A few weeks ago, Catherine wrote a blog ‘To go or not to go…’ and many of us responded saying ‘Yes… we will be there for the Moodscope meet up’. Lovely responses as we all shared our nerves and our excitement about the big adventure on Saturday…

I will be getting on the plane tomorrow, Friday, and staying two nights in London. Saturday is my birthday (and I recall another Moodscoper saying it was their birthday too, who is my birthday twin!?). So, I announced to my surprised young adults that I won’t be spending my birthday with them as I am off to London to meet a lovely group of people for the very first time!

A list of my worries (so far!) about the trip:

- I am an anxious flyer. Every part of the journey is uncomfortable for me but I will read my book and do some quiet yoga breathing and get through it. (Without naming an airline, the one we are flying with is cheaper than others but let’s just say if I won the lotto, I would never fly with them again!)

- I get random bouts of vertigo which, for me, are triggered by travel. Nearly a year ago was the last one so I am hopeful I will be vertigo-free this weekend. Have meds - will travel!

- The heat in London. I do worry it will be extremely hot and I will melt (I did hear something about 30 degrees on Sunday - yikes!) I will be the woman with the fan! (NOTE TO SELF: pack your fan).

- I have a sketchy sense of direction and dearly hope I don’t get lost on the underground. (NOTE TO SELF: look up how to get to St Pancras).

- I will feel guilty about not spending my birthday with my kids (and the dog) for the first time. My partner is coming with me though which will be lovely (he is going to do some sightseeing while I am Moodscoping).

- I am self-employed so I always worry about going away and work landing in with a crazy deadline. So, I will be carrying my laptop and mini workstation with me.

- I’ll be a little anxious about the hotel we booked until I walk in and see it - let’s just say some holidays have had their accommodation surprises!

- I am nervous about meeting new people, well actually I think it’s going to be fabulous meeting you all. But I worry I will get names and stories mixed up, that I will nervously talk too much or too little. But I also know we’re all in a similar boat and all will be well.

- I worry that one of  my YAs might need me or one of my friends might need me (or the dog might be sick again). I have a sort of irrational fear of something going wrong while I am away. But.. I also know it’s a short plane ride and we’re only going for two days and nights.

So, I am feeling the fear and doing it anyway!

I am so looking forward to meeting you all and we will of course miss those of you who can’t be with us.

Right… I need to write a list - what to pack?  Where’s my fan?!

Salt Water Mum x

A Moodscope member