Do you like Giving your money to Banks?

Have you saved up your hard-earned pennies to go travelling?  Put money aside, gone without a few luxuries to make sure you have a nice bit of savings in your bank.  You trust it will last the whole trip and you’ve counted out and guestimated a rough daily budget that you’ll need for the time you are abroad?

Then you may be annoyed to see that your bank is devouring bits of your budget in hidden fees and unfavourable exchange rates.

The Dreaded Exchange Rate

Have you ever checked the exchange rate online, and then look at your bank statement in surprise to see that your calculations were way off?

It is the same if you exchange cash. The currency exchange office will often charge you a fee and depending on the location give you a rate that can vary greatly from what you saw online.

Now, I do understand that there is a buy and sell rate. However, no matter how you twist it, someone is pocketing the difference, and it’s not you or me!

I would prefer my hard-earned cash to be mine for as long as possible – and to take me as far as it can when I am travelling.

Opening a local Bank Account Abroad

Whether you are a digital nomad, expat, flexpat or long-term traveller to compensate for these costs you may want to open a bank account abroad.

Now, this isn’t as easy as it sounds.  I’ve been in England now for 2 months and I still don’t have all the required documentation I need to open an account.  As I’ve been house-sitting and living with friends so I don’t have proof of a permanent address.  Without proof of address, I simply can’t open an account.

One day, as I struggled to pay for a train ticket online – I had a mini-meltdown.  Ok, ok, will be honest it was a HUGE meltdown.

I was unable to pay with my Australian credit card, and the website wouldn’t accept PayPal.  I couldn’t pay in person as I had no money in my credit account either at the time.

While I was frustrated, annoyed and reasonably pissed off – I went searching for a solution. Surely in this day and digital age, there has got to be a solution.

I scoured the internet for advice, researching prepaid cards and then stumbled upon ‘Revolut’.

Revolut, a Financial Revolution

I signed up, and they sent a card to me within a few days.  The card is linked to my Australian Bank account, from where I can transfer money back and forth. I do this via my mobile, you do need to be able to download the app on your phone.

You can have different accounts in different currencies depending on where you are travelling to. So, I have an Australian $ account and one in £ British pounds.  I upload money to my $AUD account and then exchange it over to £GBP.

The exchange rate is a huge improvement over what my bank or currency exchange shop offers. Last week I exchanged money at the post office and at the same time via revolut. On $100 there was a £7 difference, this equals a cup of coffee with a brownie, and a day passes on the bus. There are a lot of things I would rather spend my £7 on.

The costs of Revolut

There is a standard account available for free. However, since I am travelling and using it a lot, I’ve found it more viable to get a premium account. This costs £6.99 per month, and there is a small % cost for transferring money into the account.

However, I am still saving a significant amount if I compare it to the unfavourable currency exchange rates, and international and ATM fees that my Australian bank charges me.

I can use the card for online purchases and withdraw cash at an ATM.  Thus avoiding the international transaction fees that I would otherwise also incur from my bank (ever get the idea my bank is ripping me off?  I do).  If you have an Australian bank account you will pay an international transaction charge on an overseas purchase.

The only downside thus far, is that it really is linked to your phone. So when I broke my phone I initially had issues accessing the app. To compensate for this I suggest if you do get a card, download the app on your iPad or any device you can so that you can still access it easily. I now have it on my iPad, so the problem is solved.

To me, it’s made a world of difference. I’ve been doing freelance work, and I can send a link which helps clients pay straight into my Revolut account. I can pay for my groceries, get cash out and know that I am not paying excessive rates to access my own money.

Perhaps this is one of the main reasons I haven’t made too much of an effort to open a bank account here. Why should I pay extra costs for a service I don’t need when I have everything covered?  Especially as my Revolut account and card are a more viable, affordable and money-saving solution.

Get Wise, with Wise Transfers

I’d also recommend Wise transfers, the ideal solution when I needed a local bank account number so that I could accept a foreign payment. As I’d left Australia, the government finally agreed to payout my pension fund but only into an Australian bank account, and my own accounts were long closed and it’s almost impossible to open a new account from abroad.  I set up a wise account and used that as an account for them to pay into, as they also do currency conversion, I could then transfer the AUD into GBP and transfer it into my actual account.

There are always a lot of hoops to jump through when moving and living abroad when it comes to international transactions, how and where you can open a bank account and what you need to do so. While we all understand there are some people who do it to launder money, most of us flexpats/ or digital nomads just want to be able to earn money, get paid and access it in whatever currency we need at the time with the minimum amount of costs.

With a bit of pre-planning and thought we can, and there are some great companies and services that can help like Revolut, and Wise.

Wise Transfers sign up Link.

If you are interested, you can sign up or find out more here www.Revolut.com*

With a wave of a magic wand, I take you back in time

Imagine you wake up in your quaint Cotswold cottage, the year is 1773. You make your way into the main room, squeezing past the immense dobby loom. This state of the art weavers loom takes up most of the cottage’s space with its 4x3x4 meter frame. You yawn, stretch and make your way over the gruel that’s left for you. Your partner and the kids have already gone to work in the Fulling Mill nearby.

It’s the start of the new era. The invention of the flying shuttle now means you can man your loom alone; no help needed. This increases the work that you can do in a day. You taste the future and the world seems full possibilities.

You eat finish your gruel, get dressed and start work. You push the lever down with your foot, pull the release for the shuttle and beat down the threads.

Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat…

On and on. After an hour, you stretch your muscles, they ache, it’s always the same, always in the same spots. But what can you do, the fabric has to be made. You know firsthand, having learned the hard way – that you need to keep a rhythm, so the cloth remains even. You need to keep a steady tandem going for the rest of the day. That will be for another 13 hours. You start to sing your favourite rhyme; it’ll keep you going and give you a steady beat to work by. It’s only 13 more hours, just like it was yesterday and just like it will be tomorrow:

Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat. Push, pull and beat…

With a wave of a wand, I take you back to the present.

Are you tired yet? I felt tired when I saw the looms and heard how many hours the weavers once worked. They worked on looms so big that it left no room in the cottage for furniture. Which, considering people worked 14 hour days, there was little to no time for lounging anyway.

I learned all about the history and process of weaving on a recent tour of two Mills in Nailsworth. Located in the once prosperous Cotswolds valleys of the United Kingdom. The last tour, of Ebley Mill, covered the local history and the building itself. While, the tours of Gigg and Dunkirk Mill go more into the art of weaving and making cloth, as well as its evolution over time.

Learning to Weave at Gigg Mill

I am not new to weaving, as I have done workshops in the past. Yet, nothing that could have prepared me for the size of the Looms at Gigg Mill. Our tour guide taught us about the process and terminology before letting us try out hand on the smaller loom. He then demonstrated how the flying shuttle works on the larger loom. John Kay invented the shuttle back in 1973, pretty high tech for the time.

There is also a machine loom on site, which once again sped up the process of weaving, as you can see in the photos the were mills full of them. We saw it in briefly in action, what a heavy, noisy affair.

A Quick stop for Photographs at Egypt Mill

While Egypt Mill isn’t part of the tour. It is a stunning refurbishment of an old Water Mill into a bar, restaurant, and hotel. While in all honesty the food and coffee were below par – it is still worth stopping at for a few photos.

