Ok, it’s New Year’s Day, the annual date in the calendar where everyone sets ambitious resolutions for the year ahead that they’ll never keep.
Within two weeks, all but one friend is back eating junk food in front of the TV and trying to find a way to cancel the gym membership without having to go in.
This year, I hope to be that one friend that keeps it going. Nope, I’m not going to stop eating and start getting fit (sorry wifey) but I am going to give travel blogging/vlogging a go and hope to keep going past January.
So, hi! I’m Dave. As you might’ve seen from our ‘About Us’ section, I’m a TV producer and university lecturer. I’m used to making reports for TV News (features usually – I’m more of a ‘Mr And Finally’ and Sport, rather than the man stood outside court) but, apart from some corporate work, I’ve never made anything under my own name for the internet.
Why now? Well, like Liam Neeson, I have a particular set of skills. I can shoot, edit, write and produce videos. I think YouTube videos and online content will soon overtake traditional TV as the place to showcase work.
I’m very interested in the future of online video content, so I’ll be partly using this site to feed into the academic research I’ll be doing with my university lecturer hat – mortar board – on (get used to the bad jokes), so that I can pass on what I learn.
Do I want to be the next Zoella? No, I’ve never actually seen her stuff, plus I don’t think people want to hear my views on make-up (is that what she does?).
Those that know me well, know that I like to find a bargain and will spend hours at a computer screen to try to save a few hundred quid. I’m totally that annoying person who’ll have bought the same TV, car or holiday for less than you’ve paid for it – I love a bargain – so I’ll be doing some of the hard work for you, when I can.
Seriously, how can you entertain toddlers on an 11-hour Trans-Atlantic flight?
The main reason for me doing this, is that we love to travel as a family and we are always asked about it: How do you survive an 11-hour Trans-Atlantic flight with babies and toddlers? How do you travel around California? Where’s the best place to eat? How does a House Swap work? Where should we actually go in Los Angeles? Seriously, how do you survive an 11-hour Trans-Atlantic flight with babies and toddlers?
It came to me, when my wife said she wanted to ‘do’ Route One (from San Francisco to San Diego) last year. I searched for weeks for the best way to ‘do it’ but no-one had posted a practical article of timings or created a video which was entertaining and informative. So, I borrowed a mate’s DSLR (cheers, Brett), took a GoPro to California last summer and started shooting things as a vlogger for the first time, much to the annoyance of Alicia (Mrs R, you’ll get to know her soon) who was constantly telling me off for slowing everyone down the whole time!
What you’ll see on this site over the next few weeks (definitely), months (hopefully) and years (definitely, hopefully) will have grown from that one subject to many thousands of miles of travelling, filming, editing and exploring the world with my favourite people on the planet.
I’m not planning on producing a video or blog-post every week – it will be quality over quantity – so make sure you follow our Facebook and Twitter pages to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.
Future articles will be much more informative – and less indulgent – but I just wanted to lay it all out there for my first blog-post.
Right, time to get writing and editing. I hope you enjoy watching and reading about our travels and that you’ll let us know if/when you visit the same place as us, to find out if we were able to help you live the Life of Reilly.
Get in touch, if you have any ideas or places you think we should visit!
4th January 2016 at 1:06 pm
Great idea and nice content. Well researched, written and most importantly vibrant and informative. I’m looking forward to your latest instalments! CB
4th January 2016 at 1:14 pm
Thanks Claire!!!! Now the pressure’s on to keep it up!! 😉
3rd January 2016 at 5:13 am
Hi Dave,
Looks like a great idea. We managed the flight to Vancouver with our two last year but I’m glad we not dong the return ’til the summer!
Remember, it’s only a short trip from San Diego to here.
3rd January 2016 at 8:51 am
Thanks Greg! I have a love/hate relationship with long haul flights too!! You’re the second person to suggest Canada…let’s see what we can do! I hope it’s all going well for you guys out there!
2nd January 2016 at 3:25 pm
I look forward to reading this. Good luck with it and I will certainly be looking for tips on long flights with little ones.
2nd January 2016 at 11:50 pm
Thanks, Gary! The flight tips blog will be up sooner rather than later. How did you guys get on with Sophie? Chat soon!
2nd January 2016 at 12:09 pm
Great idea guys. We look forward to reading all about it. International marriages do mean we need to travel back and forth fairly frequently with our children in tow. The house exchange idea has always had me intrigued too!
2nd January 2016 at 11:59 pm
Thanks Clare!! We know that international marriage feeling! Part One of our House Swap will be up next week with a video to accompany Part 2! Stay in touch!
1st January 2016 at 4:44 pm
Looking forward to following your adventures & stealing some vlogging tips!
1st January 2016 at 10:54 pm
Thanks Natalie. And I’ll be stealing your blogging tips!! We need to catch up soon, actually. It’s your turn to come to ours!!
1st January 2016 at 4:16 pm
I look forward to your future posts and especially video.
1st January 2016 at 10:55 pm
Thanks Laurie. Video coming soon!!
1st January 2016 at 1:39 pm
Well done on your first piece, Dave! I’m looking forward to seeing your videos and reading more. I’d like to know more about Airbnb and uber if you’re taking requests?
1st January 2016 at 2:21 pm
Nice ideas!! We have a piece about House Swapping coming up. I feel Airbnb coming soon after!!
1st January 2016 at 1:30 pm
David. We’re about to take our little one round the world. Hong Kong, New Zealand, San Francisco and then back to London. She’ll be 10 months old. Any tips on a) keeping her happy on the flight and b) coping with her sleep pattern through the time changes?
1st January 2016 at 2:20 pm
Great ideas for blog posts!! We’ll try to do something for you before you fly! If we don’t, I’ll call you with some tips and leave some suggestions in here.
1st January 2016 at 1:00 pm
Way to go David! New year and new challenge – good luck with this project. I’ll keep an eye out for your posts and videos from ‘Down Under’. Great website too.
1st January 2016 at 2:18 pm
Thanks Sally!!! I’ll get some video up soon!!