Flying Solo

Having left the sleeping trombone to slumber further I made a quick exit ready for the 8.50 bus to Taupō. It was an hours journey of which today there were no incidents and arrived just before 10. In my head I had planned a rough schedule and knew I wanted to see the Māori rock carvings and the Huka Falls but I hadn’t worked out logistics. Needless to say when I arrived was drawn to the picturesque lake so headed straight for the marina and a 10.30 departure to the dock carvings.

Lake Taupō originated after a supervolcanic eruption approximately 25,600 years ago. It was the world’s largest known eruption over the past 70,000 years, ejecting 1170 cubic kilometres of material and causing several hundred square kilometres of surrounding land to collapse and form the caldera. The caldera later filled with water to form Lake Taupō. The Lake is the largest by surface area in New Zealand and drained by the Waikato river (New Zealands longest river). Anyhow, it was stunning, the weather made it even better and I was glad I had booked this little trip now as the sky did cloud over later on.

The tour took us around the bay to the Māori rock carvings.

The Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay on Lake Taupō are over 10 metres high and are only accessible by boat. The spiritual and cultural beauty of these magnificent Māori carving towers above the deep see through waters of the Great magnificent Lake Taupō. 

In the late 1970s, master carver Matahi Brightwell came to his mother’s land at Lake Taupō. On a boat trip around the Western Bays he saw the cliffs at Mine Bay and he decided to use them as a canvas for his work of Māori carvings. 

Matahi decided to carve a likeness of Ngātoroirangi, a visionary Māori navigator who guided the Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to the Taupō area over a thousand years ago.

The boat tour was well worth it but once back on dry land I only had a few hours to complete the next part of my itinerary, Huka falls and a walk. The quickest at most convenient way to get here was in an Uber which took me directly to the main attraction. The force of the water is incredible. The Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, narrows dramatically at Huka Falls, generating enough power to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 11 seconds.

From here it was around a 6km walk back into Taupō the initial part of the trail took me along a track through woodland along the side of the river. I couldn’t really get over how blue and clear the water was. Clearly no issues with river pollution and E.coli in the river here unlike back home and the filthy River Nidd. My walk ended back at the lake next to a strange looking McDonald’s an aeroplane – who knew. Lunch was a cider and satay chicken salad prior to my departure to Rotorua. Safe to say I did have a nap on the bus 😂.

Once back in Rotorua, I had 2 options, 1) go back to the hostel and get myself into a whole lot of bother falling asleep or 2) stay out. I chose the latter, heading to the Pig & Whistle a historic pub, formerly the old police station. An open fire, 15 NZ craft beers & ciders on tap and a selection of wine – perfect. Having looked at the menu and seeing as it’s winter, I treated myself to a lamb shank and a glass or two of the Volcanic Hills Syrah produced and grown in Rotorua. Both of which were delightful! Once again another top day in New Zealand. Crazy how I’ve already completed one week ✅.

I finally managed to sleep, 💃🏻💃🏻 well better than any nights sleep so far. Today started with an early 8.30 departure to Rotorua. Sadly there was no fancy breakfast, just a classic cheese and ham toastie from the cafe at the bus station and a poor flat white.

I thought perhaps getting the bus would mean I could see lots of views and give me more of an insight into the landscape of New Zealand. This was the view.

The first stop was Hamilton. A quick 20 minute pit-stop, ready to move on to Rotorua. Little did we know there would be a gear box malfunction and Hamilton bus station would be the location for the next couple of hours (not near the facilities just pulled up in the depot). This is where I start to become irritated and realise I’m an uber/ car kind of girl not a bus user: a couple started eating pistachio nuts – the noise 🙄 of all the nuts to choose from, you choose a shell based nut. The man opposite me was snorting and sniffing so loud😷, just use a tissue. The bus driver was huffing and puffing 🥴, he didn’t really know how to turn the microphone off and was grunting all the way. I was more concerned about his health rather than the buses for the most of the journey. In the meantime, I was trying to work out whether or not I should run for a wee 🤷🏻‍♀️ (I went).

2 hours after the warning light came on, we were on the move, the mechanic had worked his magic, cleaned a few parts and had fixed the gear sensor! Thankfully my phone contract allows me to use my phone like normal whilst away even when in NZ, I must’ve got a deal, which allowed me to pass time watching Tik Toks and download candy crush. Not played that in a long time 😂😂.