I recommend walking from Gigg Mill to Dunkirk, you not only get to pass Egypt Mill on the way. But the path itself is a picturesque footpath/bike lane and part of the famous Cotswold way. It weaves through the trees and alongside the river that would have once powered the Mills.

Finishing off the Cloth at Dunkirk Mill

In recent years, Durnkirk Mill has been transformed into stunning apartments. A caveat for getting planning permission was to keep on of the old water wheels functioning as it once did. And to allow the Stroudwater Textile Trust to run a small museum in the building.

It in this museum we get to learn about the last steps in the process for making cloth. We learned about Fulling; that bangs and squashes the cloth. This binds the fiber together, creating a thicker, felt like cloth. There are two machines, the guide turned one on for a few seconds. Which was a complete assault on the senses.

It is so loud and violent that it leaves my teeth clattering, and their vibrations echoing through my skull. I have no idea how anyone could be anywhere in the vicinity, let alone work there day and night. I am not surprised to hear that those that worked in the mill were deaf.

But, the next machine was still a finer invention than the one before, which had you stomping in a barrel. Similar to making wine. Only instead of grapes, they added ammonia and fullers earth. Which doesn’t sound too bad until you hear at the time the natural ammonia would have been urine. So, not sure if I would rather be stomping in urine or deaf… Not great choices.

Thankfully, there were newer improved inventions that followed.

A Power of a Water Mill in Action

It was an incredible thrill to see the large water mill turned on (see video below). Its exceptional bulk takes up much of the space. Luckily it is well protected to stop anyone falling in. Its power vibrates through the entire room. You can’t help but wonder what it would have been like with four of these wheels turning and all the machines in action.

At present the mill powers two machines; a modernised version of the fulling machine. The second raises the cloth by stroking the fabric with a teasel brush. Teasels are part of a plant that looks like a burr-weed. These were put into the brush by a special teasel setter.

The photo here is of the last teasel setter, who has since passed away. I always find it sad that complete knowledge of a craft can die with someone. An age-old specialism that will no longer be passed on down and through generations.

The fluff from the teasels was cleared off the brush by children. A sure sign that they worried somewhat less about health, safety or child labor back in the day.

The shearing the cloth

One of the last treatments in creating such a fine cloth was the shaving off any excess fibres. A tough job and a dangerous skill. Should you get it wrong you’d not only ruin the cloth but also lose a body part.

Later, they evolved this action into a rotating machine you see in the photo here. Which coincidently lead to the invention of the lawnmower. Obviously, the cloth wasn’t the only thing that needed to be kept in good order.

Last sentiments on the woven fabric of our Textile History

It was a huge thrill to see the Mills in action and to learn so much about the whole weaving and cloth making process.

There is a part of me that is sad about losing the craftsmanship and knowledge of the industry as machines take over and production moved overseas.

There are only a few working mills left here in the United Kingdom. One of them is nearby, making high-quality cloth for professional billiard tables.

While nostalgic for the loss of an era. I question the work and physical effort, and side effects of working in the mill. I don’t believe I could with those machines going night and day.

I prefer weaving as a hobby, same as knitting, something I do in small quantities for the pleasure and joy of it. I am sure those who were weaving for 14 hours a day, or working in the factory would have had that luxury.

Still, the textile industry made a difference to the economy. Whether it was for ships sails, with which to go off and discover faraway shores. Blankets, uniforms to the very clothes that have kept us humans warm for centuries.

For me, it will always be a magical process. The weaving together of thread to create a piece of cloth. A cloth that can then be cut, sewn and fitted into endless possibilities.

It brings to mind the mythology of the Moirai (The 3 fates), who spun together each person’s destiny at the moment of birth.

With this magic, perhaps we can weave together a future, where we keep the craftsmanship. While finding new ways to make fabric, in a more sustainable and harmonious way. Thankfully, trends like the slow fashion movement are attempting just that.

The tours put on by organisations such as the Stroudwater Textile trust help to share the knowledge, passion, and history with us. So that these stories are remembered, acknowledged and passed on.

A big warm-hearted thank you to our guide, who worked in the industry all his life, and who was incredibly knowledgeable. Thank you to the Stroudwater Textile Trust for organising these tours at such affordable prices. For opening and sharing the stories and heritage of these Mills with us.

If you’d like to do a tour yourself, check out their website for times and availability.

The Shuttle

The Flying Shuttle

Shearing the Cloth

Woven Cloth

Raising the Cloth

Our weaving

Pre and post finishing

The factory

The old Machines

Fulling Hammer

Dunkirk Mill

Teasel Brush

Teasel Setter

Shuttles

Cloth in Action

Egypt Mill

Woven fabric Pillow

Dobby Loom

Egypt Mill Terrace

Dunkirk Mill

Wool

For those wishing to learn more about the stories of the Mill, I’ve just found a book and tv series about life of the children in the Cotton Mills further north in the UK. Fascinating read, and TV series which was based on a few of the stories that came out of the archives:

Pilgrims are poets who create by taking journeys. Niebuhr

There are famous pilgrimages recommended by religious groups or there is the pilgrimage that one does for oneself.

It doesn’t have to be on foot or by any particular mode of transport. It is nothing more than the journey of getting to the desired destination, in any way or form.

For me, that desired destination was the Stone Circles in Avebury, Wiltshire. I’ve travelled through the Netherlands, France and the rest of the UK, with buses, trains, and ferries to reach it.

I left Australia with the wild urge to sit in Stone Circles and visit the sacred sites of Europe. Walk the paths of my ancestors and distant kin, touching the earth of those that went before me.

So, why would anyone want to visit Avebury, a place that is often seen as the poor cousin of the ever famous Stonehedge? While in reality, it is not less, but so much more.

Why visit the Stone Circles in Avebury?

This sacred Neolithic site is the largest set of Stone Circles out of the thousands in the United Kingdom, and in the world.

It is also much older than other sites. The sites dating though is sketchy and I’ve heard everything from 2600BC to 4500BC. While this is still up for discussion as some researchers say that it is even older others say that it’s younger.

None of us was there, so who knows…

Despite the fact that it is a major World Heritage site, it is not shut off to the public. This means that you can walk around the stones, touch, sit next to them. You can visit the site at your own pace and in your own way.

Avebury is accessible by public transport, buses stop in the middle of the village. Visiting Avebury and walking among the stones is totally free. Considering that Stonehenge costs £19.50, and you can’t even go near the stones, this is a bonus.

Visiting Avebury is a full day out. As well as the stone circles on the site, there is also the avenue of stones that you can follow. These take you down to the West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill. There is also a museum and manor on the site that is run by the National Heritage Trust.

Avebury itself is also worth visiting for the energies alone. It’s situated in the centre of St. Michael’s Ley Line. These are energy lines that run over and through the earth, St Michael’s is one of the most well known as it is host to many sacred sites. This leads me on to a few things you may not know about the site:

What you may not know about Avebury:

As with many sacred sites, I recommend you get an alternative guide or do your own research before going. Mainstream guides or archaeologists rarely ask big questions. Nor are they up-to-date on the latest research.

Luckily, there are many who have done their own research. In one experiment, researchers planted electrodes at Avebury. In doing so they tested the earth’s telluric energy field at various times of the day. It showed that the ditch around the site harness’s the earth’s ground current and sends it back to the entrance of the site.

Other tests at stone circles show that energies spiral towards the centre of the site. The stones act as resonators and hold the energy during most of the night before releasing it at sunrise.

