1544 days in all. Considering the original plan was to stay in the UK for two years, we might have gone over just a little bit…
We made the decision to come home quite early on in 2017 and it was one that we had been battling for a while. Is there a right time to come home? How many countries are enough?
Free tickets are the best! England vs. Slovakia
But in the end, there were a couple of things that helped to cement the decision we made. First, Nikki’s visa was up for renewal, and as well as her right to teach in the UK coming to an end, these were two costs that certainly wouldn’t come cheap. Looking back, it might have just been easier to wave her off at the airport! Second, although an extra couple of years would have been nice, there is a point (especially as you get older) where you can only be away for so long, before you think that it’s time. If only the two places weren’t on opposite sides of the world – it would definitely make things easier!
As soon as we knew that we were coming home, our attention turned to savings mode. It wouldn’t have been a good start to life in New Zealand turning up back home with nothing – and we had plans of our own. So, reluctantly, travel took a bit of a back seat. With the exception of a weekend stay in the City of Love, and one final Christmas trip to Germany and Austria, that was it.
A special night indeed!
It’s crazy to think that 2017 was the fifth Christmas we had been away from home and not once did we stay in London over the festive period. Scotland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. It’s quite a list of winter escapes. We even managed a couple of white Christmases! Our final December in the UK was a pretty hectic month to say the least, and it wasn’t just travel either. With Christmas parties, leaving dos and other goodbyes, our livers certainly took a battering. I literally didn’t touch a rum for three months afterwards (and that’s saying something!). Let's not forget (I almost did!) that I also had to fit in some visits to the jeweller - the ring arrived with days to spare, just in time to seal the deal with my beautiful Nikki in our favourite spot. If only she showed up to the right place, but turns out she couldn't follow the clues I laid out for her...but we got there in the end.
In that fourth year (and just as we decide to go), we were lucky to build a heap of lifelong friendships – both inside and outside of work. And that’s what’s always the hardest part about leaving. Up until December, leaving didn’t feel real. Up until then, it was easy. Goodbyes are always going to be hard, but the difference with moving back home is that you genuinely don’t know if, or when, you’ll ever return.
One last Christmas trip with the Owens!
Football and great company - miss these winter days!
After seeing in the New Year in Brixton, followed by a frantic 24 hours getting the flat ready for its final inspection, the 2nd of January came around way too fast. It was time to go, though. Our last meal in the UK? Nandos, of course!
Much like the way over, we split the journey home over 10 days. Dubai is still one of our favourite cities, and our stay there is always made better with family – so the first stopover was never going to be anywhere else. Our second leg saw us visit a city closer to home: Melbourne. It was a city that we had heard a lot about, people often commenting that it has a bit of a London vibe to it. We were also keen to check it out as a potential future destination, although the 41-degree heat on arrival has put me off that thought – for now.
SG
This brings me to the end of my series of blogs dedicated to our four years in London. I’m going to be continuing to write, of course, so I’d love it if you continue reading!