Packed and ready to go. Its a bit heavier than I would like – just under 12 KG/26 lbs – plus water at another KG per liter. But it does contain consumables, including a pound of trail mix. I will be munching and sipping my way to a lighter load.My itinerary will follow St. Swithun's Way and the North Downs Way to Canterbury and, from there, the Via Francigena, as documented by Sigeric the Serious circa 990. It was, already at that time, a route that had been followed for several centuries, first referred to as the Lombard Way and later, the Iter Francorum.
My route this year: Winchester - Canterbury - Dover - Calais - Reims - Besançon - Laussanne - Hospice Grand St. Bernard.
Weather forecast: mud!
Off to Heathrow.