The Grail Court Hotel Burton upon Trent

... 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.

... 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 ...

Well, my little adventure begins here, in Stoke-on-Trent!

I found out about going to Denmark in September, and since then I've been planning how to get there. At first I look at getting the plane straight to Copenhagen, but that's a far too mediocre start. Instead, I'm travelling (with my Mum and Brother) via train on the following route -

1st Class train from Stoke-on-Trent to London
1 Night in a London Hostel
Eurostar to Cologne via Brussels
1 Night ...

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 ...

... A new form of fly away hair mine was fly everywhere.
I am dreaming of sitting on my parents decking in the morning sunshine eating a whole fresh mango (juice dripping type - yum) for breakfast reading the morning paper (prob be the Geelong Addy as thats Dad's usual, which I don't luv but at least its not footy season so I won't have to read just about the Cats). Bring it on I say.

... 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!!!

Wednesday 17th June

We are awake at 6am and finish off the last bits of packing. Yes, after six months in Portugal it’s finally time to leave for home. Our preparations with Susan are completed and she is ready to continue with local staff and run the guest house through the summer.

It’s a bright, sunny morning with the temperature already in the high teens. A quick tea and toast and we load the car, where Bonnie ...

... this week, it has indeed been not myself, but the lovely patrons of the Sneyd Arms that have said the darndest things. A selection: - Your name doesn't happen to be Sheila does it? (customer) - Do you know what a wench is? (same customer, and yes, I do) - After the question on quiz night 'what's the highest mountain in ENGLAND', someone called out, 'are we including Scotland as part of England?' (Um, my guess would be...NO) - The following is a ...