The Wooldridge family leave their renovated 1970s home for a one‑way journey across Asia

Dani, 39, a nurse who also runs an aesthetics business, and Tom, 38, who operates a construction firm, spent seven years turning a 1970s house into a family home for their three children – Olivia, 12, Morgan, 7, and George, 4. After a month‑long Christmas holiday in Thailand almost two years ago, the family began to consider a very different future.

Back in the UK they made extensive lists of pros and cons, questioning how they would manage their mortgage, businesses and the children’s education if they left. The positive experience in Thailand, where the children adapted well, gave them confidence to pursue a life on the move.

Tom was uneasy about the idea of renting out their house and managing it from abroad, while Dani initially thought about keeping a foothold in the UK. In the end they decided to sell the property at the start of the year, spent several months in rented accommodation, and in May boarded a flight to Indonesia with all their belongings packed into two large 120‑litre backpacks for the parents and two 100‑litre rolling packs for the children.

The first months have been spent exploring the Indonesian archipelago, from the beaches of Bali to the volcanic slopes of Mount Batur and the cultural village of Ubud, before moving on to Lombok for a second stay. Throughout the journey they have not abandoned the children’s schooling. A "huge bag" of textbooks and workbooks follows the UK curriculum, and the children receive online tutoring – Olivia works with a former head of maths from her Welsh high school, and the boys have a tutor covering the primary curriculum, English and some science.

After five months in Indonesia the family plans to continue to Malaysia, where they will visit an orang‑utan sanctuary in Borneo and attend a world‑schooling centre. Their itinerary then includes Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines, with future destinations still open.

The Wooldridge family’s decision to sell everything and set off on a one‑way journey illustrates how a desire for adventure can be balanced with practical considerations such as housing, employment and education. Their experience may prompt other families to think about the possibilities and challenges of long‑term travel while maintaining ties to the UK.