“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~ This quote has been attributed to Mark Twain, but the attribution cannot be verified. The quote should not be regarded as authentic. Possibly by H. Jackson Brown’s mother from “P.S. I Love You:” (or possibly not)
Welcome aboard
Hi, I am Jude, the author of Travel Words which is simply a collection of my travel notes and diaries over the years. My working background lies in IT (Software Training, Network Support, Helpdesk Management and ICT Secondary School Teaching, Examiner, Moderator and Teaching Advisor), but travel has been a major part of my life from a very early age. From being transported in a seat on the front of my father’s bike through the Nottinghamshire countryside as a toddler to hitch-hiking around Europe in my late teens, which is when the wanderlust bug bit hard. I have lived in many different places both here in the UK and abroad, including brief spells working as an Au Pair in Switzerland and in a Hotel in Norway followed by 12 years living in South Africa where I once worked in the Sportsman’s Bar close to the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. My childhood vision was to emigrate to Australia, but although I came close to it on several occasions I never quite managed to fulfil that particular dream, but thanks to my eldest son who now lives there, I have visited the country on several occasions and consider it my spiritual birthplace.
There have been times of travel drought and times of plenty over the past thirty years and I still enjoy visiting different places, though not necessarily the means of transport required to get me there. As I head into my autumn years the wanderings have become closer to home and I am enjoying exploring the beauty to be found in the UK.
Most of my posts will be factual descriptions of road-trips and places I have visited with recommendations (or not) of accommodation and places to eat / drink. Other posts can be classified as travel writing and will be more descriptive and emotional. They are based on the memories that a certain place or person has left me with. Some posts are simply images or galleries, often responding to a Blog Photo Challenge.
Photography is another of my hobbies. I have a particular passion for flowers though they will not feature too often on here. You can see them on Earth laughs in flowers… where you will find flower portraits and garden portraits. And recently (2016) I have started a blog about Cornwall where I have just moved to. Possibly the last move in my life, but never say never! That blog will only feature posts about the county so if you are interested in Cornwall you might want to follow me there.
I now have the time to reflect on places I have been fortunate to visit and write about them before the memories fade; posts about places will not be in any chronological order except for the road trips.
I hope you enjoy reading about my tales as much as I have enjoyed the journeys and writing about them. If you have any comments or questions about any of the places I write about then please feel free to do so and I will do my best to respond.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Seriously stunning photos that compliment such an eye catching blog – I think I will spend some time here !
Lovely Jude! We would love to be your company in your journey around the world! 🙂
Love that shot of Table Mnt. Taken from Blaauberg Strand? Also love that Mark Twain quote 🙂
Thanks – and yes the photo was taken from across Table Bay. I love Cape Town – but if you get the chance to read any of my travelogues then you will pick that up 🙂
Sure will, Jude. Will put that on my “To do” list, or else I’ll forget and move on to all the other stuff that vie for my attention!
I’m just delighted to discover your wonderful travel blog, Jude! I’m really looking forward to reading about your adventures and experiences. At the moment, I’m dreaming of visiting the English countryside! Cold, snowy greetings from the Midwest, USA! ♡
Cold and snowy indeed! I was watching the weather over there last night on our TV news. Wow! Enjoy the blog Dawn, thanks for stopping by 🙂
I agree about Australia, I never got there (to live) either though I did manage NZ for 10 years. It seems we have a few things in common. Will try and check back here when the internet isn’t playing up so much (I am in China). Looks good so far though, thanks for sharing your world with all of us.
Thank you for visiting my blog. It’s always great to connect with someone from the same area as me! I look forward to exploring more of your blog, it looks like you’ve visited some interesting places. And I may well be joining in with your bench challenge – I always like photographing benches! 🙂
What is it about benches? I started this because of my own obsession, figuring I’d get it out of my system, then discovered there are loads of people who love to photograph a bench!! Please do join in as little or often as you want. The theme changes monthly.
Nice to meet you Jude ! I’ll be moving to the UK in June. so how did you cope with the English lifestyle ? 🙂
Well I am English born and bred, with a streak of that old colonial exploration inside! We tend to just grit our teeth and get on with it 🙂
Why/where are you moving to?
I’m moving to Leeds, to live with my fiancé. Long distance relationship are hard, and at one point, someone has to move. Well, it has to be me because my English is better than his French 😉 It’s going to be a new life, I have to search for a new job and hope to make new friends. Sounds a bit scary to be honest 🙂
Well Yorkshire folk are usually very friendly so you’ll soon make friends I’m sure once you get a job. Good luck!
Thank you ! Fingers crossed 🙂
Another admirer of benches! How could I not follow…
I hope you find something that you enjoy, other than the benches – and if you have some photos that fit, then please share them 🙂
you’ve got a great blog. I’m glad I just came across your USA Tour (San Diego, Grand Canyon, etc). we’ll soon do a similar tour and your posts are super helpful
Many thanks, I am so glad you found some of my posts helpful. If you have any questions then fire away and I’ll do my best to answer them 🙂
thank you – I’ll try to book my tour to Antelope Canyon for noon now 🙂