The Pidgeons have landed down under! 🇦🇺
14 years ago, I left Australia to study nursing, promising I’d come back… just didn’t realise it would take this long 😅
Somewhere along the way, England completely stole my heart, along with Dan. I fell in love with the best man, bought our first home, got married, and made incredible memories across 40+ countries together. I built a career I’m so proud of too, becoming a nurse, then a ward sister, and managing a department in the NHS.
What I can’t quite put into words is the closeness and love that’s grown between me, my family and Dan’s, along with the amazing friends who made life there feel so full. That’s what’s made leaving what felt like a perfect life so hard.
But Australia’s been calling us for a while… so we’ve finally answered. No nerves yet, just excitement (and a lot to figure out, but that’s half the fun!).
The loudest, most enthusiastic airport welcome from @sammikepark@erle.park@elsie_mae2023@frankiep_2024 and little Charlie made it feel like I never left.
Round two, let’s see what you’ve got!
Hi everyone,
Stepping out of my comfort zone a little, I’ve signed up to run the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 12 April 2026. I’ll be running for the British Heart Foundation in memory of my old man, who sadly passed away following a cardiac arrest while doing what he loved most — running.
Training is well underway and I've been lacing up wherever I've been in the world to make sure I do him proud in a couple months and back home that training has continued (albeit with a small break thanks to a knee injury!)
I know I’ve been pretty terrible at keeping in touch with friends, family, and work colleagues, but if you can put that useless part of me to one side and find it in your heart to donate using the link below, it would mean a huge amount to me — and to the BHF. Every contribution, big or small, really does make a difference.
(Clickable link in bio)
/pf/daniel-pidgeon
Any cheerleading would also be very welcome so come down on the day to cheer me on and help push me over the line (a beer at the end wouldn't go amiss either).
See you soon, folks ❤️
Day 483 - Honey, I’m Home! ✨
For four whole months, we kept a secret 🤫 Four months of countdowns, whispered plans, and imagining the moment we would walk through the door and surprise Dan’s sisters and families. And this week, we finally did it 🥹 The tears, the shock, the hugs that did not want to let go, it was everything we had hoped for and more 🤍
In the middle of all that emotion, we also got to meet our beautiful little niece, Ottilie 👶🏼 We missed the entire pregnancy while we were on the other side of the world, and now she is here, a squishy, smiley six month old who already feels like she has always been part of our story 💕
After 1.5 years of living out of backpacks 🎒 chasing sunrises 🌅 and calling the world home 🌍 we are back where it all began.
This chapter truly changed us ✨ It stretched us, humbled us, strengthened our marriage 🤍 and reminded us how small we are in the world, yet how deeply connected we are to it. We left with backpacks and big dreams and came back with stories and endless gratitude 🙏🏼
To every place that held us, every stranger who became a friend, and every version of ourselves we discovered along the way, thank you 🤍
It has been an EPIC journey ✈️ and we are so grateful to be back 🤍
Here is to closing this chapter with full hearts and beginning the next one 🥂
Some huge news too. Dan received his Australian permanent residency the day before we started our journey back to the UK 🇦🇺 They even bypassed the provisional two year visa and granted him full residency status, which means the next adventure is already here 🎉 We will be heading to Sydney on a one way ticket on the 16th of April to see how we like life down under for a few years.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark
Day 482 – The Big Apple, One Last Bite 🍎
A quick (and piggy 🐷) hotel breakfast, a speedy check-out, and we were straight onto the streets, determined to squeeze every last drop out of our final day. We jumped on the subway and headed for the Staten Island Ferry ⛴️ — not to see Staten Island, but because it’s one of the best free views in the city, gliding past the Statue of Liberty 🗽 without the price tag.
Back in Manhattan, we let our feet do the planning, wandering through Wall Street, stopping at the Charging Bull 🐂, and eventually making our way to Ground Zero. It’s a quiet, powerful place, and a fitting pause in an otherwise busy day.
