I have just paid out over £950 for 18months travel insurance (with http://www.navigatortravel.co.uk the one company that would actually insure 58 yr old me for intercontinental travel).  This doesn't even cover my bicycle or laptop. What it DOES do is cover medical costs (which fingers and toes crossed I won't need) - so reduces the risk of us losing our home if the worst happens (which it won't).   If it was just me, perhaps I'd consider travelling without - as I know a large percentage of cycle tourists do.  But since I'm leaving my husband Steve behind to keep the home fires burning - and any potential disaster would impact hugely on him, I can't take that risk.  

However this insurance doesn't cover the US (which I knew) OR the Caribbean (whicb I didn't - and am a tad disappointed about)  - does anyone know if Cuba is included in the 'Caribbean'?  
Still - there's the minor matter of getting to Australia first - before I start thinking about which route to come home by.   

If I sat down and totted up how much vaccinations, passport, insurance, gear, bicycle service etc etc has cost me, I reckon I could have flown to Australia and back about three times by now.  (Thorn did a wheel rebuild and a rohloff hub oil change etc for me - thanks Dave).   I've still got to get the first aid kit and the bicycle spares kit together - otherwise I hope I'm pretty much sorted.  

Perhaps I shouldn't go there (look too closely at the setting up costs I mean).  I AM hoping life on the road will be as cheap as everyone on the various cycling blogs says it is...  

Accommodation to ferry all sorted.  Leaving party April Fool's Day.  Ferry departs Poole 5th April.  
First couch surfing request declined - with no explanation - but at least it was a response.  Probably something to do with being a single chap not wanting to accommodate older solo woman (neighbours might talk!).    Second request (to a single woman funnily enough) accepted - so that's one night en route to Couesmes Vauce sorted.  Will probably camp in St Malo.

Departure date is getting very close now - how will the dream survive contact with reality?  Slight collywobbles just thinking about it.