#GuestDayTuesday – #JackieLambert – #Writer’sTravelogueSeries – #KeepingAJournal

/ Marcia Meara

So happy to have Jackie Lambert visiting us again today, and I know you’ll be happy to welcome her, too. (With any luck, we can coax Jackie into visiting us often to share tales of her adventures on her World Wide Walkies!) As with her last visit, Jackie has some fun and interesting stuff to share with you today, so let’s get right to it! You’re on, Jackie!

How Keeping A Travel Journal Led Me To Publish Five Books!
~~~

“Keep a diary, and someday, it will keep you.”

(Note from Jackie: When I looked, I found this popular quote attributed to Mae West, Margot Asquith, Lily Langtry & Anonymous!)

Making a living from writing is difficult, but not impossible, although writing books and making money was certainly not the reason I started keeping diaries about my travels.

My memory is terrible, so when people used to ask me things like, “What did you do on your trip-of-a-lifetime to Zimbabwe?” I would say things like, “Er. Nothing much…”

My Zimbabwe trip was in 1994. Thankfully, I kept a journal – as I did for all my other trips since, which have taken me across six of the seven continents. This shabby collection of mismatched notebooks is now one of my most treasured possessions.

My 1994 journal describes six days rafting 60 km down the crocodile-infested Zambezi River, from Victoria Falls to the Kariba Dam, on some of the biggest white water in the world. Then, it takes me on safari, where I walked through the bush with wild elephants, buffalo, hyena and some rather large pussycats, protected solely by Jane, the only female white hunter in ‘Zim’, as the locals call their home country. After that, I flew over Victoria Falls in a microlight before launching myself 111 metres into freefall from the Victoria Falls Bridge in Zambia; the highest bungee jump in the world at the time.

No-one would embark on a ‘trip of a lifetime’ without their camera – and if I ever forget to pack a notebook and pen, I come home with sheaves of hotel stationery, paper bags, or Post-it notes covered in scribbles.

More than a quarter of a century on, my journal not only brings back the sights, but the sound of churning white water, the scent of campfires and African dust, and the range of feelings – from sheer  exhilaration to pure terror – that my trip to Africa invoked. I love the way it helps me to recall and re-live the experience in a way that photographs can’t – and I wouldn’t part with it for the world.

***

My husband, Mark and I were made redundant in 2016 and accidentally bought our first caravan (RV trailer). Some way down the second bottle of celebratory champagne, we had a wild idea,

“We could sell up, rent out the house, and tour Europe in her full time!”

Of course, when we sobered up, we decided this was a brilliant idea. So, in May 2016, we set off with our four dogs, Cavapoos (Cavalier/Poodle cross) Kai, Rosie, Ruby and Lani, and Caravan Kismet – meaning ‘Fate’ – in tow. We planned a three-year trip to out-of-the-way places, and our aim was ‘To Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before’.

Naturally, I kept a journal. During our first year on the road, people asked about our travels and encouraged me to start a blog. That was easy – after all, I had all the notes in my journal. The blog attracted readers from all over the world, who seemed to enjoy my scribblings. One of them even encouraged me to write a book…

Mark and I are now into our sixth year of our three-year trip and do not intend to stop touring any time soon. I have now published five books about our travels and number six is at the editing/revision stage. Several travel anthologies and travel publications have even invited me to contribute.

Without my travel journals, which I treasure and thoroughly enjoy creating for their own sake, I would never have started my blog, and without the blog, I would not have written the books.

Also, without my journals, if someone asked, “What have you been doing since 1994?”

I would still reply, “Nothing much.”

I can’t promise that one day, your diary will keep you, although I can absolutely GUARANTEE this;

Keep a diary and someday, it will keep you entertained!

Author & World Traveler Jackie Lambert

Fans of Jacqueline (Jackie) Lambert’s doggie/travel blog, www.WorldWideWalkies.com said, “You should write a book!” So, she did. In fact, she’s written five…

If you’ve ever considered giving up work to head off into the sunset with surfboards on the roof–or you just like dogs, travel and humour, her Adventure Caravanning With Dogs books are for you.

The first, Fur Babies in France, was described by one reviewer as, “Laugh out funny and a great travel guide”. It tells how she and husband Mark gave up work, accidentally bought their first ever caravan, then decided to rent out the house, sell most of their possessions, and tour Europe full-time with four dogs in tow.

Dog on the Rhine; “An inspirational travelogue” follows this intrepid couple as they get more adventurous, and head into Germany, The Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy. But just to prove that Living the Dream is not all sunshine and rainbows, they return home to a huge Fidose of reality…

Dogs ‘n’ Dracula; “Armchair travel delight” gives the full low down on how Jackie and Mark set off for Spain and Portugal, but decided to turn left…

Pups on Piste is a “Fun and interesting book” about the trials and tribulations of their first ski season in Italy, during which a ski instructor tells them, “Don’t miss the turn, or you’ll go over a cliff.”

