DAY 0: The Journey Begins with a Diddelydik

Well, they say every journey begins with a single step. Mine began with more of a *diddelydik*—the rhythmic sound of the train wheels carrying me out of Horsforth station toward Manchester airport.

I decided to go with a carry-on duffle bag and a rucksack, and what a colossal mistake that was. At 73 and relatively fit, I’m usually up for anything, but the walk from the Horsforth train to the Manchester connection was a slog. A fiery ache bloomed in my shoulders and my back is killing me. I’m sure other parts of my decaying anatomy are going to start screaming at me sooner or later.

Anyway, I have very little to report other than the costs for those that are interested. A simple booking on Booking.com from Leeds to Manchester, then Manchester to Abu Dhabi, then Abu Dhabi to Hanoi and back the same way amounted to £398 all in. My internal flights and trips within Vietnam will be revealed as they happen.

I’m writing this now as I’m due to board and will lose my internet connection any second. I’ll write again once I’ve touched down, God willing.

I’ve been told the safest place to sit on an airplane is in the rear seats. Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? There have been no reports of an airplane reversing into a mountain… yet.