SELLING most of your possessions and leaving everyone and everything you know behind in exchange for the great unknown might sound like a terrifying prospect to some. But for Darren and Rouchelle Peens it's been an absolute dream.
The pair, who are both musicians, racked up hundreds of thousands of kilometres over the years when they travelled from gig to gig across the country. Now they're back on the road again and this time it's with their kids, Maddox (7), Indie (4) and Coco (2).
When Darren and Rouchelle told their family and friends about their plan they were met with disbelief. Three small kids in a car for weeks on end, they asked incredulously.
But the couple were determined: they wanted their children to experience the beauty of the open road and the magic of exploring all four corners of South Africa.
It's been cathartic, Rouchelle says. "The more we removed what was cluttering our lives emotionally, spiritually and physically, the more we found ourselves."
Until last year, Darren (51) and Rouchelle (34) had been living in St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape but the idea of a minimalist nomadic lifestyle had long appealed to them.
"During my quiet time in prayer one day I journalled the word nomad and I sat with it," Rouchelle says. "That same day Darren mentioned the word in conversation and we got talking about what's really important to us at this time in our lives."
Their solution was to pack up everything and escape the rat race.
They gave up the lease on their rented home, sold off their belongings and set off on the open road in their Renault Scenic with a caravan and their three little ones in tow.
Their journey through the country has been life-changing, Darren says.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PUSHED TO THE LIMIT
The unusual relationship between an heiress and her husband has taken a sinister twist
HOW TO MAKE A SUPERBABY
Noor Siddiqui says her company can test embryos for hundreds of conditions from diabetes to Alzheimer's. Critics call it social engineering but she insists she's just giving prospective parents the means to avoid a lot of future heartache
THE GROWN-UP BRAIN
If you think your brain deteriorates as you age, think again!
THE eyes HAVE IT
They're the windows to our soul - and the first place to show the stresses of everyday life. Juliette Winter reveals expert tips to de-puff, brighten and smooth this delicate area
WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER
It hasn't been an easy road but now this bodybuilding couple are making waves in the industry
I CAN'T WAIT FOR SUMMER!
Annetjie's about to get effective treatment for the skin condition that has blighted her life and she's looking forward to hitting the shops and facing the world
'SHE NO THREAT TO ANYONE'
When SA boxer Chris van Heerden's Russian girlfriend went to visit her parents she was thrown in jail and accused of treasonnow he's in a fight to free her
SUNK IN 16 MINUTES!
A sun-drenched holiday turned into a living nightmare for those aboard this luxury vessel
READY TO SMILE AGAIN
A groundbreaking surgical procedure will restore this Limpopo teen's badly damaged jaw and teeth
HARRY AT A CROSSROADS
As the prince turns 40, royal experts paint a picture of a troubled soul- isolated, homesick and struggling to find a purpose in life