Arrived Roncesvalles last night at 1900hrs. Showered. Pilgrim mass at 2000hrs, then a fine communal meal with other peregrinos after. Boy was I tired. This is an emotional roller coaster. Today much improved. I travelled with a Tasmanian lady, Jo, who is travelling solo also. We covered 27.7km to Larrasoana today. On time and schedule. Pretty tired though. The pack needs some adjustment. But tomorrow is a shorter day to Cizur Menor, I hope., 21km.
Buenos Tardes all, adios.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Dos dias a ir.
The time of leaving approaches. More loose ends tied up, but when will it stop. Pack must be kept light. Double checked all the debit cards will work, and have some cash Euros as standby.
Wednesday, a family blessing from Father Pat before my journey. Quite a moving moment. Thankyou.
Thursday, in pouring rain Callum and I visited the Anstey Hill Silver mine from the top, and took the Torture Hill path back to the car. We both got a big kick out of it.
Thursday night, farewell drinks with my old basketball buddies. Thanks fellas.
Mum is coming down to the city to see me off. Tomorrow night, will be a family farewell dinner at my favourite Pizza place.
Wednesday, a family blessing from Father Pat before my journey. Quite a moving moment. Thankyou.
Thursday, in pouring rain Callum and I visited the Anstey Hill Silver mine from the top, and took the Torture Hill path back to the car. We both got a big kick out of it.
Thursday night, farewell drinks with my old basketball buddies. Thanks fellas.
Mum is coming down to the city to see me off. Tomorrow night, will be a family farewell dinner at my favourite Pizza place.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
5 Days to go...
Went for a light walk up Anstey Hill with Riley this afternoon. We had a wonderful little chat, and he is going to miss his dad. We went to the old Silver Mine.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
1 Week to go.
Only a week now until I leave. It has been pouring rain so no training. Still that gives time to chase up odds and sods that don't really need chasing. I picked up the tickets on Tuesday, and last day at work was Friday, for a couple of months.
A couple of links to Google Earth routes:
http://elcaminosantiago.com/GoogleEarth/Camino_de_Santiago.kmz This one is not geographically spot on, but has lots of history and information, just click on the flags.
http://elcaminosantiago.com/GoogleEarth/Camino_Frances.kmz This one is more accurate but with little dialogue.
Plenty of well-wishers which has been great. Thanks to Greg for the loan of his GPS, still not sure if I am taking it...
Other useful info
Long-term weather predictions along the way: http://www.peterrobins.co.uk/camino/weather.html
Daily forecasts: http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/WeatherCaminoFrances2.msnw
All the stages and albergues one by one (Todas las etapas y albergues uno a uno)http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergues/
A couple of links to Google Earth routes:
http://elcaminosantiago.com/GoogleEarth/Camino_de_Santiago.kmz This one is not geographically spot on, but has lots of history and information, just click on the flags.
http://elcaminosantiago.com/GoogleEarth/Camino_Frances.kmz This one is more accurate but with little dialogue.
Plenty of well-wishers which has been great. Thanks to Greg for the loan of his GPS, still not sure if I am taking it...
Other useful info
Long-term weather predictions along the way: http://www.peterrobins.co.uk/camino/weather.html
Daily forecasts: http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/WeatherCaminoFrances2.msnw
All the stages and albergues one by one (Todas las etapas y albergues uno a uno)http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergues/
Sunday, April 22, 2007
2 Weeks out...
Only 2 weeks to go. Training has been increased a bit. Anstey Hill has seen a fair bit of me, including the many Kangaroos there. Done several multiple climbs in the single walks. I worry about the climbing on the trail, but more about the descents, that hurts the knees! Last week, 2 Anstey Hill trips, and a walk to and from Golden Grove to get a lift to work. Switched to wearing inner socks, and blisters are much less of a problem. Shin splints a bit on Friday, which is a worry. I am maybe getting to used to Trekking poles, and on Friday was without them.
I have setup up a google map of the journey, http://tinyurl.com/yofo2a .
Received the international SIM cards for my mobile, and pickup tickets on Tuesday. It is all feeling imminent, as those around me can probably attest. Finished the Spanish course, but will need to take a dictionary.
I got a bit of a reality check in the last fortnight, a pilgrim setting out from St Jean Pied du Port for Roncesvalles, passed away from Hypothermia 2 miles from Roncesvalles, which is my starting point. He was an experienced walker but got caught out by the weather.
I have collected my stone from Bird Island (my childhood home), to leave at Cruz de Ferro, along with thoughts and memories of K, B & D.
