Entry One, 16/02/09, 21:02 GMT

And we’re off. Welcome to my blog about my trip to Afghanistan reporting on Kent's troops out in the field.

I hope you enjoy reading about my experiences and I’ll try to make this as honest an account as I can of my experiences.

I’m at a comfy, rustic hotel in Minster Lovell which is around five minutes' drive from RAF Brize Norton where I fly from at 7am Tuesday (February 17).

I’ll be going to sleep soon to try to get my last bit of shuteye in a bed for the next week. I can’t help thinking this blog is going to be a therapeutic tool for me over the coming seven days.

I’ve spoken to my parents and my girlfriend for the last time for a while. I won’t be able to switch on my phone in Afghanistan so I’m left feeling a little lonely right now. But overall my feeling is excitement. What is waiting round the corner? A 14-hour flight that’s what.