Everest '53

This is a slightly belated post to commemorate the life of George Lowe, the last surviving member of the 1953 Everest expedition who passed away aged 89 last Wednesday. A climber not as well known as Edmund Hillary or Tenzing Norgay, yet a one who played a vital role in the first successful ascent of Everest through his support and determination in helping his fellow climbers, ferrying up gear and helping his friends descend from top camp. The New Zealander also partook in expeditions to other Himalayan peaks such as Cho Oyu as well as participating in the first successful overland crossing of Antarctica (1955 - 1958).

source: http://www.trekandmountain.com/everest-53-veteran-george-lowe-passes-away/

Unfortunately Lowe's death came on the eve of the publication of his book (which I shall definitely be investing in) and weeks before the 1953 summit's anniversary, however George's wife Mary is in support of the book's release and feels it is important to share his words. I for one admire this courageous man and am sad that one of our times greatest explorers has been lost.

Carry on adventure-seeking!

It's time to travel...

A new adventure is on the horizon...

Yup, that's right, the family are off to India! Sandals are dusted off, bags are packed and guide books have been thoroughly scoured. 4 days to go and then I am off up up and away to a mighty fine destination - one more of the bucket list, tick! Words really cannot describe my excitement so I will save them for when I get back when I am sure I shall have many photos and tales to share with you lovely lot.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter and a rest - anyone got any exciting plans? Going somewhere nice?

GIF Wednesday

Hello there,

This weeks GIF entailed a lot of precarious globe turning and camera balancing, but here it is; my spinning globe GIF...

My globe is one of my favourite things in my cluttered and colourful room (I confess, I am perhaps what you would call a hoarder...) and I could spend hours studying and spinning, making wild and worldly plans that I one day hope to carry out. This particular globe is really almost a 'vintage' item and I love trying to find all the countries which have been renamed.

Next stop....the World!

The World.

Big place huh.

When people use to say to me so what do when you grow up I would say that I wanted to travel the world. I wanted to explore it. People never seemed to get it. Instead of dreaming of a life as a vet, a teacher, a doctor, pop star; I dreamt of becoming an explorer, venturing boldly and bravely across the globe to the new and exciting, making discoveries to make the explorers of times past I so idolised smile in their places of rest. Oh you mean exploring like studying plants dear? no...but love, they've discovered all the countries already...

I know this of course. And that to be an explorer like those I spent my childhood obsessing over [instead of focusing on whatever my humanities teacher was actually saying] is impossible. But we can have a dream right? Well mine is to travel the world, to see and enjoy as much of our wonderful planet as humanly possible.

Everyone deserves a dream, something to fuel excitement, imagination and inspiration. Something to hold promise and hope. Something for when you want to give up to make you carry on. And who knows, maybe one day I can realise my dream, but for now I can imagine and lust after a life of absorbing new cultures, sights, countries, people, cities, foods, streets, landscapes...

Here's to dreaming, our planet and to the future.

[P.S. Please feel free to comment your own aspirations or travel wishes! I love reading every one of your comments.]

GIF Wednesday

Well whadda ya know - it's Wednesday again!

...

As the little green Island on which we live becomes increasingly urbanised and our lives ever busier, we rarely get a chance to look up and enjoy whats above us be it due to lack of time, light pollution, lack of green space... So to have the opportunity to see such perfect skies was an exciting chance to capture some dramatic pictures. Seeing something so clearly which is in fact so far away is really quite extraordinary. Here I have imitated the moon's path across the sky.

When was the last time you enjoyed a clear night? Much of star gazer?



In the Capital - Shoreditch

Destination: The Aubin Cinema, Brick Lane & Pizza East

London is one of my favourite cities. It's a diverse, colourful and vibrant place where you can do...well absolutely anything! As cliche as it sounds, there is undoubtedly something there for everyone. A wonderful capital that makes me proud to be British. Recently I have had a chance to explore the area of Shoreditch - somewhere I have not previously had the opportunity to investigate. So here goes with a teeny tiny snapshot into my adventure...



A bit of tourist tripping down Brick Lane... a really great place to find anything vintage or edgy. I managed to sweep up a few bargains in the form of a classic black fedora and a 1950's brush stroke print shirt.

This place is absolutely amazing! Think all the positives of film watching at home and trips to the cinema rolled into one beautiful and ingenious creation that is the Aubin Cinema. We went to see the incredible Life of Pi and were most impressed by the cosy armchairs and blankets as a replacement for the bog standard cinema chair! The cinema only fits about 20 people and the tickets are a smidgen pricey but it is definitely worth it if your after a treat.

Lychee mocktail anyone?!

Some of the graffiti around the town is just incredible. I actually find  it quite beautiful, despite the negative connotations this form of street art has.

Famished, we trooped into the first thing we came across...which thankfully turned out to be a rather good choice! Think fresh, fast and friendly. The atmosphere was buzzing, the food delicious and the setting intriguingly rustic. We definitely had hit on one of Shoreditch's places to be.

What's your favourite area of London?

GIF Wednesday is here!..To stay?

This Wednesday I have prepared for you a little GIF inspired by my exploration in Barcelona in the spring of 2012. Here I have attempted to simulate the view of walking down one of the narrow alleys found in the winding maze of lanes making up a large part of the city. Barcelona is a wonderful place to take a weekend city break if you want to a short and sweet blast of Spanish culture. Make sure to taste the delicious food as well as see all the sights such as Gaudi's gardens and the Sagrada Familia. I hope to write a full post on Barcelona when I have more time for those of you who are interested!

Please keep the feedback coming, I am eager to know which styles of posts you do and don't like. All suggestions welcome! And let me know if you think "GIF Wednesday" should be a permanent feature for Big World Small Girl!

Much love,