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    One Week To Go!

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    This time next week we will be on our way to Croatia, the first stop on my 'lifestyle break.' My nerves have well and truly kicked in now and despite past reservations, today I am finally looking forward to leaving the UK. My apprehension has always been about leaving friends behind, but this last week has shown that no matter where we are, those friendships will always be there.

    Looking back over the years we have travelled, both Darrell and I have made many friends and a few of the good ones have remained, steadfast in our life. It is true to say, we haven't seen many of them in a long time, but lives are busy, and it can be difficult making time to see one another. Whether I return to the UK in a year or just keep on travelling is anyone's guess, but the important thing is, we do what makes us happy. I am genuinely trying to spend as much time as I can with those closest at the moment, giving as many people as I can a big hug when I see them (Yes I understand there is COVID, but hugging is no longer illegal.) When the time comes to leave, it will be a wrench, but I have spent some wonderful times with comrades and colleagues alike, and have some amazing memories to share.

    Yesterday was my final shift on the Customer Service Desk, which, if I am honest, made me sad. Next week I will be working on the front end for a few days before I officially start my career break on Thursday. Colleagues and customers have been brilliant and have really shown me just how lucky I am. People have wanted to show their appreciation, which is rather difficult when you are leaving the country, but they have gone out of their way to show me how much they care. I suggested that a friendship bracelet or token, to take with me on my journey, would be an ideal gift, since we are limited with space. Well, I have been given some great items and will wear them throughout my time away. Every time I look at these gestures of friendship, I will be reminded of the people who did much, to enhance the life I have here in Portsmouth. These are the only things I need to remember my time, and their significance will cement the bonds I have formed.

    The emotional rollercoaster I am on presently has a while to run yet, as I have a few more people to see before I go. On Wednesday, I will make a point of popping in to The Newcome to see my old boss. I have left seeing him and others to the last minute, preferring to stay out of crowded areas before I travel. With our departure on Saturday, I am hoping nothing will happen to jeopardise the flight before we go. I am also trying to keep my distance as much as possible from other people, although I am certainly not turning down those hugs before I go. Someone said to me just yesterday how 'huggy' I had become, and I suppose I have, I really am going to miss so many people; I just want to keep them as close as I can right now.

    On Thursday, I will see my Father one last time. Naturally, I worry about Dad, and the prospect of being away from him for so long isn't helping my anxiety. He hasn't been too well lately, and it will be difficult leaving him behind. My Father is delighted we are travelling and following our dreams, but I do detect the apprehension in his voice. I have only been back in the UK for a little over four years, and I know he would rather I was staying, but he understands our need to go on this journey. Dad has always been quite stoical, showing little emotion, but since the death of Mum he has become far more emotionally in touch with his feelings. On the plus side, he does have a full life now, doing the things he has always wanted to do, so I am happy that he is content and won't miss me too much.

    My cases are packed, and I am ready to fly. I am right up to the limit with my baggage allowance; Thai Airways are particularly tight with their allocation, with only one 20 kg suitcase allowed per person and only a single 7 kg cabin case permitted. Surprisingly I am able to take far more luggage to Croatia, than I am to Thailand and Australia, which really makes no sense at all, but with some innovative juggling and brutal selecting I have managed to do what I can to fit everything in. Living out of a suitcase for the next year isn't going to be easy, but we have done it before, and I doubt very much it will be the last time we do it again.

    I've got another busy, tiring week ahead, but the long haul is nearly over and finally Darrell and I can relax together, away from the stress of life. It has been a long time coming, but God willing, we will depart without a hitch and fly away towards new adventures. Our life together is about to change for the better, and I am thankful we finally have something to look forward to. My love for Portsmouth will always be there, this is after all my home, but my yearning for new horizons will inevitably overtake my need to settle down, as the World once again becomes my reason to live and an oasis to explore!
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    The Last Supper!

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    Yesterday was quite an emotional day for me for many reasons. It was my final Sunday shift on my department and the last day I would see people who were being redeployed to different parts of the business. I suppose Sunday brought home just how close we are to leaving. For the first time, I didn't feel attached to my job in the way I was before. Becoming emotionally detached is an important process when you are going away. I suppose it has happened in our life so many times, that it is just part of the course now. Nevertheless, it doesn't get any easier and I just want to get on that plane and fly away; everything feels different, and it's time to move forwards!

    Last night was the final 'last supper' before we depart on the 3rd September. We are mindful of COVID-19 and want to avoid large crowds as much as possible until our departure. Fifteen of my closest friends and colleagues from Tesco joined Darrell and me for drinks and a buffet dinner, once again at Spoon in Portsmouth. To be honest, I was very touched by the number of people who wanted to come. To say the night was impassioned is a bit of an understatement. I will not be seeing these gorgeous people for a very long time. Many of them may well have moved on when I return, and I am aware of how different my position in the company could be.

    It was good to relax and chat with friends in a way we don't usually have time to do. I haven't seen many of those who came last night In a long while. Usually it is a short hello, wave of the hand and brief exchange of pleasantries. Sitting down to eat and drink just allows for a more pleasurable experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

    Sunday was the last of the formal goodbyes, with just my Father to see on the 1st of September. These past few weeks have been extremely draining, but it really has shown us just how much people care. I may well have only been in Portsmouth for four years, but the friends I have made, have been extremely important for my personal growth and wellbeing. A year away isn't a long time on the scale of things, but it is when you consider just how much can change during that time. The hope is, these fantastic individuals will remain a part of my life for many years to come, but of course circumstances, dreams and aspirations change. Whatever happens over the next twelve months, I am glad I have all these memories to take with me and of course share with you. As I say a final farewell to all my colleagues for now, I am blown away by their generosity of spirit and send all of them my love. Never change, keep being the people you are!
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    Two Weeks To Go!

