Carry that weight

Was so good to get out there last night and really test out my pack. I loaded it up with sleeping bags and some weight rings from my set of dumbbells and set off into the night. At first my initial reaction was "what the hell have I got myself into?! &@#*!" but within about half an hour I hit a groove and coasted along, up hill, down dale, through the neighbourhood. It was exhilarating!

Today I have an initial impression as to where the sore spots are going to be. Mid-back, butt cheeks and thighs seem to be the hotspots. Keeping the straps tight on my pack once I'd worked out the weight was important, and I even sussed out some venting on my jacket when things got steamy when I was huffing up a hill. Feel like I'm test driving my body.

Tickets are all booked now, for planes and trains. My camino starts on 5th September when we head out from St Jean Pied de Port.

Fired up baby! Being a World War 2 enthusiast, I have the distinct feeling that it is almost D-Day as I make my drop into Europe...

It's actually happening...

Beyond excited, kind of stunned, I prepare the final stages before heading off to France in 2½ weeks ready for the transit leg to get down to the start of the Camino Frances, the beginning of the route I've chosen to take along the Camino de Santiago.

April and I are trying to overcome last minute colds, become comfortable with the weight of our packs and organise all the last minute details. My passport is still winging its way in from somewhere as I had to have a new one done, my last one trashed from a stamp on the face c/o a Kunming immigration officer in China, mistakenly(?) putting the big red chop on my face instead of the passport page. My old passport photo was a shocker anyway, with my first big beard, shoulder length hair and a tan coloured corduroy jacket. I looked like a coke dealer from somewhere deep in the Americas. Lol.

It's been an interesting ride up til now. This year has been huge. I look forward with anticipation and a twinge of sadness as it all becomes reality.

What does remind who of?

I've been talking with April and she'll often show me something or do something and say "what does this remind you of?". I've realised what it reminds me of is always very different to what it might remind her of but the trick is to just guess what she's thinking. So it should be "what does this remind me of?".

Dream of Camino

Had my first Camino dream. April and I were at the first place to stay for the night, in St Jean before we had actually done a single bit of walking. It was all cot type beds out in a trodden field, open canvas tents flapped in the breeze and an angry host tried to pick up my sister. I told him in few words that if he tried anything there would be hell to pay. Then I realised I had forgotten my sleeping bag and had to go out to try and buy one.

Easy boy, it'll work out ok. :)

Walking resumes

Back in the saddle! Today was an early morning and drive to Brownhill Creek where, with a good friend Ynys joining me, the walking season/training kicked off again in full force. How exciting!

Today was Yurrebilla revisited, a 17km round trip from Brownhill Creek to the edge of Cleland and back. The weather was perfect, a slight drizzle in the morning and then relatively overcast for the morning, as lunch saw the sun come out and warm things up a bit. A fantastic day to start getting into it all again.

Should be the beginning of an enjoyable walking season as I gear up ready to go later in the year. Will start a few weights and more fast paced cardio exercises. Looking forward to the pain. Bring it!

Leave APPROVED!

All steam ahead. Leave has been approved. Now to check out prices of tickets and get a few more concrete details sorted. Today I bought a guide to the Camino Frances, the section of the walk I'll be doing. It gives details of distances, terrain and even space for notes to add your thoughts and impressions.

Beyond excited. I feel like I've just been told Father Christmas is real. lol

Leave semi-approved

Man oh man! I finally just went for it and asked about getting some time off work to do the Camino de Santiago. I feel as though I'm really answering a call in life, taking a step out into something exciting and wonderful. I feel anxious, overjoyed, and overwhelmed with almost every emotion. How fantastic!

So now with that in motion I look forward to pricing tickets. April is going with me and it's already feeling like we're on our way, solving problems together, looking at options. It's set for September so I can be walking on my 31st birthday and avoid some of the summer rush.

Looks like a flight to Paris/Frankfurt, then either plane or train down to St Jean Pied de Port, then on to the walking...


View Larger Map

I'm following the dream baby!

New shoe

Or 2 even. These new shoes are awesome. Can walk/hike without socks and let the babies breathe. Have been giving them a trial and they're making a good impression on me. I love them! Wanted to get some shoes which didn't overdo the socks and sandals look, wanted something I could feel comfortable in and still have the support to go for it.

These came out as the winners.

Happy New Year

No way. Simon blogs again!

Another year full of promise and change. So easily I slip back into the same ruts and not even realising until I have to do another complete flip around. Hopefully 2008 holds as many surprises.

I have written 65 out of 101 things to do in my life. (Is not finishing a list straight away a metaphor for my life?! lol) Some of these I'll do in the coming months. Others will take time and me psyching up to do them. Skydiving is on the list. I'm quaking in my boots.

I will see the Yurrebilla Trail nailed and other milestones too. Here's to a good year. :)