Camino reflection!

Well, it has been over nine months since we started our epic adventure over the Pyrenees and along the coast of Spain to Santiago de Compostela!  As we have stated many times, there was no epiphany waiting for us at the end; but rather, lessons learn't:  Do not sweat the small things, take things as they come, respect others and life is to be lived to the fullest!  

At dinner one night in Santiago, the question went around the table about walking the Camino again? At the time we felt that we had 'been there done that' and we had other fish to fry.  On reflection, it is a case of never say never! Recently, after sharing a bottle of vino tinto and watching 'The Way', we realised our attitude has changed some what. We yearn for the simplicity of  'The Way' and would love to go back.

Is the Camino journey ever finished?

                                                                 Buen Camino!

                                                             

                                                            

Training for the Way!

12 week training program! Your journey begins now!




Training for 'The Way of St James' is a strategy for looking after your body, finishing your pilgrimage and reducing the inevitable pain that will come from walking day after day and carrying your backpack. It is imperative that your footwear will make the distance. Wear in your boots and ensure your socks are comfortable. We both decided to purchase new boots after a couple of weeks training and never looked back. By wearing your well fitted backpack whilst training, you are also preparing your neck, shoulders, back and legs for the endurance ahead. We knew that we would hurt, no matter how much training we did, but we wanted to be fit enough to enjoy the challenge.

The general rule of our training was to walk everyday and then slowly build up mileage.

We started with a goal of an hour walk on a week day and then on the weekends a 10 km hill walk followed by a longer flat recovery the next day.

After a month we had built up to 20 km per day on weekends but usually still walked a hill followed by a recovery flat. Adding the pack was next. Starting off with about 3 kgs and working up to 10% of our body weight.

A couple of weeks to D day and we were walking at least an hour every weekday and hill walking over 20 km both Saturday and Sunday, always with full pack.

                                                              Just do your best Darling!
                                                                     Buen Camino!

Hiking essential! The humble pole!

The best, the most exquisite mode of transport is a walking stick; and one of the finest things in life is going on a journey with it”

There are several reasons to use hiking poles when out walking or trekking. Hiking poles help you move across terrain quicker, provide additional support and reduce the amount of effort required thus allowing you to achieve more during your adventures.

When used correctly, the poles can significantly increase your pace, heart rate and oxygen levels without feeling like you are expending excessive energy. The workload will be spread across different muscle groups, not just your legs!

Poles also offer increased support and stability on unfamiliar ground and uneven surfaces. The extra two points of contact with the ground will increase your confidence, especially if you are feeling a fatigued towards the end of your walk.

Another great benefit of using poles is that they improve posture, especially important if you are carrying a load. Hiking poles will make you more conscious of being upright. There is a tendency to slump forward whilst going uphill which shifts your centre of gravity and actually increases the chances of slipping or stumbling on uneven ground. (we have both been saved by our beloved poles several times).The poles will help you keep your body position more upright so you can use your arms and shoulders to propel yourself up the trail easier.

 There is no definitive right or wrong way to use walking poles but there are ways that can help you use them more effectively. A lot of hikers use their poles by bending their arms at the elbow and placing the pole tip slightly in front to use the pole as support. A more effective way is to keep your arm in a fairly neutral position (which is with a very slight bend) and use the shoulders to propel yourself forward.

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Walking Downhill

Position the poles slightly in front of you, this will lessen the impact of the fall of the hill. Shorten your stride to take some of the impact stress from the knee joints, especially important if you are carrying a backpack. If the terrain is very steep, icy or muddy, one useful technique is to walk down sideways or switchback.

Walking Uphill

You should be using the poles to push off not help pull yourself up hill, so shorten your poles. Try to keep them reasonably close to your body to improve efficiency too.

Two poles are better than one but one is better then none! 

 Relax and enjoy the rhythm! 

Equality!

How one lives is intimate,
no ones choice but yours.
Society must respect this
and stop closing the doors.

Stand up for freedom,
thought, equality and love.
The right to find your very own
adored, matching glove.

Steady thrum of heartbeats,
idealised and hope.
We are all created equal,
no reason to elope.

Believe in what you will,
but let people be true.
No need to be obtruse,
when it has nothing to do with you.

