Techniquest
Veteran Member
Morning all, I know I don't post too often here these days, but to be fair that's down to a change of hobbies/interests/life goals more than anything. I do still read a number of subscribed threads on a semi-regular basis, and normally my posts are on my trip report thread with updates as to how things are going. I did consider posting this on my trip report thread, but it felt to be quite a broad topic where I wanted views of a bigger audience. I've already posted this on Facebook, so it's a copy-paste from my status update on there this morning. As a result, it's not specifically written for a transport enthusiast audience. I've added more of the relevant details in places for this post though! So here we go:
Is it too early to make New Years Resolutions or make 2019 plans? Even if it is, I'm doing so this morning!
In late 2017 I only made one resolution for 2018, which was to make my first solo long-distance trip. Which I managed months ago with Canada. Looking back at it, that was too easy though, I need to set one that will be a bit more challenging for 2019, equally it needs to be achievable. I reckon it's subject to change before 1st January 2019, but I'm currently settling on this:
At some point in 2019, I'm resolving to take 2018's resolution to the next level and go for my first Ultra Long Distance solo trip.
Now I've not 100% settled on the exact origin, destination, route or activity for the ULR trip. I'm adamant it will include a city break in Sydney, but New Zealand's a nice idea too. NZ appeals more for the scenery though, and I'm not convinced I will have the patience to sit on the trains for hours at once to take it in. Given my luck with trains here in the UK these days is poor, I'm tempted to look into it still but not necessarily for 2019. It's 90% certain going to be Sydney, and it was going to involve starting the trip from Heathrow, but I'm really doubting that following the less than amazing experience there when I went to Estonia [the plane spotting bit at T5 was excellent, but as a passenger I was far from impressed by LHR - Ed].
This is all part of the fun though for me, the planning, research and eventual booking will no doubt sound ridiculously tedious and boring to most people, but for me this is just the start of a holiday. Same really for when I get home, a trip does not end until the full photo collection is posted and the trip report posted in full [which in January will *hopefully* include my first aviation trip report posted on YouTube! - Ed].
As things stand, I'll probably just go for the cheapest option with the flights when I get to booking, but I'm also looking at the following for the route:
Virgin Atlantic 787 LHR-LAX
Virgin Australia 777 LAX-SYD
Virgin Australia 777 Sydney to Hong Kong
Virgin Atlantic 787 Hong Kong to LHR
The reason for that choice of routing is really quite simple, as it would effectively be a round the world trip, which I have wanted to do for a very long time! The booked aircraft type was also a big factor, the only thing that puts me off is the 14 and a bit hours flight from LA to Sydney! [I'm still struggling to get off the nicotine as I type this, which I managed to deal with on the LGW-YYZ and YYZ-LHR flights in May but those were much shorter than my proposed flights. I'm hoping to be off the addiction before this trip - Ed]
Finally to end this for the duration, I'm also making some big plans for 2019. Yes some of them will be carried over from 2018 [I still have 3 phases of 7 phase 2018 Grand Plan to achieve - Ed] but there are some new ones and they will be revealed in due course. Probably when they actually happen, in the meantime finances need to be sorted first. I'm very slowly working on that, admittedly I'd be nearer to it if I stopped going on social functions! That isn't too likely though Give it a few more months and I'll be able to proudly announce the 2019 plans though, travelling-wise or more [I've not revealed to my norm mates yet what they are, and I'm not about to do so here, but I have started some initial research this morning - Ed]
What I *can* say for sure is that I'm very excited about 2019 as it's going to be incredibly good fun and productive!
Is it too early to make New Years Resolutions or make 2019 plans? Even if it is, I'm doing so this morning!
In late 2017 I only made one resolution for 2018, which was to make my first solo long-distance trip. Which I managed months ago with Canada. Looking back at it, that was too easy though, I need to set one that will be a bit more challenging for 2019, equally it needs to be achievable. I reckon it's subject to change before 1st January 2019, but I'm currently settling on this:
At some point in 2019, I'm resolving to take 2018's resolution to the next level and go for my first Ultra Long Distance solo trip.
Now I've not 100% settled on the exact origin, destination, route or activity for the ULR trip. I'm adamant it will include a city break in Sydney, but New Zealand's a nice idea too. NZ appeals more for the scenery though, and I'm not convinced I will have the patience to sit on the trains for hours at once to take it in. Given my luck with trains here in the UK these days is poor, I'm tempted to look into it still but not necessarily for 2019. It's 90% certain going to be Sydney, and it was going to involve starting the trip from Heathrow, but I'm really doubting that following the less than amazing experience there when I went to Estonia [the plane spotting bit at T5 was excellent, but as a passenger I was far from impressed by LHR - Ed].
This is all part of the fun though for me, the planning, research and eventual booking will no doubt sound ridiculously tedious and boring to most people, but for me this is just the start of a holiday. Same really for when I get home, a trip does not end until the full photo collection is posted and the trip report posted in full [which in January will *hopefully* include my first aviation trip report posted on YouTube! - Ed].
As things stand, I'll probably just go for the cheapest option with the flights when I get to booking, but I'm also looking at the following for the route:
Virgin Atlantic 787 LHR-LAX
Virgin Australia 777 LAX-SYD
Virgin Australia 777 Sydney to Hong Kong
Virgin Atlantic 787 Hong Kong to LHR
The reason for that choice of routing is really quite simple, as it would effectively be a round the world trip, which I have wanted to do for a very long time! The booked aircraft type was also a big factor, the only thing that puts me off is the 14 and a bit hours flight from LA to Sydney! [I'm still struggling to get off the nicotine as I type this, which I managed to deal with on the LGW-YYZ and YYZ-LHR flights in May but those were much shorter than my proposed flights. I'm hoping to be off the addiction before this trip - Ed]
Finally to end this for the duration, I'm also making some big plans for 2019. Yes some of them will be carried over from 2018 [I still have 3 phases of 7 phase 2018 Grand Plan to achieve - Ed] but there are some new ones and they will be revealed in due course. Probably when they actually happen, in the meantime finances need to be sorted first. I'm very slowly working on that, admittedly I'd be nearer to it if I stopped going on social functions! That isn't too likely though Give it a few more months and I'll be able to proudly announce the 2019 plans though, travelling-wise or more [I've not revealed to my norm mates yet what they are, and I'm not about to do so here, but I have started some initial research this morning - Ed]
What I *can* say for sure is that I'm very excited about 2019 as it's going to be incredibly good fun and productive!