Hello everyone.

[cd667]

Hi. Oh, this feels like writing a job application.... here goes.

I am Chris. I am a 40 year old man. I live with a lovely woman and a huge dog.

I've been fascinated by the pilgrim routes ever since reading about them as a boy. This sounds ridiculous, but I have always felt like a pilgrim! I sought out ways of talking to people, and exploring. I spent many years living on a boat, travelling round the UK. Settled down now in a small town in the centre of England. I don't miss the boat, but I miss the exploring!

Besides, a couple of my friends died last year, and it made me realise that I want to do these things while I still can. I may not have the ability in the future. I have said I will walk one of the routes in 2019; funds and work won't allow the time this year. However, I am walking the Ridgeway and Offa's Dyke before summer is out.

I'm really unfit. But I have time to train, and a clean bill of health. I walk my dog every day, and I am eating better than I have been over the last couple of years.

See you on the trail!

 

[jo webber]

Welcome. You have a plan, so you are off to a good start.
Train, then train with your pack. Then lighten your pack.

Enjoy.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi Chris,
Yes, you are off to a good start. The desire to walk the Camino is first a daydream that you cannot rid yourself of. It then becomes a plan, and eventually when the timing is right, the plan takes root and unfolds like a lovely flower as you begin to walk.

 

[Waka]

Once you have completed the Ridgeway and Offers Dyke you'll be more than ready for the challenges of the camino.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Hi. Oh, this feels like writing a job application.... here goes.

I am Chris. I am a 40 year old man. I live with a lovely woman and a huge dog.

I've been fascinated by the pilgrim routes ever since reading about them as a boy. This sounds ridiculous, but I have always felt like a pilgrim! I sought out ways of talking to people, and exploring. I spent many years living on a boat, travelling round the UK. Settled down now in a small town in the centre of England. I don't miss the boat, but I miss the exploring!

Besides, a couple of my friends died last year, and it made me realise that I want to do these things while I still can. I may not have the ability in the future. I have said I will walk one of the routes in 2019; funds and work won't allow the time this year. However, I am walking the Ridgeway and Offa's Dyke before summer is out.

I'm really unfit. But I have time to train, and a clean bill of health. I walk my dog every day, and I am eating better than I have been over the last couple of years.

See you on the trail!

Welcome to the Forums, Chris.

You are off to a good start. Keep walking every day. If overweight, lose it. If not overweight, start wearing a pack with maybe 5 lb. Add more later when it feels right. Hydrate and eat well.

Spend lots of time digging through these Forums as the entire knowledgebase is here for you, LOL. All questions have been asked and answered, many, many, many times. Take it from me. I used to be a weekly visitor, now daily as I will take on the CF in a few months.

Something was awakened in you early in life. I hope you find the answers you seek, along the Way.

 

[HedaP]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are going to enjoy the planning stage. Buen camino, peregrino.

 

[Sailor]

Chris, welcome aboard! Retired Sea-Going Sailor here, and I don't miss the small boats, the medium size boats, or the extra large boats. You are going to have fun walking El Camino de Santiago. Have fun with your planning and execution. God Bless, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[VNwalking]

Welcome, Chris.
Your pilgrimage has already begun!

 

[Kanga]

Yes, @cd667 (Chris) - you have put a line in the sand - and make that dream come true. It could be this year. I envy you - from England you can pop across to Spain, and walk for a week at a time - the Camino Inglés from Ferrol or A Coroña is only a week long. And then you can do the longer routes when you have more time.

 

[cd667]

Retired Sea-Going Sailor here, and I don't miss the small boats, the medium size boats, or the extra large boats.

You have done what I did! I took an oar, and walked away from the river until someone asked what I was doing carrying that funny looking stick....

Yes, you are all right. The journey has begun. Did it really begin when I was reading the book about the pilgrimages when I was a boy?

And yes, @Kanga , I am a very lucky man. My plan is to make the Camino Ingles next year. Perhaps a couple of stages of one of the longer trails the year after.

 

[FamPed]

Welcome to the Forum family Chris!
I hope you will enjoy spending time with us, while you plan your Caminos.