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Jun 14
in Europe 2013, Uncategorized 0 comments

A few hours in Köln (Cologne in Germany)…..

On our meanderings through Europe we found ourselves in Köln, Germany whilst we were visiting beautiful friends who invited us to stay with them. England, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal….. then a country I didn’t even consider that we were to visit was Belgium – which we transited few just for a couple of hours… (but another country none-the-less. 🙂 )… then on to Germany.

Oh my goodness. This truly WAS like visiting a foreign country!!! I was totally clueless with the language and signs as we drove through. My high school French; Latin roots; and common sense helped me in simple conversations and travelling through France… but there was no way that watching Hogans Heroes as a child was going to get me through Germany. After managing to download a German Translation App at Starbucks… I was set – for a few days of exploring the small region of Germany called Aachen – (which I intend to share more about in another post…) but for now I would like to tell you all about our few hours in Köln (Cologne).

It was a day with no shadows and the colour of the sky matched the stone pavement and blankets on the back of plastic wicker chairs.

Tall grey buildings with regimented windows boxed in the streets which finally broke out into a large square encapsulating the largest Cathedral in the world, whose foundation stone was laid in 1248AD.

On large wheeled bicycles, ladies in black tights with high heels;  low heels; no helmets; helmets; coloured scarves trailing in a stream behind as they dodge and make a swathe though the pedestrians in the mall; set their handlebars to the co-ordinates to navigate between the meandering crowd.

Moustaches the same colour as the nicotine of stained fingers protruded stiffly on faces which seemed to be treated with the same wax as the moustache.

People walked talking on their mobile phone; ate whilst walking and talking on their mobile phone; ate whilst in restaurants smoking and talking on their mobile phone…even riding their bicycle talking on their mobile phone. This gives multi-tasking a whole new dimension.

Musicians and buskers with well worn instruments in bandaged cases, filled both the open spaces and nooks and crannies of the centre of Köln. The familiar melody of Amazing Grace swirled on the exhale of bagpipes; piano accordions expired German traditional tunes; drumming and the melody of Graceland was sung by an African man with long black dreadlocks and his rhythm resonated amongst the gargoyles protruding from high on the pillars of the church. Across the mall a rather rotund man stood beside his open guitar case which seemed to be his partner in a duet of a wailing chorus which never seemed to end, and accompanied the multitude of sounds of dialects and languages spoken by the thousands of tourists visiting the largest cathedral in Europe. Periodically there was the percussion of grinding of luggage wheels trailing behind tourists in transit gathering glimpses of Köln.

Stone faces with lack of expression sat on wooden benches as hard as their manner.

Water fountains with cherubs and animals hovered above pools which were receptacles for cigarette butts and rubbish, yet provided a meeting place for those who were meeting for lunch.

Beggars whose eyes were glazed with defeat and skin paler than the sky, sat hunched in alcoves with blankets around their legs and held an empty paper disposable cup outstretched in a dirty hand.

Prams were pushed by women in black tights and g-strings with their pink runners close behind the wheels of their contemporary chariot carrying their child. Some children sat unrestrained in buckets in front of fast pedalling masculine legs dodging pedestrians as if they were cones in a time trial.

Some women with the stature of men were perched on high heels – which seemed to be incongruous with their masculinity.

Round shouldered adolescents speckled the square in clusters of 2-3 all wearing t-shirts which looked like they had been copied out of comic books.

It must be the fashion for young men to wear matching coloured shirts and pants -(which I think looks like wearing pyjamas), and I thought the days of matching was forever banned since the advent of the ‘safari suit’ -but obviously it’s ok if one has manicured and shaped eyebrows and hair with the sides clipped very short with it standing erect on top of one’s head.

I think there must be a different term used for what I am accustomed to calling those serving in the retail sector as ‘shop assistants’ – because assistance given to myself as a customer is something which just didn’t happen. It seemed like I was an imposition to even want to purchase something – even before I apologised by saying “Es tut mir leid, ich kann nicht sprechen Deutsch”.

Bald headed representatives with black product briefcases slinked from one double glass door to the next. Cardigans draped and twisted around waists of stubbled faced young men with tan leather shoes. Tourists ambled with cameras and ice creams which never seemed to drip down the cone. Elderly hands in fawn coloured suits and sand shoes took careful steps along the patterned pavements. Men with sling satchels with coloured slates of technology bounced past with what seemed like mini-springs in the soles of their lolly/candy coloured sand shoes with wide pale bases. Small long haired dogs sat snug between their masters feet as they were moved in a cavalcade around the town. Young tanned men with white t-shirts and trousers which looked like they had shrunk in the wash, walked confidently with apparent ambivalence yet with an inner yearning scanning for girls.

This was what I observed in just a few hours in Köln. As I waited for Max to descend the 500 steps he had just climbed up in the Cologne Cathedral  I started to type some notes about what I saw of this foreign place. A man with small round glasses whom I sat beside, stood up and moved to a bench seat by himself as he noticed it was being vacated. This was a strange town. It seems to me that there is a general feeling of detachment…of hardness and lack of emotion and warmth. I have to be very honest and say that I didn’t really like the feeling of Köln at all, and it’s a bit hard to explain; but perhaps you can form your own feelings from my observations of our few hours in Köln.

