Across France at night

Whoosh!

Well not quite, we didn't book a fast train. But it is night time, and I was asleep before we left the station, so I totally missed all the lit up scenery on the first stage. Been travelling for four and a half hours, and while everyone else sleeps, I'm awake. Gotta wonder how long it takes to get back in sync.

BTW train seats, even in second class recliners, are more comfortable for sleeping than economy plane seats. They recline further (similar to semi-cama coach seats on South American buses), and I guess it works because everybody is at the same laid back angle - unless you have a larger person sitting in front of you, in which case, their seat goes back slightly further, giving a little less space for the legs.

I so need a picture!!!

Notes to self

• 33€ p/p booked 2 months in advance
• Austerlitz Station has areas for suburban Metro trains as well as long distance trains. 
• Suburban Metro staff don't necessarily speak English, and I speak even less French. 
• Tickets bought over the Internet work out fine. 
• Printed E-Tickets don't need to be validated before boarding.  
• Seat numbers 12 and 18, may not be consecutive, but they are together. Go figure. 
• 'Last remaining seats' doesn't necessarily mean the train will be full - simply means you got the last tickets in that price range. Train tickets in Europe are a bit like airline tickets - various price structures, with cheapest tickets selling out first. 
• Tickets go on sale 3 mths in advance, a timeline I missed in this case. But 33 EUR each is not bad.

All things considered, another successful travel day - we worked out all that we needed to know to make necessary connections in time. Next bit will be to see if

• we know when to get off ( Bayonne is not the end of the line)
• we can manage to open the doors and make it off the train in the short time it's at the station. Advice from other forums say - You only have 2 minutes so have bags ready at the door and you need to push the green button to open the door.

I'm sure our kids are grinning at the thought of us making out way anywhere by train. I'm sure regular train travellers know about green buttons, and can confidently figure out various ticketing procedures, but I'm a country-oldie. I grew up with independent private transport, and I agonise over the simplest public transport processes. Train travel is a totally foreign concept to us, even in our own country and language, and requires gentle hand holding, and several guided test runs.

Definitely Children's Guidance Recommended.

So Thanks kids, looks like you did a damn fine splendid job!

Postscript

In the early morning we passed through some spectacular scenery, lots of heavy fog, making me feel even more nervous about my clothes rations, and glimpses of some impressive majestic buildings. In particular, Pau seems to be somewhere worth further investigation. It also highlights missed opportunities during the night.

Posted with Blogsy

Think I like airports...

More than a little anxious when the day finally arrived. Departure day. How many times do you need to check details before you are confident about them? My first thought on waking at 3.30am was, 'Am I really sure that flights were 2.30PM and not 2.30AM?' Oh well. I just had to check one more time didn't I.

Flying Malaysia Airlines, a new and very pleasant experience. KL International Airport is huge.... Impressive, but quite warm. Jungle boardwalk in the centre of the complex was quite steamy. Cool when we left Melbourne this morning, and expecting even cooler weather when we reach Paris in the morning. Keep the coats close by.

Paris airport. Guess it is huge, but we saw so little of it. Breezed through immigration. Didn't notice Customs ( no forms, scans or checks, but then we have nothing to hide). And the bus into the city, just as we had researched. All too easy.

But I no longer need to stress about the weight of my pack.

It was about 7.5kg, loaded. But since arriving in Paris, I have put on more and more layers, thereby reducing my pack weight. A little bulky putting it on over all the coats, but lighter. Think I will sit in the sleeping bag for tonight's train ride!

And another realisation. Have been practicing Spanish, and neglected French. Interestingly we use Spanish rather than English here in Paris. Strange. But it appears to be appropriate when confronted by numerous scammers trying to get you to buy souvenirs, or sign a petition for children in Zimbabwe ( and donate money) ..... to simply reply, 'No gracias, señor'.
Loving Paris.

Posted with Blogsy

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.

