Well, today I took a deep breath and bought my tickets! (having taken out travel insurance yesterday - more of that in a minute)
It seems like an unconsionable amount of money to be spending just to fly round the world, but actually it's less than some so-called luxury holidays...

Trying to get travel insurance was interesting: most companies don't offer more than 45 days... a few do 90... even fewer offer 120. AND, to cap it all, they classify camel trekking and black-water rafting as high risk activites, so of course the price goes up...Grrr... Still, it's worth it if one Does have the misfortune to have an accident...