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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@idoamazingthings

@idoamazingthings

Journey-woman adventuring the unknown. Living boldly! All images have content to read. 🌏 Pop to my website to see what I do! Also @skeinydipping
  • An alternate journey around Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Plans for Tunisia and the Mediterranean were thwarted! #roadtripping #northernireland #vintagecar #ireland #vacay
  • #imback #itsbeenawhile 

Where have I been? 
Hi. :)
  • If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road.. in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day.

I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. 
 
Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn.
 
One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. 
 
All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck.
#knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
  • I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
  • Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
  • Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
  • Now on our way for our next journey driving from Bangkok to London in our 96 year old Vauxhall, Penny.

This will be a remarkable experience travelling for 3 months; making new friendships and enriching existing ones; learning about myself and the world in which we live. 
I hope you can follow our journey over the coming months and I will share when I’m able to.
First stop Bangkok! Stay tuned!! .
.
You can receive my journal updates from my website .. link in profile. . .
This is a pic of Penny and myself with the Altai Mountains in the background in northern Mongolia on our drive from Peking to Paris in 2016.
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#travelinstagram #travelinsta #roadtrip #vintagecar #adventuretime #journeywoman #lovetotravel #experiencetheworld #feelinggrateful #gratitude #happydays
  • Silent spaces in the Arctic. Time for reflection and connection. 
I was fortunate to spend a month aboard the #tallshipantigua sailing in the waters off Svalbard in 2018. 
I love the sea. I love the ice. I love the wind. I love connecting with that which is greater than myself. 
I endeavored to listen deeply.
Now home in my studio, I continue my conversations with the land and environment from this powerful and beautiful place, through my photographs, painting, drawing and fiber arts. 
The dialogue within the unseen continues. .
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#arctic #arcticcircle #arcticcircleresidency #arcticadventures #tallships #sailinglife #artistresidency #photographicartist #adventurer #livinglifetothefullest #livinglifemyway #adventures #oceansailing #snowadventures #adventuretime #goexplore #travelgirl #adventuregirl #happydays #abovethearcticcircle #adventurewoman #outdoorlife #pushingtheboundaries #northpole #artist #unseen
  • Walking on the edge. 
The earth on the edge of a climate crisis. 
Look carefully for us walking on the glacier. .
.
Glacier walk on a recent journey on a tall ship to Svalbard for an artist residency. To see more ... pop to my website for more stories and photographs @juliestephensonphotography .
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#arcticcircle #arctic #photography #adventurer #snow #glacier #naturephotography #livelifetothefullest #lovetravel #naturelovers #natureart #naturephoto #rawnature #creatives #creativephotography #svalbard #livelifehappy #goforit #liveboldly #artistsofinstagram #artistlife #livingthedream #livingthelife #livinglifetothefullest #beautifulandscape #globalwarming #climatecrisis
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@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
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An alternate journey around Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Plans for Tunisia and the Mediterranean were thwarted! #roadtripping #northernireland #vintagecar #ireland #vacay
5 days ago
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1/9
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
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#imback #itsbeenawhile Where have I been? Hi. 🙂
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road.. in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day.

I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. 
 
Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn.
 
One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. 
 
All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck.
#knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
•
Follow
If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road.. in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day. I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn. One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck. #knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
.
.

#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
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#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains.
It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. 
Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. 
This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. .
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#liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
•
Follow
I didn’t leap across this raging torrent, but apparently the legend goes that when the Jinsha River north of Lijang in Yunnan Province China is low, there is a rock in the centre which was used by a tiger to leap across the gorge. Regardless of this legend; it’s just an incredible experience hearing the swirling water rage down between the steeply rising mountains. It is so awesome, that thousands of tourists visit each day; and the buses streamed in, one after another; offloading umbrellas with two legs underneath scurrying to view the raging torrent. Business seemed to be very healthy here at the gorge … with many vendors trying to convince you that you needed to purchase an umbrella or plastic bag cover to keep the misting rain from getting you wet. I loved the water on my face to the disappointment of those wanting to sell me an umbrella or plastic cover. This is a #throwback from our recent drive through China from Bangkok; as long days and internet censorship made posting difficult. Over the coming weeks I’d love to share some of our journey. You can swipe to see more photos and pop to my website for more stories and pics. Link in Profile. . . . #liveboldly #tigerleapinggorge #traveller #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions.

I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom.

We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. 
It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. 
The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green.

I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter.

Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. .
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#liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
•
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Being on the road again was just fabulous. I had forgotten though how absolutely exhausting it can be; in a noisy old car in the heat, humidity, rain, traffic, cramped conditions and at times treacherous road conditions. I do so love driving along in an open car smelling cooking rice wafting from within the small thatched shelters; the damp smell of dark wet forests; pork fat rendering in blackened woks; rainforest blossom. We passed through so many check-points along the road north close along the Myanmar border, and came to a section where every 100mts was a soldier with an automatic weapon. We passed an elaborate gate flanked with green army trucks topped with automatic weapons; and then all of a sudden the check-point stops became more sparse. It didn’t take long for us to find ourselves in the rural areas of Thailand. Spears of rice plants striped across the low-lying fields. Terraces enveloped the hill-sides. Banana leaves flanked the roads and corn or maize covered the hills where a speckling of trees were left to provide shade for the workers in the fields. Every piece of land that could be used was utilised for food. It seemed to be a constant battle to keep the encroaching jungle from devouring the crops. The road was slippery and treacherous. The air was wet, hot and the land luminous green. I loved stopping and seeing what was available in the markets. I had such fun with a lovely lady at a market where the only common language was laughter. Swipe to see more photos and more stories and photographs in my Journal on my website of our recent drive from Bangkok to London .. that I couldn’t post in here real time– link in my profile. . . . . . #liveboldly #travelthailand #thailand #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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.
#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. 
Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. 
Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. 
After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. 
I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. 
I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. .
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#liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
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Qomolangma. Standing at Everest Base Camp being inspired by the Himalayas. Censorship, little internet and long driving days in our 96 year old car driving from Bangkok to London via Tibet; made posting our journey in real time difficult. I would however like to share our incredible journey. Yes… I know it isn’t ‘insta’…. but over the coming weeks I will be revisiting our journey as we drove through Thailand, Laos, China, Tibet and Kyrgyzstan where Penny our 1923 Vauxhall had issues with her 4th piston and is still there awaiting our return to fix her early next year; so we can recommence Stage 2 of our journey in September. After each journey I know some part of me has grown and changed, and after ten weeks on the road; through dense forest; snow; deserts; five and a half kilometers high along the Tibetan Plateau, and accompanying the Himalayas for weeks; and the experiences with so many people where no words spoken were of the same language – I have returned once again deeply changed. I would love to share some of my experiences, so come journey with me here to see how I’ve lived my life boldly. Swipe for more pics ... and because Insta is only a snippet… you can visit my website to see my journal as we travelled. Link in profile. I hope you enjoy my #throwback journey in our #vintagecar as we attempted to drive from Bangkok to London. . . . #liveboldly #qomolangma #qomolangmabasecamp #roadtrip #vintagecar #momentsofmine #laostravel #adventurer #journeywoman #instatravel #instatravelling #himalayas #travelgram #explore #explorer #traveldiaries #livingthedream #travelawesome #traveldeeper #livefully #livecreatively #inspired #adventureseeker #travelmore #goexplore #wonderfulplaces #openmyworld #lovetotravel #seekmoments
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Now on our way for our next journey driving from Bangkok to London in our 96 year old Vauxhall, Penny.

This will be a remarkable experience travelling for 3 months; making new friendships and enriching existing ones; learning about myself and the world in which we live. 
I hope you can follow our journey over the coming months and I will share when I’m able to.
First stop Bangkok! Stay tuned!! .
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You can receive my journal updates from my website .. link in profile. . .
This is a pic of Penny and myself with the Altai Mountains in the background in northern Mongolia on our drive from Peking to Paris in 2016.
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#travelinstagram #travelinsta #roadtrip #vintagecar #adventuretime #journeywoman #lovetotravel #experiencetheworld #feelinggrateful #gratitude #happydays
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
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Now on our way for our next journey driving from Bangkok to London in our 96 year old Vauxhall, Penny. This will be a remarkable experience travelling for 3 months; making new friendships and enriching existing ones; learning about myself and the world in which we live. I hope you can follow our journey over the coming months and I will share when I’m able to. First stop Bangkok! Stay tuned!! . . You can receive my journal updates from my website .. link in profile. . . This is a pic of Penny and myself with the Altai Mountains in the background in northern Mongolia on our drive from Peking to Paris in 2016. . . #travelinstagram #travelinsta #roadtrip #vintagecar #adventuretime #journeywoman #lovetotravel #experiencetheworld #feelinggrateful #gratitude #happydays
6 years ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Silent spaces in the Arctic. Time for reflection and connection. 
I was fortunate to spend a month aboard the #tallshipantigua sailing in the waters off Svalbard in 2018. 
I love the sea. I love the ice. I love the wind. I love connecting with that which is greater than myself. 
I endeavored to listen deeply.
Now home in my studio, I continue my conversations with the land and environment from this powerful and beautiful place, through my photographs, painting, drawing and fiber arts. 
The dialogue within the unseen continues. .
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#arctic #arcticcircle #arcticcircleresidency #arcticadventures #tallships #sailinglife #artistresidency #photographicartist #adventurer #livinglifetothefullest #livinglifemyway #adventures #oceansailing #snowadventures #adventuretime #goexplore #travelgirl #adventuregirl #happydays #abovethearcticcircle #adventurewoman #outdoorlife #pushingtheboundaries #northpole #artist #unseen
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
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Silent spaces in the Arctic. Time for reflection and connection. I was fortunate to spend a month aboard the #tallshipantigua sailing in the waters off Svalbard in 2018. I love the sea. I love the ice. I love the wind. I love connecting with that which is greater than myself. I endeavored to listen deeply. Now home in my studio, I continue my conversations with the land and environment from this powerful and beautiful place, through my photographs, painting, drawing and fiber arts. The dialogue within the unseen continues. . . . . #arctic #arcticcircle #arcticcircleresidency #arcticadventures #tallships #sailinglife #artistresidency #photographicartist #adventurer #livinglifetothefullest #livinglifemyway #adventures #oceansailing #snowadventures #adventuretime #goexplore #travelgirl #adventuregirl #happydays #abovethearcticcircle #adventurewoman #outdoorlife #pushingtheboundaries #northpole #artist #unseen
6 years ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Walking on the edge. 
The earth on the edge of a climate crisis. 
Look carefully for us walking on the glacier. .
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Glacier walk on a recent journey on a tall ship to Svalbard for an artist residency. To see more ... pop to my website for more stories and photographs @juliestephensonphotography .
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#arcticcircle #arctic #photography #adventurer #snow #glacier #naturephotography #livelifetothefullest #lovetravel #naturelovers #natureart #naturephoto #rawnature #creatives #creativephotography #svalbard #livelifehappy #goforit #liveboldly #artistsofinstagram #artistlife #livingthedream #livingthelife #livinglifetothefullest #beautifulandscape #globalwarming #climatecrisis
@idoamazingthings
@idoamazingthings
•
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Walking on the edge. The earth on the edge of a climate crisis. Look carefully for us walking on the glacier. . . Glacier walk on a recent journey on a tall ship to Svalbard for an artist residency. To see more ... pop to my website for more stories and photographs @juliestephensonphotography . . . #arcticcircle #arctic #photography #adventurer #snow #glacier #naturephotography #livelifetothefullest #lovetravel #naturelovers #natureart #naturephoto #rawnature #creatives #creativephotography #svalbard #livelifehappy #goforit #liveboldly #artistsofinstagram #artistlife #livingthedream #livingthelife #livinglifetothefullest #beautifulandscape #globalwarming #climatecrisis
6 years ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

