Update

It is a long time since this blog was added to, too long in truth. There is a reason for this. The blog is a record of my travels around the world. The trouble has been that since the northern hemisphere spring I have only travelled to Spain and I have blogged ad nauseum about that.

So little travel for a travel blogger might seem like a gross over sight but it is not. That is because the next adventure represents a major investment in travel and it begins a only a few days time. It is the culmination of a near-lifelong dream. Let me tell you the story about it.

In 1978 as a child in Europe I sat transfixed as a remarkable spectacle unfolded before my eyes on the television. This was the World Cup final in which the hosts Argentina were playing the Netherlands. The Argentines was truly passionate about what they were witnessing and thousands of miles away I was with them.

Driven by their clever midfield player Osvaldo Ardiles, led superbly by skipper Daniel Passarella and containing the most charismatic entertainer of the tournament Mario Kempes, Argentina won three-one after extra-time with Kempes scoring twice.

"That's it," I thought, my young mind dazzled with football joy, "I must go to Argentina and watch football" - soccer for our North American and Antipodean friends.

A short time afterwards I began to put aside a small amount very month to pay for this mighty trip. It was to have been part of a round the world excursion to be undertaken as soon as I had time to enjoy months away, probably on retirement.

Happily events got in the way. An unexpected financial bonus came my way and anticipating its arrival I carefully planned to consolidate my leave, hence no serious break since March. As I write, the football tickets are booked in the very stadium where Mario Kempes became my football hero and the countdown to Argentina has begun.

The holiday will not only be following football but taking in much of what this country has to offer. I look forward to blogging about it very soon. Argentina, please do not disappoint me.

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