http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Europe , United Kingdom , England , Berkshire , Newbury en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:10:39 +0000 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:10:39 +0000 Ok for those that might one day go travelling you might find this useful The rest of you will think I am one sad loser that is writing about what he is packing.The back pack Karrimor 65L PackWhatrsquos going in itSleeping BagMossy NetPensPhotocopy of DocumentsSunglassesBeltJeans x 1 for those nights on the pissWaterproof top and bottoms for when it pisses it downSandals x 1Shorts x 3Swimmi http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-344755.html Hello Everyone.Well here it goes I guess the first thing to do is apologise for my English sorry I donrsquot do English those that know me will understand my Derekish I hope.Those that know me well will know I have been going on about travelling for around 5 years now. There are 2 main reasons it has taken me 5 years to finally book my ticket. Reason 1 I had no one to go with and did not want http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-330179.html Last week I went on the train to Newbury. My aim was to see Donnington Castle as I have a passion for old dramatic buildings and ruins... I did manage to get there but it is a 40 min walk from the railway station more than I thought. Unfortunately I didn't get much time to see Newbury but I will come back one day and take the photos Newbury deserves...Newbury is the principle town of West Berks http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-304790.html Getting ready to move house has been a huge task and taken many man hours to prepare and still we are not ready. The loft contents are awiting packing in the lounge and the garden shed is swept and cleaned Even the bikes have been scrubbed with a toothbrush there is no mud on the tyres now Shoes have been washed and disinfected and Eddie has washed all the garden furniture and sheila has emptie http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-268042.html Time is ticking by and every day I intend to write something and find that it is too late or another job on the list has to be done first so tonight I intend to try one more entry and navigate my through the bog pages of instructions. i also realised I did not check my spelling either last time so apologies for any more typosAfter almost three happy years at Priors Court School the time came to l http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-267771.html Hi to all our friends and family who may have found this webblog and can't understand it all Not being a technical wizard like Alex and Anne I do not expect this travelblog will be has good and as interesting as theirs but I will have a go. Once Kevin has joined us on our travels he will be able to add his comments tooThis is only a short message and a trial entry really to see if I can get it t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-263637.html So 2 days to go then Having first applied for this VSO placement way back in April 2007 I've been feeling anxious to get on with it for some time now. Maybe giving up work so early was a bit optimistic but really this run up period has been absolutely amazing. Lots of lovely people to spend lovely time with but also I've really had an opportunity to ready myself emotionally for going away fo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-255527.html Imagine my delight when i checked and found that not only was the seat next to me on the flight free but all the ones to the front and back. Score Imagine then my disgust when I walked up to my seat on the plane and a man that smelt like the landing at Hollington when DizzyWizz has used it as a litter tray said to me are you with me followed by a leer. Hmmmm. He then proceed to tell me ab http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-253335.html Gday EveryoneAt the moment we are sitting in a hotel in Newbury Berkshire having coffee after another delicious dinner.Where we left off we were on our way to catch a train to Dover. After a heated debate between our consciences we paid for First Class Seats on the train which was well worth it as we had plenty of leg room and a table to plan the next stage of our journey.We arrived at Dover at http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-243929.html One day before I fly out on my big adventure feeling elated very busy and a wee bit scared all at once anyone who knows me will be aware that organising isn't my strongest trait. I'm sure theres loads i havn't thought of. Quick run down of which direction I'm heading.Starting in Beijing 21day tour of Chinas cities.29 day tour Thailand Laos Vietnam and CambodiaCouple of weeks to get from Thai http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-228217.html Day 1I am at work for the final time in 3 weeks thank goodness I will be leaving at 4.30pm on the dot and rushing to get my bags and head to the train station for Heathrow. So the travels begin.Hopefully the next time I write I will have safely landed in Bangkok found our hotel and absorbing the rustle and bustle of Koh San Road. Sounds idyllic but knowing me it wont turn out quite like thatO http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-214485.html Last weekend I went to visit Anni for the weekend in Newbury. It was lovely to get out of London for the weekend and take in some of the countryside. The colours of the autumn trees and landscape are beautiful at the moment and its one of the things I love about England the clearly defined seasons which we don't really experience in Sydney. It's not too cold yet either which is nice on averag http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-211228.html My first blog with 18 days till I leaveI have been very productive this morning creating a huge pile of stuff to take with more still to buy I was planning on packing light on this trip more space for buying things to bring home. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-153471.html Well this is almost it. Leaving in less than a week. This morning even mum who must want to get rid of me by now was saying that I was going to be gone a long time and that she would miss me. Sorting all the last bits and pieces and trying to decide if I really will be able to cram the enormous pile of items on my bedroom floor into my rucksack which by the way I'm sure has shrunk the rucks http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-119267.html Current Google map of our flight plan. Ill try and get the itinerary online too for people to keep up to date with out flights.httpwww.travelblog.orggmapsmap2sO.html http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-108868.html Waiting to hear if possible to go to FijiRecent military action has led the foreign office to suggest all but essential travel to the area is avoided Waiting back from travel operator as to our travel arrangments and availability to travel.alex http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-108864.html Tickets purchased depart 20th January 7weeks 5days but who's counting http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Berkshire/Newbury/blog-106456.html