£24 of the realm it has cost me to send my two resupply boxes and one box of clothes today.  But they are on their way to the two very kind SYH that will hold them for me. While the clothes are on the way to the sign in point at Montrose.

Now I have a weigh in on my whole TGO pack which includes food of 13.5 kilos.

My food parcels were weighed at around the 3 kilo mark when I sent them earlier. So somewhere I have gained 3.5 kilos from earlier in the year. I need to repack and see if there is stuff I put in for the "just in case", I'll go through it all again when I meet up with Dave tomorrow as well.

Although having said that I had a target of 10 kilos without the food. So it's good that I'm not too far off that, for what is basically my first long trip like this.

No I should feel proud of this. Now all I have to do is work out where the cuddly Little Chicken toy will go! Don't ask...

Well it has been a relaxed afternoon (no kids around). Went to the gym that Kate is a member of, we had a swim, sauna (I hate them as I don't do heat), and some time in the jacuzzi. Afterwards we had a drink and light lunch, while reading the papers. Very relaxing, and great to spend some quality time with Kate before I go off to Scotland.

Since then we watched some recorded tv together. Which gave me a chance to check that the contents of the resupply boxes were all there, before sealing them up and addressing them for posting tomorrow.

It's funny I'm getting paranoid about any little ache or pain, cough or snivel that I have. Just incase they develop in the next couple of days into something that will throw a spanner in the works.

Two days and I start travelling north, the thought gives me butterflies in my tummy. Phew after all this time it is finally arriving, all the planning has been geared towards this moment. It's almost emotion folks... 

Well I finally got round to playing with breakfast and dessert for the crossing.

Recipe for Angel Delight:

1 packet of Angel Delight

2.5 tablespoons of Dried Milk

1 Cup of Water

Add all dry ingredients together, add the water and mix. Leave to set for about 5-10 mins.

Recipe for Instant Oats: 

1 packet of Instant Oats

1.5 tablespoons of Dried Milk

half Cup of Water

Add all ingredients together in pot, mix and heat until hot.

Note: The Cup measurment is most likely the American Cup, as I am using the protective pot cover that comes with the Jetboil that also doubles as  a measuring cup.

Note: I am also using the Morrisons own brand Dried Skimmed Milk.

I thought it important that I master the above before going on the Challenge. You know get quantities right etc. Well they all worked out rather well, and the Angel Delight passed the Nathan taste test with flying colours ^_^ It wasn't too keen on the Instant Oats as he didn't like the flavour I had chosen.

I've now rebagged all the Angel Delights and Instant Oats into new bags with the correct amounts of Dried Milk, and they are in the resupply boxes. Tomorrow is posting day.

So meal wise I have the following:

Evenings:

instant noodles with mushrooms, tuna and chilli flakes

chicken korma + rice

turkey laab + rice

chilli + rice

thai green curry (chicken) + rice

instant custard or angel delight

Breakfast:

Instant Oats

During the day:

Gorp (nuts and dried fruit)

Beef Jerky

Salmon Jerky

Chocolate

Fruit snack bars

Mini Jaffa Cakes

Mini Oreo Cookies

Cuppa Cous Cous

dried fruit

Drinks:

Coffee

Herbal Tea

Condensed Milk to use with coffee

I've gone with a lot of snacky stuff that I hope will tempt me to eat. As usually I loose my appetite on the hill. So I need stuff I will eat during the day.

New accessories for my Jetboil!!! The hanging kit, a frying pan, utensil kit, and a cargo cozy kit for use with the utensils. This is very sad I know, but this has me excited. And I will be getting these once I'm back from Scotland ready for car camping trips (frying pan, and 2 litre pot) and I'l see if the utensils will replace the other bits I have.

The final weekend before the Challenge. A time to review kit, make last minute adjustments, and generally absorb the fact that this time next week will be the second day of the crossing.

Well for a Saturday I'm was woken by the dogs going ballistic. Whenever the dogs go ballistic it usually means some-one is at the door. It must be very intimidating to whoever is on the other side of the door to hear our mutts going mad trying to get at them. But this morning they were telling me the postman was there, with my Inov8 Roclite 315's.

