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