Last post was Thursday 25th, so picking up the thread from then, Thursday we travelled to our usual Calais site, but that was full, so we found another ACSI site near, and spent a hot day and night there. We were up early and managed to book on a crossing a couple of hours earlier than our scheduled booking. The Animal Health Certificate check was a drive-through and was painless and quick. The crossing was also the usual 35 mins and before we knew it, we were in the UK. 

We have now been home a week. In some ways these are really the first days of our retirement, since the European Tour was living in a bubble, a fabulous bubble and one where life is reduced to the essentials ; beer, football… 😁

We have been exceedingly busy in our first week back, clearing waist high growth in the end section of our garden, and getting the pool setup for the summer season, since access to water is now a critical requirement for any pitch. 

We have seen all our family, in dribs and drabs and weekend stays, and we are settling in to this new phase of our life. Maybe a bit early to be sure, but we think we’re going to like it. 

The van needs a bit of a look at, it having a service light on and also a failure of the SRS, the security features that include seat belts and airbags. It’s booked in for next week. 

Otherwise I’m back to band practices weekly, and also my youngest and I are up to Heathrow tomorrow early to meet his US girlfriend who is coming to stay for 3 weeks. With the England game back at 1am, after FIFA teased us with a rearrangement to 6pm (seems like they don’t really know their worst from their elbow) I sense a big kip Monday lunchtime once we’re back from the airport. 

Reflecting on our trip, it was amazing. We’ve seen so much and experienced so many different things. It was definitely the right thing to do on the day we retired. 

Just waiting to depart on Le Shuttle. Lots of adventures ahead hopefully. 

Thanks to all my work chums for the presents, especially my “Dirty Dozen” watch, which I love. 

For a long weekend, we went to London. However, on our way to the airport, we were worried whether we would arrive before the flight: The trains were either canceled or delayed by at least 30 minutes, so we decided to try taking the bus instead. Although it takes a bit longer, it should take us directly to the airport. After a stop at a bus station, unfortunately, it wouldn't start again, and we were stuck there for so long that we began calling taxi companies - but unfortunately, they all had no available vehicles. Finally, the bus started again, and we were able to continue our journey, albeit with some delay. We were relieved when we finally arrived at the airport and quickly passed through security and passport control.

Then, after another delay, we finally headed to London, where we first drove to our hotel 'The Chamberlain'.

First, we explored the area around 'White Chapel', where Jack the Ripper once roamed.

Today, there is an exciting mix of old and very modern (and high) architecture.

We walked down to the Thames and over the London Bridge.

There, we took a little round through Southwark.

To conclude, we visited the Gothic Southwark Cathedral.

Back at the hotel, we could then check into our room, where we took a short break before heading out again.

We headed to a café of the bakery Huffkins, where we had reserved a table for Afternoon Tea. With our tea, we received a well-stocked tiered stand with sandwiches, scones, and cakes.

Afterward, we felt a bit unwell and decided to take a little walk through the bustling Soho.

As with everywhere so far, it was crowded with people populating the pubs indoors and outdoors (despite the winter temperatures).

In the evening, we had bought tickets for the musical 'The Producers' at the Garrick Theatre.

It's been 2 years since my last trip to India and I miss it so much I'm heading back. This time a month in Northern India, mainly Rajasthan.

I have my flights, I have my guidebook and now I have my blog!

My phone is already drained from all the photos, so I get a power bank from a vending machine - cool service! After browsing through the souvenir shop, I set out to find something to eat - lined up side by side are Korean street food, cafes, Chinese dim sum, sandwich shops, pizzerias,... how to even decide x.x My decision is made for me as I unintentionally stumble into a store for old books... And everything costs under 6 pounds! I feel like I take every book off the shelves, flipping through a ton of old craft and art books, and reluctantly buy only a few... And I notice on my way out that the store has another floor T.T

Once my hunger is satisfied (with the best ramen I've ever had), I wander through a park located on a hill to an old observation tower and enjoy the sunset.

