change - more mountainous and valley-like, typical of what you would see if you Googled 'the Scottish Highlands'.

Whilst after day 1 & 2 you'll have covered 41 miles (almost half of the WHW!), remember that there are still 4 more days of the trail left. Being able to recover quickly and complete consecutive day-hikes is really important, so try to build 'double header' walks into your training (i.e., walking on both Saturday and Sunday to simulate this) 💪.

Day 4 - A82 past Tyndrum to Glencoe Ski Centre

• Distance = 15.8 miles

• Elevation gain = 584 ft

Day 4 took in the Grampian range and the highlands in all it's beauty. It was also the day we traversed Rannoch Moor, a vast 50 square mile expanse of boggy moorland to the west of Loch Rannoch. During this section, you really do feel cut off from society and the rest of the world, and I loved it! I felt very present with nature, and the walking wasn't too hard going either.

The recognisable Glen Coe valley started appearing towards the end of the hike, with the final section of the walk taking us to Glencoe Ski Centre. In summer, the centre acts as a great place to stop for a coffee or bite to eat, with ample parking and brilliant views across the valley. From what I recall, the walk on day 4 was relatively easy going, with a lot of it on gravel paths (as opposed to dirt tracks and across tree roots).

Day 5 - Glencoe Ski Centre to Kinlochleven

• Distance = 10.3 miles

• Elevation gain = 1765 ft

We started the day where we previously left of (like all the other days). Unfortunately, as soon as we got out of the minibus we were hit with windy weather and heavy rain 🌧️. Waterproofs went on immediately, as we battled the horizontal rain that was hitting us square on through the valley. This meant that I didn't appreciate the views of Glencoe as much as I would have liked, but thankfully the rain held up as we arrived at the Devil's Staircase 👹 (not as scary as it sounds!) This path will take you up one side of the valley over a mountain, and acts as part of the route to Kinlochleven. The route is well marked out and hard to miss.

Now time for a quick history lesson on the Devil's Staircase. Originally, it was used as a drove road - little more than a dirt track for people to heard cattle quickly to the next settlement 🐂, rather than having to follow the winding path of the valley. Much further down the line in the 18th Century, the British Parliament felt the Scottish Highlands needed to be patrolled to keep an eye on rebels, and so a network of 'military roads' were constructed 🪖 - the Devil's Staircase being part of it that connected Tyndrum in the south to Fort William in the north.

Upon reaching the top of the staircase, you will be at an elevation of 1808 ft and get some awesome views. From this point onwards until your reach Kinlochleven, it is a gradual decline. You will pass Blackwater Reservoir & Dam as well as the hydroelectric plant upon arrival at the town of Kinlochleven.

Day 6 - Kinlochleven to Fort William

• Distance = 15.2 miles

• Elevation gain = 1066 ft

The last day of the WHW! From Kinlochleven there is an initial ascent, before long stretch of flat trail. The second half of today reintroduced some of the rolling hills and forest I saw that the start of the WHW journey, before descending into Fort William. Note that just before you get into Fort William, there is an option to take the high road (literally) into the town, rather than using the official WHW route that runs along a road. We took the high road as it was still trail (rather than tarmac), and was quieter to use. Shortly after passing Glen Nevis Campsite, you will be back in civilization, and complete your final steps along Fort William high street before reaching the official end of the West Highland Way! 🥳🙌

Recalling the feeling of reaching the end point, it was one of relief, emotion and pride. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey - would be the best quote to describe it. The past 6 days were an absolute adventure, filled with a huge variety of scenery, all weather conditions and physically / mentally testing. There were plenty of celebrations with my hiking group that evening. However, in the back of everyone's mind, a final challenge awaited...Ben Nevis 👀.

Day 7 - Ben Nevis

• Distance = 10.5 miles

• Elevation gain = 4,300 ft

⛰️ Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland, the UK and the British Isles. Weather permitting, the plan was to climb it the day after finishing the WHW. Thankfully, the weather gods were kind to us and conditions looked favourable for an ascent. In terms of the route, there are a few options, some starting in Fort William Town Centre, whilst others start just outside of the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. We took the latter, and this route would be the same one we used to come down from the top.

The route up to the top is a combination of paths, trails and rocks, getting more rugged as you reach the summit. The weather is very unpredictable, so pack for all weather conditions. It will be cold at the top too ❄️, so layer up just before you complete the final ascent. Once we arrived at the top, we were in the middle of a cloud so didn't get any great views, yet it was satisfying to know you're standing at the tallest point in the UK!

The way down was tougher on the legs, primarily due to rain causing rocks to be super slippery. Proceed with caution, as I had 2 small falls (nothing serious) on some slipper rock faces. If you do get rain, I recommend taking the route down that takes you to Fort William Town Centre rather than to the Youth Hostel, as it's easier. If climbing Ben Nevis in a group, at the top make sure to stay relatively close to one another, as fog can make visibility pretty poor (~10 metres ish) 🌁.

Kit list, fuel and training

Below are some of my thoughts on how best to prepare for a trek like this. It was my first time ever completing such a challenge, so I learnt a lot along the way myself. Some of the key lessons that stuck with me are:

• 🥾Invest in proper hiking gear - shoes (super important), socks etc., you name it. Having the right gear will make your adventure far more enjoyable.

• 💧Use a water bladder to stay hydrated - one that slots into a hiking backpack and allows easy sipping on water.

• 🍽️Eat something every hour on the hike, and pack electrolytes - it's not just water you'll be sweating out, you'll be burning a huge amount of calories and depleting your salt stores. Don't worry about watching what you eat this week - you're going to need the energy!

• 👍Try all your kit on training walks - to get used to how it feels and what works best for you.

• 📓Experiment on your training hikes, but during the trek stick to the plan - don't try anything new once you're in Scotland. By then it's already too late!

• 🏥If you feel a blister coming on, tape it up immediately. Don't wait for it to become painful.

• 👣Practice 'double header' hikes in training - where you hike for 2 days consecutively, to simulate a multi-day hike.

• 🩹Pack a small first aid kit in your day pack.

• 🌦️Ensure anything you don't want getting wet is in waterproof 'dry bags' within your rucksack.

• 😴If staying in hostels, an eye mask and some ear plugs will help you get a much better nights sleep.

• 🧤Clothing wise, wear many thin layers as opposed to one thick layer - allows for more customised layering / delayering.

• 🧦A 'buff' is a great clothing accessory that can be used as a mask / headband to keep you warm. I used mine far more than I thought I would.

• 🏋️Supplement your training hikes with some lower body / core strength sessions in the gym.

  • On that note, the 'stairmaster' in the gym was an excellent way to get used to inclines. After doing some sessions on this, I found walking up hills far easier.

And with that concludes my recollection of the West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Challenge! A trip that I won't be forgetting anytime soon, with core memories being made with a brilliant group of people. What I've discussed in this blog has been focussed more on the practical / logistical side of things, with a few anecdotes sprinkled in. The pictures probably speak louder than my words!

🔢 Final stats for the trip were:

• Hiking days: 7

• Distance 🥾: 107 miles

• Elevation change📈📉: 9,724 ft

Thanks for reading, and I hope that some of you have been inspired to explore the Scottish Highlands 😊

The original reason for my trip to Baku, Azerbaijan was work. But whenever I travel, I try to carve out time to explore the city I’m in. Luckily, I managed to spend some free time wandering around Baku—and it turned out to be a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modern architecture.

If you’re planning a short trip and want to know the best things to do in Baku in 2 days, here’s my guide covering logistics, attractions, food, and travel tips.

Getting there

Flights to Baku from the UK are straightforward. The most popular routes are via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, or direct with Azal (Azerbaijan Airlines). I chose Azal’s direct London–Baku flight, which took around six hours.

• Airports: You’ll arrive at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), about 30 minutes from the city center.

• Tip: If you choose Azal, check their flight schedule as they only fly from London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) on select days.

It was my first time flying with Azal, and overall was a positive experience. Flying direct on a mid-haul flight saved the hassle of catching a connection, and the vegan food choices on board were pretty decent.

Upon landing / departing from Baku, you will find yourself in the Heydar Aliyev Airport (GYD). It's nicely designed, clean and efficient, so no issues were encountered checking in bags, going through security or catching a taxi into town. The airport is about 30 mins from the city, but depending on traffic this can take a lot longer.

Logistics

Where to stay

Generally speaking, there are a range of hotels to stay at in Baku depending on your budget and type of holiday. At one end, you have the Marriott, Hilton and Fairmont Hotels, all providing 5-star luxury. However, there are lots of other places to choose from. I was at the Holiday Inn, which was a walkable distance from most places in the city.

Getting around Baku

• Walking: The city is compact, so bring comfy shoes.

• Taxis: Use the Bolt app for affordable rides (a 15-minute trip cost me only £2).

• Tip: In summer, Baku gets very hot (up to 35°C+), so taxis can be a lifesaver.

Currency and Mobiles

• Currency: Azerbaijani Manat (AZN). Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for tips and small purchases.

• Mobile SIM: Azercell is the most popular local provider, though I used my UK roaming plan.

Safety & Security

Baku felt very safe - safer than London in fact. I had no issues, and was happy enough walking alone in the dark at night back to my hotel. Tourist scams/traps are very uncommon in the city, and there is a good police / CCTV presence. The locals that I spoke to were all very friendly, and happy to help you in their country. I could feel the pride they had for Baku and Azerbaijan in general, and wanted to make sure you had a good time there too.

Language

The main languages spoken are Azeri (very similar to Turkish) and Russian, although a lot of people will also speak English in Baku. In most places, you shouldn't have a problem communicating with others. That being said, if you would like to learn a few basic phrases in the local language [with the phonetic spelling], here you go:

• Yes - Ha [he]

• No - Yox [yokh]

• Hello - Salam [salam]

• How are you? - Necəsən? [nejasan?]

• I'm good - Yaxşıyam [yahshiyam]

• Thank you - Sağ ol [sagh ol]

• Thank you very much - Çox sağ ol [chok sagh ol]

• Good bye - Sağ ol [sagh ol]

• Where is...? - ...hardadir? [...hardadir?]

Map

The map below shows all the main spots I hit in Baku, as well as some additional places should you have more time.

Day 1: Old Town, Carpet Museum, Funicular, Highland Park

On your first day in Baku, make your way to the western side of the city, where the old town and surrounding attractions await.

Old Town Walking Tour

GuruWalk offer a great walking tour of Icherisheher (translates to Old City). Run by Gani, a local guide, he will take you through the countries history, landmarks, old town streets and modern architecture. The walk was a great place to learn about the development of the country, with it's Soviet era past, through to independence and how it looks to develop in the future. The walking tour is 2 hours and well paced, and Gani is also a great resource to ask for any further suggestions to your travel. If you're tight on time in Baku, I'd recommend using this tour to get a good overview of the city.

Fountains Square

The above walking tour actually starts at Fountains Square, so it's a good time to tick this off the list too. A fully pedestrianised area, Fountains Square is a great place to grab some lunch at the many restaurants during the day, or return at night where it comes to life with performances and entertainment. I used this spot for a lunch break after my walking tour before heading to the carpet museum.

Carpet Museum

I didn't know carpets could be made into an entire museum, but seems like they can! This was a unique and interesting experience in Baku - where hand made Azeri carpets played a huge part in their exports in the past. The carpet museum displays the various styles and designs of Azerbaijani carpets, as well as detailing how they are made, materials required, and where in the country each style of carpet originates from. The highlight for me was seeing someone hand-making a carpet live in the museum - the amount of skill needed is unreal!

Funicular to Highland Park

From the Carpet Museum, take a short 5 minute walk across the road (using the underpass!) to the bottom of the funicular. Riding this will take you to Highland Park, offering great views of the city and also home to Martyrs' Lane and the Shahidlar Monument. Alternatively, you can walk up the set of stairs that run parallel to the funicular, but there was no chance I was doing that in 36 degrees.

Highland Park

Baku Panoramic Viewpoint

Upon exiting the funicular at the top, you will find yourself in Highland Park. Make your way to the panoramic viewpoint, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Baku and the Caspian Sea. Sunset is also a nice time to go there. This is probably the best view you'll have of the entire city.

Martyrs' Lane

On a more solemn note, behind the viewpoint is Martyrs' Lane, which pays homage to those who lost their lives for Azerbaijan's independence and freedom. You can walk along the memorial to the Shahidlar Monument, otherwise known as the Eternal Flame Memorial.

Shahidlar Monument

This is at one end of Martyrs' Lane, and is an octagonal structure with an eternal flame inside, burning in memory of the fallen. It also offers great views of the city, overlooking the Caspian, reminding visitors and locals to remember those who have fallen.

The above should be plenty for you to cover in a day, and by the end you'll probably want to find a nice place for dinner to unwind and relax. It's a packed itinerary, but the above places are all relatively close to one another, making them ideal to do on a single day.

Day 2: Heydar Aliyev Center, Victory Park & Baku Boulevard

On day 2 of your time in Baku, there's a collection of other places that you might want to visit. They aren't super close to eachother like the day 1 itinerary, so this is where you may need to use that Bolt app I mentioned.

Heydar Aliyev Centre

Before even stepping inside, you'll be impressed by the architectural design and structure of the Heydar Aliyev Centre, with it's flowing undulating design. Upon entering, the architecture remains equally impressive. Serving as a museum, auditorium, exhibition space and promotion of the legacy left by Heydar Aliyev, I spent a good few hours in here wandering around.

I found learning about the life of Heydar Aliyev, Baku's former President, interesting, and it tied in nicely to what I had heard at the walking tour the day before. It reinforced some of Baku's history and culture, and the reasoning for how it's developed. There were also some other exhibitions, such as a classic car show, some more carpets, artwork and presidential cars - so plenty on offer. They also had a cafe, where I stopped for a coffee and to admire the building even more.

Victory Park

After finishing up at Heydar Aliyev Centre, grab a Bolt for a short 10 minute ride to Victory Park. Built to commemorate the country's victory in the 44 day war with Armenia, it is an immaculately kept park with a geometric feel. You don't need long here, but I used it as a walk to get to the War Trophy Park, another interesting piece of Azerbaijan's history.

War Trophy Park

Of all the places I've travelled, I haven't comes across something like this before. Some might say this is a controversial landmark, others would call it a display of patriotism by Azerbaijan. The War Trophy Park (officially called the Military Trophy Park) is a military themed public park next to Victory Par. It showcases various military equipment captured from the 44-day war with Armenia, including tanks, artillery and armoured vehicles. Walking through it, I found it interesting that a country proudly showcases it's military wins, something that you don't really see around the world. I'd recommend visiting - allowing 1-2 hours to see it properly.

Baku Boulevard

Finally, to finish your second day of sightseeing, take a walk along Baku Boulevard in the evening, when temperatures are much cooler in the summer. You'll find in the evening it's much busier than in the day, with locals and tourists alike taking in the Caspian and enjoying the lights of the city. Walk as much or as little as you like, with various malls and parks along the way. If you're into your running, I'd recommend a sunrise run along the boulevard - the 04:30am wake up was worth it!

