Just taking a moment away from the packing to post my first blog.

I have purchased my ridicously expensive malerone to make sure I don't pick up malaria and bought some fresh panties and work boots.

I leave tomorrow for West Africa, although it appears that there were a number of flights cancelled from Dublin this morning so I am hoping that I do indeed get to London to make my connection.

For the next three months I will be living in Ghana, working on a community building project in the Akuapem Hills and then volunteering on a national newspaper in the capital, Accra.

I suppose it must be noted that I have no idea what to expect. That, of course, is the point. But I intend to fully throw myself into the experience, for selfish reasons as well as to try and make whatever, however small, contribution that I can to the local communities in which I will be living, perhaps fully throwing myself into the project in the same way that Manchester United's Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona threw himself feet first at Crystal Palace supporter, Michael Simmons back on 25 January 1995 as he was being escorted off the pitch for being sent off. Perhaps a bit like that, but without the Kung Fu.

My next post will be from Africa.

Wish me luck.