Roaming in Retirement

If you’ve been keeping up with my adventures, you might recall Post #40. Well, I made my way back to the modern condo in Esquimalt—home to the adorable dog Niki, and the now-legendary "too-long-shower, water-shutoff-alert-sent-to-Europe" episode. Thankfully, no such blunders this time! Just a peaceful, two-week retreat in a familiar environment—and in typical “me” style, I couldn’t help but do something nice for my generous hosts. Their spring surprise? A complete deck makeover: sparkling windows, a scrubbed patio, and a goodbye to some very weary plants. You’re welcome!  Next, I headed to Cadboro Bay for a six-week house sitting gig, my longest of the year thus far—and I was prepared. Remy, the lively labradoodle mentioned in my November post, recognized me immediately. Whether that filled him with happiness or anxiety, I couldn't quite tell. But I did know this: he still required some training, and I was ready to take on the task. With six entire weeks together, Remy an...

Following the not-so-romantic getaway to Asia (if you missed that unexpected turn of events, take a moment to scroll back a post or two), I was excited to return to the comforting routine of house and pet sitting. The plan? From mid-February to March 8 house/pet sitting in Richmond, BC—home to two affectionate cats, a serene townhouse, and, unbeknownst to me, a sanctuary that would gently awaken my senses in the most delightful manner.  This house/pet sit was a triumph from the beginning. Not only was it conveniently located near the Vancouver airport (which was useful for picking up my laptop and personal items from a generous couple I met in Malaysia—a long story), but it was also close to the ferry for future island adventures. Extra bonus: cats don’t require 7 a.m. leash pulls or muddy paw clean-ups—just tranquil companions and adaptable schedules.  As my feline friends went about their business, I took the opportunity to explore Richmond; a place that was new to me. So, I...

Now, in case you are curious as to my delay in writing, I wasn’t unaccounted for—just momentarily diverted by one of life’s unexpected twists. First off, a big thank you to everyone who wondered if I made it back to Victoria from Asia. I did! And yes, I also managed to visit Asia... for what felt like a fleeting moment. If you caught the conclusion of my last entry (#48), I left you with a cliffhanger: Would my journey in Asia turn out to be romantic, adventurous, or comical? Spoiler alert: I didn’t linger long enough to find out. Let’s just say: it was none of those. I assessed the situation, did some quick emotional calculations, and made the decisive choice to exit promptly. Did it come at a cost? Yes. Was it worth it to feel secure, balanced, and still like myself? Absolutely. No enticing details here—we’re not revisiting the drama, we are now crafting the next chapter. So, where does a resilient traveler go when she returns to Victoria without a house or pet-sitting arrangement in...