So..
What’s been occurring since the race was postponed? Well to compress 2 years into a few sentences!
• Sadness and a feeling of loss- yes when the race was postponed resulting in a massive change in plans, I didn’t cope with this so well, it was tricky and not knowing when we were going to be going back made it more difficult to decide what to do! At this point the pandemic was rapidly taking hold in the UK, claiming lives and leaving may people with u certainty and fear for their families and loved ones.
• Furlough- resulting in virtually no locum work or jobs available anywhere!
• “Signing on” a new experience that I don’t think anyone with a vet degree thinks they’re ever going to have to do!
• NHS track and trace- yes, I got a job working for Boris Johnsons “world leading” track and trace. After completing 100s of hours of online safeguarding and seminars on fire safety in the workplace (my parents lounge)
• Pet portraits- after YEARS of not painting at all and as a bit of distraction I decided to pick up the paints! After first practicing on mums pooches, I received a few commissions. This was a very enjoyable pastime and every morning I would draw for a few hours, then take the doggies for their walkies as part of our allotted hours exercise as per Mr Johnson.
• Unfortunately, as much fun as the drawing was, it’s going to take a long time before I can be classed as professional and be able to live off the “profits” so by May 2020 it was time to find another vetty job. I landed on my feet on the lovely island of Jersey, where time has stood still and they did a commendable job of covid at bay all summer, allowing the residents to live an almost normal lifestyle.
• Sadly all good things must come to an end and I accepted a new job in Southampton to work for Equicall, a new business model for equine vets working out of hours only. This night work allowed more time to follow my new passion for sailing, and I have spent the last few months spending as much time as possible on the water ⛵️ when not playing with the lovely New Forest donkeys
Finally, late last year we got the go ahead for clipper to recommence in Feb 2022 and in true Burgess style there was always going to be some last minute drama 😂 so much for finishing work with plenty of time to prepare…
Routine hospital check highlighted that one of the wires to my pacemaker was misbehaving, and the doc recommended replacing the wire, less than a month before my flight to the Philippines!
First hurdle to have a negative pre op covid test.
Step 2. The super doc fitted the new wire without the need for a major op to remove the existing faulty one.
Step 3. Insurance! Telling them about the changes = many emails and well deserved choccies for the legendary PA to the cardiologist… she managed to get all the medical forms completed and back to me in less than 24 hours, no mean feat considering the NHS don’t use email to send forms out!
Step 4. On the 11th hour (well actually 3 mins before leaving for the airport) FINALLY got suitable insurance cover and was fit to fly!!!
Bad things come in threes- first the pacemaker/fit to travel, the second was having to put Rico to sleep after 15 years of happy memories, RIP my gorgeous boy 😢
Third/ finally after waiting on the negative PCR needed to fly, storms Eunice came to batter the UK, bringing first snow then heavy rain, collapsing the lane and leading to late night digging and wall reconstruction on our final evening in the UK!
On the morning of the flight, by 9.28 the insurance was sorted, bags squashed into the car (9.30) squashed and melancholy goodbyes to mum and dad at Manchester Airport. Black Betty here we come!
Rachel's Race around the World 