Jurys Inn Derby

... 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

... dinner last Saturday - it was fantastic! And to say to my mum - can't wait for our second christmas dinner this Sunday - woohoo!

Very excited at the moment about going on our adventure - but going to miss all our fantastic friends and family!

Ash

Ps won't miss the cold mind. brrr.

Today, for the first time, I saw what it will all look like on the road - and now you can too. The pictures attached show everything that is to be taken (excluding what is kept on my person) in a loaded state.

As you can see I have eventually opted for panniers to drop the weight and it improves handling dramatically ...

... 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!

So I'm back in Stoke after my brief trip back to Cumbria (where, sadly I did not see everybody that I could have). I would just like to say now that if I didn't get a chance to catch up with anyone during the whirlwind that was the last couple of months then I'm sorry and I'll see you down the road.

With a little over 10 days til departure three goals need to be achieved:

1 ...

So there we have it - the ferry is booked! I will be taking the 'King of Scandanavia' out of the country at 1700 on the 5th December. It's another one of those milestone events that forces one to reflect on the reality of the situation; however fear has given way to anticipation on that score.

For a few hours yesterday I considered "copping out" with the Dover to Calais crossing - being cheaper ...

... 45 minutes while he takes his break, what a joke! We stop at a service station and I wait around while he takes his break and we get on our way again. Finally I arrive at Helena and Phil's house at 00:30 and sneak in a get straight to bed. What a day!!!

... to miss the jet setting life!

Descending through the cloud over Ireland, we get snatched glimpses of small bays being bombarded by waves and on the approach to the north of England it starts to rain. Touchdown and those words I have come to dread over many years of travelling, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Manchester". We taxi in through the pouring rain, stroll to reclaim all our bags and then meet Norah’s brother ...

... to visit another village or 2 before heading home. We hopped on the bus and went to the next village which was called Matlock Bath, however most things were closing as it was around 5 o'clock here and they don't stay open late on a Friday like we do in Australia. So we went to the local pub and had a drink, tea for me and beer for Brian before getting back on the bus. Next stop Belper and it was a very pretty small village. It is still very hot here around ...

... towards Glossop (which is the neighbour of Hadfield, better known as Royston Vasey-home of the League of Gentlemen). With no idea of where to stay the night I would find accommodation and then depart the next day for the 65 mile journey to Liverpool and at 10:30pm that evening I would be on the ferry and arrive at Belfast the following morning at 6:30am. But here I am down at my soon to be ex-local pub having a Guinness (my ...