Posted with Blogsy

It's a sportsfest- spectator style.

Just another part of our journey, in the lead up to the biggest active event I've ever participated in .... We're having a 'sportsfest', spectator style. And for those who know me, 'spectator' status counts.

We were roadside spectators in the Victorian bike race event, the Jayco Classic, on two of the stages.

Australian Open Tennis was next on the calendar. We have tickets for matches in the Hisense Arena, Rod Laver Arena, as well as ground passes. There's so much to see. In fact, I'm blogging from the Melbourne Park right now, cos I've been thinking, and planning. More on that below.

Next week we head over to Adelaide to catch the final days of The Tour Down Under - another bike race.

So for my planning..... It's such a great atmosphere here at the Australian Open, I wouldn't mind being part of it. Obviously playing the game is out for this sporting lounge lizard, but I can see lots of opportunities. And some of the uniforms are impressive.

Patron Services - blue polo shirt. Bit ordinary, and don't really care for the job of ' seat police' much. Nah

Similarly with some other roles, Security - yellow shirt. Ordinary. Media - red shirt. Ok, but think I can do better.

Ball Kids. Their outfit isn't bad. I mean it's the full outfit, black shorts, blue shirt and cap, right down to shoes with matching blue trim. So I've been checking out their moves.... And I could do that

I might struggle with speed in some departments. Nah. I can do better.....

But I really like the lines person's outfits! Very spiffy. Great colour - orange. Yes they have matching orange trim on their shoes.

Just a small problem with eyesight.... And decision making. Might rule me out there too. Oh well, there's still one more option, and it looks perfect.

Very nice, lime green and white shirt, and lime green trimmed shoes. Nice, and so far, I haven't been able to see any obstacles to their role. Actually not sure what they do, but so far it's looking good.

Watch this space in a couple of years!

Returned to the tennis Monday ... More observation - people wearing lime green/white uniforms get a cap to wear, so obviously they are never exposed to the sun. ( Orange uniforms have proper hat for daytime in the sun as well as cap for use when the sun goes down. )

So interesting watching Ball Kids in action, and I think ALL kids should be given 'ball kid' training. They are sooo disciplined - there are procedures for everything, not just collecting and delivering balls. There are procedures for entering and leaving the court, how you stand, where you stand, how you show you have balls, or no balls to players etc etc etc. and they are so alert and observant!! Great Job ball kids.

Oh and the tennis was awesome too!

Off to Adelaide later this week to some cycling at the Tour Down Under.

In previous times I would have been getting ready to start a new school year. Living the dream!

 

Posted with Blogsy

I did it!

Today I walked 6km carrying 6kg. Yeah!!

I still have a long way to go to be able to carry my 6-7kg pack further, or anywhere near our planned daily average of 25km. But I will get there. Poco a poco.

And for those locals who have been following our daily early AM training, yes, I have progressed from a pillow in my pack to real clothes, and gradually increasing the weight, 4kg, back down to 3kg, then 4.3kg, and now 6.3kg.

Getting better all the time, and we have just under 4 months until we begin the trek. Plenty of time. ;-)

 

Posted with Blogsy

Just baby steps

Slowly working towards our goal - to walk the Camino de Santiago.

 

Shoes are worn in - well they certainly look warn in... Dusty and scruffy, and best of all NO blisters.

I've walk most days and I have started carrying my pack. Looks the real deal eh? At the moment it only contains a pillow. It's a heavy one! It's a start - remember "baby steps'. It has certainly slowed me down. We don't quite make the pace we did before the pack. And we have cut back a bit too. 6km is enough isn't it? We still have 4 months before we go.

We make an early start- it really is the best time to be out walking.

Flights are booked. We leave 18 April. Lots of details to work out, but we have allowed ourselves plenty of time,so no need to rush. And I'm still practising Spanish every day. Mi español está mejorando, pero todavía no es bueno.

 

Posted with Blogsy