So you want travel?

 We all want to travel, but you want travel?

I sit in the top floor of the house, listening to either raindrops randomly popping down onto the roof, or Christmas presents unwrapping themselves, or some huge creepy crawlies in the eaves, not sure. My hearing is very limited right now. This is not a new or unusual thing for me particularly, as I am the proud owner of two very incredible hearing aids. When I'm infected, like now, I can't wear them, which makes for an interesting time.

My declining hearing was one of the reasons I began my writing career. I will use that term loosely today, as a tiny bit of anger creeps in to my system. A year of doors slamming in my face has hit a peak today, and it all felt a little bit 'too much'. I'm sure you know what I mean, we all have those times.

The idea to begin publishing my words was born from a childhood love of writing, coupled with health. Then mother and her health popped in to the mix too, and for a while, I put my life and dreams on hold to sort her needs. Now, it seems, I can carry on doing that, they say. Do I want to? Am I able to? What else would I prefer to do?

As you know, I am a fan of all things law of attraction. That's how this website was born. I wanted everyone to know about it. The minute I decided my writing was going to be coupled with movement (for my health), doors began to open for ME. The opportunity to travel fell out of the sky, like magic, to go and review all-inclusive resorts and their food offerings for those with dietary requirements. As a celiac myself, I love this opportunity. Yes, we are always asked, "on holiday again?" and I aim to reply with zero frustration in my voice. Of course I am thankful to travel for work. Of course it's hard work and 24/7. A week back home sees washing and exhaustion, recovery, rinse, repeat.  So, I do my best to enjoy living life, working and earning a living and cracking on with my mobility as best I can.

Then 'they' step in.

I got to look after Mum.

I will find an answer, I know I will. 

I just looked at my analytics and they tell me about you.

They tell me, you want travel stuff.

I want to give you travel stuff. 

I want to write, research, film, shoot, move, breathe, travel.... 

And I believe in 'build it and they will come'. So I shall plan the travel, share the content and write the books. The rest will fall into place.

Shall we begin with Iceland?

Yes, this is the Northen Lights. Let me know you want to hear about it?

Greenwich means more time: to pause, look and feel.

Greenwich Market

 AD: This trip was kindly sponsored by Visit Greenwich  

The sky showed us how close we are to Christmas as it hid the sun. 

Surrounded by history and wonder, we walked through the core of Greenwich towards the Thames. 

Our boat was on its way and we climbed onto the 

@uberboatbythamesclipper for a warm up and a lovely cuppa on board. Cruising up the Thames was giving us iconic sights on London to enjoy. 

Later, we headed back to Greenwich pier and enjoyed a browse around the Greenwich market. It was alive with art and colour in the creative stalls and the artists called “good morning” to us as we watched them choosing how to set up their stalls for the day ahead. 

Walking over the iconic cobbled streets towards the old royal naval college, we headed to the painted hall. Tall pillars hid behind the large entrance doors and the smell of freshly ground coffee drifted from the cafe. Checking in with the friendly staff was easy and we headed to the splendour of the painted hall. Both jasmine and I were gasping as we looked up, and around us, at the art which covered the room. I was struck by the black and white tiles, harlequined on the floor. Inside, we began taking photographs. The helpful guide asked,

“If you want a really, and I mean really, cool photo, wait here.”

He positioned a table with a mirror on it, and showed us where to put the camera lens. It elongated the painted hall into a miracle of colour. 

We enjoyed taking these photos before walking into a room which was alive with history about Nelson. 

We couldn’t have possibly seen every detail in this room, as it was a true work of art. 

Heading up the hill towards Greenwich park, we saw the Royal Museums Greenwich - Royal Observatory. The views there were amazing. We looked down onto the ORNC, the river Thames, the o2 and Canary Wharf lined the horizon. 

Inside the observatory was the lessons of time. What was time, how was it created, and how was it developed. Jasmine got to hear the speaking clock for the first time, and to hold a telephone with a wire. 

After walking the meridian line, we headed to see the telescopes which gave a window into the night sky (we could see on a TV screen). 

Even though I know Greenwich well, stopping time to bathe in its moments of history and current day living, gave us more to think about than we expected. 

We had missed so much by not stopping and pausing for a moment. 

*students can get discounted tickets with an Oyster card 

** students get a discounted price of £8.50

Living the lifestyle life

“It’s not so much the thing,” Jasmine said, with her hands cupped together, creating an empty space to show me ‘the thing’. 

