A Day Out to Dove Stone

Over the Easter bank holiday weekend we visited the Dove Stone Reservoir in Oldham. The weather was something to be desired…however, we had a fresh blustery walk nonetheless! The best bit of the day was driving up past Saddlesworth to the moor land. It looked and felt like we had reached the top of the…

Our Little Family

As a late twenty-something couple we have acquired some family members from our early twenty-something giddiness. The first to join our motley crew at three weeks old was Eva, the Hermann Tortoise. Smaller than a 50p when she joined us five years ago, she is now a little bigger than three 50ps! Next up we…

Ready to Groom in Japan…

Well, the voltage rate is over 140 v less than the U.K which has required the repurchasing and consideration of our grooming etiquette! It’s amazing how challenging it can be to buy a worldwide voltage hair  dryer. Who knew this of this barrier for nomads wanting sleek and styled hair… In addition to our hair…

The Real Ale Trail

For the bank holiday Easter weekend this year we decided to start with a high and take on The Real Ale Trail from Rawtenstall to Bury. The ale was lovely, as expected, but the real highlights were trains we rode; a vintage diesel and a steam train! The smell of the steam as the driver…

Another Great Japanese Idea…

Pecha Kutcha is a unique idea to keep presentations simple and concise! 20 seconds, 20 slides. Simple. It requires planning, consideration and organisation. You cannot enter a Pecha Kutcha without practicing your technique and ensuring your words match the images on screen. However, with a little practice you can convey a clear and simple message, whilst…

Respond With Light

Today we have witnessed bombings in central Brussels. What a sad and terrifying state of mind the perpetrators must be in to believe raw violence such as this is the way to make their voices heard. The very opposite is true, you raise your voice, you get un-heard. Certainly, I have no intention of listening….

Chocoholics Rejoice!

Ok, so we have discovered possibly the most dangerous place in our local area. A delightful place called Cocoa Tree, where you can purchase chocolate in all of its glorious forms!! Solid chocolate, sprinkled with star dust. Truffles, sprinkled in more chocolate. And possibly the most dangerous of all; liquid chocolate with a side of…

It’s Not a Naughty Word, it’s the JET Programme UK

So, Dan and I applied for the JET programme this year. What an investment it has been! We spent time on our honeymoon in Bali writing our applications for submission by the end of November. There we were on the glorious island of Gili Gede at our open sea facing bungalow with Via Vacare, still thinking…

Up North

A work trip to Newcastle presented me with an opportunity to take some unexpected snaps of the famous Tyne Bridge. Yes, it was a classically grey and misty North East day, but these views were worth the visit. There is a unique art installation on the bridge, with a real grass roots background, of padlocks…

Pack All Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag…

And smile! As we prepare for our move to Japan this year, we have undertaken a major flat purge! The, so called, Ebay empire was born. Sell, sell, sell mentality combined with easy Ebay app access has made for a week of boxing up our things and sharing them with strangers. One man’s junk is…