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A bonkers bird travelling round experiencing the world on two wheels powered by myself, self supported. Read more Mojácar, Spain
  • TravelerRecovery…?
    Day 99–106

    Alberquerque New Mexico

    February 1 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    Back in “The land of enchantment”Or Breaking Bad and Netflix as most of us Brits would know it. When the opportunity to revisit arose it’s no surprise I said “hell yeah!” Jumped on a plane to Albuquerque and experienced the most amazing week. It was summer last time I was here, baking in the sun at the end of my 7 week bike ride through the Rocky Mountains. It has been truly magical coming back in the winter, hiking up the snow capped Sandia mountains, seeing Route 66, eating at diners and introducing the Yanks to Yorkshire Puddings. It’s been exactly one year since I moved from France to Spain to start my new life. I’m not sure I would have believed it, should anyone have told me what adventures lay ahead that year. It was my year of learning, growth and opening the door to the possibilities that the world has to offer. The only thing ever holding me back was myself, accepting less than I deserved and making excuses for other people’s fear of hard work taking life by the balls. I bounce back well, and this I time bounced high, days are filled with happiness, gratitude and contentment. Enjoying and appreciating everyday as it arrives and the beautiful people that we share our time with. Time is the only commodity we each have the same amount of (if you are lucky) so spend yours wisely, take the plane ride, eat the cake. Laugh lots and love honestly ❤️Read more

  • TravelerRecovery…?
    Day 5–10

    Hawaii Stairway to Heaven

    October 30, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Arriving once again on Hawaii island of Honolulu. Meeting friends catching up, I was told of the Stairway to Heaven. Known locally as The Haiku Stairs. They were built in 1942 to access the high point in the mountains and construct a 'Top Secret,' powerful transmitter tower/facility to communicate with Navy ships throughout the Pacific. It’s now illegal to enter the government owned stairs and the guard can fine you up to $1000 dollars if you are caught. So of course I had to give it a go! Packing up my rucksack and heading out on my moped I was super excited. The point of entry I chose was the fenced government road, I was greeted by 10ft high metal and barbed wire fence clearly marked “no hikers” fines in place. I found a break in the fence where other hikers had been before me and crawled through. Taking a trail through a bamboo forest and under the highway, after a few miles on dear trails I caught my first clips of the stairs. My head was racing! It felt like I was in a spy movie. The 3922 iron steps take about 3-4 hours to climb and are pretty treacherous and scetchy in parts. It was very windy so walking on 70 year old vertical rusty ladders up cliff faces and along ridges made it one of the most scary and exhilarating experiences I have had. Reaching the top it was blowing a gale but the view and sense of achievement was incredible. Now time for the decent. I didn’t see anyone on the stairs this time, nor did I see the guard or get caught (thankfully). Reaching my moped and heading for my next adventure I felt like an extremely lucky lady in more ways than one 🤙Read more

  • TravelerRecovery…?
    Day 1

    Paris signatures

    October 26, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    A few signatures on paper in a strange Advocates office, on a damp day in Paris, the end of a chapter. Not one I ever wanted to finish so soon. Walking out into the fresh Paris air on a cold autumnal day. One last hug and we parted for the last time. I had mixed feelings of sadness, relief and excitement about the future. Throughout my travels this year, there were days when I thought I just wanted to disappear, it took everything I had not to cry and shrivel into a ball in the corner feeling unworthy. I just wanted to be appreciated for who I was, loved and held just for being me. Isn’t that what everyone wants? I sat and rode my bike with the pain, sobbed and laugh with memories, then pop them like little stones into my top pocket and will continue to carry them with me like small scars. But they are no longer boulders that roll over me, just reminders of the storms I have survived. The darkest times can lead us to the brightest days and the most toxic people can teach us the best lessons. The most painful struggles allowed me the greatest growth and the most heartbreaking of losses made room for more amazing people in my life. Even when it’s scary and tomorrow seemed such a long way away, it took all my strength just to keep going, realising that going back to the past is not an option, the only way was forward, battling the moments, to get back to the path I was meant to travel. I fell into a million pieces, I decided which parts of me to pick back up and rebuild, leaving many parts of me behind that I had outgrown. This is now the phoenix phase, the rebuild of the new, stronger me. The signature on the paper today was societies way of officially ending a chapter, but chapters end before signatures, and ends indicate new beginnings. We are all stronger than we think, but are we brave enough to face the pain head on and make the necessary changes to rebuild ourself. That’s the real scary part and where the real work begins. I will no longer mould to fit where I don’t belong anymore.Read more