We arrived into Rotorua at 3.15pm, 2hrs20 minutes behind schedule, a short walk to the hostel and a freshen up and I was getting peckish, thankfully a Starbucks on the corner of the street for a quick revive, prior to my pick up to the Mitai Māori Village.

Today’s main event was a trip to the Mitai Māori cultural experience. Māori culture traces its roots back to the Polynesian navigators who ventured across vast ocean expanses to reach the shores of Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand. Their incredible navigation skills and intimate connection with the ocean enabled them to embark on this epic journey, bringing with them a unique blend of language, customs, and beliefs.

The evening started with an introduction to Māori culture and an introduction to Māori language. We then made our way down to the Wai-o-whirl stream to watch warriors in traditional dress, paddle a waka (ancient warrior canoe).

The next part of the evening involved watching a performance of traditional Māori customs and traditions through song and dance.

We were then given a traditional ground cooked Hangi feast. The lamb was devine 🤤🤤.

The final part of the evening was a walk to the sacred Fairy Spring, that releases over 24 million litres of pure spring water, whilst here we saw some glow worms whilst walking through the bush.

The evening gave me a great cultural insight into Māori life. I always find you need to know about the history of a nation whilst you are visiting as you can learn so much.

Of course the evening didn’t end there. Just as I had put my PJs on ready for a snooze the fire alarm went off, apparently caused by a smoke machine in a connecting bar. The night was further disrupted when a girl in my room decided to reenact a trombone throughout the night 🥴🙄🤣. They do say everything happens in 3’s 😂🙏🏼.

A better nights sleep than the previous nights but still woke up early! Surely I’m almost out of this cycle 🙏🏼 . The first stop of the day was to a cute litlle coffee shop near to the Sky Tower – United Coffee Nation. Now I love a breakfast bagel but this bagel topped off all bagels and lined the stomach perfectly for my wine tasting tour.

When I first booked my flight to New Zealand, I started researching things to do. First on my list a wine tour, now we all know wine and me are best friends, so when I googled wine tours in New Zealand, Waiheke island came up. A good friend also told me that it was 100% worth it, so it had to be done. Waiheke Island, a 40 minute ferry ride from Auckland, has 9,000 inhabitants with the Māoris first landing in 2 canoes 900 years ago. I had brought the English summer with me so the views were beautiful. I was basically sailing the boat 😂.

Upon arrival in Waiheke I was greeted by my tour guide. I had booked this tour via Fullers the ferry company, little did I know I was going to hit the jackpot and get my own private tour 💃🏻💃🏻🍷🍷.

First stop wasn’t for wine it was to All Press Olive groves. Now I know what you are thinking, it’s New Zealand, not the Mediterranean, but Waiheke Island’s unique microclimate, volcanic soils and coastal proximity has led to the perfect growth of the olive trees first planted on the estate in 1997. The owner of the groves initially started in coffee, Allpress Espresso, but got bored and ventured to olive oil. The Waiheke blend had to be my favourite, but the herb spread was devine.

The next stop was Batch winery for lunch. As I was the only tourist, we went off piste slightly and headed to Rocky Bay to the South of the island. I was initially shocked at how populated the island was, in my head I was thinking rows and rows of vineyards and bottles of wine. Alas, it reminded me of Cornwall. Lunch was a steak 🤤🤤 with a glass of red, the 2023 Thomas Estate Merlot Petit Verdot Malbec. The tasting notes: “a ruby red with purple hues. The bouquet is bright and intense with aromas and flavours of sweet plum, fresh blackberries, raspberry, baking spice and licorice. The mouthfeel is full bodied, a velvety, fine-grained tannin entwined with lively acidity provides backbone and juiciness. Cellaring potential 2023 to 2028”. It was lush so of course I ordered another.

We were slightly ahead of schedule so visited a cute little bay on the north side of the island called Onetangi meaning “Weeping Sands” in Māori after a battle at Putiki o Kahu pā in 1821 during the Musket Wars. These were a series of as many as 3,000 battles and raids fought throughout New Zealand among Māori between 1806 and 1845, after Māori first obtained muskets. The muskets were introduced when European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in the early 1800s, the indigenous Māori quickly recognised there were great advantages in trading with these strangers, whom they called tauiwi. The Bay of Islands offered a safe anchorage and had a large Māori population. To attract ships, Māori began to supply food, timber and prostitution. In exchange, the Māori population traded for firearms, alcohol and other goods of European manufacture. This gave Russell the first European settlement of New Zealand the nickname “Hell hole of the Pacific.” Anyhow, I will stop with the history lesson and back to Onetangi, a very quaint little beach area with a residence owned by the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

If you look carefully in the photo above you can see an island in the distance, this is natures love island, species which are about to become extinct are sent there to do the deed, thus increasing the population . It’s actual name is Little Barrier Island – clearly living up to its name and having few barriers from preventing the reproduction of rare species.

