UK Trip Part 1: London and more

Well...I survived the packing and repacking and made it to the airport with a tolerable amount of luggage.  My backpack weighed in at 38 pounds and my carry on probably weighed about the same.  My daughter, Karolyn, drove me to the airport in Wichita, we said our goodbyes, and I headed for check-in.  Of course, I set off the medal detector!  No amount of clothing removal helped...so...I stood for the complementary public pat down!  I have to comment on the Wichita airport. It was clean with very friendly staff...and no long lines or crowds! I flew out of Wichita because it was cheaper, but I will definitely consider it again.

My first tears of the trip came when the plane lifted off out of Atlanta headed for London. I couldn't quit smiling and there was no way I could go to sleep! The second tears of my trip came when I woke up Thursday morning, looked out the window of the plane and saw the green and brown patchwork of farmland below. I was flying over England! Something I have dreamed of since I was a teenager was finally happening. I couldn't believe it...I was really doing it! I worked hard to make this trip a reality...and it is finally here.

After landing in London and making my way through customs, I was greeted by a driver holding a card with my name on it.  That was a first for me and I appreciate Liam Sweeting and Daley Grace for making those arrangements.  I would have been lost trying to navigate London on my own as soon as I got there.  The drive was about an hour and I got to see many different boroughs of London and I experienced my first roundabout as well.

I arrived at Liam and Daley's flat and I immediately knew why they like living there.  It is charming.  They live on a high street, which is basically what we call a main street or downtown.  Everything you could want is just across the street.  It was a wonderful experience to stay in their flat and I couldn't have asked for better hosts and tour guides! Daley mentioned she would like to run a Bed and Breakfast, and she is definitely suited to do just that. While in their home, I enjoyed a home-cooked breakfast every morning and dinner most nights. On my last morning there, she cooked a full English breakfast of bacon, sausages, beans, toast, tomatoes with mushrooms, and hot tea. It was wonderful! In case you are surprised by the beans....the English eat beans for breakfast like we eat potatoes.

I had the perfect blend of the tourist experience and the local experience in London.  I especially liked shopping in the neighborhood market. Some brands were familiar and are commonly available in the United States, but many were new to me. There were also many foods that I had not seen before. We spent the next three and a half days catching trains, running through boroughs, and seeing some amazing parts of London. It is impossible to say what my favorite thing was in London, but I really enjoyed seeing the Borough Market! I also loved the view from the top of St. Paul's Cathedral.  It was worth the climb!  London is a wonderful mix of new and old architecture.  The two often sit right across the street from each other. I have heard some criticism for that, but I thought it was a wonderful reflection on how London is growing.

We did so many things in a short period of time and it was marvelous.  My senses were constantly on overload.

Things I learned while in London: you turn the electrical outlets off and on with switches, public toilets often cost and they are extremely narrow, you have to be determined and focused when getting on or off the London trains, the black and white striped areas in the streets are crosswalks and pedestrians are given the right of way, "high street" is basically the same as our downtown area, you can live in London and never see everything there is to see, I really like Digestive cookies (shame on you Daley for introducing those to me!), the English drink their tea with milk and often sugar (often brown sugar), I like English lemonade, and it is chaos when they announce the platform number for the train...do not hesitate or mess around or you will not make in to the train in time....they mean business!

One of the obvious differences in Oklahoma and the United Kingdom....the streets and roads are relatively straight and square in Perry and Oklahoma. That is not the case in the U.K. The roads and streets meander and curve every way imaginable. Thankfully, I have a good sense of direction, but I have still gotten lost a few times.  And...there was the time I found myself going the wrong way on a one-way street.  That happened in Penrith, England, right after I picked up my rental car.  It had nothing to do with driving on a particular side of the road...I just didn't see the sign and went the wrong way.  The nice man, who I accidentally played chicken with, was very helpful and even came to the guest house where I was staying to give me a parking disc.  That was interesting....in Penrith, you must have a parking disc to put on your dashboard. Most parking is limited to 2 hours.  You set the time on your cardboard disc and put in on the dash.  Then you have to move your car and reset the disc when the two hours is up.  That was annoying, but my host told me when they check the areas around the guest house so I just concentrated on those times.

I have been very blessed on my trip by helpful people.  Of course, my British friends have helped me.  But, I have been surprised by the large number of people who have offered advice or wisdom without being asked...they felt that they could help and they did.  In Penrith, a young lady helped me carry my bags and helped me locate the list of taxis after I told her I planned to walk to my guest house. (I am really glad I took the taxi!)  I have already mentioned the man who gave me the parking disc and made sure I was alright ( he thought I parked where I did because I was upset...actually, it was right in front of the guest house where I was staying). There was the young woman at the rental car company who let me get a feel for the car in their large parking lot before taking it out on the road.  And the two photographers who taught my workshops offered wonderful advice for routes to take when driving and places to eat.  And I can't forget Fiona, my host on the Isle of Skye, who shared wonderful information yesterday about the area surrounding Fossil Cottage and things to do on the island. 

