The following is a pre-recorded account of my aspirations, dreams and expectations for the Elephant Expedition I am currently undertaking. Stay in touch for news of what really happens while I’m away!

The dreamy journal

Thank you so much Thirst Pockets!

If all has gone well, my return journey ran smoothly and my gorgeous man left home a short time ago to meet me at Heathrow airport in an hour and a half. Yippee! Airport hello here I come.

I left Kathmandu at 09:30 this morning, Nepal time, and arrived at Delhi, terminal 3 at 11:00. This time I had a whole two and a quarter hours to find my bags and mooch over to the Virgin flight which took off on time at 13:15, Delhi time. The journey will be smooth. I will sleep much of the way and arrive in London fresh and happy.

My husband will hug me and then drive me home to see my son and my cats. It will be a glorious ending to a glorious trip and a wonderful home-coming. Luckily, my lovely cleaner offered to do this weeks stint on Tuesday instead of the usual Friday so, without any strain on my family, I will be arriving home to a clean, tidy, sweet smelling home – even after such an extended absence.

The reality check

Perhaps I didn’t get on my flight to Delhi. Perhaps I’m still stuck in India at this point, having missed my transfer, waiting for Virgin to fit me on the next flight out…. how sad and upsetting that might be!

Home comings can also be difficult. I must try to remember that my family and I will be on very different wavelengths when we all come together again. I must try not to let my husband’s fast driving scare me on the way home. I don’t wish to be fighting with him before we even reach the house!

My cat will also be very loving for the first hour, then remember himself and feel the need to punish me for my absence. There will be days to follow of aloof behaviour. He will snub me and sit on my OH’s lap rather than mine. He will give me the evil eye and make me thoroughly grovel for days and days. *grin*