Epiblogue - Back in the UK

Now here we are back in the UK getting used to staying in one place, though still hard to believe we have already been back 6 weeks.

We had always intended to continue renting out our house when we came back, so that we could live nearer to where I work and become more involved in a local community, which was not easy in the residential street we lived in before. This ambition was reinforced by the wonderful location of Sarah and James' house in Australia with its easy access to town and countryside. To that end we are now renting a house in Romsey, Hampshire just a couple of miles from work. We were very fortunate to find a nice house to rent overlooking beautiful countryside on the rural edge of the town but within 5 minutes walk of the town centre. I can now walk into town to catch a minibus provided by my employers. I can also cycle (tried once so far) or even walk it in about 45 minutes, which would take me along part of the Test Way through meadows and woods (not tried yet but a number of my colleagues do this).

Lovely to see Isabelle and Phoebe after all those months of Skypes and phone calls and emails and good to see they have managed very well without us or our house. Also good to see other family and friends face to face at last, or looking forward to meeting up again soon.

We have downsized to one small car, which we use much less than before and have been enjoying the easier access to shops and facilities. Liz has been busy getting involved with local volunteering groups such as the garden at 'King John's House' and the local Transition Town group, which are very active here and hoping to get involved in paid gardening in due course. I had a nice welcome back from many colleagues at Roke Manor Research and though the work is pretty much as before, at least they were actually expecting me back! I would also like to get involved with some of the Transition Town activities, but so far we have been quite busy setting up the house and catching up with the family. Next year we will consider what to do in the longer term, re house selling/renting and probably try to find a house to buy in Romsey.....

.....until the next world tour.

We are most grateful to all our friends and relatives around the world for their wonderful hospitality and hope that they will come and stay with us if they ever get a chance.