My last two weeks in London were a culinary feast - with limited time to burn calories off in the park - opps! But an amazing time catching up with friends and really enjoying London for the next little while at least. Nights were spent trying to put together the jigsaw that is packing. One box would be packed only to have me think... should I have put this in that other shape box, how much does this now weigh, do I really need everything I have put in here, etc, etc. But finally on Thursday 11 October I sealed my 12 boxes in anticipation of them being shipped on Friday.

Friday morning came and suddenly I wasn't sure I had everything in - lucky I was shipping a suitcase so a few sneaky items made their way into its front pocket. No easy feat packing up your life and knowing that you just have a backpack to live out of for the next 6 months!

Saturday went by too fast! Spent the day packing and repacking my backpack and then thinking - am I taking too much? I decided it is better to be in the spot that I can dispose of things than not to have them - so no, take all you can. Cleaned my room and closed the door on Mirabel Road after 8.5 great years. It is strange as even though the house was empty, I wasn't sad that I was off, more a feeling of great excitement about my adventures to come. Piers drove me to the airport and was wonderful in reminding me how this was the last time I would see Fulham - had to remind him that it was for now at least.

Terminal 5 time and big signs at BA saying you must pay for every kilo over 23kgs in your baggage. Mmmm, think my backpack was 26kg! Choose my check-in counter carefully - females, no thanks; old guy, no thanks; young fresh faced 18 year old, hello! Big smiles and my bag sailed through. He didn't feel a need to mention the weight, so neither did I. He was also ever so kind about my hand baggage which also went without comment - camera bag, day pack and tripod. Bless his little cotton socks, I was on my way with all my money

Found Jess at the gate (another person on my tour I met in London recently) and we were on our way. 4 hour flight to Cairo. First things first - sleep!