The trip begins

It’s always an anxious bit before departure. It always takes longer to pack than I think it will, I always have more stuff than I thought I’d have, I’m always more anxious about heading off into the unknown that I think I should be.

I know all this by now though, so I more-or-less accept that phase, well, at least it doesn’t stop me continuing.

The same was true here, in particular a last visit to town to get some bits and bobs left me feeling really distressed, and reminded me exactly of what it is I need a break from.

With my too-loaded bike packed, I cycled off, and immediately an release of tension arrives. Aaaaaah (that’s a soft releasing sound, not AAAARRRGHH).

I had come up with a place to stay for the first night, in a familiar bit of woodland on the edge of Bath. It was glorious! I went a different route through it than I’ve been before, and reached a clearing which told me it was the place to stop.

I had a tasty premade dinner (thanks Nancy!) of spaghetti bologase (can’t seem to spell that right) with some additional hot sauce and yeast flakes.

I was in bed by about 8:30pm, and didn’t get out the tent in the morning till around 9am, a long night in bed! My camping mat has a lot of tiny holes, but there was actually still some air in it by 9am. Seemed quite acceptable.

I was warm enough too, only just, but I wasn’t using all my warm gear, so plenty of scope for colder nights.

I don’t have much timescale really, and I’m not keen to rush off, so by now (just after 12pm) I’ve packed up, and moved about 400m to a sunny little clearing with a view through the trees over the valley. A spot of meditation, and now this blog post.

I made a video this morning too, so I’ll put there here, and then some photos. Thanks for reading!