And that covers my 2 day itinerary for Baku. However, you're of course going to get peckish along the way, so below I've included a few vegan-friendly restaurants to visit.

Plant-based in Baku

Generally, being vegan in Baku was trickier than when I've travelled to other places. However, with a bit of research and exploring I found a few places that offer plant-based dishes.

Manipura Cafe

Hands down the best place to go to as a vegan, as the entire cafe is vegan! Probably the only 100% plant-based restaurant in Baku, Manipura Cafe is run by a family that are very friendly and hospitable. They have vegan versions of traditional Azeri dishes (such as Shah-plov), as well as a host of other continental cuisine. I'd also recommend their lentil burger, super delicious!

Megobari Georgian Restobar

For one of our team dinners we visited a Georgian restaurant, and honestly I was pleasantly surprised by the vegan options! Megobari Georgian Restobar is not fully vegan, but has more than enough food to keep you full. The salads, spinach focaccia and vegetable khinkali (dumplings) were delicious. Great hospitality, I'd defo come back here.

Restaurants that have plant-based options:

• The Hunger Port Baku - serves a variety of dishes. Vegan options include noodles, pizza and zucchini spaghetti.

• Jasmine Port Baku - Asian cuisine. Vegan options include spring rolls, dim sum and vegetable pad thai. Portion sizes are quite large.

• Scalini - Italian joint that serves a vegan Spaghetti aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and olive oil)

• Harbour Tap and Grill - "pub" style restaurant that does good Indian food.

• The Noodles House - oriental restaurant. Vegan options include vegetable stir fry and noodles.

• Kenny's Cafe - They do a great vegan bowl, which includes tofu, rice and plenty of salad.

And with that, is the end of my guide to Baku! I hope you've found it useful, and that I've shown you can get a good flavour of the city in a short space of time. With its mix of ancient history, Soviet-era influences, and futuristic architecture, Baku is a unique city. Two days is enough to see the highlights, but you could easily spend longer and venture beyond the capital.

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The marathon doesn't owe you anything

Peter Bromka's essay titled above summarises the marathon in 1 sentence. And London was where I understood what he meant.

Since starting this blog back in 2021, I've written a few race recaps now - mostly on half marathons but also my first full marathon earlier this year - Brighton 2025. Most of my blogs have a similar format - a recap of how training and prep went, followed by what went down on race day, and finally a picture of me with my medal 😅. However, this one is going to be a bit different. I didn't finish the 2025 London Marathon. Here's what happened and why I had to DNF.

How did you get a spot in London 2025?

The London Marathon is one of the biggest marathons in the world, and in 2025 around 57,000 people set out to try and complete this iconic course. It is one of the 7 World Majors, the others being Tokyo, Boston, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago and New York. For that reason, it is insanely popular, and has been growing in image each year. So when the charity I was raising money for during the Brighton Marathon offered me a spot in London, it was an offer I couldn't resist - despite Brighton and London being only 3 weeks apart. As mentioned in my article on the Brighton Marathon, 2 marathons in the mix meant my goals and focus had to be slightly adjusted, but I was confident that it could be done. My training block for Brighton had me in good shape to run London, so it was all about rest and recovery for those 3 weeks.

What's involved in running the London Marathon?

As I mentioned earlier, the London Marathon is an iconic route. Starting in east London near Blackheath, the route winds through Greenwich, before crossing over to the north side of the river at Tower Bridge - marking the halfway point. It then heads back east towards Canary Wharf, before coming back towards Westminster and finishing along the Mall. As someone who was born and grew up in London, it was an honour to be able to run this route 🙏.

With all marathons, a significant amount of prep is required - for me that was 3 months of focussed training. Luckily, I had already been training for Brighton, so the main aim was to get my body rested and ready to do it all again at London in 3 weeks time on the 27th of April. Overall, I'd say the process of entering and running London was very smooth. The team are great at keeping in touch with you via email with all the important dates and deadlines, and the London Marathon Expo that happens a few days before the big day was a great event. It's a hub of activity, held at the ExCel Centre, and is also where you pick up your race day bib, bag drop and finishers t-shirt.

As I live in London, logistics were far easier to manage than for Brighton - no faff of booking a hotel, organising transport or spending a whole weekend away from home. Just a tube and DLR ride away was Greenwich Park - the start point.

Race Day Recap, and what happened...

Coming into the race, I was feeling good. I had completed Brighton 3 weeks ago, and that had given me a huge mental boost that I could complete a marathon, and made me hungry to go for another. London, on paper, was shaping up to be a good one:

• Flatter route than Brighton

• Better crowd support 🙌

• No need to stay in a hotel overnight - could sleep in my own bed the night before 🛌

• It wasn't my first marathon - I got all the first time nerves out of me by this point 💪

• No huge winds coming off the coast to battle 🌬️

• It was my home city - meaning home advantage! 🥳

The 3 weeks between Brighton and London had also gone well - I had topped up on the exercises but not overdone it. A mixture of exercise bike, gym sessions and a few runs. Enough to keep me ticking over, but not get me injured.

It was an early start on race day, waking up at 05:30 to get ready, fuel up, stretch and head to the station to make my way to Greenwich Park. Public transport access was great, and TFL knew what they were doing on race day - it was a smooth trip to the start zone. I got there in plenty of time, dropped my bag off and headed to the start line.

At 1030, I was off. Definitely warmer than I would have liked - there was direct, sunlight ☀️, not much wind, and it was set to heat up to 25 degrees (over 10 degrees warmer than Brighton). But you quickly forgot about that, as you soaked in the atmosphere and brilliant crowd support all the way round. I was aiming for a sub-5 hour marathon, and as I crossed Tower Bridge at the halfway point my pace was solid - I was on track! My family were waiting for me at mile 14, and it was all going well.

As the second half of the race progressed, my stomach started to feel unsettled. I slowed my pace down to a jog, then a walk, but it felt like each step was requiring a lot more effort than it should. The heat and humidity of London was getting to me 🥵. I kept going until 21.5 miles, where my family were again waiting for me. I pulled over to one side to tell them how I was feeling, and in those 5 minutes of standing there my stomach decided to empty itself 😅. Feeling nauseous and dizzy 🤢, I was taken to the paramedics tent where I was monitored for over 1.5 hours. At that point, I decided to pull the plug and DNF'd my race 😢.

Reflections

In all the races and runs I've done, I tend to plan my day so it runs smoother - never have I planned for not finishing! It was a strange feeling, and while in the paramedics tent I didn't really care, but as I (slowly) made my way home it began to hit me. I'm not going to lie, it was a tough pill to swallow - I was so close to completing my challenge of 2 marathons in 3 weeks! But it wasn't meant to be on the 27th of April, and I'm glad I put my ego aside and prioritized my health.

Now having had some time to reflect, a few points come to mind as to what I need to focus on in my next marathon campaign:

• Don't try anything new on race day - I took a glass of Lucozade to try and help with my sugars / dizziness, but I'm pretty sure that messed up my stomach and caused me to puke. Going forward, stick to water only and use foods/gels you've practiced with to get your sugars and salts in.

• It was hot out there - unfortunately nothing you can do about this on the day. I wore my sunglasses, but maybe a cap would also help next time?

• Simulate your refuelling during training runs - I didn't do any runs practicing how I would take on food and drink

• 16 week training block minimum - for me to get up to marathon standard. 12 weeks was a little too rushed. Rather have more training weeks in there than less.

That being said, it wasn't all doom and gloom. If I had the chance to do it all over again, would I? Hell yeah! There's a silver lining to every cloud, and I'm a glass half-full kinda guy, so here's some of the highlights:

• Be present and enjoy every moment - I certainly did that, and loved it. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the runners, you're the reason the London Marathon is one of the greatest marathons in the world! 💛

• Plan out race day logistics in advance and have back up plans - the day itself went very smoothly, no hiccups and well organised.

• Inspired others and hit my fundraising target - despite me not quite completing the goal I set out, I supported a good cause and a whole load of people have been inspired by my actions. I've gained and I've given, that's what the sport of running is all about.

What's next?

My focus isn't on more races, but building a consistent and regular fitness schedule that aligns with my priorities and lifestyle. I've learnt that being consistent and disciplined is far more important in running than having short bursts of motivation - it's what will keep you in the game for longer.

This challenge I set myself of 2 marathons in 3 weeks has been a great journey, and made me realise what my body is capable of. It's reinforced my passion for running, and I'm excited to get back into the full swing of things soon.

So for now: head up, rest, reflect and I will come back stronger. London Marathon, we shall meet again...

Only the disciplined ones are free in life. If you are undisciplined you are a slave to your moods, you are a slave to your passions - Eliud Kipchoge

Discipline was something that I definitely needed for my next running challenge - my first ever full marathon. I bought an entry spot for Brighton 2025 way back in June 2024, not giving it too much thought. However, having come out on the other side completing it, and being in a situation where I attempted to run 2 marathons in 3 weeks 😅 (more on that in my next blog 👀), I have a bunch of learnings / reflections and thoughts I want to share with you on the whole experience.

A marathon is something I've always wanted to do, and it was finding the right place, right time to commit to one and give it a go. Having just graduated from university, finished my year abroad, and also completed my offshore rotation as part of my Graduate scheme, it was looking like 2025 would be the year I would have a more regular and consistent weekly schedule - making fitting in marathon training a lot easier. And so as we rolled over from 2024 into 2025, my Brighton Marathon training plan was in full swing.

This blog will (as my race recaps usually do) go through the build up to Brighton, how the race went, as well as post-marathon thoughts and feelings. Importantly, with this blog I hope to bring to light that most people out there can't drop everything and focus on marathon training 100% of the time - they have the rest of their life to get on with too! I think that's really important to remember in whatever you're training for - the only person you can compare yourself to is you! 💪

Brighton Marathon Training Block

I went with a 12 week training block (see image above): 2 runs a week 👟, along with ideally 2 gym sessions 🏋️ and some off-feet cardio (e.g., bike or swim). As this was my first marathon, the above training plan is meant to build you up from 0 to completing a marathon, perfect for someone like me who is just entering the world of marathon running. The 2 runs are split into: short / interval tempo runs, and longer, slower runs - gradually building up the weekly mileage and then tapering down. I felt 12 weeks was a good amount of time to get in shape - assuming you stick to your plan and complete all sessions! 🙃 More on that below.

As I mentioned near the beginning, the majority of marathon runners have to balance regular life/responsibilities with training - not an easy task 🤓. February 2025 saw me relocate to the US for 4 weeks for work, something which I was not aware of when signing up for Brighton. This definitely hampered my training plan, and whilst I made an effort to stick to it as closely as possible, I did not do all my runs / strength sessions. At first you think "what's the harm in missing 1 session?", which there isn't, provided you get right back on it. But after missing a few long runs, it made it harder to ramp up mileage while staying injury free. I clocked in my longest run at the time of 27km out in Houston, which was a great feeling - but honestly training wasn't optimal.

Arriving back in the UK, I had about a month till Brighton. I got a 34km run under my belt - a huge confidence boost which made me realise that I can finish a marathon, the mental block was unlocked. However, in hindsight (which is such a wonderful thing), I reckon I ramped up my mileage too quickly, which led to me picking up an injury on my ITB just 3 weeks out from Brighton 🤕. Not ideal at all - and where you learn the hard way about missing training sessions. My goal had to be revaluated: from running a sub 4 marathon, to simply getting around and finishing. That was quite a hard pill to swallow, especially seeing as it wasn't that long ago I ran a 01:40 half marathon - but you have to listen to your body. Added in to the mix was that I had secured a spot in the 2025 London Marathon through a charity (which I was so grateful for 🙏) - meaning the challenge had changed: 3 weeks, 2 marathons, 1 cause. So as the days to Brighton counted down, I was definitely feeling sub-optimally ready, but excited to see how I would do.

6th April 2025 - Brighton Marathon

The one thing about races in a different city is that far more logistics are involved! In advance of heading to Brighton for the weekend, I needed to sort out: transport 🚅, accommodation 🏨 and pre-race meals 🍽️. Hotels sold out really quickly, and the rooms left were being priced at extortionate rates for the weekend - so book well in advance. I would recommend staying close to the waterfront (if you can), as the finish line is close by.

Brighton is easy to get to from London by train, and there are plenty of vegan food spots in the city. I visited Bonsai Plant Kitchen & Happy Maki over the weekend, both which had delicious food options 😋Saturday was spent catching up with an old uni mate, and walking around in the sun. It was then an early night to get ready for Sunday.

Sunday 6th April had arrived - and it was about a 30 minute walk to Preston Park where the start of the Brighton Marathon was. Walking is your best bet on race day, most the city is shut down so getting buses / taxis is tricky. The route (shown above) had different start and end points, taking you north, east and west of the city centre, before finally finishing at Hove Lawns. The start line area was organised and spacious, making it stress-free to drop your bag and warm up. There was a buzz in the air that starts to get the adrenaline going, a feeling I always like! Prior to this, my last race was the Cambridge Half Marathon in March 2024, over a year ago. I made my way to the start line, and we were off! 🤩

Although advertised as a flat route, Brighton was hillier than I thought it would be. Heading out east into Ovingdean there were these rolling hills, and combined with a head wind it proved tough to navigate. Great weather though apart from the wind - sunny and not too hot. The sections of the race that were in town, the crowds got bigger and this definitely boosted my morale. The crowds were amazing, it makes such a difference running with people cheering you on, music (samba bands, choirs, DJs) - the whole city really does come together to make this event special.

Miles 19 to 26 were difficult for various reasons, sometimes because of the slight uphill, and by kilometre 39 I would say I hit the infamous 'runners wall'. I did get a runners high earlier in the race though, around the halfway mark, which felt amazing, but a marathon is long enough that you can experience everything in a single race!

Despite a dodgy ITB, I had actually run all 39km, but it was at this point I reduced it to a walk, focussing on putting one foot in front of the other. Those last 3km were hard, but the crowd were roaring and you could actually see the finish line in the distance. Crossing that line, I felt a wave of emotion come over me - it had hit me that I finished a marathon. I would say it's the first time I've felt this strong an emotional reaction to finishing a race - and I reckon that's my minds way of acknowledging the months of work that went into it. And with that, Brighton Marathon was complete in 05:10:06 🏅

Now for some reflections

Respect to anyone who finishes a marathon, we all have our own stories to tell and our reason as to why we're standing on that start line choosing to run 26.2 miles. We've all got different things going on in our lives, so comparing yourself to others is useless. The marathon compares you against yourself - and tells you if the work you've put in will pay off or not. It's a mental game as much as it's physical, there were times I had to dig deep and find willpower I didn't even know I had. The Marathon Weekend was great, and definitely picked up some learnings for my next marathon which was in 3 weeks time:

• Take sweets with you - fizzy laces, jellybeans etc. I enjoyed eating those on my run

• Don't carry water with you as it slows you down, use the drinks stations provided

• After a marathon, as tempting as it is to not do anything, stretch and keep your body moving. Use all tools necessary to recover: foam rolling, massage gun, magnesium oil, ibuprofen gel, sleep, hydration etc.

