Adventure place

We’re going on a Wombat Hunt

Adventure, Adventure place, Hiking /

I tend to hobby jump. Some stick around longer than benefit me – like watching Married at First Sight obsessively – and others lose consistency, much like I do on a diet. However, hiking has remained a love of mine for a number of years now. I’ve been able to enjoy it solo, with Meabh, and with friends.

In December 2024 I forced three of my friends, all of whom had never met each other and live in different states/countries, to spend two nights and three days hiking the Routeburn Trek in New Zealand. Never doubting my friend match-making abilities for a second, I was proven right when we all emerged from the 33km trek smelly but still smiling. A blossoming friendship group had formed. We vowed to do it every year. 

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Our Dutch Life

Adventure, Adventure place, motherhood, solo parenting, Travelling, Travelling with kids, women /

I had a definite sense of unease and trepidation boarding the Galway Citylink bus to Dublin Airport. Méabh and I had just farewelled close friends from home, leaving them to the remainder of their Ireland road trip, while we jet-set off to the Netherlands, and I’ll admit I had really missed having friends on this side of the world.

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Off-Duty For A Week

Adventure, Adventure place, Hiking, motherhood, solo parenting, Travelling, Travelling with kids /

I wasn’t going to include my solo getaway, but due to popular demand from my loyal readers, here it is – albeit brief. I left my tiny companion at 3am in Galway, in the hands of her loving grandparents and favourite aunty.  At times, i’ve fallen deep into many a habit hole whilst surfing the comments section of parenting facebook groups.  These tend to be spaces filled with deep devotion, and perspectives on leaving children that are worlds away from my own.  Many posts come from parents who couldn’t imagine being away from their child, even briefly.  I remind myself how lucky I am to have such great support, and without guilt, jump on that bus to Dublin.  I had a wedding to attend. 

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Chaos in the Calm — Yurt Life in Norway

Adventure, Adventure place, Hiking, Norway, Travelling, Travelling with kids /

Leaving Ireland felt like being cast as a member on Alone. The training wheels were off, and it was just the two of us.

I’m famously stubborn when it comes to luggage. Unless absolutely necessary, I refuse to pay for a checked-in bag. This character flaw (or strength?) is truly tested in Europe, where they’ve started charging for anything that doesn’t fit below the seat. Eventually, I caved (slightly) — four weeks in unpredictable weather couldn’t fit “under the seat in front of you.” I bought one 10kg bag that was allowed in the overhead compartment, selfishly squishing Méabh’s clothes into a small backpack. At this point, it’s become a game between the airline and me — just how far will she go to not pay the extras? At home, I always win, but on this flight, I was forced to buy a $5 protein ball for the hungry hippo sitting next to me.

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Week 1: From Sunshine to Sniffles — The Realities of Travel

Adventure, Adventure place, Ireland, Travelling, Travelling with kids /

Travel in my heyday — my youth, those yonder years — was unquestionably different. Disembarking the plane signalled the start of an adventure: no time wasted. After checking into a 20-bed dormitory in the heart of town; a pub, café, or attraction would be hit within minutes.

Today, I have to consider another human — and her plush toy, Chase — both still getting used to existing in this world. Hunger, exhaustion, and the small detail of not actually understanding we’ve travelled a million miles, all play a role in our next steps.

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