Me, Myself, I

Hi. I’m Nel. Pleased to meet you 🙂 Sit down, kick your shoes off, grab a beer, make yourself comfortable. Glad you could make it.

As you probably know, this blog is for people interested in places that lie Beyond The Brochure, in ways that operate outside the algorithm, and written by someone who doesn’t fit neatly into the mainstream of either. If you want picture-perfect destinations, a curated feed, and pretty people in sundresses sipping cocktails on a beach, Instagram is → that way →. Even if I do look cute in a sundress. Instead, here lie stories of adventure, of less-than-smooth border crossings, of under-promoted cities, and of a definite lack of five-star luxury.

A person with purple hair and glasses stands in front of a modern city street with several buildings in the background. The person is wearing a colourful knit hat, a denim jacket, and a black and white floral dress with a black belt. The person is standing behind a short brick and concrete wall and a black iron fence. In the background are several buildings including one with a unique black geometric design and a red brick building. A yellow bus is visible on the right side of the frame behind the person.

Hi, I’m Nel, pleased to meet you

If you believe “Everywhere Is Interesting”, and love the world for what it is, warts and all, then this is for you. Travel vicariously to places you’re unlikely ever to visit – “I go to these places so you don’t have to”. And if you do choose to go to any of them, I hope these observations will prove useful.

I am a middle-aged British enby, who’s been inspired by people as diverse as Michael Palin, 18th Century diplomats, and The Littlest Hobo. My aim is to see as much of the unusual, the unknown, and the unappreciated, as I possibly can – the world is small but life is short. I’m clearly British, but I don’t believe national identity is as important as personal identity. I’ve been travelling most of my adult life, and in August 2025 I visited my 100th country, for a given definition of ‘country’. While I don’t want to go to them all, I’m not planning on stopping any time soon.

A street scene in what appears to be a West African town showcases a man herding several goats down a reddish-brown dirt road. The man, seen from the back, wears a light-coloured shirt, and the goats are predominantly white, creating a striking contrast against the earth-toned street. Behind the man and his herd, a truck laden with goods is parked, with pigeons perched atop, adding a layer of liveliness to the scene. To the right of the road, a man in a purple shirt stands next to a parked motorcycle, while another man sits on the bike, suggesting a moment of pause in their journey. Buildings line the street, some still under construction, providing a glimpse into the town's ongoing development. The scene is bathed in the warm, golden light of either a sunrise or sunset, casting long shadows and enhancing the vibrant colours of the environment. The presence of the goats being herded adds a rural, traditional aspect to the urban setting.

Ouagadougou – a normal place, but one ‘beyond the brochure’

For me, travel isn’t about ticking places off a list – indeed I have an ‘anti-bucket list’ of places and things I’ve no desire to do. Rather, travel is about my curiosity, about learning, about how I understand the world and its history and culture, and especially about myself and how I fit into it. I go to places because they’re there, and I can, because I think I’ll find them interesting in some way. I tend to travel solo, and with only hand-luggage; just me, my notebook, and an open mind. And, sometimes, sandals. Occasionally everything goes wrong and I flee, but mostly I thrive and enjoy my experiences. Either way, it’s a learning exercise, both about what the world has, and what I’m capable of.

I am openly Queer, being asexual, aromantic, and (slightly femme-leaning) non-binary, and that, plus my academic background in history, means I will see things through a particular lens. Life is too short to be beige. I’ve said elsewhere that the very act of travel is political in itself, and I’m not going to shy away from that.

On this site, I talk about topics as diverse as hiking and running, dark history and ethics, budget travel, and beer. While much of my destination writing is UK-focussed, I try to write something about every place I’ve been. My primary medium is my podcast, where my voice – literal and figurative – shines brightest.