Reasons for Reasons
I was ‘raised’ – to use a phrase from our American friends – in south Lakeland and it has always remained home. Even though I left to study when I was 18 and didn’t return untill September 2010. A lot of years.
During those interim years I have had a great life, travelled and met some wonderful people and also have a managed to bring up my son fairly successfully. So, it although it was sort of ‘on the plan’, my move back North was not without trepidation.
As part of my ‘self affirmation’ that I had made the right decision I started a Facebook album ‘Reasons To Move North’. This has had wonderful comments from my friends but I never had the courage to make it public. Then recently I went on a Travel Writing Course with Zoe ,and much to my delight and surprise received more affirmation from positive comments on my travel writing. Something else which has always remained strictly within closed leaves.
A mindful review of my first year here followed and I realised that I had had an amazing twelve months. Yes, I have travelled away, but I have also done more here in the North West than I would have previously thought possible. And I have had so many visitors! People like it here! I have become a guide for friends and acquaintances who then spread the word about how wonderful the Lake District is. This led to my providing itineraries for weekends or longer visits. Some I accompanied, others I simply provided a ‘bespoke’ itinerary, with or with accommodation booked.
So, now it’s time to go Global!
And now I have built my own blog I have used my technical, from a previous life in IT, to build one for the Howgill Harriers. If you would like one put together then please contact me for a quote.
Saffron Chantarangsay
Driving home from District 3 along a concrete cast river bank, my eyes caught a brilliant flash of saffron yellow. With a little time on my hands I slowed down and drove cautiously in to what transpired to be the Chùa (temple) Chantarangsay. Only small and certainly not grand compared to some, it just provided a quiet haven in the traffic soaked streets. I met a monk who explained to me a little about the temple; That it has it’s roots in Cambodian. Chantarangsay was founded when refugees came over during the Cambodian crisis. They had a...
read moreColourful Kota Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu, one time Jessleton, was only a place between. Somewhere to gather self and thoughts between trekking through jungles and hiking up Kinabalu. The unplanned often turns out to be more than expected. Odd days filled with colour and surprise. Cold, clinical concrete brightened by street art. Then the islands. Not being a diver I had not realised the significance of Sabah as a dive destination. One day was time to plan more than a quick tourist jaunt to one Manaku. At least it was a tiny taste of the significance of Sabah for...
read moreMy Favourite Restaurant
Food. My favourite thing in Saigon. Vietnamese food is full of flavour but if you can not find what you want among the phở, spring rolls or pancakes you will find food from any corner of the world. You can eat in the smartest roof top terraces. Restaurants to match New York and Paris or tiny cafes or street sidewalks. And if you don’t want to go out – well they will all, for what is hardly a fee, bring it to your door. But this is my favourite way to eat. In one of the small side street cafes. Where the hustle never eases. Motorbikes...
read moreBaby Elephant in Danum Valley
Danum Valley Conservation Area at 438sq km, is the largest remaining area of undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah. The Danum Valley Field Centre (DVFC) is primarily for education and research. Tourists are an added on income and hence don’t expect to receive 4* luxury accommodation. But 4* wildlife was our purpose, and that we had. After a 2 hour, 88k drive from Lahad Datu we were about ready to collapse in a heap but our enthusiastic guide, Hatti, who had travelled with us from town announced there would be a night walk. And so...
read moreShopping in Saigon
Despite living in one of SE Asia’s purported meccas of shopping its not usually one of my favourite pastimes, nor how I would usually choose to spend my day off. Only once before have had I had fun in a shop in Saigon, and that was buying kit for a hiking trip to Phong Nha province. This time I needed a few bits for my camera for a trip to Son Doong. The largest cave in the world. A five day hike where there will be no chance to charge batteries, or clear off my photos on to my laptop. And with low light a tripod will be needed. I don’t...
read moreTabin Wildlife
Tabin Wildlife Reserve is the largest protected wildlife area in Sabah. Still resident are Pygmy Elephant, Pygmy Rhinoceros and Orang-utan, to name but three. The road from Lahad Datu winds through vast plantations of Palm trees and it is hard to imagine there is any natural forest left. Even the tourist lodge perches on the edge. Plantation and forest separated by little more than a cart track. Palm trees protected by an electric fence, the forest area – by nothing. We slept in a little triangular hut or lodge. A purpose build...
read moreLife on the Kinabatanga River – Abai Homestay
“He’ll pick you up from the ‘central’ market” . A rather vague rendezvous with a guide from Abai Homestay. Fortuitously close to our hotel, but the market was quite large, and smelt strongly of the morning fish catch. Unable to find the guide I trudged back to the hotel to phone, my Vietnamese phone card not much use in Borneo. Fresh instructions; by the craft entrance. I stood out like a sore thumb in the hubbub of locals and it was Bob, the guide, who spotted me on my return. Though his face dropped when he saw the size of...
read moreSandakan and Sepilok
Flying over Borneo from mainland Malaysia the jungle on the highlands drops away to neat rows of Palm Oil trees. Natural diversity replaced by line upon line of lifeless monoculture. Sandakan was our starting point for trying to see wildlife in three remaining areas of indigenous forest but Sepilok was the insurance policy, just incase the wild orangutan refused their photo-call. After Saigon, Sandakan was a tiny town. Only 15 mins drive from the airport on the edge to the centre, busy port and harbour. ‘Shanty Town’ buildings more...
read moreKinabalu
Waiting for the bus to take me to the start of the 8k trail to the top of Kinabalu I was excited and just a little nervous. Seriously out of walking practice, only a week in the hills since leaving the UK last August I wondered if my legs would make it. Forewarned that as with any other mountain, the weather was unpredictable, my backpack looked and felt ridiculously heavy with three litres of water, fleece, down jacket, rainwear etc. At 6.30am it was over 25C in Kota Kinabalu! My nerves dissipated and excitement kicked in during the 80k,...
read moreLunar New Year in Ho Chi Minh
Not often that you are able to walk down the streets in HCMC without being bumped by bikes. Hàm Nghi was closed and decorated for Lunar New Year celebrations. Everyone out in their Sunday Best. So many people taking pictures of people taking pictures.
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