You have to have faith that people are people anywhere you go and that even if you have no idea what you're saying everyone will understand things like hunger, coldness, warmth, lostness, fun, as well as the near universal language of body language and facial expressions. That being said, being able to have basic conversations will make your journey much more personable - you'll be able to share experiences and learn from the people that live where you're traveling. This little extra bit can really make a trip amazing because locals always know where the coolest shit is, and how to show you the essential character of their culture -- which is something you just can't glean from a guidebook. I've noticed with myself and others that the best travel experiences almost always happen when the locals bring the travelers into their world and when the travelers say "yes" to whatever bizzarre-seeming cultural thing their hosts are asking them to do.

For preparation... I almost always make the mistake of bringing too much stuff. I end up not really using half of it and then I'm stuck with it for who knows how long until I get back home. Trust me, you dont want to be stuck with a 50lb backpack and a mandolin in 100 degree weather with severe dehydration and food poisoning and a 3 mile walk along a busy road to the nearest guest house. This probably won't happen to you in the UK hah but my point is... better to pack light and get things as you need them abroad then to overpack a bunch of nostalgic t-shirts in the beginning and be stuck with them until you can find a post office that will mail them home for big $$$.... ugh... lol