The countdown begins.....

It's a funny thing. When I took the plunge and decided to sign up for my second Asian cycle adventure it seemed a life time away.

But now the preparations are ramping up with just 46 days to go before the off.

I'll collect my visa from the Myanmar embassy tomorrow, I'm ramping up the training and enjoying researching the history of this country that still remains a mystery to many, not least me.

I'm a little anxious in reading lonely planet.... Judging from their description of the medical facilities I certainly don't want to fall off my steed, and am wondering how I get hold of pristine mint condition dollar notes. Nothing else is acceptable, apparently.

But the excitement is building in anticipation.

Biggest challenge now is to keep the fundraising going. I'm at least £875 short of the target. An enormous thank you to those who have been so generous.

And if you haven't I would be so grateful, and I hope that through this blog it will be only too apparent how your contribution will have made a genuine difference.