In her latest memoir, It Never Rains But It Paws, released on 6th May 2022, Jackie and Mark race against time to leave the UK before Britain leaves the EU. Brexit could mean their four precious pups would be unable to travel. Then, a few months into their trip, the pandemic leaves them trapped in the epicentre of Europe’s No. 1 coronavirus hotspot…

She is currently working on her sixth book, To Hel In A Hound Cart – A Road Trip Through Poland In A Pandemic, which will be published later in 2022.

In her first year as a published author, Jacqueline was delighted to receive multiple five-star reviews, a letter from Prince Charles, an invitation to Bucharest to collect an award for Dogs ‘n’ Dracula, and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller status in the German Travel category for Dog on the Rhine. Some of her travel tales BC (Before Canines) have been featured in travel anthologies, alongside other bestselling and award-winning authors.

You can check out all of Jackie’s books on her Amazon Author Page HERE.

Or grab them one at a time here:

Year 1 – Fur Babies in France
Dog on the Rhine
Dogs n Dracula
It Never Rains but It Paws

And you can reach Jackie on social media here:

Blog: WorldWideWalkies.com
Email: jackielambert07@gmail.com
Facebook
Goodreads
BookBub

72 thoughts on “#GuestDayTuesday – #JackieLambert – #Writer’sTravelogueSeries – #KeepingAJournal”

  2. Keeping a journal as you travel is an excellent idea and look where it has taken you! Your books look delightful. I also keep a journal, especially while travelling. I use them as part of my research as I write my Amanda Travels books. This was a great guest post!

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    • Thanks so much, Darlene! I am excited about Jackie visiting us on a regular-ish basis. 😁 It’s gonna be fun to see what she’s up to on her fabulous journey. I’ve never kept a journal, but as I get older, I wish I had. I’ve forgotten entirely too many names and places over the years! I’m sure yours will bring you much happiness, in addition to being great sources for your writing.

      Thanks so much for stopping by this morning and I know Jackie will join us when she can. (Lots of the places she’s visiting have pretty spotty internet.) And thanks too for taking the time to say hello! 😀 ❤

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        • Oooh, enjoy. Arran is really beautiful – they call it Scotland in miniature.
          We went there for part of our first honeymoon, and opened our wedding gifts by the water, with an audience of seals popping their heads up out of the water. We were also there for my Dad’s 70th birthday. I was so proud of him – he climbed Goat Fell, the highest peak on Arran! We stayed in the most bizarre place – it was the Japanese Scotch Whiskey Society’s lodge opposite the distillery. It had tartan carpets, a Japanese garden and hot tub (most welcome!) and was run by a Japanese lady with her German husband, who was helping out at the local brewery while learning how to make whiskey to import his skills back to Japan!

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          • I swear, Jackie, you have MORE stories to tell than anyone I ever knew. You definitely should find some way to work this lodge into one of your books, if you haven’t already. Talk about an international undertaking! 😀

            I’m not having my best day today, but I AM going to finish reading and liking all your comments, by golly! (I’m afraid I’ll miss too many good things if I don’t.) 😀 ❤

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          • That is so cool. This will be my second visit to Arran and I just loved it there last year. We walked to the standing stones which were amazing! (I touched them but was not taken back to the 17th century). I love that your books have dogs in them!

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            • That’s because her caravan has dogs in it. Four, to be exact. 😁But I’ll let Jackie tell you more about them. And LUCKY you, Darlene, to visit the standing stones, much less to touch them. Sorry you didn’t go back through time and get to meet Jamie Frasier in person. (That would be nice, eh?) But I really would love to see some standing stones one day, especially in Scotland. Yay, you!

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    • I’m looking forward to checking out Jackie’s books, too, Olga. They sound like a lot of fun to me, and I already know what a great sense of humor she has, so I’m eager to read them. And I have to admit, I wish I’d kept a diary/journal over the years. Digging through the Sands of Time to find lost memories is often more difficult than I ever imagined it would be.

      Thanks for stopping by today and taking a moment to say hello! 😀 ❤

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    • I agree, Sharon! On both counts! Jackie’s books sound like so much fun, and I can’t wait to get started on them. And I consider myself very lucky to be having her visit us here over the months ahead, too. I think it’s going to be a fun series.

      Thanks for stopping by this morning and taking a few minutes to say hello! 😀 ❤

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    • Thank you, Sharon. I do feel very fortunate to be able to live this life. Plus, the journals, blogs and books are a great outlet for my writing.
      I have had quite a few contacts because of them, and it is always wonderful when someone comes back to say I’ve inspired them, or have given them useful advice. I helped a gentleman only this week who was on the verge of quitting his big trip plans because he couldn’t get insurance for an extended trip. Obviously, that’s a hurdle we’ve had to overcome. I gave him a few specialist contacts and he was sorted out within a day! Then, we found we both have a passion for vintage aircraft, so I shall certainly be following he and his wife’s adventures with interest!