 

 

 

@skeinydipping

@skeinydipping

🧐 Curious 🎨 Creative 💪🏻 Living Boldly! @idoamazingthings 😁 Content with wool in my hands Artisan weaver of blankets and wraps. Pop to my website
  • Not the planned journey we had imagined! Regardless of the 12 week delay in the arrival of Penny, our 102year old car we love to tour in; we made our alternate journey fun and filled with fabulous experiences and stories! #roadtripping #vintagecar #irelandtravel #northernireland #ballycastle #giantscauseway
  • #imback #badass #itsbeenawhile 

Where have I been?? 
DM to say hi.
  • My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! :-) ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
  • “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
  • From my kitchen window, I seek both inspiration and nourishment. 

Each day I gather and harvest from my garden which has nurtured my soul for much of my life, and in particular over the past eight months. 

As a child I would crave to have my hands in the earth to grow things. As I grew older, those same hands found their way to make and create; to touch; and to heal. 

Weaving on a rigid heddle loom is a slow process, in the same way that it takes time for plants to grow; (and the time it takes me to pop a post up here on my grid! LOL )

It brings me much joy and a sense of reverence to see plants grow from the seeds I have planted. I am so grateful. 

What inspires and nourishes you? 
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Yarns used in my  beautiful handwoven blanket; 
@qingfibre Melted Suri;  Rosemary, Sponge, Emerald. Narwhal
@quinceandco Osprey; Bosc, Wasabi
@walkcollection Merino Dk; Moss,  Chartreuse
@bichesetbuches  Le Petite Lambswool;Medium  Green  Grey
@ritualdyes  Mohair; Malachite
@madelinetosh Merino Light; Sugar Plum
@Walkcollection  Cottage Merino; Manhattan Beach Wave
@fusefiberstudio Merino Single; Sunflower
@olannmills  Merino Singles; Mangrove, Atone
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#handsandheart
#weaversofinsta #gratitude 
#wellbeing
#emotionalbalance
#artistry_vision #smallartaccount
#artistlife
#artoftheday
#createeveryday
#homedeco
#artlove
#artlover
#inspire
#indiedyedyarn #handmade #handcrafted #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #inspiredbynature
  • It has been a while. I want to be real; and don’t want to pretend everything is all peachy, nor do I want to portray that things are all glum. I’ve been navigating an undulating path - as we all  have. 

Since March, I’ve been living a rather isolated life. Such a difference to the bold living that I love. It has been an adjustment. The isolation. The extraction from contact and connection with others. 

Early in 2017 a concoction of events pushed my body past my physical limits and resulted in me being immunocompromised. Even with this, I was able to continue with care to travel aboard a Russian Expedition ship to the Arctic later that year; sail on a tall ship for nearly 2 months, then drove from Oslo, then around Scotland the following year; and in 2019 drove from Bangkok to Kyrgyzstan via Laos, China and Tibet. This year though has been tough, and I’ve needed to heed my inner voice to take care, and ride this one out as best as I can. 

