Beyond the Cities
Kiki didn't just get me cycling, she introduced me to the outdoors.
What started as longer walks gradually became hikes, and before long we were exploring places I might never have visited otherwise. National parks, forests, rugged coastlines, rolling hills and quiet countryside became our weekend destinations. England revealed a side of itself that I had never really known.
Like many people who grew up in Britain, I had spent years surrounded by its towns and cities. It wasn't until I began hiking that I truly appreciated how extraordinary its landscapes are. Looking back, I realised I had been living in one of the most beautiful countries in the world without taking the time to properly explore it.
Chasing New Trails
Once we'd covered countless trails across England, it felt only natural to venture further. Wales quickly became one of my favourite places to escape to, with its dramatic mountains, peaceful valleys and endless walking routes. Cornwall and the Cotswolds soon joined the list, each offering something completely different but equally memorable.
Every season had its own rhythm. Spring and summer meant hiking with Kiki, discovering somewhere new almost every weekend. Autumn was for cosy log cabins tucked away in forests, while winter often meant gathering with friends in London pubs for an afternoon of board games.
A Bigger World Awaits
Somewhere along the way, those weekends away sparked something bigger. Exploring Britain made me realise how much I enjoyed discovering new places, different cultures and unfamiliar landscapes.
Before long, my curiosity extended beyond the UK, and travel became the next chapter of my journey.
The World Gets Bigger
Throughout my career, I was fortunate to travel across Europe for work. Whenever possible, I'd arrive a little earlier or stay a little longer, taking the opportunity to explore each place beyond the meeting rooms and conference venues.
Those trips taught me that every city has its own rhythm, history and culture. Business may have been the reason I travelled, but curiosity was always the reason I stayed.
LOG ENTRY 07
New Horizons
Exploring Britain's landscapes sparked a love of travel that grew into discovering new countries, cultures and ways of seeing the world.
Discovering the Joy of Travel
It wasn't until I travelled further afield that something truly changed. Holidays to the United States and Brazil opened my eyes to just how much of the world there was still to experience. Each journey left me wanting to see somewhere new, meet different people and understand places beyond the headlines and guidebooks.
Travel gradually became less about ticking countries off a list and more about experiencing them. I found myself slowing down, staying longer and trying to experience everyday life rather than simply visiting the main attractions.
A Place That Keeps Calling Me Back
Of all the places I've visited, Thailand has become the one that keeps drawing me back.
What began as a single holiday soon turned into a two-month stay. The following year, I returned again—this time spending almost the entire winter there. Escaping the cold British winters became something of an annual tradition, but it was more than just the weather that kept bringing me back.
Thailand taught me the value of slowing down. It offered a different pace of life, incredible food, welcoming people and endless opportunities to explore. Rather than feeling like somewhere I was visiting, it gradually became somewhere that felt familiar.