“It’s the lifestyle, and what it brings.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant. I got it, but not clearly. 

“So, what do you mean?” I asked and stopped to look at her. 

“Like I don’t necessarily mind so much what the thing is, so long as the lifestyle is full of freedom, happiness and health.”

In other words, if you are seeking freedom, there could be several paths to get there and the most important thing is freedom, rather than how you get there. 

She’s right. 

Since my journey into the law of attraction began in 2009, it has turned my head towards living the life of my dreams. Sometimes, getting there isn’t easy but if you keep the North Star in sight, you’re heading the right way. 

Have you ever found you are meandering back and forth along the path towards the North Star?

That has been me. 

I joined the university in 2013, as a distraction from a difficult period in my life, thinking I could work towards becoming a dietitian and write my IVF book during the commute. 

This is a familiar story for many people, I’ve heard it. 

Then, I would get on the train, pull out my phone, begin to answer messages, maybe watch some chemistry YouTube video in preparation for the class ahead, or edit a vlogmas video on my phone. No writing was done. 

The desperation to keep paying the mortgage was a loud fear in my head. The voices chattering away, reminding me to worry. 

Nine years later and I am almost stepping into the writer life. I say almost, as I'm not sure any writers fully step into the life with confidence. There is always a little imposter syndrome, yet, we seem to have no choice but to be a writer. 

What do I mean?

We are thrown curveball after curveball until we finally throw our hands into the air and realise we have no option but to write and be a writer. I will tell you more about my curveballs, but I will keep them brief as they are negative.

My health is the biggest pathway to take me here. I have autoimmune disease and two of those are significant. 

Crohn's disease.

Ankylosing Spondylitis.

I have been trying to ignore them and carry on. But they won't let me. 

A day before I flew to Tunisia, there was another guiding light. It shone as bright as can be as I wept in the drivers seat. I couldn't drive home to pack for over half an hour. And when I did begin the journey, I realised I had some thinking to do.

"Divine timing," I nodded to myself. Having the option to write, vlog, go to Yoga, eat real food and walk in nature, I realised I would have a complete contrasting lifestyle for a few days. 

Could that be the thing?

Taking some wrong turns on your journey.

Did you ever have something take you on another path than you first imagined?

And what happened next?

Did you feel uneasy or anxious? Part of you was probably wondering about the next steps and whether should you carry on or turn back, or even just stand still. 

“Even a slow stream can’t go stagnant”

Sometimes, some moment is good. Despite the frightening aspect of being out of your comfort zone. 

Staying stuck for fear of the unknown isn’t helpful when you are hoping to grow, or experience new adventures. 

Many years ago, I made myself a promise that I would subscribe to the rat race, in order to get on a train each day, write a book on the journey, and earn some money during the daytimes. 

I still haven’t finished the book, despite the many opportunities I have ignored as I have been carried upstream and downstream on a meandering paddle board. 

“One day,” turns into never, if you don’t take action. 

Today, I sit and write this piece to reach out to you after my absence on my website. 

Many things have kept me from sharing my stories of hope and motivation and travelling through my Lusher Life. 

I’m in a dark restaurant. The colours are dark and the mood is dark. 

Kinky. 

Fifty shades. 

I hear birdsong and African drums and I stare back at the stuffed ostrich who is angry about being stuck in the middle of the brunch session. 

An innocent couple walked past me, wide-eyed and slightly afraid. What was this place?

It was definitely a little 'bit' of my yoga friend. She moved to this part of London recently and I can see why she now calls it ‘home’. 

My plan today was to come to get yoga class, with a shivasna ending with singing bowls and some meditation. 

I promised myself on my recent trip to Africa that I would pay more attention to my health and happiness. 

In fact, it was so much more than that. 

I will share that with you soon, but for now, I was back from Africa, with a new promise to myself, and on the way to London for a very special Yoga session at the Mandrake Hotel in London.

Driving past Canary Wharf, I saw people dressed in high-vis gear appear in the rearview mirror behind me. Then I saw some in front of me, carrying signs saying, “Road Closed”. What?

I was confused. Until I saw people closing the road both in front of me and behind my car too. I was stuck in between a closed road, on the Commercial Road, in London at 8.01am.

