28 Mar 2014. <AU> South Brisbane, Queensland —

Needed to visit Medicare to get a refund for our visit to the Travel Doctor. As this brought us near Jonno and Gemma's place, we dropped in, and Suzie baby-sat Ashwyn while Gemma went out for a break and to shop and Warren went off to deal with Medicare. All missions accomplished!

Had a lovely farewell dinner with the Opera group and Deb. Warren has opted out of the opera subscription for two years - duh! - so this was a last chance to say goodbye to Denise (and Mike), Terry, Lilias, Gisela, and Deb (and Chris). Deb, although technically not part of the aforesaid group, has had a long friendship with Warren, Denise and Gisela. A very pleasant meal at Viet de Lites in South Brisbane - can heartily recommend it as a place to choose to eat! Looks like it might not be a total break with Deb or Gisela, who will be getting over to Europe while we are there, and our travels may be able to intersect.

21 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

A bit more shopping. Had been thinking about how we power/charge our various electrical bits - computer, Garmin, Kindles, phones - while in the van. Okay, we'll be getting a small generator when we reach the UK, but it would be nice to get much of the charging done while we are on the move and the vehicle is generating enough power to burn. Went into an Auto supply shop today and bought a 3-way car-cigarette-lighter splitter with two USB outlets. Also bought a 2-way USB outlet for a single cigarette lighter, which will fit into one of the 3 ports in the splitter. That means we can power the Garmin and the computer from two of the cigarette-lighter ports, and up to 4 USB-powered devices (phones, Kindles) while under way! Came home and ordered the necessary Computer power lead over the net via eBay - should arrive in early April, just in time to be packed for the trip! Will give it a trial run before we leave, to find out how many devices can relied upon to operate simultaneously.

20 Mar 2014. <AU> Indooroopilly, Queensland —

Another day, another tick. We won't be seeing our dentist for regular checkups for maybe two years. Went for a final pre-trip check, and all's well — after a little renovation work for Suzie.

19 Mar 2014. <AU> South Brisbane, Queensland —

Sad day. Warren's last rehearsal with the Chorale. Went along, and sat at the back, singing a bit with the Tenors, but also joining the Basses at times (yes, Emily, he's still a bass at heart!). But also sitting out entirely from time to time and just luxuriating in the wash of sound as the choir worked through parts of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Brahms' German Requiem. Will really miss the magnificent singing and the friendship that are intrinsic to the Brisbane Chorale!

14 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

We've booked into a Hostel in Barkston Gardens, Kensington and Chelsea, so we can relax for 8 days when we first hit the UK. Check out the Londonears Hostel at www.thelondonearshostellondon.com. We got their last available double room for the period April 14 to April 22 — over the Easter break. We shouldn't have any trouble finding a few things to do while we're in London!

Tonight I've set up this blog — yes, I cheated! — I backdated all the posts up to here to provide some back information!

13 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, & Brisbane, Queensland —

Rude awakening with an early registered mail delivery! The replacement rubber zoom ring for the camera's lens arrived — now the camera is fully ready for the trip.

Went into Brisbane to do a few things, amongst which was visiting the "Travel Doctor" to see what we needed in the way as a travel medical kit. Came away with the kit — and two vaccinations! They advised a Hepatitis A shot — fair enough — and they were in a position to give us our annual flu shots as well.

When you go on a trip, it's advisable that you can actually see what you are looking at. Went in to have our eyes checked this afternoon. Our eyes haven't changed, but Warren was advised that he might find his old prescription glasses — which he hasn't had to wear for the last 3 years — might make things a little easier when driving after dark.

5 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

Yesterday we emailed Brad at Motorlands to check if we could delay our arrival there for about a week so we could spend a few days in London when we first land. His reply today — 'anytime is fine, a week or more delay is no problem. 6 parcels have arrived and i will keep them safe.'

4 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

When we decided to leave on a trip, we had to consider what would become of the house and the dog. The best solution for all concerned was to invite Donna and Bec, who have stayed with us in the past, to simply move in and take over. Suits us, suits them, suits the doggie! Donna moved in today - her lease was up where she was, and the downstairs bedroom has been free for some time. Once we finally go, they will have their pick of the rooms! Bibi, the dog, couldn't believe her luck - she really does love Donna!

3 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

Another of our regular visitors! This fairly young kookaburra is so tame he will take food from your hand! We keep little balls of minced chicken in the fridge as treats for the dog, but this little fellow has been returning from time to time to share in the bounty!

1 Mar 2014. <AU> Bardon, Queensland —

Today joined a few organizations which allow overnight motorhome stops at farms and various other places around the UK, France, Spain and Italy. Each costs around €25-30 (the British one £25) for 12 months membership. The annual fee is less than two nights' stay at a fully-fledged Motorhome camping area, and we will get a more intimate interaction with the locals. All they ask is, if you do need to buy anything your hosts can supply, that you buy it from them if possible.

The organizations in question are:

• Brit Stops : Free motorhome stopovers all over Britain at farm shops, country pubs, vineyards, and many more interesting sites
• France Passion in France
• Fattore Amico in Italy
• España Discovery in Spain

While preparing this blog post, I've realized that I missed the Swiss one, so I've just signed up for Swiss Terroir as well! Good news - there's a 10% discount for active members of France Passion or Fattore Amico!

We also bought the following, from Vicarious Books (who specialise in travel and camping books):

• All the Aires France edition 4
• All the Aires Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg
• All the Aires Spain and Portugal 3rd edition
• All the Aires Mountains
• Bord Atlas 2014 German Stellplatze guide
• 2014 Europe AA Road Flexi Atlas

The first 5 detail camping places all around Europe, and the last is a road atlas which we will use in conjunction with the Garmin — the Atlas for an overview to actually plan our journey, and the Garmin for the nitty-gritty of actually getting there.

We had checked with Brad at Motorlands to see if we could use them as a mailing address, rather than getting everything shipped to us here in Australia and then having to pack it all back to the UK when we fly out.

Some weeks ago — can't remember exactly when — we bought the AA Big Road Atlas Britain 2014, which we will use in the same way as the European one. Wanted to do a little pre-planning before we hit the UK, however, so that's why we got it early.