If you fancy an economic flight to Europe via Japan, JAL are offering return tickets at less than $1400 - max time from departure to arrival back where you started is 2 months. It's a bargain, but no good for us - more research required ...
Mean time at the manor ... I've spent all morning painting the decking. Not what I'd call a culturally exciting experience, but the domestics you get these days are just not up to doing anything remotely technical - it required use of a paint brush, roller and ladder; far too complicated ...
It's better to travel than arrive ... then again ...