About

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Hi!  I’m Jo!  Johanna when I’m feeling posh, I was always Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family.  A bit of a mix-up, I guess.  The one definite, however, is my restless nature.  I can’t be still for too long, unless of course it’s sunny and I’ve got a good book.  I love to travel and to explore our world.  It doesn’t have to be the big wide world- I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m out there, just embracing life. I’m a North East of England lass, who loved our coastline and moorlands.  A wonderful place for walking.

The climate?  Well, that wasn’t so great, but I was lucky.  In November 2018 we made the dream come true.  We sold our UK home and moved to our place in the sun, in the unspoilt, Eastern Algarve.  We’ve owned our house in Tavira since 2004, so it wasn’t exactly an impetuous move, but it hasn’t been without its challenges.  I haven’t lost my restless nature, but we’re close to the Spanish border, so travel is on my doorstep.  I continue to drag my poor husband a-wandering, though he’s a home body really. (classic case of mismatching!)  

And the rocks below.

Coastal walking near Whitby in north east England 

Then there’s the Polish saga.  The family make me welcome whenever I can get there, and boy, do they know how to party!  You can follow the story on My Personal A-Z of Poland page.

Of course I still have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying both to share my experiences and make new friends with the same passion for travel. Simonseeks hit some troubles, but the writing bug never left me.  I’d become addicted to writing about my travels. So, the blog was born!  The blogging community are so supportive and encouraging.  I’ve made many new friends.  Come and be restless with me!  Why not?   

I’m also quite happy to write material for others.  I’ve travelled fairly extensively, so if you can use my services at all please contact me at johanna.bradley@outlook.com.

441 comments

  2. Pingback: genuine blogger award :-) « a nomad in the land of nizwa

    1. Thanks Sam! I’m currently trying to keep pace with 6WS, the Jubilee, French Open tennis and catching up with my blog reading, not very successfully! Will come and visit soon.

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  5. Dear Joanna, when I read you now you almost made me excited… 🙂 I love travel too… Last summer we were at Wiltshire, Devizes… I love your country… People, culture, landscapes, and language, I love all of them… You can find my UK travel in my other blog (it is written on the right side of my blog)…. And yes, I am excited to make a travel in your blog, through your photographs and posts… Thank you dear Joanna, for visiting my blog. Have a nice and enjoyable day, Blessing and Happiness, love, nia

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    1. Nia you’re very kind and it’s always lovely to find someone with the same enthusiasms. Don’t worry about my name- I’m called everything from Jo to Janice and it really doesn’t matter at all. It’s just very nice that you like what you’ve seen and I’ll certainly be looking at your UK blog. Bye for now!

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    1. Hi Currie Rose! Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you. It’s not too long since I accepted this award so I probably won’t do another post but I’ll certainly pop over and read all about you and your other nominees. Many thanks.

      The weather is dreary here but I’m rising above it and focussing on a lovely piece I’m writing on the Italian Lakes. Bye for now- take care!

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  8. Love your about page. Will peruse your blog more thoroughly. Arrived here fromhttp://funandfabulousness.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/everyone-could-use-one/
    and so glad I did! Looking forward to more! And we are planning a fall trip to Paris, so I may be knocking on your blog door for advice!

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  11. Hi Jo

    I look forward to following your travels and blogs.

    I would like to invite you to join us at http://www.homeexchange50plus.com if swapping homes for a vacation is of interest to you.

    We are still a ‘young’ website and in need of lots more members so please tell your friends about us with our thanks.

    If it is of interest we can send you an article about Home Exchange to include in your website as some of your readers may find this a great way to travel and perhaps we can exchange links as I am sure our members would enjoy reading your blog.

    Regards

    Brian Luckhurst

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  15. Wow, you have a fair few accolades here, and I like the fact that travelling, in your opinion, doesn’t have to cost the earth. This is a destination I’ll definitely be revisiting…

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  16. Oh now there is something to add to my list this year, again…traveling abroad! Enjoy your weekend…you header photo is just inspiring…for making those travel plans! Thanks!

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  18. Hi , Johanna!
    I just came here to thank you for liking my facebook page and several minutes later I’m still here reading, haha. But I’ve forced to stop after the post on Wolsingham railway (sorely tempted to start again on that post about the Templar castle in Portugal). Reading your posts felt like being on a pleasant walk with you, so thanks. Oh, I subscribed right back, too. 🙂

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  19. Hello Jo, you sound just like me, husband traits included.

    I will go from point A to B in a second as long as finances permit it. Hubby on the other hand, has to be dragged along; but he always enjoys himself when we get there, wherever that may be.

    Lately I’ve taken to exploring my surroundings and writing about what I discover, it is amazing how much you can do without spending much; it is so satifying. This week, we will be going on a road trip and already have my camera and laptop ready to go.

    Your pictures are gorgeous, enjoyed reading your blog, be following you too.

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    1. Hi Marcia! Many thanks for following- I’ll try not to disappoint. Agree with you about the local stuff- it doesn’t have to cost. Durham is only petrol money (or I could use my bus pass) away, and it’s the most beautiful city. Also we belong to walking groups, both here and in Portugal, and that gets us out and about.

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  20. Thanks for your kind words Jo and nice to meet another poolie on wordpress. I enjoy taking photos and although there is probably a good storyline to accompany them I find it difficult to put it into words…or am I just lazy. You have a flair for a travel blog and I will come back often to check on your updates.

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