  • TravelerPasific Coastal Highway
    Day 17

    Week 4 Hawaii Honolulu

    September 21, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    ALOHA Hawaii. Growing up in the North West of England, like many others, the nearest we ever got to a tropical paradise was watching Elvis movies or Judith Charmers on the holiday program. I always had a vision of what Hawaii would look and feel like, and also never imagined I would be travelling there alone. When I arrived on Honolulu island I was immediately struck by how build up it was, commercial, city like with lots of high rises on the beach front. Determined to find the Hawaii of my dreams, I hopped on a boat to the smaller islands of Lana and Molokai. Visiting the volcanoes, seeing Big Island and the sea turtles, this was now starting to be the picture I had imagined as a child. I took a submarine to see sharks and the sea-life, sunbathed on the white sands, swam and watching surf competitions in the crystal blue waters, it was like a dream come true (And yes, people really do say Aloah all the time and walk round with flowers round their neck and in their hair!). Surfing was invented in Hawaii and after my cold water experience in Monterey, it was amazing to try it again in the warm crystal waters of Hawaii without the need for a wetsuit. Walking along the beach one evening alone, I was heading to a fire show I had read about on line. I ending up wandering into the wrong event and got chatting to the manager, it was a Polynesian evening, an expensive event run by the posh hotels. As I was alone, he snuck me in for free, full VIP treatment, best seats, food, drinks and a live show. It was entertaining but not really my scene, a little staged, but the food and drinks were great! The next day I had met new friends and I experienced a Friday night in Hawaii, on Waikiki beach. Drinking cocktails in speak easy bars, secret, (unknown to tourists) roof terraces, eating new foods, ending up dancing my flip flops off until dawn. My new friends asked if I would like to join them them on Sunday as they were headed into the national park, on a hike up to the mountain ridges and through the tropical bamboo forests. Of course I said yes but hiking in flip flops was a whole new challenge, as I had travelled light. One huge advantage of solo travel is having no plans, you never know what opportunities will come along and there is no one else to choose how your time gets spent. Somehow I manage to get myself into the most exciting places and love every moment, living in the present and not looking back. Life is certainly for living and solo travel has some major advantages. The new friends and contacts I have made on this trip will remain for a long time. Being solo allows you to be as social or antisocial as you choose. The question really is would I want to travel any other way in the future….Read more

  • TravelerPasific Coastal Highway
    Day 14

    El Capitan, Yosemite

    September 18, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Week 3 (first part!) Yosemite.
    Another bucket list destination no longer I dream about being here. Too many times have I watched Alex Honell in free solo and wanted to be here. So this week I made it happen.
    During this trip I have visited many National parks, Yellowstone, Glacier, Tetons, Grand Canyon, all were amazing, BUT Yosemite, WOW, you didn’t disappoint. Truly a magical experience on a personally special day. Entering the park to see Half dome ahead of me, then hiking round the base of El Cap between the redwoods it was truly the stuff of dreams. I was blown away by its grandeur and majesty. Spending a few nights camped in the tranquility of the park and meeting the climbers. Definitely worth the drive. In life we are presented with mountains to climb, some may seem too big, too painful, too hard, but one step at a time you can circumnavigate them whilst still admiring their beauty. Not every mountain has to be climbed if it’s too hard or it’s more pain than pleasure. I had to hurt to know who I am and what I am capable of. I am capable of so much, but some mountains are not worth the brutality of the climb. Life is better experienced walking around it, avoiding its harshness, it’s deathly faces, it’s pitfalls and enjoying the hike around. For me, like life I will choose the mountains I’m prepared to scale, and those that I’m happy to let others have a go at. El Capitan is one to be circumnavigated, one for the truly brave, or crazy and that my friends is not me.
    After my fill of the mountains I once again crave the sea. A surfer told me Hawaii is good this time of year so I’m off to catch a flight…. Watch this space    Read more

  • TravelerPasific Coastal Highway
    Day 12

    San Francisco, CA

    September 16, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Week 2: Facing fears. Monterey, Carmel, Big Sue, Surfing and San Francisco. The sea has always been a massive fear of mine, fear of the unknown the deep blue depths and fish! So one thing I promised myself I’d do if I managed to complete the GDMBR was go to surf school. Turning up on a very cold and dull day, meeting my instructor, Antonio, I was terrified. He clearly had no clue how scared I was when he handed me my wet suit. I kept telling myself to feel the fear, saying to myself I have camped alone in the mountains as bear food for the last few weeks, why does this bother you? After the briefest of instruction on the beach and a bit of a warm up, with my board under my arm I followed Antonio into the cold sea. My adrenaline was pumping through me so with the wet suit I didn’t feel the cold, just the strength of the waves crashing against my body pushing me back to shore. After paddling on my board out for what seemed like miles, I sat up turned around and got in line for the wave. The first one totally wiped me out, my feet and board tipping me over like a paper bag on the crest. Struggling to get my head above the water. Keep calm, breath, it’s only water, you can do this I kept telling myself. After an hour I was tired but had managed to catch a few waves, riding them on my tummy on the board to the beach. By day three I was kneeling up on the board, (apparently good for a beginner). Facing my fears head on and not letting them get the better of me I managed to do it, and can’t wait to have another go when I get back to a Spain. Route 1 was closed north due to a land slide so I went south to Carmel and the Big Sur afterwards being a tourist, bike riding, shopping and eating pasta. After a boat trip to see dolphins and humpbacked whales, my next stop was San Francisco. Big city time. The hippy quarter being my favourite part and of course time to hit the town with the sparkly dress and have a dance and let my hair down!Read more

