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Monday, September 10, 2012

My Journey to Kuantan - Part 1 - Raised in England


Over the course of this week I'll be taking you on my journey to Kuantan.


  • How did I, an Englishman, end up in Malaysia?
  • What made me choose to come to this part of the world?
  • How did I discover this little town called Kuantan?
  • Learn of the events that fixed my destination to Kuantan

Today I'll be sharing Part 1 - Raised in England.

I was born in Leicester, England almost 30 years ago. We are as normal an English family as you're likely to meet. Mum and dad both working, earning an average salary, and live in a quite satisfactory semi-detached house in a quiet village called Glenfield.


Here I am at 18 months old. (Credit Joanna Horne)

(Credit Joanna Horne)


The first major event that happened in my life was in 1985 when I was only 3 years old. I don't remember anything about it, but it has determined the life I have lived ever after.

Two sister missionaries representing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) knocked on my mum's front door, and not long afterwards my mum decided to join the church.

In later posts I'll explain just how vital this was in my journey to Kuantan.

Living in England, we always looked forward to the snow in the winter months. For two reasons - to go out, build a snowman, throw snowballs, and secondly, because if it was a particularly heavy snowfall, there would be no school!

However, as I grew older, I hated the snow, ice, slush, cold and wind - another factor in my journey to Kuantan.


This is my street in England. (Credit Joanna Horne for this image)

Glenfield village Square. (Credit Joanna Horne)

In the distance is my dad. (Credit Joanna Horne)


I lived a real good childhood in England. Got a formal education, had lots of great friends and got up to lots of mischief. Also played lots and lots of sports!


Here I am hitting a serve at the tennis court


And here I'm hanging out with my mates on New Years Eve. (My friends will probably never forgive me for posting up this picture!)


This is me standing outside our home in England


Look out for Part 2 tomorrow!




18 comments:

  1. I love this. It's quite moving for me as when I joined the Church back then, it started a completely new journey for me also....a journey of joy and peace. It also meant a better way of life for my children being brought up in the Church, being raised in Truth and Righteousness.

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  2. What a lovely little town! It's funny you decided to move to escape the winter snow, whereas I wanted to move to experience snow in winter! :) Looking forward to part 2!

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  3. Beautiful photos. Lovely read. I hope to one day experience snow for a change after being in the sun (and rain) all my life.

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  4. Hi Duncan! I love the beginning of your "back story." Your life in England sounds wonderful. I have also relocated to a warmer climate, and find that I now really really miss snow, ice, cold air and even slush. But of course, Kuantan is paradise compared to North Carolina! It's great to be able to travel there virtually through your blog. By the way, you were are really cute little boy!

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  5. That handsome ... You are like my son when he was little.

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  6. Great post Duncan and how fortuitous that your Mum had shared the photos with you.

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  7. With Malaysia warm weather for 365 days, do you miss the 4 season in your hone town? ... Wow, you are quite young !

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  8. Nice picture of the gerbang (the welcome to Kuantan arch), Duncan. Nice story of your childhood in England. You looked cute. Your mom is a great photographer herself! I love all the pictures she took. Waiting to read Part II of your journey.

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  9. Hi Duncan. I really enjoyed this post, and the photographs. I am really looking forward to the next instalment and to how you ended up in Kuantan!

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  10. Wonderful post. I do like your new banner photo. I look forward to the next post.

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  11. You cute little baby! Just like Leah! :D

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  12. Hey Duncan ...
    Many thanks for all your lovely comments with me.
    You know how happy I will be.
    That you would move because of the snow was something new.
    I thought it was love hahaha!
    You are so like you even though you are a few years older.
    Fun all see you as a little boy.
    Sure would be nice without snow though I think it is needed because otherwise there will be no July
    Have a peak in the heat.
    Kramizzzzzz

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  13. Hello, I was blogwalking and stumbled upon this blog. It surprises me that ypu have been in Malaysia for so long.

    The snow pictures remind me of Dublin. I used to live there long ago, and those pictures brought out the memories.

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  14. I love the winter scene very much !!!!

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  15. I really enjoy your photographs.

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  16. Mr Duncan really a great blog! You are doing a really well and enjoyed in your life in England. You look so cute and chubby in baby. I can't waiting for read the Part Two in your journey in Kuantan.

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  17. Winter scenery is nice, but long winter is making people feel desperate...

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