Blogs from Newport, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe
November 17th 2011
You know how the film ‘The Hurt Locker’ is all about how war is a drug? That the ‘rush of battle is a potent and lethal addiction’. Remember the scene at the end of the film that shows Jeremy Renner on leave walking through a supermarket bored? That is how I have felt since being home. Picture me in Sainsbury’s and you have that exact scene. There is a famous saying: “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” And it is true. Now that I have been away, I realize it’s all I want to do. But unlike war, travelling doesn’t require me to face death and dismemberment on a daily basis, just every now and then when I splash out ... read more
June 2010: An Adventure Through France
Published: February 14th 2012Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Newport
June 1st 2010
In the summer of 2010 I went on an adventure. With no available companions and very little funding I made a decision to set off alone from South Wales in order to, wander Normandy during the annual D-Day memorial services, spectate the awe of the world famous Le Mans 24hr endurance race and then to Southern France where I would bask in the glitz and glamour that is Monaco. Preparations began around May time, in my home town of Newport, South Wales. As a student at Coventry University on summer break, that would not conclude until early October, I had a lot of free time ahead. The idea of working for the entirety of the following three months was not an option. I had to think of things to do. I had landed a job for ... read more
April 9th 2010
We're all packed up, well, for the most part, and we're ready to go. We fly on Monday to Kathmandu and then will head off into the mountains after two days at a pre-booked hotel. Normally we just show up at these places, so it seems as though we're getting old now that we're pre-booking accommodation. It will have to stop. We'll be updating this blog again as we go, whererever it is possible, and hopefully, if the internet connections are decent, we'll upload some pictures. See you at the end of the year!... read more
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH . . . . .
Published: August 27th 2008Europe » United Kingdom » Wales » Newport
July 14th 2008
Well, it’s been 3 weeks since I was meant to be on that flight to Toronto with Anne & Denise and I’ve got to say that I’ve been surprised at how well I’ve coped with the disappointment of not going. This was probably down to the fact that I had postponed my flight to the 15th July and again had a date to focus on and look forward to. As I couldn’t change the destination of my flight, the plan was to fly to Toronto, stay 1 night and get a flight the next day to Ottawa to meet up with the girls, just in time to experience the Rockies a few days later. Although I really wanted to see Niagara Falls & visit Montreal, I consoled myself with the fact that I would have the ... read more
June 22nd 2008
Saturday came and went and I can’t believe that I am still in Wales, led on my sofa pondering. When will I get better? Did Anne & D make it to Toronto? Did they drink a toast to an absent friend on the plane? Did Denise go through with her idea to shave her head to save time when getting ready and to make her luggage weigh less by not carrying shampoo/conditioner and a hairdryer? (mad woman)! Did Anne go for the luggage with wheels or the classic backpack and more importantly did she fit everything in? Is Niagara Falls as spectacular in real life as on the TV? There are plenty more things going around in my head but I won’t bore you. Sorry to disappoint those of you who thought that this may have ... read more
June 18th 2008
With less than a week to go, I have faced many dilemmas. · Whether to start watching Big Brother knowing that I won’t be able to see the whole series. · Whether to have malaria tablets with possible side effects of psychotic/suicidal thoughts or a skin rash that’s sensitive to sunlight. · But more seriously I have had to make a decision on whether to actually fly out on Saturday. My preparations have been seriously hampered by being ill for the past month and even though it looked like I was getting better last week, I’ve had a set back and have made the sensible, but gut-wrenching decision not to fly to Toronto on Saturday with Anne & Denise. Although, I am hoping to join them in a few weeks, depending on my recovery and the ... read more
April 21st 2008
Planning and prep is well under way after it seemed that we were never going to book our flights! Following a couple of confusing visits to the travel agents we have settled on a departure date of 21st June from Heathrow to Toronto. If we’re lucky we’ll be reunited with our backpacks before setting off across Canada for 2 months. We’ll then spend a couple of weeks dodging hurricanes in Mexico and Costa Rica before starting our South American adventure through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. I’m sure we won’t be at all disappointed to leave after sampling the sizzling samba beats of the Rio Carnival to arrive back in wet wintry Wales in March 2009. So over the next couple of months there's loads to do: jabs to be had overtime to ... read more
April 18th 2007
Well well! i have finally found some time to start my travel blog properly. left good old wales yesturday after a funfilled couple of weeks of madness!! ill bring you up to date on some of my experiences before i have even left portsmouth, wales and the uk!! Had an interesting fortnight of fun, starting with taking john medli and reggie to the petrol station to start their hitchike to amsterdam! its gotta be said but i actually did not think that they would bloody do it!! well done guys!!! though i heard some crazy stories which may have included an old lady picking them up and actually giving them money!! now i know that i should probably start hitchiking! lol! That was only the start of the week and already i was looking forwad to ... read more
January 21st 2007
We travelled from Uyuni by train overnight on 24th/25th December and walked the 3 km from the train station to the bus station (quality town planning - not!) in Oruro in the early hours of the morning. After getting ourselves on a bus leaving a few hours later to Santa Cruz we enjoyed another overnighter (17hours) and arrived bleary eyed at Residencial Bolivar in the heart of an eerily quiet Santa Cruz. Rich went for a quick Christmas 5 minutes snooze and surfaced 7 hours later while San took a walk around the deserted centre of town. The afternoon was spent topping up on Christmas spirit in one of the few bars and restaurants open followed by a spot of sightseeing amongst the many residents who had chosen to walk off their Christmas lunch/dinners. We ... read more
