Ruby Grimshaw packs her bags for Borneo

It only seems a few weeks ago that I was packing with great trepidation for a sponsored horse ride in Iceland.

Now I am packing for two weeks in Borneo, which includes nine days in the rainforest in the Tanjung Puting National Park.

We shall be staying in Rimba Lodge, a comfortable but basic house built on stilts over swampland.

Last time I packed it was for riding in the cold and rain, but this time it is for temperatures of up to 95°F and a humidity of 80 to 100 per cent. I’d rather be too hot than too cold but this is going to be a challenge.

My packing list suggests that I should take trainers because they can dry quickly but daughter C says that light boots are better because the leeches follow the smell of sweat and it is further for them to climb to find it.

I don’t want to spoil the leeches fun but I think I will take my answer to all my walking problems: my jodhpur boots. They are comfortable, sturdy, almost water proof and don’t look as enormous as normal boots.

Also on the list is a hammock. I am going to pretend I didn’t see this. I have never used a hammock in my life and it’s a bit late to try now.

If it is included because we might need to rest in the forest I am very good at hunkering down on my haunches in Hong Kong Chinese fashion, and I will take my chances with the leeches.

The main problem for me is not being able to wear makeup, as I know we will be sweating like the proverbial swine, and powder and base will just run off as soon as it’s applied.

But I never leave the house, not even to feed the tortoises, without my face slap. It’s just not fair on anyone I might meet. This is when wearing a burkha might be useful, but not really much good in the Indonesian rainforest I guess.

I’m getting nervous that I might have forgotten something – a visa or my mosquito stuff – and that I’ve gone overweight on my luggage. Domestic flights in Indonesia have a limit of 10 kilos so I think it will be difficult to avoid paying a fine.

I have only just remembered to start taking my malaria tablets, one day late. I think I am getting too long in the tooth for these exotic holidays. Perhaps I should stick with a week in Worthing next year.