Blogs from Southampton, Bermuda, North America

"You only have one life, so dream big" 260 days ago I left Bermuda and set off to backpack around the world with my sisters without the slightest idea of the journey that lay ahead for us and how it would all unfold. Now I end where I began, standing with my backpack outside the Bermuda airport, having learned lessons that cannot be taught, with life experiences that have changed me forever and memories that will never fade. I have left my footprints on 5 continents and in that time I have: earned my PADI Advanced Open Water certificate on the Great Barrier Reef; scuba dived in 3 different oceans jumped out of a plane at 14,000 ft, free falling over the picturesque view that is the Whitsundays; cage dived with great white sharks in South ... read more

I have just finished a fabulous week volunteering as a liaison Officer for the tall ships. I was assigned to the ship Mircea - a Romanain Navy training vessel. 184 men and 6 women. They were all delightful from the captain down. They we interested enthusiastic, respectful, and sense of humour. My team of 6 were to assist the ship in whatever they needed to prepare for the next leg of the race to Charleston. We showed them around Bermuda. There were lots of social events planned which they took part in. On Thursday my team and I were able to travel down from Dockyard to Hamilton where there was a raft up of Tall ships from #7 shed to the ferry Terminal and RBYC. It was very sad to say good bye to my ship ... read more

The forecast said afternoon expect showers and wind. So I got up early to see if I could get a jog along the beach just like in the movies. I managed to jog to the beach but the sand was hard to run on so I just walked an enjoyed the water and the sunrise. Just after lunch the grey clouds came and so did the rain. ... read more

The wind thrashed all night. This morning, when I opened the curtains, the rain was slashing the grey sky. Out came the rain pants and the heavier jacket. The rain continued unabated through breakfast and the first two minutes of the taxi ride. Quite quickly we drove into sunny skies. Until well after lunch, the sky alternated between light rain, sun, no wind, and torrential downpour. Fortunately, the worst of it was during lunch, which was indoors. More anon. Our walk started up a hill to another fortification, again hidden in the contours of the hill. The wind was about gale force (over 40 knots), so Tim led us up into the fort and into a barracks room, so he could be heard. The room was about 12’x20’ with a large hearth shared with the next ... read more