Today was wonderful. I actually got dressed up and wore my latest modified #popspotsshawl . It was lovely to feel that I was ‘going out’.  

We drove our Austin Healy for a picnic in the forest, then on to Maleny; our fave Sunday brunch spot for the first time since March. We used to sit in our ‘spot’ at @shotgunespresso and plan our adventures. Today we didn’t do that; but regardless, I felt content. Today was a good day.
How have you been navigating 2020?
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.love my skirt from @little_tienda .
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Shawl knitted using @thefarmersdaughterfibers and @spincycle_yarns .. a match made in heaven. ❤️❤️
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#gratitudeattitude #picnicdate #austinhealey #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit ##knittersoftheworld #emotionalbalance #wellbeing #handmade  #creativedaily #livingmybestlife #sundaydrive #happyday #contentedlife
  • If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road, to knit; in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day.

I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. 
 
Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn.
 
One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. 
 
All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck.
#knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
  • The Sahara Desert. As a young girl I dreamt of walking across the soft warm sand of the Sahara Desert, and in one of our journeys in our #vintagecar I had the opportunity to realise my childhood dream. 

The sand was firmer than I had imagined as a child; the nights were colder; the days were far hotter; but the golden spaciousness was like something I could have never imagined. 

I adored and breathed in the gold of the evenings, and let my eye drift with the shifting light. 

I am grateful to have these memories to guide me through this uncertain time, and be the foundation for the expression of my stories. 

I have completed this “Wrapped in the Sahara’ blanket and it is now available to purchase in my Shop. If you would like a treasure for yourself or special friend, that will hold and be part of life’s stories; pop to my Shop from the link in my profile. 
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. And if you don’t have a purchase in mind at all.. my website has lots of photos of my blankets I’ve woven with photos of inspiration for them from my journeys. Hope you enjoy! 
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#inspiredbynature_ #homeinteriors  #blanketlove #cosyblankets #livetocreate #throwblanket #handmadeblanket #memoryblanket #cozymemoriesblanket #handwovenart #handwoventextiles #handwovenwrap #fibrearts #yarnofinstagram #choosewool #buylocal #australianartist #buylocalart #buylocalsupportlocal supporthandmade #supportartists #supportthemakers #homedeco #homedecorating #weavingart @idoamazingthings #weavingaustralia
  • October 2019, Kyrgyzstan. I see in this photo so many stories. Stories of when I knit my #cablespleaseshawl by @westknits; the stories knitted within my cabled shawl; the stories of when I wear this so much on our #roadtrips…. stories of travelling and of the sense of freedom,  adventure and gratitude I felt that day in that particular location in Kyrgyzstan. 

I don’t think living in the past is a good idea, but for me memories and stories help me put things together and provide the foundation upon which I launch myself into uncertainty. During these times of uncertainty now, I’m finding strength in my own stories and memories.  

Each of the yarns in the shawl has a memory of where I purchased the yarns on our travels. and I recall the days where I sat on the curbside in the shade of the eucalypts and cicadas knitting away…. Knitting. Knitting, as it grew in shape… and I often forgot where I was up to in my increases. I have the memory of knitting brioche for the first time I recall the feeling of terror through my chest and fingers when I accidentally dropped a stitch. How far have I come in being more relaxed and accepting of things since then! And then I have the memory of the stories of everywhere I wore this fabulous shawl. It has kept me snug in so many countries… and here in Kyrgyzstan it brings back such fond memories of such a wonderful adventurous and happy time of my life. 

I remember the gratitude I felt that day… and I am drawing upon that now as I create the new stories in my life..
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#knittingismytherapy #knitting_inspiration #briocheknitting #westknitsarethebestknits #westknits #roadtrip #vintagecars #vauxhall #adventurelife #adventurelover #kyrgyzstan #happylife #gratitude #happywanderer #indiedyedyarn #knittingaddict #knitting_is_love #knittersoftheworld
View on Instagram
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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Not the planned journey we had imagined! Regardless of the 12 week delay in the arrival of Penny, our 102year old car we love to tour in; we made our alternate journey fun and filled with fabulous experiences and stories! #roadtripping #vintagecar #irelandtravel #northernireland #ballycastle #giantscauseway
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
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#imback #badass #itsbeenawhile Where have I been?? DM to say hi.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content. My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. How do you express your life’s stories? . - . - #weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
4 years ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
.
.
.
.
#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. What has been healing for you this year? . . . . #healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
Follow
From my kitchen window, I seek both inspiration and nourishment. Each day I gather and harvest from my garden which has nurtured my soul for much of my life, and in particular over the past eight months. As a child I would crave to have my hands in the earth to grow things. As I grew older, those same hands found their way to make and create; to touch; and to heal. Weaving on a rigid heddle loom is a slow process, in the same way that it takes time for plants to grow; (and the time it takes me to pop a post up here on my grid! LOL ) It brings me much joy and a sense of reverence to see plants grow from the seeds I have planted. I am so grateful. What inspires and nourishes you? . . . Yarns used in my  beautiful handwoven blanket; @qingfibre Melted Suri;  Rosemary, Sponge, Emerald. Narwhal @quinceandco Osprey; Bosc, Wasabi @walkcollection Merino Dk; Moss,  Chartreuse @bichesetbuches  Le Petite Lambswool;Medium  Green  Grey @ritualdyes  Mohair; Malachite @madelinetosh Merino Light; Sugar Plum @Walkcollection  Cottage Merino; Manhattan Beach Wave @fusefiberstudio Merino Single; Sunflower @olannmills Merino Singles; Mangrove, Atone . . . #handsandheart #weaversofinsta #gratitude #wellbeing #emotionalbalance #artistry_vision #smallartaccount #artistlife #artoftheday #createeveryday #homedeco #artlove #artlover #inspire #indiedyedyarn #handmade #handcrafted #makersgonnamake #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #inspiredbynature
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
It has been a while. I want to be real; and don’t want to pretend everything is all peachy, nor do I want to portray that things are all glum. I’ve been navigating an undulating path - as we all  have. 

