I worked in the travel and tourism industry for an amazing 40 years. I can't believe it was that long, but, they do say ‘time flies when you’re having fun’.  Very few people can say they love their job, I was one of the lucky ones.

 

During my time working in travel, I adapted to so many changes, but what has never changed for me, is the awe of taking in new sights and countries, the discovery of new smells and scents and, of course, the relishing of new tastes and flavours. I have indeed been on some unforgettable trips over the years.

 

If I have one regret, it would be, that I didn't discover Youtube vlogging earlier. Maybe, if I had, ‘Planes Trains Everything’ would now be the best little Youtube travel channel out there. But, who knows what is still to come? I'm not planning on slowing down any time soon, so please keep watching.       

 

 

 

The Journey to ‘Planes Trains Everything’

 

   Eureka!

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When you travel by overnight train, enjoying the excitement of lying on a rocking berth, you have a lot of time to think. I will be the first to admit, I have been very lucky in my life to have travelled so extensively, and despite now being in my 60s, I have no plans to stop.

Whilst travelling on the Trans-Mongolian railway, as I watched the lights pass by my compartment window, I began to wonder how I would be able to share my experiences, travels and knowledge for others to enjoy.

As the train took me deeper into Russia, I listened to a podcast about travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer through the Canadian Rockies, and I suddenly had one of those ‘eureka’ moments. Then and there, I decided that, as great as podcasts were, they didn’t allow for visual sharing, and I wanted to do that! So, decision made…...I would not create a

travel podcast, instead, I would create a Youtube channel.

 

My Youtube channel, a bit like myself, would be organised, structured and straight to the point, factual yet friendly, and 100% honest in its content. However, if I was to be true to myself, there would inevitably be occasions where I wouldn’t take parts of my travels too seriously, so expect a little dry humour.

 

What is a vlog?

vlog
/vlɒɡ/
noun

Definition: a regularly updated Youtube video channel, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is

produced in an informal or conversational style.

 

You’ll find that my vlogs/videos don’t vary much from the above definition, although, I do tend to go off on a travel-related tangent occasionally (sorry). Please don’t expect glossy, smiley, ‘everything-is-great’ vlogs, I always try to report

things as they are, warts and all.

 

Real travel isn't all about lazy days on the beach, or glamorous locations. That's tourism: you go somewhere,

have a nice time and then come home. Travel, is about getting from A to B, while avoiding the pre-packaged comfort of a tour bus or tour guide to help you along. Travel, is about thinking on your feet while on the move. Travel, is about anticipating problems, avoiding problems, and overcoming problems. As you watch my vlogs, you’ll hopefully grasp my meaning.

 

My love of  Travel...

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My first memorable life moment was in late 1965. My parents and I left Glasgow, and emigrated to Sydney, Australia, spending six weeks on a migrant ship. I still have clear memories of arriving in Port Said, passing through the Suez Canal, the moment our migrant ship crossed the Equator and all the onboard nautical-themed antics of the crew.

 

The second life moment came in 1980. At the time, I was working for The National Australia Bank in Sydney, and a colleague had returned from a holiday in Tahiti (this probably sounds more exotic than it really was. Please keep in mind, Tahiti is ‘only’ 3,800 miles from Sydney, a little more than London-Dubai or London-New York). Oops! I digressed again… So, looking splendidly happy with her copper tan, she said to me “Oh, how I wish I worked in the travel industry!”  Well, this one moment set my mind in motion working, and within two years I was working in the travel industry… and I never looked back.

 

The next life learning experience came about in 1986, when I took my first solo round-the-world trip, spending

six months living out of a backpack. Following this incredible time, the world, travelling and discovering became

a big passion of mine, that I still have today.

 

Come 1990, I made a big life change, when I decided I would return, from Sydney, back to bonny Scotland. Yep! I came home, and I happily stayed.  I love my home country.

 

Moving on a fair bit now to 2012, I was now working in business travel in Glasgow and was lucky enough to win an i-pad as part of a company sales incentive. At that time, I was struggling slightly and paying off debt, so I had convinced myself that a holiday was just not affordable. However….by selling the i-pad, I had just enough money to take my first holiday in over 15 years. So, off to Vienna and Bratislava I went.

This, and similar infrequent breaks, from my normal day-to-day life always set my brain ticking.  However, it would be a few years yet before my ‘eureka’ moment, although the journey had now begun.

 

​​Like most travellers, I have a bucket list. In fact, I had a bucket list before I knew it was called a bucket list.

Bratislava was on that list, and now, it was crossed off.

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-- Here's an odd story…... In the early 1990's I was given a load of Readers Digest magazines. They have never been my preferred read, preferring to see them in doctor's surgery waiting rooms etc. I flicked through them anyway, and one article caught my eye. It suggested you create a travel list and cross these journeys off the list one-by-one. Years later I was in Ontario hosting a tour group. I was having lunch, with a representative from our local hotel supplier, in the lovely town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. I mentioned to her how I was looking forward to seeing Niagara Falls, as the falls and the planned helicopter ride were both on my bucket list. She amazed me by digging into her handbag, and pulling out that same Readers Digest article.--

 

(I warned you about these story tangents!) Let’s get back on track….

 

Unfortunately, I found that my bucket list was rather large. I had a list of around 50 things to do on my list, and, as I crossed a few off, then more would be added on. Some of the remaining ones on my list, are beginning to feel less achievable as I get older, such as climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and visiting Antarctica. Although, I do keep telling myself "Never say never".

 

I hope you enjoy this site, and my Youtube channel, and know that I have nothing but appreciation for all who watch and follow my channel, you make every journey worthwhile.

Thank you.