Why raise money on this pilgrimage? My main motive for walking is for peace and in remembrance of my two children. Raising money for charity is a bonus. My walking partner Margaret has agreed that The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a great charity to support. Here’s why. My little son Pax died at the ageContinue reading “Why I’m raising money for The Compassionate Friends”
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Sometimes you don’t have to go far
This week’s training theme is walking from home and back. It takes a lot of effort to drag myself away from work in my home office, but it always feels good when I have. A “quick” walk of 5-9 km is better than none – especially as it is hilly round here and good exercise,Continue reading “Sometimes you don’t have to go far”
Sometimes the way is very clear
Another training walk, this time on the Middlewood Way in Cheshire. Very easy walking on the route of a former light railway. Easy until I took a shortcut (what was I thinking?) and had to wade through mud. Tarmac tracks are definitely easier on these wintry days.
The weather forecast
This is the forecast for our walk in March. Looks promising! Definitely a lot brighter than what we’ve got right now at home (5 degrees, cloud cover, wind). Having to readjust my packing plan – less layers! Sunglasses! Hat! Looks like ideal walking temperatures.
Training notes: Journeying vs arriving
Got in a few more training walks. Yesterday I returned to the Manifold track (Staffordshire). This time I did it differently: a longer walk, but with a proper lunch break. To explain – I have been reading on some of the very helpful Camino Facebook groups about how other people achieve long distances. It struckContinue reading “Training notes: Journeying vs arriving”
Manifold training
The Manifold track follows the route of an old railway line, long since gone. It weaves along by the river Manifold in a limestone valley of the Peak District. The river disappears under the rocks unless there has been heavy rainfall. There are caves enroute , hills, sheep grazing, and endless native trees. Really aContinue reading “Manifold training”
The challenge
Four years ago, I could barely walk to our local park. I had knee replacement surgery (‘TKR’). This had become inevitable following 45 years of inflammatory arthritis that pretty much destroyed my right knee. But that wasn’t what had so utterly weakened me. Following the knee surgery, it was discovered I had stage 3 kidneyContinue reading “The challenge”
A New Year, a new decade
Equipment and enthusiasm
Comfortable walking shoes Walking socks Lightweight backpack Waterproof jacket Walking trousers T shirts Trekking poles Guidebook Memorial pebbles to lay down at special places Pilgrim “passport” Scallop shell (We will pick up the last two at Porto Cathedral) All of these are practical. But what I need most of all is faith for the journeyContinue reading “Equipment and enthusiasm”
We booked our flights!
Margaret came for a visit for the weekend so we could finalise our plans for our Camino in March. We sat with maps and guidebooks; we looked over routes and places to stay. John is coming with for the first two weeks, so we decided to go for self-catering places along the route, moving everyContinue reading “We booked our flights!”
One Step Camino 