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  1. Tandem Graham

    Small juicer, vegetarians and heating element?

    In rural Spain and much of Europe, the availability and choice of vegetables in restaurants and shops is more seasonal than in a UK (and I suspect US) supermarket. In spring, my experience in Navarra and the Basque country has been a great choice of fabulous fresh salad vegetables, whereas in...
  2. Tandem Graham

    Backpack is 2 kg too heavy TwT

    You're feeling nervous just before you go, but if you've already got your pack down to 7kg, you're doing better than many of us. The 10% guidance is unfair on smaller, lighter people! Nevertheless, whatever "the rules" may or may not say, lighter is always more comfortable. As others have...
  3. Tandem Graham

    Using a blanket as a jacket on a cold day

    Hi Chrissy, What a great adventure to share with your daughter! The expected temperatures from mid May onwards will be warm, certainly from mid-morning onwards. However, that first day out of Saint Jean PdP, the hilltops later on, and the first hour of each day throughout your Camino may be a...
  4. Tandem Graham

    Questions to ask about shoes

    I think it's good that you're going to a specialist shop for advice and fitting. Do make it very clear to them that you'll be walking mainly on hard surfaces and in a warm climate. If you're lucky your sales person will know about the Caminos, but on my first visit to Cotswold/Snow and Rock (six...
  5. Tandem Graham

    Best spots to buy camino gear in London?

    If you are a member of any of the following: National Trust; Camping and Caravan Club; Ramblers; Boundless (Civil Service Motoring Assoc); and I assume several others, ..... you qualify for 10 or 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor, including its subsidiary Snow and Rock. As others have said, only...
  6. Tandem Graham

    Question about towels

    If you buy a camping/backpacking towel, my tip is to use it and wash it a few times at home before you travel. They feel like drying yourself with a cardboard packing carton to start, until they soften up a bit. They do dry quickly though and are a fraction of the weight of a bath-towel at home.
  7. Tandem Graham

    Experience with waterproofing spray for cloth walking shoes?

    I have experimented with DWR sprays on running shoes. The spray is effective at keeping out moisture on fabric with a tight weave, but less so on fabric with a more open weave. Of course the open weave is more breathable, which is an important reason for choosing fabric shoes (rather than...
  8. Tandem Graham

    What does "good shoes" mean?

    You mention your Lowa boots. Lowa also make hiking shoes. The Renegade Low is made on a boot last and is a robust shoe, with many of the benefits of a boot but without so much weight. I wore a pair on an April Camino and didn't regret it. Buen Camino!
  9. Tandem Graham

    Rain galoshes or similar

    Pedantic, I know, but the long suppressed scientist in me wants to point out that sugar doesn't melt in water, even in hot water. It dissolves! But I concur, that your feet will not *dissolve* during rain either! Have a spare pair of socks ready to change into, once the rain abates. Or wear...
  10. Tandem Graham

    EE to eliminate free roaming

    I have been on a UK monthly contract with EE (and their predecessor brand) for over 15 years - these days SIM only. When they informed me that they were going to charge for EU roaming I gave them notice to cancel. They called me and offered me a cheaper deal, to include EU roaming at no extra...
  11. Tandem Graham

    Duffel or backpack if transporting

    I would say backpack, and pack it relatively lightly, because you may have to carry it from your accommodation to a pick up point or vice versa. Or there is a small possibility that you can't secure luggage transport for one stage, and a duffel bag would hurt after a few miles! You can find...
  12. Tandem Graham

    Layers guidance

    As per @trecile 's advice, Merino isn't everyone's favourite for next to the skin. Also, during days which start cold but get hot, it's best to have warm layers which can be removed without undue nudity on the trail! When I'm not cycling or hiking, I'm also a distance runner. These days every...
  13. Tandem Graham

    Anyone use Hoka One One shoes?

    There are two versions of Hoka Speedgoat, with or without Goretex. The Goretex version is marketed as waterproof. However, if you plan to walk in summer months, are you sure that you want your shoes to be waterproof? Most experienced multiday hikers would prioritise breathable and quick-drying...
  14. Tandem Graham

    Is Zpacks Vertice rain jacket worth the investment for ultralight hikers?

    Hi Monique, Given Dave Bugg's verdict (and he is the guru on Camino gear) that no rain jacket - no matter how expensive - is going to be truly waterproof and fully breathable in real life, may I suggest you visit your local Decathlon and have a look at their summer weight rain jacket? In the UK...
  15. Tandem Graham

    Euro Phone Charger with Dual Output

    Beware the smallest, lightest and cheapest Euro double-USB adapters; they can get quite hot and fail as a result. I even saw one melt! I have used an iGo block shaped version for the last few trips, which has proved reliable, though there is a 75 gram weight penalty over the smaller ones.
  16. Tandem Graham

    Injinji socks

    I have toes which are like how yours sound to be! When I competed in running races anything longer than 6 miles my third and fourth toes would end covered in blood as they abrazed each other. Injinji running socks fixed that issue. Then when I began to prepare for long multiday hikes, I had...
  17. Tandem Graham

    Footwear

    Hi Mark, Your question will produce lots of (contradictory!) answers. There are very few stages of the Camino Frances where boots will be an advantage in May/June. But if you're comfortable in Keen boots, you might want to visit a hiking store and try on Keen hiking shoes or hiking sandals. They...
  18. Tandem Graham

    Rucksack size carry on plane

    Hi Lynn, Easyjet used to have a more generous size allowance for cabin baggage, but they can be quite strict about the measurements. There are very few useful rucksacks which meet the new criteria. My work around, like others above (and I'm flying to Seville by Easyjet to start the Via de la...
  19. Tandem Graham

    SJPP to SANTIAGO

    Hi @cardifflad52, you're shopping like an expert! I'm sure you're going to have a great Camino. If you've forgotten something, Spain has good shops too! Keep a lookout for Carol, my better half, who is starting at St JeanPdP a few days after you and plans to walk 25km a day. Bright red...
  20. Tandem Graham

    SJPP to SANTIAGO

    Oh, just to say I usually walk in shorts - in other than freezing conditions - and only wear hiking trousers in the evening, except when the shorts haven't dried after washing. My legs dry quicker than trousers!

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