๐ค Out of office: On โ๏ธ Holiday mode: Activated โ๏ธ Next stop: Sitges
I just can’t wait for a week of uninterrupted sunshine…
Travel
Last day of work before we go to Sitges tomorrow, for Pride ๐ณ๏ธโ๐
But if Iโm totally honest, I could do with another 24hrs to feel more organised and cultivate a little more calm and composure.
Todayโs todo list isโฆ epic.
โ๏ธ Mmmmm… this time next week, I’ll be in Sitges.
Almost certainly sitting in the square outside Parrot’s Bar, definitely enjoying the people watching. And the warmer temperatures. It’s a veritable home away from home and will eventually be my actual home. If all current plans work out.
๐ธ I’ve finally added selected pics from my trip to Tallinn ๐ช๐ช into an album on Flickr.
๐๐ป Tallinn: May 2024
Slowly - very slowly - adjusting to life back in a drab and wet London after three days of sunshine and beauty in Tallinn ๐ช๐ช
On the upside, this is a four-day week, I’ve a lovely social weekend planned, and next week we head to Spain for Sitges Pride ๐ณ๏ธโ๐
Landing at Heathrow Airport after a very relaxing weekend in the sun is a lot like spending the day at a relaxing spa, only to walk out into the street and have a series of strangers punch you in the balls.
All the strangers are wearing uniforms, obviously. And thereโs no daylight. And it smells.
Heathrow Terminal 3 is absolutely the worst way to arrive in the UK.
โ๏ธ Arrived safely back in London.
Unfortunately, to Heathrow Airport, which is enough to take the sheen off a relaxing weekend in Europe. Chaos.
Anywayโฆ on a train east-bound and hope to be in Canary Wharf by 10pm.
โ๏ธ Just boarded our flight to Helsinki. Only 20mins late due to the weather. Which has brightened up considerably!
โ๏ธ It’s been absolutely lashing down here at Tallinn Airport for the last hour. And I’ver just found out there are storms between here and Helsinki. Think of me as I hunker down on a tiny turbo-prop plane and tense every muscle in my body until we land.
โ๏ธ Back at Tallinn Airport, ready for the journey home. First, a quick 15mins flight to Helsinki, then a Finnair flight back to Heathrow. I’ll miss the Estonian sunshine for sure, but I’m honestly looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.
๐ธ Living my best nautical life here in Tallinn! ๐ช๐ชโ๏ธ
๐ธ Enjoying the delights of Kadriorg Park in Tallinn this morning. Itโs 27C and not a cloud in the sky. Perfect!
โ๏ธ We have a final morning here in Tallinn and the weather is glorious, so weโre going to head to a local park after breakfast and enjoy the sunshine. โ๏ธ
โ๏ธ Another glorious day in Tallinn.
So far, I’ve visited a naval museum, explored a submarine (yes, really!), pretended to be a sailor (and an admiral, obviously), visited a micro-brewery, tasted some more delicious Estonian beers, boarded an icebreaker, bought a brewery-themed baseball cap and explored a monument to Soviet ineptitude.
And all before 5pm.
Now back at our hotel for some free drinks and nibbles. A plan for the evening has yet to form, but I know we’ll get there in the end.
Europeans! You must visit Tallinn. It’s amazing.
๐ธ Went to the brewery, drank the beer, bought the cap!
๐ธ Our bar here is a converted train carriage. Very cool! Soaking up the sunshine, but keeping hydrated too ๐
๐บ Enjoying a delicious IPA at Pลhjala Brewery and Taproom in Tallinn. Could spend the night whole afternoon here. The selection of beers is incredible.
๐ฃ 23,500 steps across Tallinn yesterday. Letโs see if we can do even more today!
๐ธ Loving this hotel room bed, but itโs time to get up, get breakfast and explore more of Tallinn. ๐ช๐ช
Today itโs all about the waterfront. And hopefully, a submarine! Plus more sunshine and blue skies.
๐ช๐ช Time for a recap
We spent the afternoon wandering around Tallinn’s Old Town. And unlike a lot of cities that claim to have an ‘old town’, this one’s really old! And beautifully maintained. A delicious lunch in the sunshine broke our journey, along with a cheeky beer later in the afternoon.
I’m now back in the hotel, sipping a beer in the Executive Lounge and making plans for this evening. And eyeing up the delicious buffet that will keep me going for the next few hours. I’ve fallen a little in love with Tallinn and can’t wait to see more of it tomorrow.
๐ธ Exploring Tallinn is thirsty work!
โ๏ธ So far, absolutely loving Tallinn! ๐ช๐ช
โ๏ธ My chariot awaits!
โ๏ธ Taking one of these bad boys to Tallinn.
The flight is under 20mins so itโll do just fine. Weโll be up and down before we know it.
โ๏ธ Next stop: Tallinn.
My passport is in surprisingly good shape considered how much it gets used! ๐ฎ๐ช
โ๏ธ At Helsinki Airport, awaiting our flight to Tallinn. This is such a clean, well-organised, and easy to navigate airport! Nice to be back after a couple of years.
๐ธ Last night’s on board cocktail from Finnair. A surprisingly tasty pre-made affair.
โ๏ธ The journey so far…
We made it to Helsinki last night! Lovely Finnair cabin crew and a tasty cocktail made the journey fly by. Plus two episodes of the new Doctor Who series. Though I’ve had softer airline seats and, after 2hrs 50mins, it was beginning to take it toll!
We stayed overnight at the airport Hilton, which was a little like a time capsule from the 1980s! But absolutely fine for one night at the airport. Two hours from now, we’ll be on our Finnair flight to Tallinn and the start of our long weekend in Estonia.
The sun is out and I had a great night’s sleep. Life is good!
๐ธ Working from home this morning and taking in the (slightly cloudy) view from here.
Shortly heading to Heathrow to catch a flight to Helsinki, from where we’ll fly to Tallinn for my first ever visit to Estonia. Very excited indeed.
๐ธ Up in Oxfordshire for an overnight work trip and this is the view from my hotel bedroom.
