F
Former member 60103
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It's now short time to the end of the month and the call of the Camino is once again sounding bright and clear in this corner of the West Country.
To mis-quote Thoreau, in words but not I think spirit, once again time will be "stolen from my creditors" and a "broad margin" will be added to my life for at least 5 weeks. Zamora is hoped for and if time allows a few steps onto the VdlP to complete the last 5 days up to Astorga. Then it will be back to Toledo and Valencia to take the leading role of a pre-Brexit Brit tourist tour with my leading lady.
The pack list this time is perhaps more refined than previously. Weight is adjusted allowing for extra water carrying capacity in the form of a 2lt hydration bladder or water bottle with tube as the pre-technical me would say. I have also swapped out the baseball cap for a wide brim sun hat which my partner says looks like it got swiped from Freddy Krueger.
Route planning (Apart from yellow arrows). A downloaded strip map onto my mobile. Hard copies of a road map which show roads in and out of the villages/towns on route and (more importantly) show grid lines so I can use my compass. In addition translated route and accom descriptions based on recent pilgrim accounts.
The scallop shell has been intuitively chosen from the shells offered in St Mary's Church, Bridport. The shell will only be attached to my pack outside the Cathedral in Valencia, the moment once marked will give way to the first stride on the Camino de Levante.
A church on my extended training hikes is the resting place for T S Eliot. I often call in and read the words on his memorial. "In my beginning is my end, In my end is my beginning ". I read that each time I visit and think of journeys, of all our journeys. That first step on the Way leading ultimately and inevitably to the last step in Santiago, but it's not really a last step is it, it never is.
Vango 50Ltr Khumbu Trekking Rucksack, Highlander Hawk bivvy, sleeping bag 2 season
roll mat (cut down)
Wearing. trekking trousers, T shirt base, boxers and socks, Haix lightweight boots.
wide brimmed "Freddy Krueger" hat.
Carrying. trekking trousers, spare boxers/socks, 1 x L sleeve base, 1 x T shirt base, 1 x micro fleece, waterproof jacket, waterproof over-trousers.
Kit. Mobile Phone/charger, Compass, Spare laces, Very small tube superglue, sunglasses, reading glasses, 2 lt Hydration bladder (carried inside pack allowing for extra containers in side pockets), micro towel, flannel, soap (hard soap not gel), t/brush/paste and razor, Opinal pocket knife (UK legal - blade shortened and locking ring removed !), head torch, MP3 player, spare batteries, nail clippers, blister pads, Ibuprofin, plastic mug (microwave + mug = hot water) and Spork, needle/thread and safety pins. Paperwork (credencial,tickets and guide printouts)
All that comes out at just over 7.5 kg , add in water/food etc and true weight will probably be just under 10kg which although top end is Ok for me.
So if you happen to see Freddy Krueger on the Levante next month perhaps a little wave --its me. If you see him and you are not on the Levante my advice is drop your pack and head for the hills - fast.
Buen Camino,
Don.
To mis-quote Thoreau, in words but not I think spirit, once again time will be "stolen from my creditors" and a "broad margin" will be added to my life for at least 5 weeks. Zamora is hoped for and if time allows a few steps onto the VdlP to complete the last 5 days up to Astorga. Then it will be back to Toledo and Valencia to take the leading role of a pre-Brexit Brit tourist tour with my leading lady.
The pack list this time is perhaps more refined than previously. Weight is adjusted allowing for extra water carrying capacity in the form of a 2lt hydration bladder or water bottle with tube as the pre-technical me would say. I have also swapped out the baseball cap for a wide brim sun hat which my partner says looks like it got swiped from Freddy Krueger.
Route planning (Apart from yellow arrows). A downloaded strip map onto my mobile. Hard copies of a road map which show roads in and out of the villages/towns on route and (more importantly) show grid lines so I can use my compass. In addition translated route and accom descriptions based on recent pilgrim accounts.
The scallop shell has been intuitively chosen from the shells offered in St Mary's Church, Bridport. The shell will only be attached to my pack outside the Cathedral in Valencia, the moment once marked will give way to the first stride on the Camino de Levante.
A church on my extended training hikes is the resting place for T S Eliot. I often call in and read the words on his memorial. "In my beginning is my end, In my end is my beginning ". I read that each time I visit and think of journeys, of all our journeys. That first step on the Way leading ultimately and inevitably to the last step in Santiago, but it's not really a last step is it, it never is.
Vango 50Ltr Khumbu Trekking Rucksack, Highlander Hawk bivvy, sleeping bag 2 season
roll mat (cut down)
Wearing. trekking trousers, T shirt base, boxers and socks, Haix lightweight boots.
wide brimmed "Freddy Krueger" hat.
Carrying. trekking trousers, spare boxers/socks, 1 x L sleeve base, 1 x T shirt base, 1 x micro fleece, waterproof jacket, waterproof over-trousers.
Kit. Mobile Phone/charger, Compass, Spare laces, Very small tube superglue, sunglasses, reading glasses, 2 lt Hydration bladder (carried inside pack allowing for extra containers in side pockets), micro towel, flannel, soap (hard soap not gel), t/brush/paste and razor, Opinal pocket knife (UK legal - blade shortened and locking ring removed !), head torch, MP3 player, spare batteries, nail clippers, blister pads, Ibuprofin, plastic mug (microwave + mug = hot water) and Spork, needle/thread and safety pins. Paperwork (credencial,tickets and guide printouts)
All that comes out at just over 7.5 kg , add in water/food etc and true weight will probably be just under 10kg which although top end is Ok for me.
So if you happen to see Freddy Krueger on the Levante next month perhaps a little wave --its me. If you see him and you are not on the Levante my advice is drop your pack and head for the hills - fast.
Buen Camino,
Don.