• Learn how to properly apply sports tape - mine ended up flapping about for most the race

• Keep soaking in the atmosphere and interact with the crowd - it's the best bit!

Spoiler! As you will soon find out in my next blog - my London Marathon 2025 didn't go exactly how I planned. But that's a story for another day...

For now, thank you Brighton for a fabulous weekend and for all my friends and family for their continuous encouragement. I'm proud to call myself a marathon finisher!

My final week in the US was on the west coast, in sunny San Francisco (SF for short). It was my first time visiting California and SF - with my trip being a mixture of catching up with some old friends, whilst also seeing all that the city has to offer. This blog will give you a 6 day guide of what you can get up to in SF.

*This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Day 1

Arrive at SFO Airport

I flew from Houston to San Fran, which was a 3 and a half hour direct flight. Coming in to land, you get a great view of the Bay Area, with San Francisco International Airport right by it. Upon arrival, the airport was easy to navigate to collect my luggage, and make my way to the rideshare zone. There is also the option of taking the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, essentially like a train line) from the airport into downtown SF, but I had a large suitcase with me that would be hard to move.

As in Houston and Vegas (which you can read more about in my other blogs), taxis and driving is the main way to get around the wider San Francisco area. In the center, there are plenty of public transport options however, with buses, trams, cable cars and trains at hand. However, depending on your route, public transport can be tedious or even dangerous if travelling late through certain areas. Hence while in SF, I used a mixture of public transport, ubers and walking to get around. It's one of the few US cities that you can actually walk around, which I enjoyed.

The easiest way for you to pay for the public transport is to load some funds onto a Clipper Card. You can either pick one up physically at metro stations, or add it to your digital wallet on your phone. I did the latter, and from there it's super easy to top up and use. Simply scan it each time you use public transport. If you are able to, do use the public transport in SF as it's significantly cheaper than Ubers. The Clipper Card also works on all modes of public transport, saving you from buying multiple types of tickets.

Check into your hotel

In terms of accommodation, hotels and Airbnbs are you best bet of finding somewhere to stay in SF. If it's your first time, I would recommend staying close to the downtown area. The following neighbourhoods are great for first-time visitors:

• Union Square - this was where I stayed. Well connected to the rest of SF, with many places of interest within walking distance.

• Pacific Heights

• Nob Hill

• Noe Valley

• North Beach

Accommodation in SF is expensive, so have a look on all platforms to find the best deal. From a safety point of view, I would avoid booking any accommodation in the Tenderloin neighbourhood (in red on the map below) and if possible to not travel through the area. Unfortunately, it is a hotspot for drug use and crime and can feel quite unsafe - so best to not try your luck with it. Other than this area, I felt safe and comfortable when exploring the rest of SF.

Visit the Cable Car Museum

The Cable Car Museum is part of San Francisco's heritage. Doubling down as a museum and powerhouse for the still-running system, it was fascinating to learn about the construction and engineering of the cable car, as well as how it has developed over the years. Later on in the week I got the chance to ride the cable car, the journey being far more memorable now that I knew about it's history. The Cable Car Museum is free to enter, and there is a small souvenir shop inside. On display are various mechanical devices, as well as three antique cable cars from the 1870s. I would allow ~2 hours to properly visit this place - and it's one I wouldn't miss.

Day 2

Escape the city and go for a hike

The nice thing about the city of San Francisco is that within a 30 minute drive, you can be in the middle of the woods surrounded by nature. There are lots of hiking, walking and running spots to explore, and days 2 and 5 of my visit saw me get some serious steps in.

The first was the Grabtown Gulch to Purisima Creek Loop, a 7.4km circular trail near Half Moon Bay, California. It was largely through wooded areas, with quite a lot of incline/decline. I did the hike in trainers (or sneakers for those across the pond), but if you have walking shoes I'd recommend using those. The ground was still muddy despite it not raining for a few days. I'd say it was a moderately difficult hike, and our legs were defo feeling it as we finished the last few km. Nonetheless, it was nice to escape the noise of the city for half a day and spend it amongst redwood trees & banana slugs (yes, those are yellow slugs!).

Day 3

San Francisco Walking Tour

As has become routine on my travels, a walking tour was in order. The San Francisco walking tour took me mainly through the downtown areas of the city, including:

• Union Square

• Chinatown

• Little Italy

• Transamerica Pyramid

• Salesforce Tower

Learning about the history and development of SF was interesting, in particular it's 'rags to riches' sort of story. Some of the facts that stuck in my head include:

• Back in the day SF was a pretty dodgy place, made up of mostly people on the run, criminals and outlaws!

• The Gold Rush in 1849 was what exploded SF's population from a few 1000 to 100's of thousands. Everyone flocked to the area to try and get rich.

  • With this influx of people, SF got safer and different types of communities moved in.

• It has the oldest Chinatown outside of China in the world.

• SF weather rarely gets really hot or really cold. Can change quite quickly too due to the fog (affectionately named Carl) from the Pacific

• SF 49ers (american football team) got their name from the year that SF found gold.

• People in SF generally oppose tall buildings, which is why they are usually 3-4 storey's high

Have lunch in the Ferry Building

The Ferry Building was where I went for lunch after the walking tour. Originally the literal gateway to the city for people arriving by Ferry, it is now a collection of independent shops and restaurants. There is also a great food scene, with my choice of lunch being vegan Jamaican cuisine.

Visit our aquatic friends by Pier 39

From the Ferry Building, if you take a 30 minute walk north following the shoreline, you will arrive to Pier 39. There's a bunch of food and entertainment there, but I went for one reason only - seal spotting! A colony of seals have taken over Pier 39 since 1990, controlling the pier and jetties where boats used to moor. I was lucky enough to see a bunch of them chilling on the pier, clearly enjoying their private space and the attention from tourists.

Ride the cable car

After visiting the Cable Car Museum, it was only right to try out the cable car for myself. From Pier 39, the Hyde cable car stop is not far at all. You can use your Clipper card to pay for the ride. I'd recommend to ride the entire Powell-Hyde line, as it finishes close to Union Square with plenty of transport options. It was a cool experience, seeing how the tram operator uses the lever to control the speed and movement of the car. Note: the queues to ride the cable car can get quite busy, so try to go on a weekday when it's quieter.

The map below shows the cable car routes on offer, with the red line being Powell-Hyde.

Day 4

Escape from Alcatraz!

I boarded the ferry in the morning, and as I made my way to the former prison the fog around it cleared, giving me a clear view of the infamous Alcatraz. This island was once a fort, military prison and maximum security federal penitentiary, and is a must-do when in SF. Ferry tickets (which include access to the island, which is a US National Park), can be bought here, with frequent shuttles to and from the pier. Once on Alcatraz, you can spend as much time as you'd like there. I ended up spending almost half a day, purely because there was so much to see. Things I'd say to do are:

• The guided ranger walk of the island

• The prison audio guide tour

• Visit "The Big Lockup" exhibit

• Learn about the American Indian occupation of Alcatraz in 1969.

The weather in the bay area can change quickly, so bring appropriate clothing when travelling to the island. Also note that no food is allowed to be consumed around the island apart from at the port, in order to preserve the natural habitats.

See the Warriors at the Chase Center

As someone who grew up playing basketball, seeing the likes of Steph Curry live was an opportunity I couldn't give up. The Golden State Warriors basketball team play at the Chase Center, and I managed to catch their game against the Charlotte Hornets. It was a win for the 'dub nation', and I had a great evening. Similar to the Houston Rockets game I attended a few weeks prior, American sport is all about keeping the crowd entertained for hours, and the Warriors delivered.

Day 5

Hike along the west coast and over the Golden Gate Bridge

Another hike closer to the city was from Lands End to the top of Battery Spencer via the Golden Gate Bridge. This was a really nice walk, taking over half a day to complete. Start at Lands End, which is on the west coast of San Francisco, neighbouring the Pacific Ocean. I followed part of the Lands End Trail, until I got to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a fairly flat and easy walk, and definitely doable in trainers. The views were stunning, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Californian woodland on the other. In the distance you could see the Golden Gate Bridge, and it got larger and larger as you approached it. The path is well signposted and popular amongst walkers, so it's hard to get lost.

The Golden Gate Bridge is open to pedestrians, so you can walk along the iconic bridge and get a true sense of it's scale. At the southern end there is a visitor center, cafe and toilets should you need to use them. Once over the bridge, start the Battery Spencer Trail, which will take you up a nearby hill to get that perfect shot of the bridge. I hiked during the day, but if you can get to the top of Battery Spencer for sunset - a few friends of mine have said that it is stunning!

Use a Waymo

As someone I met in San Francisco put it, "the future was delivered to San Francisco, but not everyone has access to it". It was an interesting statement, and an example of this is Waymo - autonomous ride hailing. Yup, that's right. In SF, you can get in a taxi with no driver, and it will take you to your destination! Using a Waymo was a very cool (and nervous) experience for me - getting in the passengers seat in a car that just starts moving didn't feel real. But, I must say I felt super safe at all times. The autonomous cars used by Waymo have a bunch of sensors on them, giving the vehicle 360 vision and awareness. Arguably, these self driving cars are safer than those with humans behind the wheel - at least they don't experience road rage! If you're looking to try one out, they are actually competitively priced against Ubers and Lyft (sometimes even cheaper). Just download the app and buckle up!

Day 6

Walk through the panhandle to Golden Gate Park

On my final day of sightseeing, I took a stroll through Golden Gate Park via the panhandle - appropriately named as the area of green space looks like a saucepan. Golden Gate Park is huge, 1,017 acres to be exact, and I could have spent way more time there, or come back for a run if I had more time. It's great as the park is pretty much car free, making cycling, walking and running safe. Bring a picnic here, sit by the lake or visit the various museums and centers in the park - this is somewhere I would visit again if I was back in SF.

Day 7

Return to SFO and get ready to go home

And with that, my week in SF had come to an end and it was time to pack up and make my way home to London. This also concluded my 5 weeks in the USA, and what a trip it has been. Grateful for being able to see so many places and have new experiences, I'd say I enjoyed my time here more than I thought I would. As always, thanks for reading and until next time!

Now for a word on travel insurance...

Something that I always do is take out travel medical insurance. You never know when you're going to need it, and would rather have that piece of mind knowing you are covered. But for my multi-trip adventures, getting travel insurance was sometimes a bit tricky. Multiple countries, different start and end destinations, it can be hard to find the right cover for that. Which is where SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance comes in, with a specific USA add on. No one wants a medical emergency whilst in the US 😥. The Nomad Insurance Essential Offered by SafetyWing provides short term coverage for any medical/travel related issues when abroad, while their Noman Insurance Complete plan covers longer stays and routine care. Feel free to click the button below to get started, and happy travels!

Friday evening: Caught a flight to Vegas from Houston.

Sunday evening: Arrived back in Houston at midnight.

Here's how I spent 48 hours in Vegas.

Las Vegas - most people probably associate it with partying, casinos and general debauchery. However, as someone who wasn't really interested in that side of Sin City, I found during my weekend trip that Vegas still has lots to see and do. It was never a place I thought I'd want to go to, but after spending a couple of days there I can say I've never been anywhere like it. Vegas is different from any city I've been to before. Built in the desert with origins in organised crime, it has transformed into a place that attracted 40.8 million visitors in 2023. The Las Vegas strip is a hive for activity, and it's personality changes as day turns to night.

My 48 hours in Vegas consisted of little sleeping, so I had a good chance to see the city during the day, where it was more relaxed family oriented, and at night, where the place really starts buzzing when casinos, pubs and clubs come to life. I would suggest to look beyond this too - there's plenty of shows and other attractions in town to check out depending on what you're after. My 'things to do' list below will share what I managed to do with the small amount of time I had.

Getting to/around Vegas - there are lots of flights daily into Las Vegas depending on where you're coming from. We flew with Spirit Airlines (my first time using them), and had no issues. As we were going for 48 hours, I only needed to take a backpack with me which made for a quick entry and exit out of airports. When in Vegas, you can either walk around if on the main strip, or otherwise take Ubers. Public transport is limited/non-existent. If you wanted to explore places further away like the Hoover Dam, hiring a car may be your best bet. That's what we did for the weekend and it gave us the flexibility to travel anywhere.

Where to stay - Airbnb and hotels are your best bet. We stayed in an Airbnb close to the main strip, however the nicer hotels often have last minute deals on if you are flexible. In hindsight, this would have probably been a better option for us as we could have stayed in a hotel located on Las Vegas Boulevard for a very reasonable price. Keep your eye out for deals, although if there is a large group of your going, Airbnb may be more convenient.

Safety - On the whole we didn't have any safety concerns while in Vegas. If you stay on the main Las Vegas Boulevard, security and safety is pretty good - even late into the night. Whilst I didn't visit the older part of the city, the area around Fremont Street can be a bit dodgy, so stick to the main tourist areas to be safe. In the famous hotels and casinos, security is very tight.

Budget - you don't have to spend big to enjoy in Vegas. Your trip can be tailed to how much you'd like to spend, and most importantly, what you'd like to spend your money on. If like myself, the casinos and gambling don't hugely interest you, there's so much else to do. I preferred spending my money on shows, tours and seeing the rest of the city. However, I would say (like any holiday you go on) to set yourself a budget and stick to it. That way, your bank account doesn't get any unsuspected surprises, leaving you out of pocket. With that, below you can find some of the things you might want to spend your $$ on.

Things to do

Walk the Las Vegas Strip 🌆

The first evening after checking into our apartment, we had a wander along Las Vegas Boulevard at night. Towering skyscrapers and hotels, bright flashing lights and it was bustling all around you. Walking is a great way to get your bearings and figure out where things are relative to each other - although it's one street, it's a very long street that requires an Uber from one end to the other! I've never visited a city like it, and it was interesting to people watch and observe what was going on around you. Everything is designed to look rich and fancy, and the themed hotels/restaurants make it feel like you've visited a version of that city: be that Paris, Cairo, New York, Rome or Venice. Walking along, some hotels that you may have heard of caught our eye, so we decided to explore further.

Visit the fancy hotels & casinos 🏨🎰

Luxury hotels are spread along the Boulevard, with their extravagant lobbies, stunning interior design, and of course huge casinos. They are completely free to enter with no dress code, and it's worth wandering through them, even if you're not staying there. Here's a few we visited:

• Caesar's Palace - famously seen in the movie "The Hangover", I can confirm that Caesar does not actually live here. Visiting this hotel just for the lobby is worth it, the marble statues and elaborate ceiling design. Entering through one of it's many doors, you will eventually make your way to the casino, which is equally as impressive. A word on casinos below.

• The Venetian - with an Italian theme, complete with Venice's canals, a shopping district and casino, the Venetian was probably my favourite hotel resort to visit. I particularly liked the shopping district, which emulated an Italian-style street, with a ceiling that felt very life like!

• Bellagio - the famous fountain show outside the front of the hotel is worth watching, and this hotel too offers a casino, sports bar and shopping.

• Treasure Island - opening in 1993, Treasure Island was one of the older hotels I visited, and you could tell by the vibe. The casino felt more retro (which I actually preferred), and the buildings were more dated. What may interest you is that the resort has hosted  Mystère since 1993, making it the longest-running show by Cirque du Soleil.