January 16 - 23, 2026

To kick off my exchange, I flew from Toronto to London, where I stayed with my aunt and her family for the week. London is an incredible city, but the brutal CAD exchange rate definitely made a dent in my bank account.

Having a bunch of friends who’ve moved there made the experience even better, I got a mix of local recs while still checking off the classic tourist spots.

Some of my highlights included seeing Big Ben in person, exploring the British Museum, eating at Borough Market, and a chaotic 3 AM drunk night bus ride where we ended up chatting with some hilarious British blokes.

London was a great place to start my exchange journey. It's somewhere that doesn't feel too different to home as it's an English-speaking country, but it so vast and you will really never run out of things to see/do. All of the museums are free as well, which is really nice with the rainy climate of the city. 

Overall, I would rate London about an 8/10. The going out scene is great, it's very easy to get around via Tube, and there's a ton of history in one of the world's most important cities. That said, everything is ridiculously expensive. Even something as simple as a Tube ride can cost around $7 CAD, which adds up fast.

2025 was truly an exciting and thrilling year. Today, I’d like to take you through my last 12 months.

January

I spent the new year in Germany for the first time in a long while. With my entire family in Altenburg.
Apart from that, not much exciting happened, except that I was preparing for my trip.

February

In February, I began to feel quite burnt out and realized that I really needed the break that was approaching so soon. But between packing boxes to clear my shared room and the final travel preparations, I was also on a really nice vacation. Two of my best friends here got married, and we went to Scotland for that. I took advantage of that and spent a few days in Ayr to visit friends there as well.

The wedding took place in a Scottish castle near Edinburgh, and with really exemplary weather, we experienced a lovely weekend and a truly beautiful celebration.

March to June

From March until the end of June, I was on my long-awaited Interrail trip. Four months just me and my backpack. But you can read more about that and in much greater detail in my last 55 posts.

July

In July, I returned to the normal routine. After such a long trip, I was quite nervous about it, but as it turned out, it was very good. I had an easy start with only two weeks at first. During those few days, I continued my yearly summer tradition with the kids. Since my first summer, I have been tie-dying T-shirts with the children. I did this for many years during summer camps, and it continues to be very popular here. The T-shirts are worn throughout the year and often passed down to younger siblings, so I still sometimes see shirts from three or four years ago.

Then I took another week off for vacation since I still had a few vacation days left. I used this time to visit my brother and sister-in-law on the Isle of Wight. The island is located in the south off the coast of Britain and is a very popular holiday destination for the British, which has been on my travel list for ages.

And we truly enjoyed ourselves. Of course, we spent every day at and in the sea, enjoying delicious food and exploring and hiking around the island.

Then the BBC Proms Festival finally began. This is the biggest classical music festival in the world, running from mid-July to early September with at least one concert per day. I often try to get a standing ticket for £8, but sometimes I also sit in the upper tier.

Then my choir and I went on a concert tour. A weekend in Norwich, featuring two Evensongs and a service in the cathedral, and a concert in a nearby village.

August

August was an eventful month with many wonderful experiences. It started with a visit from my cousin who came to me during his 100-day study plan for medical school. During the day, we would study and go to a musical in the evenings. Over the course of eight days, we saw six musicals together.

Besides working, we also made two day trips. On the first day, we went to the coastal city of Brighton.

There, I experienced something typical for the UK for the first time, as we were in an amusement arcade. Especially on the coast, there are often small amusement parks and/or arcades on a pier, where one can find small gaming machines, carousels, or even the occasional roller coaster.

Back in London, we watched the next musical, a very impressive modern version of Evita.

Our second day trip went to Richmond, a district in southwest London. Here, there is the huge park 'Kew Gardens' which is especially known for its large greenhouses and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

After another musical, we were privileged to attend a special BBC Proms concert. This time was especially noteworthy because I could finally see Anna Lapwood live. She is a very well-known organist. And it soon became clear that it would be an unusual concert.

