Josh Lewsey is fully rested and eager for the new season to get under way.
Josh Lewsey has taken time to recharge his batteries and begin his pre-season preparations after being rested from England's summer tour of Australia.
Lewsey ended last season slightly below his usual form after three solid years of playing rugby.
And with a tough season ahead, including a Guinness Premiership title to reclaim and a World Cup to defend, the 29-year-old took full advantage of his summer off.
But not suited to lazy beach holidays, Lewsey decided to take up an adventure holiday in northern Pakistan.
For three weeks, Lewsey and his friend rationed on goats soup as they hiked from K2 base camp to the Boltora Glacier. Not quite the relaxing holiday most would have prefered.
"It is really good to have a proper pre-season. Pakistan was not that restful, as you can imagine with the terrain, the altitude and goat soup, but it was a mental switch-off" said Lewsey.
"There are not too many people who know anything about rugby in that part of the world!
Lewsey was the only player to have played every International since the 2003 World Cup before being dropped for the Six Nations defeat to Ireland in March.
And his record with Wasps reads very impressive, reaching Premiership finals and Heineken Cup finals season after season.
England head coach Andy Robinson and Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan agreed that the best thing for Lewsey was to take the summer off in order to be fit for the coming season.
"There was an element of negativity after the Lions tour. We had been playing pretty much for three years solidly" said Lewsey.
"But with the senior guys rested in the summer you will see the real hunger to achieve potential and win trophies."
Speaking of his intentions to reclaim the Premiership title with Wasps, Lewsey added: "We underperformed last season. Sometimes it needs a disappointing year for changes to be made. At the end of last year, before we went on the end-of-season social, we sat down and had a very honest session and put down on paper what we thought had gone wrong and why we weren't champions.
"Our goal is to win trophies and three years ago we set out a blueprint on how to run a domestic team but we have been caught up by other sides.
"Generally the standard of rugby that was played last year was disappointing both domestically and internationally.
"But this year, with the World Cup on the horizon, people realise they have to step up and that makes for a very exciting Premiership season, European campaign and what an autumn international series we have ahead of us."