I have a few strategies in mind if the body cannot cope with the continuing 20-25 kms per day, involving bussing forward to one of the major cities along the way and walking from there (ie. Logrono, Burgos or Leon or at worse case Sarria). To qualify for the Compostela, one must walk at least the last 100 km's, that is not my aim, but always a possibility.
I worry heaps how the boys (and mum) are going to cope with dad gone, and can see what our chaps going to the middle east have to deal with. A guilt trip for me, as this is voluntary (I think).
I am having trouble paring down all the stuff I am taking, and coping with the range of conditions possible. I have to carry it all.
I have setup up a google map of the journey, http://tinyurl.com/yofo2a .
Received the international SIM cards for my mobile, and pickup tickets on Tuesday. It is all feeling imminent, as those around me can probably attest. Finished the Spanish course, but will need to take a dictionary.
I got a bit of a reality check in the last fortnight, a pilgrim setting out from St Jean Pied du Port for Roncesvalles, passed away from Hypothermia 2 miles from Roncesvalles, which is my starting point. He was an experienced walker but got caught out by the weather.
I have collected my stone from Bird Island (my childhood home), to leave at Cruz de Ferro, along with thoughts and memories of K, B & D.
I have a few strategies in mind if the body cannot cope with the continuing 20-25 kms per day, involving bussing forward to one of the major cities along the way and walking from there (ie. Logrono, Burgos or Leon or at worse case Sarria). To qualify for the Compostela, one must walk at least the last 100 km's, that is not my aim, but always a possibility.
I worry heaps how the boys (and mum) are going to cope with dad gone, and can see what our chaps going to the middle east have to deal with. A guilt trip for me, as this is voluntary (I think).
I am having trouble paring down all the stuff I am taking, and coping with the range of conditions possible. I have to carry it all.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Training
How does one prepare for a 35 dayish walking journey across 750km in a foreign land?
A list might include logistics, physical & cultural.
Logistics: How to get there, what to take (and what to leave), communication.
The Airline tickets are booked to Madrid, then Pamplona. In Pamplona, I need to post travel clothes and stuff to Santiago. Everything I don't wish to carry. Then take an evening bus to Roncesvalles. Some where along the way, I need to get a Credencial to allow me to stay in the albegues or refugios, the pilgrim hostels. I have no bookings at the other end, who knows when I will get there, my best guess is about 35 days later. I have a friend meeting me in Santiago if all goes to plan. Supposedly pilgrims get a half cost plane ticket back to Madrid? Failing that, then it will be the train. See some sights, then back to Australia. Wisdom has it that the pack should weigh less than 10kg or 10% of body weight (must try to put on some weight :<) ). Mobile phone number is to be arranged, possibly a pre-paid spanish card, but I am aiming to try to get net access to keep this blog updated. Still some clothing to be sorted out, but at least the boots are worn in. Physical: Been pretty slack with the training. My longest walk in preparation has been about 12.5km. I will need to do about twice that each day. Training walks have included, Kadina to Wallaroo several times, Banksia Park to Campbelltown a few times, numerous local walks, and more recently several hikes up and down Anstey's Hill with a full pack. I am finding trekking poles a great asset climbing the hill. Anstey Hill - http://members.ozemail.com.au/~davelane/ This might also work http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Banksia+Park,+SA,+Australia&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&z=15&ll=-34.830837,138.734922&spn=0.021594,0.048494&iwloc=addr Google Earth gives heights as a function of cursor position, but I have not worked out how to link to it yet.
Cultural: Plenty of guides to the Camino, the problem is choosing just one to take (it is all weight!). My daughter and I have been doing a WEA Spanish for Fun and Travel course. It has been fun. When it comes to Spanish, I hope they speak good English, por favor y gracious.
A list might include logistics, physical & cultural.
Logistics: How to get there, what to take (and what to leave), communication.
The Airline tickets are booked to Madrid, then Pamplona. In Pamplona, I need to post travel clothes and stuff to Santiago. Everything I don't wish to carry. Then take an evening bus to Roncesvalles. Some where along the way, I need to get a Credencial to allow me to stay in the albegues or refugios, the pilgrim hostels. I have no bookings at the other end, who knows when I will get there, my best guess is about 35 days later. I have a friend meeting me in Santiago if all goes to plan. Supposedly pilgrims get a half cost plane ticket back to Madrid? Failing that, then it will be the train. See some sights, then back to Australia. Wisdom has it that the pack should weigh less than 10kg or 10% of body weight (must try to put on some weight :<) ). Mobile phone number is to be arranged, possibly a pre-paid spanish card, but I am aiming to try to get net access to keep this blog updated. Still some clothing to be sorted out, but at least the boots are worn in. Physical: Been pretty slack with the training. My longest walk in preparation has been about 12.5km. I will need to do about twice that each day. Training walks have included, Kadina to Wallaroo several times, Banksia Park to Campbelltown a few times, numerous local walks, and more recently several hikes up and down Anstey's Hill with a full pack. I am finding trekking poles a great asset climbing the hill. Anstey Hill - http://members.ozemail.com.au/~davelane/ This might also work http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Banksia+Park,+SA,+Australia&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&z=15&ll=-34.830837,138.734922&spn=0.021594,0.048494&iwloc=addr Google Earth gives heights as a function of cursor position, but I have not worked out how to link to it yet.
