2026 Ticking off Morocco and combining with a revisit to the UK

Things just happen. @Mac has a spreadsheet (of course he does) of "bucket list trips" and when something pops up that has potential he pounces. In this case, it was an offer by Inspiring Vacations for a small group visit to Morocco. Certainly fitted in with an available timeslot on the 2026 calendar so #whynot? On reflection, and now that we are close to departing, perhaps if we had read the itinerary and noted the 15 km hike in 3 hours, the 45 degree heat of the desert and the camel ride into and out of the Desert Camp, maybe it would have been #WHY .... but there you go, too late now. And a conversation in the kitchen while @Leah and @Ali were visiting raised the question of our availablity to join @Leanne and @Gary for a trip to the UK was the second #whynot. So .... #whynot. Have managed to add 21 days in the UK with a few little combos to make up the trip: a revisit of London for some of the highlights we missed on our previous trip and big bonus we get to catch up with @Leah and @Ali, an exciting exploration of the southwest Cornwall coast on an organised tour with Select South West Tours, a train trip to Liverpool (She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah) and finally, a bit of a road trip to take in some of the Lakes District and to meet up with @Mac's longterm online gaming (let's save the kingdom) friend, @Joe in Leeds.

2026 How far south can you go to celebrate 70?

 Well Happy Significant Birthday to @Mac - and to the "other" three score and ten birthday boys. It was a journey that was muted a number of years ago as the trip of a lifetime. It has grown as the years, months and weeks disappeared. 

Joined on this one by LoRi and DeOyd for the cruise component for the first two weeks and then it is a further four weeks on the land component with DeOyd taking in the highlights of South America including an escape to the Amazon, a catamaran adventure through the islands of Galapagos and of course some touring at altitude at Machu Picchu.

Have chosen Silverseas for the Antarctica component and Amanda (Travel Associates) has liaised with Adventure Travel in South America for the land component.

An epic 44 days of adventure with more flights than we have ever crammed into a single trip. We'll do a loop - starting at Santiago, Chile - venturing south to Puerto Williams and the Drake (lake we hope) crossing, followed by iconic locations in Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.

Silver Wind

So many highlights- had to make choices

China: 6-4-70

The 6-4-70 crew - China bound

 Flying solo on this one — @Mac is staying local while I set off with the #Fab5+1 on an unforgettable 2-for-1 TripADeal adventure to China! Our fabulous crew includes @Denise and her sister @Cheryl, along with @Carolyn, @Julie, @Von, and yours truly. We’re in excellent hands, with every detail carefully curated by the TripADeal team.

It’s a 10-day journey packed with highlights — starting in Chengdu, where we’ll visit the iconic giant pandas and gaze up at the awe-inspiring Buddha of Leshan. From there, it’s a high-speed rail ride to Yichang, where we’ll board the China Goddess 2 for a stunning 5-day, 4-night cruise along the legendary Yangtze River.

There will be plenty of opportunities to explore, learn, and laugh—along with everything in between a d even the chance to get lost in translation. With no shortage of memorable moments, this little adventure offers more than enough material for a highlight reel (or a blooper reel). The only potential hurdle? The infamous 'Great Firewall of China.' And perhaps "What goes on tour, stays on tour' might provide additional censorship.

@Denise led the charge to the USA for her 60th, and now she's taking us to China to mark her 70th. Makes you wonder what adventure she’s planning for her 80th — whatever it is, you can bet we’ll be there... with bells on!

Tripadealing to India and Sri Lanka - a quick one

 Ten years ago, as we climbed and crawled to the top of #The Great Wall, celebrating 60 years young, @Mac asked "Where do you want to be for your 70th?" 

I answered in a heart beat "At the #Taj Mahal."

Of course, 10 years later I had totally changed my mind (no surprise at all of course) and instead wanted to do all things #Japan.  And what a treat that was, but there are no barriers to continuing celebrations four months later. So we are off for a 15 day taster, courtesy of Tripadeal - travelling around the Golden Triangle and realising that dream of visiting the #Taj Mahal followed by a trek in the south west corner of Sri Lanka. We have not tried a Trip-a-deal adventure but have heard great things from the close circle of friends, so at this two for one price, why not try an adventure that probably includes about three hours tops at the #Taj Mahal. 😂😁😀

Treating this little sojourn as the "make up, follow up, gad about, because we can" trip.

Cherry blossoms, glaciers and mountains

An absolute treat to celebrate a significant birthday for @Jan - three score and ten racked up in early April. Also get the chance to double up for @Mac with celebrations at sea for his middle of May birthday.

Lots of adventures ahead - 19 days with #Inspiring Vacations for a "rail' based land tour chasing the cherry blossoms and then 24 days at sea perched right up front on the #Royal Princess as it explores the east coast of #Japan, before repositioning across the North Pacific to #Alaska. We get to enjoy all the fun of exploring the coastal stop of the #Inside Passage before docking in #Vancouver and reconnecting with @Mindy and @Ian for a fortnight back up the mountain in #Whistler. 

It was a challenge to string the two adventures together but @Mac was persistent and managed to weave the two  tours together. No idea what it will be like - we haven't ventured with either of these providers before - but what does it matter - it's not forever and every challenge makes for a great story.

Canuck Capers

This is the extended stay that we have been hoping for in Canada. We hope to be able to enjoy being part of the #Whistler community - get to know the local spaces and catch up on all the Whistler family connections that @Mindy and @Ian have made in their northern hemisphere home.

In theory we are going to be "house sitting" for some of the time. We have lined up the calendar so that we have extended shared time as a "Local" and then spend a month on the trans Canadian adventure. We want to get on that train and make our way across to the east coast getting a taste of Ontario, Quebec and Novia Scotia.

Check out our complete adventures here.

African Antics On Safari

 First there was an idea (thanks @Lloyd) ...

Then there was a plan (thanks @Jenny) ...

Then there was covid for too many years ...

Then there was a change of plan ...

Then there was a knee replacement ....

And so predictable, by now there were dwindling numbers in the original recruits ... so we definitely needed a newer "new plan" to bring all of this to fruition (thanks @Jude.)

SO HERE WE ARE AT LAST, June 2023 ... new plan, new group and absolutely thrilled to FINALLY  be heading out for a 26 day Safari as a result of @Jude's ever patient and supportive organisation heading up the team at Masihambe Afrika . 

The "newer" new plan has us heading to Johannesburg as our starting and finishing point and travelling through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.  It's a combination of road travel in 4WD vehicles with adventures in open air game vehicles, in boats and canoes and on foot. Accommodation ranges from lodges and homesteads to mobile tented camps (gulp) with all the complications of visas, currency, connectivity, water, electricity and even wildlife in African countries. And laughing already about the unique adventures that #Sheeweena will provide. Challenges are worth it though, to have the privilege of sharing in the beauty, charm and grandeur of the people, the landscape and the wildlife of this amazing continent.

Had a heads up from @Jude in recent correspondence, that everything moves in "African time" - very slowly - and that local people battle every day "on the ground" in Africa to prepare the way for our stay -  including elephants tearing up water lines - and that some of the camps are powered by lanterns and campfires. 

Oh well, just need to pull on our "big boy/girl pants" and pack a positive mindset and hold onto the thought that every challenge makes for a great adventure and of course an even greater story.

PS: As mentioned above, big shout out to @Lloyd Wilton for originally floating the group travel idea and then to @Jenny Fugle for the recommendation of @Jude Hartley and Masihambe Afrika. Hope we get to "virtually" share our adventures over the coming weeks with all those who have remained behind.

Team Africa 2023 - filter enhanced - wearing our big boy/girl pants