Blogs from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Well we have made it the sunny part of the UK, headed south from Settle on Friday after another family dinner at my cousin's Julie's and stayed overnight with friends at Leighton Buzzard, London, (about 35miles outside of London). Quite night in general, however treated to a five star home cooked meal, thank you Jo and Graham. Departed on Saturday morning and arrived at my Cousin Stuarts in Denmead, Portsmouth for a traditional BBQ. Got to say, that the weather since leaving Settle as been nothing but sunshine. Cath and I are now just chilling out for a the day before exploring the surrounding area, so it's a quite morning, before going to Portsmouth for a meal and beers. Cath's monkey bite has now all cleared up and the doctor has told her that there should ... read more

Hi! Well after weeks of thinking, so much that my head hurts, I've booked my first accommodation, the hostel in Bangkok! I booked my flights a few weeks ago, a Qantas flight going LHR-BKK then Singapore to Perth, and back again. Because you can only book a year in advance the Flight Centre advisor booked my return for March 2011, but when I get to Perth I'll be changing this!! Anyway, I've just booked to stay in Bangkok for 5 nights at the Baan Dinso, the top rated hostel in BKK! I pondered the Khao San Road, then read The Beach and went well off it, I know it's only a book, but I just don't get the appeal of the road, it just sounds so busy and noisy, and having picked some real dives on ... read more

Well, with all the trouble in Thailand we may need to re-think our route around the world! We are taking a year out from our careers to travel around the world for a year. Our plan is to spend 3 months in Thailand before heading to Bali for Christmas. Sydney will play host to New year before heading out to travel around New Zealand for 3 or 4 months. A chill out in the cook Islands before visiting the bright lights of Vegas before coming home to normality!! I think we have bought everything we may need to go -now all we need are the tickets!!... read more

Hello Everyone! All packed and ready to go just a final goodbye, I'll be almost landed in Mumbai when you lot get to your desks tomorrow morning! Was considering getting off the plane dressed as a cowboy and seeing if the locals 'get it'. Also had to leave a few of my favourite t-shirts at home (for obvious reasons) Had a really busy last day at work, I've attached a photo so you can see for yourselves! From me and ol'Face Face! Speak soon x... read more

Thursday 16th - Somerset - Portsmouth - Caen (France) It had been an inauspicious start. Actually forget that it had been utter pants. Yesterday I dropped the bike. The old “forgot the disc lock was on” chestnut. Helpfully the lock was at its furthest travel from the brake caliper and with big ole 21” rims by the time it clanked into the calipers I was unable to control the thing and down she went. Right in the surgery car park. What a numpty! That was closely followed by some ridiculous last minute self adjustment of my glasses which saw me shear the arms off my spectacles. So I am without glasses for the trip. Don't ask me why I chose today to experiment with my optometrist skills, having successfully avoided doing so the last 20 years ... read more

I'm sitting in an empty, echoey flat on a Sunday morning. My lovely parents, having helped me pack up the remainder of my belongings (which, frankly, felt like the majority of my belongings...bloody possessions...), have left me here to both give the flat a final cleaning and to get over the symptoms of slight alcohol poisoning from Friday night's debacle-filled leaving party from my beloved school (sorry guys, I'm a handful, but I love you.) Leaving work, moving house, going to Mexico: three things you normally wouldn't do in a week if you had any sense. Luckily, I have some (Friday notwithstanding) and actually moved most of my stuff a few weeks ago to a nice lockup near my folks' house. I've cancelled my rent, utilities, etc. or at least tried to, and am sitting ... read more

hey so this is my first entry.! woohoo ive been planning on going back packing at the end of next year and mim soo excited already. ive found a company that help plan it all and sort things for you for a price of £449 which im willing to pay. and it sounds bloody amazing. all i need to do is save and pay it and book my flight. does anyone know of cheap one way flights to sydney atm ive been looking around for best details but if anyone can help let me know. so i cant wait to start buying my backpack and everything but at the same time i hate flying and ive gone for like the longest flight ever! and on my own. eek! any tips send me a message, ive been ... read more

I am off to UK for sailing lesson on Friday, before I head out to Tonga to dive and sail for the summer... read more