Just a few more months of work before I clock off for the last time at Christmas and join the ranks of the retired. Debbie is already ahead of me — she resigned from her parish back in June and is currently enjoying the benefits of long service leave while I’m still chained to the desk. (Not that I’m counting the days or anything…)
So what’s next? Well, I’m not quite ready to take up competitive lawn mowing or spend my golden years pottering in the garden. That can wait until I’m actually “old.” Until then, Debbie and I have big plans — very big plans.
In January 2026, we’ll officially become card-carrying members of that great Aussie phenomenon known as the Grey Nomads. Australia is massive — we’ve done a fair bit of travel over the years, but truthfully, we’ve barely scratched the surface. So we’ve decided to give it a proper crack: at least two years on the road, doing the classic “big lap” around this incredible country.
The plan? Well… to not really have a plan. Other than getting the house sorted before we leave, our only itinerary is to follow the weather, chase the best campsites, and spend as much time off-grid as possible. If it’s hot, we’ll head south. If it’s cold, we’ll chase the sun. Basically, we’ll wander where the mood takes us.
I’ll be keeping this blog updated along the way and sharing videos on YouTube — so if you’re ever curious about where we’ve parked up, you’ll be able to track us through our website. Don’t expect glossy, big-budget productions though. There are plenty of Aussie travel vloggers out there who seem to have bottomless wallets; we’ll be showing what it’s like to do it on a budget. (Think less champagne and caviar, more instant coffee and sausages on the campfire.)
Of course, the toys are coming too. Metal detectors? Packed. Fishing rods? Absolutely. I’m even planning to master the art of damper, and if that goes well, maybe move on to more ambitious camp cooking. (Although Debbie has already suggested we keep the fire extinguisher handy.)
So buckle up, follow along, and watch this space. The big lap awaits.