...There was a job and a flat and a stereo and a guitar and a lovely sauté pan.

That's where I am now. Julia came in half an hour ago in blind worry about missing her flowing yellow dress and french connection jacket. I think it's finally bedding in for her that we're getting ready to be on the off.

I, on the other hand, am busy compiling precise weight tables of what we're going to carry with us.

By the way, if you don't know - we plan to walk down Italy, all on foot, from the Alps to the straits of Messina for no better reason than why mountaineers climb. Although Julia still insists it's for the ice cream.

I will keep a journal of my trip using my laptop and my camera. Julia will keep a journal of the trip using my laptop and my camera. I'm carrying them both. Go figure.

Well, this is the story of the beforetime. That section of our travels where we have not done any travelling yet. It is filled with naivety and foolish plans for places not yet discovered. If you like reading about blind idiots throwing caution to the wind and striking out towards certain disaster with nothing but an old camera and a couple of hammocks, then prepare for the feast of your lives!

...actually that probably makes it sound too interesting.

Sorry.