So naturally I have been out with them while I walk the dogs this morning. Wore them with the new gaiters as well (see picture below), so a kinda mini road test. Now for me there wasn't a massive difference to notice when wearing them. Well there wouldn't be considering that I made the move to trail shoes/trainers nearly two years ago now. So no "oh these are so much lighter than boots" moment when I put them on - sorry Inov8.

They felt comfortable, and fitted well. Although I noted a potential place where blisters might occur. And that is basically at the back of the heal. So I will keep an eye on that over the weekend. Just to see if that does start to happen.

And the nice thing is I can reuse the box they came in as a resupply box ^__^ Which allows me the excuse to put in a picture of my meal/resupply staging post.

You won't believe this, but for the first time in my life I visited a scrap yard to get a wing mirror for one of the cars. What an experience that was. They pretty much leave you to it, while you find the right car to scavange bits from. But a tenner for the wing mirror was a very good price.

This time next week Dave and I will be at the end of our first day of walking, have fed ourself and probably thinking about getting some sleep.

Well I called Hike Lite today, and apparently they didn't have the colour Inov8's I wanted. Funny thing is I don't remember asking for a particular colour. Anyway they are going to send the colour they do have, so the shoes should be here tomorrow now.

Well the gaiters turned up today (excellent service from PlanetFear). No sign of the Ronhills though.

Finally got round to calling the SYH's that Dave and I need to send resupply boxes to for our crossing. Both have agreed to let us send boxes to them. And I'm very grateful to them for letting us do this. They seemed very helpful indeed.

Ordered my Roclite 315's today from Hike-Lite, and they should be here tomorrow. Oh and most likely won't be here tomorrow, as just after writing that doppy passed on a message that Hike-Lite called and asked me to call them. Home for two and half hours and Dan never said a word about any messages. Not a peep until I mention in another conversation about him being around for a dishwasher repair man, and not missing the postman, did he think to mention it!!! I tell you if brains were dynamite I'm in the safest place in the world at the moment.

Things are coming together, just in time by the looks of it. Or was.

I have to say this has felt like there has been more effort in the planning to get Dave and myself from one side of Scotland to the other, than there ever was in the illegal invasion of Iraq by Bush and his cronies.

Over on an OM Forum they are discussing the predicted change in this good weather that is due to happen next week.

The Met Office say the following:

"UK Outlook for Sunday 6 May 2007 to Tuesday 15 May 2007:

Although the fine, warm weather looks like lasting into Sunday, more especially in the east, the emphasis for next week is on more unsettled and noticeably cooler conditions. Rain or showers will fall in most areas at times, probably quite heavy in parts of the north and west. However, further south and east, the rainfall may not be sufficient to make up for the recent very dry conditions. Temperatures will fall towards normal and with generally breezy weather it will often feel cool. Indeed strong winds or even gales may occur in the exposed north and west. Some drier and brighter spells are still likely between the rain and showers, with a hint of more in the way of dry and slightly warmer weather into the following weekend and beyond.."

So I suppose it's carry on as usual, pack for the worst and hope for the best.

While you are waiting for me to read Trail and comment on the lightweight special nip on over to OM once again and read this thread. There is a link to a thread on the Country Walking forums that discuss this on the OM thread I link to. Plus John Hee mentions he has already made some comment on his blog. Sorry I'm directing you to what to read on the OM forum. That is very presumptious of me to think that you will find this interesting. Anyway I'm hoping that Matt will respond to PTC on the Country Walking forums, may have to read it after the match tonight and email Matt with some questions.

Well it had to happen, I'm 39 today.

Right onto the important things.

First up, from comments posted on this blog on Sunday, on the OM forums, word of mouth, and over at Mr TGO himself Cameron McNeish's blog, it appears the early indicators are that the BPC AGM and Lightweight Fest was a roaring success. Well done, I'm so glad that it went so well, and look forward to hopefully being able to attend next years (depending on location).

