Preparing

for a DofE trip.

Weather forecast - snow and 'feels like -3' was not quite the script I had in mind.

I've been reading the great Martin Bell, who recommends packing (for war zones, which is a slightly different thing) a torch plus batteries, Swiss Army knife, and a large paper clip for receipts. A map and some accreditation is also good. My radio training means that I don't see the point of a white suit and green socks, which he felt were also essentials.

He writes so well - and talks well too. When in namedropping mode I can pompously relate that the first time I met Mr Bell it was in the PTT building in Sarajevo - but then I was a daytripper there during a ceasefire.