Decisions decisions (29 April 2012)

What a week that's been then! Tumultuous, some might say.

In a week that's seen the country slide back to recession we thought it might be appropriate to take a gander at the finances for our little escapade. Setting a budget is important, we all know that, but reminding yourself of the budget you'd set every now and again is very worthwhile.

And so it was that this week we found that our budget had been blown, well and truly. Our original budget was based on a set of assumptions that, as it turned out, would have been quite at home in the 'fiction' section of Waterstones. Faced with the dilemma of a budget deficit to rival a small South American country (it's a relative thing you understand) we had some decisions to make, roughly speaking these were as follows (and considered in broadly this order)....

1. Panic.
2. Panic and then pull the plug on the whole thing and pretend we'd never planned it.
3. Panic, thenlook for alternative options based around campsites and canvas.
4. Panic and hotels and hostels that didn't offer luxury beds and fluffy bathrobes.

Having spent the early part of the week concentrating on option one our minds turned to the reality and feasibility of options two, three and four.

Option two was looking favourite as we pondered the choices available to us. A key consideration being Pete's bravery in deciding to re-join Team Upsidedown 2012 just a few weeks after major surgery. Should we ride? Should we postpone, irrespective of the fiscal situation?

Time spent in the virtual world that is Google resulted in a range of options being considered, culminating in the 'Summit of Brewood' held in The Mess cafe on Sunday 29 April. Over the course of three pots of tea, eggs benedict, Staffordshire oatcake and a good old sausage and egg sandwich a solution was hammered out.

And so, dear blog readers, the ride is very much on and excitement can now build once again. In a little over three weeks we shall set sail on the M6 for the most northern point on this fair isle. And a little over a week later we shall arrive, through pedal power alone, at it's most southerly point. Game is indeed on!