Now I like penguins, but....

You know you've made a good decision when people tell you:
a) they can't see a flaw in the plan
b) won't even attempt to talk you out of it
c) start making suggestions to help you in your mad plan

You know you haven't thought the whole thing through when a coffee conversation makes you realise you've missed something big.

A catch up with my friend Paul B today over coffee gave me the light bulb moment that in my dreaming I'd forgotten a big destination. So big in fact that I feel a little foolish. That's right folks I forgot that if I'm going to achieve my goal of touching EVERY continent and do it without flying that means I have to include Antarctica.

Physically it's possible, I can join expedition boats during the southern summer from South America, New Zealand or Australia, but frankly I'm not that keen on penguins. Which is about all I'd see there along with lots of snow. So maybe there will be a little revision to the plan so I don't have to eat my words (or seal blubber).

My other crazy ideas, like fulfilling a teenage dream of being a Jillaroo, are all being welcomed with great hilarity from my friends and colleagues. My (half joking) suggestion of being a chalet girl in Europe for the winter even got the thumbs up. I'm not sure who is crazier, me or my friends? I mean me, on skis? My fellow nomad and friend Paul A will be witness to the fact that that venture ended up in me spending an afternoon in a Swiss hospital and the rest of my trip mooching about Davos while he hit the slopes on his own.

While not all the ideas I'm coming up with will fly, the great thing about my situation is that once I have sold my possessions, packed up my life and left my job, I have no timetable to keep. I can go where I please, when I please and with who I please. I never have to return to the same spot twice and I can stop anytime and anywhere I wish (within reason of visa restrictions).

At present I'm particularly keen on the idea of spending an extended period on a yacht and seeing where the wind takes me. The appeal of sunny climes and relaxing just has a certain pull.

Anchors away...