I did not have to think twice when 3 years ago my place of work for the previous 20 years offered redundancy. Like the eager child in class my hand shot up and begged, “let it be me please!”. I knew immediately that I wanted an adventure, that I wanted to travel and see the friends I have nurtured from the past. I wanted to put security, certainty, routine, expectations, the obvious behind me and confound myself. America, Australia, China, India beckoned and were all experienced. The freedom I felt fed my soul in ways I had never anticipated. I longed to embark on a journey again and once more I have arrived at the brink. This blog is for anyone who wants to join my 59 yr old self on my Third age Odyssey and watch as I take a 21 day journey by train across Europe, Russia, Siberia, Mongolia to reach and discover and maybe live in one of the most demonised countries on our globe and prove to myself that this planet Continues to be round and colourful and endlessly exciting. Don’t expect deeds of daring, beautiful beaches or organised interest, There will be trains, sleeper cars, driving, sightseeing, theatres, cinemas. restaurants, friends, weather reports, fashion statements. This Really is going to be one big, messy, chaotic journey.