I beseech with all my heart,
that justice will prevail.
Equality will come home to roost
and the no sayers will fail.

Protection from the elements,
the haven in a storm.
A travelling pocket of fair weather,
allowing you free form.

Equality for all!

A pilgrim's pack.

The rule of thumb is that your pack should not weigh more than 10% of your body weight. You can be sure that there is method to this madness.... body & soul preservation! The Camino trail alone puts undue stress on the muscles and tendons with all the rocky paths and undulating hill one must endure along the way. By becoming a pilgrim, you are agreeing to a simple way of life. Gone are the fancy clothes and shoes. Makeup and hairdryers become a thing of a long distant past. To be frank, you can go days without looking in a mirror and some mornings you will just don your hat with no thought to a hairbrush. Vanity has no place!  If you are looking from Brad's point of view, nothing really changes.

It is essential to carry a  good quality pack that fits well. We used a Deuter brand; which had easy access, plus a built in rain cover. No problems!
 www.mountaindesigns.com/blog/tips/how-to-fit-a-pack


Packing list!

- Sleeping in Albergues can be difficult at the best of times. If you can get a half decent sleep, you will perform so much better on the next day's trek. To make yourself snug, we recommend that you take a light weight, compact sleeping bag and a pillow case to cover the dodgy pillows on the bunks. Add a pair of earplugs to block out the snorers & grunters plus an eye patch for protection from those early morning cyclop headlamps. Sweet dreams!
www.wiggle.com.au/nordisk-oscar-2-sleeping-bag


-Use a dry sack inside your pack to store your meagre wardrobe. This will keep your clothes all together and dry if you come across inclement weather.
-Our scrubba wash bag (an Aussie invention), paid for itself. It's a waterproof bag with a flexible internal washboard that provides a machine quality wash. (N.B. You will lather up  a sweat using it though).  As it was not always possible to gain access to washing facilities along the way, it was a Camino god send to pull out the old scrubba and in 6 easy steps our smalls were hung out to dry. Fill, roll & clip, deflate, rub and rinse. Voila!   www.thescrubba.com.au
Another little hint is to peg your socks to the back of your pack to dry whilst hiking but do so at your own risk! (keep in mind our Camino miracle).


Clothes!
2 pairs of hiking pants  (the ones that zip off into shorts are multi purpose)
3 short s shirts (breathable with moisture-wicking properties)
1 flannelette long s shirt (gives that extra warmth)
1 pair of thermals. (doubled as pjs)
1 waterproof coat.
3 sets of underwear, gloves, beanie and sun hat.
3 pairs inners and 2 pairs of outer socks.
Hiking shoes and flip flops.

Miscellaneous extras.
-Ziplock bags to keep travel & pilgrim passports dry.
-Limited first aide kit. You are not going to be out in the middle of Woop Woop and pilgrims are known for keeping the pharmacies in business, so you will always be able to top up at the end of the day.
-Minimal toiletry (repeat, there are shops aplenty)
- Carry a water bottle to top up along the way.
-Snacks, we always had a few on hand for just in case!



Never overlook the power of simplicity.
Buen Camino!

                        

-

Beyond unwanted!

Once dynamic,

 a pleasure, useful,

or loved.

A treasure.

 Effect of time,

                                                         A blowing wind,

The dust and the grime.

Indelible.

Temporary relationships,

 a bygone cherish.

Inanimate & mutable,

destined to perish.

The sadness of rejection,

ill favour or forsaken.

Broken, rusty

and derelict.

Superfluous & Obsolete!

                                 

Feral zombies panic to disembark!

 Lets face it, society is impatient.

Plane lands,  belt unfastened and commuters are at the starting gate. Aisles are full with punters rummaging in the overheads, pushing things aside  (squashing the cherished krispy kremes) in a bid to rescue their belongings.
The real anarchy begins when the doors open and everyone has the urgent need to be outta there. There is in fact, a list of airport etiquette which states that those at the front of the plane exit first followed closely in numerical order by the rest. Why do people think they have the right to push their way past from row 17 to be 1st off the plane? There is no ribbon or golden ticket waiting at the exit gate and the luggage would still be in process of being unloaded. Unless you have a very short lay over to your next flight, there is no excuse. Wait your turn!