Setting off again soon!!

Where has this year gone?? I know we all say that but really, this year has whizzed by! As the title says (and as per my last post), I am embarking on the big trip that I started off in December 2019.

So much has happened since the forced return in March 2020, Births, Deaths and Marriages – literally!!

Earlier this year, a local photographer who was helping the daughter of a friend with her modelling portfolio, asked if he could take my photo for his professional portfolio. I was not going to refuse such an ego boost!! Bjorn https://bjornofinspire.com/ wanted to capture the Indian heritage as it was very different, he is a really good photgrapher, gives lessons and also lectures at seminars.

There is obviously lots of editing but I was really impressed with what he produced!!

The summer and early autumn was spent working on Jenny’s Auction, my neighbour passed away in April after being diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in 2024. She had asked that a group of us help her with organising an auction in aid of St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle, and the specialist centre at The Royal Cornwall Hospital. It was all rather manic but we got everything in place by 4th October, we made pom poms, ran the bar, made numbered paddles, decorated the hall, got Orange Bar & Cafe in Mousehole to provide the food – https://www.facebook.com/p/Orange-Cafe-Bar-100089199452108/?locale=en_GB, and ran the event!

Some pictures… my favourite way of displaying the drinks!!

It was an amazing achievement and all of Jenny’s friends participated in one way or another. The final total was a whopping £21,000 – unbelievable amount and double the amount that Jenny had aimed for. It is very heartwarming to see that with all the trouble and trials going on around the world, people can be so generous with time, money and giving donations.

If you are on Instragram, watch this video of the night..

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A post shared by Jenny’s Fund (@jennysfund)

I also spent HOURS working on my BIG TRIP which starts on 31st October, researching countries, towns, road trip itineraries, accommodation……. endless time glued to the laptop and actual paper maps!

But more of the trip later….

I have reached the point where my friends and peers are celebrating BIG birthdays that warrant marking by doing something special, which is what happened in September. Alex, a college friend turns 60 later this year and she arranged for a group of us to go to Austria, where her mother was from. Eight of us flew to Salzburg and stayed in a mountainside resort just south of the city. It was absolutely stunning, mountains, lakes and schnitzel – the rose wine isn’t bad either!!

Obviously I do like to travel but it is not a city that I would have thought of going but I have to say that we had the best time! I didn’t know everyone that went, but I knew of them, and we all got on well and made the time special for Alex.

Alex’s favourite film is The Sound of Music so we went on a tour around Salzburg that took us to some of the locations in the film, we had a singing guide/driver and Alex was in her element! We were the only English speaking guests at the hotel and I don’t think they had experienced anything like it! Not that we did anything bad, but the other guests were mainly Austrian or German family groups and hikers enjoying a ski resort in the summer, and then there was a group of 8 women that like to laugh, wear T shirts with Alex’s face on and Alex masks!!!

It was a really enjoyable trip and I was chuffed to be part of it!

So, to my BIG TRIP…. I wanted to make the most of not working and being relatively fit enough to make up for having to return home from Cambodia in 2020. My philosophy is that you should make the most of what you have and achieve those dreams as much as possible. I can’t really pin point why I like to travel and go to new places, maybe the fact that winter is coming is a big reason!

If I want to see all these places, then I have to do it whilst I am able to financially and physically. Also I am sure that I will a grandparent in the medium term so I want to do it before then. I already am a doggie gran, Pepper, who is the cutest little pup!

I am starting off with 2 weeks in Malaysia, mainly Penang and Langkawi but I can see what happens when I get there. From there flying to Perth and have 6 weeks travelling around Australia, including Tasmania. Three weeks of it will be an epic road trip from Sydney to Cairns over the Christmas and New Year period. As it is high season, I have had to plan everything in advance – Perth – Adelaide – Melbourne – Hobart – Sydney to Cairns stopping off along the way. I have booked the car and accommodation for the whole 6 weeks which was no mean feat, I can tell you!

From Australia to New Zealand for 6 weeks, both North and South Islands, then the whole reason for the trip – French Polynesia – not sure what it is about it, maybe some romantic notion of sea and palm trees!! I have booked the first week or so in NZ but I need to do a bit more as it their high season too.

I am then returning via Hong Kong, South Korea and hopefully Japan and Taiwan – planning to return mid to late April.

When I started planning the trip, I was excited but as the departure date gets nearer, I am thinking WTF!!!! It is just nerves and thinking about what I need to do before I leave with the house, like empty the freezer and make sure the heating is left on minimum to comply with the terms of the special insurance. I am sure once I am on the plane, it won’t seem so daunting.

I will be travelling solo but I have decided to stay in hostels to meet others and get their advice on stuff. Hostels are no where near as bad as they were when I was in Australia 35 years ago, they are now positively luxurious!

I would be really happy to receive any suggestions, tips and advice to help me on my way, or if someone is going to be near by at any point, let me know.

And no, I am unable to get to any of the Ashes games 😦

The next time I post will probably be from Penang, wish me luck!!

HAPPY DIWALI and BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR