Driving across the Gillies Range on our way to Cairns, Queensland Australia 2007, was the first time in a matter of months since we left the UK to travel the world that I’d experienced a mood change. Or should I say mood plummet. It was the first time we’d seen clouds since leaving england and spending time in Asia, so to feel the sense of the drop was quite unnerving. That the environment outside of me, could have such an impact inside me.

Yet here I now stood, in Cornwall. With a Coachload of Aussie, Kiwi and Canadian tourists and they were experiencing the ups and downs of mood change due to the impact of the weather as it was throwing everything it had at us.

From visiting the Minack Theatre, where construction was underway on the first production of Shakespeare – a clear blue sky, warm weather and no wind cuddled us in its embrace. The sea beneath us a glorious turquoise, lapping onto the sandy shoreline of Porthcurno Bay. It meant the scene looked like it was set in the Caribbean. With reggae music playing, I visibly found myself relaxing. Finally the sun had arrive and for me, the link to Australia here was strong, alongside the continents kinfolk I was travelling with. Remembering the day our little family of four driving along the outback, travelling from Darwin to Sydney, we came across a marker stone on a long stretch of highway. Pulling over we discovered it was the point where the australian and UK telegraph system connected.

Now here I was in England.

Or really, should I say the land of Cornwall.

I was visiting close to the point where the telegraph system started in the UK. Unfortunately for me I was in a role of Trainee Tour Leader, so I couldn’t explore more to dive deeper into the experience but I was aware the guests were enjoying the weather, the sun helping them relax.

‘PK Porthcurno Museum of Global Communications, where you will discover that Porthcurno was at the centre of world communication for a hundred years.’ Minack.com

Yet the next day we had moved from our location of Falmouth to another – Carloyn Bay and arrived in Charlestown close by to explore before checking in.

Charlestown – with its shipwreck treasure museum. A place I longed to visit after reading Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier, with its strong sense of being human and what it takes at times to survive in a place you wouldn’t necessarily choose to live and learn what it takes to be the kind of people it has built from the locals living there.

This day was a little different. The wind had picked up. It was cutting.

Slicing through the thin fabric that some were wearing after the glorious day all had, had before. The mood plummeted of my fellow travellers and I was seeing a similar situation with them, as I had experienced within me in their country.

This tour we were on was turning out to be very enlightening as I watched moods swing as the weather changed, seemingly on a whim. From sunshine to torrential rain. From calm and warm to cold biting winds gnarling its way through any gap in clothing.

I mentioned how interesting it was to observe others from a different country in the throe of our weather changes.

They were asking me if it was always like this.

“I suppose.” I said.

“More consistent in the summer but our weather never really gets to the point where you can relax because you know what its going to be like. There is no continuous warmth.”

Just like relationships. Us Brits can only build trust in the weather to a certain extent. Trust that it will change and when it does. We will have to adapt. I think that’s why many are simply happy to holiday abroad in a place where they can get food similar to home but with consistently warm weather!

Which I though gave rise to the laid back attitude of some of our guests, who lived in Queensland and Perth.

Travel is such a great medium to learn by and through don’t you think?

I initially trained as a Therapeutic Counsellor and know that talking when troubles are here and anxiety is rising is something which is positive for many. Its like the troubles get pushed out of us and we need to work them through with a trusted other. (I know the happier I have been personally the quieter I become) – constructive even when some have no other of the same sense, ilk, incline or understanding to talk with to provide calm. Yet travel offers something personally in its own way. Travel is Therapy. It can provide so much for personal wellbeing and overall mental wellness. The warmth of continuous sunshine. Being in or close to the sea. The dopamine hit from experiencing something new. The gratitude for meeting like minded people on the road and finding a community which suits and fits as you meander the path.

Yet our moods.

Who knew they could be affected also.

That the insight received here could provide service somewhere else.

There is so much which life, work, business, profession & travel can teach.

What has travel taught you about your mood?