…and on it goes…

When we returned to the UK in January 2017 we hadn’t really planned on coming back then but reality had inserted itself into our idyll and back we came. Initially we thought we might work for a few months then head back to Asia, then we were going to stay and work for a year. Then I was interviewed, offered and accepted a once in a life time role and all bets were off.

We moved in with Ma for the first few months, as her house and garage had been the repository of all our things when we’d left, with the plan of moving out once we were settled in jobs. Miracle of miracles we all got along and so we stayed a few months more. Then we agreed to stay a year and when that year was up we agreed to live together for another year. I’m reminded every day that life is ever so short and precious and unexpectedly spending some of it with a loved one has been a total gift (nb JHubz might use other words to describe it).  I’m quite sure if you had told any of us at the beginning that we’d be happily living together for two years we’d have thought you were bonkers, but there you have it. Not that all of us, along with a touch of sadness, aren’t a teensy bit pleased an end is in sight mind you.

Living in the sticks has had other benefits, we’ve saved a tonne of money not only because we’ve become less consumerist but also because we drive to work and both work miles from any shops. I absolutely LOVE the peace and quiet, being surrounded by fields rather than buildings and seeing deer, pheasants, hawks, buzzards and partridge on a daily basis as well as the occasional barn owl and stoat is pretty awesome. On the way home from work the other day I had to stop so a lovely stag could cross the road. I don’t think it gets much cooler than that.

There have been drawbacks though, we’ve seen far less of the people we love than we would have hoped. There is a big difference between living in Central London and being able to pop out and see friends for a few hours after work to living in the middle of nowhere and either having to drive for several hours each way or pay a king’s ransom in train fare to visit anyone.

The job has been an incredible experience and one which I am very grateful for. I’ve met some truly wonderful people, I work in an extremely beautiful setting and amongst museum quality art and artefacts. I’ve been able to sink my teeth into fascinating projects and experience a world I’d never experienced before. It’s also gone further than anything else in my life in teaching me patience, no small feat!

We began thinking about moving on as a way to see the light during a particularly tricky time at work when a co-worker was making life hell. When they (thankfully) left I made an internal commitment to see my employers through the hiring and settling in of the replacement before handing in my notice. We could have changed our minds once things calmed down for me at work but for the long term, the benefits simply don’t match the demands and by then the damage had been done, and our hearts were set on moving on to the next adventure.

So in four and a half short months, having recruited someone amazeballs to replace me, our current plan is to enjoy a relaxing week in Bangkok, having as many massages as possible. Then we’ll head to Vietnam for three weeks with Ma. We LOVED pretty much everything about Vietnam and are very happy indeed to be heading back there.  After that we’ll fly down to Indonesia for a few months diving and then I’ll start looking for work. Here, there, everywhere! We’re really pretty open about where we want to settle, I want to work, legally! And ideally for the time being at least live anywhere in Asia that either has great local dive sites or that’s within a few hours flight of some. The universe hasn’t steered us wrong so far so we’re happy to put some faith out there and see what happens.

So if you happen to know of anyone looking for a kickarse executive assistant with excellent references and experience, who can start work in seven to nine months do let me know! Xx

Ps: Remember, there is no such thing as too old to start an adventure Xx