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Tag: Epping Forest

Tripping beyond the M25: Six Summer Outdoor Daytrips from London

July 22, 2020

Wanna explore beyond London for a day? I share 6 outdoor summer day trips… More Tripping beyond the M25: Six Summer Outdoor Daytrips from London

17 Comments Tripping beyond the M25: Six Summer Outdoor Daytrips from London

2018: Travels in Review

January 23, 2019

Come see where 2018 took me!… More 2018: Travels in Review

5 Comments 2018: Travels in Review

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the5to9traveller

’𝗦𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁’ 😳🙄😳

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This was my lamenting whatsapp I sent Davida @wondersowanders last week when the green list for UK peeps dropped. I mean I wasn’t expecting a healthy long list but likewise I wasn’t expecting countries to be included where ➡️ (swipe along)

1. The borders are closed to us unless its for essential purposes (FYI a holiday is not one of them) And you have to quarantine in a specified facility if you do go, which you pay for (slide 4) For Brunei you need to apply for a permit to visit
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2. Some of these countries to get there is phewww...it is not a straight forward hop on a flight (slides 5-7)

3. Iceland will accept those vaccinated but you must have proof of vaccination & I’m not sure those paper cards will cut it yet (hurry up vaccine passports)(slide 8) Also you need to pre-register before arrival.

4. Israel - so yea best not to travel there now given the bombing & airstrikes taking place.
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And so we are left realistically with just 2 countries we can visit with the minimal of requirements - Portugal & Gibraltar (slide 9). Will the whole of the UK be descending on their shores?
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And mann the requirements (slide 3) 😫 However for Gibraltar no tests are required (if not having visited red/amber in the previous 14 days), so that may be your cheapest travel option.
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So all ‘n’ all I found the list a bit useless but perhaps you won’t find this post as such. Save & share to get people in the know! All info is subject to change in this world of C*vid
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For me, The Staycation Queen 🙌🏾 Imma sit this list out & get back to exploring my backyard this summer until more countries open up. What about you?
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Ps this is one of the only few pics I have of me not smiling to reflect my disappointment at the green list. The reason for this shot is cos I was arguing with my bro about the framing of it. He doesn’t like taking pics & I was fully expressing my annoyance in front of this gorgeous church in Copenhagen on our #SibsOnTour trip back in 2017 😂
#the5to9traveller #throwbackpic #uktravelblogger #whenwetravelagain

𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲

𝗠𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲 💕
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This literal family tree stands proudly in the garden of my grandparents’ house in Akure, Nigeria, the motherland.
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Everytime I visit you’ll either find me taking a picture in front of it or climbing its branches *swipe along* (yes even in a skirt) This visit was no exception. Its like a natural family heirloom that has been here forever. One time we even had all of my female cousins take a pic in the tree together (see later in my stories)
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The thing is I can traipse the whole earth to learn of other cultures but sometimes the culture I need to connect to on my travels is the one that birthed my family’s legacy. On this trip my extended family retold stories of how we all connected and then they told me about the family book. What book I asked? My amazing grandma had written a history book about the Ofuya Dynasty (last slide) for us all to learn about where we came from, our history and our culture. Its not for sale; it was her labour of love for family members only, for us to know our roots and how we branch off much like this tree in my grandparents’ garden.
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So I got my copy of the book. To think this is just one strand of my history & culture - Ijaw, Ishan & Itsheriki tribes shaping this line. I look forward to reading it and learning more of the legacies that preceded me.
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What’s your family tree like?

#the5to9traveller
#familytree
#MMGYGlobal
#BlackTravelAlliance #BlackTravelGrant #themotherland #localculture #myfamilymyculture

𝗝𝗼𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 😍
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I 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 this photo! For so many reasons. We discovered this stunning field of yellow flowers on my staycation last year in the Cotswolds where we went on a bike ride and stumbled on this beauty. We hopped off our bikes and relished in the joy of this field! Look how wide my smile is! It just made me so happy.
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I was listening to the Ted Talk by @ingridfetell & was nodding all the way through as she talks about the 𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆. There are five things that are aesthetically joyful:

1. 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 ✔️ as seen in the anther part of the flowers 🌼.

2. 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿 ✔️ hello yellow.

