About

IMG_0564

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

  3. Thanks for visiting my blog, Jo. I am glad you did, so I have a chance coming here. You have a wonderful blog here. I am looking forward to reading more. Thanks again.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your kind words, Helen. I meant to say so in response to your comments about my identity but I zapped the button before I thought. A common occurence 🙂 🙂 Many thanks for your company.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi Wilbur! 🙂 I’ve been dodging this one ever since I got back from the Algarve 🙂 I’m not much into black and white, but I have seen some interesting results of the challenge. I succumbed the other day and am already holding a nomination I’ve agreed to, so when I’ve taken a deep breath and plunged in, I’ll include a link to yours.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Doesn’t matter where you put it, Pauline 🙂 I saw your post arrive earlier this morning but Mick is decorating at the moment and I felt guilty sitting at my laptop so off I went to be ‘helpful’ 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. Helping is always appreciated, even if it is just keeping the cups of tea coming along, and saying how good the job looks, lots of positive encouragement is always a good help…

        Like

  8. Hi Jo. I can via Sherri Matthews, taken with Monday walks. I’m an avid walker and have to follow tis blog to join in. I think I have the idea; post a link to a walk post on your Monday Walks tab. Hopefully we can enjoy lots of ideas where to get a grand day out walking.

    Like

    Reply

  11. Hi jo

    I loved browsing through your blog space. Very interesting post. Thank you for stopping by my photographic journey at my blog.

    Namaste
    Roshan

    Like

    Reply

  17. Margaret-Rose has baked you some marvel of a cake 😀 I have remembered even without her delicious post for you. Enjoy your day, girl, and have a safe trip home the day after tomorrow! Many happy returns 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. I haven’t had time to visit M-R yet, Paula- my comments are through the roof! Trying to get a thank you out in the form of a 6WS this morning but I spotted your comment and was hoping you were fit and well again. I will pop by later. I had a wonderful holiday despite dropping my phone overboard on the ferry and coming home with sore throat 🙂 (there’s always something, isn’t there?) Still smiling! Take care 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  18. What a lot of comments!! Happy Birthday Jo, and hope you are soaking up the sunshine and celebrating to the full. Every good wish for a fulfilling year ahead! 🙂

    Like

    Reply
  19. Pingback: Today’s birthday ! | "AND THEN LIKE MY DREAMS"

  20. Jo, since I always wonder what they see or hope to see when people follow my blog, here’s why I follow yours: First, I love the idea of taking pictures while on walks (and I do it rather often); it seems to connect the flâneur to photography which I think is a classic. And then you show us a part of my favourite travel destination – Great Britain – which I do not know (or only kind of know from David Peace’s dreary) and now learn is worth a visit. Cheers, Tobias

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks for that, Tobias 🙂 I don’t follow too many blogs back because I struggle to keep up with those I already have. I admire anyone who can take good photos. I’m in the point and shoot category and like to tell a story or two. Very happy to have you on board and I will visit yours as often as I can. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.