On this day, in exactly FOUR MONTHS, the four of us will be sitting on a Airbus A380 enduring the long-haul flight to London! 2017 is going to be a year we'll never forget, as together my little family explores Europe from the comfort of our very own motor-home*. At this stage we have a sketchy itinerary which goes something like this: 3 months in Europe, followed by 2 months in the UK, then (maybe) across to Bermuda for two weeks (a family catch-up), then back to Europe for 3 months, finishing up with 3 months back in the UK. Technically we are planning a year long adventure, but honestly, who knows if we'll be ready to give up the travel lifestyle after just twelve months, therefore our plans aren't set in concrete. Gosh, on the flip-side, we may not even last six months. It could go either way!
You might be wondering why are we jumping in and out of Europe so frequently? Well, visa restrictions don't allow Australians to be in Europe for more than ninety days at a time, and then you have to be out for minimum ninety days before re-entering.
So no doubt you are curious about school. Have I quit my teaching job? No, I'm taking a years leave without pay. Are we home-schooling? Yes, loosely. Year nine (for Harry) and year six (for Till)! Am I nervous? About home-schooling? Nah. About travelling and living full-time in a shoebox on wheels? Yes! But I'm unbelievably excited too.
The count down is on! It's hard to stay focused on the 'here and now' these days, hence why I've fired up the blog, as a way to help me stay grounded on Norfolk and get the best out of our last few months here. We are up to our necks in packing and selling our belongings, but that's a whole other blog post.
* our motor-home is being built in France as I type, but we will pick it up from a dealer in Scotland! That photo above shows what our van looks like.
You might be wondering why are we jumping in and out of Europe so frequently? Well, visa restrictions don't allow Australians to be in Europe for more than ninety days at a time, and then you have to be out for minimum ninety days before re-entering.
So no doubt you are curious about school. Have I quit my teaching job? No, I'm taking a years leave without pay. Are we home-schooling? Yes, loosely. Year nine (for Harry) and year six (for Till)! Am I nervous? About home-schooling? Nah. About travelling and living full-time in a shoebox on wheels? Yes! But I'm unbelievably excited too.
The count down is on! It's hard to stay focused on the 'here and now' these days, hence why I've fired up the blog, as a way to help me stay grounded on Norfolk and get the best out of our last few months here. We are up to our necks in packing and selling our belongings, but that's a whole other blog post.
6 comments:
How exiting, that is very much shaking thing up!!!
Traveling is one of the greatest experiences in life, it brings so much perspective.
There is so much to see and experience in Europe, so much history lessons that will come alive for the kids.
So many campgrounds to put your van down, that the amazing public transport to bring you into every major city
(where parking is completely crap with a small car, don’t even think about trying it with a camper van!!!!
You’ll have a great time,
go slow, the sights you’ll see will be nice,
but the experience of being amongst locals, to see the true countries will forever stay with you.
It will be a couple more years before we fill up our backpack again (our rule is the kids need to be able to carry them themselves), so I’ll be very much looking forward to reading your stories to feed my travel bugs.
Wow thats exciting!...I packed up/sold everything 12 months ago to move to the UK. At the time wasnt sure of the time frame we would be here but the time moves so fast, a year has passed and I have no intentions of heading back to Oz anytime soon. Weve put tentative roots down in Manchester the kids are in schools.......I love it here so much. So much yet to see.
I really look forward to reading all bout it!
Big love xx
That is super super exciting . We are doing three weeks in Europe for Christmas and I am excited but also way out of my comfort zone . Look forward to following along with your adventures xxx
Oh the photo opportunities!!!!!!! :)
We left beautiful Norfolk Island in 1973 Michelle and had exactly the same adventure. I remember being heartbroken leaving. I was 13, my brother 10 and with our parents we had an 18 month adventure living and attending school in England and then travelling around Europe in a camper van. It was a huge culture shock of course, as in those days there was no tv/ videos/ phones etc on the island, but it was the best education / experience ever 😄 and I have always been forever grateful to my wonderful parents for taking us on the adventure of a lifetime.
All the very best,safe travels and have the most amazing time with your children....
Wow wow wow!!!!!
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