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
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