I’ve had an amazing year with both domestic and international travel but there is no place like home. I am grateful to live in this beautiful country of ours as I get ready for a summer that seems reluctant to come. As the end of the year approaches, I want to acknowledge my readers and thank you for giving me your time. Time, which I know is precious. I am forever grateful.
Throughout our travels we met some wonderful people, came across fabulous Kiwis working in hospitality, tourism and sports and saw some of this world’s greatest sights. I won’t go into detail of the places we visited here, but over a period of 115 days we travelled across more than 10 oceans and seas and visited 19 countries and came home exhausted – happily, cheerfully exhausted. And the food was wonderful. I’ve blogged about our journey on my website.
One of the main things we learnt while away is that New Zealand is respected and admired. That is a major feat for a small country down the bottom of the globe – sometimes we don’t even appear on the map – so be proud of our achievements. But we must work to keep it that way.
However, one major issue we struck time and time again, is that pollution is ruining this world. We must, as individuals, take responsibility and say no to plastic, say no to waste, say no to oil, and all the other things creating havoc and loudly say yes to renewables, compostables and trees. Lots and lots of trees. The world needs oxygen, cleaner air, cleaner oceans and we must protect the animal life. This article in NZ Herald citing Sir David Attenborough saying “the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon,” comes at an important time. We must take control and win the battle against this march of destruction.
I love the idea of turning Queen Street into a pedestrian-friendly, essential vehicle only, pollution free zone for people. We need to do this, and do more of the same in other places. Our clean, green world, is not as good as it once was but is a lot better than so many other countries and cities where the haze never goes away and the scenery is muted.
Since I’ve been home, I’ve attended the NZ Book Festival – an annual event, now in its fifth year and with some loyal followers. I’ve given two talks at libraries and groups and held a bookstall. If you would like me to speak about my travels, my writing or my genealogy research to your club or organisation, please ask. I never say no (unless I’m not here).
I am also roughly halfway through my next novel. Despite all my travels through many exotic places with history far greater than ours, this story is still set in Auckland, a city I love. This time, the story is a dual-timeline with Katie in the present discovering the story of Jane in the early 1900s. It will be out in mid-2019.
Meanwhile, if you’d like any of my books personally signed as a Christmas present, you just have to email me.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and peaceful New Year and take care.
By Vicky Adin,
Author & book lover.
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