The Adventure Begins!
London, England March 18 2010
So, here I find myself at another crossroads in my life about to take a deep breath and step into the unknown. I`ve been told that I`m `brave`, but I don`t think that it`s courage that`s brought me here. More a sense of curiousity and adventure to see what else is out there. A real drive to experience new places and people, visit at first hand those places I`ve pored over in brochures and travel books. And finally a quest to fit in as much `living` before I might lose the urge or be unable to do all those things I want to do and go to all those places I`ve always wanted to visit.
Perhaps I inherited this `restless soul` from my mum, who sadly didn`t get to travel as much as she would have liked before she became ill. But she was always very adventurous and I`ll always treasure the fair bit of exploring we did together. So, maybe a part of me is doing this for her and I`m sure she would have approved even though she`d be worried sick about me!
So with my bags (almost) packed – will I still be glad I packed those hair straighteners when I`m rafting down the Amazon?? Should I take boots AND flip flops??
My ticket is (almost) booked – will 4 weeks be enough time to see New Zealand and will I have enough money left to fit in China at the end?? Maybe they do actually have “slow boats” there but are they cheaper than Air Asia??
Family and friends have been (almost) bid a fond farewell – can`t really believe that I won`t be seeing most of them for over a year. Thanks to technology, and assuming I don`t get my laptop nicked in some dodgy hostel in Mexico, I hope to be able to keep in touch with everyone by this blog, e-mail and Skype (but hopefully not via the BBC News or the Foreign Office….).
So here goes my last few weeks in sunny London (it won`t last!) plus a mini tour of some the great cities of Europe – Liverpool and Edinburgh and Tenerife – visiting friends, sons and luxury hotels.
Next stop….San Francisco.
Comments:
From , on Apr 2, 2010 at 04:49PM
Hello Mrs Gardner,
I have managed to take some time out of my frantic schedule to be one of the first to comment on you new travel blog.
As for having enough money to go to China I know for a fact that Dan and Joe are at this very moment planning a whole series of charity fund raising events so that they will be able to provide you with a more than generous monthly allowance. As a start I understand that the recycle money on your old wine bottles has already raised half of the round the world air ticket. You know that I would have helped you myself but the girls and I are still trying to save up some money to replace our very old television set that I don’t think will last for much longer.
As for the communicating by e mail etc. well I am quite looking forward to being able to get an entire message in edge ways.
As they say Kathy Gardner is ready to face the world, but I’am not sure if the world as any idea whatsoever what’s about to hit it.
Dave
PS If you hear a buzzing sound coming from your hair straighteners its just the battery needs changing on the GPS tracking device.
From , on Apr 11, 2010 at 07:13PM
Dear Kath
This is great to hear that you’re doing the dream! I think it’s very remiss of you not to mention some important points about your journey. Firstly that you intend to cover the whole twelve months on roller skates going backwards. This is a real challenge especially with that tea pot balanced on your head while spinning three plates on wobbly wooden sticks. Thank god that broken leg is nearly mended and the cast is coming off in July.
Secondly I feel I must remind you about the solemn promise you gave saying you would do the whole trip completely alcohol free. Now I know the remission is going well but quite honestly to cut back from the kind of intake you’ve been used to, to nothing is just not going to happen. I suggest that you keep doing as the doctor suggested and cut back on one bottle of that whisky a week. That way you’ll be dry by Christmas.
Finally we all wish you much luck and love and look forward to your next blog entry.
Luv The Rellims