The Final Countdown:

Simon had the truck serviced, the brakes done and the dyno tuned. I fell down the stairs. Well, it wasn’t exactly planned, I slipped walking down one morning, but I severely sprained my ankle. So severely, in fact, that it was later found to have torn ligaments and tendons. The physio strongly suspected a stress fracture. It didn’t show up in x-rays but she was adamant there was a break. Three weeks on crutches, two weeks of physio, and it was time to go. I returned my crutches, switched to hiking boots with ankle support, gritted my teeth and packed LOTS of painkillers.

The weekend before we left we started packing the truck. As we were going on our own into very remote areas and out of season, we had to be totally self-sufficient. Simon and I both put together comprehensive lists of equipment and went through them endlessly. We bought non-perishable food and packed it into labelled boxes. Spares, cooking and camping equipment and a full first aid kit were purchased and packed. Electronic equipment was checked, rechargeable batteries were recharged, and the lists were ticked off a page at a time.

I counted the “sleeps” until it was time to leave, I was so excited!

My camera is a Sony H1 purchased not quite 2 years ago, with an optional tele converter lens for zoom photos. I decided I needed one. Do you know that the Sony has managed to move up to an H9 model in only 22 months! “The definition of obsolete? You just paid for it!”

Much to my joy I found the last lens in the country. Camera packed, bags packed, truck packed. I bought fresh vegetables, Chinese take-out, and a six-pack of Coke. We were ready to leave and celebrated by having Chinese with my dad and gran. An early start the next day chased my folks away, and we retired to bed. Last sleep!