Visiting the Keen Store

Today we walked the waterfront - from the Don River to the RC Harris water filtration plant, visited the Keen store in the Beach, where they took our picture, then lunch at the Camino Bistro on the Danforth. Next week, we walk on Thursday again (May 23), with a twist this time, so email me for directions.

Bridgebuilding

Friday walk  with Pilgrims Progress


Let's build a bridge!

This Friday, May 3, we are looking for adventure on Toronto Island. Meet at 9 am,  9:10 at the bridge, and bring a  fork and a pot luck item to share for lunch. Email me for details, if you need them. Only one more Friday walk, then we move to Thursday. Last walk of the season is June 20.

This pilgrim spent some time in Leon yesterday pondering why he and the other walkers he met were doing the Camino. No definitive answers, but very thought provoking.

http://pgstheway.com/2013/04/30/day-20-rest-reflection-2/

Buen Camino!
Darlene

Pilgrims' Practice

I have decided to rename the Friday group for hikers, as we will only be walking for 3 more Fridays, then switch  to Thursdays. So from now on the group will be called "Pilgrims' Practice".
 I like the alliteration, and the reference to the Canadian Company of Pilgrims.

Angela has set up her blog and is leaving at the end of the month. Here is her blog address.

http://angelalarsen.blogspot.ca/2013/04/camino-club.html





This is a photo she took on our Pilgrims' Practice last Friday in Cedarvale Park - I know her photos of the Camino will be amazing and I am looking forward to following along with her adventures.
The website for her other photos is www.angelalarsen.ca

Mike has been walking with us since January, but usually he is seated on a bike, which is how he did the Camino. He is part of a yahoo group for cyclists on the camino. Here is the link.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Santiago_Bicicleta/

Here is one more blog for you, in case you were wondering what there is to do in Santiago.
Johnnie Walker, who moved to Santiago from England, blogs regularly on the Camino - he works at the Pilgrims office, and his latest post is Ten things to do in Santiago.

http://johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.ca/

Enjoy!

Camino blogs and links,and helpful hints for bedbugs

Here are some blogs from Pilgrims who recently walked the Camino.

This couple walked in January and February 2013.
One of their posts include a video of the botafumero swinging.

http://agoodwalkunspoiled.blogspot.ca/


This couple walked in January and February with their 6 month old baby Indigo, and did a video blog.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BeYourPotential

These people are either walking now, or plan to walk in 2013.

Lise walked here in Toronto with our group, and is currently walking from outside Paris to Rome.

http://www.wanderings2013.blogspot.ca/

Annie has walked several times, and is going to walk the Via de La Plata soon.She also writes on topics like preparation for the Camino, with great illustrations.

http://caminosantiago2.blogspot.ca/

Thom started on March 31 and is walking the Camino Frances

http://www.thomryng.com/camino/

This woman lives along the Camino in Moritanos, and runs an unofficial albergue. She gives a wonderful view of the Camino in all seasons.

http://moratinoslife.blogspot.ca/ 

Gordon operates Casa Banderas, just a few kms before Portomarin, and I met him in 2007, when the albergue was just a dream. I stayed there in October - the shower has to be seen to be believed. The website isn't up to date, but the stay was great

.http://www.casabanderas.com/



Here are some helpful preparations for bed bug deterents

Darlene:  Here are the recipes I found for discouraging bed bugs.  Please pass on to the group.

Spray:  I will blend this in a spray bottle with a little glycerine and add the water over there.  Then use as a spray on my pillow and mattress when I arrive in the albergues.  It can be sprayed on the skin as well.  Discontinue if it irritates the skin.

1 Cup Water
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
3 drops essential oil of clove (optional)
Bed Bug Herb Sachet 1
1 Cup dried Eucalyptus leaves
½ Cup dried rosemary
½ Cup dried lavender buds
10 Large cloves
Bed Bug Herb Sachet 2
1 Cup loose-leaf black walnut tea
½ Cup dried eucalyptus leaves
½ Cup dried lavender buds
¼ Cup dried thyme
2 Bay leaves
Trade Technocrats
130 Dynamic Drive,
Unit# 18,
Scarborough, Ontario M1V 5C9,
Canada
PHONE: TORONTO : (416) 335-3682, (905)472-0468

I found the above place lists Black Walnut tea leaves.  They also list eucalyptus leaves.  I have not yet called to inquire what a minimum order is. 


June Scott, CNHP, Reiki Master
Eden Energy Medicine Certified Practitionervisit LearnEnergyMedicine.com for scheduled classes

On the Camino (Photo Credit: Kiwi Nomad)

Hola pilgrims and readers

The Friday walks continue in Toronto, at least until the May 24 weekend. 
Meet at 8:45 for a 9 am departure. Please email me before your first walk with us.  (darmckee AT yahoo DOT com)

On Good Friday, March 29, the walk will begin from St Aidan's Church at Queen and Silverbirch with a 11:45 gathering for a 12:00 departure. Meet at the south entrance of the church hall. You are welcome to attend the 10:30 Good Friday Service at Beach United Church, in the church hall at the south end of the building. I will be singing in the choir.

We will walk the Boardwalk and the Martin Goodman trail to the Leslie Street spit, down the spit and back, west on the Martin Goodman trail, and up the Don Valley to my place. I will be serving tea and goodies, after the walk.

Please email me in advance for this walk.

On Easter Monday, we will meet at 8:45 for a 9:00 departure, and walk the waterfront to High Park. The Grenadier Restaurant will be open for lunch.

Once again, please email in advance for this walk.

This is a link with info on the statistics from the Camino in 2012, from the Pilgrims office in Santiago.

 http://www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.co.uk/

Buen Camino!

Darlene

www.caminowanderings.blogspot.ca

Monday morning walk in the Don Valley

Monday morning  was iffy weather-wise, but my inclination is to head out, see what it feels like, and cut the walk short if necessary. So the group I walk with on Monday mornings headed out, and the walking was wonderful, and the landscapes were so beautiful, as you can see from this photo taken by one of our members. There is no bad walking weather, just inadequate equipment.

The Don Valley, Monday Jan 28, 2013

This photo was taken by Ann Kirkland, a pilgrim who is taking a group to Spain for a guided walk on the Camino this spring. If you are interested, here is a link to that walk.

http://www.classicalpursuits.com/learning-vacations-2013/camino-learning-vacation.php

Hiking in Toronto

I'm walking regularly again - in Toronto!
Every Friday, a group comprising assorted pilgrims, prospective pilgrims, and other hikers gather at my place, and we walk out for the day. We take the Don Valley trail, have a coffee at the
 Brickworks  http://ebw.evergreen.ca/
Belong Cafe is a great place to take a break
http://www.cafebelong.ca/
We head up the
 Moore Park Ravine  http://www.lostrivers.ca/MoorePkRavR.htm
to Mount Pleasant Cemetery  http://friends.mountpleasantgroup.com/Self-GuidedTours.
Then we walk the Beltline,, through Forest Hill to Cedarvale Park, then Nordheimer Ravine, and have lunch.
Home is down the Rosedale Valley road, through Wellesley Park, and Rivedale Park West and East.
Here is the City of Toronto link for most of the walk.

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/pdf/trails/DW_Central.pdf


 
This is a photo of Cedarvale Park in the summer - almost as beautiful as it was today!

Email me if you would like to join us,