From there, we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge 🌉, soaking up sweeping views of the river and skyline before exploring a little of Brooklyn itself. We grabbed the classic Washington Street photo 📸, with the Empire State Building perfectly framed through the Manhattan Bridge, then slowed things down at Time Out Market — roaming, refuelling, and even managing to find a drink that didn’t hurt too much 🍻.
With tired legs but no intention of stopping, we headed back on the subway toward Central Park 🌲. I’d been desperate to see it and it didn’t disappoint — blanketed in snow ❄️ and looking straight out of a film. We wandered past frozen lakes and fountains, listened to buskers, and took it all in at a slower pace.
Charlotte ticked off her Met Steps photo (a Gossip Girl classic, apparently 👀), and we even stumbled upon the building used as the exterior for The Nanny, which felt strangely familiar.
Our last stop was Chelsea Market, where we perched at the bar eating freshly made noodles 🍜, watching them being hand-pulled right in front of us. One final happy hour drink later and reality kicked in — bags to collect, airport to reach.
Completely shattered, we hid away in the lounge for a bit before boarding, relieved our bags made it on as carry-on, partly as the assistant was busy dealing with around 30 upset passengers being turned away at boarding 😬. After a long wait on the plane while the wings were defrosted, we finally lifted off just before midnight for another big adventure ✈️.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 🌎
Day 481 – In New York!! 🗽✨
We arrived in Manhattan before midday, and the flight in treated us to spectacular views of snow-coated NYC ❄️🏙️—even parts of the water looked frozen! Not a cloud in the sky, which somehow made it feel much warmer than we expected ☀️.
Determined to make the most of our time here, we went straight from the subway to our plush Marriott hotel 🏨 for the night. A quick change and we were straight back out exploring. First stops: Broadway 🎭 and Times Square 🌟. We grabbed a $1.50 slice of pizza 🍕 and took a breather in Starbucks ☕.
We spotted Hotel Charlotte right next to the “I’m a Donut” shop 🍩, and everywhere we turned there were Empire State Building views peeking out on street corners 🏙️. At Times Square, we debated booking a show but decided to take a chance on last-minute tickets for ice hockey at Madison Square Garden 🏒 tonight.
We wandered through Bryant Park 🌳 and the New York Public Library 📚 before heading to Grand Central Station, popping into a bar where a scene from Gossip Girl was filmed 👀✨. Yellow taxis 🚕 and hot-dog stands 🌭 lined the streets, making everything feel so New Yorker.
In the afternoon, we grabbed a bagel from Ess-a-Bagel 🥯—absolutely supreme. Heading back toward Madison Square Garden, we spent almost an hour waiting for cheaper tickets, chatting with locals who’d bought theirs earlier… only to realise our tickets were a third of the price 😅. We rushed in to grab our seats and spent the next three hours trying to figure out the rules of hockey 🤔🏒. Confusing, fun, and definitely an experience!
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 💕🌍
Day 480 – Making Space🗑
The rain was hideous again today, so we took things slow. A gentle morning sorting through our bags for what could be chucked or donated, before Charlotte headed out for coffee and I went for a run 🌧️☕🏃♂️
A couple of hours later we were back home, saying goodbye to a surprising amount of our stuff. Most of it was clothes we won’t need for the colder weather ahead.
We dropped everything into a charity bin before heading to La Placita, a lively spot that’s a local food market by day and a full-on street party by night. We arrived in time to catch the quieter market vibe but far too early for the chaos later on. We debated sticking it out… but exhaustion won 🥱
A bus back, some food grabbed on the way, and it was straight into bed — resting up for our early morning flight tomorrow to The Big Apple as we begin our next adventure ✈️💤
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 🌎
Day 479 – Murals, Empanadas & Old Town Nostalgia 🏛️🎨
We spent the day ticking off the final tourist spots in Old San Juan 🗺️. Hopping back on Puerto Rico’s free bus system 🚌 took us straight into the old town, and along the way we spotted a Virgin cruise ship docked 😔🚢—really wishing we could jump back on.
