Getting Closer and some small problems....

Two weeks until I fly out of Brisbane and still so much to do but this always appears the way but everything falls into place in time. Not sure what the panic is about.

Some small health problems with a torn tendon in my shoulder, this shoulder has been a problem since I walked in Ireland last year. A few changes on how I will carry when I arrive but will play it all by ear. Amazing what a good, strong painkiller can do!

I have put the gear on the spare bed and thrown out a few small things but still deciding on whether I take walking poles. I took them in Ireland and never used them - they remained in the main bag the complete walk. What I take I will have to carry. Do I take them or buy a pair over there if I feel I need them? Any suggestions or advise from the readers? I think my backpack weight will be OK and a reasonable weight.

The Cancer site is up and running and I have promised $2000 for Cancer Queensland. To date I am close to $400 so pleased with the response.

The books, "Walking Ireland for the Craic", have arrived from the USA so will send these out to people who have ordered them, before I leave. I am pleased with the response as some of the royalties have been donated back to Cancer.

My current walks are local and small distance as the crows and magpies have started to swoop people and they can be quite vicious in their attacks. Last weekend I felt several dives of a local crow who did not like me walking.

I hope to continue this blog when I am away so keep the eyes peeled.

https://give.everydayhero.com/au/walking-the-via-francigena-for-the-boys

Walking for Cancer again.....

When I decided to walk this time I decided I was walking for ME, no fundraising this time. Fundraising is hard work. People kept asking me why I wasn't walking for Cancer like the Cancer walk through Ireland. Last week, only weeks out from the walk I decided I was being selfish so I rang Cancer Queensland and I was welcomed with open arms again.

I have set up a Cancer Everydayhero site and promised to raise $2000 for Cancer Queensland. I will be walking again for the boys, my brothers Lloyd and Kerry, two brother in laws and someone very special who is also battling the disease.

The next few weeks are shaping up to be very, very busy including an unexpected trip away from home and a health issue but everything will fall into place as usual before I fly out.

The new boots, the 5th pair since I started this walking idea some three years ago have now been accompanying me on my daily walks for a few weeks and so far no more black toenails and no blisters so fingers crossed my feet and toes and the boots will become best of mates over the next few weeks. Thanks Sue for your recommendation of this brand of boot.

The book from the Irish Walk - Walking Ireland for the Craic - has been published on Amazon and is available in Kindle and hardcover, the first money received from the royalties has been donated back to Cancer Queensland.

Please visit the Cancer link and help me raise the promised amount.


https://give.everydayhero.com/au/walking-the-via-francigena-for-the-boys

Getting closer....

I am now into single figures in the number of weeks before I leave - 5 to be exact.

The accommodation is all sorted, the ferry is booked and just a couple of train fares to sort. All I now require are fine sunny days for walking, well signposted tracks so I do not get lost and everyone to speak or understand English. It will be a breeze!!

The training is slow with just some daily short walks after Sue and I managed 140 klms over 6 days back to back, a lot easier than I had expected except one extremely long day. I have now walked the complete length of the BVRT - Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. I carried a backpack on this walk so a good chance to test the new backpack and the shoulder and both held up.

I am still deciding on what to carry and what can be left at home but will pack the backpack in a couple of weeks for the FIRST time and see what can be thrown out. The backpack on my back must weigh no more than 8kls. Am I dreaming??  I have spent several weeks reading the VF and Camino walkers blogs and if they can get their backpack weights down so can I.

The boots have been the problem and I am now trialing another new pair after returning a new pair that I wore for a few weeks and which left my feet in such a wrecked state covered in band aides, minus several toenails and sporting a few new black ones. Not a pretty sight. The new pair are Scarpa and so far they are walking OK.

The big news is that the walking diary from the 2016 Ireland Walk - Walking Ireland for the Craic - is now available on Amazon Kindle and hopefully in a few days the paperback version will also be available.

I may have retired but my dreams haven't.........