The late John Burke once tested the magnetism of the site. Tests showed that every large stone on the outer circle is magnetically facing north. And that its magnetic orientation leads on and connects it to the next stone in the circle.

As a stone’s magnetic energy occurs naturally while the stone is being made, aeons ago. It’s incredible that people so far back could not only be aware of this magnetic field but could measure it. Using those measurements to bring the stones together in such a precise alignment – this can’t be a fluke.

Avebury and Stonehenge are both situated on St. Michael’s ley lines. Both of them have avenues and both were used for ceremonies at certain times of the year. Many of Englands Crop Circles also appear between the two sacred sites.

Avebury from Yesterday to Today:

Avebury has had an interesting past. As many of the sacred sites we can only guess at its real use, and who built it and why.

There are all sorts of theories of how the stones were transported and then leveraged into place.

There are those believe that sound could have lifted and moved the stones. Others believe that it would a system of pulleys, some people believe it may have been giants. In all honesty, we may never know.

During medieval and religious times fanatics removed the stones. As the church believed that the stones had been a place of heathen worship and put there by the devil.

The site later went through a period of restoration. The stones put back together, and some in different spots. They added other stone markers for stones that were missing. While it’s not exactly how it was – it still as impressive today as it would have been in the past.

Has all this interference affected the power of this sacred site?

The Energies at Avebury of the Stone Circle

While there have been tests on the energy and the acoustics. How tangible is that for everyday people like you and me?

Now I can’t speak for you 🙂 For me, the energy at Avebury was both tangible and phenomenal. I could feel it the moment I arrived, it was so thick I could have sliced it with a knife.

I wandered about and touched all the stones. While I didn’t feel that one stone that was stronger than another one. I did notice that when I sat in the centre or was in-between the stones, I could feel a resonance of their energy working together.

All in all, it was an incredible experience – although it floored me for the rest of the day (May also be the 3 hours on a bus there and 2 hours back). It was well worth the four-month pilgrimage across land and sea. To finally come to the heart of hearts of European Sacred sites and Stone circles.

In all honesty, I can’t wait to go back.

What to know before you go:

The main reason I’d like to go back is to not only experience the energies all over again. But to also to have more time to explore the area. It’s a bigger site than I anticipated. So, I didn’t have enough time to go down the avenue and to visit Silbury Hill and the West Kennet Long Barrow. Which I would have like to have done.

Remember to bring a packed lunch. Or make sure you are on-time to eat at the village pub, which stops serving food during the day. There was a pop-up café near the National Trust Entrance, but that smelt a bit funny, so bring food or be on time.

As with most sacred sites, taking your time and be mindful. For me, this means no mindless chatter. Nor yelling at others to try to prove that you are more spiritual than them. Yes, this was what one lovely lady happened to be doing.

Take some quiet time, centre yourself, and be open to the energies that are there. Sit somewhere quiet and ponder, meditate or just be. Stew in that and see how it feels.

Each sacred site can set alight a spark in us if we allow it to – it’s a site that people have done ceremonies and that special stones have been put in place to bring together the strongest of energies. What we chose to do, feel or not feel is of course up to us.

We do ourselves and others visiting the site a favour, if we can visit them in a way that is respectful, full of reverence and good intentions.

For me, the pilgrimage goes, on. I heard the other day there are over 1000 stone circles in the United Kingdom, so I am sure Avebury isn’t the last on my list. To me, life itself is a pilgrimage. And sacred sites like Avebury make the journey that we are on, all the more magic.

Resources for visiting Avebury

Manon Tromp:  Offers tours of Avebury and Stonehenge, may also have night passes at certain times of the year if you would like to join a ceremony
Invisible Temple, Freddy de Silva – Freddy does tours and has published a few great books on sacred sites and temples.
Stone Circles website – lists all many of the main stone circles in the British Isles
Earth Ancients Interview with Hugh Newman that covers the Stone Circles and more research in greater detail.
Megalithomania – annual UK event that focuses on Megalithic structures, great speakers. Hugh Newman who runs the event and site has also authored great books on the subject.
Sacred sites website
National Trust Website
Steve Marshall has a great book called exploring Avebury, here is also one of his talks from the Megalithomania Event.
More information on West Kennet Long Barrow

p.s. Disclaimer: I don’t use wikipedia, I believe their word usages, biased point of view and censorship of certain content supports a wholly mainstream agenda – which I don’t agree with. Plenty of much better information out there!

Whether you are visiting England from abroad or on a weekend getaway. Ledbury in Herefordshire has a little something for everyone.

Ledbury, is more than an old market town with a colourful history, photogenic streets, and Tudor buildings. It has heart.

You can visit many of the historic buildings for free, and find them manned by volunteers who are both passionate and knowledgeable. They’ll be happy to guide you around and answer questions.

It also home to Church Lane, one of the most photogenic streets in the UK, that you can visit in real life rather than on Instagram.

If you also look very carefully you may even see the little fairy doors. There is a fairy door map and trail in the shops around town. Here is a page and map to help you out.

 

The village is also well-known for its Poetry festival that held each year in June and July. That brings in poets from all over the country and world.

Recommended spots to see and visit in Ledbury:

Market house

This old Market house takes the center stage on the town’s main street. It’s unique in that the stilts are exceptionally high. Completed in 1658 and built in Tudor style. The original use was for storing crops, after that, it was the town hall. Today it still plays the role of meeting house and hosts a small Saturday market.

Butchers house

Was built in 1581 and was originally located on the main street. Yet, they moved it to make the street wider in 1979.

It now houses a museum rather the Butchers shop. In the museum, you’ll find a Shoe bath, which I had never seen or heard of before. It was for inhabitants in Ledbury that didn’t have a bath at home. Men would carry this bath from house to house, so the inhabitants could bathe.

Address: Church Lane, Free Admission Open daily, including Sundays from 1st April to 31st October from 11am to 5pm. Outside of these dates, please make an appointment via Ledbury Civic Society.

Old Grammar School

Across from the Butchers house, you’ll find the Old Grammar school. Interesting for kids to have an insight into schools of the past.

I liked the wattle and daub, display. An insight of the inside of a Tudor style building wall.  

Church Lane, Free Admission

The Painted Room

 The wall paintings go back to the 1560’s, at the time they were a cheap alternative to tapestries.

The paintings were colourful and included religious inspirations (threats) of the day. The volunteers can tell you the whole story and explain the context.

 Church Lane, Free Admission

The Masters House

This refurbished historic house is now home to the local library. Be sure to check the website before you go, as there are free tours available every so often. They also host talks from historians, writers, and poets. Adam Horovitz was the poet in residence Ledbury in 2015, and he wrote a few great poems about the building. They can be found here.

 

St Katherine’s, Bye Street, Free Admission

Hellens Manor

While this isn’t in Ledbury, it is close enough to warrant a visit. Now, I am not the ‘let’s do a tour’, type of traveler. As the Manor is still in use today, the only way to visit the manor is with a tour.

Which is well worth it. There is so much history here that you would never get the full story on a simple plaque.

The guide lives on the property and has an in-depth knowledge of the history of the house, as well as being an incredible storyteller.

My two favorite stories were that of the ghosts. The first being Hetty, who ran away with the stable boy who she’d fallen in love with. When he died she returned to the house. Due to the family’s shame, they kept her room locked in her room for the next 30 years. Here she etched “It is a part of virtue to abstain from what we love if it should prove our bane”, into the window with her diamond ring.

