Heh. I learnt that, one one hand, without planning you'll just end up wasting time and cursing at missed chances; on the other hand, it is impossible to keep to plans :-)

In effect, my planning grew ever more complex:

1. Print out a schedule for local rail/bus
   
2. Scout for possible good spots with Google Maps and a trekking map (for access paths & elevations)
   
3. Guess the time of day when lights are favourable at each spot & assemble them in a rough itinerary (with walk, train and bus times considered)
   
4. During arrival by train, check the surroundings from the train (for obstruction of chosen spots by changed vegetation, buildings, fences etc., resp. for new spots thanks to clearings etc.), modify rough itinerary accordingly
   
5. Re-shuffle plans on the spot if unexpected sights or if slow progress, the weather, road closures or angry farmers bring unforeseen problems :-)

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}