The Camino Frances

The Camino Frances

Saturday, March 29, 2014

A Packing List to celebrate 6000 hits!

My blog has had 6000 views in it's short life. I had no idea when I began it, that it would be so much fun, and such a great way to spread the word about the benefits of walking and the Camino.
Thank you for reading, and commenting. I am hoping that you will sign up for regular posts, and comment, especially while I am on the Camino - I know I really appreciated the thought that someone was following my story, and so I felt connected to home.

I am assembling my backpack, though there is still almost 4 weeks until we leave. Actually, what to take is a
perennial topic of conversation on the walks with pilgrims.
Can we do carry-on only?
That is my plan.
Should we put our poles in our packs, and can we carry them on?
Apparently that is allowed on Air France, the airline we are using.
How many pairs of underwear?
3 pair - I auditioned them, and chose the 3 pair that dried the fastest.
Snacks, and gluten-free food?
I will take some oatmeal for breakfasts, and some rice cakes for the first few days. I was able to buy them in the larger towns in Spain.And maybe some of my delicious raw balls.
Merino or technical?
Merino exclusively, except for the underwear that passed the test - well worn cotton.

Here is the clothing I will take:
2 pr short sleeved merino t shirts - I will sleep in one, and wear it for the day as a base layer
2 pr long sleeved merino shirts - I will likely wear one over my other shirt most mornings
1 3/4 sleeve merino shirt for the evenings
1 long sleeved merino hoodie
1 waterproof jacket with pit zips
1 pair nylon hiking pants with zip off bottoms
1 pair water and wind resistant long pants
1 pair of part merino leggings, for sleeping in, and cool mornings
3 pair underwear, 2 bras
1 or 2 scarves
1 baseball cap
1 buff - great for cool mornings, and to keep the sun off my neck

1 down sleeping bag, 750 grams, borrowed from my son-in-law Michael
1 silk liner - inside the sleeping bag for cold nights, and alone for hot nights

I have still to decide on the toiletries and first aid elements, though I know how much face cream I will need. Most of these items can be purchased in Spain, so I take the bare minimum - one or 2 bandaids, and a small tube of toothpaste. Don't forget the vaseline - to lubricate my feet and toes every morning as a blister preventative.

A camera and battery charger, but no other devices - public internet computers are widely available for blogging and staying in touch.

So, readers, what do you think? Am I well prepared? Any questions, or topics you would like to hear more about?
Comments are appreciated.

Buen Camino

Monday, March 10, 2014

More on Training

I have upped my walking and am trying to walk further each day.
Here is what I was doing on Friday - thanks Julie for the picture, including the finger!
 
We walked about 20 km, and it was all gorgeous.

Saturday I had a pot-luck lunch near Avenue Road and Lawrence, so I walked up - about 10 kms.

Sunday I walked to church and back. Here is our website - our church is newly renovated, and a very exciting place to be. That walk was about 10 km all together too.
 http://beachunitedchurch.com/

On Wednesday I walked along Bloor street to Davenport to visit Monarch Vintage - a clothing store run by a high school friend of Aislinn's. Hilary recognized me as I walked in the door - I hadn't seen her for at least 15 years. Check it out at
 https://www.facebook.com/MonarchVintage.
 I'll be going through my closets and donating to her - and I won't have stuff in my closets that I don't wear - a win-win. And another 15 kms.

Today our walking group went down the Don Trail to Corktown Commons. The security guard there gave us a tour of the facilities - it must be a lonely job.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corktown_Common

We resumed walking, and because Jasper ( the dog) was with us, we had coffee at Merchants of Green Coffee - a dog friendly ( and people friendly) coffee shop.
http://merchantsofgreencoffee.com/.
But that wasn't enough for some of us, so we walked the Portlands, and were home in time for lunchafter walking about 14 kms.

Tomorrow is the walking group, with a visit to the Distillery (likely)  and a visit to the waterfront and Cherry Beach tacked on for more distance.
Wednesday, I am walking back to Monarch Vintage, then an appointment at Yonge and St Clair. I likely won't walk home.
Thursday, the Waterfront Trail ( on streets, not the beach) from home to Rosetta McClain park and back to the church for choir practice.
Friday, from home up the Don Trail to Nostalgia coffee shop at O'Connor and St Clair, then lunch at Camino Bistro and home along the Danforth.

I think I'll be ready for the Camino!