2013 and beyond

will see many changes in our lives, we took the steps to close our business down as of the 1st January this year. It was not an easy choice to make, however we had always gone into everything putting ourselves and our relationship/family at the foreground of any decisions we made. Paul and I are both conscientious, passionate people about our environment, culture, lives and sometimes you are stronger to walk away than to let surroundings and others decisions eat away at you.

2010 and 2011 were tough personal years for us with my husband spending a lot of time overseas to look after his mom, something we are entirely grateful that we were able to do. Her passing at the end of 2011 brought a realisation to us of how hard it is to be with family and each other as well as run a business that relies on you being here 24/7.

The business was good, whales as most people know have been a passion of mine for most of my life and they will remain that. I will miss not being out on the water with them everyday, however it does not mean I will not be out there when I can. There are many other ways for me to work and be with the whales and hopefully continue my efforts to improve on the conservation and protection of them within a tourism industry.

Sometimes life hands you milk and you make butter? Is that the saying or is it you start with milk but life makes it sour cream!

So what will we be doing - not entirely sure yet. For the last 3 years I have worked a lot to get VEPA set up, and I will be continuing to volunteer and give my time for conservation projects.

I am looking forward to going home to England this year, my first time since 2006 (way too long!), and we are also looking forward to rekindling some of our old life passions, connections and dreams.