A sign fixed to a light grey lamppost ahead said,

“London Marathon - Road closures.”

I called out into the air in my car,

“Hey Siri, when is the London Marathon?” And he assured me that it is in April. This was October. But my eyes told me he was wrong. The road was definitely closing around me. I felt panic run through me and the realisation that I was not going to make it to the yoga session had me feeling sad. 

I used my voice to text, my friend, to let her know I wasn’t going to make it, to remind her that I still had her table runner in my boot from the day we spend on the sand dunes and that I missed her. 

After following my intuition and the road signs, I began the journey south, down the A2 to home. 

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” was cruising around my head as I began to think of my day ahead. I would go home, likely snooze, and probably waste the day doing things I would be able to do later in the week. My winding mind was whizzing to try and think how else I could get to The Mandrake. 

London wasn’t closed. Just some of the roads, for the marathon. I decided to drive to Welling train station, saying hello to my Nan’s old road on the way through. I found a free parking space and text my friend, 

“How do I get a train? Do I just bleep my Apple Pay through?”

“LOL, yeah, of course.” She said. 

After a little while,

three train changes, and a reason to create an Instagram reel, I reached the right tube station, got off, and took myself to a Costa for a hot chocolate. All I had with me were my car keys, phone and a £5 note. I decided to sit and watch the world, while I waited for Yoga to finish. I was devastated to miss Yoga, but at least I could see my friend.  After a while, I walked in the direction of the Mandrake, found it, walked past, felt anxious, walked back again and decided to be brave and go inside the dark hotel entrance. I had already checked I could come in with my gym stuff on and once again Alla had chuckled and said yes. 

Even so, they greeted me with, “Welcome to the Mandrake,” and invited me to sit in the reception area. 

“Can I get a tea somewhere and wait?” I asked and I was directed to the incredible restaurant to drink my fresh peppermint tea. I pulled out my phone, looked around and began to write this piece. 

The writer was back. 

New stories await amid travel adventures

Harley cried, and looked up at me with eyes like saucers. He wanted to sit on my lap. He had moved between beds and blankets all summer long. They were behind my office chair, on the floor by the wall with the fairy lights. He is a loyal research companion.

“You wanna come up mate?”

I scooped him up and sat him on my legs as if he was a toddler about to be bounced up and down. I could edit with one hand, and rest the other on the desk in front of him. He placed his paw on top of my hand and left it there for encouragement. 

 

After another thirty minutes, the email was sent. The next draft chapter was making its way to the necessary people, and I was grinning. I had improved my writing beyond recognition and even though it meant my time walking in the sunshine had been limited this summer, I was full of pride. 

I closed the laptop lid and kissed Harley on top of his head. It was time to prepare for a trip.

 

Excitement prevented me from sleeping any longer than five hours. That would do. 

Jasmine and I would use ‘list making’ as an excuse to get lunch somewhere nice, before wandering around the shops to see what we needed for our next trip. Could we call the trip a holiday? I wasn’t sure. They were always ‘work’, but the kind of work you could frequently do without any thought of complaining. We had big plans. 

Facebook housed a group of people who had already been to the resort. This was a genius way of making friends, finding information and making new relationships before we went there. We have so many plans already and I can’t wait to begin writing a new chapter for the book, and filming videos for YouTube. There are more trips planned, all fitting nicely around work, and my PhD research. 

 

My mind is already over there, getting up early, hunting down a frothy coffee and sitting somewhere peaceful to journal. The resort's sun comes up over the sea, and the rooms overlook the sea. Isn’t that just the ideal picture in the mind?  I am excited about life in a renewed way I haven’t felt before. Even though I can’t explain it, I absolutely don’t mind. Whatever this feeling is, it can stay. Wanderlust being fulfilled once again in my inflamed body, I fully intend to make the most of walking barefoot on the sand. The feeling of the warm sea lapping against the ankles is just the most smile-inducing thought right now as I sit at my breakfast table pre-suncream shopping. My cells will come alive today, and in two weeks as we head to the airport, and maybe the inflammation will lower. 

 

New stories will be born, which I haven’t even got an outline for right now. I love that about travel writing; it just takes you on a wave and guides you with every turn. Seeing new things to describe, meeting new people to become ‘characters’, and having new experiences to create the backbone of the tale, all add to the beauty of ‘adventure’.

People see me tapping away at the laptop and ask why I’m working.