The second death took place in ‘Bloody Mary’s’ room. Here a priest was running g to

escape from soldiers but instead, he ran straight into the second group and was brutally murdered. If you look carefully, you’ll find the marks of the attack on the wall and floor.

People who have stayed in the room have claimed to see his ghost, running back and forth in a panic.

The building itself is also fascinating, in how it carries the living history of its past and present owners over the different time periods. It was one of the best tours I’ve been on, and the highlight of my time in Ledbury.

Address: Much Marcle, Herdforshire
Website http://www.hellensmanor.com/
Admission costs: £9

Recommended places to Eat:

The Malthouse cafe and Gallery, Church Lane:  Home cooked quality food.
Ice Bytes, 38 the Homend:  Ice cream parlor

Recommended Places to Sleep:

The Feathers Hotel, 25 High Street
The Talbot Hotel, 14 New Street
The Bullshed,  While it’s not in Ledbury, it is nearby. Its boutique style and comfort is worth experiencing if you are escaping the city for a few days and looking to treat yourself.

Church Lane

Bloody Mary’s Room, Hellens Manor

Bloody Marys room

Bloody Marys Room

Hellens Manor

Hellens Manor

Ledbury

Ledbury Clock Tower

The Butchers House, Ledbury

Ledbury Countryside

Hetty’s Room

Cathedral of Cloth, Ebley Mill Walking Tour

Do you ever have those moments, when you see an antiquated building, and have a curiosity to peek inside?

I do. I love old buildings. I love the architecture that has weathered time, and societal fluxes. As much I as I love the outside, I am always curious about what they look like inside too.  So, I jumped at the chance to do a free tour of the Ebley Mill in Stroud.

Richly woven tales by our guide brought the old mill to life. In our imagination, we strode through its various incarnations. Imagined ourselves surrounded by the clamorous sounds of the mill in action. The same sounds that would have echoed through the valley, followed by the wafting scent of wet wool.

We got to hear the stories of its heyday and slow demise.

The origins of Ebley Mill:

The exact dates aren’t too sure.  However, there are mentions of two mills being near this site as early as the 1300’s.

One mill was for milling corn, and the other for fulling the wool. Which was a  process of beating the wool down so that the fibres would further entwine. Resulting in a sturdier and weatherproof fibre.

The Mills brought prosperity to the owners and being a clothier at the time was good business.  While the business boomed and ebbed the company grew.  When the original owners sold it off, it was perfect timing for the following owner.

As the French civil war broke out, the army’s need for uniforms made from quality English wool was in demand.

How the war lead to a boom in the Wool trade

Half the wealth of England rides on the back of the sheep

An Old English saying, that serves to remind us of the prestigious history of wool. Romans also wrote home about the high quality of the wool when they arrived at the British Isles.

The wool was as much for survival in a cold and rainy climate, as it was for fashion. There is nothing as sustainable, warm & weatherproof.

Which is why the fabric is popular for military uniforms, leading to a boon in orders. The profits of which financed the first building of the Mill that we see here today.

While a later war paid for the extension of a second building, which was originally 7 stories high. An epic explosion in the boiler room blew 5 of those floors. It was rebuilt and then damaged by fire damaged before it was rebuilt once more.

Peace and the changes in the Textile industry

As peace reigned, without uniforms to make, orders declined. The Mill had an equal measure of tough times in it’s past.

By the 1960’s it was struggling, and the introduction of synthetic fibres didn’t help. The mill innovated with the times, creating new products by blending fibres with the wool. Yet, in the end, it couldn’t compete with other manufacturing costs and processes.

Sadly, by the late 1980s, it went bust and Ebley Mill’s grandiose buildings left to ruin.

A New life for the Mill and Local council

In the 1990s the building’s were bought and refurbished. It now houses the Stroud local council and its local departments.

Restored, it stands to watch over this Cotswold valley as majestically as it’s always done. A nod to its heyday, Ebley Mill was a state of the art building, the first Mill in the area of that style and size. Although, many other mills soon followed suit.

A walking tour of the Mill through time:

The tour put on by the Stroudwater Textile Trust, gives us the opportunity to see the behind the scenes. We got a wander through the building and see the touches of the mills past. A past etched into the beams and walls.

It’s as though the Mill reaches out and tells us its story, of all the architects and owners past and present.

While the mill no longer processes wool. The richness of the stories, history and its beautiful buildings remain.

A reminder of the past that lives on and is spun into the days and lives of the council and local residents today.

A Thank you for the walk down memory lane:

I’d like to finish with a heartfelt thank you to our guide, and her memorable stories. To the Stroudwater Textile Trust for organizing and promoting the tours. To Stroud City Council for preserving the old mill, and allowing us to wander about and learn it’s rich history.

The exhibition ‘Cathedral of Cloth, that was also on site, there is also a book available on the subject.

There are likely to be other tours in the future. If you are visiting or living in Stroud, keep an eye on the website of the Stroudwater Textile Trust for dates. It’s well worth a visit.

Resources:
Stroudwater Textile Trust
Stoud city Council
British History

What impact does Brexit have on your move to the UK?

After many years abroad, I’ve finally decided to move back to the United Kingdom where I lived many moons ago.

The first question on anyone and everyone’s lips is ‘But what about Brexit?’.

While I know that Brexit is a hot topic, and widely entertaining.  To give you a small taste, just last week the local paper was voicing its concern about the ‘sperm’. It seems that the Nordic countries have been the largest distributors, and now the English men are going to have to step up.  I kid you not, here is the article:

Yes, it’s funny, silly, and serious and has most Brits with their knickers in a twist… Brexit is providing mainstream media with an endless amount of juicy material. Yet, they like the masses that are read the papers, are pretty clueless as to what is going on.

Why would they be clear on it, even the politicians don’t seem to know or agree on the facts. Right now, they are preparing for a worst-case scenario, what happens if there is no trade deal, they’ve termed it the ‘No Deal’ Scenario – this could change again next week…  Stay tuned people.

To simplify the governments’ terminology: The no deal scenario doesn’t mean they are not working on a deal. So there might still be a deal. Just in case though, they’ve spent hours in creating a no deal worst case scenario.  – although they don’t think that by creating it, they are likely to perhaps maybe need it.

I think by the time they have come to a verdict (let’s be honest, 2 years on and they’re still talking rather than doing). Personally, by then I’ll be living elsewhere.

So can or can’t I, you, we move to the UK?

Right now, this answer is the same as it was before Brexit was the spark of an idea.  It depends on where you are from; many of the same rules apply as they did before Brexit.

As an EU citizen, I have the right – at this time – to live and work in the United Kingdom.  If they do go ahead with the Brexit, they won’t throw me out.

The pre-exit date is March 2019, if you arrive before this date, you have right to pre-settlement.  If you arrive after this date, as an EU citizen you’ll need to register yourself.  The date of Britain’s exit from European Union is December 2020, after which different rules may apply depending on our situation, which isn’t fully clear yet – may depend on the deal, no deal scenario.

I was right to think that now is the perfect time for me to come back and spend some time in the UK. If you move here pre-exit – then you’re as good as gold as they say in Australia.

