Blogs from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Well. Got up on Friday morning (morning may be a little optimistic!), looking forward to a drive down through Inverness, Perth, Glasgow and stopping off at or near Hadrian's Wall for the night. The best laid plans... Got up at around 9.30am, made coffee etc., took the dogs for a walk, then remembered to check the oil. It was fine (engine oil, brake fluid, water for windscreen). Then hit the road. Whilst travelling the last 15-20 miles to Perth City, Scotland, we smelt a little 'gas' leak. Got out and checked our gas bottles. All fine. Got back in and drove further. 2 kilometres out of Perth, on a roundabout, started getting smoke coming out from under the van. Travelled a little way (mainly left turns), got into some industrial area, parked outside Dulux Paints and ... read more

Woah, they have added Sheffield? That is amazing! (take it off immediately!! we are not worthy, we have chavs, that discounts us from any international recognition!) On the 11th of October I'm setting off on my journey to Thailand, ready for the nifty hop over to Cambodia. To fly directly to Cambodia is stupid money, but to go to Thailand first, hop, skip, flight over.... easy peasy (or is it... watch this space). I am going alone. Just me and my baggage. I am a bit concerned about the physical implications due to the pain (RSD etc) but, the challenge is enourmous and I am, well, i am trying to make myself realise, not only can I do this, I can enjoy it too. I'm all sorted now, no accommodation booked yet, but that is part ... read more

Hundreds, Tens and Units - It is now 8 weeks until we go on what has affectionately been called our “ next big” holiday. This time though we will only be away for 3 weeks rather than 4 so perhaps it should be our second not quite so long holiday. The fact that it is only 3 weeks rather than the 4 is causing some headaches in the planning stage. Having realised that three weeks is not long enough to get to where we want to be we need to be we are considering two four week holidays next year at least. And this is where the lottery win is required. Perhaps it may sound to some people that talking about planning a holiday 8 weeks before leaving sounds a bit premature. But this is part ... read more

Flights all booked ready for my solo trip to Thailand and Cambodia starting 11th of October! Now to sort the passport, visa, where to stay for the first night and plan my routes! Liberating!... read more

Just started my list- what I want to take with me to Beijing. Although 4 months down the line, and still working, I have been advised to be organised and not leave it all to the last minute. I have booked my flights, arriving in Beijing on the 11th of August at around 9am their time, so 1am in England. Over the next 4 months I'll probably not blog that much, but once in China I think blogging will be the way forward to let people I know/and perhaps don't know about my travels!!... read more

What an eventful past few days it has been here in brisk and windy Sheffield! Sunday afternoon, I lazily rolled over to see that the time read 12:30...around 7:30 in the United States. I forced myself out of bed and started the day at an early 3 p.m. It was on this day that we discovered the fabulous T.K. Maxx (The American T.J. Maxx), Poundland, where everything is 1 pound, and Sainsbury grocery. Unfortunately Sainsbury closed their doors at 5, so our shopping spree came to an abrupt halt there. Poundland became our favorite store as soon as we walked through its doors. We must have looked like crazy American hooligans sprinting through the aisles with less than 5 minutes left 'til closing. We ended the night with a group dinner at this Mexican restaurant by ... read more

Greetings from England! :) I hope everyone back home is doing well! As for me, I can confidently say that I have had one of the most thrilling and exhausting days of my life. I thought packing was stressful enough! I was quickly put in my place when the security officers at the Savannah Airport found my bag to be suspicious. They proceeded to interrogate me by asking, "Ma'am, do you have any sharp objects in here that I would need to know about?" Of course, I responded with a flat, "No." Instead of taking my word, they searched my bag and confiscated my beloved Jif Peanut Butter. I am still fairly bitter about this incident. Our first flight from Savannah to Atlanta was delayed about thirty minutes. We were nervously eyeing the clock as time ... read more

cycling home from town, unable to whistle or sing the words of ‘Sophia’ that repeatedly bump around like a needle in a stuck record, I hum – like my granddad letting the sounds spill over and over the handle bars relaxing into knowing what feels good. because for weeks, I have wondered why I am back here, and looking at this city, you would also wonder - but life is slowly falling into the cracks of some kind of belonging. I have become a mongrel of place, really at home nowhere. a week can start from quiet tears and forced activity trying to fit in to turning upside down ending with laura marling standing taut like a thin column exposing everyone of us to her unassuming, gentle, powerful all consuming singing right here in Sheffield. everything ... read more