2026 Summer Travels [Update 1]

 

An overdue (and two-part) travel update!

Hi all! I hope summer is going well for you!

I had hoped on doing weekly written updates on my summer UK travels, but it seems after all of the planning and excitement I haven’t had a chance to put my words together in a meaningful way. 
Two and a half weeks ago now, Taylor and I flew overnight to London. We landed safely around 3p.m. and immediately made our way to the train station, where we traveled north to Alnmouth. 

We had the cutest accommodation here — a small room over a pub. Alnmouth is a tiny town on the east coast of England. Our main activity here was hiking part of the larger Northumberland Coastal path to Warkworth Castle, which we did on our second day abroad.

It was time to move already by day three — we went north by train again to Edinburgh, a different planet entirely from the quiet of the countryside! From the moment we stepped off the train we were greeted by people. And here as well, the movement did not stop. We spent the evening walking around town, and took an additional walking tour in the morning of day four. That afternoon, we went to our second castle on the top of an extinct volcano! 

Day six was back to the train station for another ride north to Stonehaven. This was another small coastal town, where the farm fields were bordered by steep and rocky cliffs. Another hike to a castle (Dunnottar) and another day spent walking. Some of that walking was along some fairly intimidating cliffs. Between my anxiety and Taylor's insistence that we keep going, there may have been some colourful language and a brief reconsideration of our engagement on my part (only kidding!). Nothing a good dinner couldn’t fix, and there was certainly no shortage of nice meals along the way…

We ended our tour of Scotland on day eight of travel with a looong day of transport. First a train to Aberdeen, then a bus from the city to the airport. Next a flight to London, followed by (several) further trains to our accommodation! The hotel was air conditioned, thankfully, as we arrived in the worst of the heat wave!

We had originally planned a trip to Windsor Castle and general tourism around the city, but plans needed to be modified given the miserable weather. Instead, we made it over to the (air conditioned!) National Gallery, took a boat tour, and took plenty of breaks inside while exploring the city. 

It was the evening of the hottest day that was the real treat… Taylor and I had tickets to see Jon Batiste. I bought them several months ago on a spur and in a mood, when I found out from Fulbright that I was not advancing from semifinalist to finalist. 

And it is hard to put in words the joys of Jon’s music live… He performs with such intention, gratitude, and generosity. Between each piece was an interlude of piano; he ended the show with a magical parade — “If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands” and “When the Saints Come Marching In.”

We awoke the day after the concert in extreme heat and fatigue. It was day ten of travel and nearing the end of our time together. What's worse — we were taking a bus away from our airconditioned room to one without. And so we boarded the stuffy space with snacks and disembarked feeling overheated and nauseous.

Thankfully all we needed was some rest. And after a short break in the hotel, and after opening all of the windows and finding a fan, we were ready to explore Oxford. 

We had all of day eleven together as well, walking the town and visiting several museums. Taylor did some gift shopping, and I ran to the mall for a few things for class. 

Then on day twelve, he got onto a bus to the airport, and I started walking towards Lady Margaret Hall. I am here now, living and studying at the University of Oxford — but that is an update for a different night, when I am a bit more awake! For it is late here, and I have a field trip tomorrow to Stratford. 

A busy and joyous summer, filled with experiences I will never forget or take for granted. 

More soon! 
-HK