35 years after we hung up our backpacks...

... Halloween marked another turning point in our very privileged lives! We've retired for the second time and commenced finalizing our preparations for some more adventuring.

Our Back Packs from the 70's!

I first took "early retirement" from my teaching career in Hobart, Tasmania in December 1969, while Penny retired from her nursing career in Victoria B.C. in February 1971. Following our fateful meeting at the Darwin bus station on July 2, 1972, we travelled to over 60 countries around the world through the 70's, finally settling in British Columbia, Canada in November 1978.

For 35 years we focused on building our 'cottage in the woods' on Vancouver Island, B.C., raising our fine sons Josh and Aidan, and immersing ourselves in the joys of parenting, family and demanding but rewarding careers.

Our New Packs from M.E.C.

Now it's time to strap on the back packs and hit the road once again. First stop will be Australia. We'll visit relatives and friends in Sydney before spending a few months with my mum Joan in Tasmania. Then we'll return to South East Asia to catch some countries we missed during the early '70s.

Pen of course has a list of temples, pagodas and shrines that have been on her bucket list for 40 years. My main goal will be to try to recapture some of the simple life we enjoyed there 4 decades ago. A thatched beach cottage, fresh fish and rice for the main meal of the day and plenty of time to mingle with the local people, read and relax!

Our respective send-offs by our wonderful colleagues, family and friends were spectacular. Our warmest thanks to all for the outpouring of love you showered on us! Josh, Laura, Aidan and Heather checked us into the beautiful Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa for 2 nights of 5 star dining and accommodation. What a treat! After an amazing feast and celebration prepared by my fine colleagues at First Peoples' Cultural Council a number of us gathered at the resort to socialize for a couple of hours, then Pen and I walked the few steps to our luxurious room - undoubtedly our last 5-star accommodation for quite a while!! 

On Sunday November 3, Penny's colleagues from Victoria General Hospital plus family and friends helped her celebrate her retirement with a wonderful brunch and speeches honouring her 44 year nursing career. Now its time to plan, prepare, provision and pack before we pick up where we left off in November 1978!

Josh, Aidan, Pen and Pete after the retirement celebrations.