tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80880216293789221262024-03-06T05:32:03.240+00:00Louise UsherCreative non fiction life writerLouise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.comBlogger600125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-29136142327277348482023-12-29T10:24:00.002+00:002023-12-29T10:24:33.946+00:00Booking a trip with £0 deposit<p> <span style="font-size: large;">It's time to look at the<a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/9gZ6nQ"> webpages</a> to visit somewhere lovely.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now that the turkey is drying up, and the crumpled hats sit hiding under the dining room table, many people turn their thoughts to holidays. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Tui are giving <a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/9gZ6nQ">discounts</a> (see my affiliate link below)* which means you can spread the cost, get some money off and even book with no deposit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If you wanted my recommendations, please look at the selection of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwiwpXhj3JwudEWxBzh_i1g">YouTube</a> videos I have on my channel. If I could book a relaxing break right now, I would be tempted to head to <a href="https://youtu.be/V_e_YXOi4K0?si=Mdf3zltHKbJgEtKB">Trendy Lara</a> in Turkey, as they had amazing fitness facilities and a great coffee shop where you can sit and read afterwards. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg337_4zY-SRC42nj2bv4gOSvxRIqm0OIPa5OdpXjm5M8KKqfrhnDt9gQFxB-DCZHaPuWdKZ4TXryV2h3Znfkk-DVCCs92lpH9vlceCEys7jlvrwLN3oK_0PcutOEtIpESNVEUpeMO7cWMhDeShv_sCoWE_wR6hI-KjKAwDNXKWCtZD8eRFrbraF19gmbA/s1188/Screenshot%202023-12-29%20at%2009.35.06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1188" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg337_4zY-SRC42nj2bv4gOSvxRIqm0OIPa5OdpXjm5M8KKqfrhnDt9gQFxB-DCZHaPuWdKZ4TXryV2h3Znfkk-DVCCs92lpH9vlceCEys7jlvrwLN3oK_0PcutOEtIpESNVEUpeMO7cWMhDeShv_sCoWE_wR6hI-KjKAwDNXKWCtZD8eRFrbraF19gmbA/s320/Screenshot%202023-12-29%20at%2009.35.06.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><p></p><p><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Lock in your holiday…</b></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">…with a £0 deposit*</p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/9gZ6nQ">https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/9gZ6nQ</a></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>T&Cs: </b> *£0 deposit applies to selected new TUI bookings which are 26 weeks or greater from departure when paying by Direct Debit instalments and excludes accommodation-only, flight-only bookings and packages booked with a third party flight. Valid on holidays departing up until 31st October 2024. A minimum of 3 Direct Debit payments are required. If you cancel your holiday you still have to pay the full deposit. The full deposit amounts are £200pp for short and mid haul beach, and £250pp for long haul beach. Direct Debit payment is available for online booking only. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: <a href="https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/a5NCCJym4IxooRMCDQSnO?domain=caa.co.uk"><span style="color: #dca10d;">www.caa.co.uk</span></a>. TUI is a trading name of TUI UK Limited, a member of the TUI Group. Registered office: Wigmore House, Wigmore Lane, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 9TN. Registered in England No: 2830117. ATOL 2524, ABTA V5126. </p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*affiliate links mean if you book using my link, you may save some money, but not always. It never costs you any more. And Tui will pay a few pence in commision for me sending you to them, which really helps me with my online business. </div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-63193317001067972812023-11-10T11:16:00.003+00:002023-11-10T11:16:54.179+00:00Discount codes for travel. Where would you go?<p><span style="font-size: large;">When we travel, we sense magic as our bodies begin to flow into a different state.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">Currently, I am writing about an </span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;">experience</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); white-space: pre-wrap;"> for my next book.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Think: Eat Pray Love meets Mamma Mia. Yep, it's called Whitewashed. I hope it will be out </span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">before Christmas</span> but life is currently getting in the way. Find out more and keep in the loop <a href="https://substack.com/@lusherlife">here</a>.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2025 holidays have gone on sale today. Have a look at what's available here:</span></span></span></span></span><span data-offset-key="6plqc-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/anDKdQ" target="_blank"><span class="x1fey0fg" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: var(--blue-link); font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/anDKdQ</span><span data-offset-key="6plqc-2-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a></p><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="a187" data-offset-key="at9be-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="at9be-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="at9be-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="a187" data-offset-key="1a0d4-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1a0d4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="1a0d4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="x1e56ztr" data-block="true" data-editor="a187" data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 8px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">*affiliate link (costs you no more, but tui may pay a small commission for my recommending them) </span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><span data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq2vh_9UZQnhvsSTANDjYcl27GpmhFRdhGs8WaTUmdu-Juq37gFiOG7lUmlnIJj6eahj2w24zV2lCIHHuC-Gp2VaWlVF-LdiiHRoL1oejYaQJsswsAIf8T9TSdBwlOolCVbTEWl_EnT5aYGvYO9omaCOOViNJBCFYiopW_x-q0Z0xWrN3ZTYOKgfu8N8/s4032/IMG_7571.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq2vh_9UZQnhvsSTANDjYcl27GpmhFRdhGs8WaTUmdu-Juq37gFiOG7lUmlnIJj6eahj2w24zV2lCIHHuC-Gp2VaWlVF-LdiiHRoL1oejYaQJsswsAIf8T9TSdBwlOolCVbTEWl_EnT5aYGvYO9omaCOOViNJBCFYiopW_x-q0Z0xWrN3ZTYOKgfu8N8/s320/IMG_7571.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span data-offset-key="9d8ku-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-62535741426333850402023-11-10T07:40:00.003+00:002023-11-10T07:40:43.350+00:00Why I travel - why you travel<p><span style="font-size: large;">You've heard of fight or flight.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have you heard of freeze or fawn?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's a new one, which can be a reason that we all love to travel so much. There is a reason we like to escape, to relax, to press pause on the stresses of life. Sometimes, when we go away, we end up feeling unwell. This is the relaxing process.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My online world has always explored the holistic approach to health and a large part of that is using creative writing. Putting my writing world on pause has caused me some low moments. You will see from this blog, I haven't posted very much. I have been posting these kind of thoughts elsewhere. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This blog seems to do well when I share travel information and stories of journeys with you all. So, that is what you can expect to see in the coming weeks. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As we all prepare for Christmas, there may be a lack of travel at the front of our minds, but it will come, and you can be assured I will be sharing deals I find in these pages. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Which would you chose to read about first?</span></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/Q_uVYDOv9Tw?si=05JwEP3mhknhXbuT"><span style="font-size: large;">Iceland</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/P_QF_yQlD2s?si=4b9-5Aq1pY0Z6ATt"><span style="font-size: large;">Egypt</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/PnaMswrTSD8?si=DTsgiNsjTlBreF-b"><span style="font-size: large;">Mexico</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/8vuDvVeUh1E?si=OFiAYjQKHww3XkGT"><span style="font-size: large;">Greece</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/UfV_F1Jd6B8?si=bD2F4mpALS4LlrYI"><span style="font-size: large;">Spain</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/16UJek-kZgQ?si=8JAYSEqybZEB3mU4"><span style="font-size: large;">Tunisia</span></a></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/V_e_YXOi4K0?si=Z03D93mDitU3-uTr"><span style="font-size: large;">Turkey</span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On those links are tours of hotels, information about the food (I travel as a celiac with Crohn's) among other snippets of information. I hope you will love it. If you still want deep and meaningful blogs, they will be here, scattered through the lovely information I'll be sharing with you. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcWzUGCQONMzaLolNa-qzTiV68-TS43vJQ89UZZ-EC2LQjbSQiGbcn2r69cXS-_tCwd86g7KPpfvaRnxROIWJ1GgpQkacxYGRg-Tb6LWpeHzAAiBMPkHtuJEB4XUgWr8ZM81ML2iL7udlPOld092dKk1EPm0X3jeTHrJPZxn11MzaW9wGmor3q8dJGw8/s1280/F36A45DD-D081-456A-B7FA-C4B1423E0FC7.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcWzUGCQONMzaLolNa-qzTiV68-TS43vJQ89UZZ-EC2LQjbSQiGbcn2r69cXS-_tCwd86g7KPpfvaRnxROIWJ1GgpQkacxYGRg-Tb6LWpeHzAAiBMPkHtuJEB4XUgWr8ZM81ML2iL7udlPOld092dKk1EPm0X3jeTHrJPZxn11MzaW9wGmor3q8dJGw8/s320/F36A45DD-D081-456A-B7FA-C4B1423E0FC7.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-26271003367830204292023-04-23T18:16:00.000+01:002023-04-23T18:17:00.415+01:00Living in a tiny house with unplugged.rest<p><span style="font-size: large;">A tiny house with a log burner? </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ2jhUHjw3TgNIMEr98mZSlqWifh6qnsOCXosZbrPy3vGo2fS5lN_GkjE1vUP8nxawrbD5h1oTOFwjnvxuLx0he_WClSGh4UiItoOKZQ2fbk_-CFWiEpsbyokAbVP4kpxofyaCBWhXu7XecPFaRyEoMXI2qkMKBqKcziC_4QCPGGtLJpceyhksCEM/s4032/IMG_3565.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ2jhUHjw3TgNIMEr98mZSlqWifh6qnsOCXosZbrPy3vGo2fS5lN_GkjE1vUP8nxawrbD5h1oTOFwjnvxuLx0he_WClSGh4UiItoOKZQ2fbk_-CFWiEpsbyokAbVP4kpxofyaCBWhXu7XecPFaRyEoMXI2qkMKBqKcziC_4QCPGGtLJpceyhksCEM/s320/IMG_3565.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dog friendly?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Countryside views?</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Yes please.</span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jasmine, Harley and I booked ourselves a few days of respite with <a href="https://unplugged.rest/about-the-cabins" target="_blank">Unplugged.rest</a>. The idea behind the cabins is to switch off everything except for what comes naturally. You can switch off your phone, pop it in a box and give an emergency number to your family. A basic Nokia phone (with Snake game) is provided, and so is a Polaroid camera for you to take some non-digital snaps. We all become creatures of habit and some of the things we are used to become difficult to put down.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUFzYyPG70e2hHY-gLhGStPANw-uUiqnSVCJBnU-bPYabEaKRxIjySoG9Vmzhsg2pZ0ojrMjLlycpwjNe2QSEz4-QILtD80hUuIDnM9cNiPksbptcn4Ysqlp9QM46NmJKmL75edCT13SjzpN0nH3ZZ3f8sp8LDvjqQ7fn8j3sKEh6xlm8xqJs7a7k/s4032/IMG_3621.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUFzYyPG70e2hHY-gLhGStPANw-uUiqnSVCJBnU-bPYabEaKRxIjySoG9Vmzhsg2pZ0ojrMjLlycpwjNe2QSEz4-QILtD80hUuIDnM9cNiPksbptcn4Ysqlp9QM46NmJKmL75edCT13SjzpN0nH3ZZ3f8sp8LDvjqQ7fn8j3sKEh6xlm8xqJs7a7k/s320/IMG_3621.heic" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWXS8g_Stxb9KW21wONzvWGKUx-N4cbPUXXg9zBv2s4EsB1pF5OhojeZ4vbLXe97mShOP7v_rQ2KUwvbazsym5g7YoWPrcfJoZ7g2B77JGi2o8hpp5Jcu8w6SahNRj8pUBGm-wqwNNsnP8A13jiNhz9pxYUbRIpWPbPRjGOJANbMFgHreYZG9Hw60/s4032/IMG_3591.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWXS8g_Stxb9KW21wONzvWGKUx-N4cbPUXXg9zBv2s4EsB1pF5OhojeZ4vbLXe97mShOP7v_rQ2KUwvbazsym5g7YoWPrcfJoZ7g2B77JGi2o8hpp5Jcu8w6SahNRj8pUBGm-wqwNNsnP8A13jiNhz9pxYUbRIpWPbPRjGOJANbMFgHreYZG9Hw60/s320/IMG_3591.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We decided to do some reading, (some writing for me), spend precious time with little Harley, and sit looking out of the picture window into nature. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuBHW8jHM7dw8K2RK7Zin7srQMBbfDqcqsjowo4P-p7gyPQT016hlGZnENJR8sgqNQCbuskkuu5XhHIVCA57_yQ5aeB8QgNY2D-wJ_R4RBahi-FVatNIC6zUCqv2N79o5evF3EIMLPhwlIYtXrPWQoyVmtUDHoz-Ff0Rk6t6Z5Uzppy2cbbdYakXd/s4032/70228124148__4E422899-9FA8-4AAF-AF83-00F837D2843B.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuBHW8jHM7dw8K2RK7Zin7srQMBbfDqcqsjowo4P-p7gyPQT016hlGZnENJR8sgqNQCbuskkuu5XhHIVCA57_yQ5aeB8QgNY2D-wJ_R4RBahi-FVatNIC6zUCqv2N79o5evF3EIMLPhwlIYtXrPWQoyVmtUDHoz-Ff0Rk6t6Z5Uzppy2cbbdYakXd/s320/70228124148__4E422899-9FA8-4AAF-AF83-00F837D2843B.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYV5Sf-kVMCPks9HNXWq7UrjWsJSr_7leCOrvDNptoB6cHt2c5F6amhySKnQEsR_RCSd5q7_groaX9UVBqbOTB09aPTUONB_Tmc9zMTLCyt3-BuMbR8NmYKtkGtcxaeO7zweiVyq35aazAkbbo0TxfcCzq6NH2BxtudWEX1iXGgzLxDCFrFLxhmx4/s4032/IMG_3593.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYV5Sf-kVMCPks9HNXWq7UrjWsJSr_7leCOrvDNptoB6cHt2c5F6amhySKnQEsR_RCSd5q7_groaX9UVBqbOTB09aPTUONB_Tmc9zMTLCyt3-BuMbR8NmYKtkGtcxaeO7zweiVyq35aazAkbbo0TxfcCzq6NH2BxtudWEX1iXGgzLxDCFrFLxhmx4/s320/IMG_3593.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UIpJUMB-SlPhffM3G0DtsEVzYeRWBH0IyjC3HiKK8JUhT0s-7hSj2BOo_zmpaErG_RpGaj9qmT2mmrBZk4VXCIaLPdljZITkBxABRM6wg48sGkX7JAu-hR5eiEIjaUZSGqlOS0KUm3JsgtXk_dUJvxuYbsK7Uq3jNetN-etVtMrlc64PYe7MzN1m/s4032/IMG_3595.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UIpJUMB-SlPhffM3G0DtsEVzYeRWBH0IyjC3HiKK8JUhT0s-7hSj2BOo_zmpaErG_RpGaj9qmT2mmrBZk4VXCIaLPdljZITkBxABRM6wg48sGkX7JAu-hR5eiEIjaUZSGqlOS0KUm3JsgtXk_dUJvxuYbsK7Uq3jNetN-etVtMrlc64PYe7MzN1m/s320/IMG_3595.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgdJFEOJ9s8LX32EFcaUQaxzhRK9XjD3HhiQo55wz1O3R5LlcsGgc-yCW4Kj9M2p0lSQFkViGsNVtcadwHddxMei_NtEZjrgdel9VSqLBOoOfl1Yzn_upT9HlXfFzjGv4HBWsHFLW77pMlBY2EbeQGRAyM40ZXZEBMy2OK2i3GkpTvoTOIIO3LaIn/s4032/IMG_3623.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgdJFEOJ9s8LX32EFcaUQaxzhRK9XjD3HhiQo55wz1O3R5LlcsGgc-yCW4Kj9M2p0lSQFkViGsNVtcadwHddxMei_NtEZjrgdel9VSqLBOoOfl1Yzn_upT9HlXfFzjGv4HBWsHFLW77pMlBY2EbeQGRAyM40ZXZEBMy2OK2i3GkpTvoTOIIO3LaIn/s320/IMG_3623.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT9J8cENcYdNquXNdiAD3i_t-piuh2pxhrPzSywph7j4kfqdOYubA6wYNbPlLfPAiIJ27nVq8d50XseU8tsqftWapDIhWQq34L4tBP8U2YaNaKqZwMLKw_5CPfJeOhWJL_5DRhwTnHTg7Ud0ppc8pxCPSbnBMefi_i2CK_2XcfdKidHKP9O6daajD/s4032/IMG_3648.