Only three more sleeps .....

But are we ready for it?

• That's the BIG question. We have been planning this trip for almost a year. Lots of research, planning, organising, getting fit, and walking.
• Our shoes are worn in.
• Backpacks packed, weighed and repacked - several times, and tested.
• Clothing carefully selected, rejected, changed and supplemented.
• Travel plans considered, planned, and booked where possible.
• And lots of walking.... Long walks, short walks, and several carrying full packs.

But are we ready?


My pack is now slightly over 7kg, so even with water, I think I can manage it. Pack is very comfortable. Lex's pack is around 10kg. Items have been sacrificed in favour of weight. Even the Kindle looks unlikely to make the final cut.

We have been anxiously watching the weather at the start of the camino. Europe has been experiencing a severe late winter. In recent weeks, a pilgrim died on the first stage of the camino, lost in the deep snow falls. So we added merino layers to our pack. Still unsure of our wet weather gear. Will it be enough? It seems the track is very wet and muddy.

Travel plans are still a little sketchy. We need to book some rail tickets. But these can only be booked 3 months in advance. Will have to be done in the next few weeks, hope I can manage it from 'somewhere' in Spain. On the bright side, we have a couple of tours booked, as well as flights back and forth across Europe, and some accommodation. The challenge is 'how best to manage and store' all this information without adding to our 'load'. Loving our iPad Mini. What an ideal storage vault. Have even managed to create detailed itinerary and shared it with the family, as 'instructed' by Zac.


How much is enough training for a walk of 800km, and an altitude of over 1400m .... crossing the Pyrenees. I have carried my fully laden pack several times, but not for such great lengths or successive days, and not in the rain. Time will tell. Plans must remain flexible, and will be determined by weather conditions. So will we get to walk over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, or walk along the roadway via Valcarlos? All being well, this time next week we will be snug and warm at Orisson, after our first day's walk 7.5km up the mountains.

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