Back to the wine, next stop Cable Bay Vineyard, here I sampled a white, rose and red, or in wine speak a viognier, a pinot roseé and a blended red. There was a nice little wine cellar too and a view across the bay.

The final stop was Mudbrick Vineyard, this had to be my favourite of the three. The wine connoisseur was so knowledgable and told me a lot about why certain grapes grow in certain conditions, back to the science lesson – the Pinot Noir grape can’t grown in humid conditions. It prefers cooler evenings as otherwise it heats up to quickly and splits prior to being ripe leading to bad wine. Who knew. Here I got to try a white, a rose and 2 reds.

It was then time to head back to the ferry terminal for the boat trip back! As you can imagine, rubbish sleep, wine and a moving boat led to me reenacting Churchill the nodding dog. But when I did have my eyes open the sun was setting nicely over Auckland.

Today has been a top day, it’s 6pm and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open! Must stay awake longer.

Auckland it’s been a pleasure. Next stop Rotorua 💃🏻💃🏻

So you would’ve thought a day of exploring Singapore in 30 degree heat would lead to a good nights sleep – who was I kidding? I think I slept for 3 hours out of the potential 6 I could’ve had = nightmare. However, thanks to Woods wisdom a few weeks a go I booked myself the back window seat of the plane, which led to a few cheeky Zzz’s on the plane.

8hrs 40 minutes later I had made it to Auckland. Now a side note: upon arrival in both Singapore and New Zealand I have just walked through passport control, not even 1 queue. UK take note please. I was also not arrested by border control and the cute little sniffer dog so all in all it was a welcome entry. Next stop, my hostel, so in the planning stages I was like no no no I’m not staying in a hostel it will be hell on earth. Well here I am writing this blog from my pod. It’s quiet, it’s private and it’s clean. I figured I’m only here to sleep so no point paying a fortune. Anyhow moving on, straight into bed for another shit night sleep. At 2am I planned day 4 – the sights of Auckland.

An early get up, and a breakfast of champions down in the bar/ cafe attached to the hostel. Two coffees later I was ready for stop number 1: The All Blacks experience.

For those of you that didn’t know I am a rugby fan. You can’t beat men in short shorts chasing an egg shaped ball. But in all seriousness the art of the All Blacks game makes them world best and the anticipation prior to a game by performance of the Haka is mind blowing, this was a great experience and definitely a must if you are ever in Auckland.

Stop number 2 led me sky high, up the sky tower 🤮🤮. Another Jet lag side note – I was feeling like the ground was moving and did question if there was an earthquake going on whilst I went to the toilet. Alas if it was up to 8 on the Richter scale and more than 20km away away then the sky tower would’ve been able to withstand the strain 🙄🙄 wouldn’t want to be up there and try it. So for one who is scared of heights this was a case of me going up – not really looking down, taking some pics and admiring the view. That was all great until some loon decided to do the sky jump, and heard themselves off the top (attached to ropes obviously). This made my palms sweat even more than necessary so resorted to a glass of wine and cheeseboard with a view. Again definitely worth doing but my fear of heights is getting worse.

Stop number 3 my own guided walking tour to the harbour via St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The weather today made it even more beautiful than it already is, nothing beats cold crisp sea air and by the time I reached stop 4 Albert Park via Queen street I was pooped and just really needed a nap.

The final stop of the day took me up Mount Eden, once an active volcano, today a viewing point across Auckland. The scenes in every direction were stunning. But jet lag defeated me and I was ready for a nap.

Back to the hostel, my eye had been twitching all afternoon so I had a little nap whilst I did some laundry, an early dinner and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and it was time to relax. Ready for the wine tour of Waiheke Island tomorrow.

A solid sleep ✅ feeling refreshed, who am I kidding when have I ever felt refreshed?!?! Breakfast, garlic noodles and some grilled chicken – the import and manufacture of chewing gum is illegal so people will just have to deal with garlic breath 😂😂.

First tour of the day – the yellow line open top bus, this headed out towards the botanical gardens a UNESCO world heritage site.

