25 December - Christmas Day

After a leisurely late rising and a morning Christmas church service at Leighmoor, we went out to Box Hill Cemetery. Here, after a bit of searching, we located our maternal grandmother's grave. It was only a few years ago I found out who she was and a little more of family history on mum's side.We spent a little time there,

As being in this area of Melbourne is not common for me, we had a look around. At around noon we came across a fish and chip shop which was open, and which had received rave reviews in the local press for the quality of its food. We had some lunch there and messaged some friends for Christmas at the same time. Then we went back to the motel, where Fran had a rest and I went on the Internet and updated information.

Just before 3, we went over to Vanda's place and saw an industrial kitchen in action as Vanda was catering for around 20. We chatted with the others as they arrived and met the family. By just after 7 all was ready and we sat down for dinner (photographs at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougmullett/sets/ ). By 11 the guests started to depart and we left not long after and back to the motel.

I managed to "shrink" the photos and then eventually upload them to Flickr and so they are there for the viewing. Tomorrow we expect to see Jason and Lisa and perhaps go out with them. Thursday is not yet planned!

24 December

After leaving Fran's at 8:30 and picking up on thing at Ashley's and dropping of another at one of Fran's friends, we finally headed out of Adelaide about 8:30 along the freeway through the Adelaide hills. The temperature was in the low tens and the sky was cloudy, so there was no sun glare. The occasional shower gave the wipers the occasional workout.

 

We stopped for a quick break in Coonalpyn and then turned off the Dukes Highway at Keith onto the Riddoch Highway. Another quick stop followed at Willalooka and then a longer stop at Penola for eating sandwiches and getting the Melbourne papers. A good run down to Mt Gambier was followed by a slower run across to Port Fairy, with many slower and older drivers on the road.

 

We stopped in Port Fairy to say hello to Doris and see the renovations Sandra and Peter were doing. Then it was a slower run to Geelong and up to Werribee. Here we stopped for tea at the RSL (the first time I have eaten a meal in the general dining area) and to refuel (845 km for 73.60 litres – 8.71 L / 100 km, not the best consumption I’ve had).

 

We left at 8:30 and arrived, after a slow trip down the Nepean Highway, at our motel at 9:30. We booked in and then dropped around to say hello to Jason, Lisa and Vanda. After leaving there just after 11, it was back to the motel for a well-earned sleep.

22 December

Well, I'm finally on my way, abeit for a practice run.

After an early rising on Friday (after being able to sleep in as I wanted for most of the earlier part of the year), it was up and have a cup of tea and drink (water and psyllium) and finishing packing the car. The recycle collection came early, so I brought that bin in, but the rubbish collection hadn't been by the time I left, so my trusty neighbour will bring that in. Shower, dress, a final pack, getting the newspaper and I was off.

I arrived at my (old) school at about 7:50 and caught up with Abdullah, Andy and Erin. Then it was down behind the VCE Centre for breakfast. Colin, Peter and Michael were already there and had the barbie fired up. The staff gradually arrived between 8 and by 10 nearly all were there. I headed off (with a school magazine, which I still haven't looked at yet), called in to say hello to on ex-student working at Essendon, then went off to Shepparton after topping up with petrol at Kalkallo. The family I went to see were all out (but the dogs were very friendly and made me welcome), so I left a note and headed off. On the way to Horsham there were periods of very heavy rain where visibility dropped and the wipers got a good workout. At one stage I was behind a truck for about ten kilometres and there just wasn't enough of a break to pass. 

I also proved that a car with cruise control does not speed up when aquaplaning - in fact, as theory suggests, it actually slows down and then there's a quick burst of acceleration when it hits the dry patch on the other side.

I called into Horsham to drop off Christmas presents for Kerry at Greer and Kevin's workplace. Greer wondered why Kerry hadn't given me a Santa cap to wear and go, "Ho, Ho, Ho," but after the rain and some other very erratic drivers (overtaking in very limited space and pulling in just as I passed, but by that time I was halfway off the road), I was looking more for just a little break. I had seen electronic translators which would do all I wanted cheap at Aldi, but there were none at the local store. I tried the Aldi in Horsham (just over the road from where I was) but they had none - a helpful assistant told me Bendigo may have some left, but that seemed too long a drive. At 5 p.m. I headed out.

The road to Adelaide was a little less eventful than the crosscountry route I had been on. After a quick food stop at Kaniva (and unanswered calls to Fran) it was then just a straight drive to Fran's in Adelaide. I had to top up with a little fuel because I wasn't carrying my spare can (not supposed to carry them on the ferry to Tasmania), so did that in Tintinara, where the SAFF was as cheap as in Melbourne. I arrived at Fran's at 9:20 p.m after 1014 km and 11 hours 40 minutes travelling (getting 8.73 L/100 km). After unpacking, checking email and a quick chat, it was off to bed.

20 December

Only one more sleep to go. 

I have joined YHA and the Smithsonian. The lease car in France has been paid for (it appeared on my credit card statement), and there is very little administrative material still to be done.

I packed today and have plenty of room. I'm still undecided whether to wear shirts or T-shirts - the T-shirts weigh a lot more, but are easier to care for. I'll see how I go in Tassie. I'll be using a bum bag to carry things I'd normally have in my pocket, so the shirt pocket isn't necessary. The only thing is I can't wear the jacket with everything in it because it is quite warm at the moment (very humid today - reminiscent of Darwin).

Tomorrow is fairly busy - to school before 8 for breakfast, but I will leave before 10 as I have to call in to see someone local, then see another in Shepparton, call in at Horsham to drop Christmas presents off for Kerry and then head over to Adelaide to stay with Fran (my sister) for an early Christmas. The day should span about 900 kilometres all up, but in sections. 

