The send-off

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Preparations
South America
North America
Asia
Africa
Europe
Returning home

Why go?
Where do you start?
Weather
What are we taking?
The send-off
Quirky places

Pictures

Yes, see you in a year, tell us all about it...

Ness and Carol

Shaun seemed to enjoy our farewell party!

Big farewell hug (and pass the Kleenex!

At times it seemed like our departure date was still ages away, and then suddenly we were running out of time!

Finishing work

For Stef this was a relatively easy process as he had been working off and on for the last few months. Even so, submitting that final invoice and getting his last payment was another milestone. For Ness the last few weeks at work were busy with handovers to her replacement and trying to tie up loose ends. It was a social last week with farewell do's with Carol, the team, Rob and Helen and finally a party on the Friday night. My leaving date just happened to coincide with the company's thirtieth birthday.

Farewell to our families

Without a doubt this was the hardest part of the planning so far. Knowing that you will miss a full year of birthdays, Christmas, Easter and all the other events that come along is tough going. Even though email and the phone help to keep in touch it is not quite the same as being at home and talking more often or seeing each other face to face.

We started in Belgium with a farewell weekend for Stef's Mum. As Ness was still working Stef stayed on a few days more together with his Mum went out and about in Brussels, visiting the re-opened European Commission Berlaymont building.

The following weekend we went up to Brum and had an early summer afternoon out in the garden with a crazy dog called Bud, two typical teenagers (Joe and Ben) who had an intense game of chess before getting soaked by Emma and Hannah and the water pistols. The following day the weather turned and we had a wet visit to Blenheim Palace with Ness's Mum and Dad.

Drinks at Tower 42

On our last Friday in London before we left we treated ourselves to early evening drinks in the bar at the top of Tower 42. It is smack bang in the centre of the City of London and gives great 360 degree views from the top. We had a little table for two with, we think, the best views out. We looked across the Thames towards Westminster and the London Eye. Although it was a pricey little outing it was definitely worth it for the views. You can imagine a fair few business deals being struck here and bonuses being celebrated and downed as all they sell is champagne.

Farewell to our friends

The following day we had arranged to meet up with our friends in London for a final night out. We met up at the All Bar One in Covent Garden before moving on to a Persian restaurant a few minutes walk away. We had not really come prepared for the free entertainment show and now know that we have some hidden belly dancing talent (Rob and Shaun) in our midst. We ended up for a night cap at Frank and Barry's flat before finally being waved off as we left in a cab to take us back home.

Last day in London

A clothing crisis meant Ness had a few unexpected trips to Brighton on the three days before we left which was not great. On the morning we left, Stef decided he needed more trousers and disappeared off into London shopping - also not great. Thinking we would have loads of time to get everything sorted and that we would be cool, calm and relaxed in the run up to our flight it was not so!! Fortunately Ness's brother-in-law Andy was able to arrange to be in London for work so he could come and drop us off at the airport.

I think if it had not been for Andy we would not have made our flight. Tempers were fraying, there was lots still to do and we had yet to make it to the rental agency to sign the tenancy agreements!! Andy kept us focused, aided by a bottle of bubbly at our local pub, and before long our last few bits and pieces had been crammed into Eddie (our car) and we were off to Heathrow.

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