The Travelling Writer: What Doors Are You Not Opening?

Part of my plans came from my identity as a medieval fantasy writer. You see, I have a thing for medieval architecture. It is a love that colours the contents of my bucket list. As part of my plans, I wanted to visit castles of the world. My trip to the UK included my daughter’s father-in-law, Hush Naidoo, a passionate photographer who also loves architecture. 

I was going to attend the PSA UK’s Business Speaking Summit and we would split our time between the Summit and visiting surrounding towns. I reached out to Chantel Cornelius who sent me a list of historical towns close to the Summit. It was a list which would have satisfied many a medieval writer’s desire to visit beautiful buildings. One of these towns was the picturesque Cirencester. It was the second-largest town in Britain during Roman times. Cirencester’s recorded history began soon after the invasion of Britain by Emperor Claudius in AD 43. The town boasts the Church of St. John the Baptist. The construction of the current church started in the 12th century on the site of an earlier Saxon church.

Somewhere along the planning journey, our route got a detour as I reached out to several South Africans who had visited the UK. They came up with excellent choices and for several days, Hush and I immersed ourselves in the grandeur and beauty of these legacy buildings. Cirencester somehow faded into a memory that was a little spark before I applied for my visa.

I met a wonderful range of people at the Summit. One of them was Daniel Enz, who would have spoken at the PSASA 2025 Convention. He was a vibrant and energetic man who explored the countries he visited as an international speaker from the freedom of a motorcycle. He planned to extend that passion to our beautiful country of South Africa this year. I loved the fact that he “lived” his bucket list.

My bucket list was the castles. Yet the Summit required a full three days from me. Hush was not involved in the Summit and so in the gaps, he did some touring of his own. When I saw the photos, he took in Cirencester, they reminded me of why I had been so excited to visit this town. It was a place he visited himself. 

The magnificent photos he took were examples of architecture so spectacular that I felt their absence from my dream list. While Hush took many beautiful photos of the town, this picture of a faded red door reminded me I had not opened the door to Cirencester in my plans.

I chose another door and while I am forever grateful for the experience of expanding my professional speaking circle; I am reminded of how important it is to open the doors to our dreams, lest they fade into obscurity. For some, the dream is writing a book, a pursuit that, as a book coach, I love exploring. For others, it is touring the world on a motorcycle and for people like me; it is visiting the castles of the world. 

A few days ago, I discovered Daniel had passed away in a motorcycle accident. It triggered the premature loss I felt when my best friend’s brother died at age 18. I spent the day in tears. Johan passed away a good 20 years ago and I am amazed how easily I am still triggered by his loss. He had barely opened the door to his life.

Yet, when I take the time to reframe this recent death, I realise Daniel has passed while living his bucket list. His passion rode through until the end. Most of us will die before we ever really live. We will leave many unopened doors. 

Will I leave the door of Cirencester unopened? It is not the only door. I wanted to visit the National Art Museum in London. But the next level of my bucket list is to travel to the castles of the World with my family. Perhaps those are doors we can open together.

I know I can not open every single door. I have to make some choices. Which ones will be the ones that best align with my identity? These are questions I have to ask myself.

These are the questions I ask of you. Which doors have you left unopened? Which doors will you open next?