'Don't think there are no crocodiles just because the water's calm.' (Malawian proverb) 

There I was thinking that everything was going swimmingly; more recently, however, I seem to have encountered a lot of crocodiles. Preparations continue to gather pace and the arrival of 2013 has given a new impetus to my efforts. But never before had I realised just how much there is left to do and how little time there is in which to do it! 

Flights have been booked and funds continue to be raised. My current job may not be the most glamorous, but at least working as a punchbag in customer services for a couple of months has helped with financing this trip. 

I'm also feeling physically (in additionally to mentally) jaded, having completed the cocktail of vaccinations required for travel, to guard against a myriad of diseases including yellow fever, hepatitis and typhoid. Some were live vaccines, so although I can smugly say that I didn't catch flu this winter, the side-effects have been nearly as bad.  

Health-wise, my diabetes continues to throw up hurdles. Hopefully I won't set off every security scanner in the airport when I pass through Heathrow with over 1000 needles. I also hope that the dreaded malaria medication doesn't give me a permanently upset stomach. 

Anyway, that's enough of sounding like a hypochondriac. I currently have a huge list of things to do/buy before heading out, which covers learning a bit of Malawi's common languages (other than English, it's Chichewa and Chiyao). I'm sure there are several other crocodiles lurking out there for me too...