I think one of the biggest revelations I have had on this trip is something I thought about before I left, but it has hit me full force in the last weeks. We really do not see what is available around us in our own town and state!  We get complacent and consider it mundane. At least I do. We need to look at our surroundings with fresh eyes, as if we are seeing them for the first time.  We need to see our surroundings as a tourist would see them. I have spend hours upon hours planning this trip, but I haven't given nearly as much thought to what is available in my own town or state. A goal for when I get home is to look at my surroundings with the eyes of a tourist...to see the things I have been missing,..to renew my appreciation for the wonderful things I have in my life.  Yes, I want to return to the UK....that is a given.  But, I need to focus on learning more about and seeing more of the things I don't really see around me at home.

Change of plans....but what else would you expect from me?

Swirl (in B/W) by Phil McMenemy, The Gallery at Laurieston

Structured travel is difficult for me.  I like options and spontaneity. That is why planning this trip was such an arduous task.  I sifted through options for three years before settling on the areas of the United Kingdom that really spoke to my heart.  Of course, some of those heartfelt locations had to be omitted from the itinerary.  But, all-in-all, I was pleased with the final cut.  Then I had my first trip disappointment. 

Phil McMenemy,
The Gallery at Laurieston

I became Facebook friends with a photographer in Scotland, Phil McMenemy, several years ago.  I followed his gallery, The Gallery at Laurieston, and was drawn to his philosophy on art versus science in relation to photography.  My original plans were to visit his gallery and schedule a photography workshop in the southern part of Scotland.  We discussed options several times and I booked lodging in a nearby village.  Then reality hit....Phil would be gone the week I was in his part of Scotland.  His sons are out of school that week and his family will be on the island of Orkney.  While we agreed to keep in touch and maybe something will work out, the original plans were fell through.  It was time to investigate Plan B!

I went back to the list of other locations I wanted to visit in Scotland and one listing literally jumped off the page...Inverness.  It is a beautiful area and it close to the ruins of Dunottar Castle, which appeals to me on numerous levels.  That cinched the deal!  I would move my accommodations to Inverness. 

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, Land of Light Photography

Then, as has happened many times in planning this trip, fate would step in and arrange for a great thing to happen!  I saw another photographer's work on Facebook.  I loved the moods of his work and the way he composed his shots.  I looked up his location....and....drumroll please....he lives in Inverness!  I literally laughed out loud.  I think things will always work out how they are supposed to if we remain open to it. 



Tomasz Szatewicz, Land of Light Photography

Just today I received the three page itinerary for my workshop with Tomasz Szatewicz of Land of Light Photography.  We will have a very long day of shooting between Inverness and the Isle of Skye.  Our final destination will be to shoot the sunset at Elgol, on the Isle of Skye.  I am giddy!  I hope Tomasz will understand my tears....because it is pretty much a guarantee that I will cry.  A trip of a lifetime....a workshop of a lifetime...I am living my life and I love it!



The Black Rock Cottage and Buachaille Etive Mor,
Rannoch Moor, Highland, Scotland
Tomasz Szatewicz,
Land of Light
Photography

This trip represents many things for me.  It is an expression of my interests, my personality and my true essence.  It will challenge me physically, emotionally, artistically, and mentally.  It will push me in ways I can't even imagine.  But what is life if we don't continue to push our boundaries and grow?  I think it would be beyond boring.  It would be stifling! 

I board a plane to London in 10 days!  I am so glad that some of you are tagging along virtually on my journey.  I appreciate the company!

Creative Travel Plans

Last summer I started posting pictures on Facebook from my daily walks. They were taken with my IPhone and were just things I happened upon by chance...no fancy cameras, no filters, no editing. My Facebook friends started giving me some very positive feedback. I was more than surprised, I was slightly overwhelmed. In August of 2014, I purchased a new Canon T5i camera with my UK trip in mind. It has a lot of flexibility, but it is lightweight and not too bulky.

As I started the serious planning of my UK trip, I knew I needed to be prepared to take any photo I wanted. To accomplish that, I signed up for classes at Bedford Photography in Oklahoma City, where I had purchased my camera. My instructor, Christian Bruggeman, encouraged me and has been a wonderful mentor in my photography journey. He has worked with me on both the composition of the my photos and the editing. He has definitely built my confidence.  I still have a lot to learn, but the learning curve has flattened out a little.