• New York New York - the hotel with one of the best facades! As you drive up to it, you're literally looking at a mini New York. Complete with the Statue of Liberty, the Empire States building, and it's own rollercoaster, New York New York is worth a visit. It adds nicely to the Las Vegas Boulevard Skyline, and has it's own host of restaurants, bars and casinos.

Now for a word on my experience in casinos. It was my first time visiting one in Vegas, and they were interesting places. Emotions and egos run high, dopamine hits are dished out, and looking around you money is constantly changing hands between the hotel & it's customers. I don't gamble, yet I enjoyed experiencing what a casino is all about and how they operate. If you want to give it a go, my advice would be to set a strict budget, and take that amount out as cash. Put your wallet away for the rest of the night, and play until your budget runs out. Don't get emotionally attached to your losses, or your winnings. Think of your budget as your 'entry fee' to the casino, and walk away regardless of the outcome. That way you can enjoy yourself, and not let emotions get the better of you. I observed that the casinos make it very easy for you to spend hours and hours in there: no clocks on the walls, no windows, tricky to navigate your way out, waiters walking around taking drink orders, and endless rows of games. Bear this in mind, and gamble responsibly!

See a show at the Las Vegas Sphere 🎦

A cinema screen on the wall of a huge sphere. The Las Vegas Sphere experience was an evening show lasting a couple of hours. It was hosted in the Las Vegas Sphere, a huge orb covered in LED screens both inside and out. Externally, it can project images to commemorate special occasions, events happening in Vegas or advertising. Internally, it's a giant cinema screen in ultra high resolution.

The sphere experience is in 2 parts:

• Part 1 - interactive experiences, including holographic art installations, robots and futuristic technology on display.

• Part 2 - postcard from earth, a nature documentary filmed in 18k resolution, shown on the world's largest screen. The show lasts about a hour.

Sitting in your seat waiting for the show to start, you look around at the other 17,000 people watching - and realise just how big the Sphere is. So big, in fact, that it can fit the Statue of Liberty inside it! When postcards from earth began to play, I was impressed by the quality of image and sound, with the screen curving far above and below you. It made for dramatic footage as scenes swept over mountains or through rainforests.

The Sphere is a great evening activity to do with friends or family, and is a nice alternative to the typical partying and drinking that Vegas is associated with.

Get a photo in front of the iconic Las Vegas sign 📷

At one end of the Boulevard is the classic 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign'. It doesn't require much time to visit, and there's parking on site if you're driving there. Grab a picture with it (but be prepared for queues!) as it's an iconic sign of the city.

Day trip to Hoover Dam 🚗

As mentioned earlier, we had hired a car for the weekend. So on our second day, we took a drive from Vegas to Hoover Dam. It was about an hour, and I enjoyed cruising through the Nevadan desert, surrounded by rock and flat plains. As a Civil Engineer by background, arriving and seeing the Hoover Dam in person was a pretty cool moment for me - a huge feat of engineering that provides so much for the area. If you're likely to geek out about it like I did, then the Guided Dam Tour is a must-do. Costing $30, it takes you through the tunnels inside the dam, up the original elevator and in the powerplant. Along the way, it explains the history, design and construction of the dam. I found this fascinating, and it was a couple of hours well spent. At the Hoover Dam visitor centre, there is also a cafe, toilets and gift shop.

You can also walk along the top of the dam, as it is open to both cars and pedestrians. Stop halfway, and get a picture half in Nevada, half in Arizona (the dam splits the state line). If you have more time, then the closest point of the Grand Canyon is another couple hours drive from the dam, so worth doing on the same day.

Bellagio fountain show ⛲

To finish (or start depending on your plans!) your evening, why not watch the Fountains of Bellagio in action. The fountain display occurs every 15-30 minutes, with water soaring as high as 460 ft in the air. Complete free to view, with a great view of the Bellagio hotel in the background.

Vegan in Vegas

Disclaimer - I did not get round to trying any of these restaurants myself, but I did do some research on being vegan in Vegas. Most of these restaurants are not on the strip itself, but along adjoining roads. Here's a few suggestions:

• NoButcher - plant-based deli and eatery

• Tacotarian - plant-based Mexican eatery

• Tarantino's Vegan - vegan Italian restaurant

• Daikon Vegan Sushi - sushi and Japanese cuisine

• Chef Kenny's Vegan Dim Sum - Asian cuisine.

• Crossroads Kitchen - plant-based fine dining restaurant

• SoyMexican - Mexican take-out food stand

• ChagaRoot - Healthy eating restaurant

To conclude, I enjoyed Vegas more than I thought I would, and also found that it has something for everyone. If I had to do it all again, I would spend perhaps 3 days exploring Las Vegas Boulevard, perhaps going to some more shows, and then wander into the Nevada Desert towards the Grand Canyon, Arizona. That way, your trip can become a nice city-nature hybrid.

Stay safe, thanks for reading, and remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!

A work trip meant I found myself travelling to the USA for the first time this year. Spending 5 weeks there in total, the majority of my time was in Houston, Texas. Whilst I was primarily there for work, the evenings and weekends were free to explore as we pleased. I'm happy to say that I did manage to see some of what Houston has to offer (other than my company's office 😆), which I've collated into this blog. Note that I didn't visit Houston and Texas purely for travel, and if I had, I would have covered a lot more in this blog. Nevertheless, I got a decent amount done in my free time - from must-see attractions that are at the top of everyone's list, to lesser known things that I think you should visit.

*This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Prior to visiting (and still largely true!), my geography of the US wasn't great at all. Above I've attached a map which shows where Houston is relative to the rest of the country. As you can see, it's in the south of the USA, by the Gulf of Mexico (or recently renamed Gulf of America). As a result, the weather we got in February was largely great - 20-25 degrees C, sun, and not much rain! That being said, I'm told the summer months in Houston get very hot and humid, as well as regular temperature fluctuations. Still better than a winter in London though in my opinion.

My observations of Houston

I didn't really know what to expect of the US when I arrived. Would it be like the movies and Netflix depicts it? Would the stereotypes be true? How would specifically being in Texas (the deep south) feel? Those were some of the questions I had before my trip. After spending a month there, I've collated and summarised some of my thoughts/observations of the city:

• They say everything is bigger in Texas. I'd have to agree with that statement. The cars, highways, food portion sizes, land, showmanship all was up there in Houston. The state of Texas is huge itself - around 3 times larger in area than the whole of the UK.

• The appetite for walking and public transport is pretty much zero. Like the majority of the US, Texas is completely car-centric. Walking only exists in artificially built communities or neighbourhoods. Any further beyond that, you need to get in your car. I tried to go for a run one day from the hotel to a local trail. However, just getting onto the trail (which was 1.5 miles away), too me right along the interstate 10 highway. Not the most pleasant route. As someone who's grown up in a city abundant with public transport and walking as a form of commute, I was not a fan of the car centric-ness. Public transport does exist in Houston, however it is considered quite sketchy and dangerous to use.

• It's easy to eat unhealthily. The restaurants around me served a wide range of cuisines, but I often found the food rich, heavy, and if eating frequently quite unhealthy. Unhealthy options are quite affordable and abundant in the US, so I felt I had to go out of my way to try and find healthier options. Luckily, as a vegan, that type of diet lends itself to restaurants with "healthy eating options" (which is what my regular diet looks like anyway), so I did manage to find a few spots that worked well. More information on those below, but do watch what you're eating when here.

• The tipping culture. You tip for pretty much everything here. Expect to pay 15-20% service charge on your meal, and even be asked to tip at a fast food joint. It's still up to you whether you'd like to tip or not, however it is generally customary to tip. On the topic of bills, the amount of tax paid varies by state, so often the label price in-stores will exclude tax. Take this into account when shopping/eating.

• Texans are more friendly than Londoners (on the whole). I found it very easy to talk to strangers or passers by whilst in Houston. They were vey welcoming and always happy to have a conversation.

• The cost of living is similar to London. Everyday items like groceries, rent etc., are of a similar price to London. Fuel is significantly cheaper though in Texas - beneficial in a car-centered setup.

• Traffic and rush hours exist in Houston, despite the huge 6 lane highways (in each direction). Travelling can be quite bad during rush hour, with journey times lengthened. Always allow for the Houston traffic when commuting.

• Overall, I'd say it looks and feels similar to what you'd see in a movie/show set in Houston - which I was surprised by. Please also note that the above observations are simply my opinions, and what I experienced in my month in Houston. Everyone will have a different view on the city.

Things to see/do in Houston

NASA Space Center 🚀

This was on the top of my to-see list in Houston, and even if you're not interested in Space, I'd say this is a must-visit attraction. Opening in 1992, the Space Center Houston has welcomed over 26.6 million guests through it's doors, covering all things space exploration. It is the Official Visitor Center of the NASA Johnson Space Center, and you can easily spend half a day here. We were limited for time, so could only stay for about 3 hours. In that time though, we managed to check out the following:

• Space X's Falcon 9 rocket

• Rocket Park, which is a short tram ride away to see the full Saturn V rocket in a hangar

• The various exhibits in the main building, all exploring different parts of NASA's history and space exploration in general.

As a kid an astronaut was actually on my 'potential career' lists, so going here definitely reignited my childhood passion for space exploration! Space Center Houston is great for all ages, although it can get quite busy so arrive early if coming on a weekend to avoid queues. There is also a gift shop selling all sorts of cool merch and souvenirs to take home with you.

Buffalo Bayou Trail 👣

A lesser known gem of Houston goes by the name of the Buffalo Bayou Trail. This trail cuts across Houston and meanders its way past rivers, fields and parks - despite being surrounded by classic urban sprawl. I was recommended to check out the trail by a fellow colleague, who suggested it would be a nice place to run. And boy, were they right! Buffalo Bayou Trail provided a much needed contrast from the car centric, urban landscape of Houston - with only runners, walkers and cyclists to be seen. Even though you were still in Houston, whilst on the trail you did feel quite immersed in nature. It is a nice mix of different types of scenery and largely flat, so easy enough to spend a good amount of time on. One weekend I did a 24km run along the trail, and there was plenty of room to keep going. Ideal for a quick stop after work, or a longer exploration during the weekend, Buffalo Bayou should be added to your list of things to do if it isn't on there already.

Houston Rockets NBA Game 🏀

Sports and entertainment go hand in hand in the US. You're not just going to watch a basketball game - you're going for an evening of half-time performances, music, fan giveaways, and of course basketball! Going to my first ever NBA was a sensory overload - it was a spectacle of keeping you constantly entertained for the 3 hours that you were in the Toyota Center - home of the Houston Rockets. Having grown up playing basketball, I enjoyed watching the pros on the court, pulling off moves that I've only dreamt of doing. Due to the large number of fixtures in the NBA season, there will be lots of opportunities for you to catch a Rockets game. Tip - if you're on a budget, go to a mid-week game and tickets are often cheaper. Games against less popular teams are also cheaper. We managed to pick up tickets for about $30 for a Saturday night game against the Brookyln Nets.

When travelling to the Toyota Center, allow lots of time before the game to soak up the atmosphere, get any snacks, and have a wander around the stadium. It will be very busy, so allow extra time for everything.

Houston Walking Tour 🏙️

Despite generally being an un-walkable city, downtown Houston actually offered a free walking tour! I found one on GuruWalk called "The Complete Walking Tour of Houston: History, Architecture, Street Art". Run by a native Houston, John, he mentioned that this was pretty much the only walking tour in the southwest of the USA. It took us through some of the key spots in the city center, including:

• Market Square Park

• Islamic DA'wah Center

• The Rice

• 1910 Harris County Courthouse

• and many murals by famous artists.

Why each of these places are interesting I'll let you find out for yourself, but this was a nice alternative way of exploring Houston. I'm a big fan of doing walking tours wherever I travel (as you can probably tell from my other blogs), as it's a cheap and detailed way to get to know a place.

Houston Museum of Natural Science 🧪

If you've been to the Science Museum in London, this had a similar vibe. We specifically went on a field trip to visit the Weiss Energy Hall, an entire floor dedicated to the energy sector which was very interesting. The HMNS has plenty of other exhibits to look at, and you can easily spend half a day here. It is located in the museum district of downtown, so there are other attractions located nearby.

Buc-ee's! 🦫

I had never heard of Buc-ee's, nor understood its significance in the US until I saw it for myself. Founded in 1982, Buc-ee's are the equivalent of UK 'service stations' along the motorway. Buc-ee's is a Texas-based convenience store and travel center, building it's name through having the cleanest bathrooms in any travel center in the States!

It's so popular in fact that it's become a bit of a tourist attraction. Entering one of their branches, it's more like a superstore of everything you would need on a road trip and more: food stations, snacks, clean restrooms, 100+ pump gas stations, and of course plenty of Buc-ee's merch! Their largest branch is in Luling, Texas, with 120 gas pumps and 75,000 square feet of store.

While I wouldn't go out of your way to visit Buc-ee's, check where the nearest one is to you when in Houston. If it's on the way to your next destination, definitely pop and in you'll be surprised!

Houston Premium Outlets 🛍️

Although I'm not a big fan of shopping myself, the outlet shopping malls in Houston are worth paying a visit to. Compared to the UK, they are far larger and offer a better range of clothing, footwear and accessories. It feels exactly like a regular shopping center, except everything is outlet price. Houston Premium Outlets is a good one to visit - although 35mins from downtown so you'll need to allow at least half a day to go there. It offers over 140 designer brands, some of which have pretty good deals on. There is a food court there too, with some decent options. I picked up a few bits and pieces, but as always check what the price is elsewhere so you know you're actually getting a good deal.

PS: All the label prices exclude tax!

Plant-based in Houston 🌱

Food was something I wasn't quite sure about when visiting the US for the first time. I've heard mixed reviews about how good the vegan food is in the States, and going to Texas of all places I didn't have my hopes high. However, I'd say the food choices were decent - although lagging behind the UK & Australia still. Below are a few places I've highlighted that I think have decent vegan options are are worth supporting.

One thing I'd also add about the US restaurant scene that it is quite easy to eat unhealthily for quite a cheap price, and finding 'healthy' restaurants can be tricky. But they do exist, so if you do have any dietary requirements I'd recommend you do your research before coming here.

Flower Child 🥗

Probably my favourite restaurant that I visited whilst in Houston, Flower Child served nourishing, filling vegan food that hit the spot. I'd say this restaurant is more health focussed than other places, which is great if you don't want greasy, oily fast food. Some dishes I recommend are:

• Mother Earth bowl - ancient grains, sweet potato, portobello mushroom, avocado, cucumber, broccoli pesto, charred onion, leafy greens, red pepper miso vinaigrette, hemp seed.

• "Forbidden" Rice - black pearl, red japonica, snap pea, bok choy, broccoli, carrot, onion, toasted sesame, red chili hoisin

• Chocolate pudding - sprouted almond, toasted coconut

Cava 🧆

Fast food gone Mediterranean is how I would describe Cava. My go-to here was the Crispy Falafel pitta - Falafel, hummus, roasted eggplant, pickles, cabbage slaw, tomato + onion, garlic dressing, skhug. Super filling and reasonably priced too. Cava stores are pretty popular across Texas, so you can find them in other cities like Dallas.

