Travel

Traveling

Getting Out There

In my earlier years I was not much of a traveler. I had a family of six to care for at home and life was quite constricted back then.

These days I live alone and I can choose to travel or not.

I'm not really a good traveler and in fact I often say that I don't travel well. As if I'm going to go off somehow, like sausages left in the sun.

But I think the real reason is that I've not travelled much at all in my life.

Weekends Away

Africa

In my earlier years I had a few weekends away. I can recall a few jaunts to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland many years ago.

Canada

Having arrived in Canada, I can remember weekends away to Kingston and Sarnia, Ontario, but they were always with my husband who was going to a job interview and I just tagged along.

Now I'm living in Vancouver and I've managed a couple of weekends away.

Once to Las Vegas and Kelowna.

Note, I do have a small hobby art blog and some of the links just below go to that site.

Last year I went to Mexico with my daughter for a week. Glorious!

And I went on a writing retreat with my writing friend to Whistler recently too. We are actually planning another writing retreat there in May and I'll be sharing all about that with you too.

I am fortunate to have friends on the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver and I've been invited into their home as a house guest three years running now.

Towards the end of last year, we had a family wedding in Tofino which was a three night stay away in a log cabin.

Family Holiday

First Vacation

The first vacation I ever had was to Mexico in 2006. We were there for two weeks and I was already in my forties then.

But that's it really.

Now you may think that’s a lot or you may think it's not much.

But it is what it is.

Regarding travel, I have many ideas on making travel a priority but at the same time being savvy about where to go, when to go, who to go with and what to pack.

This is the type of travel content I will be sharing with you guys here on Heathcote Living.

I hope to share my little excursions with you as inspiration for you to get out of the house.

Upcoming Travel

Plans

I'm not telling you all this to brag, but rather to say that seeing as I've been alive for over six decades I've really not travelled or seen the world much.

I hope to slowly remedy this and I'm starting by planning a couple of weekends for later this year.

Whistler

First is the aforementioned retreat to Whistler, what a treat that is going to be and I'm really looking forward to that one.

Toronto

Then later this year I will be in Toronto for my daughter's wedding in September.

I'm thoroughly looking forward to that as I can catch up with my other grown up children then as well.

I'll hopefully visit some art galleries and museums when I'm there and I can't wait to share those visits with you too.

Being a Shut In

Inside Gal

A shut in is someone who rarely leaves the house. They may go out onec a week to buy groceries but otherwise they just stay put.

I could easily become a shut in.

But I am aware of this tendency of mine and I plan each day carefully to make sure I do get out even if there is no urgent need to do so.

Resources

Books

You may enjoy The Solo Travel Guide for Seniors by Irma Villanueve.

This book is in large print and so is easy on the eyes.

Overarch

For You

I'm not saying I have all the answers about travelling but I believe it is good for the soul.

They do say the travel broadens the mind and I'm all for that.

Amateur Traveler Me

Overall, I'm going to be sharing my adventures with you as a mature travel lady trying to see and experience more of the world.

I am not a travel blogger in the true sense, but I am living my best life and getting out and about is a part of that.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in then I urge you to follow along and get my newsletter so you don't miss a thing.

I'll be starting that this summer and when there are a few, then you can see the past editions.

It is now April 2026 as I begin this new journey in my life here at Heathcote Living.

Join me.

Alison

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote writes about living creatively and building a meaningful life on your own terms. Through gentle reflections on solo living, home and everyday creativity, she explores how to shape a life that feels calm, intentional and deeply your own. More