This evening I've been finishing off some of my meals for the Challenge. Started to get food into resupply boxes ready to be posted. Even tested a recipe for a Guiness Beef stew, that yesterday I was worried wasn't looking right when cooking. But today after a bit longer in the oven came together nicely. This count down in the title of each blog entry really does help focus you on the things that need to be done. You think "oh I need to do X" or "can I get Y intime?" Which reminds me I need to get a pair of Ronhill tracksters for the Challenge...

"Deep throat" (my inside source) at Backpackinglight.co.uk tipped me the nod and wink that there will be new goodies cropping up on the site soon. One I'm excited about as I have been a fan of the bit of kit for a loong time, and been using it for a couple of years now. Also "Deep throat" said that there is an exclusive interview podcast coming out soon as well.

Well what I thought would be happening today hasn't. How cryptic is that? Anyway when it does you can be assured that I will blog about it here ^_^

Soooo much to blog about. But where to start? That is the question.

I know the shock news of the day for me was Bob has the Nalgene Folding canteens in stock. Especially when I've talked to Bob today before I found this out. Did he mention this then? NO... I had to read it on Andy Howell's blog. What did Bob say to me? "well it was on the site"! Read all these blogs, write my own AND monitor Bob's site for updates!! I have a life you know? ... err ok hands up not much of one, but still I do have one ;) Well I've managed to get a 1.5 litre one put aside for me. Phew!!! 

Onto another Andy now, Andy Howell in fact. Andy has blogged today that I am in the finals of that Kleenex Spaces comp. But I'm not (just try voting for me). I came top in the group I was in. BUT overall I wasn't one of the top ten most voted for blogs. Hence not in the final. I should say I thank you to those that voted for me, which IIRC was about 26 or 27 people in total. It was very kind, and I didn't know my mum had access to the internet to vote that many times ^__^

Next up my mystery goodies turned up today for making up my sub 2 kilo fanny pack wild camping kit. That's all I'm saying on this at this point in time. More later in the year on this.

A BIG BIG THANK YOU to Dawn, who made me a midge net for the tarp (I'll try and get some piccies at the weekend). Now Dave describes a tarp with a midge net as a tent without ends...there is just no educating some people ;) Dawn also included in the package a get well card, and a dvd called Lighten Up!: An Ultralight Makeover. Now I have something to take my mind off the 1-0 defeat of Liverpool T_T

Now onto Dave. I talked with Dave earlier, and even if I have the "man flu" I'm still going up to take part in the Challenge. The options I had was not to go and pull out, OR go and do a low level route instead. Discussed this second option with Dave, and if I am still with "man flu" then I will do our Foul Weather Alternative instead an meet Dave at the camp spot in the evening. And lets face it, the route is only really a guideline, on the ground conditions may change some of the pre-walk decisions anyway.

Next up Dave has also been a star and managed to solve my gaiter problem. I.e. it now looks like I will be able to get my hands on the gaiters that I want for the Challenge. It was looking grim in finding suitable ones to use with Inov8's. Paramo said their short gaiters weren't suitable due to the design of the Inov8's but were fine with other trail/approach shoes.

Oh yesterday I forgot to say that I got the YHA to resend me a membership card, as my new one never arrived this year. So that is on it's way.

There will be a BIG blog news story this coming Monday. But more then. Oh I'm a tease aren't I.

Is how the Doctor described my "man flu" when I went and saw him today.

Another batch of those oh so effective antibiotics (tongue firmly in cheek there), and a new lot of tablets as well (little red ones) that I have to take six of a day.

I did stress how important it was to the Doctor I was fit for doing the Challenge which is 18 days away now. And under my breathe muttered that I would personally hold him liable if I was not cured by then.

So when Emma on her blog wrote "Short but sweet...." 

"I umm-ed and argh-ed about whether or not to go despite viral chesty cough thing..." and "Sadly, on the way up to the camp, the chest thing totally got the better of me. I just couldn't get enough air in..."

This got me worried, as if this hasn't cleared up by the Challenge, here is a bit of what I have to look forward to. As some of you out there know there is a bit of ascent on this route, with a particularly hard day three.

