Three weeks to go

Three weeks to go

and an eerie calm has settled in the Constant household. The equipment is bought, technology sorted out, vaccinations almost done, and I finish teaching at the end of the week. After four years of planning it looks like we are actually going. Thats if, of course, we manage to actually lift the massive appendages we are supposed to be carrying on our backs, not to mention walk anywhere further than the nearest pub. Not that we are taking anything which isn’t entirely essential, of course. And I do intend to actually learn to play the guitar strapped on the back. As I keep telling Gary.
Contrary to all hallucinatory expectations, no obscenely rich backer has emerged from the big business woodwork to fund our little jaunt, a temporary oversight I am magnanimously prepared to forgive in light of the fact that the diary page has been out of action for a few months. Obviously now that we are back up again that situation will alter, and I await the imminent arrival of your fat contributions. Don’t all jump at once.
We had a very funky weekend up in Wales test-driving all the camping equipment, which passed with flying colours. More than I can say about the car, which decided to choose North Wales in the rain to quietly shit itself. At least on foot it is only us that can (and most probably will) break down. It was a bit of a revelation to go camping in equipment which actually works, as averse to my cherished childhood memories of waking in the middle of the night to a dripping A- frame tent and flat lilo. Outdoor equipment is one area which has definitely benefited from the technological revolution. They even have multi-fuel stoves now, which should come in handy when the whiskey runs out.
The next major challenge is attempting to sort out our paperwork. I’m doing quite a good job of avoiding that today, don’t you think?