“Oh, no, this isn’t working. This is my passion.”

Did you forget the promise you made yourself during lockdown?

 Hello! So, my book is finally out today, after over a year of delays. 

In this book you can find more of the things you loved last time to get you thinking about life, what is living and how can we do it better?

Rejoice:

The first book saw an excited load of loveliness as we all rejoiced in the summer sun, the time away from routine and general sense of 'finding purpose'. Then the rules came, we were kept away from our families, unable to see people we needed to take care of... sadness crept in. But among that was a sense of knowing that we can learn from this pandemic. Did you promise yourself that? Have you forgotten those promises? This book gives you a reminder, as well as a chance to write down the story you want to tell yourself to help create your ideal life. The first book is here: Covid-19: How it made us feel The second, new book is here: DeJaVu: Life from behind the mask

DéjàVu: From behind the mask is PUBLISHED

 I am so excited to share the latest news with you.

You LOVED Covid-19: How it made us feel when it was shared with the world back in 2020. We hit bestseller status and I was loving my life beyond measure.

Me and my fellow writers found it therapeutic to share our thoughts with the world at that time and I truly wanted to get another book out there. In the meantime, I have been honing my phenomenology skills, which is a study of the lived human experience, and how to interpret it. That's called hermeneutics. But that doesn't matter. What I can now tell you is that there is a very different feel to the second book. 

During our first lockdown, we seemed to have an element of joy around doing things differently. We rejoiced in catching up with our lives and ourselves. During the capture of the second (kindle version, click here) lot of stories, there were tragedies and a sense of gloom as families began to become divided. 

What was the difference? The weather wasn't as good. We were given more rules to follow, so perhaps the joy of living life on our terms was now being changed, as we had to follow rules in an attempt to not catch the virus.

So many people wanted to write for this book. At the end is a section in the paperback version where you can record your thoughts. The passing of time means we forget certain things, and how we were feeling. Did you remember what all of the lockdowns were called? Can you think of the different ways in which you adjusted life? Write them down now before you forget.  You can record those thoughts after a quick reminder from myself and other incredible authors who have shared their innermost secrets and darkest fears, while talking you through little funny quirks of life which will also make you smile. 

Do you care too much?

 

During a blogging lull on this website, life has been busy. Nothing more than you, I expect. 

Just life stuff. 

Recently, I’ve been aiming to focus on the forward direction of my career. It’s been a juggling act while trying to look after Mum of course, and still be a hands on mother myself. 

Do you find you take a backseat in the place of putting others first sometimes? I'm going to explain why you must stop that. 

Your life is your life. 

Not someone else's, because they have their own journey and path. Emotional vampires are easy to spot and dismiss from your schedule. But sometimes those who seem genuinely in need are the ones who are hard to omit. 

You know the oxygen mask analogy already. And you probably understand that one. But life in the day-to-day schedules should be no different. We need to take care of ourselves as a priority. We won't be able to help others if we aren't in tip-top shape.

In January 2021 I started my PhD journey. It's using a lot of focus. Mum doesn't understand it,

"I don't know what she does in her office but I don't suppose it matters," I overheard her say on the phone.

Yes, it matters Mum. And you can ask. I matter and so does my work.

I brushed that comment aside (almost, otherwise I wouldn't mention it here) and I began to reach out for help.

The UK has a crisis relating to the care system right now. Their solution is to ask the families to step up more and they support us to do that. Again, with my health, work, children, it's all a little overwhelming. So here's what happened.

Mum was given an assessment. 

So was I.

I've been given periodic support to help care for Mum when I am away researching for my writing projects. Amazing. I couldn't be more pleased. While it still doesn't make it easy (Mum and I have never been close, and she admits she is capable but just lazy,) it is becoming more possible to continue my own life too.

This week, we researched and focused from a place in the countryside. I took a while to settle in, as I am becoming more homely recently.

*I spilled hot coffee all over me.

*I got a huge splinter from a rowing boat (I called it exercise).

*The fridge door shut on my arm, cutting it in the process.

*I was anxious at the number of other dogs running around, off leads while Harley can now hardly walk.

But, this was focus time nonetheless.

I watched the sun rise at 4am, I slept with the rhythms at 10pm. I wrote. I formatted, ready for the next publication. I journaled in the hope I would gain clarity on my forward direction.

Sometimes, until you figure it all out, you might just have to 'wing it'.