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    • It’s my pleasure, Gwen. I admire Jackie’s humor and sense of adventure tremendously, and am looking forward to more of her travel tales over the weeks ahead. And thanks so much for stopping by this morning and taking a moment to say hello! Hugs right back atcha! 😀 ❤

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    • She really IS living her life to the fullest, isn’t she, Amy? I’m so happy she’s going to be sharing some of it with us here on TWS over the months ahead. I figure if I can’t ride along with, enjoying the way she tells us what’s happening will be the next best thing!

      Thanks for stopping by today and letting us know you enjoyed this post! 😀 ❤

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    • Thank you, Amy. I am so glad you enjoyed the post!
      Mark and I are a little gung ho – we jumped in with both feet, but it’s not mandatory. You could always dip your toes in and hire and RV, or try shorter trips to see if the lifestyle suits.
      It does require some courage to break free from the comfort and security of what you know, but all I would say is that, as with most things, the reality is seldom as traumatic as the anticipation! 🙂
      Thank you for reading and commenting.

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    • That’s great, Priscilla. I’ve invited Jackie to continue her Writer’s Travelogue series for as long as she wants, so hopefully, we’ll be hearing from her often over the months ahead. She isn’t always in an area where there’s good internet reception, but I’m sure she’ll drop by as soon as she can to respond to everyone’s comments. Thanks so much for adding yours! 😀 ❤

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    • Thank you, Priscilla. I am so pleased you enjoyed my post.
      Our adventure certainly is a blast, although as Marcia says, the internet is sometimes a little sketchy – and the sketchiness always seems to apply when I have a guest post! We’re currently in Stolac, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, parked up in the mountains next to a crystal clear river, with only the sounds of nature, which is mostly a crescendo of cicadas!
      Are you a travel lover?

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  9. This is a fascinating post! The experiences in Zimbabwe alone brought home how you make the most of all the opportunities that come your way. I kept a diary in my teens but wish I’d kept it up – I struggle to remember what I did yesterday! (Looking forward to the next of these already, Marcia!) 😀 ❤

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    • I’m so glad you enjoyed Jackie’s post, Trish. When she reaches a spot where they have internet connection, she’s going to be pleased with all these comments, I know. And I agree that her experiences are perfect for reminding us all to take advantage of every opportunity that comes along.

      Thanks so much for stopping by today and taking a moment to let us know your thoughts. And stay tuned for more from Jackie over the months ahead! 😀 ❤

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    • I am with you on that – my memory has got worse as I’ve got older, and it was bad enough then!
      Thank you for reading and commenting, it is so lovely to know that you enjoyed my post. I am so happy that Marcia has given me this opportunity to contribute to TWS. I so enjoyed writing this post, and I am very much looking forward to penning the future contributions. Writing and travel are two great loves of my life!

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  10. Thank you so much to everyone for your lovely comments on my post. My apologies for my tardy replies – while travelling, the internet coverage seems to be inversely proportional to how much I need it. I can have perfect coverage in the middle of nowhere, yet nothing in the city.
    Fortunately, I seem to have hit a sweet spot today in beautiful Bosnia-Herzegovina, and have been able to reply to everyone. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading your kind comments and how much I appreciate your taking the time to read and reply.
    Hvala! – Thank you! – as they say in these parts!

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  12. Wow. Jackie is an adventurer for sure! And I love it that she takes her dogs with her. And her husband, of course. A great reason to keep a journal, since I can see my own “nothing much” in response to a curious question. Great guest post, Marcia and Jackie. I don’t know if I should tell my husband about it because he’ll want to pack up some pooches and head out! Happy Writing.

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  14. Wow, fascinating Jackie! Good for you soaking up life, and publishing all in the midst of. I agree, I wrote my first book from journaling. I mean how would we remember all the juicy details right? Congrats on your upcoming!!! ❤

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    • Thank you, Debby. Greetings from a chasm in Bosnia-Herzegovina!
      How wonderful that you too used your journals – the juicy details are exactly what they preserve!
      It’s certainly a juggling act publishing in the midst of enjoying our travels, but for my next post I’m going to give some tips on keeping all the plates spinning, particularly for those who are new to journalling. Although you have reminded me I really need to get on with editing that manuscript…!
      Have a wonderful weekend, Debby, and thank you so much for reading and commenting. xx

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  15. I own 10 kg of clothes, (apart from my sports gear, which doesn’t count!)
    Plus, The Beast, our truck camper, has ten tonnes (yes, ten tonnes!) of spare carrying capacity. She can also tow seventy tonnes, but I don’t think we need to go there, unless we want a small tank as a runaround.
    So yes, you’re right. Luggage is really not a problem!

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