Overpacked? Absolutely. Overexcited? Even More!

Overpacked? Absolutely. Overexcited? Even More!

All the clothes I wore week in, week out to the office are now washed and hanging neatly in my wardrobe. Quiet reminders I am starting something new. Meanwhile, the bag for that new adventure is full to bursting. Packing for a holiday is one thing: you imagine the restaurants, the places you’ll visit, the outfits you’ll need for each. Packing for a whole new era… well, that’s a different challenge entirely.

We’re heading into the unknown. No amount of research can prepare us, because we’re not going to just one destination and we have no detailed plan. Will I need a jumper for cool evenings? Light clothes for sunny lunches on deck? Probably both. The fridge is empty, and so is my wardrobe, apart from the remnants of my old life waiting patiently to be sorted and even sold on Vinted 😂

I’m excited and a little apprehensive, but that feels right. I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off. The love shown by friends and colleagues will stay with me forever. Thirty-five years is a huge part of my adult life, and knowing I’ll stay in touch with so many makes me genuinely happy. Friendship isn’t measured in miles; it’s measured in connection, in the closeness you maintain however you are able to communicate.

So now the road ahead or should I say the open ocean ahead. This is the adventure we’ve dreamed about for so many years, and I still can’t quite believe we’re actually doing it. The excitement radiating from Tim tells me everything I need to know. This is going to be amazing. There’s so much to learn and even more to explore.

TWO sleeps to go! Then somehow we get all these bags onto a plane. And board Novera as her new owners. We have a few more things to do to get her ready and we spash down into the water 12 March.