Tag: reflection

Challenges by Sarah, Scribblings by Sarah, Summer Series

Summer Series – Best Bits, Eurotrip

Sarah W

Now that I have been back home for a week, I thought it would be fun to reflect upon the best (and some of the worst) bits of the trip… Note: (I have linked to sites for those I recommend!)

ACCOMMODATION

  • Most comfortable mattress: Wunder Locke, Munich 🇩🇪
  • Best pillows: Wunder Locke, Munich 🇩🇪
  • Best shower: Hotel Adler, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Best bathroom: Novotel, Brussels (city) 🇧🇪
  • Widest range / best selection buffet breakfast: Hotel Adler, Prague 🇨🇿

  • Best value buffet breakfast: Ibis Hotel, Zurich 🇨🇭
  • Best customer service: Hotel Adler, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Best cleanliness: Hotel de la Paix, Poperinge 🇧🇪
  • Best facilities: Novotel, Brussels (city) 🇧🇪
  • Best location: Stephensdom Apartments, Vienna 🇦🇹
  • Best value for money: Hotel Adler, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Best “extras”: Hotel Adler, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Smallest lift: Hotel Doria, Amsterdam 🇳🇱

GETTING FROM A to B

Flights

  • Best flight: Dubai to Amsterdam (Emirates) 🇦🇪 🇳🇱
  • Best in-flight meal: Zurich to Dubai (Lasagne, potato salad, and a brownie encased in chocolate mousse, topped with caramel sauce) 🇨🇭🇦🇪
  • Best seat: 78G Dubai to Melbourne 🇦🇪 🇦🇺
  • Longest wait: Zurich 🇨🇭

  • Best airport: Amsterdam 🇳🇱
  • Most expensive duty free: Dubai 🇦🇪
  • Best value duty free: Melbourne 🇦🇺

Trains

  • Best trains: OBB (Austria) 🇦🇹
  • Worst trains: SBB (Switzerland) *no working toilet for three carriages?! 🇨🇭
  • Best OTP (on time performance): DB (Germany) 🇩🇪
  • Fastest trains: DB (Germany) 🇩🇪
  • Best WIFI: DB (Germany) 🇩🇪

  • Best train food: OBB (Austria) 🇦🇹 (vending machines in every car)
  • Most fun name to say: Ceské dráhy (Czech Republic) 🇨🇿 (although singing OBB to the song “OPP” was quite entertaining too)
  • Slowest trains: Ceské dráhy (Czech Republic) 🇨🇿
  • Best toilets: Ceské dráhy (Czech Republic) 🇨🇿
  • Cutest train food: Ceské dráhy (Czech Republic) 🇨🇿 (literally a porter with a mini bar trolley)

  • Best station name: Donnersbergerbrücke (Germany) 🇩🇪
  • Second best station name: Hoofddorf (Netherlands) 🇳🇱
  • Friendliest staff: SNCB (Belgium) 🇧🇪
  • Rudest staff: The guy at Tourcoing station 🇫🇷
  • Best uniform: SNCB (Belgium) 🇧🇪

  • Most scenic trip: Vienna to Zurich via the Alps 🇦🇹 🏔️🏔️🏔️

  • Hero of the trip: Eurail Pass

On the ground

  • Easiest to navigate: Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Best public transport: Vienna 🇦🇹 (although for its population/size, Zurich deserves an honourable mention here 🇨🇭)
  • Best (free) WIFI availability: Vienna 🇦🇹
  • Worst (free) WIFI availability: Zurich 🇨🇭
  • Most vomit: Amsterdam 🇳🇱
  • Most rubbish: Amsterdam 🇳🇱
  • Most dog poo: Poperinge 🇧🇪
  • Cleanest: Vienna 🇦🇹

FOOD & DRINK

  • Best croissant: Brussels 🇧🇪 (consistently good no matter the venue!)
  • Best brewery (range): Sibeeria, Prague 🇨🇿

  • Best cheese: Pesto infused Parmesan, Antwerp Christmas Markets 🇧🇪

  • Best chocolate: Mary Chocolatier, Brussels 🇧🇪

EXPERIENCES

  • Best tour: Old Town Munich, with Franz 🇩🇪
  • Best shopping: Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Best value for money: Prague 🇨🇿
  • Most expensive: Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
  • Best museum: Residenz, Munich 🇩🇪

  • Best architecture: Amsterdam 🇳🇱
  • Best churches: Poperinge 🇧🇪
  • Best Town Hall: Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Best Town Hall Clock: Astronomical Clock, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Quirkiest attraction: Mannekin Pis 🇧🇪