So we headed to the Royal Albert Hall in the evening.

It turned out to be a very special concert. An eight-hour concert from 11 PM to 7 AM. It was certainly an experience I likely would not have had if I had read the description closely.

So it happened that I entered the Royal Albert Hall in the dark and came out in daylight in the early morning. But that’s the beauty of these concerts; you always experience something new!

Overall, August somehow turned out to be the month of concerts and celebrations. I baked some cakes and spent lovely evenings with my friends.

Then I went with my roommate and two other friends to Hastings, another town on the south coast of England.

Beautiful summer weather. We went swimming a lot, enjoyed the sea, and took a day hiking along the coast.

September

In September, I attended a final BBC Proms concert and then the ABBA show. That was quite interesting. The holograms of the ABBA band looked so real at times. They were accompanied by a live band.

Then I rediscovered a hobby: cycling. Well, cycling isn’t new to me, but I now use my bike for almost all trips around London. It’s simply the easiest, quickest, and of course the cheapest way to get from A to B in London.

Since late summer, I have been regularly participating in critical mass rides and other cycling tours, through which I’ve found good friends. Hence, cycling is again more in focus, and not just as a means of transportation for regular everyday routes.

And then came the end of September, specifically the 27th. I have now been in London for five years. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long.

October

In October, we had the last warmer evenings and our final sunflowers in the garden.

And then I had a family weekend in Germany. In Oberlausitz in Oybin, the birthplace of my grandmother.

November

What hasn’t been mentioned much yet is that 2025 was also the year of doctors’ appointments. Unfortunately, my body has several health issues. Of course, I’m glad that things are finally moving along and being treated, but it’s also a bit exhausting when you go to one appointment, and two new ones arise.

So November was marked by dental appointments. Many appointments with my dentist and one root canal later, my mouth looks a bit healthier again.

I also explored London a bit more. I keep finding places I’ve never been to. That will always be the case. So it never gets boring here.

And then at the end of November, I finally applied for my settled status and received it shortly thereafter. This was a significant milestone, and it was extremely important to do this now, as the regulations will change next April. Then, instead of five years, it will be ten years that one needs to prove they have lived in the UK for that long.

December

December started with a long-awaited concert. A year ago, I had bought the concert tickets for Hans Zimmer live. Hans Zimmer is a world-famous film composer, known for soundtracks such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Interstellar, The Lion King, and many others. In the sold-out O2 Arena in Greenwich, we listened to his music along with 20,000 other people.

Then, a few days later, two wisdom teeth were pulled, and I was laid up for a while. The following week, I had to take care of some stomach issues from the daycare, and I was again laid up for a bit. So, during the first two weeks, I was home more than at work.

Despite that, I was able to partake in some of the Christmas festivities.

Baking cookies, attending Christmas parties, a Christmas bike tour, and of course, singing in church.

The year is coming to an end now. I have experienced a lot; it was probably one of the most exciting years ever. A journey that was long overdue, taught me a lot, and one that I will always fondly remember. And then the last six months with many concerts, meeting friends, and making new ones. A little traveling and continuing to discover the UK and London.

I am curious about the new year and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

The Wi-Fi is not very good - so only short posts.

We drive towards Heathrow, but get off once more in South Kensington to visit the National History Museum. The reasons for our decision to make this the last element of our journey are unremarkable - it's on the way, it has luggage storage, there's no entrance fee, and I want to buy some souvenirs that I didn't take with me in August 😅 Plus, it's still an incredibly amazing museum.

But on a rainy

One thing that will never be difficult for us is finding a delicious breakfast, and after an English breakfast and a very fluffy omelet, we are finally back on track. The National Gallery is our target for today. The Royal Academy of Arts would also interest me, but time is tight and the entrance fee is too high.

