You would think that after a scorching Lowveld summer in Nelspruit we would be heading to somewhere with snow. You would be wrong. Sticking with our “unconventionalility” we are chasing summer this year!
We’ve decided to take the plunge by pursuing an “unconventional” way of life by giving up our permanent home and business, to enable us to spend quality time as a family, while working and home schooling from wherever we are.
In mid June 2018 we will be boarding a plane to Paris, France. Before you ask, we are taking the kids and the wheelchair but we’re definitely leaving the fishbowl. This will be the start to a 3 month trip to Europe and possibly the start to many more adventures. We want to explore different ways of living and this trip will be the first step to find a lifestyle that fits our family, not the other way around.
When we started planning we immediately knew there were a few non-negotiables. We wanted to slow-travel and stay in one place for a few weeks at a time. This would minimize disruption for the kids to a degree and would also allow us to experience the way of living in that specific area. We would love to get to know the local butcher, baker and pastor. Also having a homely atmosphere was crucial and this immediately cancelled out hotels, B&B’s, etc.
We found that house sitting is a big thing in other countries. Being South African your first thought would be that people want their houses looked after for safety reasons. Not so in the 1st world. People simply want their pets or plants looked after in exchange for free accommodation. We immediately knew this will work for us and our budget. (Travelling with the South African Rand really hurts at the moment). When you stay in someone’s home it is exactly that, a home. Not a clinical, pastel coloured hotel room with miniture soap and funny smelling carpets. (We might find funny smelling carpets in some of the houses and we’ll definitely keep you posted on that. Another good reason for you to follow our blog and social media channels.)
We started applying for house sits in France and Belgium and to date we are already blessed with 60 nights accommodation, some of it in amazing houses and areas. We’ve confirmed two house sits in the Loire region of central France and another one in the Bordeaux area that is a bit more south. Both these areas are wine country but this is purely by chance and of course a blessing.
We’re planning on visiting Belgium for the last month of our trip but haven’t found a place to stay as yet. If you have a holiday home in Belgium, just standing there, all alone, you are more than welcome to contact us. 🙂
We’re hoping that our new approach to living and our adventures will help others to choose to make the best of what they’ve got. Everyone has a different purpose, different dreams and different potentials. We simply want to encourage others to find out what their’s are, and then choose to pursue it.
Please follow our blog, Facebook page, Instagram and Youtube channels so that we can share our adventures with you. Also share with your friends and family as every bit of exposure helps us get the message of hope to the person that needs it.