At this point, I think there are more people jumping up and down, because people love drama, to complain and jump up and down. The reality is that other than the sperm, there isn’t much to jump up and down about.

The ideas of stockpiling food, have years worth of medicine on hand and having to create your own sperm are a wee bit exaggerated.

Of course,  I would like to take the opportunity to point out for the first time in recent history the Brits have finally focused on something other than the weather. And the weather has been brilliant, the best summer on recorded history. So maybe less worrying, more enjoying

For more information (can’t guarantee clarity):

For anyone looking for up-to-date information, please check the government website on the subject.

Or this pretty clear blog by the home office, or if you’d prefer the EU’s take on what you can and can’t do, then you can find that over on their website here.

For those that are already living and working in the UK, you can apply for pre-settlement status, which you can find more information on here.

For those of you looking for the facts the media won’t share with you, and the stats they don’t print. Perhaps you’re looking for a bit of giggle, here is a great article on Global Citizen. As they rightly point out, even the Queen is actually German. Maybe she can be the first to go?

If you are not an EU citizen, different rules will apply, the same rules as before the Brexit scenario. Visa and Immigration information can be found here.

If you are moving abroad and not sure where to start, download my free checklist here, making your move that little bit easier.

Big thanks for Photo. By Robert Tudor on Unsplash

Would you travel for Free?

You’ve heard the expression there is ‘no such thing as a Free Lunch’.  Do you believe that to be true? or do believe it must come at a cost?

What if I told you, you could travel for free? Well not “travel” per se, but you could at a minimum have free accommodation.

Which may even include a free lunch, breakfast, and dinner too…

Is it be good to be true?

Free food and accommodation are possible and there are two common options I am looking to compare.

1) Work exchange, whereby you exchange a few hours work (normally 5 hours x 5 days) per day for a place to sleep and three meals a day.

Or

2) House sitting, where you look after a home and its furry inhabitants in exchange for a place to sleep.

I’ll be sharing my personal experience of the pros and cons of each, as well as how to make the most of either experience.

The pros and cons of Work Exchange

There are a few websites where you can find a suitable place to do a work exchange: wwoof (work on organic farms), Workaway and HelpX.

These are the most popular, and they all have a good selection of choices per country. I personally use workaway and have had great success with them. I’ve meet workers that use the other websites who have had equally good things to say.

My best advice when you are looking to exchange your time for work,  is to know yourself and what would be of interest to you.

For instance, I don’t do well with big families (nothing against big families, just not used to it), meat farms (I am a vegetarian) or heavy renovation work. So I don’t apply for this type of work.

The clearer you are upfront the more likely you’ll find what you are looking for.

Pros of doing a work exchange:

Free accommodation and 3 meals a day:
Do let them know if you have any dietary issues, so they know upfront. Often a hosts profile will say whether they can cater to a special diet if they don’t do check beforehand. Be sure to check what the sleeping arrangements are, is it an attic, sofa, tent, floor, shared or your own room. Again, personally not a fan of shared, but if you are travelling with friends it might be perfect for you.

Cultural immersion:
It’s a great opportunity to get a first-hand perspective on the local culture.

Language exchange, if staying with a local host.
There is plenty of opportunities to have a full language immersion. The hosts will say on their profile if they also speak other languages.
Yet, there is also often the option to stay with those that speak English, as I did while in France. As it is my dream to move to France and have a B&B there, I was looking for a foreign perspective. What a fabulous place to do research.

Learn new skills such as renovation, permaculture, homesteading.
You can learn almost anything. I’ve learned about the herb comfrey and permaculture gardening. How to look after chickens, shear sheep and work a Tibetan singing bowl.

Meet travellers and like-minded people.
Plenty of hosts have more than one worker, depending on the work and space they have available. Which suits those that are travelling alone or who love being social. Like any social dynamic, there can be pros and cons with this as well.

Cons of doing a work exchange

It can take up more time than expected:
Five hours a day doesn’t sound like much. Yet, I felt that I had had less time in a day. This may be due to working extra hours or interacting more with hosts and other workers. This isn’t bad, but worth keeping in mind.

Do also check the host’s profile, there are some that prefer that you do seven days or more hours in a day. When I see negative comments about this, it is because the worker didn’t realise until they arrived. If you don’t get at least one day off, you’ll have less opportunity to explore the local area.

You are in someone else’s space and pace
I’ve been lucky here and have stayed at incredible places. Yet it can be strange to adjust to someone else’s schedule, pace, and workday. So be open to adapting, and also knowing your boundaries. I do need some me time in a day, so tend to take long walks to balance that out.

I have heard some real horror stories of having to sleep in a shed or start work early or incredibly late. Know your boundaries, and don’t be afraid, to be honest in a positive way. I heard first hand from a girl who’d run away from a farm as she didn’t want to tell the host she couldn’t go off-grid. Be honest, not everyone can sleep in a tent, off-grid or in a shed.

Make sure you check the host’s profile and the reviews so you can prepare yourself for the stay. And if there are issues, be honest and move on. Not everyone or everything needs to be your cuppa tea.

If it’s in a rural area it can be lonely or remote.
I love remote for a while, and then I want a café and a decent coffee. Be sure to ask yourself; do you have your own transport? Is there public transport? can you get a lift once and awhile? Are you OK with your own company? Or do you need to go out for drinks as the sun goes down?

One of the largest gripes I hear from younger workers is how bored they are, and there is nothing for them to do. Know what interests you and whether it would work for you or not.

The work can be hard and different than expected.
I’ve been lucky with my choices thus far. Yet, when I did have to dig a ditch, it was hard and I did get blisters. Luckily I didn’t have to do this every day!
I have heard stories from workers that weren’t so lucky. Due to the manual labor, heat or other conditions outside of their control.

Like anywhere in the world, there may be businesses who misuse the opportunity for free labor. Although, I’ve found by doing your research before you go. Understanding the nature of the work, and being honest about what you are comfortable doing. You can better meet your hosts and your own expectations.

The Pros and Cons of House Sitting

You can sign up to be a house sitter on a number of sites, and for a nominal yearly fee apply house owners can contact you, or you can contact them.

As I am in the process of moving back to the United Kingdom I am using House sitters UK. However, trusted house sitters or mind a home, are also reputable.  I suggest you first browse the houses available in the country you plan to visit and then join the website with the best houses in that region.

Make sure you have a stellar profile, it’s here that homeowners can gauge if they’d trust you with their biggest asset (their house) and their most beloved furry family members.  A few photos and a detailed description helps them to decide. Once you’ve done a few jobs and have a review it’ll cement the deal.

If you are keen for a good review treat the house well, be respectful of their neighbors, the animals and leave it in pristine condition.

I tend to leave a thank you in way of flowers, fresh bread a small card as a token of appreciation.  I am honored and grateful that people have trusted me with their pets, and let me stay in their homes for a few weeks or more.

If a hotel is $100 a night x 30 nights, that’s a savings of $3’000 – which is significant.

At this very moment, I am writing this from a farm in the middle of England. I am looking after a pig, sheep, geese, chickens and a few cats.  The countryside is stunning, the villages quaint and I am endlessly entertained by the squirrels, muntjac, pheasants that are running amok in the yard – as well as some rather mischievous rams who are visiting with the sheep.

