Flights are booked.... and the mood has changed...

Thats right, flights are booked, kit is arriving, the last final training is set and well the mood has changed.

For months (ok, since I started to put my plan into action in Feb), I have had folks, friends and strangers telling me not to do it, its stupid, its too dangerous.. its too risky and I will die. Significant time has been put in to processing and boxing those comments and sorting the comments into the  (I hope not) spectater 'I told you so' group that I hope will be drowned out by the supportive cheers of 'keep going' in those moments of 'digging deep'. 

But its now booked and over the last week things have turned and hugs are plentiful, reflections of good times and the good lucks and keep safe are starting to come in. This signals the closeness.... 

There is still a lot to be done as there always is in the last weeks of planning and preparation. This last week, I have completed a whitewater safety course that just adds and develops the thinking, highlights some holes (ie i will be spending time in the park perfecting my throwing - cause it must be a couple of decades since i last threw something).

But its near.... very near..... 

 

Hot Cyprus training and reunited

What a week - a great week - hiking in the Cyprus hills and mountains with a dear hiker buddy from the PCT. Within minutes of seeing each other - the 2 years passed (almost to the day)disappeared into only yesterday...

https://splice.gopro.com/v?id=6MGL2r

The week was full of chatter of memories, shared memories,updates, wine and giggles. Same old same old.....nice, easy, comfortable.....

A week in Scotland......

Since I was knee high to a grasshopper our second (or was it first) home was in Scotland, just around the corner from Glencoe. Over the years, returning 3 or sometimes 4 times a year, I must have hiked most if not all of the munrows along and around Glencoe. Days have been lost wandering the hills, bivvi in hand and recharging from the very busy and hectic working life. Eyes would be looking up and out across the wide and stunning wonders of the Scottish landscae with the ever changing weather that has moods swings like no other. 

Stunning. 

This last week was different.... eyes down and sitting on the lowest point on the landscape .... the rivers and creeks. 

Roads travelled to the next mountain ranges were exchanged for looking down for the 'get in point' for the river. 

https://splice.gopro.com/v?id=6MGLyd