I think we should start on the first day of the raiding season? Have our characters leave whatever it is they do for the rest of the year and head the the Earl's residence for the meeting type thing where we are told about it being West instead. 

That way we can set up how our characters feel about it all, voice any objections/agreements and set the general tone of our interactions together? Once that's completed we can have maybe a post or two about preparation and then skip to the day of setting off and go from there? That way we've established what were coming back to once it's all done and go from there?

Oh - also I hope your son is feeling better - being unwell is most lame.