Thanks for all your responses!

In terms of route, visas etc etc, you really shouldn't underestimate how early the stages of this plan are So far I'm aiming for 3 years time, and for the total trip to last approx 2.5 years (with a few months in New Zealand to have a break and hopefully work for a bit). Other than that, I'm really very much at the research and learning stage in terms of route-planning, visas etc. But I figured that now was as good a time as any to scope out other potential companions, and then as things got more concrete we'd hopefully be looking at similar ideas and could slot it all together.

I do take on your point Valygrl about the difficulties of being able to get on with someone well enough for it to work, and realistically there is a risk of falling-out partway round, which I'd need to be prepared for. I suppose I was thinking that a total of four might be a good number for reducing this from happening, but increasing the number of people brings its own complications.

Thanks for all the website suggestions, and also the suggestion of joining the women's forum. I will use this information and hopefully get some more inspiration!

Sarah :-)