In my 20’s I went backpacking around Australia and into Thailand.

20 years ago I’d say my generation was probably the last who wasn’t entirely connected on social media.

I had a phone but it was pay as you go and I never had money to charge it. So to communicate with friends and family we’d go into internet cafes and write emails.

They were busy thriving places where travellers would post adverts if they wanted to sell a car or grab a lift somewhere.

We actually bought a car an old banged up cortina. No insurance, no road tax didn’t even think about it! Ha

When I stayed in Sydney for a while my mum even wrote me a letter something she’d never done.

I still have that letter I know she missed me dreadfully.

I have this side of my character that can be quite spontaneous and at times reckless.

Fortunately as I’ve got older I’m less so but it’s always bubbling under the surface.

In Australia I did get myself into some compromising situations.

Once there was an advert.

Wanted. Someone who can catch fish, gut fish and cook fish.

I’d never caught anything in my life and I burnt pasta but I thought why not?

The guy was nice fortunately and would take my friend and I out on his boat but still it could have been different.

My memories of Oz grow hazy with time. I still have life long friends I made there.

The experience taught me so much, but most importantly that I’m stronger than I think.

Times sitting in a small cockroach infested room in Thailand totally disconnected from everyone who knew me thinking What the Feck.

I know that despite at times feeling like the world is conspiring against me I will always get through it.

Thank you for reading x