...in progress...

Today was unfortunately the last hiking day, tomorrow is already departure. The weather was still wonderful. We had breakfast on the way in Yealmpton at a cute café.

Tina dropped me off on the other side of the River Erme at Wonwell Beach and then took a little stroll along the beach since it was low tide.

The goal today was Bigbury-on-sea with the lovely Burgh Island in front of it. I was already familiar with both from my first visit to Kingsbridge. At low tide, you can walk across the beach, and at high tide, a tractor shuttles back and forth. Really sweet...

Behind Bigbury-on-sea, the River Avon flows into the sea, followed by Bantham Beach, where the kids had their surf lessons last year. Everything is so lovely... 😍

In total, I hiked 74km in 7 days. 😎

...in progress...

We actually just wanted to quickly have breakfast, then go hiking or have a relaxing day. Actually...

But then the car showed 'Tire Pressure' again. And the bakery has been closed the whole week. So we called Hertz to figure out what to do. They are sending a roadside assistance. And from other hungry travelers, we learned that there is coffee and cake at the church. So we walked to the church...

Tina wanted to stay with the car - and I started hiking.

...in progress...

Today was just absolutely perfect weather. 12 hours of sunshine with maximum temperatures of 15°. The sea sparkled from morning till evening.

To avoid walking through Plymouth in this weather, I took the ferry to Plymouth after a lovely breakfast in Cawsand. The ferry to Mount Batten then departed after about 15 minutes.

From there, I started hiking.

Today the weather was like yesterday. And all my hiking gear is wet. That makes hiking no fun. Also, we needed to register Tina as the driver.

So first off, we headed into the narrow streets of Fowey. And since wandering makes us hungry, off to the café we went. First pasty. Those things are so delicious.

The next Hertz station is in Newquay, so it was somewhat logical to drive over to Mawgan Porth and then to the Bedruthan Steps. Tina also needed to check that everything is still the same... 😂😂😂

There was also less fog and 'mist' along the Cornish north coast than in the south, so we actually got to enjoy 2-4 rays of sunshine.

After that, we headed to the next accommodation in Looe. A lovely little harbor town, I didn't remember it being that nice.

Since we once again had no reservation for dinner, we took a stroll through the town and then went back to the hotel to eat there. It was really delicious.

Dear Peter, please send me better weather tomorrow. I ate all the food on my plate too. 😌 🙏🏻

Finally, it worked out. Back on the Coast Path... Incredible but true...

This year, the journey was particularly tough. Flight from Hahn to London Stansted and then by rental car to Newquay. I ended up driving further than flying - crazy.

After arriving at midnight and a quick check (yes, the sea is really there!), finally back at the coast this morning. I remember what fascinates me so much. :-))) It was veeeeery windy and the sea correspondingly wild. I like it.

Also crazy that I have already hiked the entire coast as far as I can see. Insane, really!

I was in Newquay today, strolling around the town - looking at the sea again and again. Then I went to the Bedruthan Steps. First Cream Tea. Quick check at the Merrymoor Inn in Mawgan Porth - everything as usual, very good. First Korev.

Farewell to the North Coast. Off to the next accommodation in Fowey on the South Coast. First pub. First Fish & Chips.

It was a great day. Tomorrow I will hike the first stage from Par. I’m a bit excited. I feel a bit rusty. :-P

Besides the Highlands, Scotland has much more to offer naturally: For example, there’s the east coast with its sandy beaches and cliffs, forests, the west coast with the Outer Hebrides (islands in the northwest of Scotland) and the Orkney Islands. We will explore the Outer Hebrides and the Orkneys, as well as the entire northern part of Scotland during our next stay here.

