Blaikies Abroad

The decision has been made. We are leaving Abu Dhabi in only a few short months. My final working day in this place is the 5th January and on the 6th January we will be taking flight to Geneva for 1 week of skiing, then off to the UK to buy a motorhome, followed by 8 months of bliss with my wonderful wife Alison and 2 Daughters. Ellyanna is 14 months old. My second daughter is due to enter this world in 3.5 weeks.

We have been living in Abu Dhabi for about 2 years, but it is certainly time to move on. We are excited about leaving behind structure for 8 months and spending time as a family. Imagine, every single day waking up, knowing that you don't have to say goodbye to your family as you head off to work. Every day has a touch of sadness, as I wave goodbye to Alison and my little girl. Seeing Ellyanna wave at me as I walk out the door and say B..B..makes me want to walk back in, sit down, and call in sick.

But for 8 months, I will experience something that not many fathers get to experience - seeing my children at every developmental milestone...hearing the first words, seeing the first steps, participating in the simple things that children take such delight in - picking up their first catapillar, cuddling their first duckling, jumping in their first puddle. Unadulterated Joy will be mine, no matter how difficult things might get living together in the rather small confines of a motorhome.

With this blog, our aim is to update you on our planning and our travels, describe to you how we are growing as a family, the ease (or otherwise!) of travelling as a family in a motorhome, and most of all, our awe, wonder and delight at seeing and experiencing more of our wonderful God's creation.