A little while ago the lovely Ting from My Travel Monkey tagged me in eight travel photos of happiness. It’s a great meme that gives me the chance to share a small collection of the many happy moments from our adventures.
It was hard work choosing just eight photos that bring me joy every time I look at them, but here’s what I came up with. They’re not the best quality shots, but they mean a lot to me.
Contents - jump to what you'd like to know
West Wittering, West Sussex
This photo was taken just down the coast from where we live in Hampshire. The Witterings are beautiful sandy beaches which are packed full of sun seekers during the summer. We visited West Wittering beach on a dull Saturday in July 2014 so there were few other people. However, the water was warm on our toes and we must have walked a mile or so down the shoreline. In the picture are Tin Box Tot, myself, a friend’s daughter and Tin Box Dog who is just about to chase her ball. It oozes seaside fun.
Ardeche, France
You won’t catch me sharing many photos of me in a bikini after having two kids so there’s no prizes for guessing this picture was taken quite a few years ago. We were on a month-long road trip around Western Europe and had stopped for a few days in Ardeche in France. This snap was taken during a canoe expedition down part of the river. It was great fun, even if Mr TB did despair at my lack of coordination and ability to steer.
Hartland Quay, North Devon
Cafe del Mar, Ibiza
A part from when I was 17 I’ve never had much of an urge to visit Ibiza. However, it came up in a last minute search when we were looking for a cheap getaway after Mr TB had finished a six month deployment with the Royal Navy in 2011. Our main goal was for a quiet villa break – we had no plans to dance the night away but we were tempted into San Antonio on one evening. Our first destination was Cafe del Mar where we had a few gin and tonics and watched the sun set. Both the view and the atmosphere were unlike anything I’ve experienced before. If you are going to do anything when you visit Ibiza, this is a must.
Mansands, South Devon
This picture was taken on our first beach day of this summer. We had been in South Devon for nearly a week but the bad weather had meant we didn’t go to the beach until the end of our visit. We found this quiet cove just down the road from Brixham where we had the sand all to ourselves. We spent all morning making sand castles, exploring caves and building dams in the freshwater stream that ran onto the beach. It may have been our only beach day of the week but it was perfect.
Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich
Flying to Glasgow
This is another moment from this year. Last month in fact. Tin Box Baby and I went to visit a friend in Scotland for a few days and flew from Southampton to Glasgow. It was TBB’s first flight and even though we were going to be in the air for barely an hour I was still worried about how she’d take it. It turns out that my little traveller is just as happy in the air as on the ground. It was a massive relief and I was so proud of her.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
After getting married in 2008 we set off on a three-part honeymoon. It was a tour arranged through Virgin Holidays stopping in Las Vegas, Cancun and New York. When we booked it we were more interested in the Mexican and Big Apple stages but I was pleasantly surprised by our experience in and around Sin City. Yep, Vegas is plastic fantastic, but what a spectacle. We also got up ridiculously early one morning to do a sunrise helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. I’ll never forget drinking champagne beside the Colorado River and being dazzled by the sheer scale of this natural wonder.
So there is a small selection of my travel photos of happiness. I’d like to tag Five Adventurers, Wyld Family Travel, Around the World with a Highchair and Four Around the World if you’d like to take part.
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Katy F
Friday 13th of November 2015
Photos are just brilliant aren't they? They can bring back memories and take you right there again! You have been so many places, you are so adventurous I love it! Thanks for sharing in #HappyDaysLinky x
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Tuesday 10th of November 2015
Ha! There were a few moments when I was sure we'd left my stomach behind. I'm not great with heights and our pilot seemed intend on scaring us but I would do it again in a heartbeat :)
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Tuesday 10th of November 2015
Thanks Franca. Definitely make sure you do the helicopter tour - it is money well spent. If only I could squeeze into that bikini now :) X
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Tuesday 10th of November 2015
I love little surprises like that - they really make a trip and are the things you remember most in years to come x
Claire Hall - Tin Box Traveller
Tuesday 10th of November 2015
Aww, thank you. I hope it was all good :) X