Getting our gear sorted

It's a long walk even if you are only doing a part of the "Way" so good shoes for walking were the first essential buy. These then need to be broken in.

Second was the back pack- as small and light as possible-no sons available to carry my stuff this time!
Thanks to flying with Ryanair I am now somewhat of an expert in the art of minimalist packing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klNLqDpdYLI

Fortunately, as previously mentioned the husband and youngest are joining us when we arrive in Santiago. They have agreed to bring fresh clothes for the three of us to have for the couple of  days holiday we have tagged on to the end of our walk. Great for us, but may cause a few raised eyebrows at the airport when he is checking-in.

So in the months up to and after Christmas our shoes have been getting "broken in" on the highways and byways of Derry, Tipperary and Cheshire

A recurring theme when reading posts from former pilgrims/walkers is that the rain in Spain falls mainly in Galicia. We in Ireland, especially in the North West are well used to that, it's what makes Ireland so beautifully green. However, it is one thing walking somewhere, getting wet and being able to go home and get dried ,warmed etc. Its completely different if you have to find some where to stay, get clothes dried, sorted and continue the next day and the day after. So the dilemma- do we take a coat? Bearing in mind it will be warm rain and if there is no rain and it is hot the coat needs to be carried. We have rain ponchos from previous "wet" experiences, heavy plastic, light plastic, with logos from de Efteling, Niagara Falls, Philip island penguin parade in Australia.

Finally the "sleeping bag" needs to be carried and most importantly- kept dry. Guess we will need to go for the biggest plastic ponchos for any hope of achieving this aim.

For all our dilemmas the prospect of our walk is getting very exciting. While I walk the roads I listen intently to my "Learn Spanish the easy way" course and feel sure that we will be able to communicate with the many others doing the journey and of course be able to manage the basic necessities.

Another thing I have read frequently on pilgrim forums is about trying not to worry  too much about little details because " the Camino will provide" I suppose it is all about having faith?


Just after the rain, Donegal, Ireland



North Donegal beach looking towards Tory island



a brief visit to St Jean de Pied Port - SJdPP

September 2011-Grainne and I and the 2 husbands decided that we would meet up in France  share a few days together before they continued their main holiday in the pretty little village of Port Bourgenay. We decided to make a brief visit to Bordeaux and then continue towards the beautiful city of Bayonne where we spent 3 nights in farmhouses on the edge of the city.

Farmhouses were fabulous, as was the weather. Regrettably the summer months in Ireland had been extremely wet so is was wonderful having warm sunshine. In fact is was very hot sunshine!

The shells were appearing again on the routes through the west coast of France so we couldn't resist the chance to visit the main starting point for the Camino Frances from our base in Bayonne when we were so close .

Here we are just after the coffee and cake break in the town of St Jean de Pied Port

                                                                                        

We visited the Pilgrim's office to gather information for our forthcoming walk and it was amazing to see so many people of all ages starting  from this point and planning to walk the entire 500 miles to Santiago de Compostela. Most  were carrying huge backpacks, walking poles etc.

Now we had got this far, we just couldn't resist driving a circular route towards Roncevalles then Pamplona and back to Bayonne via San Sebastian. On route to Roncevalles we saw the pilgrim route crossing the road at many points on this absolutely gorgeous day. We also became aware that this is probably one of the most challenging parts of the "Way" for walkers and that the section we were planning was physically a bit less challenging. Who knows though?maybe some day ..........?

We stopped near Roncevalles for a walk around, the views were stunning, it was very windy and we spoke briefly with 2  ladies from Finland who were on their first day of walking.



Looking a bit windswept at the top of the Pyrenees



We  stopped a while on the outkirts of Pamplona to pick up a picnic by which time the temperature had reached a staggering 36 degrees. We had to search for shade to eat our picnic!

Finally  we returned  to Bayonne with a brief stop in St Jean de Luz back in France. After our days in Bayonne were over the journey back northwards commenced.  After a short stay in Port Bourgenay for me and the husband, we would be going back to Roscoff for the ferry home leaving Grainne and the husband to complete their holiday.

Before this however another encounter occurred with the shells! After spending the day driving we hit the supermarket for something good to make for our evening meal. We settled down to have a cuppa while the dinner was a work in progress. The painting hanging on the wall, yes, there they were again- the scallop shells, another sign for us!

Are we following the shells or are THEY following us ???

commencement of training

Having made the big announcement, my number one son wasted no time in suggesting that I should climb Moel Famau, (the highest point in the  Clywdian range in North Wales at 1818  ft) whilst on a visit to see him and his wife and my 2  little grandsons. I thought this was a good plan but did think he was kidding me when he said he would collect me and the number 2 son at 0445 to drive to our starting point!
 http://www.moelfamau.co.uk/map/

He wasn't kidding and arrived just after 0430 and was very concerned when I announced that I planned to walk in my "Crocs" promptly insisting that I should at least take a pair of running shoes. I wasn't best pleased as taking them meant carrying them, which he kindly agreed to do! I was more concerned with taking healthy snacks, that was the  healthy cranberry juice and the not so healthy cheddars and Mars bars.

