With only eight days to leaving for Scotland, Mission Control is looking slightly dishevelled. The room is covered in walking kit, boxes and enough food for the Five Thousand. Perhaps it would be easier just to take the loaves and fishes. But a five day food parcel is being sent off today to our first night “inside” at a B&B in Spean Bridge.
The gear has been checked over and is fine. No new purchases required. The body, on the other hand, well, the body could do with a little attention but there’s not enough money in the world to sort that out, so this one will just have to do.
There has been a minor hiatus with Dave though, and he is currently being checked over by the mechanics at his local A&E and surgery. He still expects to rendezvous with us at the pub in Queen Street station though. He’s ‘Ard, is our Wilky. Apparently he is over-inflated and might need potions to reduce the pressure.
He has still to get a new pair of walking boots. The last pair went back as they had a problem. This could be a problem in itself. At this rate, he might end up being the first bare-foot Challenger.
I get panicky emails almost daily from Andy, (who has sorted out accommodation; I was routes and transport) thankfully, that remind me of the things I have still yet to do. I must patch up my overtrousers’ various holes with gaffer tape!
With thanks to Michael from Norn Iron, for the music buffs amongst the congregation, I thought would leave you with a little of Beethoven’s Fifth. It’s what life should be all about!
Hmmm, yes. Parcels to be posted on Thursday. I hope. Wish I had a spare room to spread out my kit, but I think the lounge may become overwhelmed with it on Tuesday. After the deep clean before Laura arrives for a sleepover on Wednesday. Oh Lor', I need to cook a proper meal for that!! Where's my list?
ReplyDeleteThe "List" is everything. We should all bow down and worship the list.
DeletePerhaps Laura could help with the deep clean? She won't need to do one at her place if she's coming to yours...
You could always try out one of your dehydrated jobs on Laura. No washing up then either!
:-)
Not sure about that picture, but your words have engendered a certain nervousness. My calculation is/was I have next weekend to get organised and then a few more days as contigency and to book accomodation and send parcels. It looks like you are not only experienced and ahead in your planning but you have a team on the job.
ReplyDeleteHi Paul.
DeleteThat 'picture' is a jolly good video. Click on it and it will amuse.
It's good to have a team on the job. I'm very good at devolving responsibility to those that like taking charge! Andy has done a sterling job.
See you at Morar!
:-)
Will you be posting your kit list Alan ? Love music video for congregation.
ReplyDeleteOoh - I am not really into kit lists... I just take the stuff that hasn't got holes in it (and some stuff that has... the overtrousers spring to mind here) and a spare pair of shreddies and socks.
DeleteIf I get time, I might jot a few things down.
:-)
Think I've missed my vocation....I wonder how she figured out that she was good at that?
ReplyDeleteOh, C'mon! I can't believe you haven't tried already...
Delete:-)
Hey - it's harder than it looks
DeleteI'll second that!
Delete:-)
Stef;
DeleteI now have a ghastly image stamped on my frontal lobes...
Sheesh!
What a wonderful rendition of the Classics.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me to pack my inflatable pillow.
Time to check my list..
Nope, I'll just pack it and hope...
Nope, did that last year, took way too much and got an ear bashing for it...
I'll make a list :)
A bit cheeky, but what a performance.
ReplyDeleteOn to less serious stuff.
You have to have a list Al.
She'll never be out of work with a skill like that. She could take that right round the world.
DeleteList...
A bit late as I have just posted my parcel... and forgotten to put the spare batteries in it.
Maybe I'll write a list.
No list required, Alan.
ReplyDeleteJust copy Andrew's.
But don't forget the one bit of life saving gear that Andrew has missed off of his list.
You noticed that missing bit of kit too?
Delete:-)
How will he cope?
YOU BASTARD's :)
ReplyDeleteOoh! I wonder if Andy has realised what it is then? You would have thought he would be grateful really...
Delete:-)
I believe it is all a dastardly plot.
DeleteUnless it was the x 10 factor on the medecine measure I was out by :)
Love that girls Arse though!
ReplyDeleteCan I say that?
Certainly not. I'll tell Lucy...
Delete:-)
Having viewed the video I have to say that it presents a pretty stark warning to any slower Challengers what sight they may have to endure should the duct tape repairs to the overtrousers not last.
ReplyDeleteIn which case I should let Dave & Andy take the lead. I shall bring up the rear.
DeleteI shall bring up the rear. What a ghastly image.
DeleteDo you suppose she had to audition for this....?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if she ever needs the services of a prompt? I could help out there...
DeleteThis is really impressive, Alan. A week to go and your kit is already out? Ours is in the post from Bob and Rose. Printed some maps today, though, and confirmed our room at one of the shooting lodges we are visiting (in view of dire warnings about accommodation for Challengers).
ReplyDeleteHope to see you in Braemar (or Q St) if you leave it late to leave.
Sounds like Andy needs a new list - half the essentials seem to be missing - are you acting as his porter for the missing items?
Surprising, really. I still have jobs to do though - patch the overtrousers (I can still see me going with torn trousers) and buy gas and food for the leg to Spean Bridge.
DeleteWe'll be at Queen Street quite early on Thursday morning, but we are not leaving there until the lunchtime train. It would be a shame to miss out on the second & third parties. (The first being on the sleeper going up on Wednesday night, the second at Queen Street itself and the third on the train to Morar.)
Sounds like Andy needs a new list - half the essentials seem to be missing - are you acting as his porter for the missing items?
ReplyDeleteWith friends like you lot, who needs enemies :)
Anyway Al, I won't be on the train, I will still be looking for these so called missing £***ing items.
You're horrible you lot are!
Sounds like I'll be waiting at the start point again this year then...
DeleteIt'll be double penalties this year as there'll be me AND Dave this time... That's a lot of beer penalties.
:-)
Seriously though, mate, you have worked out the missing piece, haven't you?
Seriously though, mate, you have worked out the missing piece, haven't you?
DeleteWell, IF there is a missing piece, which I do not believe there is, then NO.
So let's hope that it is not pivotal to the success of the Challenge, whatever it is or isn't.
And, how is Dave?
And, where are we meeting up in London next Wed?
I say that, because you didn't reply to my email.
I'll know more on both those answers by Thursday evening.
Delete:-)
So impatient!
:-)
I know :)
DeleteI am working on it :)
Talk soon.
I have got to the point where I am ready to go. Waiting until next Wednesday is hard. I am demob happy.
Shame about the missing bit of kit though :(
We arrive 11.14 and get a bus to Ardrishaig at 2pm, so will see you at Q St. You will of course be force fed with shortbread. That's why, of course, Alan R has lost so much weight, he hasn't been on a walk with Sue recently...
ReplyDeleteOh Goooody! Do we get cuddles with the shortbread too?
Delete(From Sue, that is.)
Alan, just in case you don't post again before the 'off', good luck with the weather, fitness and dealing with the attentions of that certain type of female who is attracted to the honed and rugged athlete; don't get distracted.
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Byeways. Very nice of you.
Delete"Honed rugged athlete...
Yes. I'd love to be a honed rugged athlete.
Andy's the athletic type. Perhaps he could carry my pack while I attend to the certain type of women?
That would work.
Can I just add that I speak from no personal experience in this matter. Absolutely none.
DeleteThat's a very risky strategy, Alan, he may nick the things he's forgotten. That would leave you up .... without a ....!
ReplyDelete