Highs and Lows

This week is proving to be one of good and bad developments in the run-up to the Globetrotter's Grand Australian Get-Away.
On the plus side, I've made some GREAT purchases for my trip! I got my rucksack the other day (for a bargain price of £30!). I didn't get the one I originally had my eye on, as when I tried it on it was hanging over my bottom cos I'm such a midget. I therefore had to opt for a smaller one, which disheartened me at first as I thought I would have to cut down on the clothes I was planning to take! However, it fit me perfectly, and once I'd got it home and tested it out with the stuff I want to take, I found I had more than enough room and it didn't feel nearly as heavy as I anticipated. Given of course that it will feel heavier once it's been on my back for a few hours and, of course, it will feel worse in the heat, I am immensely proud of it and admire it for at least an hour everyday. I also bought a "Jack in a Pack" (after dragging Louisa, Tony, Dee and Charlotte around Glossop on the hunt for a "Kag in a Bag" and not finding one), a Kagoul that zips up the front and packs really small, for if I am caught in an impromptu rain-storm Down Under. My final, and most unusual purchase was encouraged by the kindly, non-pushy assistant in the camping shop, and is a towel, made out of a weird, thin felty-fleece sort of material. You may scoff, but it is apparently a wonder-towel, which will soak up as much water as you can drown it in and will dry in about 30 mins. All this and it packs about 4 times smaller than a normal towel and comes in its own handy pouch. Mum was so impressed it was sold on the spot, and she offered to pay for that and the rucksack for my upcoming 19th birthday. Excellent.
However, the week has not been without its trauma, as although I managed to secure a debit account for the trip which does not charge for foreign transactions, I was refused a credit card today. So now I'm feeling a little less confident on the money front and will have to start looking for another one, so if anyone has any advice or ideas please help!

That's all for now!