Today sees the start of an adventure. We are off to Townsville in Northern Queensland for most of May! I am writing this Blog entry on the train destined for Heathrow, sitting back listening to Mahler and drinking an incredibly over-priced cup of British Rail Coffee at £2.20 a cup, will this win the prize for the most expensive coffee on this world circumnavigation?The plane departs this evening and after 14 hours we will be in sumptuous Singapore for a 36 hour stop over. It doesn't get any better than that, Singapore, one of the most exciting places on God's Earth! This will be my 4th or 5th visit in a lifetime that has given me the opportunity to visit some of the world's most exotic locations. Don't get me wrong, England in springtime is so special, but the chance to visit Northern Queensland presented it's self, and it was too good to pass over. The first impression of Singapore was one I have kept with me for the last 40 years,. As I stepped from the plane, the smell of tropical scents were thick and wet in the air which was as hot as a fan heater, so hot I thought I was feeling the exhaust of the plane's jets. The smells evoked exotic curries and gorgeous unseen flowers with a hint of something undefinable wafting in to the mix. The people were a mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian, colourfully dressed and most, delivering happy, welcoming smiles. Hope it hasn't changed too much since I was last there in 1992. The birding and photography is going to be phenomenal in Australia. There will be some great birds to photograph, even birds that you would probably take for granted will be good for me to see and to share with you. I have packed just about every bit of equipment that I own including a variety of lenses, a macro ring flash (for insects, reptiles etc.), one tripod, a monopod a variety of camouflage clothing and bag hides. I have even included my infra red trigger set-up………(more about that as the trip gets underway). Having said that, my binoculars are still swinging on the chair in the hallway where I left them, lets hope that's all I have forgotten. Townsville is south of Cairns and well north of Brisbane, Autumn is well underway and their winter is just around the corner. The temperature will be a comfortable 24 to 28, just the same as that left behind. As well as birds, I am looking forward to Flying Foxes, Goanas, Wallabies and even the occasional Python, not to mention the Butterflies, Dragonflies and of course Koala bears, and the odd Dingo or two! I don't normally chat about mundane trivia on my Blog but I will make an exception today just to mention the unbelievably surly, sarcastic and rude Railway employee who in spite of wearing a "bib" that proclaimed "Customer Services" on his back, was almost threatening in his manner and demeanour. It's going to be interesting to compare him to others that I meet on my journey to the other side of the world. So far he is winning the prize for the most unhelpful employee with a massive points total of 92. More as the journey develops, I will be updating about the current winner of the the "nastiest" public employee and the most expensive coffee in the world! Winning so far is "Surely Sam" from Exeter St David's…. all the way there in sunny Devon!