The week before we depart is programmed as a rest week to enable us to prepare (and in my case to get my filing done). I'm quite enjoying it actually though the next three weeks or so is daunting what with walking great lengths and climbing great heights day after day for seventeen days. I feel ready however and am now looking forward to the challenge. My three 'buddies' are good company and yes, though we occasionally fall out, the days pass sometimes in companiable silence but otherwise we four have a good laugh from time to time and it becomes fun.

I suppose it will be over all too soon and our months of preperation will be far in the past. I read that about 4,000 attempt the Pennine Way each year, most from the UK but from all over the world. When we four did the Coast to Coast in 2007 we were amazed at the numbers of Australians we met plus two Canadians, one 70 years of age, the other 73 who were carrying everything on their backs and camping each night. We were supported, as we are on the next walk, and thank goodness we were. How they managed I don't know especially with the days of torrential rain we encountered.

Hopefully, the weather we experience will not be too bad for the next few weeks. Fingers crossed but at least when we get to the B&B each night our luggage will be there and it will be dry.