Cascabel 🌮

A fully vegan restaurant serving Mexican eats in Houston, Cascabel was the best Tex-Mex I had during my 5 weeks in the States. They have a great outdoor dining area, complete with live music, perfect for a warm evening in February. I got the taco platter - 5 tacos with a choice of fillings, served with salsa, rice and beans. Super filling, and so delicious!

And with that finishes my summary of what Houston was like. It was a great first experience to the US and it's culture, and I enjoyed my month there. Very different from what I was used to growing up in the UK in all aspects - but I enjoy visiting places like that. Despite having limited exploration time, I hope I've shown that there's loads to do, eat and see in H-Town!

Now for a word on travel insurance...

Something that I always do is take out travel medical insurance. You never know when you're going to need it, and would rather have that piece of mind knowing you are covered. But for my multi-trip adventures, getting travel insurance was sometimes a bit tricky. Multiple countries, different start and end destinations, it can be hard to find the right cover for that. Which is where SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance comes in, with a specific USA add on. No one wants a medical emergency whilst in the US 😥. The Nomad Insurance Essential Offered by SafetyWing provides short term coverage for any medical/travel related issues when abroad, while their Noman Insurance Complete plan covers longer stays and routine care. Feel free to click the button below to get started, and happy travels!

Last year, for 6 months my work took me to the middle of the Central North Sea - working offshore as an engineer. As I think most people would agree, this is quite an "unusual" place of work, especially as someone who grew up in London where the majority of my friends/family have corporate jobs in the city. Therefore, when I mentioned to someone what I do, it often generated a lot of follow-up questions - which is why I thought I'd put together a blog of things I've been asked and share it with you all. I'll focus more on the lifestyle/general experience of what working on an offshore installation is like, as opposed to job-specific details which can vary greatly. Everyone will have a different experience and view of their time working offshore, so this blog will focus on my personal take on it (and does not represent the views of anyone else).

Where do you exactly work offshore?

The word "offshore" doesn't mean much to people, and usually it is generalised to be working on an "oil rig". But we can be more specific here. There are different types of offshore installations, each with their own design and purpose. So, if someone works offshore, they could be working on a :

• Platform - this is the stereotypical 'oil rig' image I had in my head before starting work. A platform is a structure with topsides (what is above the sea level) and a jacket (the legs of the platform under the sea that go down to the sea bed). These are fixed structures, they cannot be moved around.

• Semi-submersibles - These are platforms that float, often using pontoons that are 'semi-submerged' into the water (you can see where the name comes from, right?). Semi-submersibles in the energy industry can be drilling rigs, but can also include equipment for petroleum production 🛢️.

• Jack-up - you can think of a jack-up a bit like a platform that can move. Jack-ups are usually only used for drilling, and have legs that can be raised/lowered into the sea.

• Vessel - this group includes a variety of ships that carry out different purposes: supply vessels, drill ships and many others. Vessels (of course) are floating installations, that can be easily moved from one location to another.

The above are just a few of the types of installations someone could be working on offshore, but the entire list is much larger. Types of installations vary across the world, according to the environmental conditions and what type of job is required. In my case, I spent 6 months on a jack-up drilling rig in the Central North Sea. Until you arrive there, it's hard to imagine how big some of these structures are - a really cool bit of engineering and design placed in the middle of nowhere.

How do you get to the offshore installation?

Chopper! 🚁

Working in the North Sea, my commute to work was in a Sikorsky S-92 - a twin engine helicopter capable of carrying up to 18 passengers and some light cargo. Aberdeen heliport was the departure location, which was just around the corner from the domestic airport. Heliports work in a very similar way to your regular airport, with their own luggage requirements, banned items, security etc. The main difference is the fact you have to put on a survival suit & lifejacket prior to boarding your flight, and certain certificates have to be in place for you to work offshore (more on that below).

The flight times vary depending on what installation you are flying to, but for me it was about a 1 hour journey from Aberdeen to the rig. Boarding the chopper, you do feel a bit like you're in a Top Gun movie 😎(minus the looks!), and once up in the air it's a pretty smooth flight. It's interesting how quickly taking a helicopter to work got normalised for me - my first ever flight was exciting (mixed with a bit of nerves), but you get accustomed to it pretty quickly.

Do you have to do any specific training before working offshore?

The short answer - yes. There are 2 main qualifications you need to have in place before working offshore in the North Sea. Again, this varies region by region around the world, but for me it was the:

1. BOSIET - Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training. This was a 3 day training course which taught me how to respond to emergencies when working offshore. The course covered a range of topics which were both classroom and practical based, including:

• • First aid 💊

  • Firefighting 🧯

  • Sea survival 🛟

  • Helicopter safety and escape training - including helicopter underwater escape training (HUET). This is where you're strapped into a model helicopter cabin that is submerged and rotated underwater in a large pool 🏊, to get you to practice escaping from the emergency exits whilst underwater.

2. MIST - Minimum Industry Safety Training is a classroom based learning programme for offshore workers. Building upon the BOSIET course, it took me through various topics which were assessed at the end to pass.

What are the living quarters like?

The easiest way to think about my room offshore was like the inside cabin of a cruise ship 🚢 - basic but had everything I needed. My room had 2 beds (for a day and night shift each), TV, desk and ensuite bathroom. In all honesty, you don't spend much time awake in your room so it did the job. Beyond that, the accommodation block also had a gym 🏋️, sauna, cinema room 🎦, games room 🃏 and living rooms - plenty of space to chill out and destress once your shift ends. There is also a galley where all 3 meals are provided for you 🍽️, an on-board hospital ⚕️, changing rooms to put on your PPE and office spaces within the accommodation block. When I was inside, you can sometimes forget you're working in the middle of nowhere in some of the harshest environments as it was quite comfortable - only difference is that when you look out the window all you see is the deep blue water 🌊!

What do you do in your free time?

Offshore work is shift work, meaning operations happen 24/7 with 2 crews: a day shift and night shift. You're looking at a typical day being 12-14 hours long. Hence in the evenings I always tried to rest up and make sure I was getting my sleep, otherwise a 3-week hitch can get quite tiring. Usually, after clocking out for the day I would head to the gym for an hour or so, followed by either calling home/catching up on life-admin, hop in the shower and then head to bed. You do end up building quite a regular routine on the rig, which I enjoyed. With not much else to do - the gym became my go-to activity 💪.

Is there Wi-Fi?

Yes, I have been asked this by multiple people, and yes, we do have Wi-Fi 📶! Nowadays offshore installations are very well connected to the rest of the world, either through subsea ethernet cables to shore, satellite connection, radio, or a combination of all of the above. We were able to fully stay connected to the team in the office, as well as have Wi-Fi throughout the rig. It was therefore nice being able to watch the F1 GP on a Sunday afternoon despite being at work!

What kind of jobs are there offshore?

There are a huge range of jobs required offshore. Like if you were on land, you need all the same types of job on the rig. From engineers and 3rd party contractors who were specialists in various skills, to chefs, maintenance teams, mechanics, medics, radio operators, stewards and a few I've probably forgotten - there is a diverse range of jobs available. Working on a rig means you and your team have to self sufficient in some senses - you can't just call up someone to come and fix it.

What does a day-in-the-life look like for you?

My days looked vaguely similar - but offshore things usually don't go as planned. Thus being flexible and prioritising your tasks is important. A typical day shift would look something like this for me:

• 0530 - Wake up and get ready

• 0600 - Arrive at the office and finish writing the daily operations report

• 0630 - Pre-shift meeting with the day crew on what will be happening in the next 12 hours.

• 0645 - Breakfast in the galley

• 0715 - Admin/work as required

• 0815 - Meeting with the onshore team to update on progress

• 0900 - Carry on with daily tasks depending on operation. I'll be in the office/outside at this point

• 1215 - Lunch

• 1300 - Meeting with the onshore team to plan upcoming operations

• 1400 - Carry on with daily tasks depending on operation. I'll be in the office/outside at this point

• 1700 - Start putting together the daily operations report for today (which will be finished the following morning)

• 1830 - Dinner

• 1900 - End of shift. This can vary depending on how busy you are

• 1930 - Gym

• 2030 - Go to my room and chill. Phone home/Netflix/life admin/shower.

• 2200 - Bedtime

What is the working environment like?

I enjoyed the working environment offshore. You meet a diverse group of people from all walks of life - more so than in an office environment. As you're all working and living together, naturally you spend a lot of time with the crew, allowing you to get to know them beyond their job. The fact that my work was a mixture of office and site-work meant the days flew by - I would always be out and about on the rig floor looking at the operations or talking to others. I would also say people offshore are generally quite straight talking, i.e., they mean what they say! People were also happy to help me as a new starter when I first arrived, which made settling into offshore life a lot easier.

How long do you spend offshore before going home?

I worked a '3 on, 3 off' rota - this meant I would spend 3 weeks offshore working, and then have 3 weeks of holiday. It was very much a 'work hard play hard' lifestyle, where you're either giving your personal or professional life 100% of your time or energy. Reflecting on this, I think it's something great to do when you're young and have fewer responsibilities - my time off mostly consisted of travelling (check out my other blogs!), but long term I was unsure if I'd want to do it full time 😅.

What's the weather like?

The North Sea can give you everything, and with the different seasons comes completely different weather. During my 6 months there, some days were completely still, clear skies and amazing sunsets ☀️. Others had 85mph winds 🌬️, 7m seas, lightening ⚡ and snow ❄️. Be prepared for all types of weather when offshore - it really makes you realise how insignificant you are against mother nature!

Did you get seasick?

No - the rig I was on was a jack-up drilling rig, meaning it had legs and did not float/move with the waves. I haven't been on a semi-sub/vessel yet, so my sea sickness tolerance is still unknown...

Do you have to wear any special clothing?

Apart from in the accommodation block, any time you're walking around the rig full PPE is required 👷. Working offshore is still a hazardous environment to be in, and safety is always number 1 priority. The PPE consists of:

• Steel toe safety boots

• Coveralls that are fire resistant

• Helmet

• Safety glasses

• Safety gloves

• Ear defenders

What is the food like?

One of the most important factors offshore! Good food after a long shift definitely improves my mood and made time out there easier. All means are provided in the galley, where you can eat as much as you want. As a vegan, I was pleasantly surprised with how good the food was - the chefs made a real effort to accommodate for me which I appreciated a lot. The meals are filling and hit the spot after a long day. 3pm was usually biscuits/cake time - jammy dodgers were my go-to snack 🍪.

And that concludes my blog on an overview of life at sea! It's a whole different world out there, which seems pretty distant from all the things that civilisation has on land. However, I had a great 6 months - it's not everyday your office is in such a remote location. Being part of the energy sector upstream at the source was super interesting, and the environment created a huge learning curve of personal growth for me. Offshore life isn't for everyone, but I hope I've been able to share with you some insights into what some people do for a living!

To anyone out there reading this that has any more questions, feel free to reach out and I would be more than happy to have a chat. Other than that, thanks for reading!

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Portugal has been on my to-visit list for a while, and what better time to go than to catch some winter sun that was still about in southern Europe. This blog covers what I did in Lisbon whilst travelling with my cousin, and also (importantly!) picks out a few of my top vegan places to eat in the city.

This trip was also combined with a 5 day visit to Porto, a city 3 hours drive away from Lisbon to the north - more on that can be found in my previous blog.

The map below shows all the spots I hit during my travels including: accommodation, food, attractions, airport etc. This will give you a good idea of where everything is location in relation to one another.

Transport to/in Lisbon

Lisbon is easy to navigate, either via public transport or on foot. Lisbon airport also has regular flights to most European destinations, often at decent prices. What I liked about the public transport was that you could pay for it using contactless - although a cheaper option is to get a daily ticket if you're going to be using it a lot.

• Taxi/Uber - Like Porto, Ubers in Lisbon are relatively well priced to use. That being said, the public transport was so good that I didn't end up taking a taxi to go anywhere.

• Metro - By far the easiest way to move around the city centre is on the metro. Lisbon has 4 lines which are conveniently colour coded, making it a simple version of the London tube map.

• Bus - If you're travelling from greater Lisbon or suburbs, the buses often connect smaller regions to a metro or train station.

• Tram - Lisbon's original transport network was tram based, and you can still ride the number 28 tram (the original tram route) today. More on that later. Newer tram routes have also been implemented. The best way to figure out what to use is to check on Google maps for the optimal route.

• On foot - Like Porto, the majority of Lisbon can be explored on foot. It is again a city filled with hills, so there is a lot of walking uphill/downhill. When it rains, the pavements often become quite slippery so shoes with good grip are recommended.

Things to do in Lisbon

Lisbon Walking Tour

The Lisbon Walking Tour took 3 hours and was very extensive, covering all the main points in Lisbon as well as specific viewpoints of the city. Some facts I remember include:

• Lisbon's transition from a dictatorship to democracy was done peacefully, with 'red roses rather than guns'.

• Until 1974, 30% of Portugal could not read or write.

• Portugal only relatively recently opened up to the global economy. You only have to go back as soon as 2005 to find it in a naïve state.

• Some of the popular areas in Lisbon include:

  • Barrio Alto - the party place in Lisbon.

  • Baxia - the more bougee and upmarket area.

  • Alfama - the oldest quarter of the city.

• In the 16th century, Lisbon had a magnitude 8.1 earthquake, which ended up destroying a lot of the city.

Lisbon Walking Tour

Sunset at Miadouro da Graca

Miradouro da Graca gives sweeping views over the city as well as being a great spot to catch the sunset. It can get quite busy up there so I would advise you to come at least 30mins before sunset is scheduled to get a good viewing spot.

Sunset at Miadouro da Graca

No. 28 Tram

On august 14, 1890, the first cable car went into Lisbon. Since then, the city has had the addition of cars and buses, yet the popularity of the tram has made a resurgence with tourists thanks to Tram 28. Famous as it takes you through the historical neighbourhoods of Graca, Alfama, Baxia and Estrela, we decided to give it a go.

Starting at Martim Moniz, we took a shuttle bus that took us to the start of the 28E route. It was a bit confusing at first (as there is also a route 28), so if unsure just ask the driver where you should wait for the tram. To pay, we had decided to get a day travel pass, which also covers Tram 28. The ride itself was a cool experience. Winding through the narrow streets of Lisbon, the tram with it's wooden interior made it's way up and down hills and around suburbs. Getting on early (at 0730) definitely was advantageous, as the tram was not busy at all and we managed to get a seat. The tram route terminated at Baxia, from which point we started making our way to Belém. More on that below.

Belém

Belém is a laid-back, quiet region closer to the mouth of the Tagus River, heading west from Lisbon. It is known for a few things (seafood, restaurants and decorated houses), however most famously resides there the Tower of Belém, a Monastery, and the original patisseries for the Pastel de Natas. You can get the 15E tram from near Baxia which takes you straight here.