Back up in town, we stopped at a few murals we’d missed last week 🎨. We were very grateful we hadn’t had today’s weather then—rainy, cloudy, and pretty cold for us ☁️🌧️🥶.
We popped into the Drunken Cookie Bar 🍪🍸, now a Puerto Rican startup bakery serving alcohol-infused cookies. Unreal. Just across the road it was empanada time 🥟, plus a happy-hour drink at Birra Empanada 🍺—the first empanada shop in San Juan. Some of the best empanadas we’ve had on this trip (and we’ve eaten a lot 😅), all inside the grooviest old-school bar filled with random bits and bobs 🪑🖼️.
On the way home we grabbed a bottle of wine 🍷 and ended the night with canned ravioli and a cheeky drink.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 💕🌍
Day 478 – Rainy Days & Jacket Hunts 🌧
The rain was well and truly here today, so we took the opportunity to hide indoors. A slow morning of doing absolutely nothing at the apartment, followed by some very important shopping at the mall.
With our next stop set to be bitterly cold, Charlotte was in need of a warm jacket and some shoes that weren’t flip flops or sandals. Shoes were bagged pretty quickly in the first shop — a bargain pair too, helped slightly by the fact she can still fit into children’s sizes 😅
The jacket hunt, however, was another story. Who’d have thought thick, warm jackets aren’t exactly in high demand in the Caribbean? We spent the next eight hours trying on an ungodly number of jackets, but eventually found the one. Still no sign of gloves anywhere… but who needs warm hands anyway?
Back home, we made a late dinner and called it a night after a long (but successful) day of shopping.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 🌎
Day 477– Sun & Street Art 🎨
With today apparently being one of our only sunny days here ☀️, it felt like beach o’clock. We’d already checked out Isla Verde yesterday, so we headed to Ocean Park instead 🌊. Like most beaches here, access is mainly through apartment buildings, so we claimed a spot on the shore for the morning. Red flags were out though, which meant no swimming 😔🚩.
Mid-afternoon we set off in search of lunch at the food truck yard 🍔, but across the road we stumbled on a full-blown market in a car park 🎶🛍️—great music, lively vibes—so plans changed. We shared some massive nachos 🧀🌮 and a lemonade that I can only assume contained more sugar than lemon 🍋😅.
After that, we wandered the streets of Miramar hunting for murals 🎨🚶♀️. The neighbourhood feels caught between old and new: vibrant street art splashed across walls alongside shiny renovations 🏙️, a clear sign of Miramar’s rapid gentrification and shifting identity.
Next up the food shop for the next few days 🛒, then home to cook 🍝. Unfortunately, the kitchen appliances were… questionable 😬. The stovetop basically didn’t work, but thanks to Google we learned you can cook pasta in a microwave 🤯. The night ended binge-watching season two of The Night Manager.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 💕🌍
Day 476 – The Hardest Goodbyes
We woke up immensely sad to be leaving after what had been an incredible week. Bags were packed, unnecessary bits were strategically redistributed into Mum and Kevin’s suitcases for the journey home, and we headed off for one last breakfast.
Because it was our final morning, we booked ourselves into The Wake for one last jazzy send-off 🥂. Plenty of clam chowder and steak & eggs went around the table — the perfect full-circle finish, ending the cruise just as we’d started it.
Then came the wrestle off the ship, through immigration, and the emotional goodbyes. Mum and Kevin headed straight to the airport, while the rest of us retreated to a hotel lobby to decompress before everyone’s flights.
An optimistic attempt at a beach walk didn’t quite land — limited sandy spots and looming clouds sent us back again, this time to the pool area instead 🌥️🏖️. A bit of food, a lot more chatting, and then more goodbyes: first Lisa and Frankie, then Graham and Max. Suddenly… there were just two of us again.
An Uber took us to our apartment for the next few nights. Not the shiniest place we’ve stayed — water dripping from the ceiling, a kitchen with very basic facilities, and a constantly crying cat with a rather questionable facial growth 🐱😬.