The east of Scotland is often overlooked, yet there are beautiful coastal villages, the highest density of castles in the country (e.g., Dunnottar Castle), many stone circles, and not to forget: Aberdeen. Aberdeen is the third-largest city in Scotland and my personal favorite city. Sure, Edinburgh is very special; dramatic, historically interesting, and simply beautiful. For this very reason, it is unfortunately teeming with tourists. On the Royal Mile, hardly a Scot can be found. For those who still want to go: A must-see is the

Edinburgh Castle, which majestically overlooks the city, Holyrood Palace at the other end of the Royal Mile, where Charles stays during his visits, Mary King’s Close – an experience that vividly shows how things looked in Edinburgh in the past - and the Scottish Parliament, which is architecturally outstanding. Furthermore, one should definitely take part in a “Ghost Tour” – Scots are brilliant storytellers, and even if you don’t believe in ghosts, it’s spooky in the catacombs of Edinburgh. From Arthur's Seat (a hill in Edinburgh), there is a fantastic view over the city.

But enough about the capital. As I said: I like Aberdeen the best. Not only because the city is very beautiful, I think it is also very authentic. There aren’t too many tourists, and there are human abysses to see.

I also like Glasgow. The city is much more beautiful than its reputation and offers a lot of culture alongside the only subway in Scotland.

In conclusion regarding the landscape and the cities, one can say: Scotland is beautiful everywhere!

However, for those wanting to get around the country, there is a somewhat bigger challenge: the roads. They are mostly terrible. The problem is not the left-hand traffic; you get used to that very quickly. No, the dimensions and condition of the roads are challenging. Narrow, narrower, Scottish roads. The worst are the so-called “Single Track Roads,” that is, one-lane roads with oncoming traffic. The locals speed along at 60 miles per hour (almost 100 km/h) and come to a full stop when faced with oncoming traffic. You then pull into passing places to get by each other. Really NOT FUNNY! Often, to increase the claustrophobic factor, there are also meter-high hedges on the left and right that make you feel like you’re in a tunnel with no way out. By the lakes, it seems that space was also an issue when the roads were built. There is heavy traffic density there, combined with roads barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other. Besides, it’s so winding that you feel like you're on a mountain pass. Reto once jokingly said that the Scots' favorite traffic sign is “Caution Curve” or “Watch for Winding Road.” However, the roads are not only narrow and winding, many are also in poor condition – full of potholes and strange elevations – guaranteed roller coaster feeling! When it does rain, which doesn’t happen often in Scotland, you constantly drive through mini-ponds, the water splashes up to the roof, and you feel like you're on a safari – much to the amusement of our children.

We spoke with many Scots and found that they also find the roads dreadful and prefer to avoid the narrow ones. So, be warned: A two-hour drive in Scotland feels like a four-hour drive on the highway in Switzerland!

Now I would like to say a few words about the Scots themselves. I would describe them as warm-hearted, helpful, funny, and unflustered. Without much fuss, they are friendly and never short of a witty remark. And yes, they like to talk about the weather. That makes sense, because there’s a lot to say about it. In one day, you can experience all seasons in Scotland – it’s not just a running gag, but simply true. During our six weeks, we had rather atypical weather: It was often sunny and very little rain. There were even some summer days.

But back to the Scots themselves. Everywhere we went, we felt welcome. We were not looked at strangely or treated poorly anywhere. This is remarkable, considering how long we were traveling. Even when I had a medical issue, I was met with a lot of warmth and understanding. I felt especially comfortable in the cafés in Scotland: They are often very small (e.g., the one where we got to enjoy our wonderful afternoon tea) and it feels like you’re sitting in someone’s living room. And that’s how you’re treated, too.

A topic that always works is history. Scots know a lot about their own history, are proud of it, and like to talk about it. For me, as a big history lover, it's a feast. Throughout the country, great importance is placed on making history visible. Everything is well signposted, documented, and mostly preserved. Larger sites (e.g., castles) always have a so-called “Visitor Center”; there you can find additional information, a café, and a shop. I wish Switzerland would also deal with its history as exemplary and make it more accessible, so that even the little ones can come into contact with it.

