Everyone seems to be moving around at the moment—maybe it’s the economy, or maybe they’re just trying to keep warm. Well, now it’s my turn. After more than two years at Nature, and 10 years in science publishing, I’m about to wave goodbye to the office and embark on a freelance career. < /bombshell>

It’s something I’ve always wanted to try, and it feels like now or never while I have neither mortgage nor children, and have plenty of savings.

But it’s not goodbye. From the point of view of Nature Network, I won’t be going anywhere. How could I leave you all? It’s like an extended family on here. Nature has been gracious enough to let me carry on in a freelance capacity, running the London hub, its blog, forum and events calendar. I’ll even be reigniting the pub networking evenings, once I’ve settled into the new way of working.

Nature Network will take up only a portion of my week. The rest of my time will be spent pursuing my chief passion: exploring and writing about London (sometimes with a scientific slant, sometimes not). Those of you who know me are aware how obsessed I am with the capital. Over the past few years, I’ve built up a strong network of contacts and outlets for my London writing. I have several exciting projects lined up already for the new year. It seems like a good time (economy notwithstanding) to make a go at it. I’m very excited.

This is my final week in the office in 2008, but I’ll be on the Network throughout the Christmas period, followed by a final office week in January. I’m going to miss all my colleagues here enormously (especially the unsung Li Kim, who’s worked diligently behind the scenes on Nature Network since before I joined). But I ain’t going far. My grinning countenance will pop up on Nature Network even more frequently now I’m dispensing with such time-consuming distractions as a daily commute, planning meetings and office banter.

Great things are planned for Nature Network in 2009 (just you wait…oh just you wait), and I’m looking forward to being part of them.