Last year I started following several organizations and businesses on Facebook with a focus on those in the UK. I don't remember which Facebook page featured the photo shown to the left, but it immediately caught my eye. I love trees and misty landscapes. They evoke strong emotions in me. There was a link to the photographer's Facebook page...Mark Littlejohn. I was mesmerized by his photos! Stunning landscapes, misty mornings, gorgeous black and white scenes...I felt an immediate creative connection. I browsed his website and read that he offered photography workshops in the Lake District of England.


So....on October 12, 2015, I will spend the day under the instruction of Mr. Mark Littlejohn, UK Landscape Photographer of the Year for 2015. He has promised me a visit to the stand of trees featured in the photo above, plus other stops around the stunning Lake District of England.  Oh...and a great lunch at a local eatery.  I am beyond excited! Mr. Littlejohn's attitude about photography and his willingness to share the "hows" and "whys" of his photos are not common traits among some photographers.


I will take advantage of this opportunity to improve my photography skills and meet some new people. I will be open to whatever beautiful scenery the day provides, and I will be appreciative for the experience of working with an artist who shares my tastes in photography. I know I will be nervous, but when I think about it, I can't help but smile! 

Please enjoy the photography of Mr. Mark Littlejohn! http://www.markljphotography.co.uk/

P.S. I am in the process of booking another photography workshop in the Scottish Highlands!  I will let you know those details when it is finalized! 

UK Trip Prep: The Best Investment

 This is by far one of the most personal and lengthy blog posts I have ever written. But I think it would be a disservice to myself and to anyone reading this to sugar coat my truth. As most of my family and friends know, I believe in calling a spade a spade…so here we go!

During the summer of 2014, I got more specific about the experience I wanted for my UK trip. I wanted to be physically strong and conditioned to allow me to do anything I wanted on the trip. 

Segments of my trip will be very active…hiking with friends in Snowdonia, the largest National Park in Wales…experiencing a coastal hike on the Isle of Skye with a local historical group…walking the Quiraing, a landslip on the Trotternish peninsula (take note of the picture….it is breathtaking!)…or scrambling the Black Cuillins…or sea kayaking…or a boat ride to the Outer Hebrides. The main point is to be physically ready for any and all opportunities that arise.

Now I have been quite fit at times in my life, but this wasn’t one of them. Injuries and fear of being reinjured, overwhelming time commitments, and basic neglect for my health had left me deconditioned. Things needed to change. I wanted additional accountability and to truly be a student of the experience.  So, this summer, I joined a facility in a nearby town and hired a personal trainer….Joe Johnsonbaugh. I asked to train with Joe based on the recommendation of my physical therapist. I have since realized that he has a well-earned reputation for tough training, but he is incredibly passionate about helping others succeed. His vast experience in training is obvious and I feel privileged to work with him.

In our first conversation, we discussed my goals and when Joe suggested a 6:30 a.m. workout time, I balked! I am not a morning person. But as we discussed other options, I realized that I had to commit to some very big changes or this wasn’t going to work. That is how this night owl came to have an early bedtime, a wake-up time of 4:30 a.m., and pre-workout breakfast of a protein shake. All of these were very big changes!

When I joined the facility, I completed an initial health assessment. The assessment measured several areas of fitness plus some basic bloodwork. Those results were humbling to say the least, but I have learned in recent years that denial doesn’t solve any problems. So, I took those results as more reasons to make positive changes…more reasons to make my health and happiness a priority.

Training day #1…..Misery!! Serious misery!!

At our first session, Joe took my measurements and put me through a physical assessment. I had to complete five repetitions of four exercises with a total of ten sets. It sounded simple enough. Well….I don’t know what my time was, but it was slow. I got sick in my stomach several times. I had to stop and rest. If I thought the blood work results were humbling, this assessment absolutely floored me. I quickly realized how much I had babied myself through those recent injuries and how much I had neglected my body. I struggled.  Joe was encouraging and challenging at the same time, but he must have been wondering if I would stick with it. Well, I made it through and was so sore the next two days I could barely walk. But I was also proud of myself. I hadn’t quit.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks, Joe guided and coached me through my workouts. Some of the exercises were accomplished with relative ease, while others still haunt me because I never quite mastered them. During those first weeks, I iced sore muscles, wore Max Freeze like perfume, and took an antacid tablet every morning on my way to the gym. My Advil and foam roller were always close by (I am not kidding…one roller at work, one roller at home and a travel size roller in my car), and stretching became a serious part of my daily routine. My body was completely shocked, but it slowly began to remember what it feels like to be fit.