By the way, we hardly had any communication problems; most Scots have a bearable accent. The very worst came at the end: In the region of South Lanarkshire, south of Glasgow, they speak what I would call “Endboss Scottish.” We felt like complete beginners in English! So incomprehensible, so amusing we found the dialect too. So, for those who need a linguistic challenge: Head to South Lanarkshire!

The last thing I want to briefly write about is the food. As everywhere in Great Britain, there is often beef or lamb, beans, peas, coleslaw (cabbage salad – incredibly delicious!), and last but NOT least: potatoes, often called Tatties in Scotland. The Scot thinks that one cannot survive without potatoes, therefore there’s hardly a menu without them. Even if you order pasta, you get chips (the delicious thick fries) with it. In the “pubs” or “inns,” you eat the aforementioned in the evenings, in cafés you have various cold or hot sandwiches, soups, or “jacket potatoes” (stuffed baked potatoes). There, you are also faced with the dilemma of choosing between scones with cream and jam, numerous shortbreads (a crumbly pastry with different toppings), and delicious cakes and tarts.

Besides the traditional offerings, there are of course also Italian, Indian, or other restaurants. We definitely had no complaints; even for us vegetarians, there was always something available.

Conclusion of the conclusion: We will miss Scotland and will definitely come back!

(by Olivia)

The time in Helensburgh passed quickly. On Saturday (6.9.) we continued our journey. On our way to Ashgill, we visited the William Wallace Monument. It is a tower in Stirling, a memorial to William Wallace. He was the first to unite Scotland (Braveheart!). He led the Scots at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and won against the English. He fought for the independence of the Scots and remains a great hero to this day. Unfortunately, he was executed in 1305, and a large tower was built as a monument to him and his deeds.

Since our dog wasn’t allowed inside, Mom and I waited outside while Ida and Dad visited the tower. In the meantime, we listened to a presentation by a man who told us all about William Wallace and the monument.

Afterwards, we were also able to go inside the tower. There was a staircase leading further up, and on each floor, there was a small exhibition with information about William Wallace.

After a visit to the gift shop and café, we continued our journey and reached Ashgill, which is very close to Glasgow. The landlord showed us through the house - it was really huge! There were two bathrooms, each with a shower and bathtub! It had five bedrooms, two living rooms, and a conservatory. There was even a gaming room with a snooker table. Outside, there was a small medieval well, a giant

During our second week in Alford, one day we took a miniature train to a nearby park. There was a great playground and camping area there. We walked back on foot. At the very end, we passed a nice little ice cream shop, and the seller thought Gina was so cute that she gave her a free dog ice cream!

On a subsequent day, we took a walk at Muir of Dinnet, a national park with its own lake. The landscape was beautiful!

My biggest highlight of our stay in Alford was the trip to Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland! First, we explored the city on foot and did some shopping. Later, we took a sightseeing tour around the city on a hop-on hop-off bus. We received headphones, and a female voice shared interesting facts about various buildings, sculptures, and streets. After the tour, we had something to eat at Brew Dog, a well-known beer manufacturer that is also a restaurant chain in the UK. Overall, it was a cool experience, and the city is beautiful. It is also known as the Silver City because the buildings are made of a special granite that gives them a light gray and silvery appearance.

On Thursday, we went to eat at a pub. That evening, coincidentally, there was a pub quiz. We participated and came in second place, even though the quiz master did his best Scottish accent. It was entertaining and fun!

The next day, we left Alford and set off towards Elgin, a small town on the coast that we particularly wanted to visit.

On the way, we stopped at the Loanhead of Daviot stone circle in Inverurie, which is well-preserved and quite large, which impressed us quite a bit.

In Elgin, we admired the huge church ruin surrounded by many gravestones. The church was beautiful, and the overall appearance of the place was quite dramatic. Unfortunately, we could not enter anymore as it had already closed, but we explored the town of Elgin instead. We had lunch at a great pizzeria. It was unbelievably delicious! Afterwards, we went to our hotel and checked into our two rooms.

