Hi from New Zealand

[KiwiNomad06]

Hi! I am from New Zealand and am hoping to leave home in about a year from now, and head to Le Puy to start the Camino from there. I am not sure how far I will try to go on one trip though. Perhaps to Roncevalles.
I look forward to hearing a lot more from people over the next year on this forum.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Ticket booked for April 2008. Oh what glee! I am flying Singapore Airlines... have a couple of days rest to get over some jetlag in Singapore, then arrive in Paris on 8 April. Expect to start walking the Camino from Le Puy about 13 April. Yeehaa!
Margaret

 

[WolverineDG]

All right!! You're moving in the right direction!! Are you going the entire way to Santiago or just to Roncesvalles?

Kelly

 

[KiwiNomad06]

If I can get to at least Roncesvalles I will be happy. I don't intend to go fast, and won't mind of it takes me eight weeks to get that far. I will just take it as it comes, and see how I go. My full-time job finishes here in six weeks anyhow (which leaves me plenty of time to 'train' through summer here before I leave) so I don't need to rush back.
Margaret

 

[WolverineDG]

Don't worry about moving slowly. I had a much better time taking it 20k/day.

Kelly

 

[Joseph Chan]

Hi kiwinomad,

You may be interested in viewing the video made by a kiwi family, they had three generations doing the Camino at various times. One daughter intends to do the Camino in April 2008. http://youtube.com/watch?v=kLlQzkTfZu0.

This is a lovely video accompanied by a song composed and sung by the pilgrim. This was posted a couple of weeks ago. There is a confraternity in OZ but we are tapping you to start one in NZ, hope you will be inspired after your camino to consider this.
Cheers
Grandpa Joe

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Kelly, I won't feel any guilt if I only walk 12-15km some days ;-)
That was a wonderful video Grandpa Joe.... am going to share it on my blog too.
Margaret

 

[brendan nolan]

Hi Margaret (in a different context)!
Regarding how far one walks each day; my lower record was approx 7 kms from Cacabelos to Villafranca del Bierzo! I was lucky,in the final kms, to be able to make Cacabelos from Molinaseca because of the pain in the shin on the final kms, so the following day, a short day to Villafranca was a bonus.
Regsrds,
Brendan

 

[sillydoll]

Few refuges turn pilgrims away but in Galicia there were two that would not accept pilgrims who had walked 15kms or less.
I have found that 'time on feet' was more important than distance covered. Some short distances might take longer (going up to O'Cebrerio) whilst a longer distance (on the flat plains of the Meseta) could take less time.

 

[Fletcher]

Aside from daily distances walked, it's important to travel as light as possible. Aim for a pack weight of 10 kilos (20 pounds) or less. In April you should be fine with a compact summer weight sleeping bag. Get a silk liner if you can afford it - it adds warmth while still being very light and compact (smaller than your fist when packed) and can be used alone if you hit any hot weather. Most of the hostels supply blankets.