The “big list” of things to do before we depart is getting ever shorter, but so is the amount of time until we depart.  Obviously, one of the larger things I’d wanted to cross off the list is the introduction of this website, but there are still heaps of (very minor) little things left.

As I put on Facebook, I need to buy small bits and pieces (most importantly a new battery for my camera) but there are bigger things to organise, like accommodation.

We have accommodation in both London and Paris locked in, as well as preliminary bookings in Amsterdam and Munich, though we haven’t paid so they could be lost if we wait too long.  On the other hand, we also want to ensure we aren’t stuck having to travel across three countries just to make a booking.

Back on the topic of lists, the list of things to do when we eventually get back is growing longer and longer as well — there are things to buy, things that need fixing, things that need doing.  To put our lives “on hold” for seven weeks while we’re away has required us to almost put our lives on hold for months prior, as well.  Scrimping and saving are not enjoyable but will definitely pay off in the long run.

In just 14 days, Justine and I will be jetting overseas. How exciting! Our plane tickets, train tickets and insurance are settled, as are the first week or so of accommodation.

Excitement, nerves are building, as is the sense that we haven’t done enough planning. Of course it will all be OK but anyone who has ever planned something big like this (a trip, wedding, etc) understands exactly what I mean.

8th August, 2007

That’s the date we have set for our overseas trip; we already have our tickets paid in full. It’s something we’ve been working towards for a very long time and finally we’re at the point where we’ve decided to jump in with both feet.

Originally, our plan was to move, live and work overseas, but we both weren’t really prepared to commit to it. The return date is September 26th, and the cities we’ll be travelling to are still not set in stone (but will likely include London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, Rome, Bern and Barcelona) but we’ll be flying both in and out of London, so it will obviously have to be a circular pattern of some sort. Or maybe oval.

We may also have a two-night stopover in Bangkok upon our return. Other details are not yet fully fleshed out but I’ll let you know as they come up.