The Modern World

As my son would say - "she was brought into the 21st century kicking and screaming".

This is how I feel I have spent the last week and all because I could not get my head around some technology which I thought I may take with me on the walk.

I planned to take a papermap and no GPS or laptop but after several people strongly suggesting otherwise I started to change my ideas. Perhaps I needed to be safe. I purchased a mini Samsung tablet - I do not by like Apple so have resisted all the way. This meant I could record all my paperwork - accomodation information, copies of tickets, copies of birth certificate etc just in case I lost my passport, and the dreaded Kindle on the small and light tablet. A few things not to carry. All is good. I then discovered how different a tablet is to a laptop, it has things called apps and no mouse to use. I know I can handle it. As the boys would say - you are a big girl now.

I have used a Telstra phone for some years, I only use for the basic things like messaging and making a phone call. Isn't this what a phone is for, oh no.... Telstra tells me my phone is locked and they will charge me to unlock it even though I own it outright, they advise not to use it overseas. Can someone tell me what is the use of a phone if not to use it. Son suggests a new up to date phone so off we go shopping with my credit card. Samsung seems the best idea so everything will talk to each other. I am getting better at this "modern technology thing". It has apps also and Telstra starts charging me as I start downloading certain apps required. Someone suggests that I change my provider but this idea goes into the "too hard, I do not want to do" basket and I stay with the same provider and same plan for the time being. Can't make too many changes too quickly.

Several weeks back I bought a Garmin watch to track my daily walks and all the other things it decided to track. Big brother is watching me even as I sleep.  I surprised myself and set it up online and got it working on the old phone and the tablet. Very proud of myself. I then changed phones and nothing talked to each other again. I played with it for several days until I knew I had to ask for help from the son. He just rolled his eyes - he is so lucky that I love him. One feels so inadequate when someone half your age can succeed with the push of a few buttons. Everything was talking again  - until the next day. I am beaten so back to the shop, jump up and down and they decide the problem is the new phone. Even I knew that. Why not change the Garmin watch for a similar Samsung watch the shop assistant suggests. This sounds like a smart idea, surely everything will now talk to each other. Out comes the credit card again.

The new flash watch is charged but the correct app will not download to the tablet, no problem to the phone. After some googling the problem is solved with an answer. "This watch is not compatible with the Samsung tablet." I do not throw a grandson tantrum, I pack the watch back in its lovely new box and return it to the shop the next day. The shop assistant does not ask too many questions and possibly a wise decision,  money refunded.

I am now back wearing my trusty $15 Kmart watch that I started with some 6 weeks ago. My little modern technology trip has been interesting and at times extremely frustrating. I am back tracking my walk on my Runkeeper app on my phone and entering it manually in my paper diary.

What would we do without sons and technology.

As time gets closer……

Retirement has arrived and all I want to do is sleep but I know this cannot continue. The mornings are more enjoyable for walking and I am not as early out of bed.

I have managed a couple of long back to back days. Walked Coominya to Esk and returned the next day, ended up with blisters where I have never had them before so must look at some new boots. I must also start to walk again in the boots and not the sneakers as I have been doing the last few months - just laziness on my part. I will wait until the Winter sales to buy new boots.

I am still trying to decide what to pack and what must be left at home. I know what I would like to take but it is now down to two sets of clothes – what I wear and a clean set. I guess no one will know me.

I have decided to do something I swore I would never do. I have downloaded Kindle on my phone so I can take a book with me and this means less weight. As I decide to take something new something else has to remain behind. I will still take my diary and a paper book on the plane and it will then remain at the London airport, I will then purchase another book at the Paris airport for the home flight. Just for those people reading this and having a little giggle, I do not plan to continue to use Kindle when I have returned home.

I have purchased an Osprey backpack and started to sell all the extra backpacks that I have acquired over the years, also have a set of balance packs on order. These two small packs attach to the front of the main backpack and they balance the overall weight. You then carry in the front packs what is required each day so the backpack does not need to be continually taken off my back.  I hope they are as good and useful as the company say they are.

Most of my accommodation has been booked and the last few places I have decided to “wing it”, guess I can always sleep in the back of the village church if necessary - I may need to learn a few French phrases and words. The accommodation is mainly hotels with some hostels, B & Bs and a convent or two, they will be interesting.

I read all the blogs and FB entries from the current walkers walking along the Via Francigena, their highs and lows, the rain and mud they are currently experiencing and  I wonder if I am completely crazy attempting this long distance pilgrimage. Only time will tell.

Walking can be an addiction, but at least it’s a healthy one.

 Love the toenails 

                                          Coominya to Esk 24.5klms and return the next day