Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When are you leaving?

We are booked to leave on the 18^th August

When are you back?

Our return flights are scheduled for 30^th June

Where are you going first?

Eurostar to Paris, then on to Chamonix (why there? – we are lucky to have a friend with a wonderful home out there complete with car and bicycles – twas a no-brainer!), sleeper train to Rome then on to Naples then across Italy to catch a ferry to the Dalmation Coast, across eastern Europe to include Bulgaria etc. Then to Turkey – we flight back from Istanbul to London on 28 September.

But why are you coming back to London?

To get the cheaper round the world flight tickets, one had to depart from London – so we are coming back – staying at mum’s for a couple of days before flying out to India on 1^st October.

What is your schedule after that?

In brief, we are spending 2 months in India, doing the tourist golden triangle route and then a bit more of the country before heading south to the lovely coastal regions.  We then fly to Singapore, travel to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and are Christmassing in Laos.  Back to Singapore after then out to Australia, fly into Cairns, camper van booked so we can drive along the Gold Coast, down to Melbourne, flying Melbourne to New Zealand – South Island first – lovely retro camper van booked to drive up – ferry across to North Island, camper van again and then flying out from Auckland to Chile.  We are hoping to hook up with my friend’s mum who has a ranch/outward bounds type place in Santiago.  We then travel by bus up, stopping in Bolivia and goodness knows where until we reach Peru.  We will be seeing Machu Picchu – by train as we have looked into doing the Inca Trail but unfortunately Bob isn’t old enough.  We fly back from Lima to London at the end of June.

Are you excited?

Steve – of course!
Me – I’ll be excited when I’m checked in and on the plane
Amber – looking forward to it but sad to miss her friends and all the excitement of starting secondary school

Bob – Bob says Ya

You’ve sold your house haven’t you? Where are you living, what will you do when you come back?

Yes, sold our house in April – all our furniture went into storage and most of our belongings so we have been living ‘lean’ for a bit.  We are renting a 2 bed. Basement flat right near to the kids’ school and are moving out of there on the 17^th August.  Our good friend Angela, she is a cardiac rehab specialist and now property mogul, has a flat lined up for us to rent from her on our return – it is in Highgate – we are very lucky indeed as it’s in a lovely road PLUS it is in a super location for schools. (thank you Angela!).

What are you doing about the kids and schooling?

Nothing

What have the schools said?

Nothing, we have handed in Bob's notice at St Aidans and will take what we can get on our return (within reason of course) and we will apply for Amber's secondary school year 8 place when we get back.

Will the kids have to go back a year?

No idea...if they do, they do - no sweat

What are you going to do with your car?

We are going to leave it near our old house whilst in Europe as it’s parking permit is still valid til Feb we will then be leaving on Steve’s uncles drive until we return.  I doubt it will start but hey ho.  Yes we know that you have to keep it insured but you can get some tax back. 

So are you travelling just with back packs then?

Yes, Steve bought his the other day, we are going to do a trial pack before I purchase mine.  Amber will have one of our current rucksacks and Bob will have a small one.

Have you had all your injections and stuff?

Yes, just ask Bob, he hated them!! – Steve and I still have another course of Hep. ones to have next week.  We have decided against Malaria as they are so toxic and not necessarily effective.  We will be using the Deet and cover up method.