Welcome to Denyse Whelan Writes Here.
My space on the internet sharing words and photos and stories!
Thanks for reading Denyse Whelan Writes Here.
Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
About Travel.
Oh my, I was excited about travelling …from mid year 2024, I had in mind what I could possibly do to experience what I felt I had missed out on for over 18 years.
That was in 2006 when I had my first (and only) overseas travelling holiday to Hawaii and the West Coast of U.S.
I had my passport renewed and even though the photo is AWFUL, exaggerating my poor mouth’s reconstruction legacy, I was R for READY so I thought!
I was keen to visit the United Kingdom after the realisation that I could actually afford to go by premium economy and was always going to be travelling solo. That part didn’t bother me.
I took the chance to try out travelling solo having a night in the city for Sydney’s Vivid Festival. I went in on the Metro and train and returned home the same way. It was physically pretty exhausting…and emotionally I was challenged by my ability to eat* away from home.
I am now, some 4 months later working on this* when I have a day out somewhere.
Back to this post.
Why I am NOT ANNOUNCING Travel Plans.
I can be too eager to make plans and see them through.
I know.
It’s me.
I wrote about my decision not to travel to the U.K. as I had hoped. It kind of broke my heart but I am also a sensible person too.
BUT…I still wanted to ‘itch’ the travel bug…and use the passport that cost around $400 including the photos!!
So I thought, plan a trip away that is closer and I can enjoy some new scenery and have the privilege of a business class flight. I booked to go to South Island New Zealand next year. It was partly booked by me and partly by travel agent.
I was, I thought, excited. That was early July.
And why not also travel by car, me solo and driving to Canberra because I have always enjoyed that too.
Wollongong is a place to revisit that way as well, and will be good to rediscover family homes and areas where I lived as a child 0 to 10.
And then in late August I had a reality check.
G R I E F ….and all that the past year back into 2023 brought me has affected me more than I realised. Read about more here in a recent post.
The anticipation of Dad’s coming 100th birthday and would he be well enough for it,
my own cancer still remains within as a source of grief,
our ageing…me and B. It’s got to be taken into account as we already notice its physical effects,
moving back to Sydney has been a BIG source of stress even though we remain pleased with our choice
Dad’s death on 27 February 2024
Working alongside my brother as executors of Dad’s estate for all these months
readiness for embracing what is coming up, i.e. travel plans.
OH.
I am not ready nor am I motivated to do that New Zealand trip. In fact, looking at my motivation it was about a ‘should do’ not a ‘want to’..and after the initial buzz, I had no excitement at the prospect of it.
And I no longer wanted to re-visit the nation’s capital this year.
Cancellations Done.
Not without costs but that is OK.
I accept my rushing in had something to do with it.
So, in conjunction with the wisdom from this man
and better listening to my inner voice I am:
Still hopeful of a couple of days in Wollongong when I feel up to it sometime this year or next
Not ruling out any future OS travel plans…but they are staying between me and B!
And definitely no more planning until in 2025 as I sense I have better integrated all that’s been affecting me..as mentioned.
And I will, should I go ahead with any planning be EXCITED and use my HEART as well as my HEAD in any choices that I make*!
*not yet, Denyse!!
Day Trips.
I know my readers are aware of my lovely day trips and I will continue to plan these and enjoy them. Enjoy my Spring visit to Mt Tomah.
Staying Home Days.
Yes I am doing this too. Enjoying being in our place. Reading. Listening to books. Art and design work. Helping Nature In the Garden. Just BEING!
Today as this post goes live, I am driving* across Sydney to the Northern Beaches and Peninsula for a sight-seeing visit after a long ten years away from that part of Sydney I knew well many years ago. *Weather dependent! Warm day forecast…but we NEED rain!!
Are you a traveller?
Are you a heart or head person when decisions are made?
Take care, and thanks for reading!
Denyse.
Here I am joining with Min and friends for here Wednesday’s Words and Whimsy today.
And for the time it’s needed I’ve become a member of #TeamWWWhimsy to ensure the commenting is shared and conversations continue.
You really do need to do what is right for you and not what you think you should be doing. The world (near or far) will be there when you're ready for it.
Sometimes we have to take the long route to a destination or decision Denyse. It seems to have you've thought it through and know what it is you need at the moment. Who knows, this may change. I'm not sure that we will travel overseas again. I seem to have turned into a home body, and would much prefer to stay home, or do short trips from home. #TeamWWWhimsy