It’s certainly been a while since I last posted. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly the big thing was COVID-19. This placed a huge strain on the world from several different perspectives. But for me, this meant no travel.
I did manage a work trip in August of 2020 to Trinec in the Czech Republic driving across the Netherlands through Germany, Poland before arriving in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately due to travel restrictions moving around in the area was limited. The trip was ultimately shortened by more lockdown restrictions looming resulting in a mad dash via Germany and France to make it safely through the tunnel.

Another reason for the lack of posting is time, like many of us I have a job that I have to dedicate time to and during this time I’ve made a couple of changes in my place of work. 
I’d love to write full-time and see the world. But that’s just not an option right now. Earlier this year the domain renewal came up for this blog, figuring I was never going to write again I cancelled it.
What surprised me was that a couple of people reached out to me and said your blog had disappeared. I honestly didn’t think anyone cared. So to those people, thanks! It may only be two or three people who read my posts but it’s still nice to know someone’s taken the time.

I’d intended to travel more in Russia, I’ve dreamt of taking the Trans-Siberian Express across Russia and into China for years. I had other regions of Ukraine I wanted to visit also. But due to the sad situation in Ukraine, these trips are just not possible. I shan’t get political here, I’d just like to see the fighting stop and peace return to both of these magnificent countries.
This also means Belarus is off the table also. I fancied a weekend in Minsk at some point. But for now, these places will have to wait for me.

2021 left me in a unique situation that I don’t want to repeat. It was my first year since birth that I had not left the country. So, have I been travelling since 2021? Easy answer to this one. Yes. Those of you who follow me on Instagram would no doubt of known that answer already. 
Where have I been since then? There’s been a variety of different trips for different reasons.
2022 saw me head to Porec in Croatia, slightly unusual as it was a work event essentially chaperoning university students as part of a sports tour a pretty part of the world that I’d to go back to at some point to look around, especially when there is less vomit.
I also enjoyed a trip to the South of France specifically the Languedoc region, an area of France I adore. There’s always good food, good wine and good weather. 

2023 went a little harder my first big year getting back into the swing of adventuring and getting out to see the world.
In early spring I picked off the 3 Baltic states, each one has its own identity and personality. I’d really recommend seeing all of them. The early spring settings did mean it was particularly cold all 3 I encountered snow at some point and Tallinn in particular around -6 and heavy snow. I personally wouldn’t have had these places any other way!

I had a road trip to France to another area I have always liked Normandy and Brittany. There are the old favourites of Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo and The D-Day beaches with many other great things to see and do in these areas.

In September I joined my family on a ‘Who do you think you are’ esc trip through France, Italy, Austria, Germany and The Netherlands to retrace some of my Grandad’s steps as a Prisoner of War during the Second World War. Finding the camps that he was interred in in Italy and Germany.
I will write about this trip in more detail at a later date as this was certainly one of close sentiments to all of us on the trip.

Next up in October was a trip to Romania, another new country for me. Spending time in both Bucharest, Brasov and visiting Bran Castle. Apparent home to the legendary Count Dracula. This was another road trip hiring a car from Bucharest and tackling Romanian roads, an experience in itself! 

A small hop over the channel in December for a ‘boys’ weekend to Boulogne in France followed before my final trip of 2023 where I stayed with my friend Monika for New Year’s. This was in her hometown of Bielsko-Biala in Poland. I was exceptionally grateful to her and her family for their hospitality and a wonderful time all around. It was a great way to see out the year.

That was 2023. Probably my busiest year of travel but also the most rewarding.
2024 started with another trip to Poland, this time reigniting my love of night trains with a trip starting in Gdansk that finished in Krakow a city I’ve been to before but certainly wouldn’t tire of visiting.

My most recent trip will be my next post, so I’ll tell you more about it then. But it does involve another night train and a trip to Europe’s most least visited country.

Will I write about the other trips listed above? Probably, when I get time!
I’ll try to not leave the next post for another 4 years.