Hello!
This is really just a test post & picture, as I've not actually left Edinburgh yet.
Got just one week left at work, and then just over a fortnight in Scotland before I hit the road, getting the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen (Norway) on 31st August. So for once I'll have some time to be in Edinburgh during the festival without pesky work getting in the way!
Just about finished painting the flat, but still got lots of moving furniture, putting up curtains, etc etc to do...
In terms of where I'm going, I've only really got a definite plan as far as Beijing, since that's where the Trans-Mongolian (aka Trans-Siberian, but that actually goes to Vladivostok) rail part ends. Beyond that, the plan is to get overland from Scotland to Hong Kong, fly to Bangkok where I'm meeting Nicole and Dom in late November, then down through Malaysia to Singapore, and on to New Zealand to stay with Jules (sister) and and her increasing family, Australia then India on the way back. Probably with some other bits thrown in too.
So on the way to Beijing, my plan is: Norway->Sweden->Finland->Russia->Mongolia->China
I start on the train on 21st September, and get off for a few days at Lake Baikal and also Ulannbaatar, which will hopefully be a pleasant break from being cooped up with three strangers in a 'kupe' sleeper compartment on the train. Scheduled to arrive in Beijing on 5th Oct.
Of course, all this is dependant on getting the right visas and everything, they're currently away to the Russian, Chinese and Mongolian embassies, so fingers crossed there!
