Update from Manc Land

Quick update from Machester.

Had a fantastic night last night, met loads of great people already.

Pearl Jam were mindblowing and the night after was just as good. Even bumped into someone from Dunfermline who I knew years ago, she works down here apparently, very random.

Had a wee bit of a panic trying to check in for the flight on line but apparently this eTicket malarky means you dont do that you just turn up and its all electronic.

Currently in the Premier Inn, its pretty remote really, not sure what we are going to do today as its no where near the city centre, might find a way in...who knows.

Leaving Day!

Leaving day!

Its been a long time coming but here it is.

Saturday was our "Leaving Doo" and it was a blast, seen the people I wanted to and generally had a good time.
Michaels mother, Alison, had decked out the bar with lots of Australian things, inflatables, banners etc which I was not expecting but it was very thoughtful. There was also a massive Aussie themed cake. (Pictured)

We have decided to add a trip to Vietnam to the adventure in September for Mikes birthday, some people from home are going to be there at the same time so that should be great!

Its a weird feeling to actually be at this point, i'm no longer excited, not particularly exstatic just sorta numb really. I guess its a sort of apprehension and a fear of forgetting something important as well as leaving everything behind without an end date.

I would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to my parents for being so  ludicrously generous, not just recently but always. I dont think I would have managed any of this without them or indeed anything at all. I realise they may be a bit nervous having me leave to these far flung countries but think of the bigger picture. The fridge will be fuller, the energy bills lower and the washing piles smaller. The internet makes the world teeny tiny anyway.

Also, went biking in Fort William on Monday, was taking a fairly large risk as it was the most challenging stuff I've ever done but the sun was out, got faster each run and didnt crash so all's well that ends well.

Next stop Manchester and a date with a band I thought I would never see. Then onto Kota, Frasers flat mate's birthday is on the day we arrive so there is a big BBQ planned so it should be a cracking start!

I spend a silly amount of time watching mountain bike videos on YouTube so while bored one day I figured I'd try make my own humble effort and this is the result.

So, update is as follows.

Got all the flights i'm going to book, booked. The last one from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Koh Samui, Thailand was a little more than it could have been because we left it so late but needs must.

Finished at work too which is pretty damn liberating, it was a decent wee job and its given me the opportunity to do this so I am grateful to them for that.

Currently in St.Austell getting practice in for the ridiculous temperatures I am to endure, it is sweltering on the south coast of EnGerLand. Browning up nicely!

Upon returning home I have Rockness to enjoy on the weekend of the 8th of June, cannot wait for that, I fear the weather may have returned to a more traditional state in the Highlands by then. :o(

Countdowns:
Rockness: 14 days 11 hours.
Kota Kinabalu: 27 days 13 hours.
Full Moon Party: 39 days 19 hours
Australia: 50 days 6 hours.

Visa........

......GRANTED!

I was worried for some reason.

Going to pick up a vaccination form at the doctors too, probably need some jags to fend off flesh eating diseases and such like.

Countdowns.

Work end: 40 days, 6 hours, 7 minutes, 28 seconds
Rockness: 60 Days, 19 hours, 7 minutes, 5 seconds
Flight to Kota: 73 days, 20 hours, 36 minutes, 40 seconds
Full Moon Party: 86 days, 3 hours, 6 minutes, 22 seconds
Australia: 96 days, 14 hours, 6 minutes, 5 seconds.

Visa Application.

Sent my Working Holiday Visa Application away today with the required AUS$270. Thats about £180.

There shouldnt be any issues so thats another thing out the way. We're movin' now.

Apparently Australia and the UK have a reciprocal health care agreement, we fix the Aussies when they break and they fix us...for free. Can't grumble at that, I dare say more Brits hurt themselves than Aussies.

75 days until first long haul flight.