We're home...

We’re home. It’s the first day back.

It feels odd to be back. Bed unslept in, piles of post on the mat.

Sitting at home on the couch, listening to David Sedaris, suddenly feels as if we’ve never been away.

I’m struck by the thought that we really need to make sure we re-live and soak up the memories and remember how amazing it was, has been, and to capture all of that joy.

SO much joy.

We ordered a takeaway. We watched Death in Paradise and it REALLY feels as if we’d never been away.

That feels sad.

On the way to the kitchen, I pass the map of Southern Africa that is on the wall, that we used for planning the trip.

I touch it. I WAS there. We DID do great things. It WAS real.

And this, here at home, is real, too - but different.

We spoke about feeling the same as before we went in some ways - but to try to make sure we remember. And that THAT was real, too.

It’s so quiet in the house. We’re insulated from noise, danger or any discomfort or disturbance.

The quietness bothers me. The lack of natural sounds. Sitting inside, being blocked off from even the smallest sound, such as a rustle of wind through grass.

Whilst we were away we didn’t listen to much music, and rarely watched anything that we downloaded in advance.

We didn’t miss TV and it’s far too easy to slip back into it.

When we were away we read, and went to sleep early due to the equally early starts.

The wild entertained us.

Or we’d look at our pictures and edit them, or make videos or write blogs about it. (I’m so behind with the blogs from the Namibian section of the trip).

I feel quite sad - which I guess is normal. Although I know it isn’t the end.

It’s easier here at home - plates in the dishwasher, no washing up. We can order food to arrive if we want.

But there wasn’t loads to juggle out there. Lots of small things and jobs that added up, but no competing demands on our time, so it felt simple.

The wild is real.

This is a different real.

Neither is right, neither wrong.

Outside did feel more real.

It will be odd to spend so much time indoors now.

Although it’s more comfortable/cleaner in so many ways (no dust, sand, dirt, damp etc), the outside WAS amazing - and living outdoors was great.

Life will be different …let’s see how.

There are many things that could take up my time…shall I try and avoid them?

Yes. If I can.