But a lull on this website is unwelcome. I'm back. Are you still with me?

Camber Sands beach in Sussex - the best beach in England?

The smell of an early evening barbeque, the call of greedy seagulls ahead, friends laughing and the odd beats of some mixed music means it must be summer in England.

Many years ago, when my brother was alive, he would gather friends on an Annual trip to Camber Sands beach. They would spend the day on the beach, enjoying the sun, dipping into the sea and eating picnics. They made a day of it, staying on the beach until sundown. In June, this means 10pm in England - and it beats laying in a hot bed, unable to sleep.

Recently, we had a hot day, before its time, in the UK. So my daughter, our friend and I took to Camber sands for the lovliest day out. We spent time laughing, like girls should, and enjoying the feeling of soft sand on our feet.

This video shows you a girls day out on the camber sands beach, in Rye, Sussex. It's one of the best beaches in the Uk, in my opinion, and definitely one of the most popular.

We enjoyed eating cheesy chips in one of the little huts at the side of the sand. Sitting high in the sand dunes helped protect us from the wind and the sun was shining brightly on us and the wet sand. What a beautiful day we had.

See more reviews here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1752567-d2248776-Reviews-Camber_Sands-Camber_Rye_East_Sussex_England.html

What is self care to you?

Self love kind of morning on June 4th 

 Many of us have an anniversary day for ourselves. 

The day we got sober, put ourselves first, said no to an abuser, or a day to mark our independence. 

 June 4th is the day of a new journey when I was confused and hurt, but began a new path into finding my way into something else. 

The day I didn’t give up. 

The day I put me and my unborn twins as my priority. 

And no matter what was thrown our way, we kept on going. Celebrate YOU today for whatever reason you can find. 

And yes, this is cheesy and personal but without these life stories, how can we learn? Time to 

🖊 journal 

☕️ have a cuppa 

🐾 love Harley 

🧴moisturise all morning 

💻 edit some travel vids

 Just for a couple of hours…💜

All inclusive resort in the UK?

 Potters resort in Norfolk, England is a venue like no other. 

Butlins? Nope. 

Pontins? Definitely not. 

Abroad even? Possibly. 

But this a staycation of a uniqueness in the uk. 

You see, at Potters, everything is included. The food and drink (top notch!), the activities, swimming, entertainment (think Broadway), and the comfiest accommodation. 

Here is the VLOG of the weekend.

Fully inclusive in other ways too, this resort is accessible and the chef is very thorough when dealing with special dietary requirements. I’m impressed. 

Although this trip wasn’t perfect. Because I was unable to book for next year. Sad times. 

There is something called gender balancing with a dance weekend. Just to prevent there being a heap of ladies sat on the side of the dance floor, awaiting a partner. I mean, bopping along or tapping your feet is acceptable, but we come to jive. To do Ceroc, and the best way is with a partner. I understand this. And I think the idea is a good one. That said, jasmine (my daughter), and I travel together and this makes things tricky for us. 

Shamefully, I think I should have known that the booking was open. Why? Because, well, I’ve been going since the first year it opened. Another story to ge told for that (I smile as I type, remembering discoving drink dancing and Sambuca)… and because I’ve been dancing for 21 years on the Ceroc science, longer on the modern, ballroom and Latin scene. But alas, this doesn’t qualify me for a ticket if I’m not first in line, nor does it prevent me growing older, and my kids growing up. 

Another hiccup.

Jasmine is really finding her groove on the dance floor now. She was dancing a year before lockdown, and the interruption stopped the flow, but now, she is in great demand. That used to be me, and yes, a part of me is sad that the lead men ask her to dance and don’t return for me. Is that weird or normal? Are my feelings valid? Who wants to feel like a has-been? But, thanks to Craig, I did compete in the massive ballrooms of London, and became a finalist, and loved it. Time to hand it over to Jasmine now and maybe she will get that medal that was at my fingertips. 

I’m proud of her. 

I’m proud of me. 

I still go and try. Even though “they” told me to stop. “Get in the wheelchair after a ten-minute session on your feet.” They said. I’ll do my best to keep my mobility and I believe movement, music and smiles will help with that. 

Potters, it was a total pleasure. 

Ceroc, wowzers, loved the music and dance. 

Food..well, it’s not my friend at the best of times but it was delicious. 

Want to know where we are travelling to next?