“The smell of coffee is a feeling of home.”   In January 2021 England was experiencing its third lockdown. However, that didn’t prevent Emma (my partner) and myself from getting out and having some fun in the snow at our local London park one Sunday. When we returned we put the kettle on and as we warmed up in the kitchen I set up my recording device. And this was my first Side Trips’ episode, and the precursor to my lockdown interviews with London’s local traders and artists. In this pilot (bonus) episode I attempted to share Emma’s various stories - as this wayward girl has already lived a variety of lives! She’s been a secretary; a building surveyor specialising in cultural heritage in London; post-conflict conservationist in the Balkans; and bookstore and cafe proprietor. Now she’s an author and podcaster. We also talked about her ten weeks of driving around the Balkan backroads in a communist era Zastava 750. Put the kettle on and be prepared to be taken from Edinburgh, London to the Balkans, and back to London again. With most nations learning to live with the virus and travel restrictions easing I’m looking forward to the new year being a year of travel and sharing the stories of the wonderful characters I meet along the way. So watch this space as I’ll be back on the road later in 2022… LEARN MORE ABOUT EMMA CARMICHAEL Website: travellingthrough.co.uk Podcast: https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk/podcast-1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelling_through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetravellingthroughpodcast Book: Driving Tito - Through the Balkan Backroads with a Celebrity   ABOUT MARRIOTT'S SIDE TRIPS An overview and further information on Stephen Marriott can be found at the show's website: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com A quick way to find the latest episodes: https://www.marriottssidetrips.com/podcast Marriott shares images and videos from his travels, but rarely sunset shots, at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenrmarriott Sign-up for the newsletter and grab a Free checklist, Essential Checklist for the Modern Day Traveller here: http://eepurl.com/hxsQf1 If you have any questions or comments, Marriott always loves to hear from his listeners. You can reach him at: [email protected]   Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts Recorded in our kitchen on 23/01/21.