Every big journey starts with a spark—sometimes unexpected, sometimes uncomfortable. For us, it began with a crazy conversation and a life-changing diagnosis. What started as a “what if” moment slowly turned into a real plan.

We were chatting one evening about how amazing it would be to take time out, travel, do something different. At first, it felt like wishful thinking. But then Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Thankfully, it was caught early and treated successfully. But that moment shook us—it made us realise how fragile life is, and how quickly things can change.

We thought, Why are we waiting?

With our kids grown up and out of the house, a rare window opened. We were financially secure, had long service leave saved up, and our workplaces offered career breaks. So we figured—what’s the worst that could happen if we asked?

We gathered the courage, spoke to our employers, and were both granted extended leave. Suddenly, the dream had legs.

And that’s when the real question hit us:

What’s the plan?

What We Wanted From This Journey

We knew we wanted to travel—but not in a rushed, “see-it-all” kind of way. We wanted to slow down, immerse ourselves in the places we visited, and experience different cultures more deeply. Less tourist checklists. More connection.

We also wanted to be closer to the UK to reconnect with family and explore Europe more easily. The idea of slow, intentional travel really appealed to us.

Where to Start?

Norway had always been high on our list. The dramatic fjords, rugged nature, and northern adventure vibe felt like a perfect launch point. We had seen the Northern lights in Sweden a few years ago and wanted to now experience the mid-night sun.

Then we started looking at Iceland. It’s not about big cities—it’s about landscapes and the raw power of nature. As I dive deeper into photography, it seemed like an inspiring place to start. Stark, beautiful, and completely different from anywhere we’ve been. A real adventure with loads to do once we started our research. Maybe we start there?

Turning Ideas Into Itinerary

Once we had a rough direction, we needed a way to make sense of it all—where to go, how long to stay, what made sense logistically.

We discovered an app called Wanderlog, and it became a game-changer. It let us map out our route, keep notes, track bookings, and play around with the flow. It made a daunting plan feel manageable.

A Different Kind of Journey

This isn’t just a holiday. It’s a pause. A chance to reset, reconnect, and live differently for a while.

We’re not trying to see everything. We’re trying to feel the places we visit. To live in them, not just pass through. To explore not only the world—but also ourselves.

A Final Thought: Just Start

If you’re holding onto a dream that feels too big or too far away, this is your reminder: it starts with one brave conversation.

For us, it was a mix of courage, timing, and the realisation that life’s too short to wait for the “perfect time.”

Now that we’re in the middle of it, we’re so glad we said yes.

Next up: We’ll share how we narrowed down our route and started packing for seven months on the road—with just one checked bag and a carry-on each.

#ThePauseProject #SlowTravel #TravelPlanning #LongServiceLeave #LifeAfter50 #LiveFully