I’m baaaaaaack! March 1st

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Bill Bennett

Hey gang –

I said I’d put the blog into hiatus until April 1st, however I’ve decided to kick the sleeping dog awake on March 1st.

I want to let you know how the preparations are going for the Portuguese tour, how the training’s going, and all the fun little details we’re finding out about the pilgrimage route from Porto to Santiago.

So, from March 1st the blog is active again. I’m looking forward to us having some fun times together again!

As one of our celebrated followers – Jenny – would say: Hooly Dooly!

Bill

97 thoughts on “I’m baaaaaaack! March 1st”

Julie Heffernan Carter on February 26, 2014 at 12:58 pm said:

Woohoo! Welcome back, Bill! I’ve missed this zany lot! Julie

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- Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:18 pm said:
  
  Yeah Steve,
  And he keeps trying to tell us he’s training! 🙂
  Arléné
  
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  - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:21 pm said:
    
    Hey, I’m nowhere near you guys with the training. Last week I did I think 80kms. This week it will be 56kms. Nowhere near your miles Arlene!
    
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    - Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:26 pm said:
      
      Bill,
      My son took me on an awesome hike yesterday. Straight up the side of a mountain, I’m in the process of putting a blog together about it – I had a blast, but it wasn’t much mileage, just all climbing.
      The kid is a mountain bike racer so when he comes to Arizona he rides all the rough gnarly stuff. Hopefully next week he will take me to another awesome back country place!
      Arléné
      
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    - stevelangham on February 26, 2014 at 2:27 pm said:
      
      I did 4 km I think. Might kick it up to 5.
      
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      - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 3:19 pm said:
        
        I was traveling over the weekend, and so I didn’t walk – my first walk for the week started on Tuesday, when I did a 14km walk. Then I did the same today, but fast. I’ll do it tomorrow (Thurs) and Fri too – then rest day Saturday – then a 28km walk Sunday. Next week, I’ll start doing the Mt. Misery trek. That should sort me out!
        
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- Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:21 pm said:
  
  Hey Julie,
  Good to see you again! HOOLY DOOLY!! (I just love that)
  Arléné
  
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  - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:30 pm said:
    
    Arlene – that kind of training, even though it’s not much mileage, would be very good for all those little muscles and ligaments you wouldn’t use any other time. I’m sure it’s very physically taxing too!
    
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    - Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:38 pm said:
      
      Bill,
      It was hard at points! There was one point my hr got up into the 80% range – but it felt great.
      I love working that hard, it’s kind of a pleasureable pain, the kind of work you simply know has to be doing you some good.
      Surprisingly I don’t have any aches today. I definitely will do that trail again and again before April.
      Arléné
      
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stevelangham on February 26, 2014 at 1:01 pm said:

Those boots look neeer than mine.

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:02 pm said:
  
  Ah – put a few miles in since that shot was taken!
  
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Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:01 pm said:

Cool Julie! Looking forward to stoking it back to life again!

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Greg on February 26, 2014 at 1:04 pm said:

Welcome back Bill!
Look forward to hearing about everyone’s preparations for the Camino in April!

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Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:06 pm said:

Hope you’re well Greg – and getting fit!!

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MartaU on February 26, 2014 at 1:15 pm said:

Bill what a great surprise at the end of my very long day. Welcome back!!!

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:17 pm said:
  
  Thanks Marta – looking forward to regular blogging again! Should be fun!
  
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lyndalozner on February 26, 2014 at 1:18 pm said:

Yeah!! Have really missed all of the “Camino Friends”. Really looking forward to reading about all of the groups adventures in Portugal and the preparation.
Lynda

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:20 pm said:
  
  Wonderful Lynda – yes, some of us have been quite active over this break. And some of us have been quite indolent!! 😦
  
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- Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:22 pm said:
  
  Hi Lynda,
  It’s great to be back on the blog again! I can’t wait to see the shenanigans start back up. Get ready!!!!
  Arléné
  
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- Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 6:57 pm said:
  
  Hey Lynda! I’ve really missed you and your zany humour – I still cackle over the ‘birdie’ story! Love, LOVE it !!!
  
