Before travelling to Spain

Saturday 23 April 2016

Still at Home

Well, it's only 3 sleeps until I head off on my Camino trip. I will be walking the Camino Frances, starting at St Jean Pied de Port, in France, and finishing at Santiago de Compostela, after walking to the coast at Finisterre... around 900km.

For this trip, Paul is staying at home to head off on a fishing and water sports adventure of his own. I'll be travelling with Kay, a friend from my triathlon days. She's great fun, and is an experienced Camino walker, having completed the Frances route in 2013 and Del Norte in 2015, both with her husband, Fuzz. He's also staying at home this time. Kay has been a wealth of information, excitedly advising about gear and keeping an eye on the forum and current weather conditions. Over the last months we've had a few excellent expeditions to the outdoor shops.

I'm very excited and am anticipating an amazing experience. Sadly, I'm less fit than I would have liked to be due to a left ankle and foot sprain back in February while walking Tassie's Three Capes Walk. That's all better now but I've been frustrated by associated lower leg issues on the other leg - plantar fascia, shin and calf troubles. I've had lots of physio visits and massages and not much walking. Will just have to do my best and get fit as I go, I guess.

After weeks, well months really, of organising gear I had my final trial pack today. Still have too much gear and still dithering about my extra footwear. Here's my gear all laid out.

I hope you enjoy sharing my experience as I go. Please feel free to send me messages by the contacts page.