Garth Stafford

... br>
Existential crisis averted; I then had to get a shuffle on to reach my final vaccination appointment at 10.50 in Crewe. I made it (just) and then had to do a few things in Crewe, including see some friends at my old work.

... And so it came to pass that it was 2.30 when Adam set off up the motorway, heading for the penultimate UK destination in this: the prologue of his great adventure

Wow - only one week to the day before we make our way down south to London town to stay in the very affordable 'heathrow' travel lodge.

Liz in in Manc saying goodbye to friends and family and i'm sorting the last bits out for the fresh box before we go.

Just wanted to say thank you to Ron and Sue for ...

... stuff is arranged as follows:

Pannier 1: Tent, Waterproof clothing and riding accessories
(Pocket: Puncture repair, inner tubes, diary, camera stand)

Pannier 2: Sleeping bag, Mattress, First Aid Kit, Miscellaneous items such as tape, cord, chargers and wires)
(Pocket: Toiletries, Spanish Phrasebook, Hip ...

... for now ;-)), I'm most excited about the sleeper train, it's so much more interesting then sitting in Manchester Airport for 4 hours! We'll be squeezing into a tiny cabin, with a triple bunk bed on an 11 hour journey...shutting the curtains in Germany and opening them in Denmark.....and it's cheaper (what with a lack of luggage limits saving me from extortionate Easy Jet add-ons!)

I'll keep updating this as I start booking hostels and buying things for Denmark!

... arrangements in this country.
2) Store or dispose of everything that I have been carting around in the car.
3) Sell the Car.

The end of this process is a watershed moment - from that point on it will be just me, my bike, and the belongings that I propose to carry on the bike... until the end of the journey. (duh duh duhhhh!)

Oh... and anybody wanna buy a Vauxhall Corsa?

... further south to start the journey in the light of the advancing winter - but as a man once said, "Go big, or Go home!" (I make no judgement as to whether he was a wise man). Starting in Amsterdam is more memorable and allows me to pass through three more countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) for the sake of an additional day or two on the road.

The countdown is at 15 days and 21 hours...

Last working hump day today so am on the home straight now. 2 working days left. Fly off in a weeks time (less than actually as leave Weds in the morning) so its 7 more sleeps to go.

Already this week is picking up speed and final things are coming together which is a relief - I am really quite organised (shock horror that won't surprise many of you). Finished yesterday at one clinic ...

Ten more sleeps - yippee.
Woke this am not to the sound of rain as in the previous how ever many mornings but to the sound of the shop across the road opening up - ok it was 9.30am, and I had a lovely little lie in.
Weather actually ok - didn't rain for the first time in over a week, and the sun actually shone today. I'm getting sick of getting soaked wherever I go and hanging for some warmth from sunshine - an alien concept ...

... Boat article. Changed into shorts!! Very warm. Moved to Rugeley and went to Morrisons. Sent email to Canal Boat, with article and photo captions. Also posted our claim form to our insurers for the propeller which we had damaged on the Lancaster Canal. Doris Armstrong went past on Liberator, as well and David and Sue Botham on Amethyst. Moored again by Taft Bridge.

Sat 12th September

No boating today. BBQ at lunchtime very good. Lots of people there including the ...

... within inches of the face of the street fronted terrace houses along the other side. The journey is only about 4-5 klms as the crow flies and I have run much further than where my work is on many occasions, however the still dark early morning, and the food and clothing I have brought with me prevents any thought of getting in any exercise. With my watch showing 6.20am I climb down from the bus leaving the driver to his solitude and in the early morning light, make my way to my place of work.