Wine on Waiheke 


On Waiheke Island you MUST drink 🍷 at one of the many vineyards.  Surpringly for such a smal island there is a lot of wineries. We caught the ferry over from Auckland so had a lovely day exploring and found ourselves settling in at Goldie Estate for a wine with a view. 
Goldies is one of the first vineyards on Waiheke and we learnt that when the original owners retired and their children didn’t want to take over they gave the vineyard to the University of Auckland for Wine Science. 

They had a lovely setting and cellar door set up with wines and cheeses. Such a relaxed atmosphere and we were able to try a few different wines before settling on our favourite. You can sit out on benches, cushions right next to the vines or take your wine and sit up on the hill over looking the picturesque Putiki Bay. 

Beautiful setting, amazing wine (especially the Rose) and the views. Just divine 👌

Welcome home -sort of 


This time last week I was here….  on the other side of the world, in the sun, seeing new things.

However today I’ve just had two days back in work, freezing my butt off in the cold and wistfully looking at holiday snaps trying to believe it’s not over.

I’ve put together 9 things I’ve noticed about coming back to reality and routine after a long and amazing trip.


Jet lag

Anyone whose been on long haul travel knows the joy of jet lag. Wide awake at 4am and then fading fast come 4pm. Your body and mind are lost in some weird time loop. You don’t know what day it is, how to function or even who you are. Trying to function at work is ok for about 2 hours max.

‘how was your trip’

EVERYONE will ask this regardless of if they care or are just being polite. The thing you need to remember is you probably have a minuet if not less to respond. Not everyone is going to want to know all the details. Pick one funny antidote and form a quickly reply. Save the indepth synopsis of your trip for your besties.

‘bet your glad to be back’

Like ‘how was your trip’ in the first couple of days you’ll hear this just as much. Don’t roll your eyes and slap them. Just smile and say yep. Then walk away, get your phone out to look at your holiday snaps and cry. Quietly you don’t people to think your weird.

Forgetting slightly what you actually do

Once you’ve made your cuppa, had a few chats with co workers (see points above) you finally sit down at your desk and stare at the screen racking your brain about what you actually do. Give it 10 min and then with a bolt it all suddenly comes back and you start questioning should you really have returned. Or you get onto to booking the next trip.

Looking out the window isn’t pretty

Usually while your trying to get back into the swing of things you’ll find yourself looking (note staring) out the window wondering when the world became so grey. Gone is the endless blue oceans, green green trees, glaring sunlight and the freedom of the big wide world.

Officewear

Yes you need to put a bra on. It’s usually ideal to slap on some make up and even run a comb through your hair. You don’t want to .. but your back in the professional world now and the flip flops, shorts, messy hair and bikini top just won’t cut it. It’s sad but true

You aren’t with your travelling companion

If you’ve travel with a friend/partner or family you would have most likely spent all day everyday with them. They were their for the amazing, the not so good and also the ugly. Having those first days back in reality without them is WEIRD. When you suddenly remember something funny they aren’t there by your side laughing and if even if you were looking forward to a bit of time on your own you just miss them.

Internet

In a positive note you have Internet all day everyday. You phone isn’t just a camera you can use it properly without having to search for free wifi or debate with yourself if the data roaming charges are worth it.

Cling film

Now I’m almost positive this doesn’t happen to everyone but.. sometime your work colleagues will like to remind you why you went away in the first place. My team wrapped my desk and everything in it in cling film. Yes the entire desk


Hopefully if you’ve been in this situation you can relate. It’s been a tough couple of days but it’s all worth it for the amazing time I had.

One of my favourite quotes is ‘don’t be sad it’s over but glad that it happened’ and over the last few days it’s become my post trip mantra. Well that and Dory’s ‘just keep swimming’

X

Australia Day 🇦🇺


Today is Australia Day (although technically due to time zones I’m a little late) anyhoo in the UK it’s still Australia Day.

I’ve had as an Australian Day as possible considering I’m on the other side of the world when the temperature only just slipped over 5 degrees. I’ve eaten timtams, twisties and rum balls, gone to Walkabout with fellow Aussies, watched Crowded House’s recent concert at the Opera House and listened to Hamish and Andy’s podcast on the way to and from work. I know so Australian 😂

I love Australia Day mainly because I’m fiercely proud of my country and where I am from.

It’s a day when I think of my home among the gum trees (clothes line out the back, verandah out the front but sadly no old rocking chair) on usually a cold and chilly UK day. I get jealous of the public holiday, the sun, the lamingtons, the BBQs, the fun everyone is having loving our beautiful country. However I know that Australia Day isn’t the same for all Australians. Especially our indigenous Australians its the date that represents when their land was taken and when they were invaded.

And for that I am sorry.

This is why I’m dreaming of days on beaches like this and with so much respect, understanding and hope that one day that all of Australia can celebrate our beautiful island home together on a day that causes no pain only pride for ALL in our nation.

Xx

Autumn goals at Newark Park 

Oh I do love autumn 🍁🍂🍃🌾

The other half and I went off in search of finding some pretty autumn colours. It really is such a gorgeous time of the year here. The initial destination was supposed to be Westonbirt Arboretum but it was to busy and we were to impatient to wait for an hour. So we got our trusty TripAdvisor to see what else was in the area and that’s when we found Newark Park.

What a fabulous place to visit. The house, the grounds, the view and the service by the staff that work or volunteer there.

Whilst it offers something different to Westonbirt if you want to see some beautiful autumn views then this is a great alternative that is less busy and far more charming. If you are in the Cotswold do make sure you out this on your list.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park

Awkward 2nd post 

So I’ve got the awkward first post out of the way and now onto the almost as awkward second post. I feel like it should be something profound but I doubt that will happen. Soz

What do I want to say, what should I say, do I do it about me or about what I want to achieve, use it as a precursor about what this blog will be about. So many questions… 
If I’ve not lost you yet then stay with me.

I’m a lover of travelling, adventures and general wandering around this amazing world of ours. I live on the other side of the world from where I was born and grew up. My parents took me on my first overseas trip at 10 years old and those itchy travel feet have followed me ever since. 

Fast forward and now I’m a 30 something female who works my day job in media. Not only do I love going new places and experiencing new things I also love (should read obsessed) taking photos. 

So this blog will be a combination of travel ideas, stories, pictures, where I’ve been/going to, tips, ideas and hopefully in time contributions from others who have been to places I’ve not yet got to. As most of my wandering has been with a lot of great girl friends (the fiancé isn’t so keen on travelling he prefers going to ‘our gate’) there will be a lot of posts focusing on girl trips.  

If I’ve sparked interest then do follow here or on Instagram (thewanderingdarlings) or sign up for email updates. 

Phew second post done

X

Let’s get started

They say to start with what you know. So for my first post I’m going to start with just that

  • I know that the world is huge and could take a lifetime to travel
  • Work and normal life gets in the way far to much…. buuuuuutt it funds our travels
  • During our adventures we will spend so much time in airports, bus stations, train stations, ferries, planes, cars, buses, trains but these add to the stories of our travels
  • You will meet so many different people from different cultures, different walks of life and probably someone who is from just down the road
  • You will do things outside your comfort zone
  • You can be anyone while you are away

and most importantly once you get the travel bug that’s it you have it for life!