With the area feeling a little sketchy after dark and energy levels finally spent, we stayed in. Cheap Uber Eats, binging The Night Manager, and a quiet night to reset after a week we won’t forget anytime soon 🌙📺.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 🌎
Day 475 – Plane Spotters ✈️
How is this our last full day?! A slow morning, then off the boat and onto a very long shuttle ride across the island to one of the only things I knew about the Caribbean before coming: Plane Beach 🏝️✈️. Traffic was awful and took almost an hour, despite me thinking it was a tiny island. We got stuck at a spit bridge and finally noticed the gigantic boats docked there 🚢💰—the money and sheer size were unreal. While it was tempting to hop off and find Frankie a new husband 😏, we kept going.
Arriving at the beach, it was clear this wasn’t just sunbathing—it was BUSY 😳. We jumped out and were instantly overwhelmed by the aura of the place. A few small planes landed first, and we found the best (and most dramatic) spot—right in front of the runway 😮✈️. The planes were insane, the water stunning, but the waves were wild 🌊. People were literally being swept away and rescued, which was somewhat comedic at times 😂.
We stood under planes taking off and landing beside danger of life signs ⚠️. Half of us braved the swell for a dip—exhilarating! I even hid behind Dad in case a plane landed on us (not sure how helpful that would’ve been 😅).
After enough adrenaline, we headed back to the boat—definitely enough for one day but totally worth it 🙌. We stopped at the shopping district; while some girls looked at diamonds 💎, we went to the boardwalk for a drink because it was HOT 🥵🍹. Lots of signs and little things made us giggle. When we split up, we worried about missing our group photo, but back at the port it was a miracle that all three groups randomly bumped into each other 📸✨.
Back on board, it was time for our last dip, last sunset, and we finally saw people running for the boat 🏃♂️🚢—a great moment for anyone with a dark sense of humour 😈😂.
Dinner and a show tonight, with no idea what to expect—but it was so much fun 🎭🍷. A few bottles of wine between me, Dad, and Dan 😅. Everyone else called it early, while Lisa, Dad, and I finished with live music to cheers the final hurrah 🎶🥂.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark
Day 474 – From Antigua to Korea 🇦🇬➡️🇰🇷
Another day, another island — this time Antigua. As we drifted into dock, the views from our little balcony were once again unreal, all turquoise water and rolling green hills. A good wake-up.
A slightly later exit from the boat today as the week’s antics were definitely catching up with a few of us 😴 but we made it off. After the usual tour hawkers (including Kevin being actively chased by one very determined lady), we settled on a lovely chap called Derrick.
Derrick gave us a brilliant intro to Antigua & Barbuda, explaining the flag colours — red for the energy of the people, blue for hope, white for the beaches, black for African heritage, and the rising sun symbolising a new era of independence ☀️. He also told us the island was named Antigua by Christopher Columbus after Santa María la Antigua in Seville. We wound through local villages, stopped at stunning viewpoints, a sweet hilltop church, and the very polished Nelson’s Dockyard, named after Admiral Lord Nelson.
After hearing about Pigeon Point, we had to stop. Derrick happily obliged while we grabbed a quick snap and admired the bay filled with absolutely outrageous yachts — one day… 👀⛵
Next stop was Turner’s Bay, where we fully switched off. A few beers, cocktails, plenty of time in the water snorkelling, and pelicans diving headfirst for their lunch right beside us 💦. Eventually it was time to head back, with a quick shop near the port before boarding again.
With tomorrow our final stop, we decided tonight was a big one, so once back on the ship, it was straight to Miami Vice's over sunset...with shots following.
Dinner was at Gunbae, with several Korean BBQ virgins at the table, excitement was high. Our host Jean was fantastic, immediately launching us into the Gunbae drinking game (counting round the table, clapping on 3, 6 and 9…mess up and down a shot of soju 🥴). The food was unreal — incredible sides, sizzling mains — we just had to order another bottle of soju for round two.
The rest of the night disappeared between the casino and the Manor Club, terrible dancing, many more drinks, and a whole lot of laughs.
#theadventuresofpidgeandpark 🌎
