Around the world in 180 days

Due to staying in Canada and missing my flight back to Sydney, I suddenly found myself without any travel plans. Flights between Canada and Australia are bloody expensive round trip, but one way are even more so. Another consideration was that I needed to return to England at some point before next September in order to get my working holiday visa for Canada. So, it seemed to make quite a bit of sense for me to do that now, and then head back to Aus. I found a cheap flight from Toronto to London (check airtransat out for good deals to/from Canada) and arrived back in the middle of last week. Having escaped temperatures of -15 C (-28 C with wind chill) in Toronto, I brought the cold weather back with me, and a big snowfall arrived during my first night back in the country. This finally gave me the opportunity that had been cruelly denied me for the entire time that I'd been in Canada; to build a proper snowman. I was staying with my brother at the time, and we headed out first thing with his dogs to take advantage of the snow before it melted. As I began rolling up the first ball, I was delighted to find that I was using the only type of snow I'd ever known until my recent excursion in North America: good old British packing snow. Unfortunately, coal was in short supply, and searching our pockets for suitable replacements, we had to rely on dog treats for the snowman's features; but a fine figure was created none the less.

Back in the Cock

That weekend, I finally saw Mr and Mrs J again, about 8 months before they were expecting to see me. Clearly, both were delighted, if a little confused, and I'm now taking full advantage of the goodwill back home in Cockshutt. I'll be here for the next 6 weeks or so (which is about how long the visa process takes,) before heading back off to Australia.

So, after just over 6 months, I'm back where I began. The first part of my travels is over, which will, of course, mean the end of this particular blog. In a couple of months, if I've found anything interesting to write about, then I might just start a new one.
For now, the length of time I'll be here makes getting a job an unfortunate necessity. Working 9-5 back in the Shrews. Back to earth with a bang.

written by

olliejohnson on February 9, 2007 from Cockshutt, United Kingdom

from the travel blog: A man from Cockshutt.

Send a Compliment

After the intial shock and delight had subsided, there was some concern about the implications for our planned visit to the antipodes in July. We were much relieved to discover that this was still on. However, if there is one thing that I have learned from many years in business and your generation appears to have has really taken to this very quickly is that life's one constant is change. I am not holding my breath that there will not be any more changes before July!! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us in your own inimitable and entertaining way; it has been a source of considerable comfort to those left behind (and an excellent source of vicarious living). Welcome home Ollie; it's good to have you back - there are plenty of little tasks for you to do around the cottage in any free hours you may have!

written by Old Man of Cockshutt on February 26, 2007

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