Q&A

We're asked the same handful of questions over and over, so here, for your personal pleasure, in no particular order, is a list of the most frequently asked, and even an answer.

What do the kids do about schooling?

Harley doesn’t start school until January so he will return to St Peter’s nursery for one term, 4 full days a week, to get him in the groove.

Ruby does homework with Will (because I don’t have the inordinate amount of patience required) for between 1 and 2 hours every morning except Sunday, wherever possible. We initially bought along a whole stack of home-schooling books and, once she had finished these, we bought a couple more in OZ. If we have internet connection, they use the BBC Schools website (www.bbc.co.uk/schools). If we’re on the road, Will does times tables with her. She’s also keeping a scrap-book and of course, she’s learning loads about different countries and their cultures.

What will you do for jobs when you come back?

Will is on a one year sabbatical and will return to his former employers, Armit Wines. I have no idea yet what I will do, there’s a credit crunch you know! But my first task will be to get my CV ready, something which hasn’t been updated for 15 years!

How do you pack for a year?

Pack as if for a 10 day holiday, then throw some things out and buy a few new bits along the way. But none of us will be winning any glamour contests this year. We have a total of 70kg between us. Baggage allowance on flights is generally 20kg per person.

How are you carrying all your stuff?

Will and I each have a Dakine bag on wheels that consist of two bags which clip together to form one (http://www.dakine.com/travel-bags/wheeled-luggage/guys/split-convertible/). Will pulls his and Harley’s stuff, I pull mine and Ruby’s.

What about toys?

Ours, or theirs? Everyone carries their own small backpack (actually, Harley pulls his along). If the toys don’t fit, they don’t come. Both have a couple of soft toys each, plus Ruby’s carrying loads of Barbie-shit and small figures she’s picked up along the way whilst Harley cares for nothing much except some cars and trains, complemented by a few sticks, stones and dead bugs.

Where’s your favourite place?

Too hard to choose. We all loved Laos as it was so beautiful and the people are divine. Cambodia was really interesting with so much to learn, although it was pretty hard, dirty going. Vietnam had the most varied terrain, from mountainous Sapa in the north to the stunning Halong Bay, through educational Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, down to the idyllic Phu Quoc at the bottom. Australia ranks high as it was so lovely to hang out with all our friends and drive over 10,000km down the east coast, stopping whenever we felt like it. Jury's still out on South America as we're not done yet...

Do you miss home?

Yes, and no. I miss my friends and family but I don’t actually miss London itself.

Are you looking forward to coming home?

Again, yes and no. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and catching up on everyone’s news, meeting new offspring and partners, discovering new places that have sprung up. I’m not looking forward to parking tickets, supermarket shopping and school runs.