On the eve of our four month adventure I’ve found myself thinking “what the hell am I doing??”. Like most things in my life, preparing for this trip has been hectic and fuelled largely by a crazy idea, some gumption and a complete lack of sleep!

Strangely enough, the next four month chapter of my life comes just as the last four year chapter of my life seems to be closing. Only a week out from starting our caravanning journey, I managed to sell my onsite van in regional Victoria, bringing to a close a fairly tumultuous chapter of my life.

It was four years ago (after living in a one bedroom granny flat with two kids and saving my butt off) I bought that van, gutted it and did it up. The kids and I have had some great times up there and made some amazing friends. I met a man there, I fell in love, I fell out of love (??) and I got hurt and confused – now it’s all neatly ended with the sale of the van I feel like I’ve been given permission to move on and enjoy this next chapter without thinking about how I feel about all the other stuff.

I’ve also been working with an amazing group of people for the past four years and leave for this trip knowing that when I return, the team I have been a part of for that time will no longer exist. (The joys of employment secured through short sighted politicians…)

Perhaps taking this trip a few months before the contracts end I get to avoid some of the inevitable sadness and that feeling of ‘ending’ and instead feel sadness yes, at leaving behind the people I love spending my work day with, but also a feeling of ‘new beginnings’.

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks catching up with friends, family and workmates all wishing me well, wishing they were coming with me or insisting that I’m brave. Poised at the edge of what lies ahead, I’m a little overwhelmed, absolutely exhausted and very excited to discover what does indeed lay ahead for us.

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