Belém Tower was built between 1514 and 1520. Originally built to defend the city, it transformed over the years into a lighthouse and customs centre. The tower also had the purpose of welcoming ships into the city, and to flex the might of the Portuguese empire during it's colonial period. Visitors to Belém do have the option to get a paid ticket to go in the tower, however we decided to admire it from the outside.

Close by to the tower also lies the Jerónimos Monastery, one of the most visited sites in Lisbon. It is a huge building that runs parallel to the river, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Queues for the Monastery can easily stretch down the street, so if you're looking to visit come before it opens to avoid waiting ages. Interestingly, the history of the Monastery and Pastel de Natas have more in common than I thought. The original recipe for the Pastel de Belém came from the monks, who had spare egg yolk left over after using the whites to dye their clothes. From this, combining it with some flour and sugar, was born the Pastel de Belém, and what is now everywhere else referred to as the Pastel de Nata. The bakery, Pastel de Belém, exists a short walk from the Monastery, where they still follow the ancient recipe from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Unfortunately, no vegan options, but still a cool piece of history!

LX Factory

Previously home to Lisbon's textile industry, LX Factory has now been transformed into a hub for food, drink, independent retailers and art. Giving off similar vibes to Camden Town back home in London, I'd describe it as quite a hip area with lots going on. We had a wander through the stalls of various vendors, and also grabbed some lunch there. LX Factory is roughly halfway between Belém and Lisbon's city centre, so made for a convenient pit stop on our way back from Belém.

LX Factory

Other things to do

I didn't end up going to these, but was recommended:

• Sao Jorge Castle & Cathedral

• Lisbon Cathedral

• Monsanto Park

• Jardim Botanico de Lisboa

Plant-based in Lisbon

Veganapati

Diwali was being celebrated whilst I was in Lisbon, so it was only right for me to go and get some Indian food! Veganapati serves up Indian as well as other international cuisines, and is completely vegetarian/vegan. I'd also say it was very reasonably priced. There is lots to choose from, and over the course of the weekend I actually ended up visiting twice. I tried the uttapam, medu vada and tacos, all of which were delish. Highly recommended spot, that has a laid back atmosphere and friendly staff.

Vegan Nata Chiado

If you're looking for some vegan Pastel de Natas, this is your spot. Specialising in only this, Vegan Nata Chiado make a lovely pastry that they also sell in large boxes (of 6 or 12), should you be looking to take some home for family/friends. Located in Baxia, it is easy to get to and find. The first time I went I got there when it opened, afraid they would completely sell out - turns out they keep making more during the day so that wasn't an issue.

Kong - Food Made with Compassion

Portuguese cuisine is typically meat and fish heavy, so finding out that Kong did vegan versions of traditional Portuguese dishes was a hit. I tried the Bitoque - a seitan steak with special mustard sauce, accompanied with fries and rice. A combination that I wouldn't think worked, but it did. The interior of the restaurant is nicely designed, and being situated on the first floor means you get a nice view of the street below.

Vegan Buffet

It's in the name, all you can eat vegan buffet for €12.50! They had a good range of salads, curries, noodles and desserts on offer, with friendly staff. I also tried a 'Guarana' soft drink - made from a plant native to the Amazon rainforest.

Therapist LX Factory

If you're looking for brunch, Therapist in LX Factory has a range to offer, from curries to French toast. I tried the Pad Thai, which was more like a Thai green curry, but still tasted good. It's not a fully vegan spot, but there's enough options to keep you happy.

Comoba

Our final food stop before heading to the airport to come home was Comoba, a brunch place near Timeout Market Lisbon. Whilst we didn't eat at Timeout Lisbon, we did have a wander through it and it seemed like there was loads going on - I even spotted a few vegan options! Keep it in mind if you're looking for a buzzing and vibrant place to come in the evenings.

Comoba did a really good breakfast burrito with tempeh, with the tomato and chilli sauce elevating the dish. It was super filling (just as well as my flight home got delayed by 1.5 hours!), but I would say on the more pricey side.

And with that wraps up my Portuguese travels. Lisbon was a lovely city to spend time in over a weekend - I feel that was enough time to see all the main sights of the city, with the added bonus of going to Belém. We got really lucky with the weather, it was sunny over the weekend and only rained on travel days - if it was otherwise I think we would have done a lot less, as most the sightseeing is done outside. Like Porto, I enjoyed the spell of warm weather in November, and would recommend Lisbon to anyone who is looking for a short getaway.

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Portugal has been on my to-visit list for a while, and what better time to go than to catch some winter sun that was still about in southern Europe. This blog covers what I did in Porto whilst travelling solo, and also (importantly!) picks out a few of my top vegan places to eat in the city.

This trip was also combined with a weekend visit to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal - more of that to follow in a later blog. After visiting the 2 cities, I would say I personally preferred Porto. It's walkability, old town charm and culture that hasn't yet been fully eroded by globalisation and mass tourism meant I got a good feel for what a Portuguese city is really like.

The map below shows all the spots I hit during my travels including: accommodation, food, attractions, airport/bus terminals etc. This will give you a good idea of where everything is location in relation to one another.

Transport to/in Porto

Travelling from the UK, flying into Porto was no problem, with many flight options on offer. It's about a 2 hour journey, whilst remaining in the same time zone as London. Upon arrival, to get into the city centre you have a few options:

• Taxi/Uber - The price of Uber is relatively cheaper here compared to places like London, and so I opted to get one of those which cost me ~€15. Local taxis are usually waiting by the arrival terminal too, but I'm not sure what they charge in comparison.

• Metro - Another option which would have worked well if you're travelling light is to take the metro from the airport. Porto's metro system is simple and easy to understand, and connects you to all the main spots in the city. I used the metro to get from my accommodation to the bus terminal when leaving for Lisbon, and I had no issues

• Porto TIC Campanhã Bus Terminal - If you're arriving/leaving Porto by bus, there is a huge bus terminal under the Campanhã train station. I used Flixbus (a bus company) to get from Porto to Lisbon. It's fairly cheap and easy to use. The buses also travel internationally to other European destinations. One thing to note: the bus terminal can be a bit tricky to find, so upon arrival at the train station ask someone for directions!

• On foot - the majority of my time in Porto was spent exploring on foot. I find it's the best way to get to know a city and means you spot little details as you wander around. Be warned, Porto is very hilly/steep, with the city rising steadily as you move away from the Douro River. For this reason, I opted to travel with a duffel backpack as opposed to a suitcase - making it much easier to climb stairs.

Things to do in Porto

Visit the Luís I Bridge

The apartment I was staying in was right under the Luís I Bridge, a double deck metal arch bridge that spans the river Douro between the cities of Porto (north side of the river) and Vila Nova de Gaia (south side). It was built in 1877 by Teófilo Seyrig, an individual who worked closely with Gustave Eiffel (yup, that Eiffel Tower!). The bridge is worth coming to see, but I'm sure as you're exploring Porto you will pass it at some point. Visit at day and night, and be sure to walk across the top deck to get to Vila Nova de Gaia. From the bridge you can get great views of the city with the river winding through it.

Luís I Bridge

Porto Walking Tour

I always love doing a walking tour when I visit a new city, as it gives you an overview of the main sights whilst telling you the historical background of the place. I usually use GuruWalk to book my walking tours, as it has lots of choice. The Porto walking tour lasted about 2.5 hours, and took us all over the city. Some of the trivia that I can remember included:

• The Portuguese Centre of Photography used to be a jail until 1976.

• Portugal has only been a democracy since 1974. Prior to this, it was a dictatorship for the majority of the 20th century.

• "Portugal" means centre port.

• The university of Porto has 200,000 students.

• Sao Bento Train Station has more than 20,000 blue tiles - originally coming from the Arabic countries.

I'll let you visit Porto and find out the rest of the facts yourself! These walking tours are free to book, but work on a 'pay what you feel' basis. I really like this concept as it's up to you to choose how much to pay, with no pressure to either.

Porto Walking Tour

Ingreja do Carmo Porto

Ingreja do Carmo is a church for the monks that I visited. What's interesting about this building is next to it is the Ingreja dos Carmalitas, the church for nuns. Between then is a 1m wide house that separates both churches. This house was inhabited until the 1980s, and you can still go in and see the rooms. The church itself was interesting - as I found out on the walking tour real donated human hair was used on the statues of Jesus Christ inside...👀.

Watch the Sunset at Jardim do Morro

Jardim do Morro is a park located on the south side of the river, officially in the Vila Nova de Gaia part. It's popular to watch the sunset from, and on a clear day the city of Porto looks fabulous at dusk. The park usually has live music playing at that time, so it's worth coming early and soaking in the atmosphere with the other sunset chasers that have gathered. The easiest way to get there is to use the top deck of the Luis I Bridge.

Vila Nova de Gaia Walking Tour

The Porto Walking Tour covered the north side of the city. If you're interested in learning more about the other side of the river, the Vila Nova de Gaia walking tour is a good way to do it. Whilst the south of the river is mainly known for it's wine and port cellars, the walking tour also put it into historical context. Some trivia included:

• Originally Porto was predominantly Christian, and Gaia was mostly Muslim. This lead to conflicts over time which the Christians eventually won.

• Gaia was originally considered quite unsafe, hence people from Porto did not want to live there. Gaia is also a lot newer than Porto as it was this part of the city that was bombed and damaged over the years (Napoleon is partly to blame for that).

• Before the Luis I Bridge was constructed, people used boats to get from Porto to Gaia.

• Gaia stores port and wine that was made in the Douro Valley.

  • The colour and taste of Port depends on the years of maturity and the amount of oxygen that is let in.

• Portugal is the world's biggest producer of cork. Cork is the only natural ingredient that allows 10-15% of oxygen to come through into the port.

Vila Nova de Gaia Walking Tour

Palácio da Bolsa

Palácio da Bolsa is open for guided tours, and if you've got a free hour I would recommend you come and visit. The only way to visit is through a guided tour, and they can get quite popular depending on time of day. Palácio da Bolsa is used as the centre of trade, commerce and business in Porto. Despite being called a palace, the Royal Family never resided there. The tour of the meeting rooms was most interesting, where I saw the original office of Gustave Eiffel during this time in Porto.

Palácio da Bolsa

Livria Lello

A visit to this famous bookstore is a must-do for bookworms. Livria Lello inspired J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, during the years she lived in Porto. However, having visited the bookstore once I would no go again - finding it too commercialised and touristy. The best time of day to go to avoid queues is towards the end, from 17:45 onwards (it closes at 19:00).

Livria Lello

Crowds aside, the bookstore itself is very nice, with an elegant staircase taking you up to the first floor which had a whole range of books. I managed to find the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy in Portuguese, and saw some other classics on offer. If you do decide to visit, I would go with the €8 ticket option and arrive early so you're at the front of the queue for your allocated timeslot.

Porto Bike Tour

Exploring on foot is great, but there's only so far you can travel. I opted to explore the greater regions of Porto on 2 wheels, doing a ~20km bike tour starting in the city centre. It took me from the old town out to the coast and back. It was a great way to explore the other suburbs that Porto has (such as Foz), and explore some lovely parks. I wouldn't say I'm very confident with road cycling, but the guide was great and cycling in Porto is pretty chill.

Snaps from the Porto Bike Tour

Other things to do

I didn't end up going to these, but was recommended:

• Porto Cathedral

• Visit Estádio do Dragão, home of Porto FC

• Do a wine tasting tour in the Douro Valley

• Parque de Serralves - treetop walk

• Mercado do Bolhao - traditional market selling fresh produce
  

Plant-based in Porto

Francesinhas

A Francesinha is a Porto sandwich that originally is made with layers of toasted bread, assorted hot meats, cheese and covered in a hot beer-based sauce. I found a place that did the vegan version of this classic dish and decided to give it a go. Francesinhas da Baxia was the spot, and I went for the seitan based version of the Francesinha.

In all honesty, I wasn't impressed with this dish. Very heavy and lacked much flavour, it's quite rich if it's your first time having one. I probably wouldn't have it again, and if you're planning on trying it I would go halfsies with someone first.

Odetebakery

Portugal is also known for it's Pastel de Natas - an egg custard tart pastry. Outside of Portugal, these tarts are also common in former Portuguese colonies such as Brazil, Mozambique, Goa and East Timor. Odetebakery is a 100% vegan spot which sells the Pastel de Nata, so you know I had to go and try one! First thoughts - it was delicious. The combination of a crispy outer pastry with a gooey custard filling works so well. I recommend getting a cup of coffee to accompany it (per volume, coffee in Portugal is very cheap, costing ~€1.50 for an espresso).

Odetebakery itself is set away from the main area on Porto, on a quiet residential street. Get there early to avoid missing the Natas, as they make them fresh daily. The bakery is also a great stop for a sandwich (I tried the Mediterranean one) for lunch.

Timeout Market Porto

The Timeout Market in Porto is nice to visit and window shop, but has very limited vegetarian, let alone vegan, options. I wouldn't recommend eating here, although I did pick up a burger from Bursco Burgers (which was average and overpriced for what it was). It's nice to wander around and maybe grab a drink.

daTerra

If you're sick of eating junk food when on holiday, this is the vegan spot for you. Their dinner buffet range was amazing, a great variety of healthy options on offer for a reasonable price of ~€12.50. During the day, daTerra also sell pastries and coffee, so it's somewhere you can keep coming back to. My dinner consisted of plenty of salad, rice dishes, hummus and grilled veggies - just what I was craving!

Kind Kitchen

Another vegan spot that I would highly recommend is Kind Kitchen. I ordered the Kind Poke for lunch, consisting of sushi rice, tofu, soy beans, mango and pickled onions. It was filling and delicious, and I probably didn't need to order the Pastel de Nata and coffee that followed (oh well, I was on holiday 🙈).

Nola Kitchen

I gave the Beet Burger a go at Nola Kitchen, and was impressed with it. Nice to have a black bean and beetroot based patty as opposed to a Beyond Burger (which I was a bit sick of at this point). The dish was served piping hot, including the sweet potato fries. They didn't skimp out on the avocado either which I appreciated.

Apuro

The last vegan-friendly spot I've got for you is Apuro. A bar/restaurant, it had a laid back and friendly atmosphere to it. I got the Katsu and homemade lemonade and mint drink for dinner - both of which were tasty. The staff are also lovely, so be sure to pay them a visit.

And with that wraps up the first part of my Portuguese travels. Porto was a lovely city to travel solo - I felt safe and welcome everywhere I went. There were plenty of other solo travellers doing the same thing as me, so some days I had company to explore the city with. The warm temperatures, even at the end of October, make it a nice place to visit in the off-season. Next up, Lisbon!

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In September this year I spent a week in Lincolnshire - an area of the country I would say isn't on most holidaymaker's radars. However, if you're looking for a quiet, peaceful getaway with ample walking opportunities (both coastal and inland), Lincolnshire might just be the place for you. This blog will go into some of the walks we did during the week, as well as a day trip to the city of Lincoln.