But as ever there are a few pros and cons:

Pros of House Sitting

Free accommodation:
While you do need to cover your own meals, it is minimal. A place to sleep is the biggest expense while travelling, so by having a free place to sleep saves a lot of costs. I’ve also done house-sitting on a farm where eggs and homegrown vegetables were a bonus.

Your time is your own.
Unlike a work exchange, you have all day to yourself. Hours for long walks in the countryside or to play tourist and explore the local area. If you are house sitting on a farm or there are dogs, the animal care may take up a bit more time, but it’s minimal. The downside to so much time is that you may get bored if you are unable to entertain yourself.

Cons of House Sitting

Responsibility for the house and furry family.
On my first house sitting assignment in the UK, I broke something, I almost died…. Then I replaced it. Luckily it wasn’t a family heirloom. I was especially careful after that. If something were to happen to a pet or anything valuable you are, to an extent responsible. Which is worth keeping in mind, and for me, it means being a lot more careful than I would be in my own house.

It’s a commitment
Once you’ve said yes, you are committed, while I’ve heard of people canceling last minute, as a previous homeowner there is nothing worse than have to resolve or find someone to look after your pet at the last minute. So if I’ve said 6 weeks, that’s it, it’s 6 weeks.

You are in someone else’s space/ environment.
Everyone is different in how they live, hence staying in someone else’s house needs a certain amount of respect and adaptability. Not a big negative, but that could depend on the where you are staying… again I’ve heard some very interesting stories of fleas invested, filthy hovels, and am very grateful it’s not been my experience.

Use your intuition, and if your not sure ask for photos or references from people who have sat there before you – it’s ok for you as a sitter to also ask questions and to be comfortable and confident you can do the job and stay there for the time required.

If it’s in a rural area it can feel lonely and remote.
Like the work exchange, a remote location to some can sound idyllic. Yet the reality might not meet those expectations. If you are not sure, do a week first and then see if this suits you. If you don’t have a car, ask beforehand if there is public transport nearby. I don’t have a car and have still house sit in rural places so long as there is public transport somewhere nearby.

Be clear on what you are looking for.

So yes, you can stay for free, and even get a free lunch, breakfast, and dinner.

More than this, you can make your travel dollars stretch so much further. Which means you, can travel for longer and have a much more immersive experience.

I left Australia with a minimal amount of savings. Yet, at the time of writing this post, I’ve been on the road now for three months. And my biggest cost is catching a train in the UK from one place to another.

Anything is possible, and you don’t need a huge budget to travel and see new places.

As to whether you prefer the work exchange or house sitting, it depends what you are looking to experience.

As I work online, have many personal projects, and enjoy my peace and quiet. I prefer house-sitting.

Yet, I would still do a suitable work exchange tomorrow if the opportunity arose. And the experiences I’ve had to date: Herb farm in Australia, a small village in France, homestead in Brittany and a spiritual retreat near Glastonbury. Were all incredible!

It has helped that I know what I like and don’t like.

In closing:

Be clear on your limits, and boundaries. Be sure to stand up for yourself when and where needed – if you aren’t comfortable working on the roof, say so. Not happy being off-grid, be honest – it’s the only and best policy.

At the end of the day, it’s a big gorgeous incredible world out there and lots of amazing experiences with your name on it.

You don’t need to wait until you saved thousands of dollars, or won the lottery to make travel plans and live the dream.

You can start and go and travel at any moment you choose…

So, choose now…

Main photo, thanks to:  Hollie Harmsworth on Unsplash

Useful Websites mentioned:
Workaway:  https://www.workaway.info/
Wwoof: http://wwoof.net/
Wwoof International: https://wwoofinternational.org/
Helpx: https://www.helpx.net/

House sitters UK: https://www.housesittersuk.co.uk
Mind a Home: https://mindahome.co.uk/ or https://mindahome.com.au
Trusted Housesitters: https://www.trustedhousesitters.com

Bored and looking for a new way to Travel?

Would you prefer a deeper insight into a country? What makes them different or the same?

Wouldn’t you love to take an authentic local experience and memory or skill to take home with you?

Is this at all possible without learning the language?

I am here to tell you it is, it’s affordable, insightful and a whole lot of fun. It’s Educational Travel.

Where common interests coincide:

After a lifetime of travel, what I now want is an experience; an experience of the country, it’s people and it’s culture.  I want an experience that I am not going to get on a tour, through a pamphlet, or an endless array of churches and museums.

Oh, and of course I want this experience to be memorable. So, that I don’t confuse it with all the other trips I’ve been on.

When I decided to travel to Thailand, I wanted to travel differently.  I wanted to learn and understand the culture.

Ask yourself before you next trip; what are your interests?  History, cooking, painting, weaving, knitting, photography, art, stained glass, cycling?? Or is it something else.

Studying Thai Yoga Massage in Thailand

It is hard to research the right school before going to Thailand. If I had to do it again and I had the option, I would go there to see each school and decide from there. It is hard to choose without seeing it.

If you are looking to practice whatever you learn (ie. Thai Yoga Massage) abroad in your own country. I recommend that you check that the school meets your countries professional standards.

You can check either find this on the school’s website as here at ITM’s. Or double check it with the regulatory body in your home country.

One of the benefits of studying at ITM is that has international standards. The largest benefit was the cost. I could study all five levels, eat, stay in a lovely bed & breakfast for the same cost as one level in Australia.

While in Chiang Mai I also met students from the Sunshine Massage school. which they spoke highly of, and it another option for you to consider.

Master Sinchai

Thai Cooking with a side of Buddhism

While eating dinner at A Taste of Heaven, I noticed they offered cooking classes and signed up. A Taste from Heaven is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Chiang Mai and was keen to learn how to cook what I was eating.

It was a treat to find on the day that I was the only person on the course, and my teacher Bob (fictional name to hide his true identity), was an ex-monk.

This meant that I got to ask juicy questions on monastic life, all while learning to perfect a green curry. Sorry to say that the secret ingredient in the curry was sugar.

It was strange to consider what it would be like to be a monk and then enter the workforce. What would it say on your resume? What skills would you have to help you get by in everyday life? Cooking it seems is one of them.

I loved every minute of it, I couldn’t recall the last time I was this happy! Thai food is my favorite, although I never actually cook it due to its complexity. So, to have the opportunity to make it myself, and then eat it all was incredible… at times life can be so sweet.

I got to pick my 6 dishes from the extensive menu. I chose all my favorites; Green Curry, Pad Thai, Sticky rice with Mango, Kao Soy, Spring rolls and Papaya Salad.

In all honesty, my own Kao Soy was the best I tasted during my entire 6 weeks in Thailand – as you get to cook it the way you prefer it.

It was so much food, I felt that I would explode and die from gluttony, but I would die happy. I gave a family begging outside what was left. Not sure what they made from Thai food cooked by a foreigner. I certainly hoped they enjoyed it, as much as I enjoyed making it.

Ock Pop Tok. Discovering Laos Through Textiles

The workshop included silk dyeing using natural items such as bark, nuts, and leaves. We learned about the process of the making and spinning the silk. To finish off the day we also had to the opportunity to weave our own small placemat.

Needless to say, I loved it! Now you might think that the dyeing is the easy part, but looks can be deceiving. The nuts I wanted to use were high up in the tree, so I also got to experience the joy of trying to get them down. This was no easy feat!

Although in retrospect the dyeing was the easier part of the process, the weaving is where it got tricky. While I choose what looked like the simplest version of the pattern, it still took hours to make. That included a few mistakes along the way. This was not without serious elbow grease.

