timeline of preparations;

Have had a day off preparations today, relaxing,  but plenty of time to reflect on the timeline of this enterprise.

March 2014-inspired by Sarah's dahl and photo evening.

May-applied to volunteer with PHASE; also moved house.

June-informal interview and fact gathering morning  in a motorhome early on a wet Sunday on the banks of Ullswater!!

Booked on the training weekend in September. Also met Lakhpa Sherpa and his wife Pat- more info gathering, and started to try to learn nepali.

July- Chat about the projects with another volunteer. Also started 3rd job(locum) to help with funding trip.

August-bought tablet and started to try to use as will be useful for teaching on the project; what frustration technology causes me (and son)! Flights booked, committed.

September-fascinating and exhausting weekend in Ravenstor youth hostel in Derbyshire at PHASE weekend training; realised why I'd made no progress with nepali language and vowed to tackle the actual devangari script. Also started more serious walking to get fit enough to trek.

October-continued to train, 4 horridly wet walks; replaced leaking new boots, and leaking waterproof over trousers. Hip agony every time it sees steps or a hill, not looking too good....

November- mouse eaten strap of rucksac finally gave way; another new bit of kit to break in. No progress with Nepali.Hip problem necessitating lots of physio(££££)

December- Injection to hip bursa fantastic!! Pain free for first time in 2 months, but not allowed to walk for 2 weeks. Santa very generous-head torch, power monkey, gloves  and 7 pairs of socks. Had 3 delightful nepali lessons with Biparna; learnt a lot about Nepal but no progress with the language.

January-Back to physio as first serious walk (in rain) uphill set hip off again;determination creeping in, wonder if I will have to crawl to the village in Nepal! Less busy  as down to only 2 jobs so have time to download some  teaching materials onto that tablet thing.

Packing....