.An Important Day

Whilst walking the dogs this morning I was reflecting on the sad fact that since my return from Poland in September I have not been away in my motorhome. As my eldest daughter is visiting us from overseas for the holidays it does seem inevitable that it is going to be a few more weeks before there is an opportunity for me to go out in the van.

So unequivocally it is going to be 2013 before I am off visiting pastures new.

So another year rapidly fades away.

This train of thought rattled on flagging up the impending years 2014, 2015, 2016. Unexpectedly at 2016 my mind came to a sudden halt and I did a quick calculation.  1976 to 2016 is a span of 40 years.  Astonishingly it is nearly 40 years since my memorable bus trip from London to Sydney.

In a flash it occurred to me that a way to mark this significant event would be to go back to Australia.  I could travel around in a motorhome and possibly meet up with some of the other passengers who were on that amazing trip. It may even be possible to find a motorhome exchange. Instead of renting a motorhome I could find one that belongs to an Australian to use and in exchange they could use mine to tour Europe.

Definitely a proposal to seriously consider. With 3 years to plan and save it could materialize.  
Something special to look forward too.

Inevitably there is much to consider not the least of which is what to do with my trusty companions. No not my daughter who has in the past often accompanied my but the dogs Ruby and Amber. In 3 years time Ruby will be 14 years of age. A great age for a Labrador. Amber wil be 10. A not insignificant age for a Labrador. Whatever their age or the circumstances I will not be able to take them to Australia because of the quarentine laws, even if they managed the journey.

Also it will be strange travelling about totally on my own. On several of my trips in the UK and Europe my daughter has come with me. Whether she has come or not I have always had the company of the dogs. What a great comfort are they. Though I may be the only human on some of our outings when the dogs are with me I do not feel alone. I have no reservations travelling about with the dogs for company. I am not sure what I feel about travelling around just on my own.  A new challenge.