Can you believe it’s July already? It seems the months are flying in and June was no exception. We got to travel a bit more and see lots of bands in June so that was really cool. Despite how busy it’s been, it has also been a great month and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Let’s get straight to the things I’ve loved in June.
A city break to Amsterdam
On the 1st of June, we woke up in Amsterdam on the comfiest bed at Corendon Vitality Hotel. This was our first morning in Amsterdam so it was a great way to start the month. The sun was shining and we were feeling good despite the numerous flight delays and super late/early morning check in at the hotel. We had three days to explore Amsterdam which was a lot of fun. We visited museums including the fascinating Body Worlds which is crazy, a little weird but so interesting. I don’t want to give too much away just yet as I’ll be writing a few posts about our trip to Amsterdam in the coming weeks so stay tuned for that.
Lodge break in the forest
Following our city break to Amsterdam, we headed to the Northumberland forest to enjoy a relaxing lodge break with our family at Calvert Trust Kielder. We have visited Calvert Trust before and loved our stay so much that we wanted to go back again. This time we stayed in a different lodge which was amazing for us all. I was keen to take it easy this time around so didn’t participate in any accessible activities, but I did enjoy the hydrotherapy pool again. It was great to have breakfast outside, enjoy the nature trails through the forest and generally take it easy. The weather was great, plenty of sunshine and even a really cool thunderstorm that lasted about 40 minutes before the sunshine made an appearance again just in time for our BBQ. I loved sitting by the open patio doors looking out to the stunning view and hearing the thunder and watching the lightning. It’s the simple things. It was a brilliant long weekend with my family and already looking forward to the next one.
You might enjoy these:
Accessible Holidays with Calvert Trust Kielder – Bradbury Chalet Review
Accessible Activities with Calvert Trust Kielder
Binging on The Staircase
I love a good binge-worthy documentary and once again Netflix provided the goods. June saw the release of The Staircase which follows the trial of author Michael Peterson who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen in 2001. There are thirteen episodes and each is gripping, fascinating and frustrating. I am absolutely certain you will LOVE this if you loved Making a Murderer. Please watch and let me know what you think.
Becoming a Columnist for The Falkirk Herald
When I first started my blog I never thought it would lead to other writing opportunities. So it always amazes me when I’m asked to write for other organisations, magazine etc. But then recently I got asked to write a column for my local newspaper. How cool is that? I immediately said yes and now I will be writing a monthly column for the paper. The first column was a little introduction to me and my blog so the readers could get to know who I was. I have a few ideas for the next column so I’m excited to get started on that. To be honest, I was a little nervous about announcing my column before it was published, but I couldn’t be happier with the response I got from friends, family, colleagues and people who knew me when I was at school.
You can read the online version of the column below:
Column: How one bad trip after another started Simply Emma
Seeing Pales Waves at TRNSMT
I’ve spoken about loving Pales Waves in a previous ‘Things I’ve Loved’ post, but on Friday I got to see them perform live at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow. They were on the King Tuts stage and were a highlight of the day for me. We enjoyed their live set so much that we booked tickets (at 1 am in the morning) for their Manchester gig when we got home from TRNSMT. Full review of TRNSMT coming soon.
Lunch at the coolest cafe in Manchester
On the 19th June, we saw Foo Fighters at Etihad Stadium in Manchester. They aren’t usually a band that I listen to, but they were amazing and played for a solid 2 hours 45 mins. Not many bands play for that long these days. Before the gig, we had an awesome lunch at Cafe at the Museum before a wander around the Manchester Museum itself. It was a really cool cafe serving lots of tasty food including fantastic vegan options like the sweet potato burger and the best vegan brownie ever. If you are in the area then I recommend you pop in for something to eat. It was so good. Manchester Museum was a really enjoyable museum with lots of interesting displays. I kind of wish my nephew was with us as he would have loved it too.
Modelling for VisitScotland
I have never had a photoshoot before and the closest I’ve come to having professional photos taken of me was for school photos. Well, that all changed when VisitScotland contacted me to ask if I would like to participate in their diversity photoshoot visiting Edinburgh landmarks. I knew I wanted to do it, but I was unsure how I’d be in front of the camera. It was such a fun day though and I’m glad I got to do it with Allan. We were pros by the end of the photoshoot. Gabrielle from VisitScotland and the photographer were brilliant and made us feel so comfortable. I can’t wait to see the photographs!
The aim of the photo shoot is to increase diversity in marketing and promotion of Scotland as a tourist destination. Focusing on under-represented groups and minority ethnic communities. The photos will then be used in campaigns and promotional materials by VisitScotland and tourism businesses.
New Music Discovery
As always I like to have a music-related favourite each month. This month I’ve come across Ben Rector and his awesome song ‘Old Friends’. I love the music video as well as it shows Ben performing with his old friends who he used to be in a band with when they were in high school. They haven’t played together in 13 years and in the video they are at his old house. I love the nostalgia feeling this song gives me. It makes you remember the old times and how you might not have appreciated those moments and the friends you had at the time. “But truth is there’s nothin’ like old friends. Cause you can’t make old friends”.
And there we have it, another month done and dusted. June has been a busy month, but it’s been one of my favourites by far. July is already shaping up to be another busy month, but I’m hoping to get a few more blog posts published from our little trips and travels. Please let me know what you’ve loved in June and what you are looking forward to? I love to hear from you.
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You might also enjoy:
Things I’ve loved in January | #1
Things I’ve loved in February | #2
Things I’ve loved in March | #3
Things I’ve loved in April | #4
Things I’ve loved in May | #5