  • Prettiest city: Prague 🇨🇿
  • Oldest city: Prague 🇨🇿
  • The “Quiet Achiever”: Antwerp 🇧🇪
  • Most memorable moment: Chateaux Spa Beerland, Prague 🇨🇿
  • Most profound/impactful: Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial🇩🇪

  • Most fun attraction: Museum of Illusions, Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Best Christmas Market: Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Best Christmas Tree: Amsterdam 🇳🇱
  • Funniest moment: A drunk man speaking French to a pigeon in the streets (a la “Pepé Le Pew” style).
  • Favourite square: Grand Place, Brussels 🇧🇪 (with a very close second, Old Town Square, Prague 🇨🇿

OTHER

  • Favourite supermarket: Jumbo 🇧🇪
  • Favourite mishap: Accidentally going to France 🇫🇷
  • Favourite magnet: Prague 🇨🇿

  • Favourite photo: View to Prague (from Strahov Gardens)

OVERALL

  • Favourite city: Brussels 🇧🇪
  • Favourite country: Belgium 🇧🇪

TOP 5 MVPs 🏆

  • $30 foldable backpack 🎒
  • €6 Primark leggings 🦵
  • Portable charger 🪫🔋
  • $59 ALDI ski jackets 🧥 🧥
  • $10 Arlec power cube 🔌

Things Sarah lost:

  • 3 x pairs of gloves 🧤🧤🧤
  • Glasses 👓
  • Glasses case (different pair to the lost glasses!) 🕶️
  • 1 x sock 🧦
  • Bag lock 🔒
  • Headband 🪢
  • Wine bottle 🍾
  • Dog treats 🦴
  • Mind (at times) 🤪

A-Z Challenge, Challenges by Sarah

2024 A-Z Challenge – Reflection

Sarah W

As I began this year, so I will end… with a limerick!

Goodbye to my challenge corner.
Thank you for being a supporter!
This A-Z's done.
It's been such fun!
'Til next year... when they restore 'er!

I can’t believe how fast the month of April went. The days simply whizzed by and I was impressed (on the whole) with my planning and preparation for my posts each day.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the blogs I visited during the challenge, (and plan on getting to more on my road trip list soon!) It is always inspiring to see what others are up to and discover new blogs.

For anyone who missed it (or who wants to revisit 😆), I have collated a summary list of all posts for my 2024 A-Z Challenge, In The Corner.

Until next year, A-Z!

2024 A-Z Challenge: Reflection
A-Z Challenge, Challenges by Sarah

Reflection on A to Z Challenge, 2023

Sarah W

Found on the Ground

The day is done,
and this challenge is won!
A post every day
from Z to A...
(or A to Z 
is just as easy!)
My eyes turned down
upon the ground 
for a month or more
oh, the things I saw!
Some made me smile,
some had great style, 
some made me sad,
and others made me mad.
But overall? I'm feeling glad
Coz such a funfilled time was had!

What began as some random thoughts about “keeping my head down,” turned into a fascinating month of finding and snapping, things found beneath my feet.

I truly did not anticipate the overwhelmingly positive response that I had to my daily posts and was humbled by the kind and encouraging comments. There were so many likes and visits, as well as new followers to my site. I cannot thank enough, those who journeyed with me!

Likewise, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting other blogs and exploring different themes and letter posts. I have made some valuable new connections and look forward to following new blogs and growing my WordPress community further.

Thanks also to the A-Z Challenge organisers. This is a huge undertaking and an amazing achievement to coordinate the blogospheres to come together in this way.

I will genuinely miss my daily posting and am already looking forward to next year’s challenge.

For the benefit of ease, I have collated a list of my letters. Here is a summary of posts for 2023:

For anyone not familiar with the A-Z Challenge, or perhaps wanting to join in the fun next time, please click HERE for more information.

Scribblings by Sarah

Year in Review

Sarah W

As 2022 draws to a close,
It’s time for a reflection…and some prose.
It’s “been a year”, this much is true
But here are some highlights, from each month for you…

The Hunter Valley, was oh, so fun!
Delicious beer and wine…so yum.
Blue Mountains walks, too many to amble 
And stunning scenery for leisurely rambles.
Enlighten Festival did delight,
With gorgeous displays illuminating night.
Dragonboat Nationals were a blast.
Never did we ever, paddle so fast!
We picked up bronze in the Masters section.
All that training for…(almost) perfection.
For Mother’s Day, we had breakfast at the zoo.
We petted a dingo, lizard, and ‘roo.
Then came Moulin Rouge and “that” Sydney trip.
We really should’ve stopped at our first sip!
Random new friends met at the bar,
And a tattoo "close-call", a step too far.
Queensland holidays are always bliss!
Brisbane and Gold Coast are too good to miss.
Cocktails, shopping, and plenty of snacks.
Glorious beaches, a time to relax!
Boogie boarding, paddling and swimming all day.
Leisurely moments, whiled away.
My birthday this year, was super sweet
The surprise from my students, a real treat.
A girls’ trip to Tumut was very informing…
Those country folk sure aren’t boring.
Adventures in Adelaide with my gal Claire 
Our Giant German Hotdog, a serious affair
I’ve also enjoyed my African drumming, 
Playing with a group is really something.
Plenty of kayaking and time on the water
Helped clear the mind (like a good paddle oughta).
But December’s been a real special month 
We’ve gathered, connected, and shared the love.