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT9J8cENcYdNquXNdiAD3i_t-piuh2pxhrPzSywph7j4kfqdOYubA6wYNbPlLfPAiIJ27nVq8d50XseU8tsqftWapDIhWQq34L4tBP8U2YaNaKqZwMLKw_5CPfJeOhWJL_5DRhwTnHTg7Ud0ppc8pxCPSbnBMefi_i2CK_2XcfdKidHKP9O6daajD/s320/IMG_3648.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEES0MYp3phWL2zgknqrOmeGy2LUbIwxW9R4Cnd33kyo7xIaB6qvVl5jkWDpQrGTr-3xCyzk_A3WDFWNgYbV4gsALfKB59HMFWFwOLUzTWmVHQw1Sv4q352wB3Cycw7OtBMD5oAIFWktEN3bIeaVQIfPcJ9cyVL9cYac3Gqgu3HT7LPrJA4AcCRxew/s4032/IMG_3797.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEES0MYp3phWL2zgknqrOmeGy2LUbIwxW9R4Cnd33kyo7xIaB6qvVl5jkWDpQrGTr-3xCyzk_A3WDFWNgYbV4gsALfKB59HMFWFwOLUzTWmVHQw1Sv4q352wB3Cycw7OtBMD5oAIFWktEN3bIeaVQIfPcJ9cyVL9cYac3Gqgu3HT7LPrJA4AcCRxew/s320/IMG_3797.heic" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The cabin had everything you could need to survive. There was even a compostable toilet and eco shower which was hot, powerful and large. The steam awoke my scent senses as I used their shower gel and fresh shampoo. Two gas rings were provided for the morning cuppa, some cooking and a lovely evening chamomile tea. Sleep was plentiful as the natural circadian rhythms instantly switched on to encourage a relaxing slumber. Harley slept at the end of the bed, in his bed, on a wooden platform which looked like it was made especially for him. He has always loved looking out of windows and he sat there watching the local pheasant strolling by with its two crow friends. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeYR8Bcc-xNCujcoxONRmxZ7RfudarzTg8ZYp_GkaMtGA3ksp95AeeFykLIMGSgA1nKoyIzM6CcdnHL6omiGp1TtUiM4UFBXdgwy3QL0RaMsGYQW2KfBwpxK7YwsWvMZhR7UsRqY9d7l1GUHD6Hv1gBOcBgnPt6XB9mAkLvMaPE7ruMBqFwCUvhG0/s4032/IMG_3612.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeYR8Bcc-xNCujcoxONRmxZ7RfudarzTg8ZYp_GkaMtGA3ksp95AeeFykLIMGSgA1nKoyIzM6CcdnHL6omiGp1TtUiM4UFBXdgwy3QL0RaMsGYQW2KfBwpxK7YwsWvMZhR7UsRqY9d7l1GUHD6Hv1gBOcBgnPt6XB9mAkLvMaPE7ruMBqFwCUvhG0/s320/IMG_3612.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuEPAhGuSQ51q7BuTiOIK1eNDtKimHAtpsCXCpzyxiqNsNNu1DdD1gXCZBiT2iobWjhzv14InchiMg4ZlcpKvcQzAy-IIynLddhAwY3l6pRdUm7oF6GEHO_sa6N-x1-QN2XJ5RiW0pJw7f0FmUAbD2jA8_jbwd5KpqjTUdlz-oySbInlWxDLHEkn4/s4032/IMG_3613.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuEPAhGuSQ51q7BuTiOIK1eNDtKimHAtpsCXCpzyxiqNsNNu1DdD1gXCZBiT2iobWjhzv14InchiMg4ZlcpKvcQzAy-IIynLddhAwY3l6pRdUm7oF6GEHO_sa6N-x1-QN2XJ5RiW0pJw7f0FmUAbD2jA8_jbwd5KpqjTUdlz-oySbInlWxDLHEkn4/s320/IMG_3613.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF53RsLoANPbQMdhjSIVGfRwrH49NN85iY3WEsHxeexRYcUqDoZnubm1fL9eANEPTdEjkHhoegwhN1oVh8ky3LCKvWtxVjGCQgb9WaxSR_b6bzdfPmRoykUq-9nrv2HxsgcnyBHYPjn6lAwTxoRLR0bQH8jSFoq1J0tK7vFfO7diCDIPhhkQLxEoJ/s4032/IMG_3620.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKF53RsLoANPbQMdhjSIVGfRwrH49NN85iY3WEsHxeexRYcUqDoZnubm1fL9eANEPTdEjkHhoegwhN1oVh8ky3LCKvWtxVjGCQgb9WaxSR_b6bzdfPmRoykUq-9nrv2HxsgcnyBHYPjn6lAwTxoRLR0bQH8jSFoq1J0tK7vFfO7diCDIPhhkQLxEoJ/s320/IMG_3620.heic" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPvwX1odggUom9YAbmoGEZMiipQklez9RIAeadqVq5IK92lWn1iDWYBrWQlQ749TKxe7qdZk5mrJadDZIk9ZTOFTyYyiAUxUZrFQnv9ojnUcFfb93VAFkwtl8oqjAddLlt7FCb_UTrNpf9WwKXd4pMUbTYR_rl0WpFoYWkRlrnvKUvp8LwDoFzO_v/s4032/IMG_3622.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPvwX1odggUom9YAbmoGEZMiipQklez9RIAeadqVq5IK92lWn1iDWYBrWQlQ749TKxe7qdZk5mrJadDZIk9ZTOFTyYyiAUxUZrFQnv9ojnUcFfb93VAFkwtl8oqjAddLlt7FCb_UTrNpf9WwKXd4pMUbTYR_rl0WpFoYWkRlrnvKUvp8LwDoFzO_v/s320/IMG_3622.heic" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VTLbTSgSWmlVpJQphiCf-hz-V11AVLTca9CscvZMhKtN3WVekrUGBFflroG3ipbsaj-kT05v7rs2g99BdWi82FDE8tfrsBv7fJqs8WPclCujHaPZWOsry40NhYnvh8HsSw84LAeqKm4xxCfI7-1BMBUb3moM8twHvoFk1nGhYMN67Kb5XBKqhq8W/s4032/IMG_3688.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VTLbTSgSWmlVpJQphiCf-hz-V11AVLTca9CscvZMhKtN3WVekrUGBFflroG3ipbsaj-kT05v7rs2g99BdWi82FDE8tfrsBv7fJqs8WPclCujHaPZWOsry40NhYnvh8HsSw84LAeqKm4xxCfI7-1BMBUb3moM8twHvoFk1nGhYMN67Kb5XBKqhq8W/s320/IMG_3688.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hSBKeRqIlsCFAI3ZGbH-WfvcsO9RVRI5ujAPJienqgjSLyfzCGsqYjQe-Qu2rTU-pwVdQtDvo8UbnK1w6yh0XpBrxqsVziwUZ5lK1Nyzqg72tBYstTEot_9a2I6luIDs9vyh5Tfpf01q0gKzRu9uX4clhUHCVj35kOQ50aglUWVodIk40tmv9J0r/s4032/IMG_3692.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hSBKeRqIlsCFAI3ZGbH-WfvcsO9RVRI5ujAPJienqgjSLyfzCGsqYjQe-Qu2rTU-pwVdQtDvo8UbnK1w6yh0XpBrxqsVziwUZ5lK1Nyzqg72tBYstTEot_9a2I6luIDs9vyh5Tfpf01q0gKzRu9uX4clhUHCVj35kOQ50aglUWVodIk40tmv9J0r/s320/IMG_3692.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOdcFnBwbhze5nCz6eta6w_cv3aT6vS7yMa8_kBu-vPEjsSOiuw-du2thW20caq_85p3OUiK9TrjPLreBgUzv5q5g_YeeUbQOsats3dlk_k31kAYbzb2SC8Nx3w6HEmstgxEvgrpIWOOJzixsOD8ZYV-037RcCYUvnxx8WPL0GplGQUtyoc9Ppvyg/s4032/IMG_3829.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOdcFnBwbhze5nCz6eta6w_cv3aT6vS7yMa8_kBu-vPEjsSOiuw-du2thW20caq_85p3OUiK9TrjPLreBgUzv5q5g_YeeUbQOsats3dlk_k31kAYbzb2SC8Nx3w6HEmstgxEvgrpIWOOJzixsOD8ZYV-037RcCYUvnxx8WPL0GplGQUtyoc9Ppvyg/s320/IMG_3829.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Huy_r1ryfg1amX_H9HDFIE1nOPT_lhsLDbq9EuBZ3K9egjEPUN85Y7XAfGJpoaQ1vCzeXV5IsJvQqm2YLgPM2OZFXD1f-LqvA4T3Xz7VVKu3TEc1Vl4jfWm-mRmSlRyikKCJcHffPxLeMJgtpC_JIzCVAT0-5qdc9pOUR-CLjNOgEWWtctqGX6y-/s4032/IMG_3842.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Huy_r1ryfg1amX_H9HDFIE1nOPT_lhsLDbq9EuBZ3K9egjEPUN85Y7XAfGJpoaQ1vCzeXV5IsJvQqm2YLgPM2OZFXD1f-LqvA4T3Xz7VVKu3TEc1Vl4jfWm-mRmSlRyikKCJcHffPxLeMJgtpC_JIzCVAT0-5qdc9pOUR-CLjNOgEWWtctqGX6y-/s320/IMG_3842.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Nighttime saw a bright moonlight up the field in front of the cabin, and we decided to sleep with the blinds open. I wasn't sure if I would be nervous. My mind races a lot of the time and my imagination goes wild, but I was surprisingly calm and relaxed. I'm glad we left the blinds open as we were able to be woken by the rising sun before it met the horizon. My chilly nose led me to the wood burner to light the fire. As the wood caught, the crackling sounds gave a soundtrack to make me smile. I was happy. The kettle was beginning to steam on the gas stove. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A few minutes later, I was back in bed, with my morning coffee, sitting slowly and watching the clouds roll past and the sunrise into the sky. These were precious moments of pause. So often, we race around with tight shoulders and the time finally came to just be. Listening to the body is more important than we have time for.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Two days into our trip, and we took Harley in his dog pushchair, to see some deer in the forest. I had never been to the New Forest before, but it was not like England. The flat terrain saw herds of cows strolling by at their own pace, and wandering ponies snacking on the side of the road. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tVkwqPJaZTzN6lt9G1GsIwEO0sxofdAQB0wBuHl4pT03Zo5ONsHdeKrCXp0O-ZlD3UBX_rLf_0WftIP81kSG9uLmiZ0dAhp4oQUHbybFdpAzvfcyMUhK7KC3wcHDTyG8z1kpZ2wjk7V17XmeMaNkcq8kkX26Ey4gp9LRKc1huu724UmKthsT56AT/s4032/IMG_3573.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tVkwqPJaZTzN6lt9G1GsIwEO0sxofdAQB0wBuHl4pT03Zo5ONsHdeKrCXp0O-ZlD3UBX_rLf_0WftIP81kSG9uLmiZ0dAhp4oQUHbybFdpAzvfcyMUhK7KC3wcHDTyG8z1kpZ2wjk7V17XmeMaNkcq8kkX26Ey4gp9LRKc1huu724UmKthsT56AT/s320/IMG_3573.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwridZPfpjrc_-FqviMNiVLMtCN4nJrkW3hsW_4rLClKj5sA8nGAhvz3JoPB3oHfUSVXvJhfCEdPXea8goR1BlR6oP-WnE7D0ROpoASsJgDilAkb_uSArF0nu1pz2fAFQ21vigOoEhx9JpiOE9hlAXtbtARDPpW9NrBlxnPwoT2WWeUSuRyc_cuOuK/s3672/IMG_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="3672" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwridZPfpjrc_-FqviMNiVLMtCN4nJrkW3hsW_4rLClKj5sA8nGAhvz3JoPB3oHfUSVXvJhfCEdPXea8goR1BlR6oP-WnE7D0ROpoASsJgDilAkb_uSArF0nu1pz2fAFQ21vigOoEhx9JpiOE9hlAXtbtARDPpW9NrBlxnPwoT2WWeUSuRyc_cuOuK/s320/IMG_3720.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c74dOu2M10jdc4T6fsRB5WGFcWEhT1n5uIVuoyydnOe8f8-WuoTu8mTYEJBbLd3C81t3LxPErQphE25u1u8dOV3Ual1JmrooDGXj0iLYe37sfnRC1tRWzPZO7F74T_oY7qjgrP31osHfqI1_W28VZd1AQlM6nTNN0M22If__Bv0aDBZpufqnKUDi/s3672/IMG_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="2066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c74dOu2M10jdc4T6fsRB5WGFcWEhT1n5uIVuoyydnOe8f8-WuoTu8mTYEJBbLd3C81t3LxPErQphE25u1u8dOV3Ual1JmrooDGXj0iLYe37sfnRC1tRWzPZO7F74T_oY7qjgrP31osHfqI1_W28VZd1AQlM6nTNN0M22If__Bv0aDBZpufqnKUDi/s320/IMG_3744.JPG" width="180" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As always, the sun shone brightly for us as we drove through the countryside. We found a stunning cafe which was dog friendly and gluten-free. A rare find. We didn't stay out for too long as the beauty in the tiny house was calling us home. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Cooking in the cabin was easy, and I loved prepping healthy meals for us to eat outside on the table beside the field. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NLszP026ZneUXx34g02tJxgNm1-92IxK7ArAMq0wHz7tCxU5BsjgTDxIgpNQxIRdv6YMy1WRotgAMKIKB1_cgYtwBPrOQ-DL_TXg_kxeg_oZjbCzhbcUPUx2epwBN0S3zaEStFmucDIN21kyqdliMpi9OKz_H5wzJ9axliM2aAwFpKrvtYtz1xVE/s4032/IMG_3578.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NLszP026ZneUXx34g02tJxgNm1-92IxK7ArAMq0wHz7tCxU5BsjgTDxIgpNQxIRdv6YMy1WRotgAMKIKB1_cgYtwBPrOQ-DL_TXg_kxeg_oZjbCzhbcUPUx2epwBN0S3zaEStFmucDIN21kyqdliMpi9OKz_H5wzJ9axliM2aAwFpKrvtYtz1xVE/s320/IMG_3578.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj045eHcPiU9a0VcGb_KbcwlgYEBQ3uxFe1np1eWHcWmTgoNZ7YlZIKuJktNQLZYXEhQeok4n61pahk-vHa8nCVMQgwcknZDcvORAfcHB9l2gnxrihyPooiQAHfyBu3uQ9Ge7t0nfR_fU4p97ephRiTpQxE0DRnSmC7W1kOQHT_dKFXVomVdol_LY2C/s4032/IMG_3595.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj045eHcPiU9a0VcGb_KbcwlgYEBQ3uxFe1np1eWHcWmTgoNZ7YlZIKuJktNQLZYXEhQeok4n61pahk-vHa8nCVMQgwcknZDcvORAfcHB9l2gnxrihyPooiQAHfyBu3uQ9Ge7t0nfR_fU4p97ephRiTpQxE0DRnSmC7W1kOQHT_dKFXVomVdol_LY2C/s320/IMG_3595.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwffN8Xa_gqdXiHWIx0JwetvEB8DS45-5HXt_jgcSVUVmOf7DYWi2-vDQUgz1wUOQz7mJela8lQXwslYCtdT2vqqe26qtfRVOVlXHmgw9Sb1x0v-3L1dWHbw7jjv8CmpahrQaePF9HYpLJn31LhR4Skogq_SEUVkHUghWXDxSqiKhgtd44LNtPPWw_/s4032/IMG_3610.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwffN8Xa_gqdXiHWIx0JwetvEB8DS45-5HXt_jgcSVUVmOf7DYWi2-vDQUgz1wUOQz7mJela8lQXwslYCtdT2vqqe26qtfRVOVlXHmgw9Sb1x0v-3L1dWHbw7jjv8CmpahrQaePF9HYpLJn31LhR4Skogq_SEUVkHUghWXDxSqiKhgtd44LNtPPWw_/s320/IMG_3610.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3X0gXEA4GWOfwgnooKLOXVd0atdktebgvnSpJWh8uA-wsQ2oURJqGYhpxkB-rPMWBtDUOM6_VMbYW10ZrcPHo_pUUVxs0KkPax_5z5UKFwAME8urC5IZbLAKyBn3HE8rwD9Y9DFygSePeO4wsORY3jUShdHcpPorERSrW0M0ASFKvU-RIJdkWhav/s4032/IMG_3640.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3X0gXEA4GWOfwgnooKLOXVd0atdktebgvnSpJWh8uA-wsQ2oURJqGYhpxkB-rPMWBtDUOM6_VMbYW10ZrcPHo_pUUVxs0KkPax_5z5UKFwAME8urC5IZbLAKyBn3HE8rwD9Y9DFygSePeO4wsORY3jUShdHcpPorERSrW0M0ASFKvU-RIJdkWhav/s320/IMG_3640.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO02Cwxk7Tth4bmP3ph0yx7xLN4mtBnl8uNu24SP24bXxYBOYNQWBVYNewoVMYbZJ3RzxCYZLf7fFZ5ZijusSkpBCvdg4u9yVPATqNbVOk7OjuZO2jAPc1s1YYLCkpXq_Dbd2Jm0QGniC-Yt2l_8cRxjdanSR8vaBuB_mRMKakxdBEO9iFyEb2YDnY/s4032/IMG_3670.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO02Cwxk7Tth4bmP3ph0yx7xLN4mtBnl8uNu24SP24bXxYBOYNQWBVYNewoVMYbZJ3RzxCYZLf7fFZ5ZijusSkpBCvdg4u9yVPATqNbVOk7OjuZO2jAPc1s1YYLCkpXq_Dbd2Jm0QGniC-Yt2l_8cRxjdanSR8vaBuB_mRMKakxdBEO9iFyEb2YDnY/s320/IMG_3670.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityS4EpHX9n7qImitD3dA-iItlK5MRLAAHlyfjzqMb3yRGj8c-uClhdKW23yZILG1hHgNlZIelrWJRoFPmy6nPRv-EITHF6X554uh8QYw2zFNJgf9rCSySptXGLSHchr8HRB1lo1sW9BNDNboKIqktu5IjLlV9Vro7dDDah-2heEmgiwVy8FcnAtlh/s4032/IMG_3675.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityS4EpHX9n7qImitD3dA-iItlK5MRLAAHlyfjzqMb3yRGj8c-uClhdKW23yZILG1hHgNlZIelrWJRoFPmy6nPRv-EITHF6X554uh8QYw2zFNJgf9rCSySptXGLSHchr8HRB1lo1sW9BNDNboKIqktu5IjLlV9Vro7dDDah-2heEmgiwVy8FcnAtlh/s320/IMG_3675.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QIhOiBJPf6rrqNRTrtTDWEeODYStWNoN1O1ihadZpKHp5sl6bnDraSG1ux3Ng3BFMFCTq_PqflHetrBTpmDvKWzFm88sGnTNgU9pai3aPMnBygD5PpNcuDzbJ79prEt5ZHWiV155NMqnur320kVg7tk_mHfFg8cORtWAly1zVm1U1u07EHB5wiqC/s4032/IMG_3810.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1QIhOiBJPf6rrqNRTrtTDWEeODYStWNoN1O1ihadZpKHp5sl6bnDraSG1ux3Ng3BFMFCTq_PqflHetrBTpmDvKWzFm88sGnTNgU9pai3aPMnBygD5PpNcuDzbJ79prEt5ZHWiV155NMqnur320kVg7tk_mHfFg8cORtWAly1zVm1U1u07EHB5wiqC/s320/IMG_3810.HEIC" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCoDDU7IRzWzVCve0yJHXNH4Qq2soyBpOHkZV6jk1VVS1XX5ZdDtvZem4URjXj-oKyXqNp3PmS5-jfj7sL7PmeEGdtwHJ3Q8yKSBjTc1SxZQkectHHK38BdOXYupK8qKPfo7Ei7bo_eVjBzIxdpLn64FEER8PZv_OcczuSQbW4Qr9qeSvZ2RxNe2J/s4032/IMG_3814.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDCoDDU7IRzWzVCve0yJHXNH4Qq2soyBpOHkZV6jk1VVS1XX5ZdDtvZem4URjXj-oKyXqNp3PmS5-jfj7sL7PmeEGdtwHJ3Q8yKSBjTc1SxZQkectHHK38BdOXYupK8qKPfo7Ei7bo_eVjBzIxdpLn64FEER8PZv_OcczuSQbW4Qr9qeSvZ2RxNe2J/s320/IMG_3814.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECq5gSUbApPBXCdOgACuYC0oQZb2M6XsmnOG14I3-hLTeF_dtu6fWQPiR6kCLNrFB0T3EsRvUU7mRglEff3QyI1h0WSGYLLPRHpEfoEhGnlhPbH8Mth4AzjcaDktSle-GEcRYZzYkq5xTtaCWzHn8L9zxHoA1oGCtgnyYq6Di1t0bYIkUelB8EEj9/s4032/IMG_3826.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECq5gSUbApPBXCdOgACuYC0oQZb2M6XsmnOG14I3-hLTeF_dtu6fWQPiR6kCLNrFB0T3EsRvUU7mRglEff3QyI1h0WSGYLLPRHpEfoEhGnlhPbH8Mth4AzjcaDktSle-GEcRYZzYkq5xTtaCWzHn8L9zxHoA1oGCtgnyYq6Di1t0bYIkUelB8EEj9/s320/IMG_3826.HEIC" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I would definitely suggest looking at Unplugged. We loved their ethic and the quality of everything they provided for us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I'm glad I filmed these videos to remember our time there. It was wonderful to just be together, letting life be the joy it was designed to be. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/941aZqwdpTQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="941aZqwdpTQ"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vlog of our time in the stunning cabin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EYCYBzuxKT8" width="320" youtube-src-id="EYCYBzuxKT8"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tiny House Tour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LybPnJdGKrU" width="320" youtube-src-id="LybPnJdGKrU"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pack with me: what did I take?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-70165661811183873052023-02-10T17:45:00.000+00:002023-02-10T17:45:55.705+00:00I fell in love with Iceland <p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> We went to Iceland…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilevgbQT6SQ5ZK2PknPfop8OrNN0cJbvvN6ZtQk5HqmipPzfeePln_swmRZ2smjD8SIpr9b1Kmp7kyWYAc1XnAqeiPz-ofId9vbaCs54bJFsL9kRP8DP6MWAvdfWS-pZAF9eaeq0doI0iLyZ2YAeGp26sy_zRDAaDrVDGV-Mw5hDXIHB7hxfZfHvxd/s1800/0BAF4A1A-1602-4878-8345-D9AA81878643.