During the first few weeks, I was intimidated by the weight amounts Joe expected me to lift. I didn’t look at the numbers because I didn’t want to know. Then I noticed a shift in my thinking. Now, I want to know what I am lifting. I want to mentally prepare and I look forward to the challenge of the lift. I noticed other things were changing as well. I began to hone my nutrition and planned my food choices around my workouts and not on a whim.  Believe me, nothing will encourage healthy food purchases like grocery shopping immediately after a session with Joe. Don’t even change clothes. Just march in there with your hard-earned sweat and red face. Frozen pizza or processed foods won’t sound the least bit appealing.

Joe’s workouts definitely didn’t get easier as we progressed, but my body and my mind adapted. I was no longer nauseated during my workouts, my muscles recovered more quickly, my energy levels increased, my confidence grew and he taught me to appreciate my struggles. I now look forward to each workout. I truly enjoy putting my body through something it hasn’t done before and it feels great to push my limits physically and mentally. I definitely have a long way to go, but I am loving the process!

My training sessions became more that preparation for my trip. Each workout teaches me something about myself. Some things are a rediscovery, while others are completely new. So with each press or squat, I feel more like myself. I believe in my body again. My mind and my body are becoming trusted partners. The day Joe and I finished Phase 1 training, I sat in my car and cried tears of joyful relief. It was the best feeling…a feeling of accomplishment and an affirmation that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. I may struggle, but I won’t quit. For years, I was told by someone close to me that I was undisciplined…that I couldn’t finish anything…that I didn’t have focus. Eventually, I believed them. Now I am rewriting that script.  

 

 My favorite Trainer Joe quote to date:

The struggle is what makes it worth it. When you conquer the trail and you stand there and take a deep breath and say, “I did it!”

A few weekends ago, I hiked the Gloss Mountains near Fairview. The purpose of the hike was to get used to my new trekking poles, break in my boots a little more, and to test my physical conditioning in a hiking situation. The results of my hard work were immediately obvious.  I navigated the 150 stairs and the rocky terrain with energy to spare. My training is doing exactly what Joe said it would…preparing me for the activities of my trip. With that hike, my motivation has increased even more.

So…I am eight weeks into this experience and have about six more weeks of training before I fly to London. I don’t know what my new training goal will be when I return from my trip, but I can guarantee that I will have one. The investment of personal training is the best investment I have made in myself in a very long time and I don’t plan on stopping. Thank you Joe!

Lastly, I feel obliged to share a few of the measurable changes that have occurred in the past eight weeks.

·        As I write this blog, I am wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt that haven’t fit for the past three years. (Yes, I kept them that long even when I couldn’t wear them…..they are old favorites!)

·        My blood pressure readings at week 7 were 122/55 and 116/65 with a pulse reading of 61 beats per minute. These are my best blood pressure readings in the past 20 years.

·        Triglyceride levels dropped from 227 to 77 in six weeks.

·        HDL level (good cholesterol) increased 6 points in six weeks to the highest reading I have ever had.

·        My movement is easier and my flexibility is greatly improved.

·        My sleep is more restful.

·        I am physically stronger with an increased endurance for daily activities.

I will post again on my training right before I leave on my trip. I have no doubt that I will continue to see more positive changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspirations of Wanderlust

As with most things in life, my United Kingdom trip was planned through inspiration from others. While I knew I wanted to travel to the UK at an early age, there have been several people who have inspired, encouraged, and mentored me toward taking this traveling plunge. And they have done so without even knowing it.  One person, in particular, has had a powerful impact on my trip. His influence has played a role in everything from inspiration to the specific dates of the trip.

I met Andy Elliott in 2000 when he traveled to the U.S. to coach soccer camps during the summer months. He was only in Perry for a week, but we remained in contact through emails and then social media. To say Andy is an adventurer is an understatement! I have lived vicariously through his trips as he has traveled to Tanzania, scaled mountain peaks, cycled in 100 mile bike races, and traveled around the world….no literally, traveled around the world!

Andy inspired my trip in several ways. First of all, his attitude about travel is refreshing. He seems to dive in to a culture and gets to know the locals. I am adopting that same attitude for my trip. Secondly, Andy is a basic traveler. He doesn’t need a fancy room or a lot of luxuries when he travels. In that way, he and I are definitely kindred spirits. His travels have shown me a way of traveling to which I feel very connected. Andy has also been a wonderful source of information as I planned my trip. He offered advice on accommodations, car rentals, and many other things. But the thing that impacted my trip plans the most was an offer from Andy to take me hiking in Snowdonia in Wales.