  • TravelerPasific Coastal Highway
    Day 5

    LA, Malibu and Santa Barbara

    September 9, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Week 1. LA, Malibu and Piano bars in Santa Barbara! After collecting the RV and driving to the coast the first place I passed was Los Angeles. Wow the beaches were golden, vast and deserted. It was like a scene from Bay watch but with no body around. I stayed for an ice cream and decided to keep moving north. Malibu was a favourite drink of mine when I was younger so it jumped out at me on the map. As with the drink, I was not disappointed, finding a spot right on the beach to park for the night I watched the sunset with a Malibu in hand. In the morning after a bike ride in the Malibu Mountains, the ranger moved me along. I headed north to Santa Barbara and finding a site out of town where I could stay for a few days. Venturing into the stunning down town area I sat at a little street cafe and found myself in the middle of a wedding, sat with the family celebrating a couple I had never met before, wishing them well for the future I moved on. Getting an ice cream and window shopping the sun set as I wandered through the little streets. Piano sounds were drawing me closer, I found The Red Piano bar, and what an evening, another party to join and more new friends met. No videos of my dancing this time. The next day I met them for the day to explore and drink nice wine. They were a group of people from all over the world on a business trip. A trip to Santa Barbara wouldn’t be complete without a sunset catamaran trip. Watching the sun set this time from the sea after an exciting first week on the road. Tomorrow I head to Monterey.Read more

  • TravelerPasific Coastal Highway

    Grand Canyon National Park

    September 4, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Day 1-3 Plans are not always there to be followed. On route to Las Vegas to collect the RV, I had to make a detour to see the Grand Canyon National Park. There is a reoccurring theme in this trip of no plans are good plans. The more I have opened up to letting the universe (and google maps) decide the route, the happier I have been, most experiences have surpassing all my expectations. So this will be my version of the PHT, not the traditional drive of just Route 1.. The canyon was incredible. I arrived to catch the sunset, along with many others. One thing about not planning is you have to accept that things may not be as you expect but be open to what ever they may be. The national parks camping sites books up months in advance, so staying in the park over night was not an option for my last minute trip. I did manage to find a place just on the outskirts of the park, allowing me to re enter early morning for sunrise. My favourite time of the day. No matter what happens in life, the sun always rises indicating the beginnings of another day, one that no one has yet experienced. What will it hold, where will I go, who will I meet, what will I see. With a huge smile on my face I leave the park feeling content and make my way to the bright lights of Las Vegas to collect my RV!!Read more

  • TravelerThe Great Divide
    Day 47

    Santa Fe

    August 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    That’s all for this adventure. I happily made it to Santa
    Fe, New Mexico. The last 20 miles felt like an eternity. Facing the dreaded headwinds slowing me down to a snails pace. As I checked into the hotel I was again bowled over by the kindness of the staff. On hearing of my journey they upgraded my room and gave me free drinks tokens for the bar! Sat in the plaza in Santa Fe listening to a live band, I was reflecting back on the last six weeks in the saddle with a huge celebratiory drink, shared with new friends. There have been many amazing highs and some melancholy lows. As I say a sad good by to the Rockies I will definitely miss their magical beauty. One thing I have learnt is that missing something or someone doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision in letting them go, it doesn’t mean that deep down you are confused or unsure, or that those feeling were misplaced. It means what you experienced was real, so it makes sense to miss it. But the sadness does eventually pass and hurt does eventually heal, new places and things will take their place and someday soon your heart will become full again. If you ever get chance, go alone, walk, cycle or travel alone, just for a little while, then go do it. Learn who you are when the world isn’t demanding from you. A friend said to me “most people go to the cinema or for a meal alone, but not you!” For me the Rocky mountains were calling from a young age. Most people only know how to be, if someone is stood beside them, never getting the opportunity to walk alone, even for a little while, never realising that it is actually a gift that can change your life. Calmness is mastery and self control is strength. As I head into my next chapter, I will be taking the Pasific trail highway up Route 1. Starting in Las Vagas after meeting my daughter and heading north, up the coast to Seattle. Learning to surf and enjoying all the delights that coastal life has to offer. This next chapter has more to do with what I am choosing to grow, rather than what I am letting go of. I have learnt to embrace change and loosen up my sense of identity, allowing myself to walk a new path, wholeheartedly embracing the present and moving on. I am a Bad Ass, that cycled solo through America. I met some people that will remain life long friends, places that will remain in my memories for ever and realised that you will never change other peoples opinions of you. You can only control your own life by each of your actions. Hopefully I have inspired you to get out, be active, venture into the unknown, it is really not as scary you believe it to be. We are all stronger than we think, if only we give ourselves the chance to prove it.Read more

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