At this point, I also need to confess that one of the girls jumped in and helped me finish my mat. Luckily, otherwise, I may have been there until long into the night.

Since doing the workshop I see the silk garments in the shop in a whole new light. I will never think of them of expensive nor barter over the price. The talent, the creativity, and work that goes into each piece is extraordinary.

The women here start learning these skills at a very young age and are likely to do this work all their lives. The work is generational and is passed down from mother to daughter. This close family structure makes for a great atmosphere within the workshop.

Everyone works side by side, laughing and talking as women do.

Ock Pop Tok can seem a little pricey considering the prices in Asia. I would ask you to keep in mind that it practices fair trade, ethical and sustainability. In other words, it is not a sweatshop and the women earn their worth. They support economic opportunities for rural artisans though village weavers projects. And work to preserve the weaving education, history, and culture.

This is the type of responsible tourism that we need to be supporting, as it doesn’t exploit local labor. It actually supports them, their families and their villages.

At the end of the day, I was very proud of my hand dyed skeins of silk and the mat I got to take home. I recommended Ock Pop Tok if you ever find yourself in Laos and looking to do a little educational travel. It’s a great place to learn a local skill and have a taste of cultural immersion and support local women. www.ockpoptok.com

Curious About life as a Monk, Join a Monk Chat

While Monk Chat isn’t a course per se it falls under educational travel. Why, because it offers you the opportunity to sit and chat with monks. The deal is that they get to improve their English, and you get to learn about life as a monk.

I have to say that I learned more in sitting with 2 monks for over an hour than I ever learned in any zen book I’d read.

Most men in Thailand will have spent some time as a monk, it brings good fortune to the family. It also eases the costs if a boy can study at the monastery.

It is also the hope that it may put wayward boys back on the right track. This explains the monks I saw with street tattoos smoking.

The two monks I chatted too were studying at university and were hoping to study abroad. They explained why they couldn’t or shouldn’t speak to women and talked to me about their dreams. The lad from Sri Lanka told me of the issues there.

What I got most of my few hours in their company was how alike we all are. Full of hope, dreams, and aspirations all while surviving the day to day in a tough world.

The image that we get is one of solace and enlightenment. Yet they also need to get up each day and brush their teeth and do dishes.

You can find monk chat at a few places in Chiang Mai. I went to the one at Wat Chedi Luang temple. Which is on during 9 AM- 6 PM most days. There is a seating area where monks will sit if they are interested in a chat, you can go up and join them.

You may want to check with where you are staying for the most up-to-date location and times.

Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand is a book that I was reading during my travels in Thailand.  Curious on what it would be like to be a foreign Buddhist monk? This sensitive yet hilarious read is just that.

Planning your Next Trip

Try your hand at learning something new.  It gave me such perspective on the amount of work that goes into their craftsmanship. If you choose the right place you are not only gaining a local immersion but also supporting local artisans.

You’ll often get to chat with a local and learn more about the elements of their culture that you won’t find elsewhere.

Now I don’t often cook Thai at home, and I’d rather turn a blind eye to the sugar content I was unaware of.  My trip was one of the most memorable travel experiences that I’ve ever had.

I now go out of my way to see what I can study and learn locally.

Is there something you’ve been itching to learn while abroad?  Go and do it now, there is nothing quite as satisfying as knowing you made it or can do it yourself. Even if you end up buying the product afterward 😉

The Yoga image is thanks to Ruslan Zh

Would you like to go to Australia but wondering if you can afford it?

As much as you’d like to go, no one wants to rob a bank to get there.  Yes, travelling to Australia is expensive, yet I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t need to be. There is somewhere to stay for any budget.

Here are a few ideas for Sleeping Cheap in Sydney, affordable accommodation in one of Australia’s loveliest  and most expensive cities.

Finding the right place to sleep at the right price:

There are a lot of different options, be sure to see what suits you with wherever you are at:

Backpackers are still a great spot when travelling solo:

Backpackers are great if you want to hang out and meet fellow travellers… yet there is also the odd occasion they are also the most affordable option.  Hang onto your seat belt though, as even the price of the backpackers in Sydney can make a credit card wince.  It can be anywhere from $20-$40 for a shared room at around $90 for a private one. Visit hostel world’s website which has great selection of all affordable accommodation on offer.

Find a Couch to kip on:

Couch surfing: If you are social and up for meeting a few like-minded locals for then this is the option for you. While there are fewer people offering a spot in popular cities like Sydney – however it’s always worth trying as you may get lucky and find yourself a comfy sofa to sleep on for free.  It’s advisable to set up a decent profile, and send a personalised request rather than a generic one.  If you do join the community my advice is also to host others and you’ll and meet people willing to return the favour. The only cost here is social credit and time, and good vibes.

There is such a thing as a free lunch:

Work exchange: Either via wwoof (work on organic farm), Workaway (who I use) or helpx: while there is a nominal membership fee, it’s worth it.  You simply exchange your time for place to sleep and 3 meals a day.  The hours and type of work can vary; it is normally 5 hours a day, 5 days a week and the work can be anything from gardening, to babysitting, painting or cleaning. There are less options to do a work exchange in the city they do exist, do keep in mind this is also a great way to experience rural Australia, and work on one of the many farms and get a full outback experience.  I would recommend this option if you are travelling for a longer time and would like to keep the costs down.

Looking after someone else’s house

House-sitting:  Is another great option if are flexible on time and place.  Especially popular around Christmas holidays when everyone is going away, and while you might need to care for some animals in comparison to paying $100 a night for a hotel it’s a pretty good deal.

Do note that for both work exchange or house sitting you will have commitments on your time, however if you’d like to travel for longer on the cheap they are both great options.

A local homely experience that costs less than a Hotel.

AirBnB*: This is my favourite option. There is a good selection of places, you’ll meet locals, it cheaper than a hotel and you can choose a place whose taste, style and budget suits you.  I tend to make sure the host is like me, so I’ll feel more at home and likely to get a better nights sleep than if it’s a party house or a big family.

It’s a personal thing but some people are more comfortable around other people. As an introvert, I really like and need my quiet time, yet also travel for long periods of time so am always looking to save money on accommodation – as it is usually the biggest cost in places like Australia.

Average nights stay is $100 a day for something decent, so if you are travelling alone for a month or more – it’s a friggen a lot of dosh.  I for one would much rather spend that money elsewhere or travel for longer.

So to mix it up and spread out my budget, I’ll normally do a few weeks of a work exchange or house sitting and then use Airbnb when visiting a town or city, this means I can travel for longer and enjoy the sightseeing without any time restraints.

Hotels are still an Option in Sydney too:

Hotels: For the most part, hotels are an expensive luxury in Sydney; however there are times you might want to treat yourself for a night or two.  If this is the case I’d recommend the ‘Urban Newtown’, which I sadly discovered on my very last night in Australia.  It’s a funky little neighbourhood, where you’ll find some of the best creative handmade stores, health food shops and Restaurants, such as the Golden Lotus.

Cars that are made for Driving and Sleeping

The perfect double whammy that serves more than one purpose:

Australia Travel tip hire a van:  If you are travelling around Australia, you like most are going to be doing more than 5 days in Sydney. If this is the case and you’d like the freedom to roam and a place to stay I recommend that you rent a van you can sleep in.  You now have both transport and accommodation at half the price of a hotel room. A few companies you can find a wide range of cars and vans from are Wicked Campers, Jucy or Hippiecamper.

