My Favourite Blogs in 2012

When I first started blogging the last thing that I expected to find was kindred spirits. But perhaps I was being naïve because our senses have a way of leading us to those places where our heart needs to be. At first, I read the blogs of those people who read mine. But as time passed, I ventured out and started dropping by and leaving comments in places where the style of writing, or the message, really struck me. New friendships were born and my life was all the more enriched by these wonderful women ( yes, I seem to read women almost exclusively) sending their thoughts out into the great universe of cyberspace.

At the start of this new year I thought I would share with you the blogs that I keep returning to, the ones whose posts I hate to miss and which you might also like to visit. So, here they are, in no particular order:

Subliminal Coffee – written by Suze and always thought provoking. There are many subtle ways in which Suze and I are alike, and she has this incredible way of giving words to my thoughts. Suze is an incredible writer with a wonderful talent and her writing moves me more than she can ever know. I feel that if I ever met Suze for a cup of coffee we would talk for hours.

Lost In Arles – I had never heard of Arles before I chanced upon this wonderful blog written by Heather. Heather is a travel writer who moved to France to be with the love of her life and she is slowly introducing me to the beauty of Provence, its quaint old villages and beautiful countryside. Heather has a natural way of drawing you in to her corner of the world. She takes beautiful photos and seems to see the world through my eyes and has made it her special quest to seek out the patina of age, the crumbling facades, the rusty door-knockers, the little everyday things which probably have an enchanting story to tell. Thanks to Heather, Provence has made it to my list of places I want to visit.

Travels With Persephone – Amanda is an archaeologist and writer. She writes about the here and now and about her life as an archaeologist on Ithaca. I have been an avid reader of the Greek myths since childhood so reading Amanda’s blog was a natural progression. What makes it even more interesting is that, because Amanda lived on Ithaca, it makes the place and the legends become so much more real. Needless to say, Greece is another place that I long to visit.

Baroque Sicily – this blog is written by Jann Huizenga an American expat writer who has been living on and off in Sicily since 2007. Jan takes beautiful photos and I love to see Sicily and its people through her lens; and the more I see of this island to our north, the more I am able to pick up the similarities between Sicily and Malta. Looking at Jan’s photos of Sicilians going about their daily business, it always strikes me that we are not only linked culturally but that many of us share the same genes. Sicilians and Maltese look so  much alike that I am sure many of us had common ancestors. (Maybe one day, when I retire or have a lot of time on my hands, I will delve into our family tree and find out).

My Marrakesh – Maryam Montague, who writes this blog, has quite an impressive list of achievements to her name: humanitarian, democracy specialist, writer, author of Marrakesh By Design and owner of Peacock Pavilions, a boutique guesthouse in Marrakech. Maryam is an inspiration to women around the world and her tales about Marrakech have me constantly wondering about this exotic location.

Agnes’ Pages – I believe that Agnes wears her heart on her sleeve and has some profound insights about life that only come to those who have travelled extensively and to places beyond the comfort zone of many. I have lived vicariously through her trips and I am the more enriched for it.

Spain Daily – Jane may not write too many words but her photos provide an exquisite view of life in Spain, and occasionally beyond. What I love most about her photos is how she focuses on the details to tell a story in pictures. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Jane for the pretty necklace she recently sent me after I won a give-away on her blog.

I would also like to mention Gattina at Writer’s Cramps whose sense of humour always makes me giggle – even on really bad days - and Jeanne at Collage Of Life whose writing is always so inspirational and who always comes up with wonderful snippets of her life to share with her readers.

So there they are, the women who challenge, inspire and amuse me. There are others, of course, because each blog I read is special in its own way, but I cannot mention everyone or this post would be even longer than it already is. And before I sign off, I would like to thank all my readers, old and new, for their continued encouragement and positive comments. In one way or another, you have all touched my heart.

Photos: March Flowers at Dwejra and at home.

March 2012