So a lot has changed since this time last year

Bearing the incredible heat of the Middle East is never fun in Summer but we’re not having a bad Summer here in the UK either. From taking luxuriously exotic holidays to the Far East, to enjoying short breaks in the UK and Europe, my life has changed dramatically, but all for the better.

Since being back in the UK, I’ve been snowboarding, coffee sampling, been to music festivals, climbed Ben Nevis and so much more. There’s only a few more weeks left of the Summer holidays but I plan to make the most of them. At the top of my list are a number of trips out into the UK countryside and most importantly the coast. I’ve only been to Brighton once but I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to going back and enjoying it once again.

However, it turns out that London is not the cheapest place on earth to live. Inundated with bills, increasing transport fares and the general high price of everything has just added to the fact that you need to be on good money to really enjoy London. Granted there are a good number of free things to do in London but there’s only so many times you can wander around some of London’s fantastic markets and not buy anything. Even enjoying views from Hampstead Heath comes at a price as you pay for transport there and lunch, whether it’s a picnic or a slap up meal.

But it’s not just that. I love the gym but that too is expensive. I got a quote for my local Fitness First and it was £60 a month, after the £100 for the first month. As much as I love working out, it’s sadly not money I have to part with. So it’s a daily run around the Common and a bit of circuit training on the way around which is helping to keep me in shape during these hard times. On the nutrition side, again, it’s not cheap but when you shop around, you can get some great deals on workout nutrition, like Activate Nutrition’s Diet Protein Plus or their ZMA capsules.

So if you don’t live in London but want to, I have one word for you. Plan. It’s can be an expensive place and to really experience it, money is important. When people tell you that money doesn’t make the world go round, they are lying to you. It’s one of the most important things in the world.

Update from my new London pad

It's, yet again, been a long time since I last updated my blog so I thought I would post an update.

It's been a busy few weeks. I've finally moved to South London into a great little flat with a few friends. Right on the bus routes too.

I've hiked up Ben Nevis. We took one of the cheap UK breaks ideas we found online and headed up north on an overnight sleeper coach. It was pretty impressive and I would definitely do it again. Although a little more expensive than the normal coach, it's much cheaper than flying or the train, especially the sleeper train. It also saves a days travelling because you wake up feeling refreshed so it's a great option for those limited by time.

We stayed at the Glen Nevis campsite, at the base of Ben Nevis, and is just a short taxi ride or longer walk into Fort William. Plenty of facilities there and loads of space. They leave lots of spaces available for those who turn up on the day without a reservation.

After all my gallivanting around the UK, I'm finally getting settled which means I can end the month long lack of gym going! I've been for a few runs but no weights and no protein so I'm not looking my best. Give it a month of proper gym work though and I'll be back as good as new.

I'm already starting to look at my next holiday. I want to do something pretty special so I was thinking either a fly-drive in Florida or California or a trip to Australia to see some of my old friends and enjoy Queensland. It's one of my favourite places on earth but flights to Australia are so expensive now. Taxes and APD from the UK is ridiculously expensive.