The Roaming Redhead

Gear List: Camping in Iceland in September

Iceland has been on my radar since I discovered my true affinity for the great outdoors in Tasmania, back in 2016. Since then, I have been on a mission to get closer with nature, be it day trips from Manchester to the Peak District, or adventures a touch further afield. On 17th September 2018, I’m…

How to get a B-2 Visa for Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Check your eligibility As a British national, I am eligible to enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for business or pleasure. Sounds pretty simple, but there’s a catch; this only allows stays of up to 90 days and then I’d have to sling my hook. The Appalachian Trail takes roughly 6 months…

Adventures in the Peak District | Ringing Roger to Grindslow Knoll via Edale

During the May heatwave, it only seemed right to get out to the Peak District for a healthy dose of fresh air and sunlight, and so on the day of the Royal Wedding, we did exactly that. We had a new route in mind, one which encompassed two of my favourite things; a touch of scrambling…

Where I Ate: Vegan in York

I knew I would fall in love with York. Its charming streets are dotted with architectural wonders; from the grand old Minster to Britain’s most haunted pubs, every corner oozes history. I found it surprisingly compact, and within a day, we had pretty much walked around the entire city, twice. The country town feel to…

How to Spend 24 Hours in York

I’m unsure why it has taken me up until my 29th year to visit York, but a few weeks back, I finally got to check it off my bucket list, when myself and Lyndon treated ourselves to a brief trip. From the get-go, I was a huge fan of its quaint, rural feel, buildings steeped…

Where I Ate: Vegan in Barcelona

My trip to Barcelona would mark my very first experience as a vegan abroad, and I was both nervous and excited. Prior to my trip, a number of people expressed their ‘concerns’ about the abundance of cured meats and cheese, which I would undoubtedly come face to face with; but to my sheer delight, I…

How to Spend 4 Days in Barcelona

Despite being adored by virtually everyone I know, who had visited, Barcelona was never high up on my list of places to go. Having lived in a city for the majority of my 20’s, I find I am much more swayed by the call of the wilderness nowadays. Saying that, when my sister, Lucy presented…

6 Day Trips from Manchester for Nature Lovers

Over the past year, I have made it my mission to get to know my surroundings a little better. I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and admit that I’m usually dreaming of travelling to far off places, but I have slowly come to realise that Manchester is the perfect jump off point…

10 Australian Tours Well Worth the Money

I feel like there is a slight divide in opinion within the travel community when it comes to going on tours. Some, for instance, argue that they are a waste of money, overpriced and inflexible, whilst others swear by them, base entire trips around them and don’t want the hassles and responsibilities, which come when planning…

Where I Ate: Vegan in Edinburgh

Having dabbled with the idea of veganism for the good part of a year, I finally found my feet in November 2017. The very same month, Edinburgh would be my first trip away as a fully fledged vegan, and I was both nervous and excited. To make life as easy as possible, I consulted the…

How to Spend 3 Days in Edinburgh

Since returning from my long term travels towards the end of 2016, my aim for 2017 and beyond was to experience (and come to appreciate) a little more of my own turf. This is something a great deal of us neglect to do; we get so caught up in jetting off to distant lands, that…

Adventures in the Peak District | Mam Tor & The Great Ridge Walk

Another cold, sunny day, another train trip; this time to the quaint village of Hope. I became very fond of train journeys in 2017, having hopped on a fair few over the months. Mam Tor was the third and final hike on my Peak District bucket list for the year, and the one I was most…

Adventures in the Peak District | A Scramble at Dovestone Reservoir

Situated on the very edge of the Peak District, just a few miles from Oldham, Dovestone Reservoir is a picturesque spot, perfect for dog walkers, climbers and folks like myself and my friend Yasmin, wanting to escape the city for the day and gulp in as much fresh air as our lungs could take. It…

Adventures in the Peak District | Climbing Jacobs Ladder

Pulling out of Manchester Piccadilly, it occurred to me; I had lived on-and-off in the northwest of England for five years and not once had I set foot in the Peak District National Park. As the city disappeared behind us, a green landscape gently began to come into focus and roll past the windows. Buildings…

How to Spend a Week in Elounda, Crete

Elounda is situated on the North-East coast of Crete and is about two hours by bus from Heraklion Airport. Once a simple fishing village, it is now an ideal place to visit if you want to be out of the hustle and bustle, but not overly isolated. One of the first things I noticed whilst…

Norway in a Nutshell | Planning a 5 Day Trip

Having arrived back in the UK from Australia with no long term travelling planned for the near future, it became apparent that I needed some form of side trip to occupy my mind, scratch those itchy feet and keep my backpack from becoming lost in the depths of my wardrobe. How to hatch a plan So it…

