You only live once

12 Aug 2014

After months of dreaming about it, I find myself at the starting point of our big adventure; meanwhile Dave is soldering towards his final film score deadline.

For years we’ve been heavily focused on our careers, both operating at high levels of intensity, so when an opportunity presented itself to take an extended period of leave, we pounced on it. David has a window of time between the end of one series, and the beginning of the next. HASSELL were amazingly understanding and supportive about letting me take six months of unpaid leave, which makes me love my work even more.

I’m calling it my ‘Fauxternity’ Leave. Besides, you only live once. 

We’re embarking on a strictly first world itinerary that sits somewhere between revisiting old stomping grounds and exploring new places. With a balance between vibrant cities and remote wilderness, from blazing desert sunshine to frozen alpine lakes. 

We’re going to spend part of the time travelling and part of it at home in Sydney; I want to spend time drawing, painting and languishing in a Sydney summer. I don’t want to look back at this time and feel that I’ve wasted it, or wonder what it achieved. It’s not often in life that you get an opportunity to pause and hit the re-set button. Setting goals and keeping a journal should help. Yes, even on holiday I like to have a strategy!

Mini travel manifesto

• To be both stimulating and relaxing: go slow and have time to take a day off from exploring
• Seek out interesting art exhibitions and contemporary music performances
• Spend time sketching and drawing 
• Reconnect with friends in each location
• Eat well and exercise