Don't Tell Me I Can't…...go Travelling Alone

Annabel Abbs leaves her family behind so she can see the world

- Emma Rossiter

Strolling through the cobbled streets of Paris I look on in amazement at the beautiful row of patisseries, fashion boutiques and fancy French restaurants.I can’t believe I’m here. The best part is, I’m completely alone. No children complaining that they’re bored, and no impatient husband trying to hurry me along. It’s just me, enjoying the fabulous city, doing whatever I like and loving every second of it.

I’d attempted to go travelling alone in my early 20s to Africa and India, but both trips didn’t turn out the way I expected. Being so young, I didn’t enjoy my own company.

After that, I never really had any desire to travel by myself.

Then when I was 23I met Matthew and we married in 1994. Four years later we had our daughter Imogen, shortly followed by Bryony, Saskia, and Hugo. Between busy hours at my office job and raising four children, there was very little time for adventurous travel.