39 Days and counting.....

It is hard to believe it was almost a year ago that Australia sealed its qualification to the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The 2006 World Cup left all Australian supporters with an appetite for more. However the strategic change in direction by the FFA to be included in Asia, gave all of us alike, a nervous glimmer of thought that we may not again have the ability to emulate our previous efforts.

Now without even a second thought, one would say that the change in course was a magnificent stroke of genius, given the increased level of regular competition for the national team, and the mere fact that the group is together more regularly can only increase the fluency and consistency of our national football elite.

Now for the supporters, all those months down the track, the thoughts, decisions and questions it seems are much more simple...do I pack the tracky dacks for Durban? How much will the drinking budget be? How many pubs does Durban have again?

For myself the Road to South Africa had been somewhat seamless...don't think about it and it won't take forever to get here. That was however until a few weeks ago when one of our travel companions decided that he would log on to the fanatics website for regular updates....of course by regular I mean every single second possible. I am almost positive that he will know the final squad before Pim Verbeek has even uttered it! Subsequent text messages and phone calls (and I am sure smoke signals but I live far enough away not to see them) have now built my expectations as such, that I now proudly include myself in the exclusive children's travel lounge...Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

And so the lists have begun...power adaptors, "check"...one pair of undies for each day, "check". The purchasing begins (and not that the better half needs an excuse of course)...New Socceroos Jersey....scarf...wig. Life is beginning to feel like a Mastercard commercial....priceless!

In the height of excitement, I am now chomping at the bit to get on the plane to Johannesburg. This could potentially be the longest 39 days I have ever lived, but 39 days worth the wait!