Our week in the Cantal was a good opportunity to test my kit, and it has resulted in some changes to my pack.  I hope I’ve made the right choices as time is fast running out and come what may, these items are coming with me.

Feet

Finding the right footwear has been a frustrating process.  I don’t have access to the shoes that I’d like to try, so I can only go the mail order route.  Once purchased, it’s all but impossible to really know how they feel on a hike… Without going on a hike…  And once you’ve taken the shoes on a hike… They can’t be returned.

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We’ve lived in south west France for just over 9 years, so we’re used to long, dry, hot summers.  This year has been exceptional though. We had a long, cold, wet, spring and now summer shows no sign of slowing or cooling. Normally at the end of August you can smell autumn in the air and the evenings are cool enough for a cardigan… not this year!

We had thought that heading to the high slopes of Cantal would bring us some fresher cooler air but we were wrong.  France Meteo has issued a Canicule warning… it’s going to be un-seasonably hot… so take precautions!

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This is my third camino and you would think that I had my pack and it’s contents sorted by now.  Sadly experience just seems to bring more choice and more confusion and as a result I have made a number of adjustments to my pack this year.

France is a nation of walkers so it it should be easy to buy equipment… but it’s not.  I’m tall for a girl (176cm) and I have a size 41/42 foot which is very wide (3E).  I find that shoes for women stop at 41 so I buy most of my shoes online.  Wide fitting is also not a normal  option so for walking shoes I have no choice than to buy online; and I generally buy men’s.  It’s an expensive and frustrating process!

If I want long length trousers then I also need to buy online although tops and t-shirts are easily and cheaply available.   I love my adopted home; France is a beautiful, fabulous place to live but shopping for the camino isn’t so easy (or should I say I haven’t found it easy).

Anyway, here’s what I think I’m taking to Spain… it all weights 7.7kg

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After a week of walking and trials and tests and much concern and research and reading and worry… I’ve decided on which shoes will be coming with me to Spain.

I’ve considered buying another Keen Targhee, Hanwag’s, Altra’s, Brooks and New Balance.  I’ve read reviews on Amazon and blogs, and Outdoor Gear Lab and countless websites.  I’ve downloaded apps and templates and measured and checked and watched videos and pondered and considered and basically got my head spinning with too much information.

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I have 8 weeks to get myself in shape and ready for the Via.  That’s long enough, indeed I have planned it this way.  So I started in earnest.  Walking everyday.

For the first week I have walked a circuit around our house that we call the white walk.  It’s a beautiful walk, regardless of the weather or the time of day.  It has a little road walking, but on the whole it’s on a stone track, a white chemin and through a forest… and it has an up and a down and some flat… perfect camino training!

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Before I was diagnosed with Hashimotos I steadily gained more and more weight.  Following my surgery and cancer treatment I gained even more weight.  When I undertook my first camino I did feel that perhaps I maybe the fattest woman on the trail. Continue reading →

Gerry’s amusing new nickname for me (or my feet) came to him as we compared my feet to a photo taken on my first camino.  He has a selection of names for my feet which also includes pasties and bricks with toes… so you’re getting the idea that I have wide feet!

A few days into my first camino I had to stop for a few days because my blisters were just too bad.  I rested up in Estella and bought new shoes and fortunately managed to reach Santiago without too much more drama.

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This year I decided that I would walk with purpose.  I want to raise money for Chris (The Samaritans) and Grace (Children’s Cancer Unit in Nottingham’s QMC Hospital) whilst walking the Via de la Plata.  I’m copying the idea and the foot steps of Ailsa Piper, who advertised herself as a Pilgrim seeking sinners… and she walked off their sins.

The concept of walking by proxy was common place in the Middle Ages; if you could afford it.   My offer is open to all and  way more affordable… indeed you decide how much you wish to donate.

I plan to walk 1128km from Sevilla to Santiago de Compostella and then Santiago to Fisterra and Muxia on the Atlantic Coast.  I’m not sure I like the ideas of sins so instead I’ll carry with me your regrets, burdens, worries, hopes, dreams or wishes.
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If you follow my blog you’ll know that I’m embarking on yet another adventure in the autumn; this time walking 1128km across Spain.   I will be starting in Seville and walking north towards Santiago de Compostella.  And after, onwards and westwards to the end of the world… otherwise known as Fisterra and Muxia on the Atlantic Coast.

On my previous Caminos, I’ve often wondered if I should try to raise money whilst I walk;  over the last year a few things happened that made me feel that this time I should.  There are two charities in particular that I would like to raise funds for (actually in reality, there are a great many… but I’ve chosen two).

My fabulous cousin recently learned that her equally fabulous grand-daughter had been diagnosed with Leukaemia.  Grace is being treated on Ward E39, a specialist children’s cancer unit in Nottingham’s QMC Hospital.  I asked them if I could walk on their behalf and if so, what charity would they nominate. They chose Ward E39… which seems absolutely the best choice!

My second charity is chosen on behalf of an amazing young man who, for just a little while lost his way and then sadly lost his life. However, his spirit was so amazing that he continues to move people like me to want to do something… So I walk to raise money on behalf of Chris and for the Samaritans… who in turn will help others who lost their way.

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