So off we went, me and my 2 oldest sons in the dark to climb the mountain. Dawn was just breaking  when we arrived at the planned carpark, which had a barrier and it was closed. Fortunately number 1 had a very detailed OS map and moved to plan B.  Exit the car, so far so good, but then the first 100 yards to the start of the trail was a near vertical climb. At that point, when they saw me struggling up the hill, I think they were regretting ever suggesting the outing, but I may be slow but I am determined so I carried on (very slowly) until the gradient became shallower and got into my stride.

I could see them exchanging concerned looks periodically and truthfully I did a couple of times myself doubt the wisdom of saying I would do the climb.I love walking, but hills and steps are not my best bits with being on the wrong side of an ideal weight  and having more than my fairshare of degenerated back, neck and knee joints.

early morning dew

nearly there!

at the jubilee tower

the mars bar

Onwards and upwards I am sure the boys would have been up to the top and down and up again if my slow progress hadn't hindered them but they were patient and allowed me to stop and admire the magnificent views and take photos while trying to catch my breath. they also kept the mars bars out of my reach with a promise of allowing me to eat it when we got to the Jubilee tower at the summit!

It quickly became apparent that the early start was a great idea. We were blessed  by an  almost completely cloudless blue sky and a perfect early morning temperature and the entire mountain to ourselves or at least that's the way it seemed. We were overtaken by just one pair of seasoned hill walkers while I had stopped once again to admire the view. It was truly beautiful and soon we could just see the jubilee tower in our sights. the "Crocs" had proven to be a good choice of footwear for comfort but possibly may not have been so good on a wet day.

At the top you could see for miles and miles and I have never had a mars that tasted so good and of course the cheddars. I felt a wonderful sense of achievement to be in such a beautiful place on a perfect day. I will never forget it, one of life's truly great experiences. I am sure the boys will remember it fondly as well although possibly for slightly different reasons, they did tell me later on that they were quite worried that the climb might have been too much for me.

Going down proved faster but nearly came a cropper a few times on the loose stones but eventually after a total distance of around 10 miles our car was in view and before we knew it we were having lattes and mcdonalds. Tired and very happy we drove to meet the rest of the gang at the greenfield park

Greenfield Valley Heritage Park Holywell Dyffryn Maes Glas

  but I have to admit I couldn't climb stairs for at least a week without a struggle. No pain, no gain!

No more  training for a least a fortnight for me. Linda and  Grainne already have the headstart on the fitness so they gave this one a miss.

announcing the plan!

The Way of St James was a pilgrimage route I had heard of on several occasions throughout my years but more recently reminders of the Way seemed to be cropping up in the strangest of places.  The shells which are the best known symbol of this ancient route seemed to be following me and  I felt more and more drawn to find out more. The most recent close encounter was in the dine in for £20 st valentine's deal -there they were Coquilles St Jacques (St James's scallop) up with the starters, another sign!

I have recently retired from my job as a hospital Biomedical Scientist after 41 years and am rapidly approaching a Big Birthday so when my daughter asked me what I wanted for my 60th it didn't take me long to give my answer.  Whilst I love parties,everyone elses that is! I am not so sure about  being the subject of the party.

So, I thought, this is my chance, "Linda" I said, " for my birthday I would really like to go to Spain and walk a section of the Camino (the way of St James) but  I would prefer not to go on my own"

Without hesitation she said YES! even though she had never even heard of it. All credit to her, now she knows more about what she has actually agreed to, she still wants to go and is looking forward to it.

Like myself, my very close friend Grainne had considered the possibility of doing the "Way" and was also feeling drawn to it after a friend had completed it a while back. So the 3 of us booked the flights, and we are off to walk, live simply, enjoy the Spanish countryside and meet other walkers.

For me personally, it is a chance to reflect on my 60 years and the many good things that I can be thankful for and for the great help I have had in my life at the times when things have not been the way I would have liked. I have been blessed with a great family, great friends, good health and worked at the job of my dreams.

The icing on the cake is that my husband, my youngest son and his lovely girlfriend are all planning to arrive in Santiago de Compostela on the same day as we hope to be walking our last few kilometers making this a truly special event.

Us 3 are off to follow the shells!

Where and why, you might ask? 
Who are we?

Where?- to Galicia in Spain, specifically to Santiago de Compostela

Why?-it's a long story!

                                     Us-Trudy, Linda and Grainne.

We plan to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage route which leads to the city of Santiago de Compostela in North Western Spain. People have followed many routes to Santiago for more than a thousand years. The Camino Frances is probably the most well known  and the route starts from the french town of St Jean de Pied Port at the foot of the Pyrenees. The "Way" as this walking route is known is about 500 miles long. We will be starting from the small town of Sarria which is around 70 miles from Santiago. We hope to do this in 5 days of walking!
Planning has taken considerably longer than 5 days but is now at an advanced stage, fitness levels however may be lagging behind somewhat.

The scallop shell is the symbol associated with this walking route, it features on the wayposts to keep pilgrims/walkers on track.

As our plans progress we hope to add photos and updates of our journey but in the meantime if you want to get an insight of what we are planning rent out the video "The Way" starring  Martin Sheen an excellent film that is sad,funny,scenic and thought provoking.

Our flights are booked and there's about 9 weeks before we set off.
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/