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    With just a couple of weeks to go before our departure, I received some of the currency for our trip this morning. I think the penny has finally dropped and everything is finally coming together.

    It really has been a testing few months getting to where we are today; I haven't stopped planning the itinerary for our first three months away. The next few weeks will be equally testing as we finalise the arrangements, finish packing our cases and get ready to leave on the 3rd September. This part of the process has always been my Achilles hill; I have never enjoyed all the planning and preparation involved, preferring to just get up and spontaneously leave, as I have done in the past. However, this time it is crucial we are well-organised, since we will be away from the United Kingdom for an extended period of time.

    I am of course looking forward to the adventure we are now firmly embarked upon and communicating with readers of Roaming Brit updated every step of the way. I will be keeping a journal throughout the year and will write extensively about our journey. This will be the longest fourteen days of my life as anxiety turns to anticipation, but this is an important juncture in both mine and Darrell's life, and we look forward to the memories it will bring!
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    Clayborne's World - Farewell to my Happy Place!

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    As we count down the days to our departure, Clayborne came out on our final farewell to Cancer Research. As the Cancer Research teddy, he travels with Darrell and me on all our trips around the World, so it was only right he was there at our last meal with the crew.

    Like us, Clayborne has a lot to look forward to as we travel across the globe and I hope to get as many photographs as I can of this little bear, bringing attention to what, I believe to be, the best charity in the World.

    It looks likely this will be one of Clayborne's last UK adventures for a while, but you will see more of him, as he enjoys the beauty of Croatia, wonders of Thailand and uniqueness of Australia. Like us, this will be the biggest undertaking of his life, and we look forward to sharing the memories with you all!

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    Farewell To My Happy Place!

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    On Monday, I said a fond farewell to Cancer Research - 'my happy place.' I began volunteering at the shop in Commercial Road in June 2018 on my return from Spain and have always enjoyed my time there. Zerina has been a rock of support for four years, as we discussed and shared our numerous health issues, and my life would have been all the poorer without her. Despite not having volunteered at the shop for a while now, I have always maintained contact and returned when I can to say hello.

    Monday was really about Darrell, who has been Deputy Manager at Cancer Research for a little over six months now. I know from talking to Zerina and the volunteers, that he will be missed and has made an impact on all of those who work there. Saying goodbye has always been important for us, because our life has always been so transient. I have lost count of the number of bon voyage parties we have attended and tears that have been shed, as we have embarked on our travels and pastures new. Despite this, in the main, the last few years have been productive and extremely rewarding. If it wasn't for everyone at this little shop, I think we would have left much sooner. Sometimes you need to stay longer than you originally plan, to establish roots in preparation for an impromptu return.

    It is the people in Portsmouth who have enriched both our lives since we moved here, and are the most difficult reason against our departure.  We are leaving good friends behind for a year, as we embark on a life-changing journey. Things may well have changed out of all proportion when we return, and that may not necessarily be for the best. Personally, I have always disliked change, which is in complete contrast to my lifestyle, but both Darrell and I are fully aware of just how special our life is. Our willingness to visit new and exciting countries and distant parts of the globe, makes us the couple we have always been.

    The food was as wonderful as ever at Spoon World Buffet as fourteen of us sat down to eat. Laughing, joking and reminiscing about days spent at the shop, we all had a memorable final evening together. Darrell is of course still working at the shop until the end of August, like me, and I will have the opportunity to say goodbye to Zerina one final time. However, it felt great to spend time with friends and colleagues in an informal setting, people who have helped shape my life during my time in Portsmouth. I will of miss them more than words can say, but I am thankful for the good times I've had, making money for charity and working together, even during the darkest days of the pandemic. When our travels are complete, Cancer Research will once again be our first port of call, just as it was all those years ago, making more memories to take with us, as we continue with our life, wherever we finally settle down!
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    The Long Goodbye Continues Apace!

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    Darrell and I were invited to a dear friend's house on Sunday evening. Jules, a work colleague, wanted to say a personal goodbye before we embark on our year of travelling. I have always been close to him, he has been there through some truly rough periods in my life, when Darrell was trapped in Australia at the height of the pandemic. Despite looking forward to my sabbatical, it will still be a wrench leaving friends behind, especially people like Jules. The older I get, the harder it will be to establish new friendships; I am lucky to have had this amazing person as a friend for the last four years, and I am happy and confident he will be a part of both our lives for many years to come.

    Jules had also invited a special guest along, someone I haven't seen for a long time and a person I have known for thirty years. I don't want to mention him by name today, but save that for another blog. Some people value their privacy more than I and I respect their wish to leave it for a while before I publish their name.

    What I can say, however, is just how important this person is to me. Jules understood the connection we had and went out of his way to facilitate our brief reunion. This was the mark of true friendship and makes me so grateful for the friends I have made here. There are very few people who remain a part of all our lives for such a long period of time, most are gone within a blink of an eye. I am lucky to have a few close companions, and seeing one of my oldest friends last night was an amazing memory to take with me on my travels.

    Darrell and I still have more gatherings to attend before we leave in a few weeks, saying goodbye to many more friends; the long goodbye continues apace. Nevertheless, last night was the most important time for me, in the company of very close colleagues, in a relaxed, chilled atmosphere. I will miss Jules terribly during my travels, and I can't thank him enough for making my time in Portsmouth, at a time of turmoil, all the more bearable. I intend to return in a year and pick up from where I left off, but during such uncertain times, it is important to say goodbye to people who have been significant in my life. None of us know what will happen tomorrow, let alone in a year. I continue to look forward to the future, but am mindful of the people who made me the person I am. Jules is one of those and will forever remain in my heart!
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