The map below shows where we were staying relative to the walking locations and the city:

Accommodation

For those unfamiliar with where Lincolnshire is, it's a county in the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber regions on England. From London it was about a 3.5 hour drive (without stops) to get to our accommodation for the week. Depending on what you're looking for, there are various options of places to stay (hotels, lodges, B&Bs etc). We stayed at Kenwick Park, an estate just south of Louth that was home to lodges, a gold club, hotel and spa. We would use this as our base for the week to get to the various start points of our walks.

Kenwick Park was located inside the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape, a range of low hills that run roughly parallel with the North Sea coast, from the Humber Estuary to the Lincolnshire Fens. In 1949 it was decided that the Wolds should be protected as Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONBs).

During our week, I'd say we got quite lucky with the weather and caught the last of the summer sun. September is definitely an off-peak time to visit Lincolnshire, with schools back on and most people at work. However, as the saying goes in many Nordic countries, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!". That makes September a perfectly reasonable time to visit, if you're prepared.

Walks & Hikes

Chapel Point to Anderby Creek

• Distance: 8.85km

Chapel Point to Anderby Creek was 1 of 2 coastal walks we did whilst in Lincolnshire, and was a great way to explore the undeveloped, quiet beaches that lie between the more touristy Skegness and Mablethorpe. There are various points where you can park and join this circular route from - we started at Anderby Creek. The route takes you inland in one direction, with the trail behind the sand dunes. On the return trip, you will walk along the beach back to the car park.

At one end lies the North Sea Observatory, a purpose built marine observatory with fantastic views of the dunes and sea. It has an observation area, café and hosts activities year around, so worth checking out when you get there. Public toilets are also open at the observatory. Be sure to look out into sea, and you may be able to spot the huge wind farms that have been developed in this part of the North Sea.

The North Sea Observatory & Beach Huts

Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve

South of Skegness is Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve. Started in 1949, it was one of the earliest official Bird Observatories in Britain. That being said, I'm pretty useless at identifying species of birds, so if you're a bit like me Gibraltar Point also makes for a lovely walking spot. There is plenty of parking on site, and you can pick up a map from the building (which also had a team room and gift shop).

The map linked here shows the various routes around the Nature Reserve, with viewpoints over the marshes onto the coast. We didn't end up seeing any birds during our visit, but nonetheless Gibraltar Point is well worth a trip down. Just a heads up - it is a little far from Lincoln / Louth, so I would try to do this along with the North Sea Observatory on the same day to avoid extra driving.

One of the bird watching huts at Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve

In the Footsteps of Roman Legions

• Distance: 12km

Our longest walk of the trip took us through 3 villages, a section of the Viking Way and for a while followed the course of a Roman Road. The Footsteps of the Roman Legions walk links the villages of Fulletby, Tetford and Belchford and the hamlet of Salmonby. This was a walk of moderate difficulty, where we discovered that all of Lincolnshire isn't flat! Starting at Fulletby, the walk took us through mostly paths and tracks, with the occasional field. There are a number of stiles and gates to traverse, and depending on the weather sections can be quite muddy.

I found this walk to be a great way to explore rural Lincolnshire and it's agricultural significance. Many of the fields we walked through were growing all sorts of vegetables, giving you an appreciation of the scale of farming needed to feed a nation (Lincolnshire alone accounts for 30% of the UK's vegetable production, despite only having 5.5% of the country's agricultural land!). I recommend some sturdy walking shoes, and bring a packed lunch and plenty of water to stay fuelled. The villages often have a pub (which may or may not be open) to grab extra refreshments. Do have the map printed out with written instructions to supplement the signage on route.

Donnington on Bain Walk

• Distance: 6.4km

I realised that in the previous walk I never explained what the Viking Way was! The Viking Way is a 149 mile walking route through Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Rutland. It opened in 1976 and reflects the path taken by the Norse invaders on the east of Britain. Many of the walks, such as this one, use sections of the Viking Way. Donnington on Bain is a small village (population of ~350) which sits inside the Lincolnshire Wolds. This 4 mile walk was of easy to average difficulty, and very clearly marked. If you have half a day to spare and are based near Louth, this walk also minimises the amount of travel time to the start point.

The walk consists of paths, tracks and fields, with some elevation at times. Again, I would highly recommend walking shoes for this hike. What I liked about this walk (and all the others) was the routes were quiet when we visited. I bumped into about 5 people (and 3 dogs) on the entire walk - perfect if you're looking for a peaceful walk with friends/family. The village of Donnington on Bain is pretty much a single main street, and streetside parking is plenty.

Lincoln

Along with the nature on offer in Lincolnshire, the city of Lincoln is a must-visit when in the area. The old town is small enough to walk around, and with an extensive bus service you won't need your car to explore the city. Below are 3 of the places we stopped by during our day trip, all located close by to each other.

Lincoln Castle

Built on top a hill overlooking the city in 1068, Lincoln Castle has and still does dominate the Lincoln skyline. It was originally built to control the rebellious north of Great Britain. In the same spot centuries before, the Romans had built their fortress. Lincoln Castle has been really well preserved, and upon visiting there's a few key highlights I would recommended for you to go and see.

Magna Carta Vault

Lincoln Castle is the only place in the world where the original 1215 Magna Carta and 1217 Charter of the Forest can be seen side by side. The Magna Carta (translating to 'The Great Charter') is often regarded as the foundation of democracy in England. The vault is worth seeing and quite surreal to have documents over 800 years old in front of you!

Victorian Prison

Within the walls of the castle also lies the Victorian Prison, built in 1788. You can go inside and see the living conditions and communal quarters, getting and idea of what life was like behind bars. There are 3 floors to explore, with rooms showcasing various aspects of prison life.

Medieval Wall Walk

The wall that surrounds Lincoln Castle can be explored through the Medieval Wall Walk. It is about a third of a mile long, and offers great view of the Cathedral and city. The importance of parts of the wall are well explained in the Grounds Tour (more on that below).

Grounds Tour

We booked onto the Grounds Tour, and found that was the easiest way to learn about the history of the castle. Walls and turrets that we would unknowingly walk past were explained of their importance on this tour, giving you a good understanding of the context. I was recommend to do the tour first, then at your own leisure explore the rest of the grounds based on what interested you most.

Lincoln Cathedral

We spent a good 3-4 hours in the castle, and as a result didn't have time to go inside and explore Lincoln Cathedral. It is almost a thousand years old, and tickets can be bought if you'd like to visit inside. The cathedral is hard to miss - it's huge!

Steep Hill

With an average gradient of 16.12º, you can see where Steep Hill gets it's name from! Today it is a shopping lane with various independent stores, ranging from bookshops to places for afternoon tea. If coming from the city centre, you will pass Steep Hill on your way to Lincoln Castle and Cathedral.

And with that concludes my blog on Lincolnshire! I had a great week there, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, especially during off peak periods. With countryside and the city of Lincoln close by, a trip to Lincolnshire can be split between nature and cultural/historic excursions (if that's what you want). There are many, many more walks that you could do in the area, and Lincoln certainly offers more than I've stated here - but I hope this gives you an idea of what you could get up to. Until next time!

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Over the summer of 2024 I took a trip through Finland, Estonia, Sweden and Denmark - 4 countries in 12 days. Using plane, boat, car and train to move around, I had a great time exploring places that I hadn't been to before. This is the fourth blog of 4, each focussed on one of the places I visited. My final stop took me to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

The above map covers most the spots I visited during my trip, to give you an idea of where everything is located relative to one another.

The Journey to Copenhagen via Rail

This was the first time we were using rail to move between places on my Nordic Adventure - from Stockholm to Copenhagen railway stations. Tickets for journeys like this are available from a range of websites - our choice being Omio. Overall the journey was easy to navigate and follow - with reserved seats for the first (longer) leg of the journey. The trains were clean and comfortable. However, we did experience a delay at the transit platform waiting for our second train - leading to it terminate early in the city of Malmö. As a result, we ended up getting one extra train to reach Copenhagen, but the original ticket we bought covered us for this (no extra cost or admin required).

Both Copenhagen and Stockholm Central Stations are easy to navigate and find your correct platform. Particularly if you're travelling light, the train can be an affordable and comfortable way to travel around the Nordic countries.

Things to do in Copenhagen

Copenhagen Walking Tour

Once again, GuruWalk was the app we used to find a free walking tour that was taking place on a day that suited us. Copenhagen feels similar in size to Stockholm (and definitely bigger than Helsinki and Tallinn). The meeting point was at Copenhagen City Hall, easy to identify and hard to miss. Some walking tour trivia I picked up includes:

• Copenhagen City Hall is one of the easiest places to get married in Europe, due to the very quick civil ceremonies that are held here.

• Copenhagen is the gateway to the Baltic Sea, so back in the day anything that passed through the city was taxed.

• By area, Denmark is one of the biggest (the rank depends what source you look at!) countries in Europe, due to control over Greenland and the Faroe islands.

• Denmark and Sweden have had the most wars between any 2 countries.

• Christiansborg Palace used to be a royal residence. It is now a parliamentary building.

• The Queen of Denmark is Australian.

• The royal family/prime minister/members of parliament are very much part of regular society in Denmark - carrying out daily activities in public with everyone else.

National Museum of Denmark

The day we arrived in Copenhagen was a grey and rainy one, so the National Museum of Denmark was an ideal way to spend an afternoon indoors. We booked ourselves onto a tour of the Viking Exhibition, which covered aspects of Viking life including: raids, beliefs, weapons & jewellery craft and societal structure. Following this, the museum has a range of other exhibitions that are worth having a look at should you have spare time.

Reffen Street Food Market

A visit to the largest street food market in the Nordics is a must when in Copenhagen. Reffen is located by the waterfront and is a hub for food, art, music, drinks in an outdoor and vibrant location, towards the fringes of the city. The area in which Reffen was established was previously a run-down harbourside lot, still evident as you look around at the buildings that surround the market. However it has been transformed into an area which attracts huge numbers over the summer months. And it's not just for the food - events are hosted all season long. I highly recommend popping down one evening when in Copenhagen to check it out. The food was also delicious, more on that below!

Rundetaarn

Completed in 1642, the 34.8m tall Rundetaarn (Round Tower) is one of Denmark's most visited structures. Built by King Christian IV, it was built a a platform for the university observatory and for centuries it was the centre of Danish astronomy. As you walk up the tower, pop into the Library Hall, step into the glass floor in the hollow core looking 25m down, and have a look at the observatory before moving to the viewing platform. The platform on top of the tower gives you 360 views of the city. A must-do attraction in my opinion.

Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens, also known as Tivoli, is an amusement park and garden in Copenhagen. The park opened on 15th August 1843 and is the 3rd oldest amusement park in the world. It is also the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia, and the 5th most in Europe. Despite being an amusement park in nature, I visited Tivoli to explore the gardens and have a walk around. The rides are mixed in with landscaped greenery, meaning you can go from hearing the screams on a roller coaster to peace and quiet in a few steps. Tivoli also has that retro amusement park aesthetic which was quite nice. Being located in the centre of the city makes it super easy to get to. One thing to note: if you do plan on going I would buy your tickets online in advance as the queue can get quite long!

The Lakes

The Lakes consist of three lakes: Sankt Jørgens Sø, Peblinge Sø and Sortedams Sø. Not exactly a tourist attraction, but a lovely place for a walk/run. A walk around all the lakes stretches 6.35km - with plenty of cafes along the way should you need to take a break at any point.

Kastellet

Kastellet is a citadel located in Copenhagen, and one of the best preserved fortresses in Northern Europe. It was founded by King Christian IV in 1626, and today the buildings inside are used as military barracks and offices. The area is free to enter and open to the public, with a nice walk around the perimeter of the citadel possible.

Christiania

Also known as Freetown, Christiania is an interesting place to visit as it is an area of contention and debate in Copenhagen. It was founded in 1971 when a group of people cut a hole in the fence to the military barracks in Bådmandsgade. The area was known for Pusher Street, where you could buy soft drugs such as pot and hash. At present, Christiania is still collectively controlled by those who live in the area. It feels as if the government have little control about what happens in Freetown, and walking around it looks very different to the rest of Copenhagen. Safety has been noted as a cause for concern there due to the presence of organised crime - however when we went we experienced no issues.

Plant based in Copenhagen

Copenhagen did not disappoint when it came to plant based eats. Here are a few of my top spots.

V'Italien

A fully plant based Italian restaurant serving delicious dishes that are presented with care. I went for the 'gnocchi al pesto' - mixed herb pesto, chive oil and crispy potato strings which was really nice.

Vital Foods

Vital Foods are a fully plant-based restaurant serving up some tasty meals. I went with a burrito for lunch and an iced coffee.

Reffen Street Food Market

As I mentioned above in earlier sections, Reffen has some amazing places to eat with dishes from all over the world. I paid a visit to Baobab, a joint that served West African dishes, with plenty of plant-based options. I went for:

• The Classic Domodar - the national dish of Gambia. A peanut better stew with carrots, cabbage and sweet potato served with rice and homemade chilli.

• Friend plantain - served with mango jam.

It was yum!

Bistro Verde

Another plant-based restaurant that we went to for dinner AND to get our hands on some vegan Danish pastries! Bistro Verde do a range of cuisines - and I opted for a middle eastern buddha bowl for dinner.

The following day, we felt like a mid morning snack so found ourselves back at Bistro Verde to try some of their pastries. The traditional Danish pastry is the Spandauer (pastry with vanilla custard and roasted almonds), and we also got the cinnamon roll.

Dinner and pastries at Bistro Verde

And with that, my time Nordic Adventure comes to a close. It was a short metro journey to Copenhagen Airport, then a couple hours later we were back in London. The 12 days through these 4 countries had flown by, but I feel I managed to see a lot of what each city had to offer. It has been really interesting exploring this part of the world, which has it's own way of life and routine compared to other places I've visited. Perhaps requires some further exploration in the future? Who knows! But for now, I hope you've enjoyed this 4-part series, and would love to hear about your experiences in the Nordic Countries!

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Over the summer of 2024 I took a trip through Finland, Estonia, Sweden and Denmark - 4 countries in 12 days. Using plane, boat, car and train to move around, I had a great time exploring places that I hadn’t been to before. This is the third blog of 4, each focussed on one of the places I visited. My third stop took me to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

Explore the full interactive map here

The above map covers most the spots I visited during my trip, to give you an idea of where everything is located relative to one another.

Sailing to Stockholm - The Silja Line

Like in part 2 of my Nordic adventure blogs, we opted to use the ferry to get from Helsinki to Stockholm. However unlike my trip to Tallinn, this journey required an overnight stay on one of the Silja Line cruise ships. We boarded the ferry at 17:00 in Helsinki, and soon after we had navigated our way through the Finnish archipelago and were moving through the Baltic Sea. I use the word ‘ferry’ in my previous sentence, however in reality these ferries can be thought of as mini cruise ships! The Silja Symphony had a whole range of facilities on board to keep you occupied, including:

• A promenade (high street) running through the centre of the ship with shops, restaurants and bars

• Tax-free superstores

• Spa, viewing deck and children’s playroom

• Evening entertainment, a casino and a club.

