Meisjes van vijftig zeilen waddenzee met vrouwencirkel

Vrouwencirkel: een retraite vol avonturen

Sinds mijn partner is overleden ben ik zoekende. Ik ben mijn anker kwijt en laat me meedrijven door wat op mijn pad komt. Ik denk er niet over na, rationaliseer niet, ik doe. Als het goed voelt dan pak ik het met beide handen aan. Dus sta ik soms héél vroeg op om met een groep gelijkgestemden een uur te mediteren, heb ik de afgelopen zes maanden twee marathons en twee halve marathons gerend, ben ik een lang weekend in mijn uppie op pad geweest in Sneek en heb ik diverse korte cursussen gevolgd. Toen ik lucht kreeg van een door Vrouwencirkel geheel verzorgd weekend zeilen, wadlopen, kletsen, dansen, opstellingen en mediteren, maakte mijn hart een sprongetje.

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Heimwee naar 2008 en twilight met meisjes van vijftig

Midnight Sun takes me back to 2008. And Twilight

It was the year 2008,  my daughter was at the sweet age of 16 and we were desperately awaiting the release of the final book in the Twilight saga: Breaking Dawn. For three years we had been living and breathing the adventures of Bella Swan and the Cullen family through the books of Stephenie Meyer. The release of  Breaking Dawn meant an end to an era for us. Not unlike what happened with the release of the final Harry Potter book in 2007. And just like with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, we ordered two copies of the book, so we didn’t have to wait for the other one to finish. Continue reading “Midnight Sun takes me back to 2008. And Twilight”

Meisjes van vijftig houden van Chicago en Lake Michigan

The best Budget Travel tips for a memorable trip to Chicago

It’s the city of Barack Obama and Al Capone. Of pizzas and hot dogs. Of the Bean and of the Sears  Willis Tower. Of Oprah and Kanye West. A city I never would have visited if it wasn’t also the town of a Major Marathon: the Bank of America Chicago marathon. A town with so many faces that I hope I may come back next year, because I don’t doubt there is so much more to see. But lucky you! Because I had the opportunity to run 42 kilometers through the Windy City and because I walked it a week after that, I can now give you some tips to make the visit even more memorable.  Continue reading “The best Budget Travel tips for a memorable trip to Chicago”

Meisjes van vijftig marathon New York

4 marathons in one year. It is possible, even in menopause.

My feet felt like I was walking on needles. My knees were protesting with all their might. I had just taken my last gel. The drums of the band tried to elevate my mood. And then I saw the gate of Chinatown. This meant I was at the 35k point of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The pain in my feet didn’t seem that important anymore. With only 7k to go I knew: I will finish 4 marathons this year. I could smell that finish line in Grant park, Chicago. 

Continue reading “4 marathons in one year. It is possible, even in menopause.”

boek een reisje in de overgang

Is menopause troubling you? Book a trip!

It’s not going well. I have trouble concentrating. I’ve lost every wish to take on new stuff.  I can’t hold my thought even for a second. My whole body is prickly. If ants are partying under my skin. I’m forgetful. Other small aches are troubling me, not alarming enough to go to a doctor. But it makes it hard to function normally. “Don’t forget your moodyness”, my husband calls helpfully from the couch.

Continue reading “Is menopause troubling you? Book a trip!”

meisjes van vijftig houden van reizen

Review: Celebrity Silhouette Holy Land Cruise September 24, 2016

Ladies, I know this to be true: cruise travel is not for everybody. If you love nothing more than waking up in a tent and cooking your own dinner at night on a little travel stove and if you don’t mind sweeping the sand out of your sleeping bag, along with a lost spider, then by all means, please do so.  I too love active vacations. I love to get up with the sun and run a couple of miles before breakfast. But every once in a while, there is nothing so grand as being completely spoilt, while visiting five countries and eight harbors. In 14 days. There is nothing better than waking up in a new city. To explore a new place. To make new friends every day. And all this while your cabin is getting cleaned, your bed made and your breakfast, supper, lunch and diner are served. And guess what? There is even enough space to run a couple of miles before breakfast. A very extensive breakfast. Besides, did you know that traveling, any kind of traveling, can improve your health in more than one way? Positivehealthwellness gives you 8 reasons to travel. Cruising as medicine, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Continue reading “Review: Celebrity Silhouette Holy Land Cruise September 24, 2016”

Near Yosemite Sonora Lakehouse

AirBnB and my three favorite spots

For someone with love for traveling AirBnB has proven a true gift. Of course I can buy packages with Expedia. And Ticketspy offers me daily a lot of attractive travel opportunities. But sometimes it feels so much better to share a home with a local. To make your own breakfast instead of joining the queue at the breakfast service. And with 60 million users worldwide, in 197 countries, I’m apparently not the only one. That’s why I want to share my three favorite places with you. Three perfect spots I wouldn’t have found without AirBnB. Continue reading “AirBnB and my three favorite spots”

Supernatural en Arrow panel comic con 2014

And that’s another year for me without Comic Con

Anyone who knows me even a little, knows how important last weekend was for me. It was the one weekend that would determine the planning for the rest of the year. Could it be this year? Could we plan for the summer holiday? Book flights? Check out hotels? Because it was last weekend, on Saturday February 20 that we had our last chance at tickets for Comic Con San Diego 2016. Continue reading “And that’s another year for me without Comic Con”

Meisjes van vijftig houden Ardennen

Did you know there is culture to be found in the French Ardennes?

Le moulin de bancigny-Franse ArdennenDaughter dear and I chose a very sad weekend in February to explore the French Ardennes. But what do you do on a rainy and cold day in the French Ardennes? It’s low season – or off season whatever you prefer – most attractions are closed and the beautiful estate we ended up in, tried to seduce us to spend the weekend reading and drinking hot cacoa. So, here are three day trips to do on a rainy day in the Ardennes.  Continue reading “Did you know there is culture to be found in the French Ardennes?”