Housesitting, Life at No.22, Musings, Travel

9 Years Blogging: From Travel to Life Stories

Suzanne

On January 3rd, 2016, I was sitting in a cozy kitchen while Les was upstairs in the office, both of us having scoffed down a pastry with a robust coffee after taking the dogs for a walk. In the warmth, we enjoyed watching the snowfall outside in a French village. We were amid a three-month housesitting gig, a unique experience that inspired me to start blogging. I wanted to share our adventures of full-time travel intertwined with the responsibilities, challenges and fun of housesitting.

Celebrating a January moment and a birthday at Le Touquet-Paris-Plage beach. The selfies, unlike my writing, never improved. Oh well, no such thing as perfection.

There was much angst about pushing that publishing button, a sign of my lack of confidence. This meant my posts never entirely made it out into the blogosphere until much later. My initial posts were basic; proper grammar and making them more reader-friendly was an art I had yet to master. However, I persevered, and most importantly, I found absolute pleasure in creating a post and interacting with fellow bloggers, some of whom were even family. However, most family and friends were silent visitors, seemingly content to read and stay in the background. It was a journey of learning and growth as I honed my skills and improved my posts over time.

Another January and another year older – France 2017
9 Year Anniversary Achievement

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!

You registered on WordPress.com 9 years ago.

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

Nine years on, I still feel passionate about writing, though it’s not about world travel or housesitting; it’s about life back here in New Zealand, sharing stories from past experiences and the here and now. Will I ever do those things again, like travel or housesitting? Time will tell. The urge to travel long distances has been kicked to the sideline as I support Les (the Squire) on one of the most arduous journeys we have ever encountered. As the days, weeks, and months go by, it’s becoming more real and frightening how this journey will be played out. As I mentioned in a previous post, it’s a train journey that none of us want to partake in.

Now, this is what we love about travelling – those random moments that make us think, laugh, and appreciate life.

A snippet from my About Me page sums things up rather nicely.

Tree of Life

Was 
born,
kept warm. 
Wore short skirts. 
Had a few romances 
I've learnt many lessons.
I'm still learning to dance. 
I learnt to get up and get dressed 
Then get out and be blessed. 
And try
to
be
a
success at what I love to do.

A recent sunset from Tauranga Harbour from Tauranga shores shows the view of Matakana Island, which is approximately 20 km long and barely 3 km wide. The island is inhabited and home to pine tree forests and kiwifruit.

Thanks again, everyone, for sharing the ride with me. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me and always will.

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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

48 thoughts on “9 Years Blogging: From Travel to Life Stories”

  1. Suzanne, it’s been such a pleasure to meet you and share in your achievements. This blogging thing is a funny old game because I grieved for you and Les as if you were family when you announced last year that no miracle cure was out there. And you’re right- I have friends who read but would never comment (though they do sometimes on Facebook). Darlin, I’ll be with you all the way on this journey, in the only way that I can be- here on the blog. And I’m sure that slice of chocolate cake was big enough to share, Les. Hugs to you both.

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    1. Jo, it has been an absolute pleasure to share our stories, though not the ones that include cancer. That’s life, I suppose, in all it’s glory, and we real bloggers don’t just highlight all the good sh*t. Thanks, Jo, as blogging is such a wonderful outlet, and hopefully, one day, I may even get to meet more bloggers along the way. Hugs back to you, too and thanks again for all your support.

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    1. Thanks very much, Anabel and I can’t remember how long it’s been though it’s been a few years. I’m pleased we have kept following each other too. Absolutely enjoy reading more about Glasgow and other Scottish treasures that you share.

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    1. You’re a treasure, thanks, Martha, and it is such a positive outlet for me to connect with other bloggers/writers who never cease to inspire me with their unique perspectives and unwavering passion for where they live or their interests. You included.

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    1. Thanks very much, Shazza. We’re a funny lot, us humans. We tend to take our country for granted when searching for exotic places. I am pleased to say we travelled throughout NZ before embarking on more worldwide adventures. We will never regret doing all of these things.

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  5. I don’t know how long I’ve followed you, but I have enjoyed sharing our journeys with each other. I, of course, was shocked and saddened to learn of Les’s illness and have been inspired with the grace and support you’ve shown each other since. You are lucky to have one another.

    Congrats on 9 years blogging. Hugs to you both.

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    1. Thanks very much, Janis. Some news I wish I hadn’t been part of our story. All part and parcel of loving someone and being there for them no matter what. We have been connected for a few years and I too have enjoyed following your writing journey. Hugs to you both, too.

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  8. This blogging community is incredible isn’t it – bringing friendship and support as we share the highs and lows of our travels and our journeys through life. Having the past posts to look back upon is also something to cherish. Hugs x

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    1. Yes, you’re right, Becky, our blogging community is incredible. How we weave in and out of each other’s life like we’ve known each other for a long time. A small world in many ways and there are a few of us that have connected in real life that makes it easy to be so. Past posts are a treasure. Thanks, Becky and hugs back to you x

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  9. Happy ninth blogging anniversary Suzanne. And for the year ahead I wish you both strength to cope, periods of peace and rest where anxious thoughts can be put to one side for a while and many moments of joy, found in each other, that will never be forgotten.

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  10. Reading your post has inspired me to be patient with the blogging process and also do it for my own enjoyment as much as for anyone else! All the best in the coming year and may it bring us all much health and happiness 🙂 Linda

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  11. Congratulations on your 9 years of blogging. I think I caught the tale of your housesitting days. I enjoyed reading about the places you landed. I’ve enjoyed learning about New Zealand just as much.

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  16. Congratulations on your nine years of blogging 🥂 I think we’re all learning on the job and evolving our blogs as our lives evolve too. I was originally attracted to follow you simply because we too live at number 22, albeit in London 😀 I’ve become invested in your lives and feel for you as you face this toughest of journeys together. Sending New Year greetings and hugs from the other side of the world 🤗

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    1. Thanks, Sarah and I do remember you telling me your house no. is also 22. That number has come up a few times in our lives and weirdly I found a 22 with a Maori tiki beside it in some small village by the UK seaside. Sending you the best wishes for a fun filled and healthy 2025. Keep doing what you two do, Sarah.

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    1. Thanks Frank, yes our lives are completely different now and it’s interesting looking back on how we found it so easy to slot into various countries to housesit and explore.

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  21. Congratulations, Suzanne. You are so inspiring. Your writing is brave and thoughtful, and your photos are gorgeous. Please give Les a big hug from me. He too is part of the blogging family. Come visit me one day. We can go and weed some grasslands, and find some bugs. Maybe eat cake too.

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    1. Thanks very much, Tracy. That is such a lovely comment which made me smile. I appreciate your offer to go exploring to find bugs (why doesn’t surprise me LOL) and do some weeding. Though you may need to bake a big cake, my appetite will need feeding 😉 You never know where I may go exploring and I will definitely let you know if it’s around your area.

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  22. Congratulations on nine years! That is quite an accomplishment. As a newbie blogger myself, I have found that perseverance is the hardest struggle in blogging. So, the fact that you were able to shows your strength of character! This was such an interesting read, and I’m so glad I came across your blog.

    I’m a fellow writer just trying to find her clan 🙂 Subscribed.

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