Depending on your budget, there are a range of rooms to choose from to suit your wallet. The cheaper rooms are situated in the bottom of the ship, below the main deck as they have no windows, with more rooms getting more spacious as you climb higher in the ship.

The Baltic Sea was pretty calm throughout our journey, and so didn’t notice that we were on a ship overnight. As we arrived into Stockholm harbour the following morning, we made our way to the skydeck to get our first glimpse of the Swedish archipelago. Our journey to Stockholm was complete. Time to start exploring the third city on our travels!

Things to do in Stockholm

Stockholm Walking Tour

Once again, GuruWalk was the app we used to find a free walking tour that was taking place on a day that suited us. Stockholm definitely feels bigger than Tallinn and Helsinki, however if you’re staying in a central location it is still very walkable.

Our start point for the walking tour was in Gamla Stan, the medieval centre of Stockholm. Most of the buildings in Gamla Stan date from the 16th and 17th centuries, spread over 4 islands. Something to note about free walking tours is that they operate on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis, so it’s worth having some cash to hand. Some Stockholm trivia I picked up included:

• The word Stockholm = ‘Stock’ (log) + ‘holm’ (island), i.e., an island of logs. Stockholm was originally surrounded by logs to sink ships.

• Traditionally the main exports of Stockholm have been wood and iron.

• The steeple of Riddarholm Church is made of iron - this also functions as a way to advertise what Stockholm can export

• Runestones were used to capture meanings and messages - the stones have been found to be used as building material.

• When walking around Gamla Stan, you may see small pillars on the corners of buildings. This was originally used to prevent damage from large wagons as they would drive around a corner, occasionally chipping away at the wall of a house.

• A phoenix gold crest on a building showed it had insurance - in the event of a fire these buildings would be priorities to be saved first.

• Windows were a symbol of wealth, so they were taxed.

Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum in my opinion is a must-see attraction when in Stockholm. As you enter the building and your eyes adjust to the dimmed lighting, towering above you is the world’s best preserved 17th century ship, at 98% original - the Vasa. This warship sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm on the 10th of August, 1628. After 333 years on the seabed, it was salvaged, restored and displayed to the public. The museum offers free guided tours in a range of languages, which was a really good way to learn more about the Vasa:

• At it’s time, the warship Vasa was the most armoured ship, carrying 64 cannons.

• Gustavo II Adolf ordered the warship to be built in 1625. It was meant to be a statement of Sweden’s power and might, covered in over 800 hand carved statues, with plenty of red and gold to make the ship stand out.

• As it set sail on it’s maiden voyage, the heavy cannons were too high up in the ship, leading to a poor weight distribution and capsizing of the Vasa.

• The remarkable fact that 98% of the Vasa is original is due to the brackish nature of the Baltic Sea, meaning bacteria that usually eat wood did not exist.

Archipelago Tour

Whilst Finland has the largest archipelago by area, Stockholm takes the title for the largest archipelago by the number of islands, with over 30,000. The Stockholm Archipelago Tour took us on a 3 hour trip through some of the many islands, with guided commentary on the history of the islands. As we ventured further away from the city centre, many of these islands had summer houses on them - looking very peaceful indeed. The larger archipelago islands had entire townships on them, with people commuting into Stockholm for work.

Moderna Museet

On Friday evenings from 6-8pm, Moderna Museet in Stockholm has free admission. Often when I find myself walking round an art gallery, I don’t really know what to look for or appreciate. Hence the evening guided tour here was a great way to get a high level understanding about some of the pieces in the museum. Moderna Museet has a range of exhibitions, and the tour focused on the Seven Rooms and a Garden exhibition.

IKEA

You can’t have visited Sweden without visiting an IKEA! More for a bit of fun than anything else, we popped into IKEA City in Stockholm and did some window shopping. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, especially if you then grab some lunch at their restaurant.

Stockholm Royal Palace

Throughout the Nordic countries, most of the cities have a royal palace of some sort in them, so we picked one to visit. The Royal Palace in Stockholm is The King’s official residence and the setting for many formal events. It has more than 600 rooms divided over 11 floors. The guided tour is worth doing if visiting, as it gives you some context on each room as you pass - book this in advance. Whilst in the Royal Palace you feel as if you’ve been transported back to another era where the lifestyle, cultures and traditions are very different from today.

Plant based in Stockholm

Stockholm was great for plant based eats - I had no problem eating varied and yummy food during my 4 days there! Here are just some of the spots I paid a visit to.

Kaffe Plattan

Hands down the best place I ate at in Stockholm. Kaffee Plattan is a 100% vegan spot, located on the bottom floor of Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg, Sweden. They offer everything, from salands, wraps and bowls to desserts and coffee. It was so good we ended up going there twice for food.

Restaurang Panda

If you’re looking for a warm, homely feel restaurant, Restaurang Panda is your spot for Chinese food. With plant-based options always available on the menu and located close by to Stockholm Central Station, it’s a nice spot for lunch or dinner. We ordered the vegetable dumplings, mapo tofu and seasonal veggies with rice.

Verte

Verte is a restaurant and bar serving only plant-based dishes inspired by food from all over the world. They have a quote outside their restaurant that reads “People eat meat and think they will become as strong as an ox, forgetting that the ox eats grass” which I particularly liked.

And with that, my time in Stockholm was over! It had a different vibe to Helsinki and Tallinn, which were all unique in their own ways. A word on logistics - finding accommodation and getting around Stockholm was super easy, with great public transport networks (even from the cruise ship terminals!). My final blog post will conclude my Nordic travels....stay tuned!

Nordic Adventure Map

The above linked map covers most the spots I visited during my trip, to give you an idea of where everything is located relative to one another.

Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, located on the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki. The settlement which has existed there has been under rule from the Danes, Swedish, Russians, Estonians, Germans and finally Estonians again once it declared independence in 1991. Present day Tallinn uses the Euro as it’s currency, and paying by card is widely accepted making it easy to travel in. Note that if you are arriving in Tallinn from a different country, make sure to have the relevant documentation with you.

I’m sure you can spend a few days in Tallinn if you were to visit, however we managed to plan a day trip to the city from Helsinki. There are plenty of ferries crossing the water between the two capitals, so with some planning we organised a day of activities in Tallinn. The ferry takes 2 hours, and by taking a slightly earlier option we were in Tallinn by 09:30. Our ride back was at 19:30, giving us exactly 10 hours to see what this city had to offer!

Things to do in Tallinn

Walking Tour

As I mentioned in part 1 of the Nordic Adventure series, if you’re short on time a walking tour is always the way to go to see most the city. Our morning in Tallinn was exactly that, using the GuruWalk app to see what was on offer the day were there. Tallinn old town is very walkable, and is a well-preserved example of an European medieval city. Some of the trivia and facts I learnt along the way included:

• Tallinn is one of the most well preserved medieval towns in the world.

• The city of Tallinn was originally called ‘Reval’.

• ‘Reval’ translates to the fall of a deer. This relates to a story involving the Kin who was hunting a deer that jumped headfirst off a cliff.

• Merchants used to use Tallinn for access to the silk route from the east to Turkey.

• The height and width of a house indicates wealth, as the area of the frontage was taxed.

• St Olaf’s Church, at one point was the tallest building in the world for ~45 years. It was built as a sign of wealth to attract merchants into Tallinn.

Tallinn Upper Old Town

Tallinn Old Town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997. The network of buildings and narrow cobbled streets date mostly from the 13th-16th century when Tallinn was developing as part of the Hanseatic League. The Upper Old Town is a great spot to admire the rest of the city from, and has multiple viewpoints and attractions of it’s own:

• Cathedral of St Mary and the Church Tower

• St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

• Toompea Castle and Tall Hermann

St Olaf’s Church

The Church is the largest medieval building in Tallinn. It is free to enter, however for a small fee I recommend you get a ticket to go up to it’s 60m high viewing platform. From there you can get views across the whole of Old Town Tallinn.

Fun fact: Lightning is known to have struct the tower of the church many times, 3 of which led to fires and repairs, in 1625, 1820 and 1931.

Balti Jaam Market

Our last stop in Estonia took us from old to new - at Balti Jaam Market. It is a marketplace spread over 3 floors, with nearly 300 traders covering food, coffee, bars, groceries, clothes and more. Worth having a wander around if you’ve got a few hours to kill. The 3 floors are all covered, so come rain or shine you can enjoy the market.

Plant Based in Tallinn

Vegan Restaurant V

Seeing as we were in Tallinn for only 10 hours, we didn’t explore many of the food spots, however lunch was spot on! Vegan Restaurant V, located in Old Town, is Estonia’s first full-vegan restaurant. Serving international cuisine, there is plenty to choose from on the menu. We were also given complimentary traditional Estonian bread to try.

And that wraps up our 10 hours in Tallinn! Arriving back in Helsinki at 21:30, it felt like a long but very fun day. The ferry between Tallinn and Helsinki was very comfortable, with plenty of seating and food outlets. Prior to setting out on my Nordic trip, visiting Tallinn wasn’t even on the radar. However, if you ever find yourself nearby (including in Helsinki), then I highly recommend visiting!

Over the summer of 2024 I took a trip through Finland, Estonia, Sweden and Denmark - 4 countries in 12 days. Using plane, boat, car and train to move around, I had a great time exploring places that I hadn’t been to before. This is the first blog of 4, each focussed on one of the places I visited. First up, we have Finland!

Nordic Adventure Map

The above linked map covers most the spots I visited during my trip, to give you an idea of where everything is located relative to one another.

My 6 days in Finland were split into 3 parts:

• Spending time with friends in the Finnish countryside.

• Making a day trip across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, Estonia (I’ll save this for another blog).

• Exploring Helsinki, the capital city.

The Finnish Countryside

We flew from LHR T3 to Helsinki Airport using Finnair. It was my first time travelling with this airline, and I have to say I was impressed by the quality of the aircraft, entertainment choices and service on board! The 3.5 hour flight was very comfortable (I slept most the way), and before we knew it we had landed in Helsinki.

Logistics-wise, Helsinki is 2 hours ahead of the UK, with the Euro being the currency of choice. Card is widely accepted across the country, but it would be handy to have a small amount of cash on hand just in case. After reuniting with a friend from university at the airport, we began the ~400km drive east towards the town of Punkaharju. A quick grocery stop later, we completed the final bit of our drive and arrived at the summerhouse. Summerhouses are common across Scandinavia and Nordic countries, with families generally visiting their homes in the countryside during the summer months - a way of getting out of the city and spending time with nature. Finland is sparsely populated compared to places like the UK, and so there’s plenty of green countryside with lakes and forests to go round.

The first weekend of my 12 day trip was spent at this summerhouse, and it was a great experience. The lack of background noise, clear dark skies uninterrupted by noise or light pollution, and being surrounded by nature made for a relaxing few days. This included:

• Swimming in the lake

• Disc golf - like regular golf, but with frisbees!

• Visiting Kerimaki Church - the world’s largest Christian wooden church at 45m long, 42m wide and 27m high. 3000 people can sit inside at any time.

• Experiencing a Finnish sauna! - Sauna culture is huge in Finland, with most houses having their own sauna. For a population of 6 million, it is estimated there are 3 million saunas in the country. The summerhouse had a wood fired sauna, with amazing views over the lake. When in Finland, this is something that you must try.

Things to do in Helsinki

After spending a weekend in the countryside, we spent a few days in the capital of Finland, Helsinki. Getting around is affordable and easy, mainly using trams and walking. Accommodation options are plentiful too, and we opted to stay in an Airbnb in a central location - allowing us to walk to most places.

Helsinki Walking Tour

I always try to book a free walking tour when visiting a new place - as it’s a great way to get your bearings of a new city. The Helsinki Walking Tour is available to book through GuruWalk and I highly recommend. It covered the main sights of the city including: Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, the University of Helsinki, Market Square, Esplanade, the Oodi Library and more - with the tour guide explaining as we went along. I always find it to be far more information than I can remember, but some of the facts from the walking tour included:

• Finland is still 78% forested.

• The annual coffee consumption per capita is 12kg - the most in the world.

• The national animal is a reindeer.

• Finland was previously occupied by the Russians and Swedish, and this influence can be seen in the architecture and design of the city.

• The Finnish love their saunas and will have them anywhere - including on a Ferris wheel and 1000m underground in a mine!

  • Be sure to know how to correctly pronounce sauna in Finnish -”s-ow-na”.

• Finland has the largest archipelago in the world by area (Sweden has the largest by the number of islands)

• Finland spends 7-8 months a year with little sunlight. Hence, the summer is warmly welcomed by everyone and people tend to make the most of it.

• A high tax rate (of up to 69%), but high levels of social welfare and infrastructure investment.

• Community > Individualism

Suomenlinna Fortress

Suomenlinna is a sea fortress, which was built gradually from 1748 onwards on a group of islands. It has served to defend 3 sovereign states over the years: the Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire, and the Republic of Finland. It covers an area of 210 hectares, has 200 buildings and 6km of defensive walls. It has also been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites as a unique example of military architecture of its era.

From Helsinki, you can take a short ferry journey across to Suomenlinna. We spent half a day there, starting at the Visitor Centre and walking to King’s Gate, the furthest point away. An out-and-back walk will cover 3km - so the islands are pretty small.

Museum of Contemporary Art

I’m not a huge fan of art, however I did enjoy a visit to Kiasma, the Finnish National Gallery. They had a range of exhibitions on at time of visiting. One that particularly stands out is the “Complaints Choir” exhibition - which was video footage of choirs across the world who use song to voice their complaints about the city.

Oodi Library

Something that stood out to me during the walking tour was the sense of community that Finland has developed - the idea of people coming together in public spaces to interact, work and socialise. The best example of this that I found was the Oodi Library. Despite being called a library, it’s far from what most people would consider one to be. Oodi is home to a host of different services, from gaming rooms, recording studios and kitchens, to a cafe, libary and hiring of sports equipment. It serves multiple purposes, and is completely free to enter and use. It’s a great example of public infrastructure that serves the whole community - however it only works due to everyone in society buying into the concept and not misusing it, something that I feel would be harder to overcome in countries like the USA and UK. If I could, I would have spent a lot more time here, so highly recommend you to visit!

Finnish Basics

Language barriers were no issue in Finland - most people can speak English. However, it’s always nice to know a few phrases in the local language that you can try out when speaking to people! These are the ones that I used during my stay:

• Hi - Moi

• Bye - Moi Moi

• Yes - Yoh

• No - Ay

• Thank you - Kee-tohss

Plant Based in Finland

Being plant based in Finland was no problem at all. Some of the spots we found that I recommend are:

• Round Steissi Cafe - a bagel joint that also does delicious donuts.

• Onam - oriental cuisine, conveniently located in one of the shopping malls

• Just Vege - plenty of vegan options available, including wraps, pittas and burgers.

And that’s a wrap for part 1/4 of the Nordic blogs! Helsinki was a great first stop, and I enjoyed splitting my time between the countryside and doing a city break. The majority of the remainder of my travels will be based in cities, so getting out in the Finnish countryside was definitely a unique experience. The ethos and attitude of the population was refreshing to experience, reminding me that we best live and thrive when existing together as a part of a community - after all, humans are social creatures!