It’s already 5 months since I returned from my ‘Trip of Lifetime’. I have not been completely idle in the interim but I can confess that, almost from the moment I landed in Heathrow to a fairytale snowscape on Christmas Eve, I have been planning my next ‘Great Escape’.
Don’t get me wrong. I love my home, my fantastic supportive family and lovely friends (I only have lovely friends, otherwise what’s the point!),  and it’s not like I haven’t had plenty to occupy me since I got home, but after a few days back in the routine I get itchy feet.  I do realise that I cannot continue to spend money without earning it but I am not anxious to return to corporate life and so take some time to focus on new career alternatives and avail myself of the external support my previous employers have been kind enough to provide. I am a gypsy at heart.  Consequently, I have spent time visiting family and friends who live that bit further away and who I didn’t have time to visit when I was working. I have even ventured to North America for a month, to do a little sales & marketing consultancy for a longstanding university friend in the aviation business. That was a great experience and learning about a new industry was fun and exciting, if a little daunting, in the time scale. I returned home certain in the knowledge that it is a direction I would much prefer to pursue, rather than a regular 9 to 5.

In April, I celebrated a BIG BIRTHDAY but age is only a number and round numbers are worth celebrating. So I did, for a whole weekend and beyond.
 I have more visits scheduled, to Ireland and Spain and many more I have promised to visit but still not scheduled. Still, it’s not enough. I miss the buzz of the unknown. My itchy feet demand adventure, new experiences, and even a little hardship to encourage me to appreciate what I have waiting at home.

Africa is calling and I cannot ignore her any longer..