I know one thing if I don't make the Challenge I will be gutted. And that may be a reality I have to face. The other "life events" at home seem on target for me going. So it is just this "man flu" that needs killing off ASAP, and is my main threat now to going.

There maybe another option but I need to discuss that with Dave.

In the meantime my waterproof or is it resistent note book has come from the US today. I'm going to use this to hold notes for the Challenge like useful numbers, route notes (especially the great advice I was given by people), and then with any spare pages I'll use for notes as I go along on the Challenge.

Over at Backpackinglight.com they have a review of the "Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn Tarp" which I have to read yet. But what grabbed my attention to this is that it has a claimed weight of 8oz!!!!!

Now I just need to sort out recharging my phone (an MDA Pro) while I'm on the Challenge. Now Roman over in his article on "Hiking and technical items - A systematic approach III" found this AA-powered charger from Energizer. Has anyone out there used one of these successfully with an MDA Pro?

And the clock ticks away...

Another hot day. Which gets me thinking about the weather for the TGO Challenge.

Apparently Challengers watch the weather in the month before the Challenge (I guess that is April) to try and see what the weather is going to be like for the crossing.

If it is hot I will suffer. There is no doubt about that. So I am hoping that it will cool for May.

But is does seem now that nature is springing into life. And it all seems to be in the last week or so. Leaves are all of a sudden on the branches, blossum is out. It's magical, almost awe inspiring.

Currently my dehydrater is finishing off the salmon jerky, while also drying out some tuna chunks (this is an experiment), as I will try these dried out flakes with some noodles. If they rehydrate ok in the same time it takes to cook the noodles, I have a nice meal option.

Also got my boxes to send my resupplies in. Two for food, and a larger one to send to the TGO Control in Montrose containing clean clothes, and stuff. Not worked out what "stuff" will be yet.

So I'm there on my food to eat during the day while on the Challenge.

Basically I'll be snacking through out the day or they call it "grazing" I think.

The menu for this is:

"gorp" (peanuts, berries, raisins, brazil nuts, and some other nuts can't remember now)

beef jerky

salmon jerky

dried fruit (mango, strawberry, kiwi, banana)

Treats:

Mini Oreo Cookies

Mini Jaffa Cakes

Dark Chocolate

Martin has sent me a reply to yesterdays posting (which was a reply to a part of an email he sent me):

"My feet start to rot if wet for very long, hence the use of Sealskinz.  But even using those I would take them off before a river crossing.  The dampness from an 'emptied out' boot is minimal compared with that from a wet sock, even if you wring out the sock.  And you could always stop for a brew after the exhilarating crossing and pamper your boots with a dab of j-cloth to aid the drying process.  Try it!"

And if I get chance at the weekend I will be trying this out. It's another option, definitely worth looking into.

Well just got a 2006 NEW Katadyn Ex Purifier Water filter Bottle on ebay for $34 which is just under £18. Waiting to hear how much postage is, don't expect more than a fiver. So in total around the £23 mark, and considerably cheaper than getting one in the UK (RRP £40).

I'll be taking this with me on the Challenge. IIRC Dave is taking his as well.

So as the title says, why do we still pay over the odds in the UK?

Martin Banfield emailed me today with some feedback after playing catch up with the blog.

Sealskinz - "I wouldn't dream of using these to cross rivers, surely there is little advantage over bare feet.  Don't you think a solid sole would be preferable?  What you could do, if you don't like my 'Crocs' idea (BTW they made excellent slippers last week and are now nicely moulded to my feet), is simply take off your socks for any river crossings and cross barefoot in your boots, which can be emptied and more or less dried before you 're-sock' and continue.  No doubt you can experiment when out with the dogs....and it depends a bit on whether you will just have your boots, or will be taking separate shoes to wear in the evenings.  Best of luck with your ongoing tests, anyway."

I've not ruled out the 'Crocs', I'm just not decided on what I'm going to do yet. Next weekend will be play time in the local streams I think (if I'm better by then this "man flu" is still killing me).

