Planning!

Checking the weather, water temp, all that stuff, looks like something warmish in the wetsuit line might be a good idea. So I've ordered a 3mm smoothskin with a front zip from Snugg - hopefully it'll be done in time, they are very busy at the moment and the boss is out, so there's nobody making triathlon suits, putting greater load on the remaining guys. If it doesn't make it I'll probably get an O'Neill like the one I already have that has split, leaks and cuts all over it, inadequately mended with Evostik! Yeah, seems daft to spend twice if I have to, but I got very cold in Cabo, and that has a similar deep West-coast water characteristic. No point in not enjoying it, and wetsuits are a disposable item, since they get cut up and wear anyway. The Snugg one will be good for well into Autumn anyway. Can't wait!

The other preparation item is fitness - struggling to get enough exercise, and doing some weights to increase arm/back strength. This is Hard Work. I've nicked a piece of a Daily Telegraph from the hernia-repairing specialist's office, it has a simple set of exercises that are doing the trick. Trouble is, I got a back spasm which took 4 days to wear off, and I'm also having to watch my feet running - don't want to wreck them by being over-enthusiastic!

And finally, Cribby announced the other day "Just remembered we have been advised to bring head torches to Baja, and any other night vision kit you might have (John A and Ali)". What's all that about, and what's wrong with a normal torch?? I usually take my head torch anyway, it's in one of my standard bags, but is it really necessary? Odd. And the man's getting all excited about it - chat from Greece - "so looking forward to Baja"!

Oh yeah - and I've paid for it :-( - ouch.