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilevgbQT6SQ5ZK2PknPfop8OrNN0cJbvvN6ZtQk5HqmipPzfeePln_swmRZ2smjD8SIpr9b1Kmp7kyWYAc1XnAqeiPz-ofId9vbaCs54bJFsL9kRP8DP6MWAvdfWS-pZAF9eaeq0doI0iLyZ2YAeGp26sy_zRDAaDrVDGV-Mw5hDXIHB7hxfZfHvxd/w512-h640/0BAF4A1A-1602-4878-8345-D9AA81878643.jpeg" width="512" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtX8JunILoPygenk7AB_cE4Pr0kBuWrsBQx0PACInOskG1IgaKvkCBavduXdjOXxtNA0cEkZVN8zOjWi_EcIf9R_gstdVTM2ILyQWTAeVr4IF5AIIz5hPc6NmGFVP3YCXZksE2G7CL4pNgFX_tCmP6bIoBSwoU7L2NeSiv-yljU6eQ3BAXXkO9cj7/s1800/D4C2E1F2-3926-4171-B505-0BD89FAEAA45.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtX8JunILoPygenk7AB_cE4Pr0kBuWrsBQx0PACInOskG1IgaKvkCBavduXdjOXxtNA0cEkZVN8zOjWi_EcIf9R_gstdVTM2ILyQWTAeVr4IF5AIIz5hPc6NmGFVP3YCXZksE2G7CL4pNgFX_tCmP6bIoBSwoU7L2NeSiv-yljU6eQ3BAXXkO9cj7/s320/D4C2E1F2-3926-4171-B505-0BD89FAEAA45.jpeg" width="256" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">A few years ago, Jasmine mentioned a desire to travel to <a href="https://youtu.be/tq3a62MdHxg" target="_blank">Iceland</a>. I bought her a keyring with a picture of the <a href="https://youtu.be/Q_uVYDOv9Tw" target="_blank">Blue Lagoon</a> on it. The idea was, she would get to see the keyring and manifest her trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBygKgwVLdhe17MOSwMRwq70teR54nUESmFQVa37SAKpbrA3foFF6hWQcEm84Gb0tcV-t0oxXCzY4diuAe6dzW1PtlvMQxjBQkhQfaqDUb3Q0SjUkdGK_79pxbJSDFlbC7IW_D9j0PUABi9nxr6qCye09AdD4JFqxwtLbk3BTjwsB_zmrlkoGqjfoD/s1791/264B5EF6-1589-4031-97DB-8D7E7D12A237.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBygKgwVLdhe17MOSwMRwq70teR54nUESmFQVa37SAKpbrA3foFF6hWQcEm84Gb0tcV-t0oxXCzY4diuAe6dzW1PtlvMQxjBQkhQfaqDUb3Q0SjUkdGK_79pxbJSDFlbC7IW_D9j0PUABi9nxr6qCye09AdD4JFqxwtLbk3BTjwsB_zmrlkoGqjfoD/w514-h640/264B5EF6-1589-4031-97DB-8D7E7D12A237.jpeg" width="514" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Manifesto later, and we found ourselves looking at hotels to stay at in Reykjavik. It felt like a pipe dream until we made a few tweaks. We found that by flying from <a href="https://youtu.be/2auXu33Mfds">Luton Airport</a>, we could save ourselves over £300 each, and found the total bill at £582 each. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After a little time to ponder, some more research, and a fair dose of dreaming, we decided to go ahead and book our trip to Iceland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EM53fJ5-SrEuThf3sSDYDUqx6ZMpZN_KAFt8g3xGz6lRdJ0lib-O-xhWjt_BN4Dbu1Dy8An8IUIwNKoQbmmHhTJMYONcTc3H333EZtzdAA13EPJzs6BFmt6cJvWMHWDlDUdxoGMF4NNlJ-2brJJ8myDQpRNgfbbX5rZWQKSlMNZZH4uwr_K8336E/s1791/65D72F61-7868-4DEF-ADA9-8EE3DE3AA303.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EM53fJ5-SrEuThf3sSDYDUqx6ZMpZN_KAFt8g3xGz6lRdJ0lib-O-xhWjt_BN4Dbu1Dy8An8IUIwNKoQbmmHhTJMYONcTc3H333EZtzdAA13EPJzs6BFmt6cJvWMHWDlDUdxoGMF4NNlJ-2brJJ8myDQpRNgfbbX5rZWQKSlMNZZH4uwr_K8336E/w321-h400/65D72F61-7868-4DEF-ADA9-8EE3DE3AA303.jpeg" width="321" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Jasmine oversaw finding out everything we needed to know, as we have become so accustomed to travelling on a package holiday where you don’t really move much from the hotel and grounds. She did an incredible job, and her findings were so golden, I decided to share them here with you. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_M1xwZsH6ajCKoexmZ3HB7FkHYOwvypD1aWzIS-lVh3MYLjuA7ZbFQIP9YhRylIyRcCeNilQHEm4z3oC11_oHbm4PP57Lb4ivVqJicEuUoNM9rpOqVuvWTW6O2imaviOIznDFrMYPYMjYR4MYjpqZIgr6QoLIPabq-D9u1tDY-PJXTsVLzx-3zl2/s1800/6F79ECC6-E43F-420C-B7DC-04BF027A639C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_M1xwZsH6ajCKoexmZ3HB7FkHYOwvypD1aWzIS-lVh3MYLjuA7ZbFQIP9YhRylIyRcCeNilQHEm4z3oC11_oHbm4PP57Lb4ivVqJicEuUoNM9rpOqVuvWTW6O2imaviOIznDFrMYPYMjYR4MYjpqZIgr6QoLIPabq-D9u1tDY-PJXTsVLzx-3zl2/w320-h400/6F79ECC6-E43F-420C-B7DC-04BF027A639C.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We were told by so many people that Iceland was very <a href="https://youtu.be/8S2IJcB_GfU">expensive</a>. We worried about this a little and decided to take extra precautions. Being <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJwfe7bpfDo/?hl=en">celiac</a>, I was concerned about the availability of non-gluten-containing food, and so we took things we could eat in the room, such as crackers, tins of ready-made tuna and sweetcorn and Jasmine took a couple of pot noodles. The hotel we stayed in was called the <a href="https://youtu.be/xgy7gHGQM7o">Storm Hotel</a>, and we checked online to see if there was a kettle in the room. Heading to Youtube, I searched for a room tour of the hotel and it showed the kettle, so we knew we could brew up some noodles for Jasmine. My snacks were not the ideal nutrition I could have chosen, but it was legal, and it sounded like it might sustain me while we were using huge energy to adventure around this island. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/vnqmje">Tui</a> had a selection of hotels you could book. Some of them didn’t invite you for breakfast, and some didn’t include any trips. We opted for the version which gave us a trip around the Golden Circle, an evening hunting for the Northern Lights, and breakfast each day. So, our budget was set, we wouldn’t waste away, and we would be able to look around the most famous parts of Iceland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://youtu.be/Q_uVYDOv9Tw" target="_blank">blue lagoon</a> was calling us. A morning of bobbing around in the high silica hot springs of the famous lagoon sounded like the perfect way to end the trip. Jasmine set to using the internet to research the costs involved. It was famed for being expensive. It wasn’t cheap. But it was worth it. How can you go to Iceland and not get out the swimming costume? I had heard it was relaxing but I had difficulty imagining that. It was relaxing. We loved it! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tickets to the Blue Lagoon were: £110 each, including transport, a face mask and a drink. We opted for a slushie as it seemed very appropriate. While our face masks were on, we sat listening to a local man tell a story about how the lagoon came to be, who the hidden people were, and many other gems about the tectonic plates, earthquakes and silica. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The Icelandic people were great storytellers; for me (also a storyteller) this was one of the main attractions. This country was full of wonder and delights and far exceeded my own expectations. I hoped to see some amazing sights but as I detailed in this <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CmBc0RDLP-6/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet">Instagram post</a>, I didn’t expect to fall in love with Iceland. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The feeling I had was one of wonder. Nature phenomena were not in short supply in Iceland, and I couldn’t help but feel like a very small human being in the grand scheme of the planet. <a href="https://youtu.be/hfW5U6uN2VA">Sprouting Geysers</a> had a force behind not to be reckoned with, and the heat from the spray soon turned to ice as it drifted across the air. Clinging to the nearby grass, the tiny droplets wove pretty ice patterns, begging us to pull out our cameras. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My bucket list ticked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I had always wanted to see a sprouting Geyser. I hadn’t expected it to feel so magical. Perhaps the low-level sun contributed to the magic as it was golden hour all day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFGvgerSkR8cVRmpRImsQyGaEm0JfKHbQQ9fewOHJLQe9h_ZgxTVORtlwbgghgflvwGoQsnX71XNKKIpAV1GYf5pvjX_CtcVOB-ZBgfI6LrXQZIvPKlinf3Q88eQVax0osz_88XdrHW1MSjkELUtahjqomxodPbjLBWIyxyltmQWNFzYfjYw4bw-f/s1791/3DA064A5-0502-4DCE-85DA-12A77115E712.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFGvgerSkR8cVRmpRImsQyGaEm0JfKHbQQ9fewOHJLQe9h_ZgxTVORtlwbgghgflvwGoQsnX71XNKKIpAV1GYf5pvjX_CtcVOB-ZBgfI6LrXQZIvPKlinf3Q88eQVax0osz_88XdrHW1MSjkELUtahjqomxodPbjLBWIyxyltmQWNFzYfjYw4bw-f/w514-h640/3DA064A5-0502-4DCE-85DA-12A77115E712.jpeg" width="514" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIiO1BlgbSXMF-syKFC9tR6vUT60axusLHgbVYwd_Q_xYCPdF0M4QXymb6dgkDibN9oE_pj-Amj9gDaVuc1Bo15WKHbk5fAkPjOvueWCPSRm2vD0FXofTbnMV3uFw2cDOlB5gxWdzt2RJmHH5w3I2W9i1K6QZyWQM6Leabvz4n7v4Gn6v12KCsYkS/s1800/3881E4F9-ED49-4E46-B405-D39860F36992.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIiO1BlgbSXMF-syKFC9tR6vUT60axusLHgbVYwd_Q_xYCPdF0M4QXymb6dgkDibN9oE_pj-Amj9gDaVuc1Bo15WKHbk5fAkPjOvueWCPSRm2vD0FXofTbnMV3uFw2cDOlB5gxWdzt2RJmHH5w3I2W9i1K6QZyWQM6Leabvz4n7v4Gn6v12KCsYkS/w320-h400/3881E4F9-ED49-4E46-B405-D39860F36992.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After a short drive between the moon and the sun (one to the west, one to the east) we went to Gullfoss waterfall for the most trying time of the trip. There were stairs to walk down which were covered in ice, so I looked at the handrail. It was also covered in ice. But I knew I needed to hold on to the rail to be able to descend the stairs. It was -13, but the ice did not melt in my hand. My glove stayed dry. My breathing was tricky as I breathed below my scarf. Just my eyes were showing. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The bottom of the staircase gave me a chance to stop and look up. And there was the inspiring sight of the waterfall. Ice faded into the water as the sides of the fall laughed in their trickery. I didn’t know what I was looking at. But I was inspired enough to remove my hand from my glove long enough to take a photo. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtJcdLvs-2nZRxXiGSmsF-Pw2hinCC8NMrCLlNGt9DPcbebZ8mnojA1BCL22X2u2aUKGgIBbDMkbzJYzZWELLYVRcxi-Y-nxL9jgffpyZH1XdAw1UnZnkNxTnu9kz_yGIoWZK0FTeXJQ3qnEphqVa5YjaU3Ab5BJ36cSszZd74W4MYJOXfH3HUsMk/s1800/C486076C-9E1C-4AB1-94E6-45874DC14967.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtJcdLvs-2nZRxXiGSmsF-Pw2hinCC8NMrCLlNGt9DPcbebZ8mnojA1BCL22X2u2aUKGgIBbDMkbzJYzZWELLYVRcxi-Y-nxL9jgffpyZH1XdAw1UnZnkNxTnu9kz_yGIoWZK0FTeXJQ3qnEphqVa5YjaU3Ab5BJ36cSszZd74W4MYJOXfH3HUsMk/w512-h640/C486076C-9E1C-4AB1-94E6-45874DC14967.jpeg" width="512" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I was the coldest I had ever been. My legs were tired, my lungs were on fire. This was before I had to climb the stairs back to the coach. I had silently looked for other ways back up, but knowing I had drawn a blank, I faced head down, and began to go up, one step at a time. Breathing heavily into my scarf, the droplets from my breath formed small tear-shaped ice cubes inside my faux fur scarf. At the top, I was proud. I was in awe. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawP3i2OQOi0D_GYCZfcVDBXXzoys1dYfEcCxmbcuXYKn79MoopMe_xPAT7UhNy4qdObTP7xi0iDkatO4tIYeWg2t71KaEXHhKRIUn40VPT1VrvHznH6jphWep4_cKFw6_7EWeM0HxGWylzZHBtMAbhbHakvliQWkHjeQCDEavZNZD9r-8ZDU0g27M/s1800/54A0034E-02A0-4332-B5C9-582361186C79.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawP3i2OQOi0D_GYCZfcVDBXXzoys1dYfEcCxmbcuXYKn79MoopMe_xPAT7UhNy4qdObTP7xi0iDkatO4tIYeWg2t71KaEXHhKRIUn40VPT1VrvHznH6jphWep4_cKFw6_7EWeM0HxGWylzZHBtMAbhbHakvliQWkHjeQCDEavZNZD9r-8ZDU0g27M/w320-h400/54A0034E-02A0-4332-B5C9-582361186C79.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Our final stop on the Golden Circle was the national park of </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.thingvellir.is/en/education/nature/tectonic-movements/">Thingvellir</a> where I was to embrace </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;">a fear I had of all things ‘<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21742-megalophobia">vast</a>’ and visiting the <a href="https://www.thingvellir.is/en/education/nature/tectonic-movements/">tectonic</a> plates. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qjy6BW10EV_qiaL3tQGQMfS8mJszOv3FOuPhED228KtLGZxeBq_3YiYIKXTzUZkQh3-aT-1Ts1RUaEZTGKbHBq_CZ8iZG6O6qk_WkY1Ei8lBddWgAlZPTTUvf-QepQnFOxPrhUcz7Uda512eo_IJ9K0898GJN0ZR976Wezw4cF7IY5GIDdzMrXfH/s1791/7D29A224-CA33-4FF3-9FEE-48E804CDDBAF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qjy6BW10EV_qiaL3tQGQMfS8mJszOv3FOuPhED228KtLGZxeBq_3YiYIKXTzUZkQh3-aT-1Ts1RUaEZTGKbHBq_CZ8iZG6O6qk_WkY1Ei8lBddWgAlZPTTUvf-QepQnFOxPrhUcz7Uda512eo_IJ9K0898GJN0ZR976Wezw4cF7IY5GIDdzMrXfH/w321-h400/7D29A224-CA33-4FF3-9FEE-48E804CDDBAF.jpeg" width="321" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="text-indent: -468pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="text-indent: -468pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="text-indent: -468pt;">They showed us that we were in</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Europe to our left, and North America to our right. Several feet </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">of ground was separating the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">two, and as time goes on, it will split more and more to reveal</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> two parts of Iceland. The rate <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">is around 2cm per year, so it will take quite some time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AXC1EDOy1-TWldbzag8z7NHuI8C_9DRLf0VM0t3SDM20dO8b-DNj0IC2yzq6OAVhgPNlcIHrHNvsOHbHIJeIEQC0n3uSWnQisgyBscz09EYc4093376MwLWliAJgQN1SluwlE4niNxPd05V6LYw7V093j40EilrTmQpWHSs1ZtFr5JQo6w11iek9/s1800/79BA376B-2B35-4066-9C61-0CDAE4BAF9E2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AXC1EDOy1-TWldbzag8z7NHuI8C_9DRLf0VM0t3SDM20dO8b-DNj0IC2yzq6OAVhgPNlcIHrHNvsOHbHIJeIEQC0n3uSWnQisgyBscz09EYc4093376MwLWliAJgQN1SluwlE4niNxPd05V6LYw7V093j40EilrTmQpWHSs1ZtFr5JQo6w11iek9/w512-h640/79BA376B-2B35-4066-9C61-0CDAE4BAF9E2.jpeg" width="512" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">There was another hill to walk down and back up again, but the</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">views were worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We were exhausted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Our guide for the day was known as Berger, and he was </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">‘delighted to announce that <a href="https://tui-uk.7cnq.net/vnqmje ">Tui</a> have <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Just informed me that the northern lights trip is going ahead </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">tonight,’ and we all clapped. This<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">was such good news, as they always waited for the predictions </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">of the aurora borealis to show <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">on the KP scores on an app called ‘<a href="https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-aurora-forecast-alerts/id1073082439">Aurora</a>’. That meant there </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">was a good chance to view the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Lights – but it was never guaranteed. If you didn’t see them, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">you got to go again and try the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Next night for free. Jasmine looked and smiled at me, “it’s 4 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mum.” That was a good <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">prediction. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After snacks back in the room, we headed out to see the best </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">lights we could have hoped for.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I never expected to fall in love with Iceland. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNphZFgg_aD9SSnMvjo9QZcRSBEXkd2duc9dvtv3DWfwwValcfXQhpV0y8GvRtnQ27JIED7vw1t3q8gENyVAMOA6LLWBE6d1myndPLZfiEqxKbsiyODUBTKFGvBXrG2twwKDPi6bQbxg5EIgeht6DELmdjuCCEjNDM6kT0FoMt2GgCk4Oun6AfbqER/s1791/09512D5D-308A-447A-8E02-A1562AF27057.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNphZFgg_aD9SSnMvjo9QZcRSBEXkd2duc9dvtv3DWfwwValcfXQhpV0y8GvRtnQ27JIED7vw1t3q8gENyVAMOA6LLWBE6d1myndPLZfiEqxKbsiyODUBTKFGvBXrG2twwKDPi6bQbxg5EIgeht6DELmdjuCCEjNDM6kT0FoMt2GgCk4Oun6AfbqER/w514-h640/09512D5D-308A-447A-8E02-A1562AF27057.jpeg" width="514" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm 468pt; text-indent: -468pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0Reykjavík, Iceland64.146582 -21.942635435.83634816382115 -57.0988854 90 13.2136146tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-52161273912787848932022-12-21T22:04:00.001+00:002022-12-21T22:04:29.626+00:00So you want travel?<p> <span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We all want<i> to</i> travel, but you want travel?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Then 'they' step in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I got to look after Mum.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I will find an answer, I know I will. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I just looked at my analytics and they tell me about <i>you</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">They tell me, you want travel stuff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I want to give you travel stuff. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I want to write, research, film, shoot, move, breathe, travel.... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Shall we begin with Iceland?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsHGxgk366gx6gh0uFEANAzhbjVSc1fLFnv_y-eblVUqo8gZDwvADG1nYxu3-c8xrhmNLKMQQ6FbQvBlYYQXES5HRGuWgw7joPFhNB87-8NWQp2oO_Ph3Pg0_ob052foq0MiZbXyczV-M_TYubtSIj_K0vhvyNkmRAGZBYg01fO5GPB-_l-Yq5i_I/w480-h640/IMG_0018.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is the Northen Lights. Let me know you want to hear about it?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsHGxgk366gx6gh0uFEANAzhbjVSc1fLFnv_y-eblVUqo8gZDwvADG1nYxu3-c8xrhmNLKMQQ6FbQvBlYYQXES5HRGuWgw7joPFhNB87-8NWQp2oO_Ph3Pg0_ob052foq0MiZbXyczV-M_TYubtSIj_K0vhvyNkmRAGZBYg01fO5GPB-_l-Yq5i_I/s4032/IMG_0018.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-57256257612425067402022-12-06T11:17:00.006+00:002022-12-06T11:25:35.899+00:00Greenwich means more time: to pause, look and feel. <p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl5NyoZZXnP1gH0YDQAOIZ_ezyQjarZZg_s9EUFONotB9t7ZRTA8hAEm4kYvqVFz2IbVbuC9ITKevGLamiWnAz6cduT3H61fRPUMX86Q9wtl30m_gHMQ7QXODO1MqmHPQ7K1A_A6myUu1T4EsaNbV_sdkXvlNtPHqG0jHXQEuw9QEA_sMALXx82Eq/s1791/A64CEA4A-CB7B-4894-9E9F-74556919DDCD.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPl5NyoZZXnP1gH0YDQAOIZ_ezyQjarZZg_s9EUFONotB9t7ZRTA8hAEm4kYvqVFz2IbVbuC9ITKevGLamiWnAz6cduT3H61fRPUMX86Q9wtl30m_gHMQ7QXODO1MqmHPQ7K1A_A6myUu1T4EsaNbV_sdkXvlNtPHqG0jHXQEuw9QEA_sMALXx82Eq/w514-h640/A64CEA4A-CB7B-4894-9E9F-74556919DDCD.jpeg" width="514" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenwich Market</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">AD: This trip was kindly sponsored by <a href="https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/ideas-and-inspiration/gm_t">Visit Greenwich</a> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sky showed us how close we are to Christmas as it hid the sun. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNwdb21LRiyLRjRyUKBAu-vR6UsY12Rpv1vQgCRAIWl97yCpA4zmPtjFdlxtiNN3pw4SAevqpuiJ1rO5fx4WTTW7UiGCy05OgvoAYRrtjUEMd_paWdWn36L0mpxaljfeI7klBhfxV6sH2e7LQ4J0fGk5NH93Fec2bO1lTGl5gl_4govFpnTP3vkh/s1791/E9E75203-6941-46DC-AC96-CCC53839B005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpNwdb21LRiyLRjRyUKBAu-vR6UsY12Rpv1vQgCRAIWl97yCpA4zmPtjFdlxtiNN3pw4SAevqpuiJ1rO5fx4WTTW7UiGCy05OgvoAYRrtjUEMd_paWdWn36L0mpxaljfeI7klBhfxV6sH2e7LQ4J0fGk5NH93Fec2bO1lTGl5gl_4govFpnTP3vkh/w321-h400/E9E75203-6941-46DC-AC96-CCC53839B005.jpeg" width="321" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">Surrounded by history and wonder, we walked through the core of Greenwich towards the Thames. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our boat was on its way and we climbed onto the </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">@uberboatbythamesclipper for a warm up and a lovely cuppa on board. Cruising up the Thames was giving us iconic sights on London to enjoy. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fe2gHGrvM6EjUSGWDNP29xuSX8nrjsHdx50TrCl9nWk0SjK_-AL42cYl9cTLb7TGEUcy84P5i-oOVM3_jBzc8BF9m4IDVnSd3-U-6FVvUDVotRGVxaNHoWgL0m5Hg5yjCAye8G65cp4VJlgYovJymd-ATtTGO2PIZgibTI-d-XdWZqUs1OqMPmfV/s1440/0D243DA1-F3C6-4334-BCE7-8D2B8ADA92C4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1440" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Fe2gHGrvM6EjUSGWDNP29xuSX8nrjsHdx50TrCl9nWk0SjK_-AL42cYl9cTLb7TGEUcy84P5i-oOVM3_jBzc8BF9m4IDVnSd3-U-6FVvUDVotRGVxaNHoWgL0m5Hg5yjCAye8G65cp4VJlgYovJymd-ATtTGO2PIZgibTI-d-XdWZqUs1OqMPmfV/w400-h301/0D243DA1-F3C6-4334-BCE7-8D2B8ADA92C4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpRxw3pbJPzLVC1CKaq5GQd7JpUDJdM8VGSBfvfoUL-k3zQxuEgXetOpndnavQESOW6PROGNbaZo1kVHisGYxcLztiXB2tTaVKH0iSATcUCoX90XH8ZtVvI7BzQREjUO8RqK9bNQ4UFDKJLF1WtUTvb3Xg48cqq48Q-ybmV0BlPB1thy48HmrB-DI/s1440/4761731E-72A1-450E-90B9-A429F2A57B8E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1440" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpRxw3pbJPzLVC1CKaq5GQd7JpUDJdM8VGSBfvfoUL-k3zQxuEgXetOpndnavQESOW6PROGNbaZo1kVHisGYxcLztiXB2tTaVKH0iSATcUCoX90XH8ZtVvI7BzQREjUO8RqK9bNQ4UFDKJLF1WtUTvb3Xg48cqq48Q-ybmV0BlPB1thy48HmrB-DI/w400-h301/4761731E-72A1-450E-90B9-A429F2A57B8E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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,</span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If you want a really, and I mean really, cool photo, wait here.”</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndyhgTOPzLGIs0-ht8TSgBSHAWa86mr-u-mtXAgWqmW5HASiv25u7DldpSIQa1l9rgrv4kfFvvgrDVG2gpTBz6hNZdj0ToE9StI8fWBgvh2rJrmFClV8x0_bcC31tp2uXXPYuvhivB7pr9Sk44b9sg8Nxv5ZtSNjfkyCG8ZSdQegOjgLped0JguEL/s1800/13773C04-6DC8-4705-BE69-4E181024354D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndyhgTOPzLGIs0-ht8TSgBSHAWa86mr-u-mtXAgWqmW5HASiv25u7DldpSIQa1l9rgrv4kfFvvgrDVG2gpTBz6hNZdj0ToE9StI8fWBgvh2rJrmFClV8x0_bcC31tp2uXXPYuvhivB7pr9Sk44b9sg8Nxv5ZtSNjfkyCG8ZSdQegOjgLped0JguEL/s320/13773C04-6DC8-4705-BE69-4E181024354D.jpeg" width="256" /></a></span></span></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed taking these photos before walking into a room which was alive with history about Nelson. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">We couldn’t have possibly seen every detail in this room, as it was a true work of art. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <i>first</i> time, and to hold a telephone with a wire. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQUmCJf4d1HoCQ6BNdxLtAgjfajDbrI8qTURiOXY75MCGvts4BcCXr1fOSFQAU-GeUd9zubdRjS7vS_uYbn8KPXT3hOx69-KwRvkeovqpnsZYhfUQF3Iz-WgycubM40WOkD5GmZHAsEz668AakrxOz4dbVGzJbo0tHMOkasTrTaWr_P07XzDKLAIP/s1800/54765339-0A44-43C9-AE9A-A7E67659870F.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQUmCJf4d1HoCQ6BNdxLtAgjfajDbrI8qTURiOXY75MCGvts4BcCXr1fOSFQAU-GeUd9zubdRjS7vS_uYbn8KPXT3hOx69-KwRvkeovqpnsZYhfUQF3Iz-WgycubM40WOkD5GmZHAsEz668AakrxOz4dbVGzJbo0tHMOkasTrTaWr_P07XzDKLAIP/s320/54765339-0A44-43C9-AE9A-A7E67659870F.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">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). </span></span><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCMQo79QN_roa06hehMmvENCwr0HWKXh5jFW5jVtFh-Zzp20Fn6TxbcsMdH4OCcEC2u0Y7iE0N_izcI3ADZeaD9EbIaLRSqc62HMgMSzMyiCd9Q9nYXJYHptN25-R_OMt-z_YiFElK1D82Q5RhIs8WxD8Nu_foZQxjeLlu3Np2lcv6SZclfD2T5Ah/s1800/C72C815B-2638-41AB-A800-F5EE6FDA2FC5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCMQo79QN_roa06hehMmvENCwr0HWKXh5jFW5jVtFh-Zzp20Fn6TxbcsMdH4OCcEC2u0Y7iE0N_izcI3ADZeaD9EbIaLRSqc62HMgMSzMyiCd9Q9nYXJYHptN25-R_OMt-z_YiFElK1D82Q5RhIs8WxD8Nu_foZQxjeLlu3Np2lcv6SZclfD2T5Ah/w320-h400/C72C815B-2638-41AB-A800-F5EE6FDA2FC5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">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. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We had missed so much by not stopping and pausing for a moment. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq82M27VPVICHoqe0UowUMUV0QYtup13PnjIp0JseXCmjRo7MsRjIIWFjejDiXB6nDVSmJm7qwz28Vza9xU8NydOJqkXXUiWv-0r6uXCAMdrVycjodwL91_n_tFpRP3cBOSkAnjk8JUUaryTmSgIkRKvFVyAyn102IkSH_oOQNw08YGNmGP3Rj6_9V/s1800/1E5DF8DE-E2A3-4ADC-B81A-8A006C3A341D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq82M27VPVICHoqe0UowUMUV0QYtup13PnjIp0JseXCmjRo7MsRjIIWFjejDiXB6nDVSmJm7qwz28Vza9xU8NydOJqkXXUiWv-0r6uXCAMdrVycjodwL91_n_tFpRP3cBOSkAnjk8JUUaryTmSgIkRKvFVyAyn102IkSH_oOQNw08YGNmGP3Rj6_9V/w512-h640/1E5DF8DE-E2A3-4ADC-B81A-8A006C3A341D.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">*students can get discounted tickets with an Oyster card </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;">** students get a discounted price of £8.50</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-45930911138970827182022-10-23T16:00:00.003+01:002022-10-23T16:00:00.190+01:00Living the lifestyle life<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“It’s not so much the thing,” Jasmine said, with her hands cupped together, creating an empty space to show me ‘the thing’. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“It’s the lifestyle, and what it brings.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I wasn’t sure what she meant. I got it, but not clearly. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“So, what do you mean?” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">I asked and stopped to look at her.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“Like I don’t necessarily mind so much what the thing is, so long as the lifestyle is full of freedom, happiness and health.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">She’s right. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Have you ever found you are meandering back and forth along the path towards the North Star?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">That has been me. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This is a familiar story for many people, I’ve heard it. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The desperation to keep paying the mortgage was a loud fear in my head. The voices chattering away, reminding me to worry. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What do I mean?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My health is the biggest pathway to take me here. I have autoimmune disease and two of those are significant. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Crohn's disease.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ankylosing Spondylitis.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I have been trying to ignore them and carry on. But they won't let me. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">"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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Could that be the thing?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpkL_qr71U7HyCSJVJKuTHYabrT-8dyJ52HmfZOXdCLzGxa0h6T-zyQ-R6NzWB8WSITqFHyXAwLNUMNuTuuvbkqy2cjQT1sPmBF7XkMBA5Hja_FMNH7EtuTksDiqmf8qo7V5wBfWutmRQW3KoV2WmVNViuH_4nylaqymUIHCiNlRZLZJhaRZYoInRQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpkL_qr71U7HyCSJVJKuTHYabrT-8dyJ52HmfZOXdCLzGxa0h6T-zyQ-R6NzWB8WSITqFHyXAwLNUMNuTuuvbkqy2cjQT1sPmBF7XkMBA5Hja_FMNH7EtuTksDiqmf8qo7V5wBfWutmRQW3KoV2WmVNViuH_4nylaqymUIHCiNlRZLZJhaRZYoInRQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-29955906314147585022022-10-20T13:16:00.003+01:002022-10-20T13:16:41.275+01:00Taking some wrong turns on your journey. <p><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Did you ever have something take you on another path than you first imagined?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And what happened next?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“Even a slow stream can’t go stagnant”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sometimes, some moment is good. Despite the frightening aspect of being out of your comfort zone. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Staying stuck for fear of the unknown isn’t helpful when you are hoping to grow, or experience new adventures. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“One day,” turns into never, if you don’t take action. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Today, I sit and write this piece to reach out to you after my absence on my website. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Many things have kept me from sharing my stories of hope and motivation and travelling through my Lusher Life. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m in a dark restaurant. The colours are dark and the mood is dark. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Kinky. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Fifty shades. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">An innocent couple walked past me, wide-eyed and slightly afraid. What was this place?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1jRzkwK2BGb-uuA4qlD13ijBwVLMBM40d1p67meS_j_0D62TydBADAc9qcgFRpctC99eqJ9LszUYJkl230WjyTALrIJVPckfRkX4pU7boWZFMQAVQ8HPkA8P-rYjs0WEUSKlOLgWWWiZt98TM-QqxYaNazrgIp9RrFxfWbTNg9rlMg0yshkPizynI" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1jRzkwK2BGb-uuA4qlD13ijBwVLMBM40d1p67meS_j_0D62TydBADAc9qcgFRpctC99eqJ9LszUYJkl230WjyTALrIJVPckfRkX4pU7boWZFMQAVQ8HPkA8P-rYjs0WEUSKlOLgWWWiZt98TM-QqxYaNazrgIp9RrFxfWbTNg9rlMg0yshkPizynI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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’. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My plan today was to come to get yoga class, with a shivasna ending with singing bowls and some meditation. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I promised myself on my recent trip to Africa that I would pay more attention to my health and happiness. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In fact, it was so much more than that. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">A sign fixed to a light grey lamppost ahead said,</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“London Marathon - Road closures.”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I called out into the air in my car,</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After following my intuition and the road signs, I began the journey south, down the A2 to home. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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, </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“How do I get a train? Do I just bleep my Apple Pay through?”</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“LOL, yeah, of course.” She said. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After a little while, </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH7yu7RAkZCpcXLZCMm-sGD4I0CWvKa7SiHW8U4rk0q8tqPuRUC5RvxXWEZ6NDscuQse35V25irBFfH9zPoMjBVOdukr9szUha97ax_7WDVfTI8TuzqnMJJ33B1y0OAqh5UbmYo7wxICSSM0xVKUlSFfnuRapax9d6rSILsgq5q3tQ_7qiLP3-Demr" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH7yu7RAkZCpcXLZCMm-sGD4I0CWvKa7SiHW8U4rk0q8tqPuRUC5RvxXWEZ6NDscuQse35V25irBFfH9zPoMjBVOdukr9szUha97ax_7WDVfTI8TuzqnMJJ33B1y0OAqh5UbmYo7wxICSSM0xVKUlSFfnuRapax9d6rSILsgq5q3tQ_7qiLP3-Demr=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Even so, they greeted me with, “Welcome to the Mandrake,” and invited me to sit in the reception area. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“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. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The writer was back. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimo5KQBjb38-XioAE7w2jwioXMKVaqd8QxzKuhamaJAKo2NCOaXfLXQRUbOZqqKeeiKro6QyMq1Hzk6HMi8fJ74TV_OP3UZhFEihcSw6l0ocprfgqlTnqHI7yj4yj7ds_MSIXDycPjDhhIHP0xoFkJfrwWZaHCxNK1FpwKz6n1fi_t2EKk_Ag7PNzO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimo5KQBjb38-XioAE7w2jwioXMKVaqd8QxzKuhamaJAKo2NCOaXfLXQRUbOZqqKeeiKro6QyMq1Hzk6HMi8fJ74TV_OP3UZhFEihcSw6l0ocprfgqlTnqHI7yj4yj7ds_MSIXDycPjDhhIHP0xoFkJfrwWZaHCxNK1FpwKz6n1fi_t2EKk_Ag7PNzO=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-11098737680885177852022-08-30T08:58:00.003+01:002022-08-30T08:58:37.693+01:00New stories await amid travel adventures<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">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.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQZRfuI10e7Tm8Oa2SXHJ1ZupA42R1CSC_SE-Atlbw58O4fZffeiahNTcAUrengyafVwLtqJg0eXPxYOj5zIN9BQ3eEY48MoO6u57ZHTUXqFI2kMtwdKZlAjQTMyDiFT9c02b6NCm24a9UIOW8PJg-y6a9CFv-Hr_7T72kBdLeUyXKSbQgzo4UDh6z" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQZRfuI10e7Tm8Oa2SXHJ1ZupA42R1CSC_SE-Atlbw58O4fZffeiahNTcAUrengyafVwLtqJg0eXPxYOj5zIN9BQ3eEY48MoO6u57ZHTUXqFI2kMtwdKZlAjQTMyDiFT9c02b6NCm24a9UIOW8PJg-y6a9CFv-Hr_7T72kBdLeUyXKSbQgzo4UDh6z=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You wanna come up mate?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I closed the laptop lid and kissed Harley on top of his head. It was time to prepare for a trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Excitement prevented me from sleeping any longer than five hours. That would do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">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’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People see me tapping away at the laptop and ask why I’m working.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh, no, this isn’t working. This is my passion.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRZms4srHzF2xNs6QNZMm_JJWUOgYqYTsOHPBUd43xPtCbX_VZ80X33E5Cn29iHuwOqNzlXHT6jUijJdVrZAgFmGRbWLVICYUvf9b8VU5pBlfPEJEx2KpxXlmtb3YkE4VP0iMKgUJCyne4OGn-NhLTsKZty5trDMnKg10UUW856ovVRAOIXqlOlYX/s2048/P1010049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRZms4srHzF2xNs6QNZMm_JJWUOgYqYTsOHPBUd43xPtCbX_VZ80X33E5Cn29iHuwOqNzlXHT6jUijJdVrZAgFmGRbWLVICYUvf9b8VU5pBlfPEJEx2KpxXlmtb3YkE4VP0iMKgUJCyne4OGn-NhLTsKZty5trDMnKg10UUW856ovVRAOIXqlOlYX/w400-h300/P1010049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-38477464999371781442022-07-31T12:47:00.005+01:002022-07-31T12:47:40.420+01:00Did you forget the promise you made yourself during lockdown?<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello! So, my book is finally out today, after over a year of delays. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this book you can find more of the things you loved last time to get you thinking about life, what is living and <i>how can we do it better</i>?</span></span></p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div></span></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Rejoice:</span></span></h3><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3J3SsHN">Covid-19: How it made us feel</a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">
The second, new book is here: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; font-family: Roboto, Noto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3OAoCeU">DeJaVu: Life from behind the mask</a></span><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VdRjVcHhxp0" width="320" youtube-src-id="VdRjVcHhxp0"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT8P1LfqFzTW6m6HDuhTEFPQj0UxvP8pATSybFRKY-mY80jrjc4nUcCYZLWnPq5W-c4EwVTBoG4BySRASYtDQRnOg56M0MhEezGp81HTtPm-CBAyyJJ_7UFYMvJQwoRQIAEhnS7OFOBGfEOP63_VPFMzyzvhD0YzfgtYa4hZi13eOZoY6QZGltC0X/s976/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIT8P1LfqFzTW6m6HDuhTEFPQj0UxvP8pATSybFRKY-mY80jrjc4nUcCYZLWnPq5W-c4EwVTBoG4BySRASYtDQRnOg56M0MhEezGp81HTtPm-CBAyyJJ_7UFYMvJQwoRQIAEhnS7OFOBGfEOP63_VPFMzyzvhD0YzfgtYa4hZi13eOZoY6QZGltC0X/w429-h640/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.21.png" width="429" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ywt1BS9B0B1TGy80T27eY7z3FEO-K36a1A-7WDIvEFFtmgEbcEFQ1K4lBKgs1NrVuWAHBHsCOunroHhgeG9piFCCuEAWVBQtLZrnzSb2qKb5i4r7CxgaZ8Hv3DpwpdfwPlimoYphNpuISJz3ayUdZNq_RmEh9Ehjh0-UxcKTF1M6srknv08vE3w/s996/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ywt1BS9B0B1TGy80T27eY7z3FEO-K36a1A-7WDIvEFFtmgEbcEFQ1K4lBKgs1NrVuWAHBHsCOunroHhgeG9piFCCuEAWVBQtLZrnzSb2qKb5i4r7CxgaZ8Hv3DpwpdfwPlimoYphNpuISJz3ayUdZNq_RmEh9Ehjh0-UxcKTF1M6srknv08vE3w/w266-h400/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.29.png" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-38389207403829641522022-07-30T13:25:00.004+01:002022-07-30T13:25:59.756+01:00DéjàVu: From behind the mask is PUBLISHED<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I am so excited to share the latest news with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You LOVED <a href="https://amzn.to/3bkFEAj">Covid-19: How it made us feel</a> when it was shared with the world back in 2020. We hit bestseller status and I was loving my life beyond measure.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="https://amzn.to/3zc6r9G">second book</a>. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2A3KBjOSRH9zgm3603Q2IEDHBukhdyd43qn4oyIqM6otId3tQ02lhkrwZZ9YRvhjxTgieVOpfb_YDVnuuNa3BT7W_WRjj53OdPpZQQpQsDONWcQhQzn96W_W4lZ8580POk8jibd-coN9ug7DGIFOPtqEDvpIrIEkE4UM9B2eVER0Ekt2KQsA7QFC/s996/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.29.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2A3KBjOSRH9zgm3603Q2IEDHBukhdyd43qn4oyIqM6otId3tQ02lhkrwZZ9YRvhjxTgieVOpfb_YDVnuuNa3BT7W_WRjj53OdPpZQQpQsDONWcQhQzn96W_W4lZ8580POk8jibd-coN9ug7DGIFOPtqEDvpIrIEkE4UM9B2eVER0Ekt2KQsA7QFC/w266-h400/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.29.png" width="266" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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 t<a href="https://amzn.to/3cVfy7a">he second</a> (kindle version, click here) lot of stories, there were tragedies and a sense of gloom as families began to become divided. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOP26QrtkBhnRI9P2jNU0dcPA6VjZZRs-AtE0Qjg-pCt0TLYr_BlbmL02Ju0_0dQngIl5fLaRlg7p_4XaTMjOhCnLrx4Qll6CVWgtqtq_2Kbtrjgjl9tuiCW_33-7LZY7UgSLwlxc8KLUbacKsTv1RflNFEtXp5KVlclL5rmetmBqwpOYMY-iRLvj/s976/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOP26QrtkBhnRI9P2jNU0dcPA6VjZZRs-AtE0Qjg-pCt0TLYr_BlbmL02Ju0_0dQngIl5fLaRlg7p_4XaTMjOhCnLrx4Qll6CVWgtqtq_2Kbtrjgjl9tuiCW_33-7LZY7UgSLwlxc8KLUbacKsTv1RflNFEtXp5KVlclL5rmetmBqwpOYMY-iRLvj/w428-h640/Screenshot%202022-07-30%20at%2013.23.21.png" width="428" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></h4><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-40187889423035401712022-07-30T13:12:00.001+01:002022-07-30T13:12:01.626+01:00Do you care too much?<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxhHFg9gs10rwhxbVE984PHeyqCzJYvwA7i2L4aT-3kXLaoZHSdzAli1C8I6vB3bdP6W-UhcHC1Bj83wmz4U7ZXtJHPGpl1RsQRqVIodAbxdRdweUNvW2PXFsORPDl0p5heRMHwQ-gC3_KDCp1J8FOlUlEn4QXr4uXfsZiEZf87aFMMKrmExWeJDop" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxhHFg9gs10rwhxbVE984PHeyqCzJYvwA7i2L4aT-3kXLaoZHSdzAli1C8I6vB3bdP6W-UhcHC1Bj83wmz4U7ZXtJHPGpl1RsQRqVIodAbxdRdweUNvW2PXFsORPDl0p5heRMHwQ-gC3_KDCp1J8FOlUlEn4QXr4uXfsZiEZf87aFMMKrmExWeJDop=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 25px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">During a blogging lull on this website, life has been busy. Nothing more than you, I expect. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Just life stuff. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Your life is your life. </span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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. </span></h4><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In January 2021 I started my PhD journey. It's using a lot of focus. Mum doesn't understand it,</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">"I don't know what she does in her office but I don't suppose it matters," I overheard her say on the phone.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Yes, it matters Mum. And you can ask. I matter and so does my work.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I brushed that comment aside (almost, otherwise I wouldn't mention it here) and I began to reach out for help.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbxfmVfSh05jKW4yvaqbH1JaEW-mW4t3kZjvwS1AZHuOd1yc2m_nZXemPbVrWdkyrC73qh4MzbmW4h9Lyu1hCY1FYrO_PtM1ImZH4QMKQu9tfndavcICt07cZ0NCX56RTd_Lsd0lTIBjyX94LhrojLItyGbGEh0xlB1JHwnj-RSu8fDKnpJaB_-ZJm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbxfmVfSh05jKW4yvaqbH1JaEW-mW4t3kZjvwS1AZHuOd1yc2m_nZXemPbVrWdkyrC73qh4MzbmW4h9Lyu1hCY1FYrO_PtM1ImZH4QMKQu9tfndavcICt07cZ0NCX56RTd_Lsd0lTIBjyX94LhrojLItyGbGEh0xlB1JHwnj-RSu8fDKnpJaB_-ZJm=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mum was given an assessment. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So was I.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">*I spilled hot coffee all over me.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">*I got a huge splinter from a rowing boat (I called it exercise).</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">*The fridge door shut on my arm, cutting it in the process.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">*I was anxious at the number of other dogs running around, off leads while Harley can now hardly walk.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But, this was focus time nonetheless.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEher1CBWgncp5VGe_IPjb20vFZTUswK4bWt31QVnJWXSQU1pSj8Xh_sk0abXsyujtnpxZILTfTB5vmrZTC47nvn8cqIavottyvAvRkECooj3c9IUYYJScVFVUo4AXgFvzLW7lONnTG_Suhp5Y1LIHX70usqXFXvjZh73a16Is8bZrJfGyvDrANNi1PM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEher1CBWgncp5VGe_IPjb20vFZTUswK4bWt31QVnJWXSQU1pSj8Xh_sk0abXsyujtnpxZILTfTB5vmrZTC47nvn8cqIavottyvAvRkECooj3c9IUYYJScVFVUo4AXgFvzLW7lONnTG_Suhp5Y1LIHX70usqXFXvjZh73a16Is8bZrJfGyvDrANNi1PM=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKz1jxWqOIa4QwZQr-4ftM2hCnhWfpQ424dEfIVMCteX2dxv5kRhdLAqy6Ud8FE9INvc87Y4fQYjTNt_8lhdh9iWhpGQX_JJLH0jAN1gXRlqIIWHW67AHo4YmV0aDsFO_OUoe9sQZcxpB2CYGjc3B0BmbOc8Lpbu7mvYyjdF76rNgdn3EzaUYHrMbe" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKz1jxWqOIa4QwZQr-4ftM2hCnhWfpQ424dEfIVMCteX2dxv5kRhdLAqy6Ud8FE9INvc87Y4fQYjTNt_8lhdh9iWhpGQX_JJLH0jAN1gXRlqIIWHW67AHo4YmV0aDsFO_OUoe9sQZcxpB2CYGjc3B0BmbOc8Lpbu7mvYyjdF76rNgdn3EzaUYHrMbe" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2r7z0e2_1tp7MdH7ldcwEYFayAie474hieDlTMWUbwWM_P7Re3qo9xuE5QriL7xbupqyuAKp9L23697baxuPXRPy9OC-je-PB9UHSOrruooIAnirZ-GYTQyrRwI9-kCLF-V8ai_7zJgFu-LqkZjROVLk79h9iH4LtonNIuVJCm6GpXkTSHZ6DXS2r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2r7z0e2_1tp7MdH7ldcwEYFayAie474hieDlTMWUbwWM_P7Re3qo9xuE5QriL7xbupqyuAKp9L23697baxuPXRPy9OC-je-PB9UHSOrruooIAnirZ-GYTQyrRwI9-kCLF-V8ai_7zJgFu-LqkZjROVLk79h9iH4LtonNIuVJCm6GpXkTSHZ6DXS2r=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwBNEVgFNKeaLukQS71VfG4lJNeA54H_h-Pj9tb0BH1Mi5HGwzHZP7A6-7lT2nGKQoJD9i4h9tMftMqg7XAXSfuI4OPgeXqpaZMl0wl-DZ17dCTj4t9ZH3_2c0QB7kYdv-0ra6rDgwWGTtS_zyyVLD5GK_RAOiJEQWWF8U3ZPKpq-QelKGV8HxXcSb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwBNEVgFNKeaLukQS71VfG4lJNeA54H_h-Pj9tb0BH1Mi5HGwzHZP7A6-7lT2nGKQoJD9i4h9tMftMqg7XAXSfuI4OPgeXqpaZMl0wl-DZ17dCTj4t9ZH3_2c0QB7kYdv-0ra6rDgwWGTtS_zyyVLD5GK_RAOiJEQWWF8U3ZPKpq-QelKGV8HxXcSb=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sometimes, until you figure it all out, you might just have to 'wing it'.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But a lull on this website is unwelcome. I'm back. Are you still with me?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-20528558415894623742022-06-18T11:42:00.000+01:002022-06-18T11:42:53.423+01:00Camber Sands beach in Sussex - the best beach in England?<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlvykFNJ5Bmhc0vTpXXRyQuTGyGS4zC1S0yGcVUJm5FrrNBezhS2QN28YONtZNN_EKNI5MKT0KIhxOGMpz40G84EcI_ALmll0ERmLMIVIov52UYpq_p8gt3HSqeW-xrmH9lDnbyITbr-2TVtj2gEn0jZflS8rjOzyqsl4RM50FoQkpNh3q9hWWLqO/s1280/Isle%20of%20Wight-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlvykFNJ5Bmhc0vTpXXRyQuTGyGS4zC1S0yGcVUJm5FrrNBezhS2QN28YONtZNN_EKNI5MKT0KIhxOGMpz40G84EcI_ALmll0ERmLMIVIov52UYpq_p8gt3HSqeW-xrmH9lDnbyITbr-2TVtj2gEn0jZflS8rjOzyqsl4RM50FoQkpNh3q9hWWLqO/s320/Isle%20of%20Wight-2.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">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.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br />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. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q5yIIVarsQg" width="320" youtube-src-id="Q5yIIVarsQg"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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.
