Countdown at 20 days - getting very excited now! Full of cold at the moment, which is taking the edge off slightly but I'm sure I'll survive. Gear - just waiting for my Macpac Escapade 700 sleeping bag to turn up and I'm all set - the Maxpedition bags I treated myself to are quite fabulous. Finalising all my arrangments at home - sorting out Ant, the cats etc etc. I'm going to miss everyone so much, Ant especially. But all my friends and family too. Am just t...

Plans are really taking off now. ID docs sent to VPO, for checking. Should have to pay the balance for the volunteering next week. Flights all booked, and my long suffering father signed up to drive me to Manchester on March 7th. Spent a frustrating time inthe post office on Friday trying to send a moneygram to Kathmandu for the trekking - have given up on that idea and paid extra to pay by card instead - going with these guys : http://www.3sistersadventure.c...

Well, the big adventure starts! This week, my time off work has been agreed and the plans are starting to take shape. The trip is Nepal and Everest, volunteering with VPO and trekking with an as yet undecided group. Today I have a) started this blog, b) brought a Nepali phrase book and c) thought I must chase VPO.