It’s roundup time! Since my blog isn’t in chronological order I post these monthly thoughts to give you an insight into the more personal side of the blog (and me!).
Destinations of the month
Once again I spent most of the month in the same place, but with good reason! September was my last month of summer holiday, and my last month before I moved back to Spain and once again entered the dreaded LDR. Which for those who don’t know, is an acronym that shouldn’t exist but means Long Distance Relationship. Ugh. I cringe even writing it.
Edinburgh, Scotland – 20 days
Still one of my most favourite places in the world! Of course. I’m actually surprised I spent so long there this month, because it seriously doesn’t feel like it. I spent most of the time with the fiancé EB, and alternating between blog work, wedding planning and visa stressing. I don’t know how I’ll fit teaching English in again haha.
Montenegro – 6 days
We planned our trip to Montenegro back in May, so it’s been a long time coming! I can’t really remember why we chose it, I think a combination of somewhere that would still be warm in September, somewhere neither of us had been, and me wanting to go to Albania really badly but not being able to quite make it work.
In the end, I’m so happy we ended up spending most of our trip in Kotor! It’s a beautiful old town already, and set in an absolutely stunning bay surrounded by towering mountains. We also took a day trip around some of the rest of Montenegro, including to Skadar which was like the horseshoe bend of Montenegro and a personal favourite. We also went rafting down the border between Montenegro and Bosnia, and stopped off on the Bosnian side, so technically I’ve been there too!
The view from our Airbnb
Dubrovnik, Croatia – 1 day
To get to Montenegro we flew in and out of Dubrovnik airport. After flying in we spent a grand total of half an hour in the country before we crossed the border. Probably me shortest time in a country outside of an airport yet! On the way back we stopped for a night in Dubrovnik. It’s much more expensive than Montenegro and we wanted to spend the majority of our time in one base, but we (read: I) couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a whirlwind explore of another destination that I had loved before.
Highlights of September
Relaxing (I think)
I actually have no idea what I did for the first two weeks of September, and my camera roll isn’t much help (yes I track what I’ve been doing by the photos I’ve taken… phone/photo addict). After an insane August filled with Edinburgh Festivals and the travels to Sweden, Denmark and Spain in July I needed a bit of chill time. It appears I got some? I mentioned a bit of blogging stress last month, and although I haven’t had that as much, I haven’t exactly got to where I want to be either. With a zillion draft ideas on my computer and in my head and none ready to go! I’ll get there. One day. Maybe…
My birthday!
I used to not be so fond of birthdays. Getting older? Ugh. I’ve since decided not to worry about it, because life can be measured in so many other milestones and events than our birthdays. That number really doesn’t have to mean as much as it often seems to.
Lowlights of September
Moving back to Spain
It’s not you Spain, it’s me. I love living in Almería, and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to live and work here again. BUT. I haven’t had time yet to settle in and get used to being apart from EB. We shouldn’t really have to “get used to” being apart from our partner, but unfortunately, that’s the way it has to be some times. I intend to make the most of my overseas experience once again, keep practising my Spanish and travelling as much as possible (while saving for a wedding, gulp).
Popular posts for September
In preparation for the move back to Spain I wrote about Things I Didn’t Expect About Teaching English in Spain to remind me of how far I’ve come!
I also summed up my first year of blogging in One Year of Blogging: Things I’ve Learned (And Things I Haven’t). I can’t believe how far I’ve come, and I have a TON of ideas about the future that I just need to put in to place. (Side note: Thanks for everyone who did my birthday survey to help me out with the direction of the blog. SO appreciated!)
Other posts
North Berwick: The Perfect Day Trip From Edinburgh
North Berwick: The Perfect Day Trip From Edinburgh
Expat Interviews with ladies living abroad in Germany and France.
Top Instagram photo
My birthday photo! Taken the morning of when I made a quick run up halfway up to the Fortress of Kotor in Montenegro.
Blogger shout out
This month I want to mention one of my favourite bloggers, Brenna at This Battered Suitcase, because I absolutely love the way that she writes! To me, she writes from the heart and just wants to share her adventures in travel and life, and hasn’t become caught up in the corporate blogging world. If you haven’t heard of her, check out her blog or follow her Facebook for beautiful pictures and thoughts!
That’s it for another month! Next time I wrap things up I’ll have been in Spain for a month! Where did this year go, and how was your month?
Sonja x
I want to know which Airbnb you stayed at in Montenegro, that view is incredible!! 🙂
I think it was called Rooftop Apartment Kotor! It was just a couple of smaller flights of stairs on the way up to the fortress. Seriously amazing!
Aw, thank you so much for the mention! I really appreciate it, you’re too kind. It looks like you had an incredible month, and Happy Birthday!
You’re welcome! I love your writing and it inspires me to try and write better, how I’d like to and not stress myself out about writing what I think people want to hear or google does haha. And thank you!