Embracing autumn (TT column 29.09.13)

As an athlete I've always been a doer and not necessarily the most patient spectator. You might have noticed I enjoy dipping my toes in a little sailing, making the most of any spare Sunday to join the crew of a Plymouth based yacht. Having said that, for the majority of the race I might as well be a spectator as my role only lasts a minute or two per tack. This is quite the opposite to any sailor on board one of the Americas' Cup catamarans. Sailing still seems to receive too little media coverage (in my opinion) so I'm not sure whether you'll be aware of last weeks battle between the Kiwis and the Americans out in San Fransicso bay, but one thing is for certain this year most certainly made compelling viewing. It was apparently all down to our very own Sir Ben Ainslie's efforts that Team Oracle USA powered to the most incredible comeback in history. The challenge for Ainslie's future is now to secure a British team that can rival this years champions.

I've always been known to love the sun but there is still plenty to smile about as we enter the autumn. From my point of view this weekend has confirmed we are into the new season. The two affirmative factors being the change in sporting events and the return of some decent viewing to our small screens. Yes I know the rugby season has been up and running for a few weeks now, but I've just been to my first game since the summer. As for the other factor, I'm sure you have a strong idea as to what I'm referring to in particular. All I need to say is the sequin season has returned.

Embracing Autumn (TT column 29.09.13)

As an athlete I've always been a doer and not necessarily the most patient spectator. You might have noticed I enjoy dipping my toes in a little sailing, making the most of any spare Sunday to join the crew of a Plymouth based yacht. Having said that, for the majority of the race I might as well be a spectator as my role only lasts a minute or two per tack. This is quite the opposite to any sailor on board one of the Americas' Cup catamarans. Sailing still seems to receive too little media coverage (in my opinion) so I'm not sure whether you'll be aware of last weeks battle between the Kiwis and the Americans out in San Fransicso bay, but one thing is for certain this year most certainly made compelling viewing. It was apparently all down to our very own Sir Ben Ainslie's efforts that Team Oracle USA powered to the most incredible comeback in history. The challenge for Ainslie's future is now to secure a British team that can rival this years champions.

I've always been known to love the sun but there is still plenty to smile about as we enter the autumn. From my point of view this weekend has confirmed we are into the new season. The two affirmative factors being the change in sporting events and the return of some decent viewing to our small screens. Yes I know the rugby season has been up and running for a few weeks now, but I've just been to my first game since the summer. As for the other factor, I'm sure you have a strong idea as to what I'm referring to in particular. All I need to say is the sequin season has returned.

Tour (TT column 23.09.13)

It doesn't seem a whole year ago that we witnessed the Tour of Britain flying through Tavistock, it also doesn't seem a year ago that I knew nothing of cycling. Unfortunately the route didn't pass our doorstep directly this year but from the amazing crowds seen at the Haytor finish it proved the Devon supporters were still out in force. As you can imagine I was keen to watch at least part of the Tour, only I couldn't make it to Haytor so the next best thing was a trip over the bridge to Wales. There is something contradictory with driving to spectate a cycling event; I was keen to avoid this although realised that a 130 mile round trip on my bicycle after a month of no exercise was maybe a little too ambitious. I compromised and cycled from a town just accross the border. After a few hours in the pouring rain accompanied by various debates as to where we were I was starting to wonder what I was doing, I'm glad to say the sun came out on Caerphilly Mountain just as the Tour of Britain arrived. We got double the value for our money- or our effort - as the cyclists had to climb the mountain twice, once was enough for me though.

It wasn't just in Wales that I experienced some damp cycling. After a month away I wasn't going to let the rain dampen my spirits, although maybe I should have let it influence my route. I set off towards Widecombe in the fog and wet, this wasn't a problem until I got a little disorientated, lost all phone reception and then had a dreaded puncture. I had no choice but to attempt my first ever repair, unfortunately after an unsuccessful effort I had to be rescued and am yet again indebted to my father.

Back in Blighty (TT column 16.09.13)

It is time to return to reality. After a few days of being at home I must stop comparing everything back to my holiday; the fact that the temperature has halved and the cost of an hour long Thai massage is the same as a coffee back here, will soon be forgotten. Yes I have the holiday blues and it seems that I might not be alone as I've been told that the summer is now over. It's not all depressing though, I was delighted to leave the mosquitoes behind, apparently my blood tastes far too good, okay now I'm running out of other disadvantages.

