The Dream – Page 2 – SteveWhittythoughts1965

February 3, 2013

The Liebster Blog Awards

On Monday, I was nominated by Sarah from Wake Up Mona for the Liebster Blog Award! It’s a fun way to meet other travel bloggers and discover new blogs! You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @WakeupMona

Here are the rules of the Liebster Award:

When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person who nominated you on your blog.
Pass the award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions.
You are not allowed to nominate the blog who nominated you.

My 11 Random Facts:

1. I have broadcast on radio

2. I have lived and worked in France, even though I cannot speak the language.

3. I graduated from university aged 37.

4. I was an Assistant Scout Leader for 8 years.

5. I follow Walsall FC who play in the English League One. Up the Saddlers!

6. Apparently the family line can be traced back to the Normans.

7. I have over 60,000 tracks in my ITunes account.

8. I would love to be able to play the drums.

9. I can see myself ending my days outside the UK.

10. I drink too much coffee for my own good.

11. I always arrive too early at my destination.

My Answers to 11 Questions Sarah asked me:

1. What is your favorite movie? Some Like It Hot

2. Where did you receive your first passport stamp? Yugoslavia

3. Dogs or cats? Dogs

4. What is something you wish you could do really well? Photography

5. Close your eyes and spin a globe… where does your finger land? China

6. What is something you love about yourself? My sense of humour

7. What is your favorite dessert? Syrup Sponge with Custard

8. Which place are you most excited about visiting in 2013? Sarajevo

9. What is your favourite fruit? Orange

10. What is one thing that travel has taught you? To be more open to strangers

11. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? Bratislava. I loved how small the city felt and it felt good about itself.

My 11 Questions to the Blogs I Nominate

1. What is your worst travel experience?

2. What is your favourite song?

3. What is thing that always brings a tear to your eye?

4. Which social network do you use the most?

5. What would be your last meal?

6. Who would be your least ideal travel companion?

7. Which luxury would you always travel with?

8. Do you listen to podcasts?

9. Which do you prefer, Hostels or Hotels?

10. What do you hate about travelling?

11. Slow or quick travelling?

My 11 Nominees!

Lourika of lourikareinders.matadoru.com

Jessica of missjessrose.com

Laura 0f Laura The Explorer

aswesawit.com

Deborah of myhearttravels.com

Ruth of tanamatales.com

Clare of thewayfarerdiaries.com

Nykea of nykeamarie.blogspot.com

@CuriousNomad

Jane of runawayjane.com

Laura of travellingjerseygirl.com

Let’s keep spreading the travel blog love! Thank you again Sarah for the nomination!

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013

Photo of the Week – New Hall Valley Country Park

This week's photo is of New Hall Valley Country Park in the snow.

The park is located in my hometown of Sutton Coldfield. In truth this is close to being my back garden. The park which runs between the Walmley and Wylde Green districts was created in 2005. It was the first country park opened in the UK in 21 years.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

Posted with Blogsy

December 6, 2012

My Favorite Travel Blogs

My blog has been going since May. In its own little way I am pleased with how it is progressing and in 2013 I will be looking to build on this further. 2012 has also seen an increase in the number of travel blogs I have started to follow. Here are a list of my favorites.

Indie Travel Podcast

This is the blog that had initially fulled my desire to travel. Craig and Linda Martin have created a mini industry with their site. You can purchase various travel guides that cover all aspects of travel. The also offers travel advice and links to booking tours and accommodation. As the name suggests Craig and Linda also produce an entertaining and informative podcast. I consider this to be recommended listening to anybody who has an interest in travel. www.indietravelpodcast.com

Over Yonderlust

An award-winning blog run by Shaun and Erica Kuschel who have been on the road for over 30 months. As well as the entertaining stories they it is the stunning photography that keep me returning every time. This was rewarded by HostelBookers who gave it the Epic Photography Award this year. Congratulations it was well deserved. www.overyonderlust.com

Caroline in the City

This well written blog has also become one of my favorites. Caroline Eubanks is a freelance writer and this shows in the quality of her writing. There are plenty of posts relating to Caroline’s travels. There are also links to her photos and videos. Caroline is also very generous to other aspiring writers. Every month subscribers to the blog receive a round-up of the opportunities that are available for paid and unpaid writing jobs. http://www.carolineinthecityblog.com

A Dangerous Place

This is another blog that is starting to reap the rewards for the hard work that has been put into it. Amanda posts look at the quirky side of travel as well as being informative. Like the majority of blogs there are photos and videos. What I like about this blog is the way Amanda portrays the enjoyment of being able to travel and write. Long may this continue. http://www.dangerous-business.com

Runaway Juno

A very successful blog that was set up by Juno Kim. The blog is excellently laid out. There are sections on Juno recent travels to Europe as well photo and videos. One of her videos was featured recently in an issue of TRVL, congratulations on that. What I most like about the blog is the tips it offers to aspiring bloggers such as myself. It is like having a mentor you can call on. http://www.runawayjuno.com

Disrupting the Rabblement

A blog that I have recently stumbled on and how glad I am to have done so. Niall Doherty gives update on his travels. Each email you receive also includes a You Tube video. He delivers each video with wit and are always entertaining. They shot in one take so you hear people walking around him. To me this is an original way of letting everybody know your thoughts. Subscribers to the blog also receive a monthly financial update from Niall. http://www.ndoherty.com

