April was partly overshadowed by a stressful, multi-week interview process, but I still managed two trips to the Peak District with friends and a long-awaited visit to the Scottish Highlands. Here’s what I got up to in April 2026.
Destinations visited:
Cheltenham, Stroud, and the Peak District, England
Inverness, Culloden, Loch Ness, and Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
Favorite destinations:
The Peak District – I visited the Peak District with friends based near Manchester, and we had a fantastic day hiking, getting coffee, and stopping by a pub. Our walk took us to the top of Lantern Pike, where we enjoyed beautiful views across the surrounding landscape. Even though I only saw a small part of the region, I loved it and would happily visit again.
Scottish Highlands – I’ll share more about our Scottish Highlands trip soon, but it’s truly a stunning part of the world. We took the train to Inverness, and the views of Cairngorms National Park on the way were incredible. We loved every stop and would happily return to explore more of Scotland—especially the islands.
Highlights:
A long-awaited trip to the Scottish Highlands—with great weather. After watching Outlander and following Ruth Aisling on YouTube, the Highlands have been on my bucket list since we moved back to the UK. We stayed in Inverness and took day trips to Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, and Cairngorms National Park—and we lucked out with sunshine every day. I expected the Loch Ness tour to be underwhelming, but I ended up loving it, especially the one-hour boat ride and the narration. I was also happy to discover I like Scottish whisky, and I enjoyed trying new foods—oat cakes, Irn Bru, cranachan, and cullen skink—along with old favorites like haggis and tablet.
My UK spousal visa renewal being approved – After months of work with our lawyer, I submitted my spousal visa renewal in early March and heard back in mid-April—several weeks earlier than expected—that it was approved. Our first application a few years ago was refused due to misunderstandings about Mark’s employment, so this decision was a huge relief. It also means I can stay in the UK until November 2028, when I’ll be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Visiting with two friends in the Peak District – Two friends live near Manchester, so I recently visited them and we spent a day in the Peak District. It was wonderful to see them in such a beautiful area and have time to catch up on life.
Belated Easter with Mark’s family – We spent a lovely belated Easter with Mark’s parents and his brother’s family. The boys are really into Lego, so we got them each a set, did an egg hunt, and finished with a nice Italian meal in town.
Challenges:
Interview stress – I spent a few weeks this month interviewing for a new job. I reached the fourth round, but less than three hours before my final interview—when I thought an offer was likely—they cancelled and told me they’d chosen someone else. I know that happens, but after the talent manager’s passive-aggressive behavior and the pushback on scheduling around the two days I’d said I was unavailable, it was especially frustrating.
I took a few days to process it and then started applying again. I’m still working out what my next career step should be. I’d love to take a break between jobs, but I’m nervous to leave without something else lined up.
Posts:
Coming up in May 2026:
I have some big travel plans in June (more on that next month), so May will be quieter. We’ll mostly be in Cheltenham or nearby—seeing friends and relaxing when we’re not working. Mark’s birthday is at the end of the month, so we’ve booked a house about an hour away in the Malvern Hills for a weekend of walks and a soak in the home’s hot tub.
What are your plans for May?
Noelle Across The Pond 