Boondock Puffins

In July we quit our jobs.

In December, we will hopefully move to Australia.

In the time in between, we’ve spent 1 month sorting out our lives – moving our stuff to parents’ houses, packing up all our belongings to be shipped sometime in November, crammed in a camping trip with John, spent time with our dog and checked that Eliza’s family really are happy to have her for a few more months, and so the list goes on.

It’s fair to say, then, that this has been a pretty significant time of upheaval. As a result, thoughts and feelings are a bit mixed in the run up to setting off.

It’s currently the day before we set off for several months of travelling.

Our overriding feeling: excitement

Our underlying feelings: apprehension, stress, panic, tiredness, worry about weight/amount of stuff – too much… too little?? – worry about money, worry about missing family. It’s safe to say there’s a fair amount of worry. I also think this isn’t normally the case, it’s all amplified at the moment as we know that we’re aiming to move across the world in December.

Packing has mostly been sorted, now there’s only a few little things to sort (and clothes to be whittled down).

The campsite for the first night has been considered but not decided on – choosing a campsite is obviously a key decision and we like to read a few reviews on Google before committing to our choice (and even then, we occasionally arrive and change our minds!).

There have been some interesting differences in what we view as essential for the trip… for Tom, his camera gear and our snorkels are things that he will not accept could be reduced/left out. For Eliza, it’s a travel yoga mat and fan that are being deemed vital!

As you can imagine, there is currently lots of over thinking going on: e.g. is this right? Do we actually need that? Have we double checked insurance? Where did we last see our passports…?

There have also been many good procrastinations and times of reflection – mostly dog walking, kayaking and SUP-ing.

We are pretty certain all our niggling doubts and worries will melt away as soon as we set off tomorrow morning, and given that we often worry before going away for even just 2 weeks, we’re fairly sure they’re all normal feelings to have before you go away anywhere, for any length of time really.

Bring on setting off early tomorrow morning, when what’s packed is packed, and what isn’t can be managed without!