Blogs from Essex, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Hello well wishers, Well tomorrow I will be off to Italy, and it has come around so quickly. Next time I am in London I will be a tourist. Can't believe it is all actually happening now, I'm getting quite scared. Added to that is the fact that I can't shut my hand luggage bag which means having to leave one of my laptops behind, which means I will be without anything to watch on the plane tomorrow!! (Drama). Also just had a nasty little surprise from the wonderful people at 02, apparently they lied to me about the final payment for my phone bill and I just had to call them to settle the final £12 payment which was outstanding because apparently they have no ability to write the amount off. All I can say ... read more

Ciao!! Just wanted to say a big thank you to all those who came to say 'goodbye' to me yesterday! Especially those who travelled from Coventry, Leicester and Peterborough! And a special thanks to Nancy for letting me use the studio. Had a fantastic send-off surrounded by friends, family, colleagues and the biggest selection of cakes ever (well you can't have a party in a gym without a dose of diabetes!). Was so nice to see everyone one last time before I go, and it was a shame a few people couldn't make it. Not working this week, so enjoyed getting up at 11.30am this morning with Simba keeping me company. Ordered my euros today and got the last few bits I needed, so just waiting for Saturday now. Going to try out one of those ... read more

So its exactly a month before we go on our travels. Can't wait to leave work and get on the road or in the air. We are still trying to get our stuff sorted. So far: Hostel is booked for the first 4 nights. Tickets are booked. 12 Month working visa - Granted. Vaccinations - Sorted (except Rabies - to expensive) Malaria tablets (mefloquine) - 50 for £100 Toiletries/Misc Shopping done. Still need to find some sort of travel insurance....... read more

After consulting many a good and helpful 'How to successfully pack your backpack' type website, obviously written by true professionals who know their stuff, I must woefully report that my HUGE pack is full and the bedroom floor still has several piles of bits and bobs laying around. Admittedly, I have a slightly skewed perception of what constitutes 'essential'. The first item to go into the cavernous pack was a towel (surely that's okay isn't it?) followed by a travel hairdryer and, ahem, a set of travel rollers. It gets worse, in the lid of my pack is a pair of stilletos! I am an Essex girl after all! But, to be honest, other than my passport and purse, what I want to take most of all is my newly delivered giant photo album of Chester ... read more

Well, it is the day before we depart. This mornig M and D went to get 1000 $US (unmarked and not torn) to pay for our trip in Burma. M has been doing some last minute shopping with her neice Millie in Southend town centre. They have purchased flip flops, sun hats and new makeup. Cases are packed and all electrical appliances charged up. Now need to get a hair cut and we are all set. Spent yesterday booking the remaining hotels and the train tickets from KL to Singapore.... read more

Last day in the UK before heading off to Singapore. Just checked the weather and it's 31 degrees, but also with heavy rain and thunderstorms...hopefully it will pass!!... read more

Hi folks, looking out of the window there's snow on the ground and a heavy fog descending, whilst laid out on my bed I have my swimsuits, dresses and summer gear awaiting to be packed! Can't quite believe we will be leaving for our next big adventure tomorrow, doesn't feel real, and I know we'll be sad when saying goodbye, but then I know you'll all still be here when we return (you better be)! Anyway, this is our official blog (as before) so will keep in touch through this and on facebook, we'll do our best to keep you entertained and informed with short and sweet entries detailing our adventures - try not to get too envious - it's hard to keep up this lifestyle living out of a suitcase and always being on the ... read more

Exactly 1 month to go; still awaiting new passport. Last day of work on Sunday evening, it's all getting real.... read more

Just over a month to go. Flights all booked yesterday, to do list: Quit job Still waiting for a new passport to arrive Visa's Vacinations Packing Buy a Kindle ... read more

I am still happily living with my partner Wayne in Nounsley (Essex). We have enjoyed using Wayne’s boat a RIB and have undergone some training in boat handling. We both are instructors and on the committee for our local SCUBA club which takes up a lot of our ‘spare time’. We try to spend time each weekend with our family and debate the world with our parents, Lee (Wayne’s brother) and Mindy, torment Wayne’s nephews Lewis and Adam, and have enjoyed playing with Alicia as she gets bigger (and bolder). We love to see Claire (my sister) and David when we can with their lovely son Joshua who is turning into a fine young boy and clearly not a baby anymore. We started the year in a cultural manner, having great fun putting on our kilts ... read more