I wasn’t prepared for how hard saying goodbye would be for all of us. The girls said it would have been better to see everyone on the same day to say goodbye, that way they would only have one day of crying (very sweet). My mom, dad and Neve made it easier by reminding me of how long this adventure has been a dream of ours and that communicating regularly is so easy that it won’t be bad at all. I think it was their way of trying to make the goodbye easier and I appreciate the love behind it, but it was (and is) hard all the same. Mark and I both have close relationships with out families so picking up and leaving was difficult. I think as we progress and figure out communication tools it will alleviate some of my worries (Update: we’ve used Facebook Messenger video chat with Neve twice already and it has worked like a charm). I promised Heather (my sister in law) that I would try to post one photo a day on Instagram so she would know where we are and that we are safe. So far I’ve done ok with that. But, we’re using direct messaging within Instagram to stay in touch with her as well.

We debated getting a SIM card for the UK, but so far haven’t needed it. We’ve been using the MAPS.ME app for navigation. It works on airplane mode with no wifi!! If we really need the internet, wifi can be accessed almost everywhere. We do most of our research ahead of time at night when we have wifi at our accommodation. So, for now staying in touch has been working out just fine. We’ve just settled in to our cottage rental (it’s so cute) near Bath, UK for the next 5 days; the London post is coming soon!

Teary eyed girls after saying goodbye to Nana and Thomas.