So... a quick first entry on the blog! Dawnie and I have arrived at Heathrow Airport relatively unscathed.. .although we havent fully mastered the art of carrying the backpack yet! I nearly went head over heels several times and dawn got stuck in hers! Hmmm... something tells me this could be interesting! A plane crashed when landing on the runway earlier so a lot of flights have been cancelled but at the moment ours still seems to be going ahead. Luckily no-one was seriously injured in the crash thank god!

Anyway - after an emotional dinner with the family last night and an emotional farewell at the train station with my mum running after the train... I am now looking like i've been through hell and back must admit am looking forward to the flight in the hope of a good sleep! The past few days have been a bit hectic what with trying to pack my bag about 20 times!!

I must say im pretty excited now - the reality of what im about to embark on has sunk in a little more now. Dawn and I are looking forward to getting to Cape Town and having that first holiday beer! Hmmmmm!!

Thanks again to everyone for all of your good luck's... will miss you all! Kerry - hope you've stopped crying matie!

Thanks girlies for my goodbye gifts - will miss you all muchly this year but will be in touch often i promise! I expect regular emails from you all with updates on all the gossip!

Mum, Dad, Debs and Lill's - love ya! Thanks for all your support and mum that fabulous last home cooked meal you did!

Next stop Cape Town ... watch out Springboks! hehe!

H Xx