For years I’ve insisted that my relentless wandering is entirely the fault of birds. Not metaphorical birds, mind you—actual feathered creatures with wings, opinions, and a talent for appearing in places they absolutely shouldn’t be. If a warbler took a wrong turn over the Mediterranean or a vagrant albatross decided to holiday inland, I felt morally obliged to go and greet it.

This is how I ended up zig‑zagging across Europe and meandering through Southern and East Africa with binoculars and cameras in hand and a confidence in my sense of direction that can only be described as… optimistic.

With all that mileage, you’d think I’d prepare for travel with the grace of a seasoned explorer. You’d be wrong. My personal history reads like a cautionary tale written by someone who really should know better.

There was the time I left my suitcase in the hallway, blissfully unaware as I drove five hours to a bird‑watching conference where I—of all people—was scheduled to give seminars on the importance of being observant. Or the Sunday morning I arrived at a church an hour from home, ready to preach, only to realise my sermon notes were still at home enjoying a leisurely lie‑in.

And then there was the wallet incident. In a masterclass of international disorganisation, I left my UK wallet in Cape Town and returned to England with my South African wallet—useful only if I fancied paying for groceries with nostalgic sentiment and embarrassment at the till.

Yet somehow, despite these moments of brilliance, I've never let a travel group down. Travel has a way of turning small oversights into memorable stories — provided you're willing to laugh, adapt, and keep moving.

If there’s a lesson in all this—and I like to think there is—it’s that preparation isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving your future self a fighting chance. A quick checklist, a moment of stillness before you lock the door, and perhaps a gentle pat of your pockets to confirm you’re not about to cross a border with the wrong nation’s wallet.

Because the world is full of rare birds and unexpected adventures. And it's much easier to enjoy them when you're carrying the right country's wallet.