Writer, mother, expat (to be). Repat.
Born in Cuba to British diplomat parents, I started travelling as a baby and haven’t stopped. I’ve lived in eleven countries on five continents, and visited nearly 70. Along the way, I’ve picked up a husband (K) and produced two daughters (E and M). I’ve worked as a journalist, diplomat, writer, press officer, antenatal teacher, customer service advisor, PA, coffee shop waitress, school cook (although that was only for one day). I now work from home, managing a journal (the International Journal of Birth and Parent Education), writing this blog and marketing the Expat Partner’s Survival Guide – as well as looking after the kiddies. We’re currently living in South Africa. I love Hotel Chocolat. I hate anyone who eats my Hotel Chocolat. I am not being paid by Hotel Chocolat to write this.
Loved this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a small world – I work for the NCT and read your journal! I’m looking forward to getting stuck into your blog and hearing more about South Africa. Your Hotel Chocolat is safe from me 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha ha – I have just commented on your blog (under the “who” section) that we seem to have a lot in common! I look forward to reading about your travels too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You seem like one pretty well rounded (and travelled) lady! Great to meet someone who’s embraced the world (although I suppose, as a youngster, you didn’t have much choice!) Looking forward to reading more of your stories here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! You’re right, as a youngster it was sort of forced upon me. .but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way!
LikeLike
Thanks for following my blog. Your life so far sounds VERY interesting, I’m curious to know what’s next so I’m going to be your new follower 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you – I’m quite curious to know what the next bit will be like too 😉 Your blog also looks great – look forward to following!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Clara, thanks for following my blog. I am hoping on becoming a trailing spouse this year and a diplomat myself in the not so long future, but at the moment we are playing the waiting game… Good luck in S. Africa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi and nice to meet you! Thank you for the follow. I hope you find the site interesting, please keep commenting as the more voices that are heard the more everyone will get out of it. I look forward to reading about your own adventures!
LikeLike
Nominated you for Premio Dardos Award! https://tinyexpats.com/2015/01/22/premio-dardos-award/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you tinyexpats!
LikeLike
Thanks for the follow Clara, Look forward to hearing more of your travel adventures too – Keri
LikeLiked by 2 people
Looking forward to your blog..!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Hi,
I have nominated you for Liebster Award. While I would be glad if you accept it, I shall totally understand if you choose not to take part.
You’ll find my post on this here:
https://justinmywritemind.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/little-act-of-kindness/
Arundhati
LikeLike
Thank you! I’ll hopefully get time to do this this week. ..
LikeLike
Clara, what an adventure you and your family are about to embark on. We just returned from a five country southern Africa jaunt and were in awe of the natural beauty. Your visit to your new home city while the Jacaranda trees were in bloom was well timed – we just missed it. Highlights for us included seeing Victoria Falls, walking with the lions at Antelope Park, and safaris at both Kruger and Chobe NP. Also Cape Town area was interesting. Your kids might really enjoy seeing the penguins at Boulder’s Beach. And for the adults, a wine tasting tour at Stellenbosch.
LikeLike
Thank you! The penguins are definitely on our list. As is a wine tour 😉 I’ve really enjoyed following your tour on your blog.
LikeLike
Look forward to your photographs of your new journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, I followed you from the post on HR. I’ll be seeing you in my feed. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m now following you too.
