Updated on February 26th, 2025
Last week my demons came knocking.
It was emotional.
My partner, Larry has been suffering from excruciating sciatic (back) pain from long before we met and after trying everything, went in for surgery on Monday.
We were told categorically it was a routine operation but of course they must also talk you through all the risks. For anyone waiting for their loved ones to return from surgery is a testing time. We’ve seen it played out on our screens many times. The anxious hours of emotional handwringing before the joyous news is delivered that the operation went fantastically well and they should be coming round soon.
Except when they don’t.
Except when they don’t.
And that is exactly how I lost my husband, Terry during heart surgery almost 10 years ago. That is what set me on a whole new path in life, using travel to heal and reconnect with myself.
So, I approached the situation with trepidation. I was understandably more nervous than my logical brain felt I should be. But I also didn’t want my previous experience to impact how Larry was feeling, so I put on my best performance.
As he walked off down the corridor, being led away to his salvation, I had a big encouraging smile on my face.
And then I went back into the room and burst into huge, sobbing, ugly tears.
I was able to distract myself for the couple of hours they said the operation would take by doing mind-numbing work on my laptop. However, when hour three rolled around without news, the demons returned with vigour.
I paced the room. I stared at everyone walking past the window in the hope they were headed my way, and the agony would be over.
I cried.
A lot.
Finally, after almost four hours, the surgeon appeared and of course he was the bearer of good news. Fingers crossed, the surgery was a success, but Larry was taking some time to come around from the anaesthetic. He would be with me very soon.
And he was. Drowsy, worried about how his hair looked, but there. And I continued to cry very happy tears of relief for the rest of the evening.
It proved to me again that the demons never go away entirely. Time makes them sleep for a while, but losing a loved one is never something you “get over”. You move forward, you grow with it, it shapes you in ways you hope never to experience. But you never “get over it”.
So, just to finish this off before we move on to a little travel talk, Larry is doing very well. He is in a lot of discomfort, but we have every indication that he will, in time, be back to full pain-free health.
And then the travel plans will really kick in. London to Singapore by public transport anyone? Fingers crossed I can bring you more on that in the months to come. An adventure is beckoning!
But if you want more travel related content, then this week I have been taken back to Iceland. A friend has been posting all about her adventures and it has reminded me of my time, exactly three years ago in the magical “Land of Fire and Ice”.
I fell hard for Iceland at the time. Its mind-boggling landscapes, beautiful people and fascinating history blew my mind. Not to mention the bubbling earth and exploding volcanoes, freezing glaciers and majestic waterfalls, relaxing lagoons and unique equine beasts… I could go on for days!
bubbling earth
majestic waterfalls
unique equine beasts
So, if you have ever fancied hiking on a glacier or snorkelling between tectonic plates, visiting a beach strewn with icebergs, or watching in wonder as huge amounts of water cascade from the top of cliffs, or burst from the ground in regular succession, then Iceland offers you all of this and a hell of a lot more.
hiking on a glacier
snorkelling between tectonic plates
snorkelling between tectonic plates
,
beach strewn with icebergs
cascade from the top of cliffs
cascade from the top of cliffs
burst from the ground in regular succession
burst from the ground in regular succession
Not know where to start? I’ve done the hard work for you. If you have 6 days to spare, then CLICK HERE for the perfect itinerary. For just a long weekend in Reykjavik, don’t plan anything until you have read THIS.
CLICK HERE
THIS
So, [NAME], has anything here resonated with you? Talk of inner demons perhaps? Or maybe the beauty and wonder of Icelandic adventures? Please let me know by hitting reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
YouTube
Threads
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Here are a few articles that have caught my eye this week:
Top 3 travel trends for women, from solo adventures to self-discovery – Biz Community
Top 3 travel trends for women, from solo adventures to self-discovery
Top 3 travel trends for women, from solo adventures to self-discovery
– Biz Community
Find Sisterhood In Solo Female Travel – Forbes
Find Sisterhood In Solo Female Travel
Find Sisterhood In Solo Female Travel
– Forbes
Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?
Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?
Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
Sue x
PS Don’t forget to sign up HERE if you are interested in my “almost finished” course, Find Your Way – The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Travel Journey. It isn’t about solo travel. It isn’t about expensive, month-long adventures, it IS about instilling the confidence you need to take that first step on your own personal travel journey. However big or small, long or short, near or far. If you want to travel but have no idea where to start, then click HERE now and get your name on the list to be the first to know…and maybe pick up an offer or two as a result.
PS Don’t forget to sign up
HERE
HERE
if you are interested in my “almost finished” course,
Find Your Way – The Ultimate Guide to Starting Your Travel Journey
. It isn’t about solo travel. It isn’t about expensive, month-long adventures, it IS about instilling the confidence you need to take that first step on your own personal travel journey. However big or small, long or short, near or far. If you want to travel but have no idea where to start, then click
IS
HERE
HERE
now and get your name on the list to be the first to know…and maybe pick up an offer or two as a result.
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
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Blog – What is Iceland Famous For? 25 Reasons to Fall in Love with Iceland
Blog – What is Iceland Famous For? 25 Reasons to Fall in Love with Iceland
Blog – What is Iceland Famous For? 25 Reasons to Fall in Love with Iceland
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Blog – Your Ultimate Iceland 6 Day Itinerary
Blog – Your Ultimate Iceland 6 Day Itinerary
Blog – Your Ultimate Iceland 6 Day Itinerary
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🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
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🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
@media (max-width: 991px) {
.wp-block-gutenbee-column.block-19433f-3251-46 { flex-basis: 100%; }
}
@media (max-width: 575px) {
.wp-block-gutenbee-column.block-19433f-3251-46 { flex-basis: 100%; }
}
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
@media (max-width: 991px) {
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}
@media (max-width: 575px) {
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🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
.wp-block-gutenbee-column.block-19433f-3251-46 { flex-basis: 100%; }
@media (max-width: 991px) {
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}
@media (max-width: 575px) {
.wp-block-gutenbee-column.block-19433f-3251-46 { flex-basis: 100%; }
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🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
Booking.com
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
Get Your Guide
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
G Adventures
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
Safety Wing
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
Skyscanner
Jacks Flight Club
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
Bounce
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