Ok so I finished work four weeks ago (yeahhhhh!!!!) and don't think I have stopped since then. Lots of running about to get the house organised - what a lot of stuff I realise I have - trips to the dump/charity shop and deposits in freinds/families lofts!!! Sorting out all the admin for the house was a long boring job but it should now all be done.
Of course there were the fun parts - catching up with lots of people before I left and my leaving party. That was a blast - thanks to everyone who came along especially those who travelled some distance (London/Manchester/Aberdeen/Grimsby etc) it was great to see you all and of course to boogy away into the early hours with the old die hards............to the old favourites (Sit Down/Madness /Take That/Young at Heart). Few photo's ( I need to work on how to put these on a bit better)
A great big thank you to the guys from uni & partnersfor the cake - it was fantastic and tasty and of course to them and the guys from work for my new camera (Aileen & Ceri especially who organised it). I have now worked the basics out so expect lots and lots of photo's - no surprise there then!!! To James & Abbie for the beautiful flowers (we missed you guys), to Izzy for the compass (and Shona for the drunken lesson on how to use it), to Cecilia for the whistle, Sheena for the smellies, John & Stuart for the 100 meals their donation will buy me in India, Anne for the lovely good luck charms (I have them tucked safely away), Jo for my emergency 'Get Lucky' bag (forever the optimist) and to everyone who took me out and fed me up over the last few weeks and all the lovely cards/texts & e-mails I have received (sorry if I missed a personal messge to you but it is 4am and I am under pressure!!!).
I now have to introduce you to Ryan the Tiger, my mascot for my trip. Donated, in a fashion, by my godson Ryan and his little brother Kyle. He is to accompany me on my adventures to keep me out of trouble, give me a hug if I get a homesick moment (not likely!!!) and to appear in my photo's when I am on my lonesome - just so you know I have actually visited these places and not just downloaded photo's from the internet whilst sitting quietly at home.
I have booked my first couple of nights accomodation in Delhi and nothing else so far - but I am now being joined by Anji on the 8th of March who is much better organised than I am, Whilst I have been running around like a headless chicken she has been away and booked us a couple of weeks worth of trains/accomodation to visit some really interesting places that I will read up on in my Rough Guide tomorrow on the flight!!!! After that I will see which way the wind is blowing and head in the opposite direction...........
Well the two questions I keep getting asked are 'How are you feeling about all this?'and 'What are you taking?'
In answer to the first it still doesn't seem real - the only thing I feel just now is tired. The excitement and apprehension must hit me soon, probably when I get on the flight when I have nothing else to distract me for 13 hours (other than remembering all the things I have forgotten to do!!!).
And to the second - I am taking a rucksack and a daypck, three pairs of trousers (zip legged so double as shorts), a few t'shirts and shirts, a fleece, waterproofs, sleeping bag liner, mosquito net, first aide kit, wash bag (yes girls I have packed a lippy - so don't nag!!), undies, my thermals, camera, battery charger, MP3, suncream, insect repellant, hiking boots, trainers, sandals and a few books as well as my passport and Visa card(s). Doesn't seem a lot when I write it down but it was still a struggle to fit it all in the bag and don't forget I have to humph this thing everywhere!! Least my fitness should improve fairly quickly.
Anyway, as there is now less than 8 hours till I get on that flight I must go and have a mad panic attack and check what is still on my 'To Do' list (yes there is still a few things to be ticked off like dismantle the futon and put it in the loft and go to the post office!!!)
There are no excuses for not keeping in touch you have my blog, my e-mail and I have set up a Skype account for anyone who has access to this for a chat (same e-mail jakkinthegroove@aol.com). I expect to hear all the gossip from home and I am sure I will have a few (hundred) photo's to post soon.............
Bye for now.......
Jack
