"Tissie's News and Views" tissie's Profile

Last year I was in New Zealand, for four months, and yes, I know how fortunate I am. I had a great time staying mainly in the YHA and backpackers (BBH) with a had a short stop in Singapore on the way out and a super 9 days there on the return leg and also a taster five days in Australia staying just outside Brisbane - lovely city.

I stayed with rellies south of Auckland after a fantastic few weeks in South Island and a superb time in Taranaki where we met some lovely people. I loved Nelson Lakes - a wonderful national park, very little visited by tourists, I guess cos there's not much to do there except tramp or relax. The lake water is really blue, and on a gorgeous sunny day we had the place totally to ourselves, bliss.

I found Christmas quite weird. The Kiwis are pretty laidback about it - we went to a shopping mall a couple of days before the big day and it was no more frantic than any other Saturday of the year! Strangely the decorations all included the classic snowflakes, fur trimmed Santa hats etc etc which seems strange as it was about 25C! Fortunately the organist in the local church was from England and among other hymns and carols he played "See Amid the Winter's Snow", cool!!

This year I have a few trips planned already!!

February - Malta
May/June - Jerusalem
July - UK (Stafford)
October - UK (Dorset)
and of course I'll be spending time in wonderful Norfolk.

Watch this space! I wish all VTers safe and exciting travelling in 2009.

Winter in Lincolnshire

I live in a very quiet part of England, in Lincolnshire - a lot of people in UK don't even know where it is!!

It's a very interesting and historic county and well worth a visit. You'll enjoy a quieter and more gentle way of life in the countryside and small towns but you'll get all the attractions of city life if you go to Lincoln itself with its great shops, galleries, historical and architectural attractions including the Minster and the Castle and cafe lifestyle around the Brayford Pool.

As well as enjoying Lincolnshire I love to travel and holiday in the UK, when I'm not planning or enjoying trips much further afield.

My favourite places in the UK are the south-west and the north-east!!

I love a lot of Cornwall, Northumberland, Yorkshire and Norfolk and there are loads of lovely places in this country yet to be explored. I want to see more of Scotland and also explore the Essex countryside. I'm an Essex girl by birth and the county gets a really bad press but it has some beautiful town and villages and some idyllic countryside.

Norfolk beach with groynes

I've spent a lot of time in Norfolk, a wonderful part of our country with a super beach, lovely countryside, a good mix of things to do and very friendly people. I recommend the county to all of you. If you visit UK come to Norfolk, don't just do the usual hotspots!

I am very fortunate in that I have been able to buy a small holiday chalet in Norfolk, fondly known as the "bach" after Kiwi holiday homes, and can go to stay there whenever and for however long I like. Family and friends are welcome too of course, it is a real home from home but with no television, no phone and no hassle! Just relaxation, good food, a great beach, lovely village and people and super countryside.

New Zealand Geothermal valley

I have decided to make the most of opportunities to travel - whether at home or to the other side of the world.

I am quite happy to live on baked beans and buy my clothes in charity shops etc etc if it means I can save money and use it to see more of this great world. Oh, except for shoes which are a bit of an addiction, fabrics and shiny things...especially rings!!

My favourite destination is New Zealand and I hope to visit very two years.

This year is my 50th birthday year (although in my head I'm still about 26) and I am trying to have a celebration every month! A meal out with special friends and a special "experience" be it a trip in a hot air balloon or enjoying a Status Quo gig!!

Generally I'm an "island" person, that is I prefer islands to vast continents. I think the technical term is "mystophile".

I also like great deals so my recent travels have included a great week in Sharm El Sheikh. I went there because it's sunny and the price was too good to refuse (and I found an island). Have a look at my pictures and tips if you're planning a holiday there yourself.

I went to Florida with friends who promised to show me the real place, no signs of that mouse to be allowed, and we island-hopped down the Keys.

I am returned to Malta this February (please have a look at my new travelogue), a place I love, the people are great, but my first love has to be New Zealand which I shall visit as long as health and finances allow.

Oh, and I've squared the "green" issue....if I am in the southern hemisphere for the UK winter or at least somewhere a lot warmer than England I'll save all that coal I would have burned, all the heating and lighting that would have used electricity, I turn off the fridge and freezer, don't use the car as much as usual and don't have to buy winter clothing which is produced using various power.... does that balance the air trip? Well, even if it doesn't I must be helping.

On Mount Ruapehu, shattered!

As well as travel I enjoy gardening (gently), patchwork & quilting (and various other textile-based crafts), reading, local and family history, nature and things related to it generally. I have two grown up "children" of whom I am immensely proud and a brand new and scrumptious grandson. I am a Christian and firmly believe that God is with me in everything I do and that things work out in His time and in His way.

My health is not very good, I have M.E./Fibromyalgia and have recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease and have Tarlov's cysts and so have to pace myself - hence a lot of my "travelling" is done on the computer and in my head, there are many places I would love to visit but know I could never manage now. I don't mean that I am negative about it all and don't mean to sound low, just realistic, I could no more trek in the forests of Thailand than fly to the moon but I wish I could! So I really enjoy looking at the pages and photos of those more active than myself.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.