Post-Travel Depression: 1 Year Later

One year ago, I touched back down on English soil after a whirlwind two years romping around Australia with my best friend. Nothing could really have prepared me for the difficult emotions I would have to tackle over the following six months and in truth, even one year on; though I feel a great deal more settled, I still carry the…

23 Things You’ll Love About Kangaroo Island | South Australia

In 2015, I was incredibly fortunate to find myself living on Australia’s third largest island for three and a half months. Without a shadow of a doubt, Kangaroo Island changed my life; the people I met, the lifestyle I led, the scenery that took my breath away, the wildlife I encountered – from the cute to the downright terrifying and the fascinating…

12 Steps Towards a Successful Working Holiday in Australia

Travelling to a new country can be daunting, confusing and is never 100% straightforward, especially if you intend to stay there for an extended period of time and work. If you go completely unprepared, you may feel bombarded by new information, rules and regulations, which is why it’s good to be in the know about a few…

11 Worthwhile Things You Can Do to Bring Positivity into Your Everyday Life

1) Lose the toxic people This can be as subtle as unfollowing them on social media, or as bold as stepping back from, or ending a particular friendship or relationship. There are always going to be negative people in this world, some of whom could be the loveliest of souls – but that doesn’t mean you are obliged…

Post-Travel Depression: What it Feels Like & How to Cope with it

Travel should come with a warning label; Did you read the small print? *May experience possible side effects* You essentially sign a contract, one in which you agree to open up your heart and soul to the world and welcome complete vulnerability; something us humans are usually incredibly cautious and particular about doing. I chose travel over comfort, safety, people. I willingly…

9 Small Ways You Can Help a Friend Struggling with Depression

Over the years, I have encountered a number of friends going through deep, dark times, including depression, anxiety, addiction and eating disorders. Let’s face it, being human is fucking hard. Who can say that they have skipped through life with no bumps in the road? No matter what your circumstances, chances are you’ve gone through a rough patch….

A Guide to Diving with Whale Sharks in Western Australia

I could reel off one hundred points why you should get yourself over to the beautiful state of Western Australia. However, this account alone should be reason enough for you to begin planning your next trip. When I found out that I would be in the state slap bang in the middle of whale shark season (between mid March-August),…

5 Australian Islands Worth Getting on a Boat For

For those of you who know me, you’ll be familiar with my dislike of boat journeys by now. The thing is, I love boats and I love the sea, they just don’t like me so much. Just the faintest of motion and I’m distributing my lunch across the ocean. Don’t get me wrong, I never let this…

13 Reasons to Travel with Your Best Friend

You’ll be opened up to new ideas and experiences Sometimes it is a little too easy to get stuck with an idea and convince yourself that it’s your way or the highway. This is where a second opinion comes in handy and who better to listen to than your bestie. They are your emotional support when…

10 Reasons Why Every 20-Something Should Spend Time on a Canal Boat

After returning from Australia, I found myself under the less-than-desirable circumstances of temporarily moving with my parents onto their canal boat, whilst they moved house and I waited to move into my own pad. In terms of space, privacy and connection with the outside world, things soon became very limited and everyday life was turned upside down for us all. To coincide…

25 Australian Eateries for the Food Obsessed Traveller

I hold my hands up. When it comes to eating out, I enjoy a nice meal and as far as backpacking goes (instant noodles and other beige substances), food is the one thing I refuse to scrimp on every single day. Good, nutritional grub makes me happy and I’d rather go hungry than spend my hard earned cash on a limp…

5 Magical Hikes in the Blue Mountains

My first experience of the Blue Mountains was back in 2014, just 2 weeks into my Australian adventure. It was cold and wet. The warmest item of clothing I had brought with me was a thin hoodie and my best footwear was a pair of old running trainers. I was completely unprepared. Almost 2 years later I returned, armed with…

The Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary | 5 Weeks in Tasmania

We spent 5 months working in the little town of Strahan, furiously saving for the next chapter of our travels. When April 2016 rolled around and Targa zoomed past in a cloud of dust, it was finally time to take full advantage of our unusually healthy financial situations and the pure luxury of ample time, two things backpackers are normally scraping the…

Tasmania’s Great Short Walks – Tried & Tested

If you are a lover of the great outdoors like myself, then Tasmania is most definitely the place for you. The island is home to over 2000km of tracks dedicated to all types of walkers, be you the fair weather type who enjoys a short stroll, or an avid bushwalker who likes to disappear for…