Map and Plan to download

Just a quick post to mention a new addition to our blog. Several people have asked if they can have a copy of our itinerary with dates so they can know when we’ll be where, if you see what I mean, so I’ve made a PDF of our route on a map of the World plus a day by day schedule of where we expect to be. (E&OE) You can find a link to it under the big Google map at the top of every page.

While I’m writing, Juli wanted me to remind all our loyal blog followers (both of you) that you can see more of her pictures than come up in the little slideshow at the top of the right hand column by clicking on the slideshow itself. That will open her Flickr page in a new tab, from where you can find, admire and comment on all her photos.

On the subject of clicking on things, don’t forget you can click on the map pins to find out more about where we’re going, or, if the pins have changed from white to a colour, where we’ve been.

TTFN - N

Everything into Storage

So here is an attempt at real time blogging.  As I write - sitting on the floor in the living room with the laptop really on my lap - three removals men are taking box after box from the house out to their lorry.

They arrived at ten to nine this morning and it is now ten past one and they are still going.  They have had to take the containers back to base and pick up some more.  A bit of underestimating how much stuff we have - Nick would say its all my books!

While they have been doing that I have cleaned the kitchen.  There was some discussion about whether it was better to carry boxes or clean the cooker.  It was generally agreed that carrying the boxes was preferrable  - I definitely concur and if I never clean another cooker it will be too soon!

  The men have had their lunch and a coffee break.  I am waiting till they have gone before I have mine, but it might turn out that I go out for afternoon tea at this rate.  Off for another chocolate biscuit to keep me going.

Global Finance in Crisis

This is Juli on the phone - 7.15 am our time - to the really jolly, friendly, helpful Kellie in Rockampton, QLD, Australia, where it's 5.15 pm. She's been on the phone to Australia since 6.30-ish am trying to pay for our Greyhound Kilometre passes with a credit card, into which we have transfered the necessary funds, so there won't be any problems with credit limits, etc. Unfortunately, shortly after this picture was taken, our card was declined.

While Juli is still on the line to Australia, Nick (not shown for reasons of taste and decency) calls our bank to ask why. Apparently, the transaction has exceeded their 'spending' limit.

Bank agent:
"The transaction needs to be authorised by our card team."
Nick:
"But there's more than enough money on the card to cover the transaction without needing any actual credit."
Bank agent:
"Yes, I can see that."
Nick:
"So what's the problem?"
Bank agent:
"The transaction needs to be authorised by our card team."
Nick:
But the funds are available, you've got the card holder on the phone and I've answered all your security questions. I'm authorising the transaction.
Bank agent:
I'm sorry, but the transaction needs to be authorised by the card team, and they don't get in until 8.00 am.
Nick:
By 8.00 am [Kellie] in Australia will be home making her tea.
Bank agent:
Oh.

Anyway, it was all sorted out in the end: the lovely Kellie stayed late (until after 6.00 pm her time--how many travel and ticket sales agents have you come across that would have done that?) and the bank agent phoned back more or less when he said he would and, after asking some more security questions, put me through to someone on the card team, who was able to overide the limit. It would seem that our bank's anti-fraud systems are unable to tell the difference between what Greyhound Australia and a regular coach company do. I suppose six and a half thousand pounds would, on that basis, look like a suspiciously expensive bus ticket. Apparently it happens quite often when the bank's other customers book a week or two's full board and accommodation at Disneyland, which looks to the bank's computers like an ordinary theme park.

Technology, eh?

Netbook Experiment

Today's experiment involves using a netbook on a rather dodgy wireless connection in a not very receptive area to see how long it takes to make a post.  This may well be the conditions we find we have to deal with as we are going around, so it's good to experiment.

Interesting that these are the conditions that exist in the North East of England too, in a not that remote or rural spot.  Image what it would have been like with the satellite connection at Fellside.  Better probably!

If you see this post, send us a comment, so that we know you are out there.

All change

Well it's been a busy few weeks since our last post, especially for Juli, who, while recovering from her operation, has been slaving over a hot laptop trying to find ways to save money on our trip. First the bad news: We're not now going to Tasmania, nor to Cairns/Green Island, nor, sadly, New Zealand. You may remember we had a planned to tour both the North and South islands in a campervan following the 'Billy Connolly' route. Now we're not touring anywhere in a camper van; we just can't afford it. Instead we're buying Grehound Kilometer passes and exchanging them for various tours and excursions as well as regular bus journeys. We'll also be throwing ourselves more on the mercies of friends and family, who've been kind enough to agree to putting us up for a bit.

I hope they realise that, by the time we get to them, we'll be less 'repectable tourists' and rather more 'desperate backpackers'.

Lock up your toilet paper!

More Planning

Last weekend, we put the finishing touches to our self-drive tour routes in Western Australia and New Zealand. (See 'Our trip' page for details and links.)
However, we also spent a lot of time trying to estimate costs, both up-front and day-by-day, and the bottom-line was something of a shock. We were hoping, perhaps a bit naively, to be reassured that our plans to date were within budget. Well, they're not. In point of fact, we, or more specifically, Juli is having to go through every aspect with a fine tooth coomb, trying to find, for instance, cheaper alternatives to shore trips and excursions through the cruise company. It's  been a really worthwhile exercise and has led to Juli finding all sorts of useful information about the places we're going to and things to do under our own steam when we get there. Seems we'll be spending quite a bit of time in the saddle... of a bicycle.
Looks too like we're going to have to pull in our reins somewhat in Australia, if we don't want to come back home to nothing. We're still looking at that, but one option is to use the tent, which we'll have with us anyway, and public transport more.
Pass the Greyhound route map.

Route Planning

Did quite a bit of planning over the weekend using Google Maps. (Gotta luv those Google guys.) Pretty much know where we're going on Tasmania - there was some discussion along the lines of 'Are we going to Tasmania?': we are - and have a solid outline for the bit between Adelaide and Melbourne. Perth to Perth next. We seem to be working backwards.