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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!
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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