Preparation for the expedition has taken two years. It's consisted of reading so many books I've lost count. Hours spent looking at maps. More time than I'd like to admit looking at web sites like Horizons Unlimited and reading people blogs. Some of the most interesting research was undertaken while getting slowly drunk near Derby, for two long weekends. One in 2005 and one in 2006. How does getting drunk get classified as research I hear you asking? I attended two Horizons Unlimited meetings where overland bikers get together to discuss all things overland travellers need to know and some things they don't!

Once you start planning a trip like this you realise how much of an undertaking it actually is. The paperwork alone is enough to put the average person off. You need the following…

• Health insurance
• Carnet de Passage on Douane
• Passport
• Driving license
• V5 - Bike registration document
• International vaccination certificate
• Visas - I'll get these on route
• Passport size photos for visa applications
• Maps
• Copies of all documents

Next we come to getting vaccinations and immunisations against all sorts of weird and wonderful diseases…

• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Polio
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever
• Meningitis ACWY
• Cholera

The medical kit I'm taking consists of all the usual bandages and dressings. I'll also take various painkillers, cream for insect bites and stings, antihistamines, diarrhoea and re-hydration powder. Also constipation tablets, clove oil for tooth ache, Bonjella for mouth ulcers, athletes foot powder, cold sore cream, hemroid cream, antacids for indigestion/heartburn and finally a years supply of Malaria prophylactics.