ZERO DAYS AND DEPARTING NOW!

I AM ON MY WAY!

Well after a mighty big Pancake Party for my send off last night, i packed the final few bits in my ever expanding 'day' pack (its officially up to 10kg now!) and left for the station for the beginning of my journey Northwards to the starting point for my walk....

After a rousing hot chocolate send off at St Albans (you may be noticing a chocolate theme developing?!), i met my intrepid traveller of a mum at Kings Cross who was there to send me off with a proper royal wave!! I think she was more concerned that i may not get on board the train at the last minute and instead divert myself off for a months Spa retreat in Penzance, but she was reassured that i was on board as she saw with her own (newly treated!!) eyes that i was really going!

The train journey was brightened up by my first conversations with 'new people' that i am sure will be many along my journey! The Strutt & Parker 'Train boys' gave me many kind words of encouragement & helped me feel more positive about my challenge ahead, but it took all my will power not to disembark with them at Edinburgh and stay on board the train for the last 3 hours up to Inverness where i am staying tonight! Their evening sounded way more fun than my first night at the 'Youth' Hostel but i hope i will be pleasantly mistaken!

I will be so excited when i am back in Edinburgh in around 2.5 - 3 weeks as i will have covered most of Scotland at that point and will have my first DAY OFF to look forwards to in the beautiful city! Bring it ON!!

Gone (ok not completely gone, but slightly hiding away) are the excited thoughts about what a wonderful 'Walk in the Country' it will be and instead they are replaced with trepidation and worry about how good my iPhone sat nav will be when i need it most! My wonderful house buddie Adriana gave me a fab solar charger for my phone and the rest of my electrical store, so i will be monitoring its 'robustness' and let you know if i can recommend it! (i wish it were powerful enough to charge an electric scooter with as it may have widened my transport options for the future?!)

And as i head further into these Scottish Highlands, i am looking more and more nervous here in seat C43 as the MOUNTAINS are looking ginormous and the landscape more and more moonlike! Oh HECK! i can even see snow!! Where is my woolly scarf? Oh yes, i remember, no room to pack it!

Ok, but JOKING ASIDE (!) i am looking forwards to my travels and hope you enjoy my journey with me..... i do see it as a (Massive!) adventure to tell the children and grandchildren and whether it ends in success and completion or an unexpected detour along the way, its all part of lifes rich tapestry and reminds me that its not necessarily about the destination but more about enjoying the journey.