We’re All Ready (probably)
After years of hoping, months of planning, and what’s felt like weeks of packing, we’re finally ready for the off!
From something that for years was a long distance dream, this walk has suddenly become very much a reality. The last week has seen a lot of the final details coming together, this web site is up and running with blogs posted, pictures loaded and video links tested.
The last of the campsites have been booked in an marathon session of crystal ball gazing, I now know where I’ve got to be every night between 14th March and 12th July. The need to book campsites so far in advance is very much a double edged sword, on the one hand it means we’re sure of somewhere to stay every night, but it’s also committed us to a pretty rigid schedule. The Plan has a number of rest days built in which will allow some degree of flexibility but for someone who prefers a more informal approach it’s something of a shock to realise that on the 21st June we will be at Loch Clunie! Oh for a return to 1976 when I was dropped off at Edale and wandered north at a pace I could manage and without much more of a plan than, “I’ll finish at Kirk Yetholm”.
Anyway, all the gear and clothes have all been sorted, washed, packed, unpacked, checked, lost, found and finally repacked.
Eventually this morning it all came to a head with everything being stacked in the dining room for a final check.
Arthur and the pile of stuff, he’s not so much guarding it as making sure he’s included.
Final checks completed and everything was shoved packed into the van, everything in its right and proper place, or at least somewhere it would fit.
Interestingly although I’m intending to be away for at least a couple of months and Sandra will be coming home only occasionally before then, we’re not taking much more than we’d take for a few days away! Just a few more clothes and more tea bags, coffee, beer and other essentials.
Arthur making sure he’s included in the final loading arrangements.
Now it’s just a case of making sure the house is ready to be left and jumping in the van tomorrow.
The garden this morning, 13th March, the crocuses and daffodils are in bloom but the rest of the garden is still in its winter hibernation. Odd to think that when I finish in July it will be high summer and the garden will be in full bloom.