Easter came and went and it was the first time I’ve been back to the UK since June 2009 when I Ieft to start the Best Job in the World.

Since then life has been exciting, fun-filled and fast-paced with tours of the US, Canada, Japan and New Zealand all in the name of promoting Queensland to the world markets. They trips have given me a much greater understanding of the experiences and products which are on offer in my new home state and I’ve been able to chat extensively with the operators as to how they selll their products to the world. It’s a fascinating insight into how hard some of them work trying to eek just a few more customers to the other side of the world to sample the delights of Queensland.

This photo is from the last night of ‘Queensland on Tour’ in Manchester. Al and the gang I have travelled around with for the last few days have really reminded me quite how welcoming Queenslanders are – we even managed to get people to smile on the London Underground…one of the most challenging jobs on the planet!

Whilst in London I popped into The Travel Channel to appear on the Holiday Show and had a great ten minute interview with Gareth and Ginny all about the wonders of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. The show appeared six times over two days! Great coverage.

But there’s nothing quite like going home and I dived back down to Hampshire for four days back in my old stomping ground which gave me a chance to catch up with family and friends finally. Wow what a difference 10 months can make, my little nephews aren’t that little any more and Evie my little niece is just divine!

Four days sitting still though isn’t the way I live my life so Easter Monday instead became another day of work.

First stop – BBC Radio Solent to talk to Julian Clegg the presenter who has been massively supportive of my endeavours over the last few months and years so it was only right that I returned the favour and sat in the studio with him talking about the last few months adventures and what’s in the pipeline for the coming months.

Second stop – Ropley School, the school where I honed my swimming skills and “became practically a fish myself” – that now famous line from my Best Job application video.

Clare and Zoe have been raising funds over the last few months to buy a new liner as the pool at the school (it’s very rare in the UK to have a pool at a junior school) as its closure had been threatened. I have to say a massive congratulations to them on raising the £22,000 needed and fundraising is still going on to now fund a new changing facility there. I recorded a film for them to use at their Spring Ball which takes place in May. Good luck.

I was very happy to start a twinning between Ropley School and Blackall School which I visited in the Queensland Outback a few weeks ago, talks are ongoing between them so the children can learn from each other about their very different ways of life! Another good job done.

Third stop – Into Petersfield to meet Nick Keith of ‘Life in Petersfield‘ magazine who again have been massively supportive of my adventures and followed Afritrex and the Best Job’s every move. There is an annual awards ceremony held in the town, this year taking place on April 16th and I have been nominated for ‘Petersfield Personality of the Year‘. WOW – who would have ever thought! We recorded a short film to be shown at the ceremony as I won’t be able to make it…but he wouldn’t tell me who has won! Watch this space.

My training is continuing in earnest as I prepare for two huge running challenges this year and they’re getting closer. The Comrades Ultra Marathon on May 30th in South Africa at 89kms/52 miles and then just a month later the Gold Coast Marathon on July 3/4th.

I try and run as often as possible in whatever weather is thrown at me but forcing myself out of doors in the UK spring isn’t as easy as Brisbane I can tell you!

And now the next leg of ‘Still The Best Job in the World’ continues with a flight to Hong Kong, China and Taiwan taking off very shortly.

No rest for the wicked…and I feel WICKED right now!

Ben