Yep…2022 had lots of good things
but I’m excited for what the New Year brings!
Cheers to all, let’s celebrate the occasion…
(Of course) with a beverage of alcoholic persuasion.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥂🍾

Other, Poetry by Sarah

Blackened Moon

Sarah W

Blackened moon,
mirroring worlds.
Inky skies reflect
shadows and light.
Birds fly away,
seeking sun; fleeing mists.
Chasing possibilities.
~ Searching for clarity. ~
Possibilities chasing
fleeing mists; sun seeking.
Away fly birds.
Light and shadows,
reflect skies. Inky
worlds mirroring,
moon blackened.

By Sarah ©2018

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Photo Challenge #218

Challenges by Sarah, Poetry by Sarah

Reflections on NaPoWriMo

Sarah W

I can’t believe I made it! A poem a day for the whole month of April (otherwise known as National Poetry Writing Month or NaPoWriMo for short). I felt I was being a little ambitious tackling both the A-Z Challenge and NaPoWriMo in the same month, however, I not only tackled; I have succeeded and completed BOTH challenges. I feel an immense sense of pride for the writing I have achieved this month. In particular, for the poetry I have written. I undertook Suzanne Olivante’s Photo Challenge as my Prompt basis for NaPoWriMo and she delivered some unbelievable and inspiring images for writing.

One of the things I am most pleased about, is the variety of NEW poetry forms I have been able to experiment with. I have discovered I LOVE to write Nonet and Rondolet, and have refined my skills when working with Fibonacci and Tanka. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute, and even on days when I was time poor, still managed to whip something up that I was reasonably proud of!

My top five favourite poems that I wrote for NaPoWriMo, are (in no particular order):

  • Glimpses
  • Autumn Pleiades
  • With Me
  • Drip-Stone
  • Glimmering Dew

I have included a summary of all of my poems for the month of April 2018, with the poetry form given in parentheses beside the title:

  1. Glimpses (Elfje)
  2. Be Brave (Fibonacci)
  3. Cold (Haiku/Senryu)
  4. D is for Depression (Haibun)
  5. Ignite (Cinquain)
  6. Fearsome Lady (Tanka)
  7. Busy City (Triolet)
  8. Beneath The Cloudy Skies (Triquain)
  9. Epiphany (Pantoum)
  10. Sweet (Haiku/Senryu)
  11. Darkness of the Deep (Tanka)
  12. Autumn Pleiades (Pleiades)
  13. L is for Lonely (Haibun)
  14. Glimmering Dew (Rondolet)
  15. Brickhead (Haiku/Senryu)
  16. Future Paths (Fibonacci)
  17. Bee Fun (Haiku/Senryu)
  18. Missteps (Tanka)
  19. Nothing But Tracks (Fibonacci)
  20. Emerald Dust (Tanka)
  21. Swan Dance (Haiku/Senryu)
  22. Roots (Nonet)
  23. With Me (Nonet)
  24. Drip-Stone (Mirror Sestet)
  25. Beat (Haiku/Senryu)
  26. First Blush (Tanka)
  27. Fly Away (Fibonacci)
  28. Close (Nonet)
  29. Sunshine in a Glass (Haiku/Senryu)
  30. Abandoned (Mirror Poem)

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

I also want to extend a massive THANK YOU to Suzanne Olivante for organising the image prompts. I truly appreciate the work she put into running the challenge, and highly recommend you check out her blog at: Suzanne Olivante Poetry

Other, Poetry by Sarah

Reflection

Sarah W

Reality versus
Expectation. My
Face peers back at me and I
Long for an eraser to rub out the
Eternity of lines
Cut into my skin.
This is me now
I realise, and though
Objectionable ageing may be,
No one can escape time.

By Sarah ©2017

img_3151
Image credit pxhere

Prompt: Sammi Scribbles, Weekend Writing Prompt, #32 – Reflection, Poetry Challenge – Write an acrostic poem, where the first letter of the first word of each line spells out “reflection” as it is read from top to bottom.