All Packed and Two Days till Leavin on a Jet Plane

**Setting Sail on a New Adventure with My Sidekick, Victoria!**

In a mere two days, my spirited 14-year-old daughter, Victoria, and I will embark on an adventure of a lifetime. While my passport boasts stamps from the US to the romantic alleys of Italy, France, and my all-time favorite, the UK, this journey is unparalleled. It's not just another trip; it's a six-month-long voyage with my daughter, exploring the world as we've never done before. Can you imagine? We won't be back until March 6th, and the anticipation is electric!

The weeks leading up to our departure have been a blend of nostalgia and surreal excitement. I've been incredibly fortunate to reconnect with old friends in the UK and make new ones, especially some wonderful souls from Google Plus. Their outpouring of support, sharing everything from train schedules to local hidden gems, has been heartwarming.

Our journey begins with a vibrant long weekend in London. While I've wandered its streets before, seeing it through Victoria's fresh eyes, on her first trip abroad, promises to be special. She's already made a list! Topping it are the majestic London Eye and the trendy Drop Dead London store. 

By Monday, we'll transition from the city's hustle to the tranquil embrace of Mid Wales. I've committed to house-sitting for Sian, a homeowner with a delightful ensemble of pets - two curious cats, a playful dog, and an endearing chicken (who, amusingly, is thick as thieves with the dog!). Adapting to the rustic charm of a home where fires warm the rooms and water, and embracing a wholesome, unprocessed culinary lifestyle are changes we're both eagerly looking forward to.

One of the things I'm particularly excited about? The serene writing opportunities this journey promises. Back in Ohio, my writing sessions were often punctuated by the buzz of daily life. But in the peaceful Welsh countryside, with only Howl, the dog, for company, I anticipate many uninterrupted hours of writing.

And there's more good news for fellow travel enthusiasts! I've been invited to chronicle our house sitting experiences for www.trustedhousesitters.com. Additionally, I'll be sharing our Welsh adventures on www.smittenbybritain.com. I promise to keep you all updated with our tales!

Until then, sending waves of joy, adventure, and warmth from our corner to yours!

Cheers,

Marianne

London Eye

This is Howl :-) Sian's dog

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Polperro - feels like a lost world

My friend Keb mentioned to me that I had not visited his favorite town of Polperro... I can see what he likes about it.  Polperro is a village and fishing harbour in southeast Cornwall.  I am including some pictures of it I took myself from Google street view.  Seems very "quaint" and pretty.  The Polperro Festival is the 3rd week in June - stop by and enjoy if you are in the area! :)

** April 18, 2012 UPDATE

One of our favorite places we've discovered is this quaint chocolate shop in Polperro (thanks Keb!)

It's name is The Chocolate Dream Company.  We'd messaged them on Facebook and yesterday finally heard back from them! Since then we have befriended them and I have personally spoken with Maz - the owner - on Facebook and am anxiously looking forward to meeting her on my trip to the UK!  This will definitely be one of my stops!  

Ok... Commence drooling......

Be sure to go to their facebook page and LIKE them!  and stop in and buy some chocolate if you are in the area!  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chocolate-Dream-Company/170328106329243

** Origional Blog ** 

Polperro's history is one of fishing and smuggling and now, tourism.  Here's what Wikipedia has to say about smuggling and Polperro:

Smuggling is understood to have prospered since Polperro developed as a port in the 12th century.^[9] It reached its zenith in the late 18th century when Britain's wars with America and France precipated the high taxation of many imported goods, making it worthwhile for the local fishermen to boost their income by the covert importation of spirits, tobacco and other goods from Guernsey. Much of the success of the smuggling trade through Polperro is ascribed to the influence of Zephaniah Job (1749–1822), a local merchant who became known as "The Smuggler's Banker". A more organised Coast Guard service was introduced in the 19th century along with stiff penalties, and led to much less smuggling. Part of the South West Coast Path was originally used by Revenue Officers as they patrolled the coast in search of smugglers. Whilst the Coast Path is maintained by the National Trust, the foreshore belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall.

I could see spending a weekend touring some of these shops, couldn't you?

This patio of this hotel looks so inviting!  A glass of wine and a good book while people watching would be so fun from here! 

Not sure what this house was but I was intrigued by it.

I liked the name of this shop :)

Wonders if the bakery is for sale or just the building? Maybe above it? You'd spend your entire time working hungry from all the amazing smells, I'm sure!

We all must stop and thank God for our blessings :)

If you happen to be there - send me a postcard!

I think the tram takes you down to the shore.

The town streets are so small they do not allow you to drive on them anymore (well not tourists at least).

Have you all seen an infatuation with me and ice cream lately?  Do we even have half of these flavors in the US?  Like Honeycombe?

Love ~ Peace ~ Happiness

Marianne

Technology Melts with Humanity

January 1st - don't we all look to it as a fresh start? A new beginning?  This year, especially, I am.  The past year was a difficult one.  I was fired.  Defeated.  Anyone who knows me knows I don't stay defeated long.  But six months of 2011 was defeat for me.  Recently, I decided that January 1st, 2012 would be a new start for me.  Where will it take me?  Across the world I hope!

Ok, those who read my blog regularly know me from either in real life or online.  Many know me from an online community called Second Life.  I used to be very addicted to SL (short for Second Life).  I love the fact that you can meet people all over the world in one place.  I have met tons of people - doctors, lawyers, architects, owners and managers of all kinds of different businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians, and even a few unemployed people.  I have met people from all over the globe in SL.  The US, Australia, almost every country in Europe, Indonesia, Thailand, and the list goes on and on.  I have met people of all walks of life.  Missionaries, educators, dominate people who can just say the word and people listen, to those who willing will follow people and those in the middle.  It all fascinates me.  I spend a lot of time alone and SL gives me the avenue to explore people.

Recently, I started looking at where I was going (hence this blog) and realized I hadn't gone far enough.  I hadn't met enough people in real life.  I hadn't seen enough or done enough.  I have this passion in me to be a world traveler and to take my daughter with me - teaching her how big the world truly is.  I honestly believe it's one of the best gifts a parent can do for their child.

One day, I was driving (one of my other favorite things to do) and it came to me.  It hit me like a brick (no - one was not smashed into my windshield - thank goodness!) but into my brain virtually.  It hit me like a ton of them - Technology Melts with Humanity.
Without people, computers serve no purpose.  Behind most computers, whether it be at home or an office, is a PERSON.  Unique.  Creative.  Boring.  Exciting  - you name it - but a HUMAN PERSON!  I decided my fate at that moment and time.  I was going on a quest to match technology with humanity.

Ok - I know you are reading this wondering  - huh? What?  She's a nut for sure.  I'll admit it - I am!  But realizing that life is short, I have to do this.  So starting today, I am reaching out to the world to know you.  Starting with my computer, will be traveling across Europe in search of people.  Yup - Google Maps on Street View will take me to places I cannot get to yet.  It will let me see interesting places and hopefully interesting people.  I will share my experiences with you.  Who knows who/what we will find?  Let's get started!

So, the plan?  To find these places and people on the computer and contact them via their website or facebook if I can find either for them.  Then this summer, I'm going to go meet these people in real life after getting to know them via the computer.  Hence -Technology Melts with Humanity.    I'm sure some people will have fun stories to tell me - others maybe sad.  We'll discover them together.

I'm asking for help.  Please put my blog address - itsthewriter.blogspot.com in your facebook page, twitter page, sl profile - anywhere where people will see it.  Let's get people following.  I have more plans to be revealed soon - please help me!

Thank you for reading, my friends, and together we will all have a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Peace ~ Love ~ Happiness

Marianne