As much as I love a stroll around a garden, I hadn’t got my mosquito spray on, I was bitten last night and I didn’t fancy itching all the way to New Zealand in the morning 😂😂.

I decided to hop off the bus at stop 18 and walk up to Haji Lane past the famous Raffles Hotel. I decided to treat myself to an iced flat white. This was a cute little street, full of shops and rich in history. Until the 1960s Haji Lane was a place for Muslim pilgrims to stay before their journey to Mecca. Shophouses were used as lodging, and some pilgrims worked as hawkers to fund their travel. Today it’s full of artistic murals, tiny little shops and still home to the Sultan Mosque. Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor and Sir Stamford Raffles of the British East India Company signed a treaty in 1819 that permitted the British to officially establish a trade settlement in Singapore. The Sultan as part of this arrangement asked for a mosque to be built next to his royal home and in 1932 the works were completed.

Next stop a stroll down to Little India, a vibrant area of Singapore, again rich in history. Little India’s history in Singapore began in the 1820s with Indian immigrants working at brick kilns and in the cattle trade. Today it’s a vibrant cultural precinct fill of colourful streets, traditional crafts, bustling markets and delicious Indian cuisine. 

Back on the bus I went – this time the red line to Boat quay for lunch. I had read that a must try was the Singapore chilli crab. Now when on your own a whole crab isn’t ideal, however, the kind chef did me a deal and gave me half a crab for a fraction of the price. It was worth it though.

As I had sweated out more water than consumed, it was time for a freshen up and change of clothes, good job I brought more shorts 😂. Next stop China Town.

In 1822, Sir Stamford Raffles allocated land southwest of the Singapore River for Chinese settlers, known as the “Chinese Campong”. Today it’s a vibrant cultural centre with temples, markets and plenty of eateries. I was going to go into the temple but alas I wasn’t dressed appropriately so got declined entry🙄.

Back on the bus I went, this was more to sit down whilst getting a tour of the city with a breeze and some late afternoon sun. Destination Boat Quay for a rooftop Singapore Sling…alas I got to the rooftop but they didn’t have a Singapore Sling, a wine had to do.

I did manage to get my Singapore sling, in a bar by the quay whilst watching the lions. Maybe my new go to cocktail, although rather spenny.

I did say to myself, go back to the hotel after your £14 cocktail. Instead, I ordered a Guinness, my tummy had been cramping on and off all day and I couldnt work out if it was still the effects of the plane or that I necked a gallon of Singapore water, it did say it’s ok to drink on google 🤷🏻‍♀️.

The day finished off with a chicken nasri goreng off the beaten track and a Coke Zero.

Singapore you have been a dream – next stop Auckland 💃🏻💃🏻

A speedy journey up to Newcastle airport, a breeze through security and 3 hours to kill pre departure to Dubai! Number of times I’ve cried uncountable- and I can’t even tell you why, well I can the first one saying goodbye to Milo.

What do you do when you have got 3 hours to kill, spend a small fortune in the airport bar 🙄🙄. £19 for a chicken shawarma that made my effort on Monday evening look like it had 5 Michelin stars. 😂

First flight was fairly dreamy apart from the small child behind me who kept banging the chair – think I had a little sleep on that flight. Hotter than the sun when we arrived in Dubai, midnight and 40 degrees 🥵🥵.

A quick transit, a freshen up and onto plane number 2. The struggle was real with the initial part of the flight! However I managed to get some proper shuteye – makes a change, I’m usually useless at sleeping on planes, although every bone and muscle aches! 😂😂. I was rudely awoken by the man trying to give me some chicken noodles, a croissant, some fruit, yoghurt and granola – not what you want when you’ve no idea what time it is, and you’ve not moved for the last 7 hours.

Anyhow, a smooth arrival into Singapore and a pickup by Vincent to take me to my lodgings for the next 2 nights! The thought of a bed is getting me so so excited.

Now the adventure officially starts – Dora the explorer is ready for action 😂😂

A quick freshen up and I’m off. The plan to head to Marina Sands, stay out until the light show in the gardens by the bay. Then back to the hotel for 9am ✅ well the plan worked and throw in a boat tour with it. I had some noodles at one of the markets and satay chicken 🤤🤤🤤

Words can’t describe the level of sweat that I’ve been experiencing! A detox is a good thing right!?

