In 4 days, I’m embarking on the biggest adventure of my life so far and I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’ll be away for nearly 3 months – the longest I’ve been away from home, from my family, my friends, my country.

I’ve been quietly planning this trip for almost 2 years, until one morning in September last year, I woke up and thought, ‘I’m going to book those flights today’. No word of a lie, it was exactly that spontaneous. Four months later, I’ve said my goodbyes to my lovely work friends, suspended my gym membership, loaded Australian Dollars onto a Travel Money card… and now I’m sat on the sofa watching The Breakfast Club! Hey, I can’t be proactive and efficient all the time!

I’m making a point of enjoying the last few days before I go and trying to appreciate every moment. I’m prone to overthinking and if I focus too hard on how much I’m going to miss people, then it’ll spoil the time I have with them before I’m off. So far, I’ve enjoyed a night in on the sofa with good friends, good food and maybe slightly too much Prosecco (New Year’s Day well spent if you ask me), plus Curry and Movie Night with the boyfriend.

Tuesday was shopping spree day! It was off to the outdoor stores (of which there are a disconcertingly large number in Smallsbury), to buy a rucksack and some goodies to go with it. Think first aid kit, nice little compact washbag, groovy travel towel and even a bright pink SheWee (thanks Mum)!

The rest of the week holds lunch with my big sister and her two gorgeous children, watching my little sister one last time in the Salisbury Pantomime (go and see Jack and The Beanstalk, it’s amazing!)… oh yeah, and I should probably pack at some point also!

I’m very much playing this whole blog thing, and in fact most elements of my trip, by ear. So, you’ll have to excuse me if it’s a little mish-mashy at times. I look forward to taking anyone who’s interested on this journey with me; the countdown starts now.