Our train tickets from Southampton to Penzance were purchased two months ago, hoping that the train strikes will be over before we leave on Easter Monday!  I have booked accommodation for the first week of our walk  along the SW coastal path, and our route is (more or less) planned.  We have joined the Lands End to John o’Groats Association and received our forms to be stamped along the way, as proof that we complete the route!

We have organised our equipment and recently walked from Lulworth to Weymouth with our full rucksacks and are ready for the challenge of LEJOG.  I have been weighing items to make sure we keep the weight down.

We won’t be taking the guide books or maps, but will use the OS maps on our phones and iPad, together with the route planning app, ‘Komoot’.  I have also downloaded some guides on my kindle.

My preparation is rather different from David’s during these final weeks.  I have read all the guide books and blogs, and am walking most days, with two longer walks each week.  I am working my way through a long ‘to do’ list, and seeing friends and family for coffees and lunches to say goodbye.

David, on the other hand, has his nose to the grindstone and only leaves his office in the basement for meals!  Once he informed clients that he planned to finish work at the end of March, his work escalated and he is busy tying up loose ends.  I am beginning to doubt his promise to retire!

The final week before we leave will be particularly busy: preparations for the trip will need to be complete as far as possible, as we will be having our six grandchildren (aged between 5 and 12) to stay in various combinations.  A fun week!