<br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">See more reviews here:
</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1752567-d2248776-Reviews-Camber_Sands-Camber_Rye_East_Sussex_England.html">https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1752567-d2248776-Reviews-Camber_Sands-Camber_Rye_East_Sussex_England.html</a></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt8OK7LsIl4lbYyrJf5u0J3JdAoS7Ow0A2ZpaVzvLZd-Y756bL6v3bxe7tI_jjaJ2xDbt9iw7yDFhvUBt8bxkclRJwmksk-kJvAafMA2ef2OkjX-MK2DLzaHenFDexOVuYAXYuxzUoACwGsZejlpgjOREnYNqswypJKyCD8bX94jLpteUTpYnWKqy3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt8OK7LsIl4lbYyrJf5u0J3JdAoS7Ow0A2ZpaVzvLZd-Y756bL6v3bxe7tI_jjaJ2xDbt9iw7yDFhvUBt8bxkclRJwmksk-kJvAafMA2ef2OkjX-MK2DLzaHenFDexOVuYAXYuxzUoACwGsZejlpgjOREnYNqswypJKyCD8bX94jLpteUTpYnWKqy3" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM8FPAmslEo7lcLwq-qoGan-ryHq4PRDXn4k3zBwoxPbt0r5NFZeETiyM_I2RiWqnXKaLXYWJoGXdT6VZa9OPRC567ov805dlcXwBWkRuXFJ94t_FU7Ot9SmWEO1A37TQilfwKOpHY5evKb91PyrvdlpE_kbRbqjmgmcTeXoS5r6ZE3J_57Mm2yuqt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM8FPAmslEo7lcLwq-qoGan-ryHq4PRDXn4k3zBwoxPbt0r5NFZeETiyM_I2RiWqnXKaLXYWJoGXdT6VZa9OPRC567ov805dlcXwBWkRuXFJ94t_FU7Ot9SmWEO1A37TQilfwKOpHY5evKb91PyrvdlpE_kbRbqjmgmcTeXoS5r6ZE3J_57Mm2yuqt" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxUlnK0YfLiamnnmxvF9B3AmFwf4vWaMZZsVG0yInKmlHlOdbbutCm2vp1E-wC43KbtSRAhqnVwShqmelXFLYCTecZbJdCLxy_uerQoy3oxYklqqEsRcz84m57cqSvUH-l8fJ1vGwTgN-s99vnQmJOeOshqOoaIXb464a8mzIe_WYDWr0cMg6I8m8h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxUlnK0YfLiamnnmxvF9B3AmFwf4vWaMZZsVG0yInKmlHlOdbbutCm2vp1E-wC43KbtSRAhqnVwShqmelXFLYCTecZbJdCLxy_uerQoy3oxYklqqEsRcz84m57cqSvUH-l8fJ1vGwTgN-s99vnQmJOeOshqOoaIXb464a8mzIe_WYDWr0cMg6I8m8h" width="319" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-55194442451684005962022-06-04T09:43:00.004+01:002022-06-04T09:43:50.515+01:00What is self care to you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIktqNIOTo0JYtTKoU_wtlStgFQ6rnGmB8PBFYaWkb-bFVUDijFrlErtB0wpNXlYZYPItr4u2gUsrCtuafgCbUzCaIQ8oZWLA_j7hoCbIKsOt_X9QAKyLvZV8PM6yMQNNKmWcU_Jilhh-VXd-WDqb0buUrsmC03294XrQ7chhbuQdkEK1E9nfCKaiY/s3780/82F1FD3C-8AE8-4EA7-9D60-73F08C508B09.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIktqNIOTo0JYtTKoU_wtlStgFQ6rnGmB8PBFYaWkb-bFVUDijFrlErtB0wpNXlYZYPItr4u2gUsrCtuafgCbUzCaIQ8oZWLA_j7hoCbIKsOt_X9QAKyLvZV8PM6yMQNNKmWcU_Jilhh-VXd-WDqb0buUrsmC03294XrQ7chhbuQdkEK1E9nfCKaiY/w329-h411/82F1FD3C-8AE8-4EA7-9D60-73F08C508B09.jpeg" width="329" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Self love kind of morning on June 4th </span></h3><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Many of us have an anniversary day for ourselves. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The day we got sober, put ourselves first, said no to an abuser, or a day to mark our independence. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> 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. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The day I didn’t give up. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The day I put me and my unborn twins as my priority. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And no matter what was thrown our way, we kept on going.
Celebrate YOU today for whatever reason you can find. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, this is cheesy and personal but without these life stories, how can we learn?
Time to </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">🖊 journal </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">☕️ have a cuppa </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">🐾 love Harley </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">🧴moisturise all morning </span></div><div>💻<span style="font-size: large;"> edit some travel vids</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> Just for a couple of hours…💜</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-88092211207537696202022-02-27T12:26:00.005+00:002022-02-28T08:10:53.057+00:00All inclusive resort in the UK?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Potters resort in Norfolk, England is a venue like no other. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Butlins? Nope. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Pontins? Definitely not. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK8ZWw5Dwuscf9NrIU_xgMJ06XWNS6wvdQMZmlIt96XwWKKXwlHarc9ag0UmwqWH4RQ7y2J4K1I2wVRv0RmZ4Z25-1LhsPq71rPQV2x07Ni6ohNL6T1iFYyZeu49G3Q5-se-FkQMUGlGvoipZ6NPE3oTxT96MN0E2WFILycuevcebcT_-ECWXKjBBp=s1281" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1281" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgK8ZWw5Dwuscf9NrIU_xgMJ06XWNS6wvdQMZmlIt96XwWKKXwlHarc9ag0UmwqWH4RQ7y2J4K1I2wVRv0RmZ4Z25-1LhsPq71rPQV2x07Ni6ohNL6T1iFYyZeu49G3Q5-se-FkQMUGlGvoipZ6NPE3oTxT96MN0E2WFILycuevcebcT_-ECWXKjBBp=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Abroad even? Possibly. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But this a staycation of a uniqueness in the uk. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You see, at Potters, everything is included. The food and drink (top notch!), the activities, swimming, entertainment (think Broadway), and the comfiest accommodation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4VPiTv-QHq0" width="320" youtube-src-id="4VPiTv-QHq0"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the VLOG of the weekend.</div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiurOwkmhgyZJ1x-ok-CJ259jjaNXznG8R-FAy4wrlCU4vU9thRvrJIRx-yrLhSWT8xQmpoqb0MoasqRdWxBfP39iQoHKiheAjRTKbSGuFWWwZKse7lNbj3GxTOyU2WaMz6oEADKZKtQn0VFZ6OZiqmlo1d4zEE7KgaNAUSowRQ6_fkYs0CkdUYUER2=s3393" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3393" data-original-width="3023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiurOwkmhgyZJ1x-ok-CJ259jjaNXznG8R-FAy4wrlCU4vU9thRvrJIRx-yrLhSWT8xQmpoqb0MoasqRdWxBfP39iQoHKiheAjRTKbSGuFWWwZKse7lNbj3GxTOyU2WaMz6oEADKZKtQn0VFZ6OZiqmlo1d4zEE7KgaNAUSowRQ6_fkYs0CkdUYUER2=s320" width="285" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfPNlHL1Q1240tv5pPMOZr2RPc_Yah5g4v_4jl-uNHKwRTUcxH1K-qSBIWiBuGBj6nXC1EC7-obhqruGP_b59HVPe6ksu2enYq4CCgJAWnpIfmDacwTGS1rIPyn4ZIUssiQGOdlVgUelF3-_p55sJbxl7FVG0MxdeAegImHK-1lOfFz-cXxzQZDiyV=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEht9N-S2fvosowZPFe8-Yh1_WcRqzoyFm_F5S-PIi_Uw15nOxrXinf_hWKG8bthkvpIqSiycivyJR5N-up99kk51l70mIunPm4vCyaWjF49Oy45IYUGsbH_ipS4RV4mCDXhKRQoUjur5gxdTuvKyNb3ko4WNrRB3ZPaM-lLSexpyLksRO-jpCmnm5AG=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2UChVYF44MrH9_F4QUeJDlYCxsl8AzTaozA_Oe2G9N70wBl7BPV5CUzLM6ShA1USs9X-u_gOxem9no5_-J1PFgcscapQmnKukcFdn57ZCI1ns5QLm_rnVN1dKqGZBZfSSZnejaqOKdKMyFX_BGCs0oO_iUQHYwPzB1C1fwIHLIm4q3H5VtPquv2ik=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2UChVYF44MrH9_F4QUeJDlYCxsl8AzTaozA_Oe2G9N70wBl7BPV5CUzLM6ShA1USs9X-u_gOxem9no5_-J1PFgcscapQmnKukcFdn57ZCI1ns5QLm_rnVN1dKqGZBZfSSZnejaqOKdKMyFX_BGCs0oO_iUQHYwPzB1C1fwIHLIm4q3H5VtPquv2ik=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEO-cyAXBfBGltP8kopF-PtAVwoyd4Wt7D2tdsXnbQrUxxGsfMFzv-jTWYieAeY0hOd71lyXddewDWH34nVfm7ru7v9cHw_yRuAaTY0C6mtNBV22ToSI9okY4Hh-HCZZsUjlE0cWdHwNioML3ieKBGh7Hn4EiCt3uK6ngAsX919hmIjJeuQvTIdIdE=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEO-cyAXBfBGltP8kopF-PtAVwoyd4Wt7D2tdsXnbQrUxxGsfMFzv-jTWYieAeY0hOd71lyXddewDWH34nVfm7ru7v9cHw_yRuAaTY0C6mtNBV22ToSI9okY4Hh-HCZZsUjlE0cWdHwNioML3ieKBGh7Hn4EiCt3uK6ngAsX919hmIjJeuQvTIdIdE=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0pnIBYTWs1lhsC4HNSFhB-pzXALBCyvDt2Ivace4zMJJ_KhMu7BxBhNSJbep7IOhRWDS229sZSzlzRxJxOjaSfOXawuEuaYP8dTQyDgvLoD0NecbgTFwXVpvyUUESoldDK6gpj19Rvem80WiAGbJs2vzoVaUZIfhkdvJtR5-qyAeMvzaM7AzBgm-k=s1440" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0pnIBYTWs1lhsC4HNSFhB-pzXALBCyvDt2Ivace4zMJJ_KhMu7BxBhNSJbep7IOhRWDS229sZSzlzRxJxOjaSfOXawuEuaYP8dTQyDgvLoD0NecbgTFwXVpvyUUESoldDK6gpj19Rvem80WiAGbJs2vzoVaUZIfhkdvJtR5-qyAeMvzaM7AzBgm-k=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitC3K0vz-COkj3V54JwiF9yONNqYokLU4vkyx24gkdGEVUm-NGM_3SQ6t-G-NJv3TjecmaMt4zjenjVg5i0ZaD-DTyZzUJSqpuDStdYTcvFY8qxtnsiFaCnIDroj0smS-riujJA6zFY_Ui0idIkb3t4hH5ktbxYqqj48Uj3S28pDyL0xPE_V53M2Mj=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitC3K0vz-COkj3V54JwiF9yONNqYokLU4vkyx24gkdGEVUm-NGM_3SQ6t-G-NJv3TjecmaMt4zjenjVg5i0ZaD-DTyZzUJSqpuDStdYTcvFY8qxtnsiFaCnIDroj0smS-riujJA6zFY_Ui0idIkb3t4hH5ktbxYqqj48Uj3S28pDyL0xPE_V53M2Mj=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Although this trip wasn’t perfect. Because I was unable to book for next year. Sad times. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Another hiccup.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I’m proud of her. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I’m proud of me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Potters, it was a total pleasure. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ceroc, wowzers, loved the music and dance. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Food..well, it’s not my friend at the best of times but it was delicious. </span></p><p><br /></p><p>Want to know where we are travelling to next? </p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0Norfolk, UK52.6139686 0.886402124.303734763821154 -34.2698479 80.924202436178845 36.0426521tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-38722564890253447562022-02-07T19:00:00.001+00:002022-02-07T19:00:00.206+00:00A strange story from Center Parcs<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this video, you won't believe how many things went wrong after we left the spa. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">We got locked out, the security couldn't even get us in. He let us sit in his van and the wipers randomly went off... finally, we got in, the place was freezing as the door was being fixed, so I lit a fire. You won't believe what happened next but suffice to say a nurse, stitches and blood were involved *trigger warning. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day was breathtaking as we were due to leave. I did the usual 'man's job' of going to collect the car. It was thick frost, bright sunshine and completely wonderful. Is this how I was really feeling? Or was I feeling his absence?</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JhPgMraAGeE" width="320" youtube-src-id="JhPgMraAGeE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-22469519177898489852022-02-06T17:00:00.001+00:002022-02-06T17:00:00.198+00:00A look around aqua Sana spa at Woburn Forest, Center Parcs<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the day to head to the Aqua Sana spa at our Woburn Forest Center Parcs break. We were excited to get into a relaxing state of mind and have some treatments done.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Unfortunately for me, a few things went wrong, which was upsetting, but I quickly looked at the good bits, laid on a waterbed and enjoyed the rest of the day, which was VERY zen. After that, we headed home to a disaster waiting to happen. Watch the next video to see what happened!</span></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
Center Parcs playlist: </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwf5UN3J86KJjrhBUrvPCL1Vg2ae49znv</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vKC6eWS0cP0" width="320" youtube-src-id="vKC6eWS0cP0"></iframe></div><br /></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-59965394043261144152022-01-11T09:01:00.000+00:002022-01-11T09:01:08.503+00:00The Pancake House at Center Parcs<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Tradition brings us to Center Parcs, and the <a href="https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/things-to-do/restaurants/the-pancake-house.html">pancake</a> house.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">So often, people are saying how expensive it is to visit Center Parcs. I'm here to help you find some really amazing breaks.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCC6-eUdEMOv_SbJ2e5lZ_orRbbN3SwrGssGFABuOPes4ToS7DZdN3nzA0aqSYSi1efepnq9rUWnQPCbewpOgt4kLNkqsNlBkCBniSJjkog74-E_WKfturUQ_c06W939It6Mr7AtR3aNkfFP1OUmZHSp1JXCbjUbd7Xf6F7XKnaspjyDjeRQoQnuub=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCC6-eUdEMOv_SbJ2e5lZ_orRbbN3SwrGssGFABuOPes4ToS7DZdN3nzA0aqSYSi1efepnq9rUWnQPCbewpOgt4kLNkqsNlBkCBniSJjkog74-E_WKfturUQ_c06W939It6Mr7AtR3aNkfFP1OUmZHSp1JXCbjUbd7Xf6F7XKnaspjyDjeRQoQnuub=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As usual, some people are tied to children’s school holidays and tend to luck out. Traveling at this time of year can prove amazing for value for money. The best suggestion I have if you want to travel with school-age children is to find the closest park to you, leave after school on Friday and go home after dinner on Sunday. You will get two nights, and we paid £350 for this break (up to four people). </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Breaks could cost between £2000 and £3000 in the summer holidays, or could just end up at £80 per person for a four-night midweek break in January. Of course, there’s always the opportunity that you’re going to spend more money once you’re actually there. And I guess this is the benefit of making great value breaks, affordable so that once you are there you’re spending more money and enabling the parks to keep staff wages paid.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It is our time to visit <a href="https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/holiday-locations/woburn-forest.html">Woburn Forest</a>, as is tradition for us to do once a year now, since 2016. And as we arrive, it’s always a tradition that we visit the <a href="https://www.centerparcs.co.uk/discover-center-parcs/things-to-do/restaurants/the-pancake-house.html">pancake</a> house.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1c2ZsyAg2DIPWqmYpNwL38Rr0sReRJzPv_0zN3EOoGhrNCc5D3F4yYEGwU9qGxLPFnf5m9ySzR8t71rcJraGgf6dikvJBTMSiPhYq3WKSWaZucbnUfAeJFSCuExnalqHXFMcA7T-72kc9IJgbR1Hc3O7QdRRil_KpYDJf-PA2HVVsqWtPeOoEn_m4=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1c2ZsyAg2DIPWqmYpNwL38Rr0sReRJzPv_0zN3EOoGhrNCc5D3F4yYEGwU9qGxLPFnf5m9ySzR8t71rcJraGgf6dikvJBTMSiPhYq3WKSWaZucbnUfAeJFSCuExnalqHXFMcA7T-72kc9IJgbR1Hc3O7QdRRil_KpYDJf-PA2HVVsqWtPeOoEn_m4=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLvOdm8im_tXVyH0ofmtiT18kFkbOnTI25PlOV1Qjv4oC_2Zpt7NUx04UHrEFEOT-uuK_D7vWc5AXFtbLJx6TzFKa16gagprQBeQHq0GWYF2cNN5SW-2UgBFc2YDJLkVuDv2zvEyWp7tcPMgx3tniT1VwkTMRt5qPEKPPvl6dHPTHt2PYYjuYKm4s5=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLvOdm8im_tXVyH0ofmtiT18kFkbOnTI25PlOV1Qjv4oC_2Zpt7NUx04UHrEFEOT-uuK_D7vWc5AXFtbLJx6TzFKa16gagprQBeQHq0GWYF2cNN5SW-2UgBFc2YDJLkVuDv2zvEyWp7tcPMgx3tniT1VwkTMRt5qPEKPPvl6dHPTHt2PYYjuYKm4s5=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-SNhrFKhZkhpaNQslUVDymdiOgof0QdLrvcbXzqMmA9vjWvGSLT2k0HCCLofThLEvPqNS8Bl7j8jChih8zpX_f2VC1dzQ6uS5vmv76RGKf7SGidDuBkEN-swyOAzNy4INe5IsR8AtA6iobMFsTr2A-rI9x0Rt1Q7NOIAA8jGwkAe48y-zC5sg1kLg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-SNhrFKhZkhpaNQslUVDymdiOgof0QdLrvcbXzqMmA9vjWvGSLT2k0HCCLofThLEvPqNS8Bl7j8jChih8zpX_f2VC1dzQ6uS5vmv76RGKf7SGidDuBkEN-swyOAzNy4INe5IsR8AtA6iobMFsTr2A-rI9x0Rt1Q7NOIAA8jGwkAe48y-zC5sg1kLg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTfIX6UKaN1Z71EXWbuEaM9EAOUeiT_m1r_hthgUGF-PoE-TY1qc3sjMO2Rhka49n942ET7BYTeQTChvTi11TRsG8Kbr68LEukh89tDd81qnTwApySFDv4PHfieAHtUw3Vi0wLzwcb0qdJ43qPu9-FNuOniuHJYA5jDnMw4SQRrHdJGOAU7imtIGv=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifTfIX6UKaN1Z71EXWbuEaM9EAOUeiT_m1r_hthgUGF-PoE-TY1qc3sjMO2Rhka49n942ET7BYTeQTChvTi11TRsG8Kbr68LEukh89tDd81qnTwApySFDv4PHfieAHtUw3Vi0wLzwcb0qdJ43qPu9-FNuOniuHJYA5jDnMw4SQRrHdJGOAU7imtIGv=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTUtDfIsTCijE52CYuZb7lWz1bKKveqPW4S5UqcN3vqzQUDwly7u8V1UKWVZGzpILlA9oqmqvuv1sjQb4_XgTv-ZzrUTMIuSlXCUPLeWo9-st_c5dpeJw6QAlGDhfhSpEx7KBq4g7LhbgkWva9BlJVBqK1aOsOIAg1frhn4LVIUaBhh3iBGH4biXRZ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTUtDfIsTCijE52CYuZb7lWz1bKKveqPW4S5UqcN3vqzQUDwly7u8V1UKWVZGzpILlA9oqmqvuv1sjQb4_XgTv-ZzrUTMIuSlXCUPLeWo9-st_c5dpeJw6QAlGDhfhSpEx7KBq4g7LhbgkWva9BlJVBqK1aOsOIAg1frhn4LVIUaBhh3iBGH4biXRZ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sitting in the window of the pancake house looking out over at the lake, with drips of rain sitting on the tables and chairs outside, I remarked to my daughter Jasmine how many different people we have brought here with us over the years.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We usually sit outside with the dog. There were no lodges available for dogs this time, and apart from that, Harley really cannot walk very far now. And we have to use a dog pram for him. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">After a lovely drive of 1 1/2 hours, we sat at the table and ordered lunch online.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Centre Parcs are currently cashless, so ordering online was the best thing to do. Unfortunately, I had forgotten any purse or any cards. I would usually pay with Apple Pay, but thankfully my daughter is at the age now where she can pay, and I can do her quick bank transfer! Much is this sounds comical, as if I’ve done it on purpose, it truly wasn’t.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">As always, I was thrilled at the pancake house it caters for gluten-free diners like myself. So often, when you go to certain types of restaurants if you are gluten-free, you’re out of luck. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I was excited to try a waffle. I remember how much I enjoyed them on our last trip. Although as we tried to order online, there was no option for that. We called the waitress over who informed us that their waffle maker machine (which is kept separate from the usual waffle maker machine to ensure it’s gluten-free and not cross-contaminated), was out of order and waiting to be fixed. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I completely understood and respected this. Instead, I went for an apple pancake which was dusted with cinnamon sugar. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Completely delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this and felt so full up. After that, it was time to do plenty of walking for the rest of the day and a little swim to try and help use some calories.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmaImuadaAvEESDNCmAuKfrSQANLU5tXHTiiOSWJJJCriq4D4Voen5fg7moAOUx79PWzf4LoON6ri62bTXXCxV0Su3q4R2ZUDCXT3jsMviSThMu6C7g6qzqhTboA_-nzSOeyyztVZMSHjvKLJC_EI_-ulv4T7GP62P1dI4hu3L10IPS4Fd72hgQOr3=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmaImuadaAvEESDNCmAuKfrSQANLU5tXHTiiOSWJJJCriq4D4Voen5fg7moAOUx79PWzf4LoON6ri62bTXXCxV0Su3q4R2ZUDCXT3jsMviSThMu6C7g6qzqhTboA_-nzSOeyyztVZMSHjvKLJC_EI_-ulv4T7GP62P1dI4hu3L10IPS4Fd72hgQOr3=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-26472203321658837652022-01-09T13:06:00.002+00:002022-01-09T17:59:48.991+00:00How to travel abroad from the UK in January 2022<p> <span style="font-size: large;">Finally, I am hoping it's time for us to begin to open up the travel pathways once again.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have truly missed being on those beaches, feeling the warmth on the skin, the little tickles on the ankles from paddling in the warm sea. The wellbeing we feel from such happiness can't be matched. Have you missed it?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXcyj0pT1XccbgnHuZA3-8QWPTPVDQESH81Al1Evl0spduYFCwyYGZxhMttPpmDlJ0xHrRz3pS1hboMoKbJxhrhuOVDiJDJ48Nc5c4WbrIiqv2YeiaP9IvCE7c0m6vBAjgRIitSb4CswrnD8RHQf4gA--zdwss9bPe1NcA-tW_6JWzf-TscGvhfowW=s1398" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1398" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXcyj0pT1XccbgnHuZA3-8QWPTPVDQESH81Al1Evl0spduYFCwyYGZxhMttPpmDlJ0xHrRz3pS1hboMoKbJxhrhuOVDiJDJ48Nc5c4WbrIiqv2YeiaP9IvCE7c0m6vBAjgRIitSb4CswrnD8RHQf4gA--zdwss9bPe1NcA-tW_6JWzf-TscGvhfowW=w400-h179" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The advice can seem a little daunting if you haven't travelled since before Covid times and I would love to help make some sense of that - so I created this <a href="https://youtu.be/V9iIVPPIeXE" target="_blank">video</a>:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J2G8ZcpdmgU" width="320" youtube-src-id="J2G8ZcpdmgU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And all of the advice which I mention can be accessed here: (Do let me know if it helps you) and please take note that my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/louiseusher">Youtube</a> channel will be centred around travel more this year than it was last year. Let me know if you have requests or questions! