My first blog! Christmas at home..

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Well here it is, after a good couple of years dreaming and wishing that I could get away again and see more of the world, and a few months of not so detailed planning, its now just over 3 weeks until I depart!
There won't be much information in this blog, its mainly just an excuse for me to get the hang of posting blogs and adding the pictures etc, but I like the timing of this as now my fully story can be charted from before the trip right up until the (hopefully not so) bitter end! I oficially leave on January 20th and fly into Sydney, I have booked myself into a hostel for one week and have myself a working visa which lasts a year-and thats pretty much all I have planned so far!
Where I go and who with and what I'll do is all pretty loose at this stage, my basic plan is to work in Aus for who knows how long and hopefully break even or-wishful thinking-make a tiny profit!Then after that I may go do the same in New Zealand, although that depends on how the working in Aus went, and I may very well decide to do 6 months in each (you can see already how confusing this can become!) After that I'm pretty much set on seeing the bits of Asia I saw last time (did 7months travelling in 2004) and also the bits I did not, then on to Canada, America and South America. I have lots of grand plans and things I want to do and go see but who knows where the trip will take me or how things will end up!Will be an adventure finding out though eh?!

So it is now December 28th, and I have just about finished with Christmas-I can take no more food I know that much! Was a lovely time as ever and a good chance to spend quality time with the family before I head off as the trip could be anywhere between 6 months and 2 years! After pressies it was down to my nans for a big family meal with the extended family-she cooks an awesome Christmas dinner-you really must come taste it one day! Boxing Day was more of the same and seemed to extend my waistline a few inches further but tradition is tradition-I know I shall miss it next year. To try and burn off some calories my Dad and Sister dragged along a very begrudging pair of brothers for a walk. However, it did turn out to be a lovely day and a nice stroll produced some amazingly cheesy pictures which you can see sprawled around this page somewhere (if I got the hang of this blogging that is!)
Anyways, boring myself now so off I go, hopefully I haven't wasted 20 minutes writing this out and all will work swimmingly, watch this space for more blogs from much further away places.
Mike

PS-hope you like the incredibly camp picture I left of myself, the cocktail sums me up I think!

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Photos

Foxy!
Despite the camp hand gesture, pink cocktail and dodgy writing we insisted be placed on for us, I still think I look kind of manly...right..?!

Present opening
Brother and sister open presents eagerly, mother looks on in anticipation, I seem to be studying the wrapping paper and ribbons...as I said earlier, VERY manly...!

So you got me what exactly..!?
My dad trying to work out exactly what the gift was and how to use it, Mum looks to have shrunk 3 feet and is equally bemused!

Burning calories..
OK so we went with the intention of burning off calories, but this is about 5 minutes in and we had stopped for pictures and a sit down already!

Smile
You can practically hear my Dad whispering here 'blo*dy smile and at least pretend you are enjoying it!'

Comments

[SJ]

Missing you already!
The first page looks great, can't wait to see some amazing photos of warm exotic places though!

[The best Canadian]

im excited to hear all about your travels mike, have a kick ass time...and you better come to Canada!!