A little over a month of being a nomad has passed for me. This is technically a late July/August update. The day I landed in London it was sunny, but it didn’t last. The rain seemed to dominate my time in London. I guess I can say I experienced an English summer now!
Since I only blog once a week, you haven’t heard about all the places I have visited. Although, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you might have seen a few updates. Hopefully, these monthly updates will catch you up on my adventures. I want to be totally upfront about this experience so each month will include the ups and downs of full-time travel.
The Ups
First, I loved being able to unpack in my apartment in London knowing I wouldn’t have to pack up for a month. It felt a lot less like traveling because of this. I was also able to cook and do laundry, which is always a bonus!
Since I haven’t been to London in over twenty years, I enjoyed exploring as many museums as possible. You can see those posts here and here.
I spent much of the time catching up with friends in London as well. A few of them from my time in Qatar, one friend from some time in Italy, a lovely couple I hadn’t seen since 2011 from my time in the Caribbean and one friend I had never met in person! Seeing friends has been the best part of the trip.
It wasn’t all about London either! I got out town a few times. There was the Stonehenge trip that also included Oxford and Windsor Castle. Thankfully, the weather held out for Stonehenge but it poured on us in Oxford. Next, I had a day trip to Bath. Bath is a beautiful town and you could spend two days there. One of my friends that I caught up with took me to Southend on Sea, which was a beautiful sunny day. My favorite though was my trip to Brighton. Brighton is set in a beautiful location and I was glad I was there for two days. More to come later.
The last week of August I went to Montenegro. It’s a gorgeous country. Can’t wait to share with you all about that.
The Downs
The rain really got me down. I am not used to so much rain. It also never really got warm enough for me. A few days I was cold and wet!!
My allergies went into overdrive and for three days near the end of the London leg, I spent them in bed trying not to get really sick. This meant I didn’t get to see a few things I really wanted to see.
Since I was home for a month, I had spent a lot of time with my family and have had some moments of homesickness. Especially this week as my family decided to get a new kitten!
I managed to damage my rental car in Montenegro, which I have never done before. I had to drive back to the town I made the police report in because they couldn’t give it to me on the same day, which was a two hour drive one way! It all worked out and the damage wasn’t that expensive and I have insurance.
Overall, the first month or so has been great. It is just an adjustment to constantly being on the road and trying to get my stuff to fit back into my suitcase. Which happens when you packed it about two weeks before you left and it all settled. Now it’s like playing Tetris!
Next stop, Ios, Greece!
Have any questions for me regarding my nomad life? Ask away!
24 Comments
I have no questions but I think it sounds lovely? hope you enjoy every minute of it x
I am enjoy it! Currently watching the ferries arrive in Greece sitting in the sun.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your Montenegro trip Tiffany; we loved it but certainly couldn’t pay it full justice in a single day trip!
The rain and damp? Yep, welcome to England. Our summer days are few and far between but they are worth it (blink and you’ll miss them though!)
Oh yes, you need many days in Montenegro. I will probably have a few posts about it.
Yeah I was not impressed with the weather. Lol! Oh well I still had a good time.
Stonehenge – tell me more 🙂 London is beautiful and I remember reading your post on museums there. Hope you are feeling better now. Enjoy Greece and share with us.
There is a whole post on Stonehenge. Should be a link in this post. I am feeling better, thanks! I will share tons on Greece!
What an experience! Love reading about your adventures!
Thanks, Ritu! I love sharing them!!
Must have been quite a shock, weather-wise, from the dry heat of Qatar to the, um, “cool wetness” (i.e. friggin cold and miserable!) of London. Shame about your sick 3 days. Looking forward to discovering Montenegro via your blog.
It was a shock. I knew it wouldn’t be hot but it was miserable most days. Montenegro coming soon!
I would love to see stonehenge sometime! I bet it was amazing to see. Sorry you were sick in bed with allergies. I figure with all that rain they wouldn’t be a problem. Oy!
It was definitely worth it! Apparently rain stirs up pollens and makes it worse. Oh well!
I agree having a hunk of time to unpack, sort, laundry is needed. Always enjoy your updates. I haven’t been to London in years either. You made me smile about the weather (Canadian here) and I thought hmmm… she definitely won’t be visiting my neck of the woods in the winter!! Enjoy. Greece is lovely and looking forward to seeing it again through your eyes.
Yes doing laundry is a must during long term travel. Thanks! Yes, Canada in winter is not on my list. ?
Weather wise maybe not the best, but I am used to lot of rain here in Vancouver, and when we were in Cape Town, SA, although more here than in SA. Sorry about the car story, not a good part, but with insurance, glad it worked out. But it seems that all in all a good trip. Love to read your travelling stories.
I am not used to it having spent the last four years in Qatar will little rain. Yeah it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I am so glad you enjoy reading them!
I loved your post about the London museums (although too bad about the rain!) and am looking forward to reading more of your travel stories.
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
Great update! The summers here are horrid. Can’t wait to read more about Montenegro the more I’ve been reading about it the more I want to go so interested in your views. I live just near bath it’s such a pretty area. Have fun in Ios Greek islands are so much fun!
So glad you managed to make it to my hometown (Oxford), but so sorry it poured down on you! Bloody typical x
It was great until it poured. I wish I had more time there. Next time!
I can’t help but want to live vicariously through you! I know I COULD go travel, but reading about it on your blog is almost as good, and much less wet.
Bonus, of course, is that when I do get the chance to go, I’ll have a travel reference for so many places I can’t wait to see in person.
I get unhappy in too much rain, too. But it sounds like all the friends and adventures make up for the weather!
So sorry about our lovely London weather! Some days have been flipping awful over the last few weeks! Hope you managed to see the views up the Thames though in sunlight or dusk….and along the South bank. It is then I love this city of ours! Bath is pretty special, though – my bro went to uni and then lived there, so have spent a lot of time down there. I haven’t read any of your travels yet – just found you on Big Up Your Blog – but looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Ah yes, the rain!! Our beautiful little island can never quite get this season thing right ha ha. Glad you enjoyed your time (when dry) in London. Have fun in Greece x