Your tarp - "having seen the pictures.....rather you than me!  Having spent the last week in the balmy climes of the Highlands, I am fearful of an early start to the midge season.  I hate them.  I was sorely tempted by the Lifesystems Head Net Hat in the local outdoor store, but I didn't buy one.  However, it's in EB's catalogue that arrived with Trail mag whilst I was away.  Could be £9 well spent.  So the message is - I hope you get your midge protection for the tarp well sorted, or Dave may find he has a refugee in his tent!"

I have one of those Head Nets already. My wifes best friend bought one for me a couple of Christmas' ago, along with a couple of other Lifesystem outdoors type things. Which I have found very useful. But I think I've blogged this already, Dawn is making me a midge net as we speak (which is VERY kind of her) to use with the tarp. But yes I think Cameron and I have blogged about the fear of an early start to the midge season. I'm taking in my eyes a bit of a risk with the midge repellent I'm going to use. I got this natural repellent at The Outdoors Show called PreVent.  In the past I've used a Craghopper insect repellent that is 100% DEET.  The sun hat I'm taking is the freebie from The Outdoors Show press pack. It is a Craghopper hat that has their "nosquito" stuff in it. Plus in my first aid kit is the hayfever tablets, which I will be taking one of a day.

Hydrating - "I may have misunderstood, but did I see reference to having to rehydrate your dehydrated food during the day?  Can't you just add boiling water?  This is all new stuff to me - I'll do some observing on the Challenge, but I have poor experiences of commercially dehydrated food and will be sticking to stuff like savoury rice with real veg and tuna, etc (and even, I hate to say, the occasional Vesta Paella!!!)."

I've not tried the commercial stuff. Just used home produced. The point of starting to rehydrate during the day is to make sure that the food has fully rehydrated by the time it has come to reheat it.

"That's all for now, but you may gather from the above that the Highlands are fairly free of rain at present.  River crossings may not be much of an issue if this weather continues."

Well that would certainly make my indecision easier ^__^

Well saw the doctor this morning who prescribed some antibiotics, along with the following "I'm prescribing these but they probably won't make a difference as it is most likely viral. Try taking sudafed as well" !!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF!!!

Anyway while waiting for the prescription to be done I thought I'd resupply my walking first aid kit. It's very basic, anything more complicated and I wouldn't know what to do anyway.

So I've topped up with some Ibuprofen as an anti-inflamatory, some paracetamol,and some antiseptic wipes.

Already in my first aid kit where:

30ml Prevent "Natural insect repellent" Spray

10 Prevent "Natural insect repellent" wipes

micropore tape

2 7.5cm x 4m bandages

5 safety pins

3 6mm x 75mm Steri-strip

hayfever tablets

1 5cm x 5cm melolin wound dressing pad

long strip of elastaplast (cut to size)

5 assorted elastplasts

tick remover

I think that covers everything I can handle myself, from insect bites to small cuts.

Just come across these on a Backpackinglight.com forum post, LevaGaiter™ ultralight lanyardless scree gaiters . What do people think? Is this the ideal accessory to use with Inov8's or trail shoes in general?

Definitely worth thinking about for the Challenge.

Which reminds me I'm still not settled on what I am going to do for river crossings. Once I am feeling better I will try out the Sealskinz I have as an option. Then it will be, do I wear Sealskinz and trail shoes, or just put on the Sealskinz for the crossing. BUT if my feet are going to be damp anyway why bother taking the shoes off in the first place?

These decisions are so complicated when you start to think about them.

My Personalised Google Homepage reminded me today that it is 45 days now until the start of the TGO Challenge.

I look at that and think OMG!!! That is so soon. Did Alan think this when it started to get close to him starting his LEJOG? I can't remember I think I did read something about it.

But then due to current background life events, 45 days seems so far away. While fighting off this deadly "man flu", there has been other stuff happening at home, which threatens my whole going on the TGO Challenge. And it is these other events that are so frustrating. Just when you think there is light at the end of the tunnel, it goes dark again. Back to square one so to speak.

Sitting here sipping a lemsip between coughing fits, is giving me too much time to ponder things. Hopefully I will be well enough to go back to work tomorrow.