Travelodge Telford Shawbirch

... by 9.30 but about 9.50 I realised that I was stalling: the huge reality of the situation was causing me to shy away and dither rather than taking action - it was probably behind my stomach cramps too. :-)

This was not really a surprise - the North Staffs (and South Cheshire) region has been my primary area of residence for 10 of the last 12 years, and is the only place I have lived where ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

... for a few days; thanks Steve. :-)

This week will consist mainly of waiting for my next vaccination and another set of goodbye drinks but the process of refining the contents of the pack is practically neverending. Tonight i started filling plastic baggies with spices and wondering idly whether or not they will get me arrested at customs... might have to reconsider the larder options.

For those of you who've never been to Telford, I might be doing it a favour by writing this much about it. The polite description is that it is a largely unsuccessful 1960's experiment in urban planning. The surrounding countryside is stunning though - not that I saw a lot of it!

... New Zealand.. (5:30am)

Where have I been ...