BobM
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- V Frances; V Podensis; V Francigena; V Portugues; V Francigena del Sud; Jakobsweg. Jaffa - Jerusalem
Not long now till I start Phase 2 of the Via Francigena from Besancon. Hopefully it will not be flooded when I arrive on June 17. The weather in Central Europe looks very wet so far this year. Rain and even snow on the Giro d'Italia a couple of weeks ago. What's going on?
I have had to cut down on packed weight and reluctantly will not take my camera. So my smartphone camera will have to serve. At least it geotags pics so that will be an advantage.
Actually the phone is proving quite useful in other ways. I have an app that reads many document formats, so I am taking a whole bunch of working files. Plus guide books, other reading. Music.
As for reporting progress here, I may try a couple of postings to see what the data usage costs, otherwise reporting will have to await my return home. Data costs on my new Air Baltic international SIM seem to be reasonably cheap, but I am sceptical until proven in the field.
But I don't want the phone to rule my leisure(?) time on the road. It is a tool, not a master!
I will be using Paul Chinn's slightly modified route (VF, ed5) and my GPS unit as the prime navigating aids. I was able to get Paul's guidebook spiral bound at Officeworks (office supplies shop) for less than $4. Last year I found the spiral-bound book to be very helpful for use on the road because it folds perfectly flat & can be read when in a plastic bag in rain.
As for equipment, I have opted for light boots instead of walking shoes. Shoes have been fine in the past, but boots might be better on hillier terrain. No walking pole. No sleeping bag -- that might prove problematical if I need to sleep in a parish hall. Otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Just minimalist, under 6kg.
Bob M
I have had to cut down on packed weight and reluctantly will not take my camera. So my smartphone camera will have to serve. At least it geotags pics so that will be an advantage.
Actually the phone is proving quite useful in other ways. I have an app that reads many document formats, so I am taking a whole bunch of working files. Plus guide books, other reading. Music.
As for reporting progress here, I may try a couple of postings to see what the data usage costs, otherwise reporting will have to await my return home. Data costs on my new Air Baltic international SIM seem to be reasonably cheap, but I am sceptical until proven in the field.
But I don't want the phone to rule my leisure(?) time on the road. It is a tool, not a master!
I will be using Paul Chinn's slightly modified route (VF, ed5) and my GPS unit as the prime navigating aids. I was able to get Paul's guidebook spiral bound at Officeworks (office supplies shop) for less than $4. Last year I found the spiral-bound book to be very helpful for use on the road because it folds perfectly flat & can be read when in a plastic bag in rain.
As for equipment, I have opted for light boots instead of walking shoes. Shoes have been fine in the past, but boots might be better on hillier terrain. No walking pole. No sleeping bag -- that might prove problematical if I need to sleep in a parish hall. Otherwise nothing out of the ordinary. Just minimalist, under 6kg.
Bob M