Probably a good time to actually outline just what I have up my sleeve until I go, and what I do when I'm going because although it makes perfect sense to me, it seems to mystify or bamboozle a lot of other people. I don't blame them - it is a tad convoluted.
Present until Friday 17th October - Working
That's now much longer I have in my job - a shade under 3 weeks. My last day is 17th October, at which point I officially become an unemployed bum. It’s also the amount of time I have to sort out my stuff, and in the middle of that all I'm taking a few days off up north for the last "must-do" trip on my bucket list of things I need to do before I head off.
Saturday 18th October to Thursday 30th October - Playing with trains?
This part is not for sure, but I hope to be able to run around the North Island with Ab 608 “Passchendaele” on its Heartland Tour. My departure off overseas was timed around this – I spent at least half of my Saturdays over the last 5 years helping fix the engine up, so of course I want to see it running around on its first multi-day trip.
Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November – Last Days in Wellington
I have two whole days to sort the last of my stuff (hopefully there isn’t much to sort by this stage) and say bye to people. Not sure how that’s going to work just yet.
Sunday 2nd November – Wellington to Christchurch
I catch the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton with my car (and the last of my things), and then drive down to Christchurch where I should arrive in the evening.
Monday 3rd November – Last day in Christchurch
One whole day to sort out whatever still needs sorting out (hopefully nothing) and say bye to people. Not sure how that’s going to work just yet, but I can’t stay up late because…
Tuesday 4th November to Thursday 6th November – Sydney
Have to get up absurdly early to fly on the first flight to Sydney on the Tuesday, which essentially gives me 3 whole days in Sydney. One of them will likely be spent visiting the Blue Mountains, since I couldn’t do that on my visit last year due to the bush fires. Despite being in Sydney on the 5th November, they don’t do Guy Fawkes so no fireworks on the harbour or anywhere for that matter.
Friday 7th November – Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne
Came up with the idea of going to Canberra during my Aus trip last year when thinking of alternatives to do on the day I was going to go to the Blue Mountains, but didn’t know what there was to see and do there. Now I do, and was going to do it as a day trip from Sydney but it ended up evolving into a trip on the way to Melbourne and it kind of is cheaper that way. Sydney to Canberra by train, day in Canberra and then Canberra to Melbourne by plane.
Saturday 8th November to Monday 10th November – Melbourne
A couple of days in Melbourne, staying with a friend and no fixed plans of what to do. A visit to Puffing Billy probably wouldn’t be stupid however.
Tuesday 11th November – Melbourne to Abu Dhabi
Melbourne to Sydney (1.5hrs) mid-morning, then Sydney to Abu Dhabi (14.5hrs) arriving around 11.30pm at night in Abu Dhabi. Which makes it the longest day I’ve ever had.
Wednesday 12th November to Thursday 13th November – Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Will spend one full day doing a day trip to Dubai, which is 2 hours by bus away from Abu Dhabi – figure I might as well see this famous city while I’m nearby, and the rest of the time will likely be spent in Abu Dhabi.
Friday 14th November – Abu Dhabi to London
Technically the morning of the 14th is spent in Abu Dhabi still, but in my head it doesn’t count and it’s just about the travelling to London from Abu Dhabi (8hrs). I arrive in London about 5.30pm their time – by the time I clear customs and make my way to Dish & Spoon’s in Holloway on the Tube, I might very well arrive in time for dinner and then sleep away the weekend while I recover from everything!
And then I’ll be there.
So right now my mind is occupied with the fact I have 3 weeks (not even) to get everything sussed and get rid of the last of my stuff. Anyone want to buy my stuff? Don’t want much for it, and it all needs to go…