25 days to go…

So it is nearly Christmas and we are getting super excited about heading off on our adventure. However, before we head off, there are a few good times to be had and a few obstacles to overcome!

Christmas is around the corner (only 3 days away) and this year we are going to stay at home. This will the first Christmas that we will have woken up in our own home. Seeing as how it will be the last Christmas that will have in our first home together then it seems apt. Amanda’s dad is visiting us for the festive period and we all plan to go to Gav’s parents on Christmas day.

Gav’s dad had a quadruple heart bypass a few weeks back and although he is making a healthy recovery, this week he has had a small set back and is back in hospital. He has an infection which would normally not be too much cause for concern but due to the recent surgery the hospital is not taking any risks. We hope that he is back at home for Christmas so that he can enjoy it with the rest of us.

Soon after Christmas we will be heading to Macclesfield to see Amanda’s mum and extended family. We are very much looking forward to spending some quality time with them before we jet off…. Not to forget to celebrate Christmas as well.

Before New Year there is a small matter of moving house. We have rented out our home from January and will be moving in with Gav’s parents for the couple of weeks before we head off. Although there is a lot of stuff already boxed up, there is still a fair way to go. At least most of furniture is staying where it is!

We both have just over a week in work after New Year. That extra little bit of money will be very handy while we are way!

Only after that can we truly give all of our attention to our trip!!

Please keep in touch! Mand and Gav x

Planning so far....

So....we have booked our main flights and know where we will be during which dates, bought most of the gubbins that we need whilst were away, and rented the flat out!

Christmas is here first so we're going to make sure we enjoy this with our families, and then we will have 2 weeks to get our heads down, pack our bags, finish things off at work and then we're off!!

We're both REALLY excited about setting off, and keep imagining ourselves sitting on our first airplane - it seems very surreal as we have been planning this trip for so long.

Los Angeles is our first stop, and we have booked a hostel that it right on Muscle/Venice Beach - we're going to go mad and buy a bus ticket (thinking day pass if you can get them!) to find our own way to the hostel from the airport ourselves!  We're also looking forward to visiting Hollywood and Beverley Hills during our brief 2 day visit!  

We have also booked our first 3 nights in Auckland in a hostel that looks really funky - bright green and purple 'Austin Powers' style interior.  Then our adventure starts in the Campervan for the 3 weeks in New Zealand on our trek to Christ Church in the South Island.  Then we have Australia for 7 weeks, of which we have planned some of our itinerary but are hoping to do some unexpected exploring whilst were here.  Also Singapore, Thailand Islands, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are partially planned but still have some work to do on these!! 

Last few bits to buy, like toiletries and sorting money in to right accounts for whilst we're away and then we will start writing this blog from all the beautiful places in the world that we're visiting...looking forward to sharing it all with everyone on here!!!!

John & Helen's Wedding

John & Helen's Wedding, a set on Flickr.

I eventually got these photo's edited and uploaded! Take a look!

Starting Our Blog!

So... we are getting used to how to write a blog in preperation for our travels! Lets see if this works!