Easy Hiker

This blog is dedicated to those who enjoy hiking the great outdoors. Each post looks at walks around Europe especially in France and Germany. The blog contains excellent writing as well as great photos. I am particularly fond of this blog as both Michael and Marlys have given me support with my blog. I do appreciate the time take to retweet, like on Facebook or comment my posts. Thank you. http://www.easyhiker.co.uk

There are many other travel blogs that I read and follow. If I have not mentioned you please do not be offended. There is no such thing as a bad travel blog.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

December 1, 2012

Statistics November 2012

Here are the statistics for Midlife Wanderlust:

The Blog

Posts 12

Comments 16

Followers 32

Twitter (stevo120665)

Tweets 7050

Following 1597

Followers 901

Thank you to everybody who has viewed the blog or tweeted during November. It is greatly appreciated.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

November 1, 2012

Statistics October 2012

The following are some statistics for Midlife Wanderlust:

The Blog

Posts 18

Comments 7

Followers 24

Twitter (stevo120665)

Tweets 6007

Following 1515

Followers 781

Thank you to everybody who has viewed the blog or tweeted during October. It is appreciated.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

September 30, 2012

The Prague Astronomical Clock

One of the most popular attractions in Prague is the Astronomical Clock or Prague Orioj. Located in the Old Town Square the crowds flock to see the clock chime at the top of the hour.

Dating back to 1410 the clock consists of three parts: the astronomical dial that represents the positions of the sun and the moon, a calendar dial that shows the months and “The Walk of the Apostles” that moves every hour of moving sculptures showing the Apostles and Death who is represented as a skeleton. It is the oldest working astronomical clock in the world,

There are various legends linked to the clock. The most famous concerning the clockmaster Jan Růže. The councillors of Prague were so impressed by the clock that they were worried that Růže would repeat his work elsewhere. So they ordered that Růže should be blinded. As an act of revenge Růže broke the clock and as a result it was left because nobody knew how to repair it.

As I said the clock is very popular with visitors especially at the top of the hour when the animated figures on the clock start moving. Also a trumpeter will play a quick tune to each side of the clock tower.

Is the clock is worth seeing? I believe it is worth viewing the movement once to say that you have witnessed it.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

August 23, 2012

Photo of the Week – Statue of the Bull in Birmingham

This week’s photo is of the bull outside the Bull Ring Shopping Centre in Birmingham.

As you can see it has been decorated to celebrate everything that has been going on in 2012. A popular tourist attraction you will always see people taking photos of the statue.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

July 30, 2012

Round the World Trip

For most backpackers and travellers the holy grail would be to take part in a Round the World trip. This is true for myself. From the blogs I have been following a lot people have undertaken such a trip. It has been used as a springboard for continuous travel by others.

Why should anyone want to take such a journey? I suspect it is all about the adventure of being on the road for a long period. You can see a lot of the world in a short period or you can spend a long in one country. Some people take three months while others will take a whole year. Of course, such a trip takes a lot of planning and simply cannot be undertaken on a whim. Particularly where do you want to go, how much money do you need to save, do you have the vaccinations, documents.

For myself it is one of the dreams I have in life. I want to undertake such a trip before I get too old. However, age should not be a barrier to travel.

In my ideal trip I would like to see the following:-

Argentina
Uruguay
Chile
New Zealand
Australia
Indonesia
Thailand
Burma
Cambodia
Laos
Vietnam

How does that sound to everyone? Where would you go on your trip?

By writing about my trip I want to use it as a spur for me to stop dreaming and start planning. Best start saving my pennies.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

June 10, 2012

A Month Blogging

I established the blog in April. This is going to be my ninth post. So what have I learned so far?

Establishing a blog is harder work than I initially thought. Those people who have been working their blog for a long time I take my hat off to you.
Planning time is key. You cannot work on the blog on the spur of the moment. Make time for the blog.
Proof read before posting. A couple of the posts have errors that could have been easily corrected if I had bothered to read it first.
Make sure the material is interesting to you. If I am not interested in what is being written then nobody else will. The biggest pleasure I have taken from reading blogs is the enthusiasm that is shown by the authors.
Keep posting whenever you can.
Do not postpone your posts. If you think of a reason for not working on the blog then you will never do anything.
Be grateful for any views and do not be disappointed by the lack of comments. Rome was not built-in a day.
Always look for a way of improving. Ask for feedback and take on board advice given to you.

I have enjoyed working on the blog. It has given me a good sense of purpose in life.

I have a trip Madrid at the end of the month to look forward to. This will give me more content to post. When I get back I will be looking to upgrade to Pro. This will give me more options to improve the blog.

Finally, I would like to thank those of you who have viewed the blog so far. Please take time to comment. Your advice will help me to improve.

Until the next time. Stay safe, stay healthy and keep on smiling.

Steve

May 11, 2012

Why Travel?

That is the question I have been asking myself. Where has the passion for wanderlust come from? Why now in my life?

We all plod along in our lives. Some of us are driven, some of us want the quiet life and some of us want to get as much life experiences as we can. As I almost reach my 47th birthday there is a feeling that I feel somewhat unfulfilled. Scientifically, the term is known as midlife crisis. I could have gone down the route of having a relationship with a woman who is young enough to be my daughter or brought a motor cycle that was too powerful for me.

However, I feel that travel allows me to indulge in something that I find important. This is education. I do hold a degree however, I am a fully paid up student of the University of Life. Travel allows me to experience different peoples and cultures. I want to take something away from every place I visit and apply it to my life. Finally, travel allows me to be the person that I want to be in life. This is why I choose travel.

Still reading Waverley by Sir Walter Scott

Currently listening to 16 Military Wives by The Decemberists

Until my next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep on smiling.

Steve