28th August 2017

We'll finally “D” day is here and we are departing for Toronto via Melbourne, Los Angeles and Minneapolis. It is one hell of a long way to go for a long walk, but then we are both crazy enough and passionate about what we do. The past few days have been a rollercoaster for me as I checked and rechecked my packing list and gear to make sure I had everything I needed and nothing I did not need. Normally Lari and I travel as two totally independent entities who just happen to be walking together but this time we decided to pool our resources where possible in an attempt to reduce our loads. This has brought about some new dynamics for each of us, Lari being fiercely independent and stating “I can carry my own” with me trying to persuade her that our loads should be more equitable based on body mass/weight. The goal after all is to pull up at the end of each day without hurting and enjoying the journey. Everything you see on the floor went into that pack and is all I need minus water and food, final weight 15kg, that includes my camera, iPad, charger and cables etc. I'm happy with that. For me there is the added joy of finally fulfilling a 43 year old dream and getting to visit Canada. I had originally planned to visit Canada after my epic European walk’a’bout in 1974/5. This was curtailed by me getting a job in the Oil & Gas drilling industry as well as getting married and raising a family in Aberdeen, Scotland, which kept me busy until they grew up and I retired. Each year I try to undertake atr least one major walk/hike's of close to 1,000 km. This year it is the Bruce Trail in Canada