Ann Mershon Book cover
Posted in Istanbul Turkey

Interview with Author Ann Marie Mershon on “You must only to love them: Lessons Learned in Turkey”

Author Ann Marie Aershon Guest Blog Today we’re welcoming Guest Blogger Ann Marie Mershon, author of “You must only to love…

Victoria Train Station
Posted in London UK

Full Circle and New Beginnings

  Coming Home to London After the quiet and calm of our little hill in Gumusluk, it’s been quite a jolt…

Daily Sabah - Expat Corner
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

Article in the Daily Sabah about my Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guides

Brilliant to be featured in Leyla Ergil’s roundup of Travel Guides about Turkey written by Expats in the Daily Sabah, an English language newspaper in Turkey.

Tilki and Sari at home in their neighbourhood
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

House and Dog Sitting in Gumusluk

Although we’re registered on with a couple of house sitting sites, we still manage to pick up local assignments through word of mouth. Here’s our pet sit news for Tilki and Sari in Gumusluk.

Poem A quiet place to write in Gumusluk Roving Jay
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

A quiet place to write in Gumusluk

Here’s a recent poem “A quiet place to write in Gumusluk” about the special spot I escape to gaze at the view and get creative with words.

Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom Lisa Morrow
Posted in Istanbul Turkey

Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom: Adrift in Istanbul

Read about Lisa Morrow’s new book “Waiting for the Tulips to Bloom: Adrift in Istanbul” and find out how your purchase can help Syrian refugees.

Tom Hardy Fury Road Mad Max
Posted in California Los Angeles US

Josh Reviews Obscure Gems & the Worst Movies of 2015

You’ve been waiting for this moment and here it is – Josh “The Movie Squabblers” Obscure Gems and and Bottom 5 movies of 2015.

Laurel and Hardy Carpenters
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

Laurel and Hardy are Out of the Frame

Find out what happened when we invited Laurel and Hardy to fit our bathroom door jam and door. Nothing’s ever simple in Turkey!

Haiku Logo in black and white
Posted in Online

Winter Chill Haiku

I’m getting warmed up for NaHaiWriMo in February, and am using January to home my Haiku writing skills. Here’s my Winter Chill Haiku.

Wet Windshield Calm After the Storm
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

The Calm after the Storm in Bodrum

Little did we anticipate that the rain on our windscreen signalled the arrival of the armageddon-like weather that descended upon the Bodrum Peninsula as we slept soundly in our beds.

Starbucks Yalikavak Marina Bodrum Turkey
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

Going Cold Turkey on Starbucks

We were Going to go Cold Turkey on Starbucks, but then discovered a Starbuck at Yalikavak Marina, Bodrum. Americano anyone?

Bag of Black Olives in Bodrum Turkey
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

Salt Curing our first crop of Black Olives in Bodrum

We picked the black olives from our Bodrum olive tree and then followed a “oil cured” olive recipe that called for lots of salt. And not oil.

Our Luggage in our car Bodrum Airport
Posted in Bodrum Peninsula Turkey

The final leg of the journey to Bodrum

A deserted International Terminal at Bodrum greeted us, and our cases had one last road-trip before making it up the last leg of our garden path.

Elite Hotel Istanbul Bedroom
Posted in California Istanbul Los Angeles Turkey US

Excess Luggage at LAX to Luxury in Istanbul

Leaving LAX with excess baggage, and arriving in the lap of luxury at the Elite World Business Hotel in Istanbul for our first night of our new life in Turkey.

Moving Out of LA to Turkey
Posted in California Los Angeles US

Packing up and leaving Los Angeles

After 17 years living the LA dream, we sold, gave away and donated our belongings to start a new life in Turkey. Our life was whittled down to 11 pieces of luggage and two sleep deprived travelers.

Map showing location of Changsha China
Posted in Nomad

Expat Guest Blogger: 5 things I wish I’d known before teaching English abroad

Kit lived in Changsha for 18 months, a small city by Chinese standards. 7 million people crammed at the feet of the Heng shan (Southern Mountain) range; Mount Yeulu (Foot Mountain) forms the Northern most point of the chain and enjoys some phenomenal view over the bustling city below. Here’s his guest blog post about 5 things he wish he knew before going to China to teach English.

Nomad Poem getting rid of clutter Roving Jay
Posted in California Los Angeles Nomad US

A poetic take on clutter and stuff

“Why do we hoard, and leave clutter untouched, When all that we need just isn’t that much.” The decluttering process inspired a poem about getting rid of your stuff, and starting a new journey. Includes a Pinnable image.

Soho London flat One Fine Stay
Posted in London UK

One Fine Stay Review: At home in Soho

A review of my One Fine Stay in Soho London. It’s like an up-market airbnb service, and they’re only in a few select cities around the world.

LAPD Police Background Check for House Sitting
Posted in Nomad US

US Background Checks for House Sitting

Find out how to request a Police or FBI background check if your home owner is requesting an additional level of security before they engage you as a house sitter.

Spicy Pineapple Salsa by Roving Jay
Posted in California Los Angeles Mar Vista US

Spicy Pineapple Salsa with Pul Biber

Here’s my tried and tested SIMPLE recipe for Spicy Pineapple Salsa with Pul Biber. It’s a creative way to incorporate this hot Turkish spice into a fresh and fruity salsa.

Postcards from the World
Posted in Online

Expats Guide to Coffee and Tea Blog Carnival

Finding Travel Bloggers One of the most popular pages on my website is my 100+ Travel Blogs accepting Guest Posts….

Half Moon Bay 4th of July Parade
Posted in California Half Moon Bay Northern California US

Half Moon Bay 4th of July Parade Photo Album

Photo Album of the 2015 Half Moon Bay 4th of July Parade. See the cast of characters parading down Main Street for the annual parade to celebrate the Independence from us Brits! I kept my accent firmly under wraps!

Map of Quarry Park Half Moon Bay Hiking and Walking Trails
Posted in California Half Moon Bay US

Killing time before the Half Moon Bay 4th of July Parade

Killing Time before & after Half Moon Bay 4th of July Parade I went Horse Riding, ate at Main Street Diner and walked the dogs in El Granada’s Quarry Park. Head to Vista Point for a panoramic view of Pillar Point Harbour and Mavaricks Beach.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Half Moon Bay California
Posted in California Half Moon Bay US

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at Moss Beach

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is just north of Half Moon Bay. It’s famous for it’s tide pools and Seal Cove Beach. The best time to visit is low tide.