ADVENTUREATANYAGE.BLOG

Most life is in our own control yet we are often so busy with work, hobbies, holidays, family and friends, that time passes before you know it, sometimes without making real decisions or creating new treasured memories. When things happen outside of your control it can offer up opportunities that were not even a consideration before. That is what happened here.

Hi, we are Mark and Pip, and we have just grabbed an unexpected opportunity:

My last role came to a finish at the end of March 2026. In the run up to that we learnt that the owner of the house we were renting planned to sell up. Given the ever increasing costs in the UK, a pretty dire economy and Pip’s desire to mark her 50th year with some special moments, as we sat discussing plans one night the idea of a major travel adventure came up.

Provided Pip was accepted for a career break from her role, it quickly seemed like it was too good an opportunity to miss, despite the fact it had come out of nowhere and even my naturally analytical brain couldn’t find a counter argument. The plan was reinforced by the fact that my dad passed away just before his 65th birthday, so although I am only 56, who knows how much time any of us has on the planet, let alone in good health.

Once the decision was made we arranged for all our stuff to go into storage for 6 months and sorted out the logistics of rucksacks, insurance, new pants etc.

Given the high costs in the Western world our plan is to backpack around South and East Asia, followed by India, as our money will go so much further. But when I say plan, it is pretty minimal. The only confirmed actions are a flight to Bangkok and the first 4 nights accommodation. After that we will make it up as we go although the onset of the monsoon season will dictate our overall direction as we try to get the best weather while adapting to what we learn and testing ourselves a bit.

We will update the blog every few days, as long as there is something interesting or funny to say, sometimes a joint blog, sometimes an unfiltered male and female impression of the same day (we have agreed not to read the other person’s view before posting) so it could become a short or at very least an awkward trip.

If you want to know anything about a place, process, cost or experience just get in touch.