Whether you call it reckless abandon or simply going with the flow, making life decisions based on what the heart says and not worrying too much about the ‘how’ is pretty much how I have always lived. I started my traveling life at 19 when I left Melbourne and headed North to Darwin. This was the beginning of many years spent traveling and working around Australia. My longest stretch in a single region was spent in the Snowy Mountains, NSW. This long stretch included 2 winter seasons followed by 3 full years!

It was during this time, I met and fell for my best friend, who has since become my husband. Together we left our mountain home to embark on a trip around Australia, which ended up lasting 3 years. There are many stories from both my solo, and our collective travels, but they are for another time and blog!

Back in Melbourne in late 2002, we began to settle. I studied, Brendan had an excellent job, we married, had our babies, made some wonderful friends, I achieved a ‘career’ for the first time and we bought our first home. I honestly believed our traveling days were over! Family vacations were the travel of our future!

During one of those family vacations (to Darwin… I love it) a family wedding was announced. Around the very table where we celebrated our engagement, my cousin ever so casually said “We’ve decided we’re going to get married….. In Spain!”

For the next 12 months we saved and planned for a five week tour of Europe. Then, after a series of small conversations, a big decision was made.

Our five week holiday had just become a year long working holiday in Edinburgh.

At that point I stopped ‘planning’ our itinerary, and on Sep 14th 2008, with a 3 year old and a 9 month old, we boarded our plane.

That first year is nearly up, and here we are,  at the beginning of a 12 month contract with Brendan’s work. One year has suddenly and very easily become two……

‘The Accidental Expats’ has emerged from the idea of sharing the story of how we as a family (of four) have ‘accidently’ gone from living in an outer suburb of Melbourne, Australia to a one bedroom flat in central Edinburgh, Scotland.

There are stories of our life here, how we have settled in, made friends and created a happy family life.

There are reviews and guides on places we have been and events we have attended.

Be sure to check out Sundays Stories. Each week I feature an interview or story from friends who are fellow ‘accidental expats’ or travelers in unexpected places. (For more information, or to contribute click here) and access all the interviews here.

There is also some practical ‘how to’ stuff, such as ‘how to get a UK bank account (before you have a permanent address)’ The pratical side was to originally be a main element to the site….. it has seemingly and quite quickly evolved into a story blog….. So What Happens Next?

If you’re just bursting to read more then join my community by RSS FEED or by email so you don’t miss a thing!!
Hope to keep seeing you ’round