Deserts and Dreams

One chilly, windy night in the van about a month ago I decided to search out some winter sunshine and booked some flights to Amman, Jordan and joined a group trekking and camping in Wadi Rum and visiting Petra. It’s fair to say although I’ve only been away nine days, it feels like longer. Surrounded by the huge sandstone rocks with their ever-changing colours, walking through gorges and across sand dunes in a landscape so other-worldly means time does a strange thing I think.

The days were as I had hoped - sunshine filled, with great walking in perfect temperatures with interesting, lovely people. For three nights we wild camped, eating delicious meals round the campfire and watching as the stars made their appearance. We called it desert TV! I am definitely adding stargazing to my daily routine whenever I am somewhere with dark skies. 

At the end of the week it was time for Indiana Jones dreams to come true by visiting Petra. I love the films - they remind me of Christmas, as that’s when I remember them being on television when I was younger. It is one of those sites that photos can’t really do justice to. Walking through the Siq, a narrow gorge with towering cliffs above you that winds and turns until eventually you sneak a view at the Treasury building. Even more impressive for me was the 900 steps walking up to the Monastery. It truly is one of those special sites you can’t quite believe is real with biblical views of the surrounding landscape.

As well as the walking and visit to Petra, I had a quick jaunt around Amman to visit some sites including the Citadel, Roman amphitheatre, Blue Mosque and Rainbow Street. It was all beautiful and reminded me of why I love travel. Being in new places is a feast for the senses. Being with new people is inspiring. I believe memories are more important in this life than material things, so I may be back in a rather chilly UK, but I intend to continue to journey to new places, always trying to stay in the present and not dwell on the past, or worry about the future.

May the adventure continue…

Way out West

Back to Norfolk, but not quite home. A holiday cottage in the west of the county was our base for the week and we were joined by family to help us explore. 

Our adventures included places I remember visiting as a child with grandparents and coastal walks I have completed before with dad or with friends. 

A trip to Walsingham to see the carpet of snowdrops was a highlight, as well as visits to the RSPB site at Titchwell and Sculthorpe Moor. Hundreds of geese flew over us with their unmistakeable noise, which was quite a sight! Lunchtime picnics under blue skies and no body dashing off to work or school made for a perfect half-term. 

Poppy is staying in Norfolk a bit longer whilst I rekindle my love for public transport and take trains, tubes and planes to Jordan. I have always wanted to visit Petra after seeing it in the Indiana Jones film, so off I go with my sleeping bag and hiking boots ready for Wādī Rum, camping in the desert and no poo bags or dog lead! Pictures to follow…

Close to Home

Suffolk; on my doorstep and yet somewhere I haven’t spent much time. On lots of occasions when chatting with fellow campers or travellers, people often tell me they haven’t explored their home area. So, we headed to just outside Sudbury for a few days to enjoy walks across the fields, under big skies. We hardly (unbelievably) saw a soul. We had the countryside to ourselves!

A visit to Lavenham and a walk along the disused railway line to Long Melford was a great day. For Harry Potter fans, Lavenham was used as the inspiration for Godric’s Hollow and is full of timber framed houses. We also called into Ickworth, again with footpaths and cycle trails off in all directions - take your pick!

Now seven months since we left the comforts of home, Roo (our van) continues to serve us well and Poppy (I think) continues to live her best life - walk, eat, sleep, repeat. Not a bad way for a human to spend her days either!

Tears and Smiles

If you love motorsport or have an interest in historic cars or bikes, then the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is a must visit place. From classic British cars, historic formula 1 cars, record breaking builds, on screen vehicles and a huge section of motorcycles. I spent over three hours in the museum alone & the ticket also includes admission to Palace House, the Abbey ruins, gardens and grounds too. You learn about the history of Beaulieu and the Montagu family and how the museum was first founded. 

Although I had the best time, I also found myself with tears rolling down my cheeks as I know how much my dad would have LOVED to visit this place. A friend told me that grief would raise it’s head at the most unexpected times, and this was one of them for me. I just wished he could have been there next to me. I know he would probably have told me more about each car, bike and engine than the museum had written on each of the plaques! This made me smile.

Onto a happier note and signs of Spring have been in abundance when we visited Winkworth Arboretum, Chartwell (former residence of Winston Churchill) and Frensham; an area of outstandingly beautiful heathland and woodland. A carpet of snowdrops, the bright yellow of daffodils and the splash of purple from the first crocus can’t help but make you stop and look. 

Our journey is taking us back through Surrey, Sussex and Kent as we head towards home once more. We are stopping along the way to explore the hills, countryside, forests and footpaths and are always grateful when the sunshine appears. Spring is coming!