Well it’s been a very productive day but not at all what I had planned which just goes to show that the best laid plans etc. I’m delighted to have, at last, documented the first stage of the Camino for Teresa and me. It’s long overdue but I think it looks great and it has definitely got me so excited about setting out again on Thursday. I have a really busy two days before then so whether I get more written or not about sections two and three will have to be seen. I’m off now for a good night’s [...]
Final Day of this stage as we head to Aumont-Aubrac
October 6th 2008 An amusing breakfast this morning as this is very much a rural stop and run by a family so the gentleman overseeing breakfast this morning didn’t seem to be in his most comfortable environment. Still there was plenty of choice and we left feeling well fuelled for the day ahead. Our last day had a cloudier start which thankfully made it warmer. No headbands, gloves or hats needed this morning. We head up the track to join the path, somehow it’s a much shorter walk than at the end of yesterday and take a photo to mark [...]
Saugues to St Alban
October 5th 2008 The first thing I remember about this morning was looking out the window and seeing frost on the cars, it was still dark and I was sure I was imagining it but as we started off Teresa was borrowing my gloves and we were looking at ice in the puddles and frost on the grass. Breakfast was fabulous though, what a great hotel for food and I slept so well too. This one definitely gets the thumbs up!! We set off at a fast pace to warm us up as we negotiated our way out of the [...]
Day 2 of our first section – St Privat to Saugues
October 4th 2008 Instead of the 14 miles we expected yesterday, we covered about 20, all those false turns and mistakes. I didn’t ache though showing that the exercise routine and gets against the walk works although it is quite funny to see especially when two of us are doing it together. I didn’t sleep well last night and remember struggling to find the bathroom in the middle of the night in the pitch black. I was trying so hard not to wake Teresa and I kept ending up in the shower room, glad I wasn’t on camera for that. [...]
Back track dear friends to Oct 2008
The symbol of the Camino October 3rd 2008 It’s rather embarrassing that as Teresa and I pack and plan for section 4 of the Camino that my photos and updates of the whole journey are no further than part of Day 1. It’s always been my intention to get it up to date and preferably before we start section 4 but there’s loads of work, time is tight etc, However this morning with a great plan of work ahead, my Thunderbird has crashed and has a ‘Can Not Do’ attitude. I could scream and shout, I could get depressed or [...]
The blip before the start.
Teresa is off in the Peak District doing a sponsored walk but is not well so is walking the shorter as opposed to longer route, I know she’ll be disappointed. I went over on my foot yesterday and am keeping my fingers crossed that the discomfort doesn’t develop further. I have a 7/8 mile walk tomorrow to try it out on. We’re off on Thursday and I’ve just been familiarising myself with the section we’re about to walk – Cahors to Lectoure, I got a little shock to realise that the first day is 19.4 miles, that will be an [...]
9 days and counting…..
All the information has now arrived, luggage tags, vouchers for hotels which led me to seek them all out on the internet to get an idea of location and how they look, topguide etc. Had a lovely email from my wonderful walking companion Teresa - Thanks H. I am almost beside myself with anticipation. I may have a peek on-line at the stopping places. I can just see us walking along that bridge in Cahors. Love T XXX …..and Teresa has a two day walk in the Peak District to do before she gets to France. I [...]
Only two weeks to go!!
Two weeks tomorrow and Teresa and I will be off to do the next section of the Camino and we’ll be spending a night and day in Toulouse en route. This morning I received an email from the wonderful Ann from World Walks who is organising it all for us letting me know that she’ll be putting the hotel vouchers in the post and also checking what book she has already sent us. It’s making it all very real and I for one am getting very excited. Camino, here we come.
Fully paid up and rearing to go.
Lay awake in bed last night realising that we’re now fully paid up for our trip and it’s only 5 and a half weeks till we go!!! Rather exciting. We are both carrying a couple of injuries though so it’s going to be thorough work on those knees for both of us, still a little on Teresa’s shoulder and management of my arch issue. Oh joy. No doubt we’ll be fine though.
A necessary piece of kit.
On a walking trip, you would be forgiven for thinking that the most necessary piece of kit would be your walking boots/shoes and you would be right, but as I’ve discovered, when flying especially on a low cost carrier a bag that holds your poles is up there just as important unless you want to spend as much extra money as on a pair of skis or a set of golf clubs! The first time Teresa and I headed off to walk the Camino, transporting our poles wasn’t a problem. I attached mine to my rucksack and no one queried [...]