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  - lyndalozner on February 27, 2014 at 5:46 am said:
    
    Hi Jenny,
    Don’t remember the “birdie” story but am really looking forward to the blog again. I won’t be able to go on this trip but will almost feel like I am there with all the bantering that goes on. Still think about the Camino on a daily basis. It gets in your blood and stays. A month ago Dale & I were out for a walk and passed by a pole that had a piece of yellow tape on it – not an arrow but just yellow tape – we both saw it and just smiled.
    Lynda
    
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Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 1:23 pm said:

Hooly Dooly you lot !!! I’m AFRAID … V E R Y AFRAID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:28 pm said:
  
  Ah Jenny – beware of burning dwarfs!!
  
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  - Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 1:39 pm said:
    
    I think I’d beware of you and Steve clowning around together a bit more Bill !!!
    
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    - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:43 pm said:
  - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:45 pm said:
    
    Hey Jenny – Steve and I don’t fool around… we’re mature responsible adults…
    
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    - Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 2:02 pm said:
      
      Mature, responsible adults? Yeah, right !!! Like I haven’t been paying attention for almost a year now ??? There’s been some Right Royal clowning around … and the evidence is available for us all to see !
      Seriously, it’s fabulous that you’re kicking off PGS again a month early – thanks so much Bill !
      Let the show begin !
      
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      - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 2:20 pm said:
        
        Ah – well, at least I’M responsible and mature…. although I’m not as mature as Steve… 🙂
        
        And as for the show beginning – well, it is a bit like a circus here at times, isn’t it!
        
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      - Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 6:54 pm said:
        
        You bet Bill – with you as the Ringmaster! You can use a hiking pole to prod those that misbehave! All you need is the red jacket and some flashy boots and you’re good to go!
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 7:15 pm said:
        
        Jenny – you’re outrageous mate!! Me as Ringmaster? Nah…. unless I can wear trakkies… !
        
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Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 1:45 pm said:

Arlene – I find that kind of mountain climbing stuff really hard. And yes, it sure gets your heart racing. But it must be good for you! You’re going to be so damn fit in a month or so!

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- Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 1:48 pm said:
  
  Bill,
  All I can say is I hope so! That’s what I’m working toward – fitness as well as leanness 🙂
  Arléné
  
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  - Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 2:21 pm said:
    
    From the photos I’ve seen of you lately Arlene, you’re already damn lean!
    
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    - Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 2:23 pm said:
      
      Bill,
      Thanks, but there’s still a ways to go to attain the leanness I’m desiring.
      Arléné
      
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      - stevelangham on February 26, 2014 at 2:29 pm said:
        
        Yeah, but you will do it.
        
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ingridfolkers on February 26, 2014 at 2:08 pm said:

Bill and everyone, WELCOME back… and may I say, it’s about time. Ingrid

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 2:19 pm said:
  
  Ingrid – lovely to have you back here! Looking forward to our blog chatting again!
  
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- Jenny Heesh on February 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm said:
  
  My sentiments exactly, Ingrid! Fabulous, isn’t it?!
  
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Seeing Clarely on February 26, 2014 at 2:36 pm said:

I’m looking forward to cheering you guys on, as you train (to varying degrees) and then walk the camino. I can’t get away in April, so I can’t join you, but I’m looking forward to retirement in the fall, and some more time to walk. Happy to have you back!
– Clare

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  You can be the cheerleader Clare! Thanks for joining us back here!!
  
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Julie Beyer on February 26, 2014 at 2:43 pm said:

How great to “see” the group back together! I will enjoy living vicariously through you all on this journey!

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  Wonderful Julie – great to see you back here too!
  
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Debbie on February 26, 2014 at 3:29 pm said:

I was so happy to open my email and see that you are back!! I have missed this fun and entertaining blog! Good to see most of the gang is back!! Debbie

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  Great Debbie! It’s going to be fun, these next couple of months!
  