The next morning, on our way to Fort Augustus, we visited the Culloden Visitor Center. There is a large moor where on April 16, 1746, the Jacobites lost against the English in the

It's raining in London, perfect farewell weather. I finish the small cup provided by the hotel with sugar, tea bags, and instant coffee, and fill it with my breakfast yogurt.

12:00

The train to Dover is on time and empty, the journey pleasant.

For the first time in many days, we've set an alarm. At 2 PM, we will continue on to London, where we will drop off the car, but until then, Oxford belongs to us, and we belong to Oxford.

First, we wander through the Covered Market, an old market hall as the name suggests, before we stand again in front of the university grounds. For 2.50 pounds, we can view the Divinity Academy, which is the theology lecture room. It's better known to us as the 'hospital wing of Hogwarts.' Again, we strain our necks as we try to discover and appreciate all the carefully carved stone elements. The hall is not large but enormous in its detail.

Afterwards, we visit a free exhibition recommended to us when purchasing the tickets - unfortunately, we cannot visit the libraries (hopefully next time ;) ), but the exhibition contains true book art treasures, illuminations like I've never seen in real life. Pages decorated with gold shine in the light, patterns of fine lines adorn others, and people, animals, letters, and everything in between crawl across the old papers.

Afterwards, I turn towards the Botanic Garden, and as soon as I step through the entrance onto the grounds, the sun comes out as if on cue.

The season is almost over; most of the flowers have wilted (which gives me the chance to pluck a seed capsule or two while strolling), but even without flower fireworks, the garden is beautifully arranged - the right mix of a tidy English garden, with straight gravel paths, bubbling fountains, and angular beds... versus sprawling plants that ignored the boundaries of their beds many years ago and lean over the paths. Trees with thick, scabby trunks that have grown in this direction or that stand in stark contrast to young, one-year-old violets that swarm at their feet.

But I prefer to spend my time in the greenhouses. Even from the outside, you can sense the abundance of plants inside; they press against the insides of the glasshouses and jostle for a good window seat. Inside, it’s the same picture - neatly labeled plants, which were once planted with careful spacing, have long been growing hand in hand with their neighbors. Every surface, whether horizontal or vertical, is utilized for plants. And where there is no more space, plants are placed on plants, hung from the ceiling or supports. Sometimes, moving forward through this dense jungle is only possible sideways.

Tropics, swamps, deserts, I explore all of this within a few hours, and as my seed bag gets fuller, my ever-emptying stomach calls, prompting me to return to the group. Soon after, we all sit together on the bus one last time and buzz towards London again.

As early as we can, we leave Blackburn, as Oxford promises to be exciting. And it delivers on that promise - finally British weather! 

Aside from rain and overcast skies, the city stands in stark contrast to our recent destinations - clean, wide, bright streets, beautiful old houses, small single-family homes next to multi-story apartment complexes, every square meter, whether horizontal or vertical, looks well-kept, designed, or both. There's something special to see everywhere. 

We treat ourselves to a wonderful meal at an Ethiopian restaurant, which promises wonderful evenings with poetry, women's empowerment, and LGBTQ themes, filled with posters, pictures, and magazines. 

10:00

I’m getting a morning coffee from the Starbucks under our apartment. The morning air flows in through the half-open window, accompanied by the sounds of a city that has been awake for several hours and the melody of a street musician. As I sit on a barstool at the kitchen counter, sipping my coffee, I feel like a true city girl.

12:00

We are leaving Glasgow, soon to be followed by Scotland, and heading back onto British roads.

15:30

We arrive in Blackburn, check into the hotel, and freshen up. This evening, we will see our British friends for the last time during this vacation, as they serve us a wonderful dinner in their lovely home. A perfect ending to all the beautiful days spent with them.