When I started planning my trip, I knew I wanted to hike in Snowdonia. The views are breathtaking and every time I saw or read something about its beautiful mountains and valleys, I felt a stir. In one of our first Messenger conversations, I mentioned to Andy that I knew I wanted to hike Snowdonia. He told me that he has taken groups there and offered to do the same for me. I was thrilled! As our conversations continued over the coming months, Andy offered to also be my tour guide for the southern part of England where he lives. It simply doesn’t get any better than that! A local perspective and viewpoint is exactly what I want for this trip.

So…when Andy gave me the dates of his fall break, that was the starting point for planning the trip dates. Everything has revolved around his generous offer to act as my guide and host. Once the dates for staying with Andy were set, it was time to start penciling in my other adventures. The time with Andy will be how I end my trip...a wonderful reunion and the perfect ending!

The other person who has influenced my travel dates in Liam Sweeting. Like Andy, Liam came to Perry to coach our local soccer camp. The year was 2009 and everyone felt an instant connection with the young soccer coach. He simply fit with our community. Liam and I have been in communication about my trip also. I was hoping to schedule a visit with him while in England.  A few years ago, he moved to London...the perfect location for a visit, since I will be flying into London.

This summer, Liam returned to Perry with his fiancé, Daley, as they traveled Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Their sense of adventure and easy manner of traveling are another great example for my trip. While they were visiting, we looked at our schedules and the best dates for my London visit. As destiny would have it, Liam is off the weekend after I fly into London. Perfect timing! I want to catch some of the major tourist sights, but I also want the flavor and feel of local London. Liam and Daley have also offered me a place to stay. I am overwhelmingly blessed. Not only is that a great comfort as I get acclimated to the new culture, but it is allowing me to do some other exciting things while I am on my trip.

 There are segments of my trip where I will be traveling solo and venturing out on my own. But it is nice that I am starting and ending my trip in the company of friends. I will fly into London and have a few days with Liam and Daley. Then, I will meet Andy in Liverpool two weeks later as we travel to Wales to hike and southern England to sightsee. I can’t help but smile as I write this blog. This truly is a trip of a lifetime and I am blessed to have friends that are playing such a pivotal role in making it happen.

The countdown is now 52 days! That makes me panic just a little bit...there is still so much to do!

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Why the Isle of Skye? (Or...what in the world are you thinking?)

I started this blog several years ago, but I abandoned it for almost as long.  Recently, there has been interest in several of my current life ventures, in particular, my trip to the United Kingdom this October. So, I am reestablishing my blog with the purpose of journaling the current preparations for my trip. Of course, the content will change to the adventure of the trip itself when the time comes. 

Many friends and family members have questioned my decision to spend so much time in a country where I have no ancestral or personal connection. They have questioned the sanity of a single woman traveling alone. And they have pondered why I couldn't just stay in the United States. After all, there is plenty to do here! I have decided that a person either understands my wanderlust or they don't. I was 14 years old when I saw an article featuring the countryside of the UK. It was in Seventeen magazine. Follow that with the PBS series, All Creatures Great and Small, about an English country veterinarian, and I was smitten. Since then, I have been drawn to the art, history, culture and beauty of a land I have never seen. And as I stated, you either get that....or you don't. And either one is fine with me.

The decision to make this trip was made in 2007. I was reading a copy of Smithsonian magazine and the cover story was about Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk in England. I was mesmerized by the thought of traveling across the countryside of England, staying at little inns along the way. I took the magazine home with me and placed a brightly colored sticky note on the front cover. Written on the note was the statement, "When I am 55!"  I had eight years to make it happen and everything is right on schedule. I turned 55 in April of this year. And while my itinerary does not include the actual course that Wainwright recommended, it is full of hiking and trekking.

As with many dreams, life got in the way and my focus was directed to some big life changes. Five years ago, I found myself living on my own and for the first time in a very long time, I began to revisit my personal dreams and desires. At the top of the list was my UK trip! I made a list of things I needed to do and started checking them off one by one. The first item on the list was getting my passport...check!

I started researching more intently in 2013, and discovered a charming stone cottage on the Isle of Skye. I printed off the information and tucked it away among my other travel books and maps. In early 2015, as I began booking lodging and making more concrete plans, that little stone cottage kept jarring my memory. But I couldn't remember it's name or location. I dug through my large stack of papers and maps and finally found it. When I looked at the photos of the tiny cottage, it felt like the perfect place. So...the first concrete part of my UK trip was soon booked...Fossil Cottage. I will be there for a week in October. It is incredibly charming and has local wildlife to keep me entertained! It has a great location for exploring the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. You can learn more about Fossil Cottage on their website.  http://fossil-cottage-skye.co.uk/

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