Explore

For the wanderers

Good bye Dubai…’ello London!

A traumatic 38 hours and tattered sense of humor later, arrived at the very funky Hotel Megaro in London with just three things on our minds…stiff drink, hot shower, wa20130514-063037.jpgrm fluffy bed.

Thanks to flight cancellation and unscheduled layover in Dubai, had arrived 12 hours too late to enjoy a lazy Sunday exploring London through David and Helen’s eyes. For those of you who followed the 2011 European jaunt, I’m talking about the very famous cousin Rupert and his lovely wife Hortense who hail from Cambridge.

Having failed dismally with the ‘suck it up Princess’ self talk, more than happily obliged when the concierge insisted we go to the bar before checking in. Seems the sneaky pair refused to be out done by a mere days worth of plans going awry and had secreted themselves there to surprise us.

20130514-063048.jpgSqueals of delight, two stiff drinks, much reminiscing, a sound strategy for future catch up and a very fond farewell later, finally hit that fluffy bed with a deeply satisfying sigh.20130514-063055.jpg

Thank you David and Helen for your thoughtfulness and generosity; for the postcards of London viewed from ‘The Shard’ in lieu of the tour; the sublime Belgian chocolates that served as breakfast on the Brussels bound train next morning; the delectable Rosé gratefully consumed to celebrate arrival in Bruges…and for your love. See you in Italy!

 

 

Arrivederci! Au Revoir! See ya soon!

Been taking mental ‘snapshots’ of late, small yet ever so special treasures to draw on whilst squirreled away in Europe. Perhaps my little treasures will inspire you to lift your eyes from the mobile and commit to memory your very own special moments. Enjoy and I will see you in six months!

Friends’ features, characteristics, mannerisms, gestures and laughs, the colours of their eyes.

Fellow commuters staring at phones with weary ‘another day, another dollar’ facial expressions.

Candidate’s grins as they learn how to develop strength proving achievements.

The sun’s dying rays reflecting on the city’s skyscrapers, RiverCat rides with the autumn sun’s warmth on my face, a nippy breeze on my cheek.

The smell of ozone after a rain shower, wet grass, market conversations, vendor repartee, fresh ground coffee, excited dogs straining on their leashes.

Yes, similar pleasures beckon in the European countries I’m about to settle in…new languages, culture steeped in an incredible history compared to this ‘young’ country…yet it’s the things right under my nose that will ensure my return. Friendships I cherish, local sensations yet to be savored, city secrets yet to be explored…can’t wait to go, can’t wait to return!

Off today to follow that dream my lovely followers, do come along via the blog and I will see you in November.

Kisses!

20130511-142830.jpg

‘One day’ be damned…

One day I’m going to retreat to the south of France to write my book” How many times have I said that to myself, possibly to you? Too many. Time to take action!

Have registered to attend a writer’s retreat in Tuscany Italy and will follow with a six month sojourn somewhere in the south – to write, to dream, to explore. Would you like to come along? Well pour a wine, put your feet up, click on http://www.indulgedivulge.com and join me…

Laugh as I attempt to master two foreign languages…No sir, I ordered an omelette not pig trotters! Oh! I thought this train went to Nice not Rome? Smile as I share stories about the locals, the food, the architecture and the culture of the little villages I will be calling home and enjoy a few visual feasts as I share the best of my happy snaps.

My lovely friend Jenny and I will complete our already planned exploration of Bruges, Barcelona and Paris and then I’ll head on down to my retreat. Up and away in May, and for me, back to earth in November.

As you know I am passionate about the work I do and the company I work for, one that thankfully values me enough to put their blessing on my sabbatical, therefore will back at the desk November 18th – rejuvenated, restored and reenergized. A huge thank you to Janice (my Leader) Tim (her Leader), Bridget (Leader to all) and the fab Queensland team for making this possible.

There’s a lot to do beforehand, a lot to experience while there and I plan to entertain you along the way…I do need to practice my writing skills after all and who knows, may even get published…or not…the thrill is in the journey.

Look out for my next post ‘List upon list upon list’

Feel free to subscribe to RSS or bookmark, comments and suggestions welcomed.

Abbracci a tutti voi (hugs to you all)

20130413-195254.jpg

20130416-181601.jpg

20130417-065900.jpg

20130419-063951.jpg

20130420-212504.jpg

1 36 37 38 39 40 62

close

Enjoy this blog? Please share the love...