Apart from the wonderful diversity of fellow pilgrims, the extraordinary villages one walks through, the immense sense of history, and the wonderful bomardment to all our senses (in food and culture) I think that one of the reasons that Australians are attracted to the Camino is that they are able to travel light! When I walked 10 day trip on the Overland Track in Tasmania 40 years ago at the start of the journey my pack weighed just under 20 kilos - and that is one track where carrying water is not a necessity! If one bushwalks here you are generally committed to taking food for the entire trip if it is a three - seven day hike, and water for 24 hours - including for cooking. Hiking in South Australia in summer is a no-no - too hot and dry - and indeed most tracks are closed due to bushfire risk. Hiking in winter will mean that there is every chance that water can be found. I have been on hikes where we have had to dig for water in the evening and allow the hole to fill with water overnight - and share it with the nocturnal animals like Kangaroos. Indeed, we usually use the signs of digging animals for a guide as to where we should dig for water. Longer bushwalks require massive organisation for food and water drops.
Another very appealing thing about the Camino for us is the fact that it is safe to walk "alone" - although of course on paths such as the
Camino Frances one is rarely alone, but we are able to be solitary if we wish. Here, bushcraft lore is that we never go bush alone and generally in small groups of 3 - 4, for safety reasons. Thus, as as the years go by, I do less of bushwalking and more of pilgrimage! Janet
