Archive for the ‘Pre-departure’ Category

With only hours remaining it’s time to pack our bags.  it’s amazing how much stuff you can get into 2 x Berghaus Jalan 60+15 litre rucksacks.  Our neighbours coined a new phrase when describing our contents – flashpackers instead of backpackers – we are a muggers dream. 

Here is a list of our contents, before you say it, no I didn’t spend hours writing out this list, I’ve had it for insurance purposes – yes it’s all insured:

Sony Vaio VGN-TX5XN Laptop

Panasonic Camera DMC-TZ5K

Panasonic Marine Case DMW-MCTZ5

Apple 80GB Video Ipod

Apple 8GB Nano Ipod

Panasonic Camera Battery x 3 CGA-S007A/1B

SanDisk 2GB Memory Cards (x 3)

Panasonic Camera Case DMW-CHTZ3

Berghaus Jalan Travel Pack (60+15L)

Berghaus Jalan Travel Pack (55+15L)

Karrimore Global 700 Traveller Lite Sleeping Bag

Sea to Summit Silk Travel Liner (Premium Ripstop)

Lifeventure Sik Mummy Sleeper

Lifesystems Micronet Double (Mozy Net)

Tevab – Pretty Rugged Leather Sandels

Lifeventure TSA Packlock TZ300

Eagle Creek Pack It Cubes (x 2)

Lifesystems Iodine Droplets Water Purification

Lifesystems Expedition Sterile Set

Lifeventure Money Belt

ALS West Island Shorts

NorthFace Vitesse Fuse Tee (Short-Sleeve Top)

Meridian Convertible Shorts

NorthFace Agility Shorts

P20 Sunscreen

Lifeventure Soft Fibre Trek Towel (XL+Giant)

Ted Baker + Boot own Wash Kit

Lifesystems Travel Sink Plug

Lifesystems Travel Clothes Line

Hilco Prescription Diving Goggles

Maglite Tourch

Last night Sam’s grandparents Anne and Joe came over for a farewell dinner.  It was a great opportunity to discuss our  travel plans – they were very excited for us both.  Joe turns 80 in three weeks and it is sad that we will miss the big occasion – they both know we will be thinking of them. 

Happy Birthday Joe, we know you will enjoy the occasion.

Last Saturday we had our farewell BBQ in the courtyard which unsurprisingly lasted 13 hours.  We open open our first bottle of Champaign at 2:30pm and finally made to bed at 3am.  Throughout, we had a variety of champagnes, beers, cocktails and wines!

It was a combined effort between ourselves and all our neighbours and we were very grateful – thank you.  We were very unsure about the weather, rightly so, it rained intermittently throughout the evening until we retreated to Kim’s to huddle around the log burning stove.

We had a steady flow of friends, family and neighbours throughout the day, leaving the hardened drinkers to burn the midnight oil. We left Kim’s at 12am and headed over to Darren’s for the final few hours, much of which I barley remember.

Thank you again and we will miss you all dearly.  All the photos can be seen here.

We had to start somewhere.  Since leaving work two weeks ago we’ve been flat out packing and moving all of belongings to Ireland where they will be stored until we return – thank you Clive and Tracey for allowing us to use your crib!

Having removed all the hanging baskets, troughs and pots the house now looks so bare.  Trust us to pick the hottest day of the year at 35 degrees for packing and moving.  Then a 13 hour drive to Ireland in the pissing rain and back two days later in the sweltering heat with no air-conditioning – too stingy to upgrade .

At least it’s all done and we can now concentrate on packing only our rucksacks.

A quick thank you to our colleagues at ITM Communications and Acco UK for the presents, gifts and kind words of encouragement and support written in our cards.  We have been very lucky to have worked for such great organisations and we wish you the very best for the future.

It was such a strange feeling for me waking up these past few weeks and not having to iron a shirt or shave or do many of the things I had gotten accustomed to over the last 10 years – it’s a great feeling and I’m sure I (we) won’t miss it.