Since March, I’ve been living a rather isolated life. Such a difference to the bold living that I love. It has been an adjustment. The isolation. The extraction from contact and connection with others. 

Early in 2017 a concoction of events pushed my body past my physical limits and resulted in me being immunocompromised. Even with this, I was able to continue with care to travel aboard a Russian Expedition ship to the Arctic later that year; sail on a tall ship for nearly 2 months, then drove from Oslo, then around Scotland the following year; and in 2019 drove from Bangkok to Kyrgyzstan via Laos, China and Tibet. This year though has been tough, and I’ve needed to heed my inner voice to take care, and ride this one out as best as I can. 

Today was wonderful. I actually got dressed up and wore my latest modified #popspotsshawl . It was lovely to feel that I was ‘going out’.  

We drove our Austin Healy for a picnic in the forest, then on to Maleny; our fave Sunday brunch spot for the first time since March. We used to sit in our ‘spot’ at @shotgunespresso and plan our adventures. Today we didn’t do that; but regardless, I felt content. Today was a good day.
How have you been navigating 2020?
.
.
.love my skirt from @little_tienda .
.
Shawl knitted using @thefarmersdaughterfibers and @spincycle_yarns .. a match made in heaven. ❤️❤️
.

#gratitudeattitude #picnicdate #austinhealey #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit ##knittersoftheworld #emotionalbalance #wellbeing #handmade  #creativedaily #livingmybestlife #sundaydrive #happyday #contentedlife
It has been a while. I want to be real; and don’t want to pretend everything is all peachy, nor do I want to portray that things are all glum. I’ve been navigating an undulating path - as we all  have. 

Since March, I’ve been living a rather isolated life. Such a difference to the bold living that I love. It has been an adjustment. The isolation. The extraction from contact and connection with others. 

Early in 2017 a concoction of events pushed my body past my physical limits and resulted in me being immunocompromised. Even with this, I was able to continue with care to travel aboard a Russian Expedition ship to the Arctic later that year; sail on a tall ship for nearly 2 months, then drove from Oslo, then around Scotland the following year; and in 2019 drove from Bangkok to Kyrgyzstan via Laos, China and Tibet. This year though has been tough, and I’ve needed to heed my inner voice to take care, and ride this one out as best as I can. 

Today was wonderful. I actually got dressed up and wore my latest modified #popspotsshawl . It was lovely to feel that I was ‘going out’.  

We drove our Austin Healy for a picnic in the forest, then on to Maleny; our fave Sunday brunch spot for the first time since March. We used to sit in our ‘spot’ at @shotgunespresso and plan our adventures. Today we didn’t do that; but regardless, I felt content. Today was a good day.
How have you been navigating 2020?
.
.
.love my skirt from @little_tienda .
.
Shawl knitted using @thefarmersdaughterfibers and @spincycle_yarns .. a match made in heaven. ❤️❤️
.

#gratitudeattitude #picnicdate #austinhealey #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit ##knittersoftheworld #emotionalbalance #wellbeing #handmade  #creativedaily #livingmybestlife #sundaydrive #happyday #contentedlife
It has been a while. I want to be real; and don’t want to pretend everything is all peachy, nor do I want to portray that things are all glum. I’ve been navigating an undulating path - as we all  have. 

Since March, I’ve been living a rather isolated life. Such a difference to the bold living that I love. It has been an adjustment. The isolation. The extraction from contact and connection with others. 

Early in 2017 a concoction of events pushed my body past my physical limits and resulted in me being immunocompromised. Even with this, I was able to continue with care to travel aboard a Russian Expedition ship to the Arctic later that year; sail on a tall ship for nearly 2 months, then drove from Oslo, then around Scotland the following year; and in 2019 drove from Bangkok to Kyrgyzstan via Laos, China and Tibet. This year though has been tough, and I’ve needed to heed my inner voice to take care, and ride this one out as best as I can. 

Today was wonderful. I actually got dressed up and wore my latest modified #popspotsshawl . It was lovely to feel that I was ‘going out’.  

