And so it has (finally) come to this .... THE BACKGROUND

From what was a desire (mainly mine!) to just do something and cleanse the mind and body of the patch one evolves within a plan to "see how the others get on" was begun .

Firstly, recruitment was required. Naturally there was a degree of special and skilled management required to get the first recruit on board - there could well be a book on that task (and may still well be) plus an opportune drop in afternoon tea at our place with Kathy and Donny improved the requirement process no end - so they were in along with their 8 year old daughter Maddie. Surely this will make the main target recruit more eager to roll? Anyway the response was a yes sort of so planning began in earnest.

Now for the Townsville Target - a kindred spirit and fine friend, the ducks had to be lined up in some sort of order but from the first email tease John was keen to be placed on the recruitment list.

Twelve weeks emerged with the first five just John and myself then a few days when we are all together (Rome was to be that point) alas, John was then to depart and Seven weeks with Mary-Liz, Donny, Kathy and Maddie -now let's get this roadshow of the United Kingdom and Europe from Easter Saturday 19 April 2014 underway !!

Although the planning stages are all part of the adventure, may I assure you that what with different parties all with busy roles participating it has been no mean feat to bring what's to be what's to be.

But it is all in the doing so hang on for the ride and let the games begin.

The plane ride with the flying kangaroo is something to be endured not enjoyed so that was exactly the case. Touchdown into Heathrow London via Dubai, Deb picked us up so underway and back at Peterley Manor by 7am helped by the lead foot (and the Maserati).

We are taken on the tour - the glamping tent in the back yard (sorry garden) near the back paddock (sorry field) a dead set ripper and will attach a short video. Meet up with Kim and then looking for breakie - fair dinkum the muck that the flying kangaroo presented for our tasting pleasure left plenty in the desirability stakes. Deb's bacon, backyard eggs and the local butchers snag (even enough to raise Cassie out of bed) was a home run. Shower to then take us back to feeling like humans again. All that is left now to get things on the move is a wander in the mizzle through the paddocks (sorry damn fields) to the local ale house for a few hot flat ones prior to our nosh up late arvo Easter Lunch. Now my next door neighbour was very nice to give me 20 quid "to have a coffee" when we arrive in the old dart - I am sure she would be fine with it being spent at the Full Moon. So up I go and ask for some pints, hand over the afore said hard earned only to be rebuffed by the lovely Romanian lady (thought we were in England but all this travel does tend to fog the recollection of locations!) saying that she could not accept the 20 as it was no longer legal tender. The gang thought this was very bloody funny. Cynthia you can not hang on to those dusty notes for so long - they change over the notes apparently to halt money laundering. Off to a good start Wayne.

Now for another funny - John instead of purchasing a camera duty free decided to get one of these new fangled techno tablet devices to help keep him in touch etc whilst undertaking this adventure. Now things never seem to be as easy as it could be. Purchase done at the duty free at Tulla and pick up executed in a hurry - that is what is required when there is an A380 plane full of people and only two passengers not on board and announcements being made for final calls for passengers Clarke and Lucas !! Once on said plane - just. Settle in and I ask for a look at the new "toy". Missed by that much - he has been given the wrong tablet. I find this very very amusing but think John has a different outlook! Instead of the latest Samsung Galaxy he now is the very proud owner of the Tab 3 kids model - a nice yellow and orange number for 3 years and over - he is now able to play Toca Train, Farm 1 2 3 go into the kids store but all not before I place parental controls on. We all take the piss out of him and should be good for many more laughs before the adventure is over.

Bed at 6pm and looking for a solid 12 hours - the inflight beds within the flying kangaroo are not what they look like on the telly!!