Colombus

The time draws near for two important journeys that I will be undertaking.

The first is my practical driving test, which is tomorrow. Okay so it's not really that special, but passing it will open a new avenue for me and save me paying through the nose for lessons every week. I'm pretty confident that I will avoid enough minor faults or any major faults that would cause me to fail. Still, time will tell. I'm not way near as confident in a car as I was on a bike when I took my practical bike test.

The other, more interesting journey, is my trek into the unknown (unknown by me at least) which should commence on the following day. I have everything I need save a windproof lighter. I am still trying different ways of packing my gear to find the most efficient and comfortable configuration of equipment, clothing, and trappings. I have my fingers crossed that the weather, and any motorists I might ask lifts from, will be merciful.

It may well be that I get as far as the South Downs and turn out to be fed up enough to turn back home. A freak storm could rise up and drench me, or I could break something vitally important to my camp, get "moved on" by a fussy landowner, or even ever more fond of a warm and comfortable weekend indoors where I am not bothered by spiders and raindrops.

My first concern is food and water. I don't want to be carrying a week's supply of baked beans with me, so I'll have to think hard about what provisions I purchase tomorrow in preparation for the road ahead. I'm going to have to visit shops on the way, even if I get lifts. I have a cunning plan to keep my money safe and accessible.

I picked up a couple of disposable cameras today, so there should be no excuse for not bringing back images to share. I'll try and get some writing done out there too, and I purchased a trio of novels to keep my mind alight on rainy days and sleepless nights... although I'm now wondering which one/s to take with me and which title/s to preserve for a night in when I return.

If I fail to reach my intended destination, it will not be a massive shame. The target for this journey is Snowdonia, or at least the Brecon Beacons; but those are only physical landmarks. If I find something else, if I learn something new or contrary to what I previously held true, it will still have been an expedition of discovery. After all, Columbus never found China.