The first solo adventure begins!

I didn't sleep very well ahead of embarking on my first overseas trip without Mark. I probably got about 4 hours, and was wide awake long before my 6am alarm. I guess it was a mixture of nerves and excitement. Not that I felt particularly worried. I was just concerned that I could successfully complete all the pre-departure tasks that Mark always did before we left on a lengthy trip - turning off the water and electricity, putting antifreeze in the toilet, locking up correctly, emptying the bin, etc., etc. 😊

In the event, I did everything in good time and was at the bus stop at 7.09am to catch the 7.15 service to Skegvegas, only to find out that it was delayed by 16 minutes! Luckily, I'd left myself plenty of time. As I waited in the dark, cold, foggy morning, I consoled myself that I was heading for warmer climes 😀.

I struggled getting my hold luggage on and off the bus. When I packed it one day last week, I was very proud of the fact that it only weighed 12.1kg. Between then and now, however, I have filled it with books (I still prefer the real thing to my Kindle), and it now weighs a little over 20kg 😂. I'll have to make sure I read everything in my first few weeks in India, so that, by the time I start travelling around, I'm back down to 12!

Despite my bus being late, I still had time to have a Spoons breakfast in Skegness before my train. It became something of a tradition for Mark and I when setting off on our next adventure. It feels right to continue the habit. I wasn't tempted to have a pint of cider with it, though! 😂

The sky lightened and the sun came out as the train wended its way south. By the time we reached Grantham, where I had to make my first change, it was glorious 🌞. Still too cold for me, though 😀. The rest of the journey to Kings Cross and then onto Gatwick via Thameslink from St Pancras International passed without incident. I checked into the Premier Inn, had a meal, and got an early night to try and catch up on some sleep I'd missed.Læs mere