Light load!

All packed and a lot lighter than I previously posted.  Total load comes to a very reasonable 6 lbs, 2.7 kg.  In fact we have always managed to come in at less than 7 lbs, and not the 7 kg which some people would feel was very manageable.  This should make the going relatively easy, particularly over hilly ground.

 

I've brought forward the start day and will be heading for Ponte de Lima tomorrow and hiking from there.  Meanwhile my offshore support team will also be heading northwards and are bound to pass me out before long.  

Next episode en route!  Buen camino to all!

Packing the bag

Way back in April 2010 I posted a photo of what I was packing for the 20-day, 360km section of the Camino Frances from Sahagun to Santiago de Compostela.

 
It seems surprisingly little for a journey of almost three weeks, but the good washing facilities at most hostels keep the load light.  I feel nostalgic about my little clam-shell phone and separate camera - this time a smartphone will cover both functions and replace a computer!  My trusty backpack, hidden behind the Friends of Londiani tee-shirt in the picture, will be with me again this trip, as it has been for all my wanderings, though my boots are newer and I have graduated to a smarter pair of Crocs!  I found my poncho, but it needs resealing at the seams and I am awaiting some magic tape from Amazon to put it right.

This time my goal is a much humbler one of 128 kms of the Camino Portugues over 10 days, but given the  intervening years and less co-operative hips and knees, it seems to make more sense. I will start at an albergue in Pacos, 9kms south of Valenca, which is the last Portuguese town on the Camino before the river Minho/Mino, and the border with Spain.  Run by a Canadian couple,  this hostel gets good reviews and will provide dinner as well as bunk and breakfast, so it will be a social opportunity to get to know other pilgrims, whom I probably won't meet again as they will be doing much longer days than I am aiming for.  It will be good to spend two nights on Portuguese soil before I cross the river into Galicia, and change time zones.

Map John Brierley ©

Starting on Monday October first I hope to be in Santiago by Oct 11.  Most of the territory will be familiar, as Frank and I walked from Porto in October 2009, but there have been improvements in the infrastructure since then and some welcome diversions off busy roads.  I will find it difficult to update the blog via my phone and clumsy fingers,  so please bear with me!

Hasta la proxima!

I

Following example

On this lovely sunny Sunday when daughter Sarah and 11-year-old grand daughter Ellen have completed the Cork Mini-Marathon for the Mercy Hospital, and my better half has scaled the peak of Ireland's highest mountain on behalf of Brighter Communities Worldwide, it's time to follow their example and look ahead at the next challenge.

The response to my appeal for Breakthrough Cancer Research has been absolutely amazing and I am hugely heartened and encouraged by it.  Thank you for donations and messages of encouragement so gratefully received.

Flights are booked to Porto for September 26th, and fingers are crossed that European-based Ryanair cabin crew won't escalate their strike planned for Friday 28th.  I will start the walk a few days later from a little north of Porto, and head towards Santiago as best I can over 14 days.  There may have to be resort to the odd bus, or even (whisper it!) a taxi, depending how the flagging body holds up, but I will keep in touch with the blog via smartphone (if I can manage to type on the tiny keypad) and hopefully not indulge in too much "cheating"en route.

Now, where did I leave my poncho?  Packing list to follow, once I've found everything!

Training continues

There has been such a huge and heartening response to my appeal for donations for Breakthrough Cancer Research that I am determined to be ready for the big walk in a little over two week's time.
This weekend Frank and I were in Mayo and did a short scramble up the lower slopes of Croagh Patrick - initially in the rain but then beneath clearing skies.  The views were wonderful, and our delicious BandB breakfast afterwards tasted like heaven!

The Reek cloud capped

 

Sunshine on the way down

View of the Reek from the lovely Elmgrove BandB, Murrisk

Donation page open

At last the donation page for Breakthrough Cancer Research is up and running.  Click here to read about the charity and my planned walk.  There has already been a huge response and I am so grateful to family, friends, and friends of friends!  Go raibh mile maith agaibh go leir!

Training continues, and on Sunday morning we hope to be on the lower slopes of Croagh Patrick.  Flights to Porto have been booked and there are three weeks left before the walk begins. It's beginning to get exciting!