A difference will be visiting friends in Adelaide. Normally I see them on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), but we will be staying out near Jason in Melbourne on that day. I will take my chances on either Saturday or Sunday (we will be travelling to Melbourne on Monday, via Port Fairy).

One interesting sidelight is booking things through the Internet. Instead of a few small paper tickets, I have literally reams of paper, at least two for each motel or attraction. I thought we were moving to the paperless society. I also have to carry a lot more ID than I normally would, because I have to prove that I'm the one who ordered things. 

More preparations - 17 December

Today I got photocopies of important documents (passports, driver's licence, travellers' cheques) made and will store those with serial numbers of iPods, camera, GPS, SatNav and  laptop in a few different places. Knowing my luck, I will end up carrying all this around with me and bring it back - but better that than having to use them.

I've also arranged to have my mail collected (and some forwarded) and other mail sent (my class birthday cards). I hope all that will run smoothly. The only other thing I have to do is pay one car registration and all those details are completed.

I still have to arrange for getting to the airport. Taxis here are unreliable (the last time I ordered one for 5:10 to meet the Gull Airport bus at 5:30, it hadn't arrived by 5:15. I rang and they hadn't allocated it yet! It arrived at 5:25 and I arrived at the same time as the bus - too close for me. I had only made the booking a month before to make sure it would arrive on time, but no luck. Things have got worse, so I am unsure as to whether I should see if a friend can take me to the bus or get someone to run me to the airport. Decisions, decisions!

I'm pretty sure I can pack everything into one backpack and one small suitcase. I'll practice while in Tasmania so hopefully I can see if I have left anything out or packed too much. Electrical stuff (chargers, adaptors, board) should fit okay. My decisions to make over the next few weeks are if I should take some material on Australia to friends in the US and should I get an electronic translator. I'm okay in North America and England, I'm iffy in France but have little knowledge of languages elsewhere.  I also still have to print and laminate a small card to indicate my allergies to seafood and mushrooms. I can't easily find a suitable set of pictures of fish, shellfish and a mushroom to fit on a card and then overprint them with a large red cross. That should take care of language problems.

I keep worrying that there is something vital I have forgotten. Naturally I can't remember what is is. I hope I either remember soon or I am wrong.

Nearly Ready - 16 December

This is the first of the posts I'll put on as I am able, while I travel. My initial travels from this time will be Tasmania (December 2007 to January 2008); US, Europe and Japan (January to June); Scandinavia, Russia, China, Mongolia, Turkey and Egypt (August to November).

I will keep a diary each day and upload each day as a separate entry, as and when I have Internet access. This ranks as a lower priority than actually travelling, so uploading may be very intermittent. Some may be repetitive and I don't guarantee that they will be interesting, but they will detail how I go. 

For those reading this, if I corrected your grammar and spelling previously, bear with me. I will try to make sure what I write is correct, but even if it is wrong at first, I will eventually correct it. If you want a bit of fun, print out any errors, correct them with a red pen and post them to me at home. You can finally have your revenge!

Pictures will be at http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougmullett/sets and for those who know me better, there may also be some private material on my MySpace blog. General material I will post here.

I have finished all the bookings for January to June except for Japan. I would prefer an escorted tour, and have to wait until early January to check what is available. Otherwise I will use the trains and have accommodation booked.

I have completed the outline for the travel August to November but that won't be completed until I return. I have to visit the Travel Agent as soon as I return in June, have photos for visas ready and then confirm arrangements. Once that has been done, I have to start injections required and then will head off to Perth (assuming that I'm not too jet-lagged). I won't inform my aunt in Perth that I intend to be there because it's easier and better to surprise than disappoint. 

I hope I have got things arranged properly (I will find out when I travel!) and will practise in Tassie. I have to be totally self-contained, not have too much to carry and have security for my worldly goods, money and ID.

Things are starting to get exciting. I have my travellers' cheques, some currency for each country I travel to, credit, charge and debit cards, International Driving permit, passports and a paper diary (OK, it's a thick exercise book, but it will do the job). I have a writing case (retirement gift from school), camera with two cards, SatNav (for driving), GPS (for walking), iPod (for listening), iPod (for recording - no, I'm not stuttering, they are different), torch and beacon. I won't be taking any guide books or maps with me (too heavy, not enough room). I don't need visas for the first overseas part (nor for Tassie). I must remember to take a hat (save the world from greenhouse gases? - saving what's left of my hair is more important, but it wasn't mentioned at Kyoto or Bali), shoes and clothing, including a jacket. Most everything else I can do without. My mobile will only accept SMS texts while I am away. I don't yet know what the number will be, but I presume it will be 61 411 (instead of 0411) and the rest is the same. I will try to get a SIM in each country for local calls and a card for calling back to Australia (so text me with the number if you want me to ring, but remember I'll be on overseas time - if I call you in the middle of the night, don't blame me!).

I have two friends, a relative and perhaps a pilot to see in the US. I have three relatives, two work friends and perhaps another friend to visit in England. In France I hope to visit where my grandfather won the Military Medal in World War One. I may see my sister's in-laws in Spain, visit another friend from work in Italy and see the haunts of Inspector Rex in Austria. I want to drive the Florida Keys, the Mississippi (well, next to it), the Appalachians (the highest points), the Alps (making sure any James Bond types aren't in front of me while the baddies are behind me) and from Denmark to Sweden. The second half I will speculate about later.

I have completed nearly all my Christmas cards and will post them tonight and trust Australia Post to get them delivered before Christmas. As there are 200 and I wanted to include my itineraries, they took time to prepare and print, and the latest itinerary information only came yesterday.