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  1. Martin-B

    Who are you lighting a candle for?

    My mother, my father and my brother, also for my girlfriends father as she can't always get the time off work to walk with me and it just feels like the right thing to do.
  2. Martin-B

    Sarria to Santiago March 2024

    Hi Just to confuse the issue a little more. I take waterproof socks and trail runners, I've found that to be a compromise that works quite well. They weigh little, take up no real space but save your feet if the weather turns wet. Martin
  3. Martin-B

    Boots?

    Hi Richie Arrived back 2 weeks ago from Tuscany hiking in 30 C +, As someone who for years extolled the virtue of boots in all circumstances you can now rarely get me out of my Hoka speedgoat 5s, though they'd probably just about last the Camino Frances but they'd be 'slicks' by the end. What...
  4. Martin-B

    Last night I learned I snore...

    If other peoples snoring bothers you? Find a hotel. It's a fact of life in albergues, it's an involuntary action which for many is difficult to address. On those occasions I'm kept awake by it I remind myself I'm not paying hotel rates. I remember on the Frances a girl be woken by some guy...
  5. Martin-B

    Frivolous debate - swimsuit vs 3rd set of undergarments

    I usually take lined 2" running shorts which double as swimwear when required, walking shorts in hot weather and can also serve as underwear, Having recently completed 2 weeks walking in Tuscany with temperatures in the low 30C they proved their worth. I at this point have never found the need...
  6. Martin-B

    Anyone starting Via Francigena in April

    Hi Birgitte I averaged 38 km per day over 56 days, Some days I did over 60km, other days less due to weather or terrain. I did have a tent which I used on a few occasions, a couple of campsites and a bit of wild camping which isn't quite as easy as you think, I planned to camp more but due to...
  7. Martin-B

    My Experience with Hoka Challenger ATR 7s: A Camino Report

    Thanks for that, I didn't know you could do that but then again I'm not exactly knowledgeable when it comes to forums, I've learnt something new so it has to be a good day!! Cheers
  8. Martin-B

    My Experience with Hoka Challenger ATR 7s: A Camino Report

    I did the Via Francigena this year wearing a mix of Hoka shoes, one pair of Stinson ATR and a pair of Speedgoat 5 gtx. I would estimate that I covered 650 miles approximately in each, if there was some bias i would say I wore the speedboats a little more. The Stinsons uppers failed eventually...
  9. Martin-B

    Anyone starting Via Francigena in April

    Hi, replied to kiwi couple who asked the same question more or less. 66 days is a good time, I had to put in some ridiculous days to make up for time lost for bad weather, monotonous in places but a good challenge. Some people have questioned my time but with the wonders of modern technology I...
  10. Martin-B

    Anyone starting Via Francigena in April

    Arrived at the pass on the 23rd of May, phoned the hospice at GSB for advice as the Napoleon Bivouac hotel didn't really know the conditions, The hospice told me to walk up the road as it had been cleared but was not open for traffic as some of the snow galleries created by clearing the road...
  11. Martin-B

    Anyone starting Via Francigena in April

    If anyone is interested, I left Canterbury on April 24th, arrived in Rome on the 18th of June , 56 days, approximately 1325 miles, nearly 3 million steps, a few blisters ... Walked the entire route, no bus, no taxi just the endless trudge of one foot in front of the other. It had it's moments...
  12. Martin-B

    Anyone starting Via Francigena in April

    If all goes well, starting the 24th of April from Canterbury, ferry booked for the 25th, then on to Rome hopefully. Trying to raise money for a children's hospice at the same time.
  13. Martin-B

    To poncho or not to poncho?

    Have tried both poncho and rain jacket, for a relatively light shower a rain jacket is fine. For those Galician monsoons I'm a poncho convert, I often carry both though if I could take only one it would be the poncho. Mine is from Snugpak, a British firm that makes lightweight gear for the...
  14. Martin-B

    Shoes

    Hi Anne As someone who's first decades of walking were confined to mountains and rugged coastal terrain you'd have never got me out of boots, these days things have moved on and I must confess I'm a convert to trailrunners. Considering the months you are intending to walk I would look for...
  15. Martin-B

    Is the full Portuguese Camino doable in 3 weeks?

    Ok, I'll just stick my head over the parapet, tin hat at the ready... I walk quite fast, and managed the Frances in 18 days from SJPDP to Santiago, met some lovely people, had some very enjoyable 'camino' moments. Feet complained a couple of times but nothing more than a couple of blisters which...
  16. Early start

    Early start

    Early start.
    • Martin-B
    • Media item
    • Comments: 2
    • Category: Camino Frances
  17. Meseta, pure Bliss

    Meseta, pure Bliss

    Meseta, pure Bliss....
    • Martin-B
    • Media item
    • Comments: 4
    • Category: Camino Frances
  18. Martin-B

    Declining Pilgrimage Numbers on the French Camino: Understanding the Local Political Context

    Another vote for the Meseta from myself, probably my favourite part of the Camino, a much more cerebral experience in many ways. For the record I was chatting to a French pilgrim on the way into Castrojeriz, If I remember correctly he had completed the Frances 3 or 4 time and had a few friends...
  19. Martin-B

    Saying Goodbye: Leaving From Home or the Airport?

    I usually walk alone, so the illustrious OH drops me at the airport (40miles) , now this could be for many reasons? 1: She want's to make sure I've actually gone so she can relax in the knowledge the tv remote is in her control for the next few weeks/months. 2: She wants to make sure I've gone...
  20. Martin-B

    People with Altra Lone Peak shoes

    Now that's impressive, I'll just miss you in Italy , starting the VF in April . I did the Frances in October from St jean, prices are going up in the albergues...

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