Sue Cockell

Woman in a red dress and sunglasses walking on a sandy beach between the palm trees

Why Midlife Is the Best Time to Start Travelling Solo

If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know what an advocate I am for solo travel. I’ve written numerous blog posts sharing my experiences – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly – packed with advice for those who might be a little more reticent about setting off alone. But lately, life has changed. I recently remarried, and with my husband newly retired, solo trips may become less frequent. Naturally, I’ve had questions: Will I still travel alone? Will my solo travel advice still be relevant?

A blonde woman in sunglasses standing on a Quay, by a large ocean liner

Sailing in Style: Cruising the Norwegian Fjords

by Sue Cockell

There are few travel experiences as awe-inspiring as sailing through Norway’s fjords – except perhaps doing it aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2. As someone who once claimed I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than go on a cruise, I now find myself completely enchanted. Sailing through some of Norway’s most breathtaking landscapes on an ocean liner rich in heritage turned out to be the most magical way to spend my honeymoon.

A Montage of photos featuring a couple on the queen mary 2

From Backpack to Ballroom – Why I’m About to Cruise the Norwegian Fjords on the Queen Mary 2

by Sue Cockell

I’ve gone on record before (more than once!) saying I’d rather stick pins in my eyes than go on a cruise.

Dramatic? Maybe. Honest? Absolutely.

For years, I’ve had strong feelings about cruising — especially after spending extended time in the Caribbean and witnessing the sudden daily invasion of massive crowds. You know the scene: thousands of people pouring off giant ships, overwhelming quiet coastal towns, and then disappearing just as fast, leaving behind a trail of takeaway wrappers, confusion, and chaos.

Profound Things Can Happen in the Most Mundane Places

by Sue Cockell

Profound Things Can Happen in the Most Mundane Places

You expect life-changing moments on mountaintops.

You hope for deep insights while walking ancient paths or watching the sun set over a faraway city.

But you don’t expect one of the most profound experiences of your life to happen… in a laundrette.

And yet, that’s exactly what happened on the Camino de Santiago.

Because sometimes, profound things happen in the most mundane places.

A blonde woman in hiking gear smiling pointing to a blue and yellow sign

The Chapters of Life — And Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Rewrite Yours

by Sue Cockell

I’m back! Have you missed me?

I have to admit, it feels like ages since I last popped into your inbox — but what a couple of months it’s been!

Let me catch you up:
✨ I got married!
🥾 I hiked 500km on the Camino de Santiago as a honeymoon (or as we like to call it, our Camimoon).
🎉 My new husband officially retired — although, as a self-employed business owner, unofficially, not much has changed.
🎂 We celebrated his birthday in epic style.
🏡 And now, we’re waiting to hear whether we’ve secured a new property that would kick off a massive Grand Designs-style project.

A blonde woman in a purple top and wooly hat sitting on a large flat rock high above the clouds at the top of a mountain

Your Next Journey Isn’t Just a Trip—It’s a Turning Point

by Sue Cockell

There’s a moment many of us reach in midlife. A quiet whisper that asks:

Is this it?

We’ve been the caregivers, the professionals, the reliable ones. But beneath it all, there’s a part of us that’s still curious. Still hungry for joy, adventure, meaning.

A Montage of photos featuring a couple in hiking attire standing by a brick wall overlooking a river

Walking the Camino de Santiago: Five Weeks, 500km and A Journey of Self-Discovery

by Sue Cockell

Last year, I took my first steps on the Camino de Santiago—100 kilometres along the Portuguese route, from Vigo to Santiago. It was just one week, but it left a lasting impression. I walked it with my partner, Larry, and the experience was so powerful, so quietly transformational, we knew we had to return.

A blonde woman standing in the courtyard of a mosque on a sunny day

The Midlife Minimalist: How Packing Light Can Set You Free

by Sue Cockell

There’s a moment many of us reach in midlife. A quiet whisper that asks:

Is this it?

We’ve been the caregivers, the professionals, the reliable ones. But beneath it all, there’s a part of us that’s still curious. Still hungry for joy, adventure, meaning.

A blonde woman standing by a river with colourful house boats and Canadian geese..

Letting Go and Leaping In: How to Start Travelling Solo in Midlife

by Sue Cockell

What if the next chapter of your life started with a suitcase and a one-way ticket?

You’ve spent decades showing up for others—raising a family, building a career, supporting a partner. And now… the house is quiet. The routines have shifted. Maybe your relationship ended, your job no longer fits, or you’ve simply woken up to a persistent whisper: Is this all there is?

Sue Cockell

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