It has been a week of making plans and looking towards the future. Feeling, energized, in a positive mindset, it seemed like the right time to discuss our next move. I have lived in Portsmouth for the last four years now and have really enjoyed my time here. My job, family and roots are all entwined in this naval city and I have made some wonderful friends. However, both Darrell and I are travellers at heart and with COVID-19 slowly becoming a distant memory, we have had some exciting decisions to make.

My job has been my life since moving back to the UK and whatever decisions I make, have had to include the independence I made for myself four years ago. My colleagues are indeed my friends, but they are more than that, they have also been a lifeline during the pandemic, whilst my husband languished in Australia, unable to come home. It has been important to factor in my position at the supermarket where I work, when deciding any future objectives. Luckily, I work for an understanding, supportive organisation, who have reached out and offered me the perfect opportunity to do what I do best and start travelling once again.

This week I asked my line manager if I could have a lifestyle break, which she has agreed to in principle. This brief hiatus will give me the opportunity to relax, unwind, broaden my horizons and travel the World. During the pandemic, I saved a substantial amount of money and now want to put it to good use. We have several options on the table and a fifty-two-week break from work will allow both of us to see family across the World, in Croatia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as visiting countries in Asia, that we haven't seen before.

Currently, we are looking to visit family in Croatia in September, spending a few weeks on the beautiful Dalmatian Coast. After returning to the UK briefly, we want to fly to Thailand and spend time in Bangkok, and other parts of this stunning country. Next, we aim to travel to Sydney in Australia and travel across this vast continent, east to west, arriving in Perth, where we will spend time with Darrell's Mother, family and friends. Using Western Australia as a base, we hope to continue our journey, flying to New Zealand and Indonesia, before returning home to the UK and the second half of my lifestyle break.

At fifty-one years of age, I feel fitter now than ever. I have spent nearly a year watching my weight, eating healthy and stopping medication I no longer need. Today I am attending a clinic to have a complete health check up and to be honest, I am feeling wonderful. My state of mind is also in a positive place and I want to channel this upward trend towards pragmatic goals, travelling, seeing the World and crossing countries off my bucket list.

I am lucky to have achieved many of my dreams during my time with Darrell. We have been together for twenty-seven years now, and we have to keep moving forward together in the same way we did in 1995. The last two years have taught me much about the World and just how fragile all our lives are. Life is far too short to sit and procrastinate; we have always taken on a challenge with gusto and all the while I am able to, I want to remain itinerant, roaming from place to place, experiencing different cultures and living a life unconventional in nature but rich in stature. Darrell and I are a couple first and last, we have no children and no ties, we are able to walk this planet in a way others can only dream of and age should be no barrier to happiness. I am happy I can become my namesake again, put 'Roaming Brit' finally, firmly back on the map and
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