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Notes of a Northerner

Notes of a Northerner

A blog about my travels, endeavours and life away from the north

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One of the best things about coming back to the UK is reliving this epic adventure to all our friends and family. I can’t get enough of talking about Nepal, New Zealand and all things south of the equator. It’s been bliss sitting drinking tea and having a good ol yarn with our nearest and dearest, time is so so precious, so apologies for the radio silence, normal life will continue after I’ve finishing soaking up all this quality time. ✨

I’m currently sat in an airport hotel, drinking tea and listening to all the planes taking off to destinations unknown. We’re off to England for two short weeks to see our loved ones... I tell you something, it’s been far to long. I find the concept of going ‘home’ such an odd one sometimes, not the process but the word. I say home because it’s where I was born and where the majority of my friends and family still live but then Queenstown is my home, in fact the word home can mean anything really... it’s where you feel comfortable, it’s where you feel safe and it’s most definitely where your heart is. So, home, I am coming for you, put that kettle on and Queenstown home, I’ll be back soon ✨

I will never, ever tire of this being right on my doorstep. Milford Sound is truly breathtaking, whatever the weather and I count my blessings every single time I step foot into the National Park. Although New Zealand has plenty of tracks and locations, I find myself drawn to familiar locations regularly. Fiordland, Mount Cook and Queenstown are my ultimate favourites... however this Summer I want to get out on some different tracks, some overnight hut adventures that are totally new to us... where should we go? Answers on a postcard 💌

When I was a child I was set on being a Marine Biologist. It’s all I wanted to do, I spent my time researching everything there was to do about the ocean and I even applied for university when I was 11 years old. The good folk at Sheffield University sent me a prospectus pack and expected my application in seven years time. I was over the moon. However, over the years, my interests changed and I soon realised I sucked at Biology and Maths, so my passion then became photography. With my Dads old film camera and a darkroom in my Nan’s shed I was once again in my element. I’m always fascinated about what people want to be ‘when they grow up’ that might still be now for some in their late 20’s,30’s, 40’s... there’s no time stamp on being who or what you want to be, don’t you agree? So, if you could be or do anything in the world... what would it be? ✨

Imagine waking up on the third day of your Everest Base Camp trek to the sound of rain, in Kathmandu. Well that’s exactly what happened and I honestly thought our Everest adventure was over. However, this day felt different and after a mad rush to the airport, more waiting, a diverted plane to a foreign runway, and holding on for dear life as we landed in Lukla, after all that we finally made it to the mountains. I remember asking Robbie to take this photo, it was just after we left the tea house and started officially walking on the Everest Base Camp trekking route, I was so overwhelmed with emotion and excitement I totally forgot about all the drama from days previous. I have finally started to write down our adventure, follow the link in my bio to blogs day 1-3. I’m excited to share this little slice of heaven with you ✨

I haven’t really weighed in on the whole new like feature on Instagram yet because I don’t know how to put my thoughts down. I’ve seen so much online about it being a positive thing and also a negative thing, I don’t really know which way I swing right now purely because I use this platform for personal use and for business. I see and respect what Instagram has done, they have reacted to online reports about social media affecting people’s mental health and that is way more important for me to talk about right now than likes. Here’s the thing, social media only captures what you want it to, it’s not often you see the negative side of someone’s life on Instagram. Platforms like this do not capture ‘real life’ and I put that like that because this is someone’s life but it’s a slice that they are choosing to share, not every single moment, just a slice. The number of likes you get on a picture does not measure your value of life. So if you find or have found yourself in the comparison game, step away, delete any negative influence and focus on yourself. Focus on the positives of the platform, make connections, focus on engaging content and people that make YOU feel good. Please don’t focus on likes and value your own precious self worth through an app. Instagram was intended to be used as an instant snapshot of someone’s life, celebrate that and yourself. You get to chose your own worth, don’t let anyone or anything dictate how much you mean to yourself. ✨

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