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;">Requirements to travel from the UK:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;">See the Gov website here and enter your country of travel:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;">And this link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-abroad-from-england-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a> takes you to all of this information:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">1. Check foreign travel</span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">advice for the countries you want to go to</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">This will tell you if:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">the country will allow people to enter from the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="cursor: help; text-decoration: none;" title="United Kingdom">UK<o:p></o:p></abbr></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">you will need to show proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">you will need to quarantine on arrival<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Foreign travel advice will also tell you if the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="cursor: help; text-decoration: none;" title="United Kingdom">UK<span class="apple-converted-space"></span></abbr> </span>government advises against all but essential travel to the country.<o:p></o:p></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">Check foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="arrange-any-covid-19-tests-you-will-need-to-enter-the-countries-that-you-will-travel-to" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">2. Arrange any COVID-19 tests you will need to enter the countries that you will travel to<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">You cannot use an NHS test for this. You must use a private test provider.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Many providers of day 2 and day 8 travel tests also provide these tests.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">Find a travel test provider</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="find-out-how-you-can-use-the-nhs-covid-pass-to-prove-your-vaccination-status-abroad" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">3. Find out how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status abroad<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Some countries require proof of vaccination status before you can enter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">Read about how you can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">You should do this before you travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="check-what-you-will-need-to-do-when-you-return-to-england" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">4. Check what you will need to do when you return to England<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">What you will need to do when you return to England depends on:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">your vaccination status<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">where you have been<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">Find out about taking COVID-19 tests and quarantine rules when you return to England</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="travelling-with-children" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Travelling with children<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">The England testing and quarantine rules for children depend on their age.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19#travelling-with-children" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">Read more about testing and quarantine for children</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">You should also<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">check the rules in the country you are travelling from</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as they may require children to take a test at the start of your journey to England.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="ireland-the-uk-the-channel-islands-and-the-isle-of-man" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Ireland, the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><abbr style="cursor: help; text-decoration: none;" title="United Kingdom">UK</abbr>, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Check the rules on travel from England if you’re:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_to_ireland/travel_to_ireland_during_covid.html" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Ireland</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-advice" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Northern Ireland</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-travel-and-transport" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Scotland</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://gov.wales/foreign-travel-and-returning-home" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Wales</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://covid19.gov.im/general-information/travel-advice" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to the Isle of Man</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Travel/Pages/CoronavirusTravelAdvice.aspx" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Jersey</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://covid19.gov.gg/guidance/travel" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">travelling to Guernsey</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 data-autoscrolltracker-already-seen="true" id="exemptions-for-work-medical-or-compassionate-reasons" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18pt; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 33.75pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Exemptions for work, medical or compassionate reasons<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">There are medical exemptions from:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england#exemptions--people-who-do-not-need-to-take-a-test" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">testing before travel to England</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 3.75pt; margin-left: 51.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 3.75pt 51pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules#medical-treatment" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">quarantine for people having medical treatment</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(11, 12, 12); font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: normal; margin: 15pt 0cm; text-align: start; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Some people are exempt from some or all of the requirements<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #954f72; text-decoration-thickness: max(1px, 0.0625rem); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 0.1em;"><span style="color: #4c2c92;">because of the job they do</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Tui Travel advice:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 15pt 0cm;"><span style="color: #0b0c0c; font-size: 11pt;">Tui contacted me- as we are going to Tunisia later in the year. This is what they said: <o:p></o:p></span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background-color: #f3f0ec; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 650px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><strong><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 13.5pt;">We hope you’re looking forward to your TUI holiday and we are delighted that travel is now even easier</span></strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 13.5pt;">, thanks to the government simplifying UK re-entry requirements. And at TUI, we’re here to support you every step of the way.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18, you no longer need to complete a pre-departure test before your return flight to the UK, or self-isolate on your arrival. And, from the 9th January, the day 2 PCR test on entry to the UK can be replaced with the cheaper antigen (rapid flow) test – available through TUI’s testing partner,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="Chronomics_12"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/7qPEsw3VqgfK/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead;">Chronomics</span></span><span></span></a>, from just £15.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Plus, our<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="promise"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/3j7LCNRKrZcW/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/c0k4MnFpZHJubmxsS0hnOFlvaWFkbnc1eS94YXh0bDdSSDhZQ1RnbjFzZ2s0Qnk4R0UrUE9CQUdiNHZCV1pUN3ZicnUxQTZiZXVvZmd4TEpFVHoxZkhqakd1c0g1dUE0MXhNSnYwbWM2V289S0" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead;">TUI Holiday Promise</span></span><span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>is designed to give you total peace of mind.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 28.5pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 22.5pt;">Our Holiday Promise<o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f3f0ec; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-collapse: collapse; caret-color: rgb(9, 42, 94); font-variant-caps: normal; text-align: start; width: 100%px; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 650px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 30pt;"><td style="height: 30pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 1pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_12" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: #c2e6fa; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; border-radius: 5px; border-top-left-radius: 5px; border-top-right-radius: 5px; padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 15pt;" width="20"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_11" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 20pt;"><td style="height: 20pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_10" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">Flexible changes*</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></u></b></span><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_9" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">If you change your mind, we promise you the flexibility to make<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="changes"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/9ePvs0VwK-tN/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/c0k4MnFpZHJubmxsS0hnOFlvaWFkbnc1eS94YXh0bDdSSDhZQ1RnbjFzZ2s0Qnk4R0UrUE9CQUdiNHZCV1pUN3ZicnUxQTZiZXVvZmd4TEpFVHoxZkhqakd1c0g1dUE0MXhNSnYwbWM2V289S0" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead;">fee-free changes</span></span><span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to your holiday including date, duration, hotel, flight or destination.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /> • If you’re due to travel on or before 31 January 2022, you can make fee-free changes up until 14 days before departure<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If you’re due to travel between 1 February and 30 April 2022, you can make fee-free changes up until 28 days before departure<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />And, for all our customers, whenever you’re due to travel, if your situation changes and you’re unable to travel due to the following reasons – you can make a fee-free change right up until your day of departure<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>(subject to conditions below*)</em>:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If you or someone in your party tests positive for COVID-19<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If you’re officially required to self-isolate*<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If there’s a local lockdown in the area you live in and you’re unable to travel*<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If vaccination, testing or quarantine requirements have changed since you booked and you are therefore no longer able to travel*<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /> • If we let you know of restrictions in your destination that have been introduced after you booked that will significantly impact your holiday enjoyment*<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">Easy and affordable testing</span></strong><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_8" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">Whether you’re heading off on a package holiday, or you’ve booked just your flights or hotel stay with us, testing is now easier and more affordable than ever. We’ve teamed up with government-authorised suppliers Chronomics, Klarity, Randox, Screen 4 and ExpressTest to offer a range of testing options from as little as £15.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a name="testing"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/xqdps27GVzfr/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/Y0NmSzFNelcrWDM3ZzlTcDMybXhVMW5yN2QyZHhaaXJmRHJjcC9nRGZtcktlaXMzOENOU3VsRVhIMUVNdnp0ZkdJOWVabHlyalZRaXlVYjVUWXpWY01LVzZ4Q2pKZTFkZk1mTXZTYmZIT2pJcFdhb2dsd3A1OHdWSWxNcGZycm4S1" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">MORE INFORMATION</span></span><span></span></a><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">Package holiday refund guarantee</span></strong><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_7" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">If you’ve booked a package holiday, flight or hotel stay, you’re entitled to your money back within a guaranteed 14 days in the unlikely event that we have to cancel it. But you’ll also have other options, including changing your package booking to another holiday, fee-free.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: none; padding: 0cm;" width="20"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">Red list pledge</span></strong><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p></td><td style="border: none; padding: 0cm;" width="20"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_6" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="border: none; padding: 0cm;" width="20"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"> </p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">We won’t take you to a destination that’s on the red list or where the government advises against all but essential travel. If your destination is moved to the red list before you go, you can change your holiday to a different destination, or to a later date. Or, if your destination is still on the red list at the time of your departure, we’ll let you know that your holiday’s been cancelled, and you can request a refund in full within 14 days.<br /><br />If your destination is moved to the red list while you’re on holiday, we’ll do our best to bring you back before the quarantine requirement begins. Plus, you’ll get a refund for any holiday nights lost.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">TUI standards secured</span></strong><u><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_5" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">Before you go, we’ll let you know if there are any restrictions in your destination that we believe could significantly impact your holiday enjoyment, and we’ll give you the chance to change your booking. Plus, you’ll be supported 24/7 during your holiday, thanks to the TUI app. It’s super-easy to use, and it’ll mean we can keep in touch with you every step of the way. You can chat to us via the app, or – if you prefer – you can contact our resort team 24/7 by phone or SMS.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 10pt;"><td style="height: 10pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="height: 20pt;"><td style="height: 20pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td><td style="padding: 0cm; width: 15pt;" width="20"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 650px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; padding: 0cm;" valign="top"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 30pt;"><td style="height: 30pt; padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span><img border="0" height="2" src="blob:https://www.blogger.com/6264c6f5-9d67-4f0c-922f-66fdd0086ce5" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="2" /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 21pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 18pt; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #092a5e; font-size: 11pt;">From the whole of the TUI team,</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><strong>we’re looking forward to welcoming you on holiday.</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;"></p><div align="center"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 600px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 0cm;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><i><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;">JUST SO YOU KNOW…Most holiday insurance policies now include cover for medical expenses and other costs due to contracting COVID-19 – please ensure you check your policy for details.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="terms_0"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/NZ-Lh3vpx_Bv/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead;">We recommend AXA</span></span><span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />*IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON OUR TUI HOLIDAY PROMISE<br /><br />*Just so you know, you’ll need to make a change to your booking within 48 hours of these requirements being introduced.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />• For bookings that include a non-TUI Airways flight – if you notify us of a fee-free COVID-19 related change within 72 hours of your planned departure, you’ll need to change your holiday to one that includes a TUI Airways flight.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />• Our<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a name="terms"></a><a href="http://links.tui.mkt8843.com/els/v2/V27WSd3r9vcR/MmRQWCt1MkFXNmdqK1VldTViYlRJdmZqL08rWnJKTGJDNzNJekgvZm1hMDZjeXpqNXA5VUNTd3h2YVVjdEFnZ0MvWnA2MUZvVG5aOXVJWVRlODFHN3Z0Q0k3R2tubDF1MWx0bW9lODdCNGM9S0/Y0NmSzFNelcrWDM3ZzlTcDMybXhVMW5yN2QyZHhaaXJmRHJjcC9nRGZtcktlaXMzOENOU3VsRVhIMUVNdnp0ZkdJOWVabHlyalZRaXlVYjVUWXpWY01LVzZ4Q2pKZTFkZk1mTXZTYmZIT2pJcFdhb2dsd3A1OHdWSWxNcGZycm4S1" style="color: #954f72; text-decoration: underline;"><span><span style="color: #1a7ead;">standard booking terms & conditions</span></span><span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>apply for amendments made within 14 or 28 days of departure – depending on which policy applies to your booking – and for departures from 1 May 22 with the exception of those changes that arise as a result of COVID-19.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #092a5e; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Let's hope we all get on a plane soon and enjoy a lovely, safe time </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Love, as always</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Louise xoxo</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOTX_z5mFm_SAsg60WRwA-Igtra7hPLdPkDgsKieZSTsywKJVJdj1Io_8gjAYX2xSFez_mo4vWE6t-FVmrIl4cxNk09SmBp0EH9CdVP6yaIjHiSFFMSBHBrOyG6peK-87Ti5OcXEcVySG1yyCoETGi_wNW_5ZuYf8eeKGCcWOSGP3uB-tE_0UQPF6I=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOTX_z5mFm_SAsg60WRwA-Igtra7hPLdPkDgsKieZSTsywKJVJdj1Io_8gjAYX2xSFez_mo4vWE6t-FVmrIl4cxNk09SmBp0EH9CdVP6yaIjHiSFFMSBHBrOyG6peK-87Ti5OcXEcVySG1yyCoETGi_wNW_5ZuYf8eeKGCcWOSGP3uB-tE_0UQPF6I=s320" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: #092a5e;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><p></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-2254319833466570482022-01-03T18:50:00.003+00:002022-01-03T18:52:40.953+00:002021 – Very likely the saddest year.<p> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif">2021</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> – Very likely the saddest year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We all want to mean something to someone. Even if that’s a stranger. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We thought we were going to struggle in 2020 but looking back, it felt fluffy and warm. 2021 came storming in to create a proper shit show for so many of us. Me included. This has been the worst year for my health, my heartache, my confusion about the future, and my fears.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But look now, it’s almost over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And I got to celebrate another birthday. Not everyone had that blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My wings felt clipped and it’s time to fly again. Look what I have planned for next year – and just look at how excited I feel. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m not a huge fan of ‘new year/new me’ as I do feel we can treasure that thought at any time of year. But you know when we say ‘sleep on it’ and things feel better? Well, sometimes it can be the same with January the 1<sup>st</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Do I believe we can change things for the better? Yes, I do. If you question that, have a little listen to <a href="<!