>Contrary to my last blog and my thoughts of travelling to Madrid and possibly Barcelona after my week in Seville, I have had a change of heart and decided to spend 5 nights in Paris. As much as it pains me to make it to Seville airport for my return flight so early in the morning (8am which means check in @ 6am) I am going to experience the eurostar to Paris. It will be a hectic day of travelling as my train leaves 4 hours after my arrival back in the UK from Seville – I just hope my flight is on time. According to flightontime.info I can expect on average a 20 minute delay. Time will tell.

>Well, it is official. It has been a little over three weeks since I ceased to be a home owner. With one less tie in the UK I have been busy forging ties in Australia, having opened a bank account in Sydney. I’m told it is not necessary to open an account before my arrival but I thought it prudent to do so as I do not wish financial documentation to be sent to hostels or PO Box numbers. I can confirm that HSBC is the worlds local bank, and they have been most helpful in assisting in the process (which is suprisingly straight forward). Of course, there is no need to open up a bank account for travelling only purposes – I am only doing so as I have a working holiday visa, and thus intend to work for part of my time. Nationwide provide a flex account which can be used to make withdrawls from cash points worldwide for no fee!

>For some years I have wanted to travel, to see the world first hand, and experience the rich cultures and diversity that can be found on almost every continent. In April this year I took the first steps in realising my ambition by applying for a working visa in Australia, which to my surprise was granted within 24 hours!

Now before I receive a flurry of comments/emails stating the obvious – that Australia is but one continent and not the world – might I elaborate on my plans (or lack thereof). The visa is but a means to an end. Many Brits flock to Australia every year seeking sun and adventure, after all it makes the perfect starting point for any would be traveller, in particular those who have little experience in travelling alone, if only because being British we already speak the lingo thus feel more at ease.

I have chosen Australia for this reason but also for its proximity to Asia and (I hope) the ease of finding short term (contract) work in Sydney so I do not have to use the entirety of my savings from the last three years of work. I have provisionally only planned a year away; three months in Sydney working; three months in Asia; back to Sydney for a further three months of work; then three months to travel Australia and New Zealand. Depending on my financial solvency I may then head home via the Americas before returning to the UK financially poorer but personally wealthier!

To this end, I am now in the process selling my share in a property I bought two years ago, before finally resigning. Once both these are complete I can then look to finalise a date for which I will head for Australia to begin what I hope will be a life changing experience that can only broaden my horizons and open up new opportunities for the future. I say can look as I do hope to be able to enrole on an intensive French Course, in France or Switzerland, beforehand. Whilst I speak a little French, and a little more German, I am sadly mono-linguistic. This is something I dearly want to change and it can only help the lone traveller as they meander their way around the world.

And after this ‘expedition’…who knows. I have two thoughts at present. To return to University and study for a Masters in International Politics, or seek work for an NGO (Non-Government Organisation), perhaps in Africa (cue the French :p).