The fact that I embrace in my life, wholeheartedly, the mighty importance of the humble list, is standing me in good stead for this trip. And technology has taken list-making to a whole new level. Imagine the power this gives to a person striving to reach excellence in organising. It is an art form, with endless creative possibilities. Folders. Sub-lists. Links.

Oops, I digress.

My next challenge is to gather together all the clothing I will need. And surprise, surprise I have a list!

It has been fun putting this list together. Of course I have had expert advice at my fingertips; the tour company also has a list! (I’m not that weird after all – other people make lists too!)

So, I have taken things from their list and added them to my list….

(Enough of the lists now)

The first thing I looked for was a warm jacket. Almost straight after I booked my trip, Carla and I went to look at some jackets at a North Face store. We saw something I really liked, but luckily, I decided to wait. The ideal insulation for potentially wet conditions is wool or synthetic material, rather than down. So, even though a jacket was the first item of clothing I sought out, it was just last weekend that I bought my Icebreaker jacket.

What I did gather together quite easily, very quickly, was a stock of layers. Mostly Icebreaker as well. Glen and I have been a big fan of this brand, Glen wearing Icebreaker t-shirts on all of his adventures; on his ocean sailing voyages, on the Kokoda Track, on his short hikes, and just around. So, I have lots to choose from. Plus, I couldn’t resist updating with a few new items. Now, I have thermals and lots of layers.

Tick.

But the fun thing I did early on was to knit a couple of neck scarves. Actually, neckgators. What’s a neckgator, I hear you ask. Well, it’s basically a cross between a necklace and a scarf. Great fun to knit – on circular needles. I wanted to add some colour to a wardrobe which is trending to black in practically everything. They turned out really well. And they’ll be soooo warm.

And that brings me to the balaclava.

I was not looking forward to the prospect of wearing a balaclava. I needed to draw a line somewhere! Thankfully there is an alternative. I have a natty little Icebreaker beanie and a buff. (I’m adding to my vocabulary by the day!) For those of you who don’t already know, a buff is like a neckgator, but much longer. (Visualise Alice in Wonderland with the long neck) But of course it is soft, so that is gathers up to form a scarf sitting snugly around your neck (as opposed to draped fashionably!?). The main thing, though, is that you can bring some of it up over your mouth and nose, and over your ears. Together with the beanie, I’ll be almost completely protected!

So, now to footwear. A kind friend has lent me some fur-lined boots which she bought in China, when visiting Harbin. With a great tread and a waterproof outer lining, I think that they will be just perfect for on board the ship, and for some excursions on shore.

The gumboot thing has resulted in a little more procrastination, however. I don’t already have a pair. And so I was going to buy some. But, so many questions! How big? (how many pairs of socks will I need to allow for?) What tread? What thickness? How high?

Clearly, I was over-thinking this!

My contact at the tour company put me out of my misery and suggested that she could have a pair put in my cabin for when I arrive, which I could use for the whole voyage. And if the size didn’t suit, there were plenty more in the hold.

Problem solved!

So, at the end of the day, I haven’t had to deal with either gumboots, nor the balaclava!!