Hi, everyone!
After 8 fruitful years under the guise of Sound Mind Travel, I feel that this blog has somewhat evolved and will now be more suited to a new and fresh name. That is going to be ‘Mint Bluebells.’ This is a nod to my ever-growing love for this flower and my attraction to the colour mint green – as simple as that. I like to imagine my favourite flowers in different colours and what that might look like, so this is representative of the alternative worlds writers take themselves and their readers to.
Over recent years, bluebells have served to greatly inspire my writing so this feels significant, plus it is more of a neutral title for a site that has become one of an author than of a travel blogger.
I don’t get to travel as much nowadays so it seems a little outdated to be under the personality of a travel blogger. My lifestyle has changed greatly since 2015 when I started this blog, and I now intend to – still travel and explore when possible, and certainly write about it – but be more grounded, being roused by things perhaps closer to home, by things going on around me and by people that have stories to tell.
Mint Bluebells will no longer have the money-making section – swapping that for extracts of my writing; styles which include but are not limited to fiction, nonfiction, essays, reviews and poetry. I feel researching and writing about interesting topics and people is a form of travel in itself as it has the same curiosity, exploration and discover that travel has (and that is what this blog has always been about.) The difference is I don’t need to be getting flight after flight to have something to say, there is already so much.
With this change in mind, I would like to mark it by listing some of my favourite travel moments:
My Top Five Favourite Travel Photos
I am not a professional photographer, but for a few years I was using a semi-professional camera and managed to capture some great moods and perspectives.
- Cow & Calf, Ilkley Moor
I was not expecting such a dramatic shot when I took this and I love how the clouds loom over the moors, the building peeps suspiciously from the background and the leafy ground almost leans to be in cahoots with the sky – it creates movement and turbulence. Looking like something from The League of Gentlemen.
2. Bluebell Woods, Bramley Falls
I still believe this capture was pure luck because it was taken with my Samsung A12 phone and that is by no means the best phone available. The landscape, lighting and positioning did all the work here, I just clicked. But I’m still so proud of it – I mean, look. Look at the streaks of light sweeping through the background trees, and the tree branches reaching, like desperate, unstoppable clawed arms.
3. Ingleton Waterfall Trail
I learned that stooping down and taking upwards shots of staircases was often a good idea – it certainly was in this instance of a worn staircase at Ingleton in Yorkshire. I love the way the stairs almost take you on their ascent. You feel like you’re about to walk up it, and that is what good photography should do, transport you into the memory.
4. Ingleton Village
Another from Ingleton but I really do love this shot! A pretty pink rose bush hosts the scene here, almost advising the viewer to take in the countryside view. It is reminiscent of a fairy tale scene and a reminder of the feminine beauty of roses.
5. Strawberry Daiquiri at Waterloo
I mean, look. It’s just a drink, and I don’t know what I did to make it jump right out of the shot and make my mouth water time and time again, but I did something right! I leaned in close and experimented with the focus and my reward is apparent. I’m not craving a Strawberry Daiquiri, you are.
My Top Five Favourite Countries
I’m not purporting to be massively well-travelled. I’m not, I have been to 17 countries in Europe. Certainly more than many and my joy that I’ve enjoyed that privilege never wains, but compared to the big boss travel bloggers out there, I couldn’t go further as my life navigated me differently.
But, I have favourite countries from the ones I visited and although never staying too long at each, here are the ones that I loved the most.
Iceland
One of the safest countries in the world, it’s hard not to fall for it. Thick snow and lack of daylight made it mysterious and a little eerie that January when I visited. The houses with different coloured roofs, the people playing football on the frozen lake and the steaming hot soup simmering in the large, crusty bread bowl, goats milk hot chocolate and marshmallow skies. It was a fresh and magical trip.
England
I love the country that I am from. It has countless beauty spots. Yorkshire, my county, is rugged and picturesque and I love the seasonal treasures we are blessed with every year; the blossom, the bluebells, the blackberries. The coast offers the creamiest dairy ice-cream and comforting fish and chips, and the thatched cottages of the Cotswolds are other worldly. ‘There is no place like home.’
Lithuania
It was very interesting being a tourist in Lithuania. It isn’t the typical holiday destination for your average Brit, but for someone that is passionate about travel, it is perfect. You learn about the Eastern European history through the soviet-era buildings, the museums and the food and the Catholic faith of the locals, particularly the older generation, was humbling. It was cold and quiet that November and the artistic flair of the micro-state, Užupis, and the countless stunning churches in Vilnius and Trakai made for interesting and unique exploring.
France
J’aime la France! I would love to see more of this country, I definitely need to as I’ve only been to Paris, which was of course amazing. I have spent much time researching this country from the comfort of home as I love the language, the music and the culture in general. Yes, I did the tourist things; saw the Eiffel Tower, had snails, visited the Mona Lisa at la Louvre. But I also walked all around the city rather than using the underground, browsed video game shops and lazed in the parks – and it was like walking through a piece of art, the architecture is incredible.