-- START ADVERTISER: Audible from awin.com --> <a rel="sponsored" href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?s=2544814&v=8095&q=379243&r=504875"> <img src="https://www.awin1.com/cshow.php?s=2544814&v=8095&q=379243&r=504875" border="0"> </a> <!-- END ADVERTISER: Audible from awin.com -->">Jack Canfield</a>. He will get the better feeling thoughts flowing through your head, for sure. It isn’t always easy, and I say that over and over on my YouTube channel. Some people say, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> ‘ohh it all comes from within,’ as if we should be immune to our outer world. It takes time to change the outer world, to be at peace with what is inside. I have spent a lot of time in November and December unwell. Which gives way to thinking time. Coupled with looking at analytics on my channel, and asking my tribe what they want from me, I have some exciting ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B3F0DniJqKY" width="320" youtube-src-id="B3F0DniJqKY"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Watch this video. And the next one. And I will be back to tell you all about it in the early part of 2022. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipEveYckzurn__JpjG5Xuc9FLQB4khH0yWxCpU4VwiUdjGBH8SYHyettT2QIu09-vRzUWH258VTCmHxjycoY4J1RrEqWoUis8ZjN1YkLDmly3Bh7Nz_nN-oHyKlUSI673x_XQ2HW8Lhs3eKgU5ql0QnDte90yfgxO3f9qNmXNKDNxH_kLAwmpyt-fN=s1242" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1242" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipEveYckzurn__JpjG5Xuc9FLQB4khH0yWxCpU4VwiUdjGBH8SYHyettT2QIu09-vRzUWH258VTCmHxjycoY4J1RrEqWoUis8ZjN1YkLDmly3Bh7Nz_nN-oHyKlUSI673x_XQ2HW8Lhs3eKgU5ql0QnDte90yfgxO3f9qNmXNKDNxH_kLAwmpyt-fN=w400-h323" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-16845420417184318442021-12-08T11:49:00.001+00:002021-12-08T11:50:29.692+00:00Doing the things you love - Vlogmas in Whitstable.<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a time of year when some people find the darker days quite hard.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9Em3xK43-6UZj4DWaFVx28j0D2uFryk2le6C6yzx3gwAsGDSpBoCZ_vLke7_UYjGsrwxh7Kh56sPXuqEuOZvV9G6yvPy88XBcNUPl3b3klkLUuKkHxpZwAjZsOOYenpUAtQt9M51QtnZ3k9ydfTSKCnxlxIY96T0NIVD4G8XTwvFL019Z0zg88M3=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN9Em3xK43-6UZj4DWaFVx28j0D2uFryk2le6C6yzx3gwAsGDSpBoCZ_vLke7_UYjGsrwxh7Kh56sPXuqEuOZvV9G6yvPy88XBcNUPl3b3klkLUuKkHxpZwAjZsOOYenpUAtQt9M51QtnZ3k9ydfTSKCnxlxIY96T0NIVD4G8XTwvFL019Z0zg88M3=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-PmLaNQ4Kkli7Pg1O3-JRUdnNtxjX34OLN-e_NhgjByVr5H-IK4bSPce3rEJV_gO8b9xgJu4SP-BK3m35rB22QP_AtqFWqQ7KoLdnixi7g3ndvn0aNQxGW42-NWJMZaSJz-8plySAslhZ6B3STep71lHXKsVN7Cs98YGhoOKm6aUrE5vSru9gGNHM=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-PmLaNQ4Kkli7Pg1O3-JRUdnNtxjX34OLN-e_NhgjByVr5H-IK4bSPce3rEJV_gO8b9xgJu4SP-BK3m35rB22QP_AtqFWqQ7KoLdnixi7g3ndvn0aNQxGW42-NWJMZaSJz-8plySAslhZ6B3STep71lHXKsVN7Cs98YGhoOKm6aUrE5vSru9gGNHM=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSgXalY33N2_OUOU2f0OYRKYuX6brYMBQAHIO6JmoaknrQFpRe5xPITKHCIvkoGx1X-yaAzYfEM0Jr9NeVGa7q1Cus0ArlZ4hVzMD0ORGfC2HzVGbCKBEi0wPx-KnUAkaoNBzavca-g0eRtQUJTprge1zDKvP6pLjVi0ecx4FomJeQd24xb9hbYZe5=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSgXalY33N2_OUOU2f0OYRKYuX6brYMBQAHIO6JmoaknrQFpRe5xPITKHCIvkoGx1X-yaAzYfEM0Jr9NeVGa7q1Cus0ArlZ4hVzMD0ORGfC2HzVGbCKBEi0wPx-KnUAkaoNBzavca-g0eRtQUJTprge1zDKvP6pLjVi0ecx4FomJeQd24xb9hbYZe5=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">By 3pm it is beginning to get dark and the sun only starts to show itself at 7am in the morning. Frequently, it is somewhat dark all day. And some people can feel quite low at this time.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some of us may have lost someone dear, had our heartbroken or had health challenges and the festive season seems to highlight these feelings.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">My wish for you is to be kind to yourself. Carve out time in your day to do what you love. Something which can give you a better feeling thought will make a difference, I promise. </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aiming to look for the beauty around us is helpful, but sometimes it isn’t as easy as it sounds. And that is when you need to listen to your needs and take good care of yourself, whatever that looks like for you.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to watch relaxing cinematic videos, overlaid by sweet music. </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you need to reach out, please do.</span></span><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this video, I spent some time doing things I love. Making coffee. Writing. Going out to walk by the sea. Taking Jasmine for hot chocolate. I loved my day. Yes, it was very cold. But we loved it nonetheless.</span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tEryl_SsxtU" width="320" youtube-src-id="tEryl_SsxtU"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-26412023606658980262021-12-06T11:14:00.004+00:002021-12-06T11:16:35.924+00:00How to feel less sad this Christmas<p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> <span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes, things happen and you feel sad about it. </span></span></p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">No doubt you know this is a part of life and that it's 'just one of those things' but how can you stop yourself from feeling so sad about it?</span></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jto8O-VsseE" width="320" youtube-src-id="jto8O-VsseE"></iframe></div><br />
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">This Christmas, I am going through some 'empty nest' upsets. This year has changed so much this year, and I feel as though I don't even recognize myself right now. It's a very confusing time. My son won't be around the table this year for Christmas lunch and I can't help but think of it as the end of an era.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">Although, when he and his twin sister were little, I would lay in bed at night, with palpitations, grown from panic. What if something happened to me? How long would it be before someone knew? Would they starve? Would they be ok in dirty nappies?</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">I used to panic so badly, that I ended up being tested for heart issues on three occasions in the emergency room. It was worry.</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">So, I used to pray. </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">"Please let me see them grow up."</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">To be sad now, that he has grown up and flown the nest, seems contradictory. Instead, I will be glad of the times I do see him this Christmas, and be glad that my prayers were answered. </span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">I wish you a season of as little sadness as possible and I hope for some moments of joy for you too. </span></span><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">Much love</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">Louise xoxo
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">Reach out: lusherlifenutrition@gmail.com</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">
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</span><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;">IG: www.instagram.com/lusher.life</span></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAYjzNLDhQRn738qxrriwcl3S3L6OwYZQyC_s5nJse-0UKmyzCMYXLdbS_lXRAuzldA-LhbPOqxn25ZrPT9FVJVcnzGtokXOunC4xh3tXbJrTsjpT6SL6hrz8EFn5cGMHxgKEMHKOnUQ/s1281/A289B531-B341-4D96-8FE4-61305CB1EE91.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1281" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAYjzNLDhQRn738qxrriwcl3S3L6OwYZQyC_s5nJse-0UKmyzCMYXLdbS_lXRAuzldA-LhbPOqxn25ZrPT9FVJVcnzGtokXOunC4xh3tXbJrTsjpT6SL6hrz8EFn5cGMHxgKEMHKOnUQ/s320/A289B531-B341-4D96-8FE4-61305CB1EE91.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><span face="Roboto, Noto, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-74312469328341536192021-10-15T15:04:00.001+01:002022-01-12T08:00:38.228+00:00 How to do nothing.<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Yesterday, work had been challenging. And then Mum’s ‘stuff’ became a challenge too. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">She has heart failure. The nurse came out to see her. They had asked me to be present as Mum needed another ECG. Getting her metal off was a challenge. So much jewellery. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “Is your bra underwired?” the nurse asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “Don’t ask me, wouldn’t have a clue,” Mum replied. And she wouldn’t. She never seemed to know the features and benefits of a good bra. And it seems to not matter now. She’s 82. It matters if it has metal, which affects the ECG. It doesn’t really matter what her boobs look like, in the scheme of things. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> The nurse was stressed. She was thirty minutes late. I was thankful she came at all. She was in my diary. But I can’t be sure of many things these days. My memory isn’t what it used to be. So, here we were, late, rushing and fumbling about in a house that felt like a sauna. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Nooks and cranny’s, a broken ECG machine, no internet, no phone signal, a sweaty nurse, an unhelpful Mum, and a daughter who was listing the symptoms, lack of symptoms and current sleeping pattern,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “yes, that’s all fine. But I will ask symptoms in a little while,” she told me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> The armchair wasn’t squishy, like mine, but it was good enough to support my slump backwards, as I surrendered to the day. Sigh. What a day. My fringe covered the back of my hand as I rubbed my forehead. Headache. Again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> After an hour, and lots of handwriting, the nurse left. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">51 BPM. Slow again. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">90 spo2. Low again. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> She blames the nail varnish, like most of them. But it’s been the same for 5 years, nail varnish or not. And, no, apparently, she doesn’t have COPD, despite her smoking history. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> I refrain from mentioning that I’m taking my Doctorate in Health Sciences. They don’t like that. They would far rather I just randomly tapped into Dr Google and was a busy body know-it-all. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Okay. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Can’t be bothered to protest. Mum is happy enough. And apparently ready to go see Dad and my brother. So, I have given up the fight, just a little.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “I’ll just check your fridge Mum, then I’ll pop to see Harley.” Mum was happy with all of that. Her cup of ‘fuss’ was full.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Harley was so vocal. Going round in circles as if he had a couple of vodka and tonics. Twelve and a half now. Bless him. My heart melted as he asked me to stroke him, first in line, despite him being alone all morning. There and then, I decided we were going out. We both needed it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> I could work from Starbucks, and he could sit in the floor-to-ceiling window and watch the world, and other dogs, go by. Both of us were as excited as each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> Americano. Water. He had first dibs on the water. That was so cute. An Instagram moment was my initial thought. Then I decided I would sit and hold him. Like a toddler, sitting on my lap. Since he couldn’t walk so well, his feet were dusty and black. I touched his paw. It flipped backwards and forwards in my hand as the joint acted as a hinge. I got lost in this moment, and flipped his paws about some more, smiling to myself and chatting quietly to him. My left hand reached into my bag and pulled out my Metaphysical book. I should read. I hadn’t worked enough. I set the book on the table and adjusted Harley’s position on my lap. His paws, somehow, ended up in the palm of my hand again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span> This was most unusual, but I had an urge to sit with him, drink my coffee and flip his paws about. I could have squeezed him with my love. A happy moment. My dog, me, the coffee, doing nothing. </span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3s8X5OTMR1YJPbDjsx9-oK9562Uhv54LDsv481hxiwT5xfIArA-KrPP9YHFNsyqEtV-OIiwqGlVnGVKaTjf_Hu8GE_uKxXSKOVjQX1i-xYwrUr-Qf2j4FqivZxcKEL8ofeMj4zYkdEg/s2048/65591981432__B3FA1B89-E22D-411F-B4B1-318B5D3C06A4.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3s8X5OTMR1YJPbDjsx9-oK9562Uhv54LDsv481hxiwT5xfIArA-KrPP9YHFNsyqEtV-OIiwqGlVnGVKaTjf_Hu8GE_uKxXSKOVjQX1i-xYwrUr-Qf2j4FqivZxcKEL8ofeMj4zYkdEg/w400-h300/65591981432__B3FA1B89-E22D-411F-B4B1-318B5D3C06A4.HEIC" width="400" /></span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLxPPhJO7krC0n9H4ADYdze6rNzp2T4XiHSqfFhRXzeVTnCwnu5yuH7Noe0MrQ0vRDkFYnSAD5a4IxXf1uP8nRmW_ZLY-IhwUE7FCm681GvLka2NJ1_ZS4AlK-iMkgWx5CeU80P-qxqM/s2048/IMG_2771.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLxPPhJO7krC0n9H4ADYdze6rNzp2T4XiHSqfFhRXzeVTnCwnu5yuH7Noe0MrQ0vRDkFYnSAD5a4IxXf1uP8nRmW_ZLY-IhwUE7FCm681GvLka2NJ1_ZS4AlK-iMkgWx5CeU80P-qxqM/w300-h400/IMG_2771.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfePLwG4Sx0Y7GcHVhrfdWiitNsmw8gSLR7TRBKHRdOncB65FTIN4_oAlm6LcX7Acx3-fRIz-MNG-NpHKHQnRPqvvYQO9oiJXCvmlrfNTNszjs4mqlH0lfw66VZo5cDNvssvqu4ENORAs/s2048/IMG_2772.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfePLwG4Sx0Y7GcHVhrfdWiitNsmw8gSLR7TRBKHRdOncB65FTIN4_oAlm6LcX7Acx3-fRIz-MNG-NpHKHQnRPqvvYQO9oiJXCvmlrfNTNszjs4mqlH0lfw66VZo5cDNvssvqu4ENORAs/w480-h640/IMG_2772.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088021629378922126.post-16593597302356079242021-09-26T07:29:00.002+01:002021-09-26T07:29:25.187+01:00Sometimes, doing unimportant things is the important thing.<p> <span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Finding Lou again.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">We have all hidden a part of ourselves for the past 18 months. We had no choice. Yet a big part of me was nurtured into becoming the writer I’ve wanted to be since forever ago. And I loved that. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Something wasn’t right, and I didn’t know what.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Something still might not be. But one thing is for sure, I have just found a missing piece of my puzzle. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This last weekend was a time of music, dance, indulgent smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Sometimes, doing unimportant things is the important thing. </span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Vmwa0gedVJhoGE7wXnz4AfeUaui9Zymu-AvpR8XIkHtgpTH4GeZCkqNjepr5tkBK4QHFdiXw3jqPAPdOrRjtigUVU8cOoqmCPtU7R75CESmZdgN4i1Swl43-0n-CC2JdauH_HpI_QU/s2048/F95C6834-9351-4742-ACB9-13BD63C1B6F9.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_Vmwa0gedVJhoGE7wXnz4AfeUaui9Zymu-AvpR8XIkHtgpTH4GeZCkqNjepr5tkBK4QHFdiXw3jqPAPdOrRjtigUVU8cOoqmCPtU7R75CESmZdgN4i1Swl43-0n-CC2JdauH_HpI_QU/w400-h300/F95C6834-9351-4742-ACB9-13BD63C1B6F9.heic" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What do we want from life? Happiness, freedom, enough-ness. And none of that comes from washing the dishes or doing the important things which we don’t really want to do. But it’s a catalyst into getting there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">You see, my life, just like yours, is full of things I don’t want to do. Being a carer, changing the bed, working when I want to nap. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Take the first thing, being a carer. I don’t want to be a carer. I have always wanted a successful career; only one letter difference, add one E.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “Well, she looked after you when you were little, now it’s payback time,” they say. That’s what they wrongly assume. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Dad was the looker-after parent, mostly. Mum was always busy, smoking and reminding us that if we didn’t leave her alone while she ‘had a fag,’ she would end up in the funny farm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “What, you wanna see me in the funny farm?” she would shout.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> “Well, you do it because she is your mum, and you love her,” they say. Again, wrongly assume. Those words have never been exchanged between me and my parents. Void, like the embrace, encouragement and pride. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Holding on to that doesn’t serve me. Cracking on and just doing what needs to be done is the best way, by far. All while continuing my career. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“You’ll need to bring her back on the 27<sup>th</sup> to have her stitches removed.” I tapped my phone and checked my diary. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Working. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What now? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Still haven’t figured that just yet, but I will. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Scheduling the week isn’t something I like to do. But my productivity isn’t where it needs to be. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I journal. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I complain. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I list:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Writing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">YouTube.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">PhD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Working at the university.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Hairdressing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Mum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Twins.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">House.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Gym.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">My health.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Hospital visits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Property developing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">eBay mum and dads collectors’ items.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">“<i>I do need to be more positive and realise what an amazing life I really have. And it is. The YouTube thing feels all over the place – I’ll get up to date with it and focus on travel</i>…” I continue to try and inspire and motivate myself, just as I do with others through my mentoring role. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">There truly is too much going on. And the items which can be removed from the list are the things that I am passionate about (which is likely why they are at the top of the list).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I watched a video on YouTube detailing getting from A to B. “Turn down anything that isn’t on that line from A to B.” A lightbulb went off. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And it was inspirational. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">She is right. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But turning those things down can sometimes prevent bills from being paid, we think. Writing this isn’t paying the bills, but it goes some way towards my clarity, which will. Does that make sense to you? Read over it again if it doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">What do you love? For me, it’s writing and travel. Putting those two things together can absolutely work, even in loose terms. For instance, someone I follow has several strands to her business. She talks about the law of attraction, like me, and sells amazing necklaces which have inspirational quotes. Great! It works for her. Writing travel stories sounds like it could work, right? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 24px; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Finding Lou isn’t easy when there are commitments involving other people. But putting oneself first is of absolute necessity. Let’s start digging, find us, and our buried dreams. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Louise Usherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01347686769799984956noreply@blogger.com0