About

Hi I’m Karen. I live in New Zealand. I think it is a beautiful place, and there is no place like home. But…I also want to travel the world, have new experiences of countries, people, cultures and languages. I want to see in Real Life all the beautiful places that I only see on the internet. I am a mother of two grown children, and even though they can technically leave home, they are still here…so I’m leaving!!  Not really true, but it sounds good.

Mello in the title refers to my great-great grandfather, Mello Schenkel.  He traveled to NZ from Netherlands sometime between 1855 and 1860. I have been doing my family research for a few years now  and even though I feel I do not have nearly all the information about my family, I think it is time travel to the Netherlands to find out more information about his family there and to perhaps walk in his steps to try and understand him more as a person.

 

 Some things you may want to know about me: or you may not:

I like lists (da-dah)

I like putting things into brackets (lol)

I have a weird sense of humour(i hope that comes across alright written)

I was married to my kids father. But raised them on my own. With help from my wonderful supportive parents.

I think I did a pretty good job too. They are a pair lovely respectful, loving ratbags

My parents are still married. I have one younger(and bossier) sister. A brother-in-law and a wonderful niece

My Dad wasnt born in NZ. that means I can work in UK!!

I have  a great extended family, and…I keep finding more!!

I grew up on farms around NZ

I regard my home town as Cambridge

I am a qualified chef (but don’t do that any more – but I know about food)

I know french food words (because of the chef training) and thats about all

I know how to use a precision paper punching device.  Let me know if you figure out what that is!!

My kids are teenagers, so you may see some of the slang or text language coming through – it becomes my normal

 

Sooo…this is my wish list of places I want to visit: (in no particular order)

  • Netherlands
  • Scotland
  • Nepal
  • Peru
  • Mongolia
  • Brazil

and most of the rest of the world.!!