"Not Long Now!"

Ooh its getting close now! In just under forty eight hours our epic journey will begin, and Richie and I finally board our flight to New Zealand and the North-Island city of Auckland.

I'm actually not sure how long its going to take us, nor the amount of miles we're going to rack up getting there. Needless to say we'll have the chance to look down on quite a few contries from our lofty pirch in the sky.

Typically the last few days have been dominated by packing and other bits of vital "prep". Making sure that you have an abundance of good clean underwear should be high on anyones list; though I find myself concentrating instead on copying en mass most of my cd collection, thus making sure we have enough quality "tunes" for the rental-car as we drive around the country. Yes, you make look a little puzzled at this, but if you understood my travelling companion's rather "electic" taste in music you would applaud my foresight. I mean, come on, what impression will we make when we rock up and the locals are greeted by "Gimme...Gimme.. a man after midnight" by that well known Swedish foursome. Quite!!

Anyway I digress. My luggage of choice for this trip is a rather large hold-all (apologies for spelling!), courtesy of the bank of mum and dad. Little concerned though as its pretty full already, and judging by the state of my bedroom floor, I still have a fair bit to pack.

I have been advised to pack for "all weathers" (love that term) as the New Zealand can be a little unpredictable so I'm told. Ha! This must be the first trip I've done where my vest tops are sharing space with my base layers and fleece. But prepared I certainly am, and whatever I've forgotten or left behind (still not sure about a towel: it takes up so much space!) I will buy out there.

Well I suppose I've written enough for a first entry and the next time I write we'll be there.

Speak soon

Steve x