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

    1. Many thanks for your visit. I appreciate that videos give people a better idea of a place, but I’m usually too busy looking and enjoying to wield a camcorder myself. 🙂

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  2. Pingback: two bus rides from spain to portugal: meeting restlessjo in tavira « in search of a thousand cafés

  3. Nice reading about you

    Thanks for visiting my blog. Be in touch. Browse through the category sections, I feel you may find something of your interest.

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      1. Ah, that would be great! The best thing is to brainstorm everything that you love about the place (no room for averages in a two hundred word limit as you can imagine) and then prune it into paragraphs like a finely sculpted garden hedge…I’ve also been longing to visit Portugal for some time now so your post will no doubt feed that desire!

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  5. Pingback: The Super Sweet Blogger Award | Colline's Blog

    1. Many thanks, Jackie. One of the best things about the challenges is the introduction it gives you to other bloggers. I’ll find time to explore yours later. 🙂

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  10. Hi Jo … and hello from San Francisco, USA! I just discovered your blog, and permit me to say that it’s awesome!!! Love the sense of fun, love the sense of adventure and wanderlust, LOVE the pics! Thanks for sharing your interesting world with us here in the greater blogosphere!!! Cheers!

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      1. I see you have shown a clematis vine, do you collect seeds and grow more plants? I like to grow things from seeds, I now have some clematis seedling growing. 🙂 Germination will take 3-5 months but it is easy.

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      2. My husband is the gardener (he designs too). I mostly just admire and do a bit of tidying here and there. No, he doesn’t, but I’m not sure why as he does take cuttings of many plants. I’ll ask. 🙂

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  13. Pingback: Argan Oil Giveaway – Who’s the Winner? | the travelbunny

  14. Hi Jo
    Nice to meet you. What a great blog you have here. Did a quick bit of a wander through – all the info on Portugal sure interests me. We nearly went a couple of years ago but ended up in Spain instead (Costa del Sol – beautiful).
    Thanks for the ‘like’ and the follow of my blog. What a treat to have you along for the journey. Hope you enjoy our ramblings.
    Cheers
    Alison

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    1. You were on Gallivance Awards page and I just had time for a quick peak as I’m with family in Krakow right now. Will communicate more when I’m home. Thanks for your lovely words. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Letizia! I needed a nudge because I already have a nomination for this, so there should be a post coming up soon. Here’s another weekend almost gone! Hope you had a nice one. 🙂

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  16. Hi Jo, i would like to thank you for always leaving me heartfelt encouragements. your restlessness has evoked heart memories and stories that have been good reads. thank you for visiting always — April

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  17. Hi jo wanted to stop by and stay hi and thanks for following over on our blog. We’ve travelled around a lot of Europe but sorry to say and have yet to make it to Portugal. But there’s still time for a few more adventures!

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    1. Absolutely! Thanks for returning the visit. These days I shuttle mostly between UK, Algarve and Poland (Dad’s Polish) but I’d still love to return to Croatia some day. I was in Dubrovnik (of course!) and Cavtat many years ago. Wonderful memories.

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  18. Hi Johanna, congrats for your blog! If you ever will come to Italy for one of your travels let me know – in my blog bulloanitalianblog.com I wrote about Italy best venues 😉 I will be happy to give advices to another passionate travel blogger

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    1. Hi Martina! Thanks for your visit. I holidayed in Italy several years running when our son was young (he loves pasta!) and would love to return some day. I’ll have a look at your blog.

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