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!

Sorrows and Joy

The loss of my niece Jess's baby daughter has saddened us all. Little Heidi didn't get a chance at life, and has left an immeasurable hole in the hearts of her parents, grand parents, and all the family.  It is at times like this that Australia is a long long way from Ireland. 


Unaware of the sadness ahead, grandaughter Kate and I had a great few days in Paris.  Admittedly we only walked to the second level of the Eiffel Tower, but at 704 steps up and 704 steps back down in top 20s temperatures, it was not a paltry achievement.  Afterwards we treated ourselves to a long and leisurely round trip on the river bus to recuperate before cooling down the delightful aquarium nearby.

Cooling the sore feet after the Eiffel Tower

We also climbed the tower of Notre Dame cathedral - a first for me, as was the aquarium visit.  Letting the grandchild choose the itinerary has great benefits!  While there were only a mere 240 steps to the first level, they were more difficult as they spiraled up and were worn and smooth, unlike Eiffel's cast iron steps.  However, the views from the gallery more than made up for loss of breath and creaky knees.

From Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower

Camino training is well underway, and the walk still planned for the end of September, so please watch this space for updates.  Sarah continues to make great progress and ongoing cancer research needs our support.

Buen camino!

The Beara Way

It is high time I updated the blog!  Plans change and summer has its pleasant demands with visitors to entertain and grandchildren to care for - not that we would qualify for Mr Shane Ross's grand grant!

A recent chance to visit the UK's South Downs in the company of old college friends was greatly relished, and the sun shone for a full week. Early morning was the best time to sample the glorious undulating paths there before the heat became overpowering.

We have managed only a single day of the lovely Beara Way, and intend to do more, but meanwhile have been busy with shorter local walks and a daily swim in the amazingly warm Atlantic.

Sandstone boulders, Beara Way near Glengarriff

The Healy Pass

The Healy Pass : Glanmore Lake and Kenmare Bay

I have pushed back the Camino date to the end of September, and will set up the donation site before then.  The actual venue remains to be decided, depending on my capability nearer the time.  Meanwhile I am heading to Paris next week for a few days with grandchild No 4 : it has been a ritual to introduce them singly to the wonders of my favourite city, with the itinerary left in the hands of each one in their turn: this requires research and planning on their part, and I get to visit places I might not otherwise see.  The trip will demand a good bit of exercise and so qualifies for the current training plan!

Au revoir until next time!