Preparing for our Big Adventure: The Long Goodbye

We know it’s been a while since our last update, and first things first – sorry for the radio silence. It’s not that we haven’t had things to say (far from it!), but the truth is, we’ve been completely swept up in the chaos, emotions, and logistics of getting ready for this huge family adventure.

It’s hard to put into words just how intense the last few weeks have been. We’ve been juggling redecorating the house, packing our lives into backpacks, finalising plans, deregistering the kids from school, and managing a seemingly never-ending to-do list. We’ve had appointments, shopping lists, spreadsheets, bookings, more shopping lists, and more appointments. And let’s not forget the jabs – jabs, jabs, and more jabs. Arms sore, patience thin, but all necessary to make sure we’re ready to travel safely.

This has been an incredibly busy time – mentally, physically and emotionally – and we appreciate everyone who’s been patiently waiting for our next update.

Overwhelmed by Goodbyes

What we weren’t quite prepared for was the emotional weight of all the goodbyes. That part has taken us by surprise.

The past few weeks have been a long goodbye – to schools, clubs, friends, families, and work colleagues. The kids have had their final school days, which came with proud tears and emotional farewells to classmates and teachers. We’ve said goodbye to sports clubs, gymnastics teams, neighbours, and dear friends.

And while Clare isn’t stepping away from work (she’ll be continuing to support her clients and work remotely while we travel), there was still a sense of shift – a goodbye, in a way, to the way we used to work and live. She’s stepping into this journey not only as Mum but as a travelling travel expert, ready to work flexibly as we move across the globe, fuelled with knowledge and experiences we will pick up along the way. This will enable first hand experiencial advice and adding far greater value to her clients.

The kindness, support, and encouragement we’ve received has been nothing short of overwhelming. A true mix of emotions. We’ve cried. Yet, we’ve had laughter, hugs, cards, thoughtful gifts, and so many words of encouragement that have reminded us why this decision, though not easy, is absolutely the right one for our family.

Saying goodbye to Clare’s parents was particularly emotional, and we know more of those moments are still to come. Pretty much everything right now is emotional.

The Final Countdown

So here we are. It’s nearly time. We fly out this Tuesday, 8th July, with a brief layover in Doha before we land in Colombo, Sri Lanka – our very first stop on this year-long journey.

We’re excited. Nervous. Drained. Energised. We’re a jumble of feelings, and that’s okay. This isn’t just a holiday; it’s a total life reset. We’re stepping away from everything that’s comfortable and familiar, and into the unknown. And we’re doing it as a family, which is what makes it all so special.

We’ve poured everything into making this dream a reality. From immunisations and insurance to figuring out how to pack light for five people, this hasn’t been a last-minute dash. It’s been months in the making, and now we’re finally on the brink of it all.

Why the Silence Was Worth It

The past few weeks have reminded us that big things take big energy. The silence here hasn’t been about forgetting to update you – it’s been about survival! We wanted to do things properly. To wrap things up at home with love and care. To make space for proper goodbyes. And to make sure we were giving our kids the attention and reassurance they need ahead of something this big.

So to everyone who’s reached out, helped, cheered us on, or simply asked how we’re doing – thank you. It has meant the world.

What Comes Next

Now we’re looking ahead. The bags are (almost) packed. The house is ready. We’ve done our final food shop, said most of our goodbyes, and now we’re starting to let the reality of it all settle in.

We’ll be sharing more regularly from now on as we begin our travels – starting in Sri Lanka before heading on to Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, and New Zealand.

This journey is about more than just seeing new places. It’s about worldschooling, bonding, growing, and stepping far outside our comfort zones. It’s about giving the kids a completely different view of the world, and creating space as a family to connect, explore, and breathe.

We hope you’ll follow along as we document our highs, our wobbles, and everything in between right here on WanderLearn.