Portugal
Oh, Portugal, you are quite underrated. I loved the unique intricacy of the chimneys on the roofs, the tile art and the discovery of one of my favourite villages ever, Alte. My Algarvian tour guide was so enthusiastic about the cork industry, the seafood was fresh and delicious and the apartment cats were so friendly. I carry a piece of you in my heart.
My Top Five Favourite Places
Some places just stay with you, and the following five all piqued my curiosity and come up in conversation the most. All of them surpassed my expectations immeasurably.
Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
On the final, rainy day in Barcelona, I had been ambling about the park next door to the zoo, just mindlessly wandering with no particular plans. So, being a lover of fountains, you can imagine my shock and delight when I came across this as I turned a corner. Wow. Epic is the perfect word for this. As far as fountains go, this is definitely the best I’ve ever seen, and the fortuity of stumbling upon it became one of my favourite travel experiences.
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
One of my favourite ever days in one of my favourite ever places, Plitvice, you struck a chord that will always be with me as I still dream about those turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls and gliding fish. A day well spent in a place destined for dreamers.
Bluebell woods, Bramley Falls
My favourite place in the whole world, the bluebell woods and that will never be matched! It’s their short-lived nature, the swathes of violet-blue, the different atmosphere at different times of day, the fragrance pervading the woods, the mystique, mythology and magic, how they inspire me – it is everything. Nature helps this world to make sense and I am forever grateful for that.
Plémont Bay, Jersey
Enjoying several family holidays to Jersey over the years presented me with the gift of Plémont Bay, one of the most impressive beaches I’ve had the pleasure of idling away time in. I spent many fulfilled hours down there exploring the mysterious caves, absorbing the waterfall spray, writing song lyrics, paddling and simply embracing the feeling of sand beneath my feet.
Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire
One of my favourite, if not my all-time favourite, choice of days out ever! Forbidden Corner is so unique and fun. It is a park filled with folly, puzzles, mazes, tricks and treats and the idyllic setting juxtaposed with the spooky, eerie sets thrills me and makes me want to return again and again. It will always be a place I recommend to families and couples alike as it is great for all age groups – there is something for everyone!
My Top Five Favourite Eating Experiences
One of the best things about travel? Food. All of the food.
Snacks for beer, Lithuania
Pickles, rye bread, sour cream, Lithuanian cheeses and meats all washed down with a Lithuanian beer? YES PLEASE. This was a very appetising feast and it was fun trying out bite-sized portions of some of the delicacies from this country. Sour cream is dished out by the gallon and I wasn’t complaining!
Dining in the dark, London
It was almost impossible to eat our food! As the title suggests and my previous post informs, me and my friend chose to experience one of the only pitch black restaurants in the world – Dans le Noir! A challenging feat but a wonderfully memorable one. With a secret, surprise menu and incredibly friendly, empathetic waiters, this is a once in a lifetime experience that is akin to nothing else.
Jungle Curry, Jersey
As exotic as it sounds. One of my favourite beachside restaurants serves up a hearty bowl of this creamy curry with a kick. Succulent prawns, crunchy vegetables, coconut cream, jasmine rice, shovelling it in and enveloping the senses as you look out to sea, especially memorable at sunset. Unforgettable, and a foodie’s dream.
Mediterranean spread on the balcony, Croatia
You can’t beat nibbles on the balcony in the Med! Salty olives, juicy tomatoes, nutty cheese, mouth-watering cured meats, creamy cheese, sweet onions and fresh bread, it’s what dreams are made of. Whether you’re sitting with a sea view or a lush garden, like I was here, the sun will be beating down on you, there will be a palm tree in sight and you will be the definition of happy right in that moment.
Last meal of twenties
During my birthday in Berlin where I was turning 30, I got to experience the final day of my twenties in this restaurant, enjoying some German classics including Sauerkraut, fried potatoes and German beer. Filling, satisfying, tasty and poignant were the ingredients of the final meal of a decade of my life.
Thank you for joining me on that journey! I have had such a wonderful time throughout my late twenties/early thirties travelling to these different European countries. I was planning on getting to other continents but that never happened due to the unexpected direction my life veered off into.
To celebrate Sound Mind Travel, I am getting all the posts together into a book printed out so I can flick through it like a diary and hold all of my interesting experiences in my hand.
I will be forever grateful for these experiences and will go forward with warmth and hope in my heart.
Thank you so very much to all my readers and those that continue to show interest in and support me in my writing, it really means the world and it would be less encouraging without you all.
I will see you under my new guise as Mint Bluebells and be ready for this new chapter with lots of insightful writing coming your way.
See you soon.
SMT xx