We drove our Austin Healy for a picnic in the forest, then on to Maleny; our fave Sunday brunch spot for the first time since March. We used to sit in our ‘spot’ at @shotgunespresso and plan our adventures. Today we didn’t do that; but regardless, I felt content. Today was a good day.
How have you been navigating 2020?
.
.
.love my skirt from @little_tienda .
.
Shawl knitted using @thefarmersdaughterfibers and @spincycle_yarns .. a match made in heaven. ❤️❤️
.

#gratitudeattitude #picnicdate #austinhealey #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit ##knittersoftheworld #emotionalbalance #wellbeing #handmade  #creativedaily #livingmybestlife #sundaydrive #happyday #contentedlife
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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It has been a while. I want to be real; and don’t want to pretend everything is all peachy, nor do I want to portray that things are all glum. I’ve been navigating an undulating path - as we all  have. Since March, I’ve been living a rather isolated life. Such a difference to the bold living that I love. It has been an adjustment. The isolation. The extraction from contact and connection with others. Early in 2017 a concoction of events pushed my body past my physical limits and resulted in me being immunocompromised. Even with this, I was able to continue with care to travel aboard a Russian Expedition ship to the Arctic later that year; sail on a tall ship for nearly 2 months, then drove from Oslo, then around Scotland the following year; and in 2019 drove from Bangkok to Kyrgyzstan via Laos, China and Tibet. This year though has been tough, and I’ve needed to heed my inner voice to take care, and ride this one out as best as I can. Today was wonderful. I actually got dressed up and wore my latest modified #popspotsshawl . It was lovely to feel that I was ‘going out’.   We drove our Austin Healy for a picnic in the forest, then on to Maleny; our fave Sunday brunch spot for the first time since March. We used to sit in our ‘spot’ at @shotgunespresso and plan our adventures. Today we didn’t do that; but regardless, I felt content. Today was a good day. How have you been navigating 2020? . . .love my skirt from @little_tienda . . Shawl knitted using @thefarmersdaughterfibers and @spincycle_yarns .. a match made in heaven. ❤️❤️ . #gratitudeattitude #picnicdate #austinhealey #knittersofinstagram #knittersgonnaknit ##knittersoftheworld #emotionalbalance #wellbeing #handmade #creativedaily #livingmybestlife #sundaydrive #happyday #contentedlife
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road, to knit; in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day.

I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. 
 
Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn.
 
One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. 
 
All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck.
#knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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If I can’t travel...I can reminisce … and be grateful for all the journeys and adventures I’ve experienced. Thought I’d revisit the completion of our last journey… with more gratitude this time wondering how the world will be from here. One of my most treasured experiences is of teaching the children who came to investigate this strange vehicle broken down beside the road, to knit; in the freezing cold on their bikes and donkeys. Warms my heart so much remembering that day. I started knitting to fill in the time and within a minute one of the little children; about 7 years old, gestured for me to teach him. I spent the next four hours teaching every child to knit. No words in common... just showing them and they copied. Much laughter and joy was felt between us all. Very quickly each child could knit by themselves, and I just sat beside them and so enjoyed watching them engrossed in their endeavour to knit. Every now and then they would nudge me because they had a little issue; but they all wanted to learn and the only time they would give up their needles was because of the impatience of the next one to have their turn. One of the boys had a really old mobile phone that didn't work, but had music on it. He played a tasting plate of songs to the introduction of "Ruski"... or "Kyrgys"... and we danced together in the sloping rocky dust on the side of the road. I copied the boys movements, but for one song I was playfully reprimanded and the little girl who was about 6 years old demonstrated how the girls are supposed to dance for that particular song. Such joy was felt by all of us. All my @westknits hats I've knitted on our journey now have little heads in them. For me I think that day, although was so incredibly disheartening realising that our journey had ended; was I think one of the best for me; sitting on the edge of the road with the children knitting and watching them scamper around the loud air-horns of the semi-trailers laden with coal roaring past; and watching two little boys helping push Penny being winched onto the flat bed rescue truck. #knittersofinstagram #westknitsarethebestknits #livetotravel
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
The Sahara Desert. As a young girl I dreamt of walking across the soft warm sand of the Sahara Desert, and in one of our journeys in our #vintagecar I had the opportunity to realise my childhood dream. 

The sand was firmer than I had imagined as a child; the nights were colder; the days were far hotter; but the golden spaciousness was like something I could have never imagined. 

I adored and breathed in the gold of the evenings, and let my eye drift with the shifting light. 

I am grateful to have these memories to guide me through this uncertain time, and be the foundation for the expression of my stories. 

