Another Busy Day!

Ah, I wish I was back out there. Kuang Si waterfalls nr Luang Prabang.

So it's been over a month since I returned home for Emmy's christening. Since then, we've had Christmas, Boxing Day a.k.a Nanna's birthday, New Year and play days with Emmy. But somehow, I feel down.

I've heard of the post travel blues before but I thought it was just a think people experienced when they realised they had to settle down or get a steady job. I'm off for at least a year in September but as I was telling my mum the other night, 'it's great to see all the family, but everyone seems to be doing their own thing and I'm not.'

OK, so I'm currently job hunting but I just want to pack up my stuff again, sling the bag over my back and go. I suppose I'll just have to be patient.

So, in my writing arena I have had a busy day today. Aside from plotting my new book set in London - I'm heading up to The Smoke next week for a walkabout in their footsteps - I have applied to be a writer with GoAbroad - a travel company who provide articles, listicles (a list based article) and general travel advice to new and upcoming travellers as well as old hats.

I've submitted my application and hope it comes to something.

I'm also starting up a new YouTube channel to showcase some of my work so I'll post details once it is ready.

Still waiting to hear back from the BBC but it shouldn't be too long now!

Lots going on at the moment and loving it.

Best wishes.

A New Year, New Projects (Oh yeah, I'm home)

 New Year, but still an idiot (however, Karate Kid is a classic).

Happy New Year all!

So I'm home from travelling now and have been so for the last few weeks. What an incredible six months of my life. China, Vietnam (my favourite), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore were simply unforgettable and I can't wait to get going on my Australian adventure in September.

Since then, I've had my niece's christening, Christmas, Boxing Day a.k.a Nanna's birthday, play days with my niece and New Year. What a way to come back into this freezing place.

Until I go to Australia though, I'm home, with little money, trying to find temp work and working on new book ideas. And I've come up with an absolute cracker to begin the New Year - which is carrying on the festivities from Christmas (because we had crackers then too).

Whilst I've been away, I completed work on one novel - second draft - and finished all six episodes of my sitcom. In addition, I'm waiting for feedback from the BBC regarding a drama I sent to one of their writers' rooms so I'm on edge everytime an email or phone call comes through.

This new book is set in London and is focusing on the lives of Henry and Flora. But that's all I can reveal because I don't want to spoil it. I'll update accordingly as I go.

I've done all the storyline plotting, all the character mapping, had my friend, @jadicusxo (you can find this fashionista on Instagram or Twitter) helping me with the outfits they are going to wear - thanks Jadicus - and now I just need to take a day trip to London to walk in their footsteps and lose myself in their world and surroundings.

I'll update shortly.

Taking some time out

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't posted since April but I've been busy organising my travels around Asia. 

Now I'm on the edge of something amazing, heading off to Beijing to begin my huge trip on Wednesday, but I'd really love for you to stay up to date with me on my travels so check out my latest blog, A Leaf Out Of My Book: Abroad to see how I'm getting on.

As always, thanks for your support and I look forward to you leaving me a message on my new blog.

Best wishes.



Check out my travelling blog - www.aloombabroad.blogspot.co.uk

Getting Ready to Wander the Globe!

So today is the big step towards backpacking.

I went to the Chinese Embassy. They've taken my passport for the next fortnight (I hope) and I wait patiently to see if they'll permit me a visa. I know people say, 'You'll be fine, no worries,' and I nod my head contently, pretending they know what they're talking about when they have never applied for one, but these things can still go wrong. Today alone, I have seen two separate applicants coming away from a visa agent, almost in tears.

Anyhow, I'm optimistic and the countdown until I leave for Beijing is well and truly on!

One thing that did get me through was Alice Peterson's Ten Years On novel. Definitely worth a read!

Tomorrow, I'm off to Ashford to have needles stuck in my arm for all kinds of vaccinations against South East Asian diseases. Lucky I'm not squeamish!

With regards to my writing, I am finishing off episode four of the sitcom I mentioned in the previous post with my co-writer tomorrow. Perhaps a sample may surface in the proceeding days, perhaps not. If it doesn't, I'll add a short story.

Thanks as always for dropping by and best wishes x