15 August

Things are getting closer and it's starting to get exciting again.

I completed my bookings for Christmas (on 27th December Fran and I will be off to New Zealand for about 17 days).

After visiting the Blood Bank for the last time for a few months (I'll be back for another platelet donation on 17 November) and then heading out to Passport Travel, I picked up my passport (with quite a few visas, so now it is worth keeping), Cosmos Tour booklets and a lot of e-tickets, a very detailed itinerary and a few other things. The second half of my world touring is very close.

I have a new suitcase to use (one of a set, so I will have a backup) and have to now check my packing list, do the washing (I broke in a few pairs of identical socks to wear so hopefully this time I won't get holes in them while away and have new trousers to wear) and then pack everything up. I have to print off some Weerama material and leave that to be posted out while I'm away. I have to fix up DOUG and his battery, put him in the garage and have him suitable to be left while I'm away. ARTIE doesn't flatten his battery, so he requires less preparation. He needs new tyres, but he will get them after I return (sitting a few months on the one spot is not the best for them).

After my first jaunt, I will have the laptop, travel documents, electrical gear, medicines, test kit, camera, paper diary and two changes of clothes in the pack. The suitcase will have the other clothes (including singlets this time because they are the best for maintaining body temperature, cleaning gear (for me, shoes and camera) and little else. I have to make sure it's well under 20 kg and the pack is under 7 kg. With four flights on the first day, if I can't move it easily, I'm in trouble. With changing between plane, tour on bus, tour on ship, bus, flight, bus, train, boat, train, train, plane, buses, train, train, plane, tour, plane, tour and then two planes to get home, it's not as simple as putting it into a car for around a month or two.

This whole time will also be learning experience for me, and I hope an enjoyable one.

My next post will be on Sunday and then, while I will write each day and prepare photos, they'll be uploaded as and when I can. For any adults reading this (or any of my "babies"), if you would like someone to receive a postcard from Santa at his workshop in Lappland, you'll have to send me the name(s) and address(es) by email (and preferably before Monday morning so I can be sure of receiving it).

Off to sleep now to clear my head before starting all this stuff on Saturday.