Five day countdown

"Things must be chaotic for you?" It's a comment that's been made quite frequently over the last few days as my departure date looms close. It's not so much chaos as stress - the realisation that the comfort and familiarity of life here in England is very soon about to change. I was never this well prepared when I left Japan four years ago to cycle back to England. My bags were packed with what I thought I needed and I simply set out on the road. This time round I've had months to plan and research. In many ways I couldn't be more ready. I loaded the bike up last Sunday evening to take the strain - 52kg all in. I've forgotton what it's like to ride a fully laden bicycle. The local newspaper ran a story yesterday and I finally managed to speak with my cycling friends Friedel and Andrew, who run a series of podcasts on their website. In less than a week's time I'll be pedalling through the French countryside. Why I should be worrying when I've got a diet of pate, red wine, cheese and baguettes over the coming weeks to look forward to I don't know."