And we are off

Today is the last day at home and now all preparations have been concluded. At times the task ahead seems daunting, 200 miles or so to walk with a dog for company and many lovely people who have put their support behind me and so are counting on me doing it. I guess it is a bit like having nerves before something starts, speaking in public, going on stage, doing a rock climb. Once the thing has started these fade away and you just become involved and absorbed in the process of whatever you are doing, but beforehand it can be all butterflies. I remind myself that Laura says all I need to do is put one foot in front of another...

Actually some inspitaion came yesterday in the post. A copy of Scottish Mountaineer arrived and in it was an article by a climber who had taken a 1924 Paris Olympic medal (awarded to a British Everest expedition of the time) to the top of Everest. In the end me made it, but not without his share of great doubts and physically being greatly incapacitated by the altitude initially. By contrast all I need to do is haul about 20 kilos up 600 meters and down the other side from time to time, if I get soaked there will always be a bothy, bunkhouse or other alternative around and if the sun shines, that'll be marvellous.
My hopes are:

• to have fun
• complete the challenge I have set myself and finish in Inverie
• meet people along the way
• have a great evening in Sourlies Bothy with Martin and Brett
•  that Bonnie enjoys the walk

And I know it will be fantastic being reunited with family at the end.