I have completed this “Wrapped in the Sahara’ blanket and it is now available to purchase in my Shop. If you would like a treasure for yourself or special friend, that will hold and be part of life’s stories; pop to my Shop from the link in my profile. 
.
. And if you don’t have a purchase in mind at all.. my website has lots of photos of my blankets I’ve woven with photos of inspiration for them from my journeys. Hope you enjoy! 
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.
#inspiredbynature_ #homeinteriors  #blanketlove #cosyblankets #livetocreate #throwblanket #handmadeblanket #memoryblanket #cozymemoriesblanket #handwovenart #handwoventextiles #handwovenwrap #fibrearts #yarnofinstagram #choosewool #buylocal #australianartist #buylocalart #buylocalsupportlocal supporthandmade #supportartists #supportthemakers #homedeco #homedecorating #weavingart @idoamazingthings #weavingaustralia
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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The Sahara Desert. As a young girl I dreamt of walking across the soft warm sand of the Sahara Desert, and in one of our journeys in our #vintagecar I had the opportunity to realise my childhood dream. The sand was firmer than I had imagined as a child; the nights were colder; the days were far hotter; but the golden spaciousness was like something I could have never imagined. I adored and breathed in the gold of the evenings, and let my eye drift with the shifting light. I am grateful to have these memories to guide me through this uncertain time, and be the foundation for the expression of my stories. I have completed this “Wrapped in the Sahara’ blanket and it is now available to purchase in my Shop. If you would like a treasure for yourself or special friend, that will hold and be part of life’s stories; pop to my Shop from the link in my profile. . . And if you don’t have a purchase in mind at all.. my website has lots of photos of my blankets I’ve woven with photos of inspiration for them from my journeys. Hope you enjoy! . . . #inspiredbynature_ #homeinteriors  #blanketlove #cosyblankets #livetocreate #throwblanket #handmadeblanket #memoryblanket #cozymemoriesblanket #handwovenart #handwoventextiles #handwovenwrap #fibrearts #yarnofinstagram #choosewool #buylocal #australianartist #buylocalart #buylocalsupportlocal supporthandmade #supportartists #supportthemakers #homedeco #homedecorating #weavingart @idoamazingthings #weavingaustralia
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
October 2019, Kyrgyzstan. I see in this photo so many stories. Stories of when I knit my #cablespleaseshawl by @westknits; the stories knitted within my cabled shawl; the stories of when I wear this so much on our #roadtrips…. stories of travelling and of the sense of freedom,  adventure and gratitude I felt that day in that particular location in Kyrgyzstan. 

I don’t think living in the past is a good idea, but for me memories and stories help me put things together and provide the foundation upon which I launch myself into uncertainty. During these times of uncertainty now, I’m finding strength in my own stories and memories.  

Each of the yarns in the shawl has a memory of where I purchased the yarns on our travels. and I recall the days where I sat on the curbside in the shade of the eucalypts and cicadas knitting away…. Knitting. Knitting, as it grew in shape… and I often forgot where I was up to in my increases. I have the memory of knitting brioche for the first time I recall the feeling of terror through my chest and fingers when I accidentally dropped a stitch. How far have I come in being more relaxed and accepting of things since then! And then I have the memory of the stories of everywhere I wore this fabulous shawl. It has kept me snug in so many countries… and here in Kyrgyzstan it brings back such fond memories of such a wonderful adventurous and happy time of my life. 

I remember the gratitude I felt that day… and I am drawing upon that now as I create the new stories in my life..
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#knittingismytherapy #knitting_inspiration #briocheknitting #westknitsarethebestknits #westknits #roadtrip #vintagecars #vauxhall #adventurelife #adventurelover #kyrgyzstan #happylife #gratitude #happywanderer #indiedyedyarn #knittingaddict #knitting_is_love #knittersoftheworld
@skeinydipping
@skeinydipping
•
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October 2019, Kyrgyzstan. I see in this photo so many stories. Stories of when I knit my #cablespleaseshawl by @westknits; the stories knitted within my cabled shawl; the stories of when I wear this so much on our #roadtrips…. stories of travelling and of the sense of freedom,  adventure and gratitude I felt that day in that particular location in Kyrgyzstan. I don’t think living in the past is a good idea, but for me memories and stories help me put things together and provide the foundation upon which I launch myself into uncertainty. During these times of uncertainty now, I’m finding strength in my own stories and memories.   Each of the yarns in the shawl has a memory of where I purchased the yarns on our travels. and I recall the days where I sat on the curbside in the shade of the eucalypts and cicadas knitting away…. Knitting. Knitting, as it grew in shape… and I often forgot where I was up to in my increases. I have the memory of knitting brioche for the first time I recall the feeling of terror through my chest and fingers when I accidentally dropped a stitch. How far have I come in being more relaxed and accepting of things since then! And then I have the memory of the stories of everywhere I wore this fabulous shawl. It has kept me snug in so many countries… and here in Kyrgyzstan it brings back such fond memories of such a wonderful adventurous and happy time of my life. I remember the gratitude I felt that day… and I am drawing upon that now as I create the new stories in my life.. . . #knittingismytherapy #knitting_inspiration #briocheknitting #westknitsarethebestknits #westknits #roadtrip #vintagecars #vauxhall #adventurelife #adventurelover #kyrgyzstan #happylife #gratitude #happywanderer #indiedyedyarn #knittingaddict #knitting_is_love #knittersoftheworld
5 years ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
2025 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.