It's The Final Countdown...

SO I'm sitting at work on my penultimate shift with thought buzzing around my head like news helicopters around an Icelandic volcano.
Said Icelandic volcanoes permitting, this time next week I'll have swapped bustling Bris Vegas for the funky French capital, having already lounged around London for a few days beforehand.
This lead-up time to travelling's the worst though isn't it? Right now everything seems to be done: nice, shiny new passport complete with horrendous photo; international driver's permit in case I end up on the roads; assorted electronic paraphernalia to while away the hours, store photos and video footage with (not to mention update this blog!); and a nice, shiny new backpack waiting patiently in the corner of the room. Undoubtedly there's something really important I've forgotten and won't remember until I'm on the shuttle bus out to Brisbane Airport, but you get that.
It's times like these that Lonely Planet online is both a blessing and a curse: with some spare time and a brother to entertain for a while the whole of Europe's just waiting to be explored. Hell, I might well end up in Moldova at some point!
For now though it's focusing on the first few dates: London April 29 and Paris May 3, then Busabouting Bruges May 6, Amsterdam May 8 and Berlin May 11... provided of course time stops slowing down the closer I get to leaving!
Looking forward to meeting y'all out on the road!!!