3. 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 ✔️ I’m almost centre making it semi symmetrical.
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4. 𝗔 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲/𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 ✔️ this field went on and on 😍
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5. 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 & 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ✔️ Hello fluffy white clouds in that airy blue sky
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‘𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀’
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That’s why the outdoors is one of the many things that gives me joy. I can never hide myself from seeking joy, its a forever partnership given the meaning of my name. What adds to my love of this field is that it was an accidental find. I love the unplanned bits of trips and I was experiencing that right here in the UK.
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I encourage you to check it out this Ted Talk as well as @aestheticsofjoy , it will leave you smiling guaranteed. What do you think invokes your sensations of joy and what are you going to do now we are out & about?
#theaestheticsofjoy #sunflowerfield #the5to9traveller #joyinthelittlethings

𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆.
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I’ve been asked in the past how I got into hiking. It first began in those Duke of Edinburgh days at school as a kid. Let me be honest, after having a cow charge at me and being ravaged by midges I decided it wasn’t for me and after that I wasn’t an outdoor person. I still feel I don’t really fit that mould but shhhh 🤫don’t tell anyone.
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Fast forward to 2016, hiking got kickstarted again back in Brazil 🇧🇷 when I was in search of hidden beaches. Why start small huh?
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Many of you have seen me also pick up my dancing again during lockdown & sharing it on here without a care of it not necessarily ‘fitting’ in the outdoor niche. I’ve already created a list of what I wanna try when all returns to normal - axe throwing, morris dancing & fishing are some of the few things lol. What can I say I’m a surprising character.
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So I ask what is it you wanna try out?
#the5to9traveller #trynewthings #diversifyoutdoors

[𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗚 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧]

[𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗚 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧]
𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 💃🏾
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Although I look like a real life dancing emoji here don’t let my fierce flamenco attire fool ya! Sadly I am yet to delight in a flamenco dance class yet despite having visited Barcelona 3 times. It is certainly a priority when I next go visit. However I have watched an intimate flamenco show @tarantos_flamenco twice. I talk more about my experience there as well as other dancing adventures I’ve had worldwide. Go check it out #linkinmybio
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P.s. the reason I’m dressed like this despite never having done flamenco is that was the theme of the hen do I organised out in Barcelona. I may have a video of me strutting and twirling away. Wanna see it? Holla in my comments to unlock 🔓 it as a reel whilst letting me know what dance you’ve tried abroad.
#the5to9traveller #dancingaroundtheworld #lasmorenasdeespana

[TRAVELS IN REVIEW]
‘𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀’
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Hola mis amigos! I thought I’d sneak in my first blogpost of 2021 before Jan ends. Up on the blog (#linkinbio) I explain just why I do these yearly travel roundups in January and how my last one was impactful and helped someone. Everyone’s story is unique & you never know when and who it will help.
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This year I’m hoping my round up will introduce you to new UK staycation spots to go explore. One of my favourite places I travelled to did not involve hopping on a flight; it was this divine tranquil Welsh beach I gazed upon - Marloe Sands. You can even see Skokholm Island in the distance. I hiked along the a famed Pembrokeshire Coastal Path of the UK’s only coastal National Park. Travel truly does not have to be far flung. So when we can move freely & safely again I hope you will consider some of the spots in my roundup #whenwetravelagain
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P.s. my DMs & email are always open for travel advice. I love talking about travel so its never a chore. I’m sure the lady who reached out to me about my South American adventure was not expecting my detailed voice note 🙈 #fortheloveoftravel
#yourstorymatters #the5to9traveller

’𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀

’𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲...’
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I have been restless. My energy has had nowhere to go. Each day feeling like Groundhog Day to me.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲.

And everyone relished in it, myself included. This was what Londoners needed...to experience that childlike joy again and to break up the monotony of lockdown life.
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I walked & walked & walked and enjoyed the crunch of the snow beneath my feet. I smiled as I observed the details of nature, families playing and building snowmen and lovers holding hands. It was a day I needed! Thank God for the snow!
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P.s. my mother called me specifically to beg me not to go out in the snow 😂😂 she knows me too well! I’m still working on that whole obedient child thing 😂 Anyone else have mums like mine who tell you to not do something? Don’t tell me not to, it will just make me wanna do it more!
#the5to9traveller #snowdays #orangecoatadventures

‘𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗴𝗲’
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I read these words by Iman & it hit me hard, for I am truly grateful to walk into another year of life especially after a year like 2020 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!
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I’ll forever love my kidult joy in seeing & learning about the world around me. This pic of me all dolled up is a massive departure from my usual postings of me out & about but I was never one to play by societal rules even the Instagram ones 😉 & I thought I’d bring a lil glam on my special day since its a Lockdown birthday for me. Plus I do miss dressing up, despite all the complaining I used to do about it. Funny what we miss when its taken away. What are you missing that you thought you wouldn’t?
#littlereddress #the5to9traveller #mybirthdaytoday

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Dancing My Way Around the World
2020: Travels in Review
Should I tell them I’m black?
Tripping beyond the M25: Six Summer Outdoor Daytrips from London
The ‘New’ Normal: How to plan a Staycation

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