13.1

Yesterday two years ago I completed the Inca Trail and arrived at Machu Picchu after a 45k trek. Sunday I am taking part in my first half-marathon, 13.1 miles, in Dublin, my home city. Will find out shortly which was the bigger challenge.
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A landmark day

This day last year, 5 May 2015,  I arrived in Sydney, my final destination in Australia. In a trip full of fantastic moments, this one was special. I had driven a good distance from Port Nelson, over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and straight to the car rental drop-off; much as I loved my trusty Golf, I was glad to be ditching it and not having to deal with Sydney traffic. My lovely Air BnB host gave me a glass of wine to calm my nerves,  and off I went to discover the city. First stop,…
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The speed of things

Walking home from the train station I noticed how fast everyone was walking - way faster than me and I always thought I moved quickly.  Then I remembered being somewhere where people did the opposite, walked really slowly, so slowly that I had to slow myself down to fit in and not feel like I was rudely rushing through the city. I thought - where was that? Then I remembered - Rio de Janeiro, specifically.  South America in general. No-one rushes in South American cities, it's a totally different feel to New York, London or…
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