So day one complete!! It’s not even been a day! I left Newcastle 24 hours ago and here I am on the other side of the world. Tomorrow I will bring you culture – open top bus time 💃🏻💃🏻

So the blog is back. I am back.

It’s been a colourful few years. So my last post was back in Salamanca for the wedding of Inés, Summer 2023. For whatever reason, I can’t actually remember, I didn’t continue the blog. It just stopped. No doubt I was hungover, hot and struggling with life that I didn’t have the capacity to continue. The “annus horribilis” years continued. Sadly my Bambsianani Partner in crime Matt passed away in the Summer of 2023 and then my Queen Granny Wood in March 2024,

The passing of my Gran hit me hard. Like a tonne of bricks crashing down on me. Not only was she my gran but she was my rock, my go to, the person I rang everyday she was my world.

So here we are today, days from departure for my adventure of a lifetime all thanks to my queen. It’s somewhat – bittersweet adventure but one which I will remember for a lifetime and one which I will always associate with Granny.

Although I am going solo, a little bit of Granny is coming with me. I found out the other day that her ashes were scattered without me knowing – that’s a story for another day (Episode 566 of Eastenders incoming). Now most people would go in a rage (I still may, it’s early days, but actually I can’t put her back in her box) I’ve decided to take a little bit of her with me. I’ve got plenty of memorabilia scattered around the house that I look at each day and think of her, but there’s one little odd creature that will fit perfectly in my bag and it can come on me every adventure…so look out for Betty in the upcoming blogs. Next stop Singapore.

Day 1

A lie in until after 9 – finally a rest. I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I find it difficult to stop, but that is exactly what I did on day one. Actually I lie, I ended up watching the first half of the football, having 2 espressos, and heading off on a 4.5km stroll of the sites.

The blue skys combined with the golden yellow buildings is a view I will never get bored of. I must have a million pictures of the cathedral, the convent and the plaza but hey who cares.

A cheeky tomato salad and a glass of wine or two and I was ready for a siesta before the arrival of Kelly-Anne and the start of the wedding festivities.

Side note: I first met Kelly-Anne and Inés in the summer of 2012. I was a runner at ISLA – we had some incredible times and I’m so thankful that we’ve remained friends as guess what six weeks of summer starts with the wedding of Inés and ends with the wedding of Kelly-Anne 🥰🥰

The pre-boda started at 8.45 (remember we are in Spain and not about to put on our PJs like we would in the UK) it was so good to see some old faces – Cris, Rosa and Louise, reminiscing on the old times whilst scoffing our faces with pinchos with a side of wine 🤣🍷. We departed at midnight and swung by Centeneras for a cheeky copa with Roberto. All in all a good first day.

Day 2

Weddings that I’m accustomed to are usually an afternoon start with a midnight end. Was I prepared for a Spanish wedding? Absolutely not. 

The start time was 5pm – now the the biggest stress for me, the heat. I struggle controlling my body temperature at the best of times so how was I possibly meant to get ready in 30 degree heat – alas we managed it and with our fans we were ready to hit the church.

Over the years working in a catholic school I’ve attended my fair share of masses so I was semi prepared, however trying to follow in Spanish – another level. It was lovely non the less and Inés looked absolutely stunning (como siempre). Now for the best part the party.

A glass of wine and a short bus ride later we arrived at el jardín de paramo a lovely setting. As is standard, the wine was flowing and the pinchos kept coming, ready for the sit down part of the meal.

By this point it was 10 pm I’m sure by now you are starting to get the flavour, this was going to be a long night, again more food and wine by midnight I was stuffed and it was time for the first dance 💃🏻💃🏻🥰.

The gin and tonics were flowing, and the dancing had commenced, 4 hours later, Kelly-Anne and I were slightly concerned that her bus was leaving in 5 hours and I’d moved onto the Jack Daniels and Coke (sign of a good night). Alas we made it back to the apartment by 4.30 am.

The day/ night was incredible. We all had such a good time and I hope that the happy couple have their forever happiness – “vivan los novios”

Day 3

Little to comment on this day, I was hungover as expected and Kelly-Anne managed to catch her bus. So it consisted of me going to the pool, swimming 1km, getting a red back in the process and falling asleep.

Although who knew I was to bump into Dieter in Centeneras at 10pm – 2 gin and tonics later and I was definitely ready for bed – the struggle was most definitely real.

When we all thought 2020 and 2021 couldn’t get any worse in rolls 2022. Now I’m not going to lie the beginning of this year wasn’t the worlds worst…lockdown was a thing of the past (just about) things were on the up.

