August 2011

3 days to go until my first train journey out of Middlesbrough and i have decided on some items i wish to carry on my back for a considerable amount of time.....

At the minute i am trying to weigh up what odds i have with returning with the same said items. What are the chances that any of it makes it past those Nimble Fingered Recession Proof Oligarch Friends in the East, Let me not typecast the entire Russian Federation until I am actually robbed at least!!! Tradional Cynicism is a familar trait of mine so therefore without hesitation and with absolute sincerity I say that it is my expectation that i will:

a) get robbed by a pale russian with the vague threat that he will dress me in his naughty 80's hand me down shell suit,
b) Insult a KGB agent and be given the Litvinenko hair loss treatment programme
c) get drunk and leave said items in unknown location...
d) get spiked and wake up with Boris
e) get drunk and wake up with Boris
f) wake up with Boris

Note: Points b) d) e) and f) are irrelevent to this topic but are credible scenarios

So, read them before they begin to disappear...

Clothes
1 Windcheater
1 Red LRG T-Shirt
1 Grey LRG T-Shirt
1 New North Face T-Shirt
1 Striped Cotton long sleeved shirt
1 White Shirt
1 North Face Woollen Fleece
1 Grey Thermal Top
1 Titans Thai Boxing T-Shirt
1 Berghaus Top
1 Levi Jeans
1 North Face Trouser/Shorts
1 Thermal Trousers
1 Waterproof Cover trousers
1 Merrel Shorts
1 Nike Shorts
7 Boxer Shorts
10 Socks (3 pair trainer socks)

Footwear
1 Sandals
1 Walking Boots
1 Comforts

Ancillaries
1 Headbuff
1 Gloves
1 Money Belt
1 Eye Mask
1 Sunglasses

Powered
1 Kindle + Charge Cable
1 iTouch
1 iPod
1 Mobile Phone
1 Laptop
1 Power Monkey + Charging Kit
2 USB Pen x 2
1 Hard Drive
1 Head Lamp
1 Maglight
1 Camera + Charger

Others
1 Swiss Army Knife
1 Metal Bowl
1 Metal Plate
1 Cutlery
1 Sealable Box
4 Pens

Hygiene
1 Wash Bag with Various deodorants etc
2 Trek Towel
30 Sleeping Tablets
1 First Aid Kit
1 Camel Bak
10 Ear plugs
1 Mosquito Repellent

Books
1 Trans-Siberian Guidebook
1 Mongolia
1 Russian Phrase book
1 China Guide Book

Money
1 Credit Card - Halifax Clarity Card
1 Debit Card - Halifax
1 Credit Card - Egg
200 Euro's
200 US Dollars
100 GBP

Tickets
Driving Licence
Visa's
Passport
One way train tickets out of Middlesbrough

Article By David Beattie of Rounton Coffee