K2CW: 1 Week To Go; Sod’s Law Strikes

All being well, at this time next week we will have finished our first day of the walk and I’m pleased to say that with just five more days before we start our journey down to the south coast the stress level has decreased as we’ve made good progress through the outstanding task list.

With the start date rushing up, the dread for the last couple of weeks has been the occurrence of any sort of accident, injury or illness.

Sod’s Law will, of course, dictate that even people who are as healthy as we generally are will become poorly or turn an ankle when a big walk is looming, causing nervousness as to whether a recovery will be made in time. Last time around it was Mick who got proper influenza (not to be confused with a cold) with a few weeks to go.

So, what I really didn’t want to happen with just a week to go until the off is to get yet another infection under a scar on my back (for the sixth time since I had a minor op last July - grrrr). Abscesses on the back don’t really go well with a backpacking trip.

This time I have not taken any chances by giving it time to see if it gets better of its own accord and in the circumstances the doctor also thought that a ‘belt and braces’ approach was required. The tablets will be gone by the weekend, but the cream will be in constant use until the walk is finished to try to prevent a further recurrence until after we’re back.

That’s not sufficient a woe for me. Add to that a minor skin allergy (to I know not what) on my leg, which has been Itching Like Crazy (and those capitals are very important!) for days. Hopefully the steroid cream will sort that one out before the end of the week (because I don’t want to have to carry two types of cream!).

All is not woe, however. Happily, we have thus far managed to avoid slips, trips and falls…