I want to be a Netjetter.

I am fifty, fairly fit and fed-up. I am overworked, underpaid (public sector - worthy work but worthless pay) and impoverished by student offspring. I am ready to receive my reward in heaven - travelling.

I have long been consumed with the desire to travel. Pre-divorce, it was camping and car-sick children, with an occasional trip to France. It is one of life's small mysteries as to why all teachers are such Francophiles. In seven post-divorce years I have only been able to manage three holidays: a first-time skiing trip to Italy - experiencing an equal measure of terror and exhilaration; a walking trip in Romania - feeling a curious mixture of envy and guilt at the simple but harsh peasant life; and a cheap week in Kefalonia where the beauty of the island took my breath away every single day. I am currently saving for a trip to Nepal. At this rate I will have to live to the age of 150 to make a small dent on where I want to go.

My just-graduated son is also applying to be a Netjetter but I say to him and all the young: sod off. Let him watch Big Brother and read The Beach [not bother with the film]. He will have other chances. Which of us would be the most excited by the adventure, the most awe-struck by of the wonders of this planet, the most appreciative of the diversity of its cultures? I would consider it an honour to represent the Shirley Valentines and Bridget Joneses of this world. I would try my hardest to live up to all the dreams of middleagedwomankind - we are a feisty lot!

Where do I want to go? EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE - definitely every continent. I do not know if a detailed itinerary is required. I can't be bothered to work that out now. It is too exciting just to think about the whole concept. I will just throw out a few places high on my wish list: Prague, Krakow, St Petersburg, on to China, Nepal, into India, join the backpackers in South-East Asia, pop to Australia and New Zealand, across to South America, any part will do but must include Peru, up to the Caribbean, I suppose I must include the States, if only to test out my long-held prejudices, Canada if time... I have just looked at an atlas and realised I have missed out Africa! I am sure I can fit it in somewhere.The beauty of six months and a world-wide ticket would be the freedom to be side-tracked, to be guided by other travellers and Guardian Unlimited readers, to go where the nose or the eyes lead. My heart is beating so fast just thinking about it.

I may not have a job to come back to. I would certainly have a lot of debts. It would be well-worth it! I could live off the memories for the same amount of time it would take me to pay off the debts - probably the rest of my life. My family [apart from my son] and colleagues think I am mad to even apply - I probably am... but I can dream.

I want to be a Netjetter.