The thought process.

I never had a desire to go travelling. I remember talking to my year 13 tutor about what I was going to do in my 'gap year' (even though I never intended on going to University), and as one of my best friends had expressed to him her plans to do one of those organised/volunteering trips to Fiji in hers, he suggested I join her. No way. The idea of travelling scared me, but I liked hearing of people who were brave enough to do it. I've always had an interest in other countries, I've just never had the courage to go and explore them, (much like my Mother!!).

However, without sounding like a cliché, turning 21 was a pivotal point in my life in terms of thinking about the future. Having gradually developed a strong dislike towards this country in the years since leaving school (don't know why), I suddenly became desperate to get out of here. Phil and I both, I think. Originally in 2009, we had seriously considered taking a working holiday in New Zealand for a year. Did a bit of research and thought about it a lot. Then we reduced it to 6 months. Did some more thinking, and over quite some time, after I'd done nothing more about it, I soon realised this was probably one of those things I was never going to get round to doing. But I still had a burning desire to get away from this country, and come last summer, I just developed that self-motivated 'We ARE doing this, in whatever shape or form..' attitude that I needed. I think the thought of 'holidaying' to various countries in a shorter space of time, rather working to live in one place in a different country, or properly backpacking around the world, was easier to digest and move forward with.

I hasten to add this won't end up being a 3 and a half month holiday. Mainly due to money restrictions, but also time. So I have come to terms with the fact we are going travelling. But it's not a scary concept any more, I just feel lucky and happy to be able to experience some of the world in the way we are going to, while we're still in a position to do so.