Mar 2006

two hours to go till Chris kindly collects us despite his labours in the Abyss of Alzheimers and scoots us out to Melbourne airport. It has been a flurry of decisions about what to leave out more than what to pack. Goodbye visits to Mum and many friends in the past few days, and getting Liam and Sean organised to be self sufficient for a while. Geting a bit nervous now, the prospect of a long, long flight somewhat daunting. Excited to be almost on the way, though.
More later, got lots to do.

Into the countdown phase now, last couple of bookings made for Florence and Perpignan (Perpignan being the base for a dash down to Manuel's hometown, Barcelona). I know departure is close because the offspring have started worrying about how they are going to extract money from us while we are gone. Process of extracting self from day to day work matters has almost reached readiness for departure.

Glad to have factored in a couple of days on leave prior to flight as I am certain there will be a flurry of hurry as we throw things in and out of bags, trying to trim down the load to be lugged across the globe. Bought an electric immersion heater yesterday, as we found on our very first overseas venture, in some places it can be hard to just find a way to boil some water for a coffee or even for safe drinking. Guys in the shop say they have heard of a few people falling asleep in a bath with an immersion heater running, resulting in cooking themselves. Apocryphal story, no doubt.

After ages scanning accomodation options for Barcelona, the name of the Pension Dali screams at me, the price is right, and I can't wait to see if there is an elephant with long spindly legs towering above the reception desk, with a large fob watch melting on top of its head. Many Barcelonian destinations playing up the art angle for all its worth - should be an interesting couple of days.

Last night engaged in a fevered search for Amsterdam accommodation for mid April, finding search after search of mangy looking dives showing very patchy availability, with many fiery red x's showing ro oms taken. Eventually ran down a deal with the Holiday Inn, 500 euros for four nights. Looks like a clean and spacious room to recline in after a hard day on the streets. Memo: buy those Eurail select passes soon.... If only I could decide the pathway through these unknown lands....

Three weeks to go till take off, and still so much to plan. Anxiety levels rising. Bookings for accommodation in Paris made, at last, that was a hard one to decide. I'm indebted to all the travellers who have bothered to post a real opinion on places they have stayed. There always seems to be such a gulf between the glowing self promotions put out by "the owners" and the sadder but wiser words of travellers who have actually stayed at a place.

Have made the general decision to hire a car and self-drive around Ireland - don't think we can get into too much trouble / getting lost there. And getting there, the low cost charter flight operators seem to be a way of getting there without wasting a lot of time with the relative slowness of ferries across the Irish Sea.

On the Continent, though, everyone is telling me rail travel - and especially the Eurail passes that must be purchased before you arrive in Europe- are the best option, because the rail system is so extensive and well organised. I like the idea of not having to concentrate on driving all the time.

Still waiting on news from some contacts I am hoping to catch up with while in Europe. Not travelling with offspring this time, so no need to have every day planned ahead of time. Get some key dates in place, and leave some flexbility do explore whatever options come up, would seem to be a fair approach.