Hi Mick. Slight correction if you don't mind. I'm an old Marine myself and the idea always conveyed was that there is no such thing as an ex-Marine (unless one was dishonorably discharged)—that we called ourselves "former" Marines. That then was changed a few years ago when the Commandant of the Marine Corps issued a directive that we are to call ourselves Marines regardless of age or active duty status, i.e. no "ex", no "former." At age 75, I know it must sound strange to many ears when I say I am a Marine and the return thought is,
"like, Dude, you can carry a 52 kg pack? Hmmm, I don't think so..." And I don't think I could either. 25 kilos for expeditions, and that's about my limit in the mountains these days.
Camino Frances? 9 kilos fully loaded. Last year on the Camino I met and hiked with an 86 year old Marine aviator, and while we were together we figured we must have been the oldest duo on the Camino at a combined age of 161 years. In Orisson we compared notes on foot care. We both performed the same daily ritual: vaseline 2 times a day (first thing in the morning, and again after showering in the late afternoon) then a silk liner over which a medium weight Smart Wool sock. Neither of us had a single blister. The main thing to avoid is friction—this is what creates blisters. Personally, I've never used talcum powder. My thought is it might "cake up" when combined with perspiring feet, thus creating that friction. Others may have a more enlightened opinion on this aspect of the subject. When the time comes, Mick, have a Buen Camino. John