Well I am now into the final week and bar any dramatic setbacks this time next week I should be entering Sri Lankan airspace.

Since the last post I have been sorting out my visas and insurance, getting final jabs and seeing the doctor, plus enjoying a mad dash around South East England and London saying goodbye to as many friends as possible . Now into the final week I am basing myself at my sister's in Bristol, when I will hopefully kick back, sort out my camera and enjoy a couple of trips to the cinema.

You do forget how tiring travel can be and my first taste of backpacking since South America in 2009 is likely to be no different if my charge around the south east is concerned. I started off in Polegate in Sussex and then accidentally went to Eastbourne, before realizing my mistake and going further on to Hastings, then Sutton, Brixton, Watford, Charing Cross, Harold Wood in Essex and finally Euston. Luckily all of this was somewhat problem free as far as public transport was concerned. It was great to see everyone.

I have now concluded the research for my Asia leg of the trip. This is the part I have posted. With all the major flights booked, I am now almost ready, apart from the Indian visa which should be ready this Monday, just five days before departure and three weeks since it was submitted . This is the first time I have booked the key flights in advance, and I know that this curtails my flexibility but it does enable me to buy cheap tickets. We will see whether this is a hindrance later in the trip.

I expect the first week in Sri Lanka to be a leisurely introduction to travel. As the weather has been so bad in UK and Italy this year I am hardly acclimatised for the temperatures of Asia and I expect it will take a bit of getting used to. I need to avoid air conditioning during the first week as I will never adjust if i succumb. Consequently a few quiet days in Colombo and then a trip to the Kandi is on the agenda.

The back pack is all ready now, although not packed. I have scotch guarded it again and this time I have attached lots of carabiners to secure its contents. All my medicines have been repackaged and a minimum of clothes selected. I do find it hard keeping the weight of the pack down due to my Diabetic medicines and the blood testing machine, but if its under 22 Kgs I am happy.

So there we are, finally this is all is sorting itself out and the Saturday train to Gatwick is getting closer and closer. I will leave this entry here.