Getting ready to leave

Introduction
Welcome to my blog. I am now getting ready for my big trip which starts on 8 January 2007 when I fly to Bangkok on the first stage of my journey. This blog is how I intend to keep family and friends informed of my journey. Hopefully some of you will make comments so I know someone is watching my progress. My use of the site will depend on accessibility to internet cafes as I go around.I've bought an around the world ticket with the intention of travelling around Indo China, Australia/ New Zealand then South America.

I'm expecting the journey to take 6-7 months but we'll see how it goes. I'm not used to travelling alone so I'm a bit nervous but nevertheless looking forward to the experience. Most people I tell say how envious they are, except a few who say how brave I am. I don't like this latter comment as I'm not hoping to have to be remotely brave.I have no great pretensions of travel writing as an art form but I hope all who read this enjoy it.

I've been working with the same company for 19 years so its going to be a bit of a change not having the ususal routine and the security of a job. But if not now when?

Over the next 3-4 weeks I've got lots of things to do to get ready as well as find time to enjoy Christmas. I've bought a new pocket digital camera and a mobile phone (have to give the work one back before I leave).

Penultimate leaving work event
I finish my job on 15 December, the same day as the office Christmas party. My first leaving event was last Friday 8 Decemebr when i booked room in the Hope and Anchor in Hammersmith.
This is no designer pub. I can't imagine its changed much 30 years, but very appealing for that. This event was a get together especially for the friends who have left Servite in the last year or two and anyone who just wanted to come too.

I shared this event with Kristen, Angela and Jerry who are all leaving in the next week or so. It was great to see lots of people but a special mention for Frank, our last Chief Exec but one. And Liz , my first assistant in my last job who I haven't seen for a couple of years. As ever Liz was in party mood singing her heart out with Una when later in the the evening we moved into the karaoke in the adjacent bar.

This was a great laugh to sing along together with some pop classics. My Elvis impression was incomparable even if I say so myself - what do you mean you didn't realise it was Elvis?

Well impressed by especially Luke from finance who quickly grabbed the microphone, but sadly I've forgotten the song. Unfortunately I haven't yet figured how to down load the photos from my new mobile. As soon as I can I'll add one or two to the site.


Not for the first time I managed to fall asleep on the tube going home just before my stop and woke up one second too late so failed to get through the sliding door and then had to walk back from West ruislip at 1am. But I wasn't as late as some who went on to Smollensky's until 2am.

Thanks to everyone who came and made it such good night for me.