We started off thinking we could drive our way RTW (Round The World) in a mobile home. Nice idea, but Oceans proved expensive to cross with a large vehicle, so air proved the way to go, especially when we found out how reasonable the flight packages were priced.

We decided, for economy, that we'd go camping in Europe and bought a large tent to be our home. Lea's trusty Cavalier would be our mode of transport. It's diesel fuel would be cheap on the continent, and its age would perhaps deter thieves from stealing it !

We'd then resort to backpacking around cheap(ish) hotels in our chosen countries. My challenge was to find places to stay that were cheap enough not to break our bank, but clean enough not to be awful for the kids (I've shared camps with Yaks remember, so I'm not fussy!)

Being a Techie, there was only one way for me to do this... the Web. In fact, with the benefit of Hindsight, I can't think how else I could have done it all myself. Who needs Travel Agents ? Almost everything has been researched and booked using the Internet. Hotels in most cities are easy to find. Health insurance can be researched and applied for.

Our flights, though, were booked via Wexas International, an Independent Travellers' Club who have excellent prices and standard of service. I'd say 60% of this was done over the phone, with probably 40% via email !

This was the first (and last) thing to think about. Once we'd decided how we were travelling, it was a case of where to go. The Star Alliance RTW flight tickets are extremely flexible and allow up to 15 stops and up to 39,000 miles.

We originally planned to go into Asia and south, through Malaysia and Indonesia. However, due to September 11th, we decided to avoid those countries in case there was any bad feeling there towards westerners.

After going through all sorts of permutations, we decided we'd replace Malaysia and Indonesia with China and Japan, but do them first. So, our first flight out of London is all the way to Beijing. This is followed by Japan, split between Tokyo and Hiroshima. Then into south-east Asia via Hong Kong and into Thailand.

We were planning to do a safari in Nepal, but the Maoist violence there has put us off. It would probably be safe in Kathmandu, but travel is disrupted, so we changed our plans and planned an extra week in Thailand (probably chilling on a beach) and a week in neighbouring Vietnam.

Then we're off to Oz, via Singapore. New Zealand follows, where we spend Xmas, then over to the States via first Fiji and then Hawaii.

We could be in the States for a few months, but by then we'll know just how much cash we have left, so could end up coming home sooner rather than later. Here's hoping not !

Of course I can't divulge all the details, but it's surprisingly cheap to do this sort of thing. The whole trip, for the four of us will cost in the region of a full year's salary for one of us. That sounds an awful lot at first, but think about it - a family of four travelling the world, on some of the best airlines, visiting fantastic places, can live for the same or less than they would at home ! So why stay at home ?! Obviously, you actually lose a year's salary if you don't work while you are away, so that's what it costs in real terms. But imagine if you could work at the same time. You could live and travel for less than you could live at home ! Now there's a thought.....

We intend to update this Journal as we go, at internet cafes around the world. I hope we will get plenty pictures as well as descriptions - we have to prove we did it, as well as just write about it ! There will be a new chapter about each country as we go along, and we will let all our family and friends know by email when it has been updated.