My October 2023: Busy autumn in Aberdeen

Destinations visited in October 2023

Scotland

• Loch Callater and Braemar, Cairngorms National Park
• Aberdeen
• Dundee
• St Andrews

Top 3 favourite new destinations

1. St Andrews!
2. Dundee

… and that’s it for this month!

Daily life

Life in Aberdeen

The month started with a few more days with my friend Lucie who had come over from the Faroe Islands to visit me. While I was attending classes at uni, she was off adventuring in Aberdeenshire, but we spent the evenings together walking in Seaton Park, failing at the local pub quiz and enjoying delicious vegan meals.

Once Lucie had gone back home, it was time to get stuck into my uni work; lots and lots of dissertation writing and readings for classes, as well as the beginning of my many assessments this term. I did have time for a bit of fun though, namely a night out with the other archaeologists (and Minnie of course!) and the weekly pub quiz!

October was mostly uneventful after Lucie left, except for a few awesome Swiftie days. On Friday the 13th, I went to the cinema with my friend Sara to watch T-Swift’s Eras Tour movie and it was just as incredible as I’d imagined. I was sad that she cut a few songs from the set list (especially cardigan and The Archer, two of my absolute favourites), but I can’t even begin to tell you what an amazing performer she is. I can’t wait to actually experience the show live next year! And on the 27th, her new re-recording, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), was released and I am OBSESSED to say the least. 1989 is now my second-favourite album after folklore. Those vault tracks were absolutely insane – especially Is It Over Now?!

The beautiful weather we’d had in September was replaced by October rains that lasted for days, but I didn’t mind. I love autumn and everything that comes with it, and especially cozy rain days. I even loved it when Storm Babet paid us a visit and nearly flooded the city! The sun did eventually return and soon after, the air turned crisp. Ahh, my favourite. I love this time of year so much! I am also enjoying the late sunrises, some of which have been absolutely stunning by the beach! The morning walkies with Minnie have become so much fun as we’ve met a little dog group that always come to the same spot at 8 AM. There are five other dogs and Minnie fits right in with the pack. It’s undoubtedly her favourite time of the day!

At the end of the month, Minnie gave me a true scare. After our morning beach walk, she started wobbling, shaking and losing her balance so I hurried to the vet. They took her to the hospital and kept her there for the day, while I cried my eyes out thinking I was going to lose her. The vet said that she’d been poisoned by something she’d eaten (presumably at the beach). Thankfully, the treatment worked and she is now back to her normal, crazy self! 🤎

Travels and local adventures

The end of our camping trip to the Cairngorms

On the first day of the month, Minnie, Lucie and I saw the end of our camping trip to the Cairngorms National Park.

We woke up early in the tent, planning to climb one of the munros that surround Loch Callater, but we gave up after three kilometres of hiking in the fog and rain as it seemed the weather was only getting worse – and Minnie was shaking from the cold. Of course, when we returned to the tent, the sun had come out in full force and the munro we’d wanted to climb was no longer engulfed in fog. Oh well, there’s always next time! And it turned out to be for the better as Lucie had trouble with her hiking boots and I had two big blisters on my feet when we finally got back to Braemar…

A day in Dundee and St Andrews

On the 28th, Minnie and I travelled down to Dundee to see my friend Runa, who I hadn’t seen since visiting her in Greifswald, Germany, over three years ago! She was visiting her friend Salo in Edinburgh for the week, so we decided to meet halfway! Dundee is not the most interesting city, in fact I’d say it’s quite ugly, so we didn’t spend much time there. Just enough to see the city centre and visit some thrift shops!

We hopped on a bus to St Andrews, a gorgeous old university town by the coast – and apparently the only sunny place in Scotland that day! We only had time for three hours in the city, but it was enough to explore the beautiful university from 1413 (the oldest in Scotland!) and walk the coastal path between St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral, both of which are in ruins. We also walked down the steps below the castle to Castle Sands, but the beach had disappeared beneath the rough waves!

Back in Dundee, I picked up my 1989 (Taylor’s Version) vinyl that I had reserved and then caught the train back to Aberdeen! It was so nice to see Runa and meet Salo, and it was amazing for once to have a day off where I didn’t have to think about studying. I don’t need to return to Dundee ever again, but I really enjoyed St Andrews and would love to return in winter one day!

New on the blog

Most popular post

• My 10-year Faroeversary: Turning my passion for the Faroes into a research journey – A love note to my favourite country!

The other posts

• My September 2023: A precious new beginning with Minnie – All about the first few weeks with Minnie!
• Venture beyond Copenhagen: 20 beautiful places to explore in rural Denmark – A post I’ve long wanted to write as Denmark has so much to offer beyond the capital!
• Minnie’s story: A journey from Romania to my arms – Minnie’s life before and after becoming my baby!
• Over the sound to Burg: A summer return to Fehmarn – My second visit to this pretty German island
• An abandoned world: A tribute to a bygone era in my hometown – Urban exploring in my own hometown!

Most popular Instagram picture

My university looks so pretty in autumn – it’s a shame that two recent storms took all these red leaves away, though!

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Coming up in November 2023

Autumn continues and don’t I love it!

November is going to be another busy month full of studying and writing assessments, with a few pub quiz nights and walks around Aberdeen thrown in the mix. I have no plans of adventuring until the end of the month where I hope there’ll be snow and Christmas lights in Braemar, my favourite village in the Cairngorms. I would love to take Minnie there for a day for her first snow experience and get myself in the Christmas spirit.

On November 30th, Minnie and I are taking the long overland journey back home to Denmark for Christmas! For Minnie, it will be the first time on a ferry (and a long one too, almost 17 hours!) and it will also be her first time visiting the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. I’m excited for the journey, but mostly just so excited for Minnie to meet my family!