Two weeks to go!!

Ok so I only have two weeks to go until I depart and although I am really excited I must admit that I am a little scared....!!
Well I had a nice weekend in Somerset with my parents and grandparents, although it rained quite alot that didn't stop us getting out and about.
We arrived Friday afternoon at our little cottage and discovered it was just across the road from the village pub so after unloading the car that was our first stop, needed lunch!! It was actually really good food and so I stuffed my face with a Steak and Mushroom Pie - yummy!! My Mum and I went for a walk while the others went shopping!We just chilled out on Friday night.
On Saturday we made our way to Chedder Gorge, it was a bit windy but the sun came out. My parents and I went on the open top double decker bus along the gorge and then into some caves which were cool.
We then went in a museum which was over in a couple of minutes and then made our way to meet the grandparents in a pub for lunch, just soup today - not so hungry. Although we did pop to the ice cream parlour after!!
There was a 3 mile walk along the cliffs of the gorge so we left my grandparents in the pub and went to do that. It was quite a tough walk but lovely views. Took us about 1 hour 45 minutes which wasn't too bad but my legs wondered what the hell I'd done to them.
I realised that I would really miss the English countryside but we don't get out to do walks like that often anyway.
Well we got driven on a magical tour by my Dad and stopped in Street for a wander around and then some dinner in, you guessed it, another pub.... I had a Chicken Jalfrezi which was nice. Was getting a bit sick of having pub food. We went back to the cottage at around 7pm and relaxed there, did some reading etc.
On Sunday we went to Wells, it was a bit rainy. We walked about for a bit - they were filming some film there called Hot Fuzz, sounds good eh!!, so we walked round that and then into the Cathedral which was amazing!! The rain got quite bad after that so we walked and found a starbucks, I had a hot chocolate which wasn't as good as costa!!!
My Dad and his parents then went to a pub to settle down ready to watch the Watford match. My mum and I wandered about for a bit, went to the Bishops Palace and I got in as a student - I obviously looked young cos we just asked for 2 tickets!! Won't complain though. The actual indoor things to look round here were ok but the gardens were lovely and what, I feel, we were really paying to see. We wandered back down to the pub, had to stop halfway back while they filmed a scene....
After giving my Dad some cash at the pub we walked to tesco to get some sandwiches and fruit for lunch which we then ate! We went for another wander and bumped into this old guy, who said he would be 100 years old in a couple of weeks!! He showed us around these gardens where he lived as they are closed to the public so that was really nice.
We wandered back to the Cathedral after that because the back of it was closed earlier due to a service. It was so nice.
Well Watford won so the men were very happy! We ate in the pub across the road again which was ok.
We had to pack up on Monday morning and then we had decided to stop at Lacock Abbey on the way home. Lacock was a beautiful village and the abbey and grounds were also amazing. We had made sandwiches before we left the cottage so we had them for lunch. Headed home from there about 2pm. Finally got home around 5.
Anyway it was a good weekend and nice to get away. Now I have finished work so am sorting out my last minute things etc!! Just got Paul and Michelle's wedding to look forward to, along with the lunch the day after and then just need to prepare myself for take off!!!
Take care
Dawnie
xxx

My Itinerary!!

This is the plan so far......



8th June 2006 - BANGKOK Arrive in Bangkok and check in to hotel. Time to relax or explore the nearby Grand Palace, Wat Phra Keow and Wat Pho.
9th June 2006 - BANGKOK - RIVER KWAI Early departure from Bangkok. We drive to Kanchanaburi and visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, JEATH Museum and War Cemetery. In the afternoon we continue to Nakhon Pathom for the overnight train journey to Surat Thani.
10th June 2006 - KOH PHA NGAN Travel to Koh Pha Ngan by ferry and continue by jungle pick-up truck to Thongnaipan beach, one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Overnight in beach bungalows.
11th - 13th June 2006 - KOH PHA NGAN Three full days to do as you please. There are many options; snorkelling, diving, jungle and waterfall walks, boat trips to surrounding highlights and just lazing on the beach.
14th June 2006 - SATUN Today we leave our island paradise and catch the ferry back to the Thai mainland. Continue to Satun, a fishing town on the Andaman Sea coast.
15th June 2006 - PENANG Travel via Butterworth to the famous island of Penang with its beautiful colonial buildings and wonderfully atmospheric Chinatown - one of the most exciting in the region.
16th June 2006 - PENANG A free day to explore the markets, beaches and interesting buildings of Penang.
17th June 2006 - CAMERON HIGHLANDS We head back to the mainland and journey south to the spectacular hill country of the Cameron Highlands.
18th June 2006 - CAMERON HIGHLANDS Today you can take jungle walks and visit tea plantations and spice gardens - even pick your own strawberries.
19th June 2006 - KUALA LUMPUR We continue to the capital of Malaysia, an interesting mix of cultures and colonial influences. At night you can visit the famous KL night market.
20th June 2006 - KUALA LUMPUR Free day. Optional visit to the Batu Caves.
21st June 2006 - MELAKA Travel to Melaka, the capital of the Melaka Sultanate. This beautiful town reflects Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British influences. The rest of the day is free to wander around.
22nd June 2006 - MELAKA A free day to explore this amazing mix of cultures.
23rd June 2006 - SINGAPORE Drive to the vibrant island city-state of Singapore and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we have the opportunity to eat together and reflect upon our amazing journey from Bangkok to Singapore.
24th June 2006 - SINGAPORE Tour ends. Flight to Sydney 8pm local time in Singapore.
25th June 2006 - 5.15am arrive in Sydney
25th June - 10th July 2006 - Will be in Sydney to explore for at least a month
I will then be making my way up the East Coast of Australia going a couple of days surfing!!! I will then be in Byron Bay from 13th July probably just for a few days.

This should help everyone to keep track of me. Enjoy....I know I will!!
Dawn xxx

One Month Before I Leave!!!

Well Emma left yesterday and so it brings everything to light!!!

Its 31 days until I take off and I am excited. Everything is pretty much sorted - I think. Just gotta get my insurance and sell my car and I'll be ready to go.

Had a fantastic time in Boat saying my goodbyes and now just relaxing at home. I finish work in 2 weeks and then have a couple of weeks to either temp or just get all the last bits ready....its scary!!

I've got a long weekend away to look forward to and Paul and Michelles wedding before I leave so I am thinking about them at the moment. Should be cool and I'll get to see everyone just a few days before I leave, hopefully everyone will be there!!

Anyway hope everyone is doing ok. Take care and see you soon - maybe.

Love Dawn
xx