They come kitted out so you have a mini kitchen, a place to eat, sit and live the surfers dream life. You can park and sleep in caravan parks for a small fee, this gives you access to electricity and water. There are beaches and parks where it is legal and others where it isn’t best to check while travelling, you can find some further advice here on gallivanting oz or about Sydney in particular on Travel wheels.

For those that prefer real Camping in a National Park

Camping: Australia is still one of the countries where you can park your tent in the oddest places. To search for a camping spot, go to Environment NSW site or check out where to stay in the National Parks.

For more information on free or affordable camping you find a place to camp on findacamp.com.au or more information on the free camping website.

If you aren’t travelling with a tent or equipment, but would like to spend a few nights camping in the Blue Mountains, you can always rent the gear you need via: Sydney Camping hire.

Enough thinking about sleeping cheap, its time to go:

Now you can be a koala and try to find a spot in a tree – a creative but uncomfortable option.

I hope these ideas show that you can find a place to that suits your budget and help you to both enjoy your time in Sydney while saving you some money to extend your stay or travel even further down the road to your next destination.

Don’t ever put off travelling – make the most of what you do have, the people you meet and enjoy!

Featured image: Photo by Keith Zhu on Unsplash Keith Zhu

All other photos by me….

1. Everything is frequency. Sacred sites also hold a specific frequency stronger than most. And we all hold our own frequency.  Simply said some will resonate with you and some will not. Don’t take it personally.
2. Do to give yourself the time and space to sit and see if you connect to the place.

In the wise words of Manon Tromp:

“Let go of expectations, go with the flow and take your time to let Avalon do what it needs to do”.

I also agree with Freddy de Silva’s views on why we visit sacred sites (paraphrased):  Every sacred site we visit awakens a spark in us, and takes us forward on our journey of self-evolution.  As each of us is on our own unique life pilgrimage, we will each experience it in our own way.

Which is why I put together my own Seekers Guide to Glastonbury;

A Pilgrimage to Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a magical spot. To connect and feel the energy of the land, I choose to walk up to the top of the Tor barefoot. Being so steep, every step was a reminder of how unfit I was feeling – I ended up feeling more out of breath than enlightened.

To keep myself going I imagined all the pilgrims that had walked the path before me. All the ceremonies and processions that the hill must have seen over the ages.

I hoped that by the time I got to the top that the veils would lift and Avalon would appear before me.  Needless to say, that didn’t happen.

Instead I went and found a quiet spot to sit on the hill.  A quiet place to sit and feel all that I couldn’t see. To connect to the energy of the site.

It was pretty magic.

If you find yourself at a sacred site do find a quiet place away from everyone else. A place to connect, to go within and meditate on what you feel and what emerges within you. Churches are often built on Sacred Sites, which were often built on the earth’s energy or Ley Lines.

Sacred sites have also had people making pilgrimages to them for thousands of years. Using them for their intentions, prayers and ceremonies. Put all this together and you end up with a magical energy for us all to tap into. Sit in the glow of those energies and let them share some of that subtle to strong magic with you. It is free to visit the Tor,  you can find information on the National Trust’s Website here.

Getting your toes wet at Chalice Well

Chalice well sits at the bottom of the Tor, across the road from the White Springs. It is a small park that costs £4.50 to enter.  It’s a peaceful garden, well tended and with many areas to sit and reflect and meditate.

Chalice wellsprings is run by the trust, website here. Address: 85-89 Chilkwell Street.

Dive into the Sacred White Springs

The White Springs website can be found here. Address: Well House Lane.

Time Travel to Glastonbury Abbey

Alice was busy working and complaining about how a woman’s work is never done. Before beginning her story of the kitchens and abbey’s history. We sat down and had a nice long chat about ages past.

I heard that my fellow countryman from the Low Lands (Netherlands) visited the abbey in the 1500s.  Brought over for their skills in silk weaving with the intention to teach those skills to locals. It was believed they spent time living in the kitchen of the Abbey. They never did have the opportunity to pass on the skills. They fled when Catholic King Henry came into power. As did most Protestants to avoid prosecution.

I did the day tour with Alice later in the day, and also learnt that the Abbey was at once the richest in the country. Pilgrims and visitors coming from far and wide to visit the holy site, seeking to clear their sins.

Luckily the wealthy people had the most sins. Which they could absolve for the right amount of money. Which is why the wealthy landlords left all their holding to the abbey in the hope of eternal redemption.

Now in a cruel twist of fate, it is the same wealth that destroyed them. The greedy king, who had spent all his money on war decided to put the abbot on trial. The abbot was found guilty, hung and quartered at the top of the Tor. The Abbey ransacked and it’s wealth sold and left to ruin.

You can enjoy the interesting stories and rich history by taking one of the guided walking tours that is included in the entrance fee.  There is a tour every hour until 4 PM.

The Glastonbury Abbey website is here. Address: Magdalene Street.

St. Margaret’s Chapel and Almshouses

Wearyall Hill and the Holy Thorn

More Magical spots to visit

Glastonbury is full of unusual shops, people and places that you won’t find on your average High Street. From the magic shop like the Cat & Cauldron, where you can buy a real wand, staff or a host of other magic book and paraphernalia.

Lovers of the Esoteric and metaphysical books can visit Avalon Library.  In the same arcade 2-4 High street, is Star Child, an incredible essential oil and herb shop.  And upstairs you’ll also find the Goddess Temple. Which hosts speakers and events most nights of the week.

Anyone for cuppa tea & a scone?

The Abbey Tea Rooms has stunning views of the ruins and some of the best Tea + Scones with clotted cream and jam and other English goodies which will give you the energy to climb the Tor or walk the Abbey gardens.  Address: 15 Magdalene St.

For those that might be looking for a stronger sacred drink, the George’s hotel and Pilgrims Inn is a lovely old fashioned English Pub in a well preserved medieval building.

You can even book a night and stay over the inn,  if you dare, its known to be haunted and you can read about a few spectral accounts and ghost stories of the Inn.

Where to Stay in Glastonbury

I was lucky enough to spend 3 weeks doing a work exchange through Workaway at Earth Spirit Centre. Incredibly lucky to met some truly magical people.  The centre also runs incredibly workshops throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar to see what’s on.

AirBnb is also highly recommended, particularly Earth Mama’s House that is run by Manon Trump. Manon also runs tours to sacred sites including Stonehedge and Avesbury.

The Magic never ends

Glastonbury can be many things, quirky, magical, spiritual and at times over the top. Is it a reflection of our inner selves, is it whatever we want it to be (yes, be prepared for fairies and men with arrows and crossbows walking along the high street).

It can have moments of feeling like it is spirituality gone mainstream. Yet, it is still enchanting.  The people I met there is that they are all doing whatever they want, being whoever they want and living life as they want – blissfully content.

In this crazy world – maybe this is the sanity of it all.  There isn’t any seeking, but an authentic way of being.  And that, in itself is kinda Magical.

For Further reading:
Freddy de Silva’s Website.  Freddy de Silva’s book: The Divine Blueprint.
Manon Tromp’s Website, you can also find her on the Mystical Tours website.
Anyone interested in visiting Avesbury Stones can read more here.