COMING, READY OR NOT!

I am on the settee again (t.s.i.m.f.)

We went out for a walk today in Suffolk. Probably the last walk until I set off for Cornwall. So we did it well. The Star at Lidgate is a wonderful little pub, run by a wonderful lady whose cooking is honest, simple and wonderful, using the best local ingredients (okay the asparagus might not have been that local.)

Phil & I went for the 'value meal'; three courses for £15 or so, washed down with a lovingly poured IPA and some vibrant Rioja. The girls, ever conscious of their figures, went for a modest two courses.

Two hours later, we tumbled out of the pub, donned the boots and strode out into the afternoon's dull weather. We tried a few footpaths, but they were sticky Suffolk mud and so we resorted to the narrow little lanes, heading southish for an hour and a half. When we had gone south for enough, I dropped the pack and put up the tent, so Phil could see it for himself. He was right: In the dull Suffolk air it did look a little 'thin'. Hey Ho.

Stowed it all away and then started heading northish till we made it back to the pub in the last shreds of daylight.

I can't see myself getting any more time now for more walks until the 'off' in ten days time, as I have to get loads of stuff for work finished so I can leave it for four months.

And then, there's the Palm computer/mobile phone blogging chaos to sort out. Lynnie might have come up with a solution - she has some techy wizards at her work who may be able to help. I hate giving in to technology, but this time I am seeking help! I need a geek.

Two teeth to fix tomorrow morning (bottom right molars; should be fun...) and a haircut to organise (it's been eight weeks & I am now officially a hippy.)

The coats: Perhaps four is overkill? Now I have the TNF gilet I am thinking of dumping the XCR Goretex, as I should be warm enough on the tops in the shitty weather. Besides, that way I can keep my beautiful Paramo Velez. I must remember to take the hood for it.

I have sorted out the camera carrying problem.

All this is incredibly mundane crap, but there you go - it all has to be sorted before I go. In ten days time, none of this will matter, as all I have to do at the first end is put one foot in front of the other until I get to the far end. That's what its about, after all said and done.

On the way home, I had a call from 'Morpeth.' It's always tricky having a phone conversation with Morpeth, as he's a broad Geordie lad and it takes me ten minutes to retune my ears. I first met Pete in '95 between Tarfside and Edzell and spent a day nodding, mainly in blank amazement, at the total unintelligibility of the dialect. He is a wonderful man, who has terrible escapades with seagulls' teeth, German camera stealing hikers, and badgers. If I get time I will write a blog all about the world according to Morpeth.

Anyway- he will be walking with me with his friend Mike, from Bellingham to Morebattle, so that gives me something to look forward to. On this hike, I will be walking with loads of fascinating walkers, most of whom I know, some I don't.

It is all becoming quite real now. No more abstract planning. This is going to be a BIG walk. With long lonely bits, perhaps, but also with some stunningly good company. For the first time, tonight, sitting here on the settee (t.s.i.m.f.) I am beginning to feel the reality of it all.