So, a sudden change of heart, a sudden change of direction, a sudden realisation that in a little less than four months time I shall no longer be a thirty-something, but forty years old. I find that an incredibly scary notion. At the moment only my mother knows my plans - those of you taking a peek at this blog are ahead of my family and friends - I'm having a barbecue/bonfire on Wednesday - I'm going to tell them all there. So what am I going to do to ease the pain of this mid-life crisis? Pack a bag and ride off into the sunset of course.

It was earlier this week (Tuesday) I'd had a boozy lunch with a friend of mine, Peter. Over several Stella's and a chicken curry, Pete confirmed what I already knew - don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. His wife had died from that fucking evil bastard, cancer, the same **** that had killed my own Pa eighteen months ago. They were just approaching retirement and both fit and healthy and planning a life in the sun, lots of travelling etc. Now Peter was alone, he seemed to be coping well, but there was a dullness in his eyes, the spark had gone. Something similar had shaped my whole approach to life, I was just seventeen when my brother was killed in an accident, I knew then that you had to live for moment, Carpe Diem. Now I'd had it reconfirmed.

Later that afternoon I wandered into Trailfinders in Bristol, found myself talking to a pretty girl with a lovely bum by the name of Alex, when I walked out two hours later it was with a Round the World ticket - I leave next Saturday, heading for Jordan (the country, not the breasted-bimbo) and then on down to Africa (the Nile and then on to South Africa for some sun, sea and safari). From there it's on across the Indian Ocean to the Far East and then Australia and New Zealand, before returing home via Canada sometime around Easter.

This afternoon I have been listening to football Radio 5live (United beat Sunderland 3-1), making a list of things I need to do, things I need to take with me. I've weighed up whether to be a backpacker of a tourist - I'm 39 now, way to old to be lugging a rucksack around on my shoulders and the though of $5 a night dorm beds made me shudder, it was one of the easier decisions I've had to make about this trip - a decision also aided by the £10,000 redundancy cheque sat in my bank account. My mom is going to keep my house ticking over, feed the fish and water my plants. Think she's a little upset that I'm going, but tells me that it's great, that's nice. It's nearly 8pm now as I set up this blog site so that everyone can follow my progress, or lack of it over the coming months - hope the above gives you a little insight as to why I'm doing this.

Okay, it's time I get myself some supper, hoping to catch up with my best friend later, need to tell her face to face what I'm doing, I shall miss her - wonder if I'll get a comfort shag to send me on my way - you know you want to Cx!!! Haha. So, until next time, goodbye.

Delx