The Roaming Redhead

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…

Learn How to Make a Cupcake Bouquet with Hey Little Cupcake!

I was recently invited to attend a cupcake bouquet decorating class at Manchester’s Hey Little Cupcake!, who turns a whopping 7 this month. I have worked at the cupcakery on and off over the past few years between travelling, so this was a great way of getting back into the swing of things. After the initial…

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…

Christmas Has Come Early at Manchester’s Hey Little Cupcake!

Since arriving back in Manchester, I have been making it my mission to slowly visit all of my favourite old haunts and as far as cake goes, Hey Little Cupcake! always had me covered when it came to needing a hit of the sweet stuff. Or in this case, four hits. Two signature bakes; the Nutella…

You Can Now -Drink- Homegrown Rhubarb from Manchester’s Hard Rock Café

I was recently invited to the Hard Rock Café in Manchester’s Printworks, to attend a cocktail launch party with a twist; and I say that quite literally, as I would be sipping from numerous glasses garnished with sweet, sticky twists of candied rhubarb. I love rhubarb. Granted, for many, it is an acquired taste, but…

11 Types of People You Encounter at Christmas Markets: As Told by the Grinch

The festive binger I came here for the German sausage, I’m leaving here in debt and with a food baby. The indifferent older gentleman He doesn’t even like Christmas, but his wife Brenda wears the trousers in their relationship, so he has little choice in the matter. The dutiful spectator Present because it’s their annual duty and a…

Healthy Chocolate-Coconut Breakfast Oats

Though incredibly basic, this breakfast makes getting up in the cold, dark drizzle of the winter months a great deal more bearable for me. As well as warming me from the inside out, it keeps me full of energy all the way until lunch. The recipe is versatile and adaptable to suit your own preferences flavour-wise and depending on your mood,…

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…

Simple Sausage and Kale Winter One-Pot

I recently received a rather different delivery in the post; one which still has the guys at my concierge chuckling. I don’t blame them, it’s not everyday you get a brown paper bag filled with sausages. Grandad’s Sausages is a family-owned business, which originated in Bury and has apparently been ‘putting a smile on Grandma’s face for…

Raw Vegan Key Lime Pie

I am by no means 100% on the ball with my diet (who really is?!) and I do have a serious sweet tooth, which sometimes gets a bit out of control. To combat this, I try to quash my cravings with healthy alternatives and vegan desserts are both better for you and – get this – absolutely…

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 bottom…

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…

5 Unmissable Walks Around Cradle Mountain

There are heaps of tracks all around Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair National Park. They vary in difficulty and length, ensuring that there is something for everyone and with so much to see – waterfalls, lakes, fairy-tale forests, buttongrass plains, mountain ranges and an abundance of wildlife, I would definitely recommend spending a good chunk of time here. We spent a week…

Quad-Biking & Horse Riding with Cradle Country Adventures

During my stay at Cradle Mountain Hotel, I was very lucky to be introduced to Cradle Country Adventures. Owner of the company, Ray, who was quite possibly the most Australian man I have ever laid eyes on, picked us up one rainy morning along with another couple and drove us to his stables a short…

Climbing Mt. Amos and Walking the Hazards Beach Circuit

Mt. Amos makes up part of the Hazards mountain range, dominating the landscape and towering dramatically above Freycinet Lodge, which can be found nestled comfortably at its base. After being kindly invited to spend the weekend at the Lodge, I was super excited to explore its surrounds and the National Park in particular. Unlike the walk to Wineglass Bay…

Hiking the Three Capes Track

The Three Capes Track opened to the public in December 2015 and takes you on a truly wild adventure across some of Tasmania’s (and the world’s) most stunning wilderness. Over 46km and split across 4 days, the experience encompasses access to the Port Arthur Historic Site, an adrenaline fuelled boat trip, 3 nights accommodation in…

The Fluted Cape Circuit, Bruny Island

Our first taste of Bruny Island was back in November 2014, when two rookie backpackers with limited time and a dwindling money supply attempted to cram the entire East Coast of Tasmania into one week. Needless to say, it was a blur, and the one night we had allotted ourselves over on Bruny was nowhere…

West Coast Wanderings | Off-Roading Adventures

On Good Friday, myself and Yasmin got together with our neighbour, fellow explorer and photographer, Andrew, to spend the morning doing something a little different. Having recently purchased ‘Freddie’, Andrew was raring to take us sight-seeing and before he could even finish his morning brew, we were eagerly perched on the bench outside his house…

Hitching a Ride in Zeehan

It was a perfect day for a ride, so last Wednesday I slathered on some sun cream and made my way to Zeehan to meet friend, co-worker and crazy animal lady, Gaylene. First things first, I just had to get my animal fix and surrounded by her menagerie of pets, I was in my element. Zeehan…

West Coast Wanderings | Montezuma Falls to Macquarie Heads

Tourism season is in full swing all over Tassie right now and Strahan is being bombarded by waves of tour bus groups, bikers and campervans galore. As a seasonal hospitality worker, it has been non-stop; early mornings, late nights, 10-15 hour days back to back… some mornings I wake up and have to weigh up…

A Launceston Getaway

A few weeks back myself and Yasmin were granted the rare luxury of two days off… TOGETHER. This miracle required action, so without haste, we chose a new location to explore and booked ourselves into a hostel. We packed weekend bags and plenty of car snacks for Yas (she gets cranky without a constant supply of…

West Coast Wanderings | Mt. Zeehan & Henty Sand Dunes

A couple of weeks back I was somehow persuaded to climb a mountain. The mountain in question, Mount Zeehan, is not particularly large in size (702m) or striking in appearance, when compared with some of Tassie’s more famous climbs, meaning that it is mostly overlooked by walkers and hikers passing through. It had been a good 2 months…