LikeLike
Pingback: MARY GERTRUDE NELLIE | Silver Lining Mama
Pingback: Blogger Love! | Petal & Mortar
sounds pretty amazing!! I;m sticking around for South Africa!! Happy to have found your blog and follow! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most excellent website and how fortunate you and your family are to be exploring our planet and it’s cultures. My best to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! That’s very kind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: …and the Versatile Blogger Award | Petal & Mortar
Thanks for the follow! Just finished reading your “Memorable Journeys #5” post. Knowing how cranky, irritable and anxious I get when experiencing any kind of disruption when I fly alone I’m always impressed by those who can keep it together when you add small kids to the mix. Glad to hear you can laugh about it all now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you find wells of patience that you just didn’t know you had when you have kids… Having said that, I think that patience was pushed to the limits on that journey…
LikeLiked by 1 person
hello! �� I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! I hope you can check out the details here: https://berryduchess.com/2015/04/08/the-versatile-award/
xoxo,
berryduchess
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Always honoured by awards. I have three to catch up with now so can see an awards round up post coming up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 Thanks for accepting it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clara, Thank you hopping on our blog. I hope you enjoy my ramblings and photos as I share about the places where we travel, work and play.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved reading this 🙂 I like your quirky funny style of writing! and wow…that is a LOT of countries to have been to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I started young – your chiildren will be rivalling me soon 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Clara! Thanks for following my new blog! I feel like I’m a bit late to the WordPress party, even though I’ve been a trailing spouse and expat for 8 years now (gulp). Tut tut. Really ought to have been a bit more verbose sooner. I’m looking forward to sitting down with some Hotel Chocolat and exploring your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks and I look forward to your updates too!
LikeLike
Pingback: Blogging – this is totally cool | From Melbourne to Manhattan
I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I admire your roaming spirit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, thanks for following my blog! I’m looking forward to reading yours and hearing about your new adventures. I love the idea for your book it is a very interesting perspective. I would love to be a guinea pig but don’t think I really fit your criteria (my husband and I both came out here to work and have been in Vietnam for almost 2 years already) but I can’t wait to read about other’s experiences.
cheers 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m going to be introducing my road testers over the next couple of weeks so look out for that!
LikeLike
Thanks for following my blog! I won’t eat your Hotel Chocolat as long as you don’t eat mine… I’m also slightly jealous of the number of places you’ve lived and visited. I’m doing my best to add to my list – on 33 countries so far and due to add another 7 this summer! Do you have a favourite?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funnily enough I must have been passing our local Hotel Chocolat shop at about the exact time as you were typing this message….I actually resisted going in, which is good for me 😉 Favourite – hmmmm, that’s difficult as country’s are good for different reasons – some for living, some for holidaying. I think probably New Zealand overall (but too far away), Venezeula for the variety it has to offer, Thailand as a perfect holiday destination, Belize ditto….but there are so many others I would put on my “must-do” list too – Jordan (for Petra – probably the most stunning place I have ever visited), Jerusalem for history, Italy for Venice and Siena…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing self-control! I don’t think I could do that – although the only time I pass Hotel Chocolat is when I go back to the UK (about once a year) so I have to stock up! Wow, so many places! Of those, I’ve been to Italy and Thailand, both of which I loved, and the others are on my list…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for following The Immortal Jukebox. I hope you will find much to enjoy ( please feel free to add comments). I look forward to much reading here. Regards Thom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: I’m here and over here too! Weeeeee! | frommelbournetomanhattan
Pleased to meet you. Feel free to visit my blog when you get the chance to. 🙂
LikeLike
Just found your blog! I am also a trailing spouse living in Joburg. Where abouts are you? Hoping your experience of living here has been good so far. Look forward to reading your posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Namz – I am in Pretoria, and yes so far so good (apart from the weather this weekend just gone which means we didn’t get to do the hot air balloon ride I had booked for my husband’s birthday – grrrrrr). Are you a member ofo the Trailing Spouse Johannesburg FB group?
LikeLike
Ah yes, the weather – this was supposed to be the last cold spell before the summer sets in! Sad to hear about the balloon ride. Hopefully you can go soon. It is very nice!
I am not a part of the FB group you mention. Can you send me a link on [email protected], please?
LikeLike
Pingback: Holiday Snapshots #40 Hurghada, Egypt
Pingback: Sisterhood of the World Blogging Award | The Expat Chronicles
I have lived in 5 countries, including South Africa, but you certainly beat me with 11! Lovely to meet you and you have a very interesting blog.
LikeLike
I have a son that is British born and educated, but now lives in Brisbane as an Australian citizen with an Australian wife. When I question him about maybe returning to the UK at sometime to live, it always comes back to the weather. I suppose I cannot blame him for preferring clear blue skies and warm temperatures . Keep up the interesting blog. Makes good reading!
LikeLike