Big Trip - Planning; The Passports have gone...

...on a holiday all of their own. After an evening of trying to complete visa forms for Pakistan, India and Nepal (and failing), a re-try on Saturday morning, the passports have arrived safely at the visa agent, but more information is required!!! I think I forgot to include what colour underwear I preferred as I managed to supply pretty much everything else.
Only the Iranian and Australian visa to still sort for our outbound trip - the former could be tricky, the latter, from past experience should be a whole lot more straightforward, but who knows...

Big Trip - Planning

Bionic (BIOmetrIC) Passports

Thankfully we have received our new Bionic Passports - ok, they are biometric and not quite $6M, but they did seem to cost an arm and a leg, and both have a chip and an aerial installed!
Now the process of applying for the myriad of visas we need for our overland trip begins.

Big Trip - Planning

It's official. Ash clouds are no longer an issue!
With the recent plumes of ash affecting not only the UK, but European air space, we have booked ourselves on 'the trip of a lifetime' - the Oz Bus from London to Sydney.
Leaving London, and stopping in the following countries on-route to the family in Ostraylier:-

Belgium; Germany; Czech Republic; Austria; Hungary; Serbia; Bulgaria; Turkey; Iran; Pakistan; India; Nepal; Thailand; Malaysia and Indonesia.
A total of 17 countries over a 13 week period it's one heck of a schedule - more deets to follow.

Ridgeway - Goodbye Boots, you served me well

...and finally, a sad moment, those boots get consigned to the bin.