Nominated for Sunshine Blogger Award
Many thanks to Viki Moore for nominating Noel and Jackie's Journeys for the Sunshine Blog Award.
Viki loves to travel, have adventures, see new places, try new foods, meet people and escape reality. Her family and friends go along on the various trips and they have lots of fun. They sail to destinations whenever they can enabling them to access locations that are off the well-beaten tourist trails and experience life closer to nature and away from the crowds. If Viki isn't sailing then she's hiking or skiing in the mountains, or otherwise trying to experience "as much of this amazing country and planet that we live in." Take a look at her blog here, it's full of travel and useful information for travellers and sailors.
Here's Viki (middle) enjoying life with friends
The Sunshine Blogger Award is given from one blogger to others who are "positive, creative and inspiring". Once you have been nominated you are given a set of questions to answer and then you get to "pass it on" to other bloggers that you admire and find positive, creative and inspiring.
So thanks heaps for the award Viki! Here are my answers to your questions:
What do you enjoy most about travelling and or sailing?
The challenge, learning something new every day and relying on yourself totally. That last one is especially true when sailing. In the middle of the ocean if there’s a problem, there’s no one to call to lend a hand (except in a major emergency of course!)
What are the most challenging aspects of your adventurous lifestyle?
Finding the time to do everything I want. We don’t live long enough, I need about 200 years to come close to finishing the first part of my ‘want to do’ list!
How do you fund your sailing and travels, and what advice can you give to others wanting to do the same?
Writing and photography. If you like writing and/or taking pictures, have a go. It takes a long time and hard work to be published regularly. Over time, though, you hone your craft and it pays off. You need to be tenacious!
What is one off-the-beaten path location you’d recommend that we visit?
Suwarrow, however, you can only sail there, so maybe that’s a bit out of reach for some. Anywhere in the Pacific really, but I’d most definitely recommend the Cook Islands. The people are such happy, contented people that know they live in the most beautiful place in the world.
If you have a book you re-read often, what is it? If not, what’s your favourite book?
Well, I’m a bit of a sucker for Dick Francis, I often re-read his stories. He does not waste one word. Every single word is important, there’s no fluff and I love his characters – yes, caught out, not an inspirational story by another travel – a thriller!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten or drunk while travelling?
Nothing too bizarre, you can’t afford to when travelling. I eyed up the stir-fried cockroaches in Thailand but there was no way I was going to eat one. I tried kava in Fiji, it is a mildly narcotic drink made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum) with water and it results in a numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue and a sense of relaxation. My lips went immediately numb so I stopped – a rather strange experience and taste!
What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Connecting with people all over the world and documenting our antics. It’s great to look back on what we’ve done. Generally I use the best photos, so it is nice to have the good ones all in one spot. I love it when people I've not met stop by and say g'day.
When did your passion for sailing/travelling start and how did you make your dream a reality?
I always felt I didn’t fit within the ‘norm’ but I didn’t really start travelling until I was 26 when I ran away to Australia. I’d had rather a difficult time in the UK and ran as far away as I could. I met and married Noel (within 5 months) and he’d given up on the 9-5 monotony a long time ago. Noel had watched his father retire at 60 and lose his purpose in life, with unhappiness. Noel couldn’t understand working in the structured 9-5 from 14 years-old to 60 if it didn’t result in contentment, ‘what’s the point’.
When we met, we were both disillusioned with life and Noel had experienced the freedom of sailing. I thought it sounded like a good idea!
When two people have one vision, it is a powerful thing.
What is one item you can't live without when you are sailing/travelling.
Noel. Everything else I can find/replace.
Where are you from, and what are some fantastic things to see in that part of the world?
I am originally from Hertfordshire in the UK, now I live in NSW Australia.
The UK has wonderful must-visit places such as Eden, the universities, country parks/estates, Stonehenge, etc. But just take a walk around London. The ancient historical buildings are breath-taking and the UK has the best pubs!
NSW is stunning. The Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, bush walking in National Parks where a simple walk gives you the biggest thrills (watch for snakes!). Waterfalls, creeks and best of all – the Aussies themselves! Sydney is a fascinating city too and the beaches – endless golden sand with no one on them!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your travels?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What do you enjoy most about travelling and or sailing?
The challenge, learning something new every day and relying on yourself totally. That last one is especially true when sailing. In the middle of the ocean if there’s a problem, there’s no one to call to lend a hand (except in a major emergency of course!)
What are the most challenging aspects of your adventurous lifestyle?
Finding the time to do everything I want. We don’t live long enough, I need about 200 years to come close to finishing the first part of my ‘want to do’ list!
How do you fund your sailing and travels, and what advice can you give to others wanting to do the same?
Writing and photography. If you like writing and/or taking pictures, have a go. It takes a long time and hard work to be published regularly. Over time, though, you hone your craft and it pays off. You need to be tenacious!
What is one off-the-beaten path location you’d recommend that we visit?
Suwarrow, however, you can only sail there, so maybe that’s a bit out of reach for some. Anywhere in the Pacific really, but I’d most definitely recommend the Cook Islands. The people are such happy, contented people that know they live in the most beautiful place in the world.
If you have a book you re-read often, what is it? If not, what’s your favourite book?
Well, I’m a bit of a sucker for Dick Francis, I often re-read his stories. He does not waste one word. Every single word is important, there’s no fluff and I love his characters – yes, caught out, not an inspirational story by another travel – a thriller!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten or drunk while travelling?
