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Couple quit journalism to take son, seven, round the world

A couple have quit their jobs in journalism in order to take their seven-year-old son on a trip around the world.

Nigel and Louise Chapman are set to jet off on Friday with son Kian, taking in countries including Australia, Thailand and the USA.

Nigel, 46, had been news editor at the Spalding and South Holland Voice and was deputy editor at the Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian from 2010 to 2012, while 37-year-old Louise used to be a reporter for the Lincolnshire Echo.

They have been travelling around the UK with Kian since July undertaking voluntary work, and plan to be overseas until at least February.

From left: Nigel, Louise and Kian Chapman

From left: Nigel, Louise and Kian Chapman

Nigel told Lincolnshire Live: “It’s taken a lot of saving and a lot of planning but we’re thrilled to actually be on it now and seeing new places and enjoying fresh experiences every day makes the months of preparation worth every bit.”

He added: “We want this trip to provide us with memories to last a lifetime but we’re not naive enough to think it won’t provide us with some challenges and difficult times.

“When we get back, we’ll be straight into finding a school place for Kian and employment for us. That may not prove easy, but we’ve said all along that we’ll tackle each hurdle as it arises and try and make the most of everything else in the meantime.”

Of their travels so far, Louise said: “We love the outdoors and trying different activities so Real Family Holidays was a perfect fit for us.

“Nigel and I both fondly remember residential courses from our schooldays so it’s been a chance to relive them and introduce them to Kian and we’ve all loved every minute. We can’t recommend these breaks highly enough.”

The family will be documenting their journey on a blog which can be viewed here.

3 comments

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  • September 4, 2017 at 9:46 am
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    My very best wishes to them on this truly exciting venture, for an editor to put his family life over that of his job in a dying industry to give his son some wonderful memories is truly commendable.
    There will always be work for the best journalists but your children are only young once

    Very good wishes to Nigel and his family

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  • September 4, 2017 at 10:50 am
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    fantastic. good to hear of someone with some get up and go. It will do all of you more good than hanging around journalism. Best of luck.

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  • September 4, 2017 at 1:19 pm
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    As for local newspapers I hope that the Mark Twain adage bears true ‘The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated’ and they can find jobs. Bon chance

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