So how did we get here, and what is going on?

We are a British couple, old enough to know better but frequently find that we don’t….or don’t want to.

We left the UK at the end of 2011 for Warwick’s work (and Elizabeth took a career break that developed into something more). We lived in south-central France, West of Toulouse, for 4 years, then moved to central Switzerland, on lake Lucerne, for 7 years. Two different cultures, languages, and very nice locations, where we made memories and friends for life.

Unfortunately in 2022 we realised that, we had to leave Switzerland. Looking to make the most of the opportunity, we agreed that it was the right time for a new adventure. We have no children and our cats passed in the previous year, so we were free to do anything…

Costa Rica had been one of those ‘bucket-list’ destinations for us, and we both have a lot of interest and respect for the environment and wildlife, so we wondered if there was a way to combine these things into an adventure. After a little Googling at the end of 2022, a rough plan quickly formed.

We would take a ‘gap year’ (embracing our midlife crisis)!

Neither of us had taken a gap year (travelling between finishing school/university and starting a career) as we both graduated from university then went straight to work, many years ago… We decided that if we wait until we have retired, we will not have the motivation to travel far, or the energy to be able to undertake the physical work that maybe required; so we grabbed this one-time opportunity.

The rough plan was leave Switzerland at the end of Feb 2023, a week’s holiday (recovery) in Tenerife whilst our household things were being shipped, then return to the UK to stay with and visit family and friends – some we had not seen for a few years. Then on to Costa Rica: where we spent 4 weeks at the ‘Rescue Center Costa Rica‘ in April/May. Then back to the UK for a few weeks – reset – then onto Canada. We both loved Canada when we were younger and need to explore it further.

So that’s where we’re at – blog posts covering our adventures will be written when we have time, WiFi, and the inclination to stare at a screen. From time to time we may also add some throwback posts of where we have been.

Overall, this blog is to help us let friends and family know what we’re up to in one single shot, and also for us to look back on when we do, one day, retire…