Nothing too bizarre, you can’t afford to when travelling. I eyed up the stir-fried cockroaches in Thailand but there was no way I was going to eat one. I tried kava in Fiji, it is a mildly narcotic drink made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum) with water and it results in a numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue and a sense of relaxation. My lips went immediately numb so I stopped – a rather strange experience and taste!
What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Connecting with people all over the world and documenting our antics. It’s great to look back on what we’ve done. Generally I use the best photos, so it is nice to have the good ones all in one spot. I love it when people I've not met stop by and say g'day.
When did your passion for sailing/travelling start and how did you make your dream a reality?
I always felt I didn’t fit within the ‘norm’ but I didn’t really start travelling until I was 26 when I ran away to Australia. I’d had rather a difficult time in the UK and ran as far away as I could. I met and married Noel (within 5 months) and he’d given up on the 9-5 monotony a long time ago. Noel had watched his father retire at 60 and lose his purpose in life, with unhappiness. Noel couldn’t understand working in the structured 9-5 from 14 years-old to 60 if it didn’t result in contentment, ‘what’s the point’.
When we met, we were both disillusioned with life and Noel had experienced the freedom of sailing. I thought it sounded like a good idea!
When two people have one vision, it is a powerful thing.
What is one item you can't live without when you are sailing/travelling.
Noel. Everything else I can find/replace.
Where are you from, and what are some fantastic things to see in that part of the world?
I am originally from Hertfordshire in the UK, now I live in NSW Australia.
The UK has wonderful must-visit places such as Eden, the universities, country parks/estates, Stonehenge, etc. But just take a walk around London. The ancient historical buildings are breath-taking and the UK has the best pubs!
NSW is stunning. The Blue Mountains, Snowy Mountains, bush walking in National Parks where a simple walk gives you the biggest thrills (watch for snakes!). Waterfalls, creeks and best of all – the Aussies themselves! Sydney is a fascinating city too and the beaches – endless golden sand with no one on them!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your travels?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
So that's it! I've kept my answers short and sweet as you can scroll through this blog and www.jackieparry.com to find out more (and see lots more fascinating pics).
Thanks, again, for the nomination Viki. Now I get to nominate some of my favorite blogs for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I follow a few blogs, but here are just a few:
BTW If I have missed your blog off my list and you would love to do the challenge too then please let me know! I'd be more than happy to add you on! There's no obligation to be involved - it's up to you.
Thanks, again, for the nomination Viki. Now I get to nominate some of my favorite blogs for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I follow a few blogs, but here are just a few:
BTW If I have missed your blog off my list and you would love to do the challenge too then please let me know! I'd be more than happy to add you on! There's no obligation to be involved - it's up to you.
These pictures are from my nominees to whet your appetite!
Contented Souls Jill and husband Graham lived on a Narrowboat (Matilda Rose) with two Tibetan Terriers Baxter and Muttley and the Boss Daisy the cat. They have recently moved onto a larger Dutch barge. They've spent the last six years cruising the waterways of England and Wales but Graham’s ambition was always to cruise the continental waterways. Check out Jill's blog for down-to-earth chatterings and loads of laughs.
River Girl Val lives onboard a historical Dutch barge in the Netherlands. She's an incredible author, traveller, and all round great-gal. check our her blog for interesting information and lots of chuckles.
Valiam Linda Frylink Anderson and husband 'Captain Underpants' have sailed many oceans, and purchased their second boat, unseen, on Ebay. Linda's written two fabulous books in the 'Sarong Series' detailing their incredible adventures. How can you ignore this blog with a Skippers name like Bill's!
I'll be adding more blogs down the line. That's enough for you to check out for now and I encourage you to do so - these women are wonderfully down to earth and compose inspirational reads.
River Girl Val lives onboard a historical Dutch barge in the Netherlands. She's an incredible author, traveller, and all round great-gal. check our her blog for interesting information and lots of chuckles.
Valiam Linda Frylink Anderson and husband 'Captain Underpants' have sailed many oceans, and purchased their second boat, unseen, on Ebay. Linda's written two fabulous books in the 'Sarong Series' detailing their incredible adventures. How can you ignore this blog with a Skippers name like Bill's!
I'll be adding more blogs down the line. That's enough for you to check out for now and I encourage you to do so - these women are wonderfully down to earth and compose inspirational reads.
Good times at Suwarrow
So to all my nominee’s here are the “rules” of the Sunshine Blogger Award:
- Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog
- Answer the eleven questions set by the person who nominated you
- Nominate eleven other blogs and give them eleven questions to answer. (You can use mine or change them to suit)
- Notify your nominees
- List the “rules” and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post
- What do you enjoy most about traveling and or sailing/faring?
- What are the most challenging aspects of your adventurous lifestyle?
- What advice can you give to others wanting to do the same?
- What is one off-the-beaten path location you’d recommend that we visit? Or the one place you'd recommend to avoid!
- If you have a book you re-read often, what is it? If not, what’s your favorite book?
- What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten or drunk while traveling?
- What do you enjoy most about blogging?
- When did your passion for sailing/traveling start and how did you make your dream a reality?
- What is one item you can’t live without when you are sailing/traveling.
- Where are you from, and what are some fantastic things to see in that part of the world?
- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your travels?
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