Recent content by Rex

  1. Rex

    Camino Frances 2024 Biker/Walker Accident

    On the VF in France, I had several experiences where local cyclists stopped to visit and wax eloquent about how wonderful it was that I was walking the VF. Not so much in Italy where they do seem a bit annoyed with the abundance of Pellegrini in their path.
  2. Rex

    Camino Frances 2024 Biker/Walker Accident

    So sorry this happened to you and wish you a full recovery. The increased speeds and weight of e-bikes is creating a whole new level of danger for walkers who share paths and small roads with them on camino and hiking routes. I’ve had several close calls with cyclists on the VF this year and...
  3. Rex

    An Aussie on the VF

    Keep trucking. There is no timeline. I started from Canterbury in 2022 and am tonight in Siena, 14 days from Roma. This is the third of 3 stages. The Confraternity has been and continues to be a storehouse of great information. TimR and others have provided much useful advice in previous...
  4. Rex

    Laundry on the Francigena

    This is a generous group and wonderful resource. And they made my start in Canterbury, then on across France, a smooth walk with all the tips and postings from their group. Money well spent to support them and use their knowledge base.
  5. Rex

    Laundry on the Francigena

    Hand wash and hang dry is the most common option. I'm starting the last leg from Lucca to Roma in 2 weeks, having walked from Canterbury to Martigny in 2022 and Martigny to Lucca in 2023. In France, there are very few accommodations that have any laundry facilities, so I wore only quick drying...
  6. Rex

    Cancelling Camino - Soliciting Advice

    As I prepare to start another leg of the Via Francigena, I'm noting that my pack weight has dropped for each of the caminos I've done. Reduce that weight to 6 or 7kg and you'll be fine. Delayed onset muscle soreness (known as DOMS in the endurance fitness industry) is a feature of going too...
  7. Rex

    Ziggy, Me, and Rosti to the Whiffletree. Comes Perambulation, Articulation, and Tauredunum latterly.

    A fine beginning and well done, sir. My wander in wonder, from Lucca to Roma, begins in 24 days. The dogs will most likely be in Martigny, but not yet up at San Bernardo this early. Wishing you very happy wandering through the mountains and down the Val d’Aosta. Bon Viaggio
  8. Rex

    Lucca to Rome - a retrospective

    Thanks for the remarks and advice. I'll be on that route, but without the Colle Val d'Elsa detour, starting in Lucca on May 1. Plan to arrive in Roma on 5/19. Will consider your advice on which cities you would prefer for rest days... they all look good, but time is short so choices must be...
  9. Rex

    Does anyone know of any shorter pilgrimage routes around the world?

    Regrets, I do not have a link, but last summer I met two pilgrims from Australia who informed me there is a new pilgrimage route in Australia that honors one of the first Australian saints canonized by Rome... and it is reportedly about 160 KM, if my memory is accurate.
  10. Rex

    New lightweight backpack from REI

    I went to the REI site and looked carefully at the pictures. Noted that it has many of the same features as the REI Trail 40 which I have carried for over 1000 miles on the VF and mountains of W Washington. It has suffered through a fully loaded drop of about 3 meters onto the tarmac from the...
  11. Rex

    Story of the Seine River, Paris

    Merci beaucoup! I have visited this crypt twice on trips to Paris and it is well worth the time to explore if you are a history buff. In 2022, we also visited the MuseoSeine in Caudebec en Caux, which has a wonderful history of the lower Seine estuary and region. We spent a Sunday afternoon...
  12. Rex

    Long pants and long sleeves in summer? Smart or big mistake?

    Like REI,Outdoor Research, Union Bay and Columbia climbing/hiking pants. ExOfficio also makes a convertible lightweight cargo pant that has a built in bug repellent. Have worn at least one of these on various Caminos. All dry very quickly and are SPF 50. On the first 500 miles of the VF I...
  13. Rex

    Humorous post Camino post😊

    What a great reminder of all the things we "love" about the Camino experience... and yet we can't wait to return to it again and again! Buen Camino
  14. Rex

    Camino etiquette - passing others on less-busy caminos

    I walk fast (average about 5.5KM/hour) so as I overtake people, I generally starting whistling "When the Saints Go Marching In" (just as a notice that someone is approaching from the rear) and then give them a cheerful Buen Camino and keep on truckin' as I move past them. Buen Camino
  15. Rex

    what does Gronze use for stages in the Via Francigena

    Bob from L.A. ! -- Happy New Year and thanks for all the posts on your epic trek this past Spring/Summer. I got to Lucca and stopped, but will finish in May or early June from Lucca to Rome. Your posts were inspirational and gave me some great ideas and tips. Hope 2024 is healthy and happy...
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