We’re getting nearer the time for the big adventure, but believe it or not it has not been just on a whim, there has been much preparation (ok, mainly from Rick’s side but I’d like to say I’ve have played a little part too).
First was making the decision to world travel. There were many ideas to begin with, including buying a yacht and sailing mainly in the Med and then across the Atlantic / buy a canal boat and stay in UK in the summer and travel in the winter / then to the final plan – follow the sun and travel the world with carry on luggage only.
When I first came to the UK in 1990, all I brought was a backpack with day bag, so I suppose I have always travelled light-ish, and even when Rick, myself and kids went on holiday we always took only what we could carry (yep, hard mother used to make the kids pack and carry their own). But now we are planning on even less with just carry on – how exciting!
Rick and I have been on the same page with the whole process – I suppose we have both always been keen on travel even before we met, so neither of us had to convince each other that world travel is the future for us. Our kids have the bug too and are already travelling, but then with dual passports they have the world at their fingertips too, and their encouragement to us has been invaluable too.
I suppose we are not of what’s considered retirement age yet, but we’re empty nesters (for a few years now anyway as the kids went to university before they officially left home), lost our gorgeous dog, sold the house and we’ve been saving to achieve the budget we want. Many an evening has been research research research, heading down many rabbit holes, following so many great blogs, YouTube channels, Facebook groups and I suppose we are as ready as we can be – well I hope so, launch date is only a month away!
We’ve started with Trusted Housesitters, and so far have 3 sits to our profile – they have all been wonderful and really does help with my ‘dog fix’ and a great way to be in a different area, someone to share my walks if Rick isn’t with me (and I do look silly talking to myself when on my own – of course it looks completely normal talking to a dog…).
This blog is pretty much skimming over the preparation and ‘why’, but of course there was much planning with finances, accommodation, travel ideas, insurance, banking, phone, transport, selling cars, handing in our notice at jobs we both enjoyed, online security… to name a few. Also setting up our social media pages Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
We’re nearly ready! Next step is to finish work, first stop is going to be 2 house sits in the UK and then travel to South East Asia.
See you next time, once we're on the road.
