Jill from Southern Sounds special Birthday year and a Busman’s Holiday for Christmas

Jill from Southern Sounds special Birthday year and a Busman’s Holiday for Christmas

This year I have been celebrating a ‘special’ birthday and I have tried to experience or do something different throughout the year that I have never done before.  This has been quite a challenge but also good fun.  During February I travelled to Rome with friends to watch England play Italy in the Six Nations, such an enjoyable experience.  In March I played golf at Cowdray Park a rather damp day and a very good challenge for my golf but fun was had by all!

And then came April, of course the month of our annual tour to New Orleans as this was a special year for me I was lucky that my husband Graham and daughter Sian were able to join me on the tour.  It was lovely to have them experience New Orleans and the French Quarter Festival tour and for them to see for themselves why I am so passionate about our trip.  They soon realised that the group are not just clients but soon become good friends too.  Our welcome event held at Preservation Hall left Sian in tears, she could not believe the effect that this special charismatic city would have.  Our tour truly offers something for everyone one no matter what age!

During the summer months I managed to grab a holiday in France and Switzerland and attended the Ascona Jazz Festival, where I was lucky enough to see the wonderful Meschiya Lake and The Dizzy Birds.  Other events that I experienced during the year included a Thai street food cookery class and a day horse racing at Goodwood.

Now we are in December and the time when most people are looking forward to Christmas and being home with family and friends.  However, I had decided that to end my special birthday year that this year Graham, Sian and I would go away for Christmas, but where to go?  We all threw some ideas around and then in jest I said “of course we could go to New Orleans”, oh my goodness what a reaction!  Sian squealed and Graham said “well you have never been there as a tourist”.    So for Christmas this year I am taking a Busman’s holiday.

I am so looking forward to spending time with my family whilst enjoying New Orleans.  Having the knowledge of what to see, best places to eat and where to go to listen to great music this promises for a wonderful Christmas break.

Please keep an eye out on our Facebook page and Instagram over the Christmas period for the odd photograph or two.

If you would like to join us next April, we currently still have spaces on our annual tour.  Please contact us for further information and to book your place.  Or if you can’t make the tour, take a look at the other packages on our website, we are here to assist, please give us a call to discuss your holiday plans.

Merry Christmas to you all, or as I will be say from New Orleans, ‘Happy Holidays’!

Jill Lander