Granted, many of my days were spent in the stockroom of a local shoe shop, contemplating the meaning of life, fantasising about the upcoming academic year, and planning unattainable future summers of interrailing. However, I'm also incredibly grateful to be able to say that I travelled this summer, whether it be a 12-hour trip or a week-long trip, a drive or a plane away.
My summer began in May, with a three-day trip to Bangor to visit a childhood friend who studies at Bangor University. I previously visited Bangor to see her in December of 2022, but in true Welsh fashion, it was very rainy, very windy, and very dark, so it was a big difference seeing it in sunlight.
The highlight of the trip was when we drove to Llandudno and spent the day trying rolled ice cream, eating doughnuts, playing on the arcade machines (I, unfortunately, didn't win the orca teddy), and walking the pier since the weather was on our side.
At the beginning of June, I made the trip to Edinburgh to see Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. I was lucky enough to secure standing tickets all the way back in the Midnights album presale for myself and three of my friends. I then went on to watch several of my friends get seated tickets for a second night and began to panic that I wouldn't be able to see anything when standing (short-person problems). In a true gamble, I managed to find a reasonably priced ticket for a second night, seated on the very last row and slap bang in the centre, and by some luck, it was a real ticket and not a scam.
After waking up at 5 am and getting the first train from Newcastle to Edinburgh Waverley, we joined the queue at 8 am and set out for a day of queuing. Blessed with nice weather for once, we treated ourselves to coffee from a nearby shop (fit with Taylor Swift inspired drinks) and traded friendship bracelets with those queuing nearby.
Despite the absolute nightmare frenzy when doors opened, we managed to secure a spot only a couple of rows from the stage. Needless to say, Taylor was absolutely amazing and the concert exceeded all expectations (which were very high).
After a bit of a nightmare with the hostel we'd booked, we ended up sleeping on the floor of a hotel room. But after a quick rest (and a cry), we were officially onto day two and feeling good. We spent the morning getting breakfast at Black Sheep Coffee with a picturesque view of the castle, before parting ways. Naturally, I was over the moon to find that the second hostel was perfect. I'd never stayed in one before, never mind on my own, so I'd opted to pay a bit more and stay at a pod hostel and it was a brilliant decision. I also met some lovely people who were also going to the concert alone which made the journey to the stadium much less daunting, as well as speaking to and trading bracelets with many lovely people I met in queues for merch, drinks, and the bathroom.
After merch and a couple of white wines were secured, I found my way to my seat and settled in for my first concert alone (another huge step for adult me!). Of course, nothing can beat being 5 feet away from the myth, the legend, Taylor Swift herself, but I had such an amazing time the second night - not having to worry about leaving for a bathroom break, being able to see the whole stage designs, and making sure to push myself to trade bracelets with anyone that looked approachable.
Before setting off home the following day, I stopped at Pie In The Sky, a pop-culture-themed shop that had gone viral with Swifties on TikTok, and managed to trade my last remaining bracelets.
It might sound silly, but that weekend in Edinburgh was one of the most adult moments of my life so far, and I'm immensely proud of myself for not only surviving in one piece but having had an amazing time.
Only a few weeks later I found myself jetting off to Maspalomas in Gran Canaria for a week in the sun with my friend. Most of the holiday was spent lounging by the pool and having a (much-needed) rest. I finally got to finish reading After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid, widely known for Daisy Jones & The Six and my favourite author at the moment. I also got around to reading Call Me By Your Name by ... which has been on my TBR list for years, and it didn't disappoint.
For me, the highlight of the trip has to be the dolphin boat tour that I practically begged on my hands and knees to go on to my occasionally sea-sick friend. We were able to see a large pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins and it filled my ocean-loving soul with immense happiness.
In August, my sister and I booked a spontaneous trip to Munich after she convinced me that we simply had to watch Adele's concert.
Don't get me wrong, Adele was amazing, and seeing my sister enjoy her first concert was everything I'd hoped it be. But, for me, the best part of the trip was immersing myself in the culture (even if it was in a very tourist manner). We visited the famous Viktualienmarkt and naturally had to get a bratwurst, watched the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz, and ate dinner at the extravagant Italian restaurant, Giorgia.
A short scenic train journey away from Munich. Despite only visiting Salzburg for less than 24 hours, it is definitely my favourite place that I've visited this summer. The whole city was scenic, from the hills backing every view, to the Mirabell Palace gardens. We partook in the tradition of leaving a locket on the bridge, walked along the river exploring the market, visited the famous Getreidegasse street featuring Mozart's birthplace (with a handy Spar underneath that made us laugh), and rode the FestungsBahn to see the picturesque views from the Hohensalzburg Fortress. If there is one thing I'm taking away from this trip, it's that I will simply have to revisit Austria.
I know you're probably laughing at me for this one, but sometimes a trip to Scarborough is all you need (yes, I did just say that). Personally, there's nothing better than spending the day with your mum, eating classic seaside doughnuts and losing on arcade games (again, I didn't win the orca teddy). However, the highlight of this mini-day trip has to be trying lobster for the first time, in a classic surf and turf meal from Scarborough's Lookout on the Pier restaurant. And yes, it was delicious. So delicious that it made me forget just how much money I lost on the evil claw machine.
Despite living only a 15-minute drive away, this summer was my first time attending Leeds Festival, so naturally I've decided to include it in this list.
To preface this, I didn't camp, as I honestly can't imagine anything worse after hearing nothing but nightmare-fuelling stories. But, I had an amazing time, spending all day standing at the main stage to see the incredibly talented The Last Dinner Party, Raye, Bleachers, and Lana Del Rey. I do finally understand the appeal of camping though, with the copious amount of food stalls (Redheads Mac 'N' Cheese I'm looking at you) and fair rides. That being said, I can't imagine myself being found in the Leeds Fest camping grounds any time soon.
I have to admit, I too am guilty of posting the most romantic parts of summer on social media, and by all means, I am so lucky to have been able to both earn some money and travel whilst home from university. However, it is equally as important that I mention that my summer was not all that I posted online. Many of my trips were the result of not being given a lot of hours at work, leaving me with a lot of free time to wallow at home and a lot of overdraft debt. So, if your summer doesn't look like mine, or the one I posted online, it's important to remember that there's no one right way to spend summer. Maybe you interrailed for six weeks, maybe you worked full time, maybe you spent most of your time alone at home, maybe you explored your local town from a new perspective, or maybe you did a bit of it all - either way, it's all okay. And if your summer was utterly awful, the good news is, welcome (back) to Newcastle! The best city ever.