As much as I found it difficult to return home there was plenty of sport to get excited about last weekend. At a local level I was involved in the Ecover Blue Mile being held in Plymouth; it was refreshing to see so many people taking part in the various water based activities and engaging in raising awareness of ocean conservation. It was primarily aimed at participation but with the presence of two London 2012 gold medallists all of the competitions soon heated up. I must admit my role was purely land based and probably a good thing as the refreshing waters of Plymouth sound might have come as a shock after the thirty plus degrees I've become accustomed to.
Staying with the Olympic theme there were more serious events happening over the weekend and we saw the crowning of two new British World Champions in triathlon and canoeing. The wave of sporting success we saw a year ago is showing no signs of ceasing.    

Taiwan is a fair distance east, meaning two flights are needed to reach the Southern city of Kaohsiung. A changeover in Hong Kong was suggested by the agency and this got me thinking, how about extending this from a few hours to a few days on my return trip. After studying the world map I decided to take this idea a little further, the route looked to brush over Thailand, one phone call later and I had a flight via Bangkok with a two and a half week stopover.

I hear summer continues at home, so i hope I won't make you too envious when I mention that I am currently on a stunning Thai Island in the Gulf. I am sitting just a stones throw from the beach as I write, and ironically the internet here on this relatively undeveloped island is far stronger than that of ours in Merrivale. This has got me thinking, what business could I set up and run from here; well it's always nice to dream.

Planning has not been high on my agenda, I arrived in Bangkok and let my adventures begin. The little bit of research I managed did warn me about the current rainy season, I think the authors of these articles have never lived on Dartmoor. In nearly two weeks I have witnessed a handful of short warm showers, although I do hope I haven't jinxed the remainder of my stay. Not only am i here in the 'off season' I have also missed the infamous full moon party this month. There is no need to feel sorry for me as it is blissfully quiet and more importantly ridiculously good value.

Island life (TT column 09.09.13)

It never ceases to amaze me how small this world can be, and when travelling this is often exaggerated. Not being a city girl, one day in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok was enough for me so I headed south west to the Gulf islands. My first stop was the most developed island of the three, Koh Samui. I arrived with no prior knowledge of this island, just a few recommendations I'd picked up on my long journey there. As I previously mentioned the internet is impressively efficient so I logged on to share my location with friends; only an hour after arriving I had discovered that someone's brother lived on this island and was keen to show me the sights. You can never beat a bit of inside local knowledge, we were soon off to the eye opening food markets, the clearest beaches and the hippest bars.

As much as I was craving a relaxed beach holiday I also need an amount of adventure so I headed on to discover another two islands. After plenty of time to relax - even though I seem to have the ability to switch off automatically - it was time to make the most of what this part of the world can offer. As you probably know by now I'm always looking for a new challenge so the sport of Muay Thai seemed an obvious choice. I've never attempted any martial arts - the closest comparison I have would be fencing - so it was a completely new concept and one that I thoroughly enjoyed despite the consequential bruises. The other activity I enrolled on is more commonly associated with holidaying on a Thai island. I headed to the sea for the far more relaxing 'sport' of scuba diving and enjoyed the underwater wonders the Gulf has to offer.

On my way home (TT column 02.09.13)

Taiwan is a fair distance east, meaning two flights are needed to reach the Southern city of Kaohsiung. A changeover in Hong Kong was suggested by the agency and this got me thinking, how about extending this from a few hours to a few days on my return trip. After studying the world map I decided to take this idea a little further, the route looked to brush over Thailand, one phone call later and I had a flight via Bangkok with a two and a half week stopover.

I hear summer continues at home, so i hope I won't make you too envious when I mention that I am currently on a stunning Thai Island in the Gulf. I am sitting just a stones throw from the beach as I write, and ironically the internet here on this relatively undeveloped island is far stronger than that of ours in Merrivale. This has got me thinking, what business could I set up and run from here; well it's always nice to dream.

Planning has not been high on my agenda, I arrived in Bangkok and let my adventures begin. The little bit of research I managed did warn me about the current rainy season, I think the authors of these articles have never lived on Dartmoor. In nearly two weeks I have witnessed a handful of short warm showers, although I do hope I haven't jinxed the remainder of my stay. Not only am i here in the 'off season' I have also missed the infamous full moon party this month. There is no need to feel sorry for me as it is blissfully quiet and more importantly ridiculously good value.