Cultural: Plenty of guides to the Camino, the problem is choosing just one to take (it is all weight!). My daughter and I have been doing a WEA Spanish for Fun and Travel course. It has been fun. When it comes to Spanish, I hope they speak good English, por favor y gracious.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Why?
Why am I setting out on this strange journey?
It is a long story, with a detour ...
Many years ago, in my 20's, I read a book by James A. Michener, 'The Drifters'. In it was described, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. It became an ambition of mine, to run with the Bulls when I turned 50. I knew it was a seemingly pointless act, but something about the irrational, senseless act was attractive, especially to a logically driven engineer.
Fast forward to a new century, I am divorced, re-married, and the father of 8 year old twins. It is not reasonable to risk life and limb for an irrational goal with young children, so scratch that ambition.
The detour, well my wife was born in Portugal, and comes from a family called Coelho (Rabbit). Browsing in a bookstore, I came across a Brazilian author called Coelho, Paulo Coelho (see http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/) . On a whim, I bought one of his books. 'The Alchemist' if I recall correctly, and from there a succession of his books. They are mystic/spirtual books with a message, and a good read. One of these books, I read 3-4 years ago, is called 'The Pilgrimage', and describes his journey along an ancient Pilgrim's trail in the North of Spain to Santiago. This started an interest in the Pilgrim's Trail known as the 'Camino de Santiago de Compostela'.
It is trail across Spain ending in Santiago de Compostela, and there are many variants, the most popular being the Camino Frances, originating in the Pyrenees. It has been a Pilgrim destination for over 1100 years, and some guides say it goes back to pagan times when the trail ended in Finisterre (literally end of the earth). Santiago is spanish for Saint James, and this is where the remains of Saints James (the Greater) are reputed to be buried. Compstela means 'Field of Stars'. For the connection see http://www.red2000.com/spain/santiago/. Though in general it is described as the 'Way of St James'.
That covers the what more than why. The why is probably a combination of physical, cultural, emotional and spiritual factors, but over ridden by a strange drive or a calling to to do it. The last I do not understand, but it is as if it is destiny. Strange reasons to set out on 750km walk from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela., but folklore has it to open your self to the signs and go where it may lead, and I have felt that. I might expand on that sometime ...
It is a long story, with a detour ...
Many years ago, in my 20's, I read a book by James A. Michener, 'The Drifters'. In it was described, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. It became an ambition of mine, to run with the Bulls when I turned 50. I knew it was a seemingly pointless act, but something about the irrational, senseless act was attractive, especially to a logically driven engineer.
Fast forward to a new century, I am divorced, re-married, and the father of 8 year old twins. It is not reasonable to risk life and limb for an irrational goal with young children, so scratch that ambition.
The detour, well my wife was born in Portugal, and comes from a family called Coelho (Rabbit). Browsing in a bookstore, I came across a Brazilian author called Coelho, Paulo Coelho (see http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/) . On a whim, I bought one of his books. 'The Alchemist' if I recall correctly, and from there a succession of his books. They are mystic/spirtual books with a message, and a good read. One of these books, I read 3-4 years ago, is called 'The Pilgrimage', and describes his journey along an ancient Pilgrim's trail in the North of Spain to Santiago. This started an interest in the Pilgrim's Trail known as the 'Camino de Santiago de Compostela'.
It is trail across Spain ending in Santiago de Compostela, and there are many variants, the most popular being the Camino Frances, originating in the Pyrenees. It has been a Pilgrim destination for over 1100 years, and some guides say it goes back to pagan times when the trail ended in Finisterre (literally end of the earth). Santiago is spanish for Saint James, and this is where the remains of Saints James (the Greater) are reputed to be buried. Compstela means 'Field of Stars'. For the connection see http://www.red2000.com/spain/santiago/. Though in general it is described as the 'Way of St James'.
That covers the what more than why. The why is probably a combination of physical, cultural, emotional and spiritual factors, but over ridden by a strange drive or a calling to to do it. The last I do not understand, but it is as if it is destiny. Strange reasons to set out on 750km walk from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela., but folklore has it to open your self to the signs and go where it may lead, and I have felt that. I might expand on that sometime ...
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