As 2025 draws to a close, I’ve found myself looking back on a year that was big, bold, challenging, and deeply rewarding — one of those years that leaves its mark.

January began in Bangkok, welcoming the New Year with my daughter as fireworks lit up the sky outside our hotel window. What followed was a whirlwind — magnificent temples with intricate architecture, the giant Reclining Buddha and the Golden Buddha, hands-on time with elephants at a sanctuary, the Louis Vuitton Visionary Journey exhibition, and a bus trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ayutthaya, where ancient ruins quietly remind you of empires long gone.

And then there were the shopping malls — vast beyond anything I’d experienced before, where seemingly anything you could imagine was for sale. Bangkok was exciting, colourful and full of life… but I’ll be honest, I didn’t miss the noise, the traffic, or the constant sensory overload that comes with a city of 18 million people.

From there, it was back home and then off to Tasmania for a few weeks with my Tassie family — a place where there is always time to stop, breathe, and reset.

The following months were devoted to training and planning for my Camino. In late March, I set off with my two adult granddaughters, first spending a few days in Barcelona. It was everything I’d hoped for and more. The Sagrada Familialeft me speechless — if you haven’t seen it, “spectacular” doesn’t come close. Park Güell and wandering the Gothic Quarter were also highlights.

From there we travelled to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, our Camino starting point. The trail over the Pyrenees had reopened the day before after winter closure. The week prior had seen perfect spring weather, and we were hopeful.

Our optimism didn’t last long.

The first day was glorious — blue skies, gentle breezes — but overnight the wind rose. Forecasts predicted 46km/h winds, which sounded manageable. What followed was a brutal reminder never to underestimate the Pyrenees. Wind gusts later recorded at 112km/h, icy rain and stinging ice pellets battered us, at times forcing us to walk backwards just to stay upright. Ponchos became parachutes, trekking poles had minds of their own, and turning back was no longer an option.

It was terrifying at moments — but we made it. Plenty of life lessons were learnt, though that’s a story for another time.

For the next five weeks, we walked across Spain, following yellow arrows and scallop shells. Walk, eat, walk, eat, sleep — repeat — for 35 days. Madness? Possibly. Life-changing? Absolutely. Years ago I was asked why I would walk a pilgrimage and I had no answer. I still don’t — except that it gets into your blood and quietly calls you back. I know there will be more Caminos in my future.

At the end we treated ourselves to a few days in Porto, Portugal behaving like tourists, late nights and sleeping in before the dreaded long haul flight home.

Returning home in mid-May brought the familiar post-Camino flatness as I adjusted back to everyday life. To distract myself from dreaming of Spain, I turned my attention to preparing my van for the Australian adventures planned for the rest of the year.

A family wedding also kept me distracted for a bit and gave me something else to think about.

In early September, I joined a Country Pub Tours tag-along trip — partly to test how I’d go with van life before heading off solo. Best decision ever. Travelling with about ten others, visiting historic country pubs each day, I quickly realised… I was hooked.

Soon after, I headed to Geelong to board the Spirit of Tasmania, mapping out a road trip through NSW to visit as many silo art installations as possible. It was my first long-distance solo trip in the van, and I was quietly proud that it all went smoothly.

Arriving in Devonport after an overnight Bass Strait crossing, I was greeted by ferocious winds that made keeping the van on the road an adventure in itself. Tasmania, as always, had more surprises in store — including my van being off the road for several weeks. Yet another story for another time.

A hire van saved the day, and I was able to continue travelling, this time with a friend visiting Tasmania for the first time. Despite bitterly cold winds and bedding that felt like sleeping on the floor, we had an absolute ball. Highlights included spectacular beaches, turquoise waters, ever-changing landscapes — and an unforgettable Aurora Australis, with lights dancing along the horizon just for us.

As we head into 2026, I’m back in Queensland briefly, already planning the next chapter. Tassie until April, then north through the centre to Darwin, and across to Western Australia.

If 2026 is anything like 2025, I’m ready.