by Liz Deacle | Podcasts, Travel
If you have always dreamt of living in New Zealand, are under 30 years old and have a bit of dosh saved up (enough to get you back to your own country) you can spend a year working in New Zealand by getting yourself a year-long working Visa.
That way you can see how you like it.
This weeks podcast episode features Adam, a twenty-something chappy from the UK is doing just that.
After being persuaded by his mate to leave Thailand and come to New Zealand to work on a fairground, he got himself a year-long working visa and headed down under.
(more…)
by Liz Deacle | Travel
They say opposites attract. I met my husband when I was 17. I turned forty-seven this year. Thirty years of opposite behaviour and still he hasn’t told me to sling my hook.
- He is calm. I am an erratic nutter.
- He says to the kids: “let’s just let things blow over and we’ll discuss it in the morning”. I say “let’s get to the bottom of this right now you bloody hooligans”.
- He loves Liverpool football club more than life itself. I am overjoyed when he tells me that the Corona Virus has halted all games.
- He is a negotiator. I am a control freak.
- The kids ask him for something and he says “check with your mum”. They ask me for something I say “and don’t even think about asking your dad”
- He loves wine. I love wine a bit more.
- I say “let’s talk”. He says “goodnight Liz”
- He drinks whiskey at 6 pm, I won’t drink until at least 7 pm. Or maybe ten past six.
- He likes his eggs fried. I get constipated if I don’t have enough fibre.
- He loves to cuddle up on the sofa and watch films in the middle of the day. I start huffing and puffing and say “it would be a nice day for a walk in the rain wouldn’t it?”
- He’s sociable. I quiver if my phone rings.
- He laughs out loud when people tell him rude jokes. I tut and shake my head like a granny grunt.
- He can laugh at himself. I cry when the kids say I snore like a pig.
- He has to listen to the radio in the morning. I prefer silence. Unless its the noise of the kettle being boiled.
- He says we’d better leave now, we’re going to be late. I say we’ve got at least another ten minutes, I’m just going to check Pinterest.
- He believes in me. I believe in fairies.
- He always seems to say the right things to the kids. I lie in bed almost every night thinking “Why the hell did I say that?”
- He can’t remember names, I will hunt you down if you owe me two dollars.
- He thinks before he speaks. I am a gob on a stick.
- He loves Monty Python. I don’t get it.
- He encourages me to spend money on myself. I say “how much did that cost?’ if he comes home with a paper bag.
- He cooks and it looks as though Tinkerbell has been in the kitchen. I cook? Think Shrek.
I
- He doesn’t give a damn if people like him or not. I am like a Labrador, panting at peoples feet and longing for them to love me.
- When he’s had a few drinks he becomes romantic. When I’ve had one too many I become an opinionated bore with wine breath.
- He emigrated to New Zealand with me without ever having stepped foot in the country. I won’t go to a restaurant that he’s recommended until scouring it on ‘Trip Advisor’ and googling it to the point of exhaustion.
- I love to sit on the beach and watch the waves. He loves to sit in the toilet and watch the highlights of the Liverpool match.
- He makes our daughter laugh. I make our daughter annoyed beyond belief.
- He makes our son cut the grass. I make our sons’ bed.
- He agreed to quit his job and travel around the world for a year with our teenagers so we could all be together. But I keep going off on my own to write newsletters to people online.
- His grey hair looks distinguished. Mine looks like a mop that’s been dropped in a bucket of dirty bleach water.
- He has laughter lines. I have crows feet. Deep ones.
- He loves me. But I will always love him more.

by Liz Deacle | Podcasts, Travel

a
How old is too old to travel?
You know how when you get to a certain age, and you suddenly start ‘playing on it?’
“Ohh… I couldn’t possibly take the bins out – I’m far too old for that.”
Or
“Don’t ask me to hold the dog down while you cut her toenails – I’m getting on a bit. I can’t kneel for long.”
Well, this weeks guest made me feel like a right old fake.
He put me in my place and showed me that you are as old as you feel.
(more…)
by Liz Deacle | Podcasts, Travel
Looking for a few tips on how to avoid jet lag? Want the best advice from an international traveller ( a real one who takes her family around the world for a year?).
Need to know how to prevent jet lag and avoid arriving at your destination feeling like a zombie??
Tah-Dah! Look no further, my friend; you just found it.
If you are going on vacation or are off to start a new life in Europe (lucky you!), I have just the ticket for you.
Settle down, fellow traveller. Let’s chat.
(more…)
by Liz Deacle | Podcasts, Travel

(This post may contain affiliate links. They cost you nothing but we make a small commission. If you would like me to explain it further, please visit our disclaimer page)
This week’s podcast walks you through a budget-friendly and fun weekend with kids in Charleston, SC; one of the most popular and unique travel destinations in the world!
Last year my husband and I took our two kids ( teenagers age 16 and 13) to Charleston, SC for a long weekend.
But.
There was a catch.
As always we were on a budget (nothing new there then ) and I must admit, I was somewhat worried as to whether we’d be able to make our money stretch.
Our budget was $80 per day for the four of us.
Did we do it?
(more…)
by Liz Deacle | Travel, USA
Looking for things to do in Charleston Sc with kids that won’t break the bank?
My husband and I took our two kids ( teenagers age 16 and 13) to Charleston for a long weekend.
But. There was a catch.
As always we were on a budget (nothing new there then ) and I must admit, I was somewhat worried as to whether we’d be able to make our money stretch.
Our budget was $80 per day for the four of us. (Yes, we travelled the world for a year but we’re certainly not rich).
So did we do it?
(more…)