JOHN (The other one): Before the trip.

ONLY ONE AND  A HALF MORE SLEEPS TO GO.

I am writing this at 3:29am on Tuesday morning, which means there are only one and a half more sleeps to go before taking off on the big trip.

They say the hardest person to be critical of, is yourself. For an old bloke like me (I admit it - I am getting old!) who is getting even more set in his ways, this trip is a bit scarier than it was the last time yet still exciting. My eosophobia has returned. (For those of you who can't remember the last blog this particular phobia relates to an irrational dislike of dawn and the early hours) except now "the early hours" seem to extend out to about 10:00am ! But I put this down to: a particularly cold and wet Melbourne winter, a very warm and comfortable bed, and sheer laziness. Also if I didn't have to go through the "endless hassle" of packing and the long air flight (really neither is "endless") life would be so much easier, or should that be lazier. However, if I can keep remembering Michael's wise words all will be well.

A while ago Michael reminded me that these onerous chores are just a means to an end, not the end themselves. The end being the trip and all the wonderful things we will see and do there. For example, I will be able to listen to my new CD, Music Of The Medicis  whilst actually looking out over Florence! Also I'll be able to marvel again at The Alhambra in Granada whilst this time literally staying down the road from it. It's kind of awe inspiring to have a Palace over a thousand years old as a next door neighbour.

Also this trip will be even better. There will be no people in tour groups that I have to get along with, and perhaps best of all, Julie and I will have family actually physically with us to share this trip with us as it happens. 

So all in all it's shaping up quite well. So stick with us, I'm sure we will have lots to tell you about and share with you. .... Can't wait!

List of things to do

The other one's organised packing!