The 2018 Summer Bucket List

Summer has officially arrived here in England, and I couldn’t be more happy about it. This will be by ninth summer here since moving from Australia, and I have to say this is the best one yet – weeks and weeks of consistently gorgeous weather (and hopefully many more months to come). We’ve created so many annual summer traditions here that I look forward to all year, and I love adding a few new ones each year. Consider this your field guide to a Really Excellent Summer:

1. Throw a picnic // I need no excuse to have a picnic, so have been taking every opportunity to have a picnic in the park, on the banks of the river, or beneath the shade of my favourite tree in the botanical gardens – such is my dedication that I keep our picnic basket permanently packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice (I just add cheese, fruit, and something delicious to drink from the store on the way to the park). Vow to gather up your favourite people (or just yourself) and head to your favourite spot as often as possible.

2. Go berry picking // If there’s one thing better than fresh summer fruit all season long, it’s going straight to the source and picking the freshest, juiciest versions yourself. If there isn’t a farm or orchard that lets you pick your own anywhere near you, then head to the nearest farmers market for the next best thing.

3. Work on your summer reading list // These long, lazy weekends are perfect for getting through the stack of books you’ve been wanting to read. If like me one of your 2018 goals was to make more time to read, summer is the perfect time to snatch a few hours to escape the heat or head to the park with a great new book (I’m about to dive into this one)

4. Go to a musical festival or outdoor concert // I’m not really a music festival sort of girl, but we have live jazz (my favourite) in the Cambridge Botanical Gardens every Wednesday evening in July and I can’t wait for those sunset sounds (with a side of gelato).

5. Play outside // Even if you’re an avid sports-avoider like me, there is something so fun about a lawn games tournament in the park. Try an afternoon of croquet (my favourite – we use this set), pétanque, tennis, or beach volleyball with friends.

6. Go glamping // I am definitely not a camping kind of girl, but glamping I can get on board with. Last spring we spent a weekend with friends in the Norfolk countryside where we played board games, made s’mores on the campfire, and slept in a huge tipi with real beds, and we’re planning on doing the same next month on the coast.

7. Make your own ice cream to enjoy all season long // Last summer I made a huge batch of the most incredible peach and orange blossom gelato (I use a variation on this recipe + this machine to make it), and it was such a treat to enjoy at the end of a long, hot day. This season I want to make the most of my balcony herb garden and try to recreate the delicious basil + banana gelato I just had in Lisbon last week.

8. Watch an open-air film or play // Every year we go to the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival to watch a sunset performance in one of the gorgeous Cambridge college gardens. This year is no exception, but I’m also determined to go to an outdoor cinema screening somewhere beautiful, too.

9. Plan a mid-week day off work // If your holiday plans don’t stretch to taking a month-long vacation (a girl can dream), book a day of work and fill it with all your favourite things; brunch at your favourite cafe, a new exhibition, an afternoon screening at a gorgeous old movie theatre, and cocktails somewhere fabulous. Sometimes a day off is as good as a vacation.

10. Hit the water // There are few greater joys in life than being by the water on a hot summer day. One of my favourite summer pastimes is punting on the River Cam, but I also want to try wild swimming in the river at Grantchester or the Hampstead Heath Ladies’ Pond. Whether you’re near a lake, pool, or beach, make plans to spend an entire afternoon splashing about in the water with friends.

11. Let your hair air dry // At least a day or two a week, ditch the hairdryer / tongs and let your hair air dry. I’ve been trying to embrace my natural curls on weekends, and my hair is much happier for it!

12. Go to a funfair // Find a carnival or fair in town or further afield to visit with your friends. Ride the carousel, eat hot dogs, and act like teenagers for a day.

13. Watch the sunrise // At least one morning this summer, wake up in time to watch the sunrise. Either go somewhere beautiful to watch the scenery come to life in the golden morning light, or just enjoy it from your window at home with a cup of coffee and a whole morning of extra time to use as you wish.

14. Go for a long bike ride // If four wheels move the body, the two wheels move the soul. Get a double dose of exercise and Vitamin D and take a long ride somewhere lovely.

15. Visit somewhere new // It’s not really summer without a least one adventure, so whether it’s a National Trust property near your town, a day trip to a new beach, or a city break somewhere you’ve never been before, make plans to visit somewhere new this season.

Let me know if you’re trying any of these things or what your plans for the season are. And happy summer everyone!

Love, Briony xx

Photos by Joe Galvin

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