This is probably my last post until late December, but it's possible I'll wander into an Internet cafe on a day off and post something. For anyone who gives a damn, Tom will probaby post occasional updates.
I have all my crap packed and ready to go - one frame pack, a small roller bag and my regular backpack - I think that's the lightest I've ever packed in my life. Unfortunately, I'm not taking just my stuff - I also have approximately 50 pounds of excavation gear for the expedition to take as well. So that's another huge suitcase that is probably going to give the TSA guys fits - it's full of odd looking papers, software, an autolevel in an otterbox... And I get to take two of the tripods for the surveying gear which I cleverly (I hope) mummified together in lots of bubblewrap and duct tape in a possibly vain hope that BA will accept them as a single over-size, over-weight piece of luggage and only charge me an indecent amount of money once.
At least once they're checked in I don't have to carry them myself again.
So, when we get to Cairo, we hang around a couple of days and then head down to Abydos by train. Specifically, by the Night Train. So, despite my declarations that I would never, ever ride the Night Train I am apparently going to do so. Hopefully I won't wind up with a hangover.