Not being the greatest flier in the world, on previous trips I have always sought solace in fellow 'scaredies' amongst the players and believe me there have been a few.

But this time I was sat with George Friend and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake who seemed more interested in getting some kip than the flight.

I was brave though and even stopped sobbing when the stewardess told me off as the noise was disturbing the other passengers. Even so, George seemed a little reluctant when I asked if I could hold his hand as we took off. 

But we were on our way and the long search for a Duck Billed Platypus had begun. Perhaps I should explain. When I was a boy, some 20 odd years ago*, I collected a set of tea cards about Australia and one of them was of a Duck Billed Platypus. There was something about it that made me want to see one in real life and it has been an ambition of mine ever since.

I've never been to Aussie before so this is my big chance and as we made the seven hour flight to Dubai I was working out how I would react to our first meeting. Would I be emotional? Would we bond? Would I feel a bit let down or want to take it home with me?

All these thoughts were going through my mind and then we hit a bit of turbulence and I started to cry again.

After a three hour stop off in Dubai, and a change of planes, the second leg of the trek began with a ten- and-a-half hour flight to Perth. It was a long haul but I kept myself occupied by watching nine episodes of The Simpsons and testing the effects of alcohol at 35,000 feet.

After a long wait to pick up luggage and get through customs, we finally arrived at the hotel some 24 hours after meeting at Birmingham Airport.

A much needed bed was climbed into at 4am local time and the alarm went off at eight. A bleary eyed peep through the curtains at the Perth Monday morning revealed rain - heavy rain.

Just the weather for Platypus's…

Click here for an introduction to Foz in Oz.