I finally celebrated my 30th birthday albeit 2 years later, we got back in the fields at Kendal Calling and mum and I went to Alicante. Then it went down hill, I finally joined the Covid party and had to self isolate. I just felt hungover but alas I was off work. Then the dark days of November arrived.

Getting a phone call half way through the working day from a family member is never a good thing, sadly grandma had passed away. The expected unexpected, you know it’s going to happen at some point but just never know when. Dave was away so I drove straight to Mums and stayed with her for a couple of days with Milo keeping us company.

Hop forward 2 weeks and the year just gets 100x worse, Christmas parties have started, year 11 parents evening completed then bang life changes within a matter of hours. Sadly Dave passed away. I won’t go into the ins and outs of it, but wow – my chauffeur, ironer, handy man, drinking companion, general all round top guy, number one step dad gone for ever.

Dave always loved to do what he wanted when he wanted. He was never one to sit around pondering what if. The Sunday before the dreaded events he said to me whilst we were watching football “you’ve got to live your life C, you only live once” perhaps he knew something we didn’t, who knows but that is probably why I am where I am now 38,000 feet in the air on flight number 17 of 2023 about to start adventure number one of six weeks of summer.

So team let’s do this. Who’s ready to jump on board and create new memories 💪🏼💪🏼🥰🥰

Tonight I got nostalgic, it has been two years since I was “flying solo” so I read through my previous blogs. It’s been over a year since I wrote my last blog on 3rd May 2020. A lot has happened since then.

But let me start with a post I wrote on 23rd August 2019 – Day 22 of my travels from Zadar “I’m not one to sit down for longer than a day unless I’m ill, but I figured I needed to have some relaxation otherwise I would go back to work more exhausted than when I first started the 6 week holiday. As a teacher the 6 weeks are great if you have a family, or money to keep yourself occupied. As a singleton with little money (I marked 540 GCSEs to get me here and a credit card) 6 weeks can be a drag. Yes it’s nice to have time off but keeping yourself occupied without spending money is a chore. I get bored very easily and as you may have gathered like to see new things.” Now this at the time had no significance little did we know what was in the future.

Let me take you back to 3rd May 2020 days of lockdown had passed by and talks of restrictions being lifted happened. There was hope…Summer came – the summer of “staycation” the return of work happened had I changed my work life balance – a tad but it was easy to get back into a routine of work, coach hockey, tutor, mark, eat, sleep and repeat. I was now home alone so treading water…lockdown hit again. Stay at home but schools still open – this time bonus support bubbles allowed ✅✅. To my mums on a weekend. Christmas came – living in a tier 2 world but that got cancelled on Christmas Eve…January arrived back to work for a day….Good one BJ. Then hit the darkest days

January 2021 – lockdown 103 (probably just number 3)…working from home but this time with a difference – teach lessons on teams – multiple malfunctions, multiple speaking to myself, multiple hitting my head against a brick wall. This time lockdown exercise at an all time low – it snows it rains it does everything but be nice weather. Gain a housemate (albeit temporarily) but a god send.

Then the worst happens…COVID finally hits home…you lose your Uncle Marvellous completely out of the blue, the one that had done anything possible to keep away from the bastard virus. You hear the phone call to say there’s nothing more that can be done, it finally hits home the last 9 months have been to try and save lives…but it’s currently not working. So then you have an idea one which will make your uncle proud. You will run the Great North Run in his memory.

Fast forward a few more months of lockdown, restrictions, vaccine rollout, and we are now here in August…6 weeks of summer. Going back to my second paragraph – 2 years ago I struggled to sit still. This last 2 weeks I’ve done the bare minimum. I’ve been out and about walking/ running, but for the majority I’ve sat at home and just stopped.

In the last 2 years I’ve learnt that it’s ok to just sit and do nothing. Sometimes it just right to lie horizontally and watch random stuff on the tv. No one will judge you for doing so, admittedly I do have days where I still get angry with myself for doing nothing – alas I’m not doing nothing – I’m giving up time for me.

Looking back at posts I finished my travels off with this saying from Charlie Chaplain and it couldn’t be more appropriate now:

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody if I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm. Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worrying about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today I know “THAT IS LIFE”!

So there we go…a load of waffle but it just shows what a difference situations can make. The last couple of years have made me and it’s ready for the next chapter…just the minor challenge of running 13 miles in a month – send help 🥵🥵