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Kathryn Schlesinger on February 26, 2014 at 4:31 pm said:

So glad to read all this excitement!! I will also live vicariously with you all, and needing to trust that in the timing of things for our own journey’s. Bill, while the blog was down I tried sending you an email about the book you all may enjoy. Did you get it? I didn’t hear back and so I was unsure. I recommend it for your Portuguese group and all you other Camino folks. The Art of Pilgrimage a Seekers Guide by Phil Cousineau. This would be the mind and soul training to go with the Physical training.It is kind of an interfaith look at the process of being a pilgrim, it is quite beautiful. Hooly Dooly gang, its going to be great!! Kathryn

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  Hi Kathryn – great to hear from you! No, I didn’t get that email. I always reply to emails, as you probably know, but that one slipped through. The book sounds worth reading though – thank you! Looking forward to chatting with you on this blog in the coming months. Bill
  
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  - Arlene on February 26, 2014 at 11:33 pm said:
    
    Bill & Kathryn,
    I read that book before my very first Camino, well worth my digging it out and reading it again!
    Kathryn, thank you for the reminder 🙂
    Arléné
    
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kpschlesinger on February 26, 2014 at 4:37 pm said:

I just wrote a big welcome back comment that didn’t go up, is there a time lapse or is there a block or ?? Kathryn

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 5:01 pm said:
  
  Hi Kathryn – it’s up on the blog, just not at the end, for some reason. It’s higher up on the comment trail. WP is weird sometimes!
  
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bhasmah on February 26, 2014 at 9:45 pm said:

Me too also … good to be back! I’m not in training for anything, unless it’s for eating and drinking far too much as I did last weekend. I did get nostalgic, though, for the Camino when, on a Hash bush walk, I used a Camino trekking pole to help haul me up and down and around huge rocks and trees – brought back some wonderful and at times painful memories. Will enjoy ‘living’ your Camino preparations over the next few weeks through this blog. Go you fit people! 🙂

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- Bill Bennett on February 26, 2014 at 9:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Britta. Great to see you back here!
  
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Donna on February 26, 2014 at 10:22 pm said:

Yay you’re back. My email won’t be lonely anymore.
It’s good to see so many familiar faces here. I feel like I’ve walked back into a friends reunion.
Arlene and Bill I’m worried about how much training you guys are doing.
Hi everyone!!

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 3:26 am said:
  
  Hey Donna – I think I recall hearing your training regime mate – put mine in the shade!! Hope you’re well – Bill
  
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  - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 4:21 am said:
    
    Throw me in and the average will much more sane. 🙂
    
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    - Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 5:52 am said:
      
      Hey Steve,
      Don’t try to make us feel you don’t train – you do train, just in a different way!
      Arléné
      
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:04 am said:
        
        Hope that helps me walking, cause I probably will not do a lot of it in the next month. Frankly, the weather has not been conducive, or maybe it has if you check the weather in Portugal and Spain. 🙂 Of course, Bill admonishes me each time I check the weather, but then Bill has not walked in the rain for days on end. Hope his luck holds. I like it. Either way, rain or shine I’ll be trekking right along.
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:20 am said:
        
        haha – Steve, I don’t know why you punish yourself looking at the weather now?!!! Look at it the day before we start walking… it changes from week to week there.
        
        I was lucky – both on the Camino Frances, and when Jen and I went to Portugal last year (around about the same time as the tour) – the weather was perfect. But hey – I just went out into the outback, and they hadn’t had rain for 18 months. Huge huge drought, and the farmers were in a bad way. And I said: Don’t worry, whenever i bring a film crew out into the bush, it rains. And sure enough, that’s what happened. A week later when the crew arrived, the drought broke and the rains came. So go figure… 🙂
        
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:24 am said:
        
        Well, actually, according to my handy iPhone weather outlook, it does not change week to week. It rains every day of the projected forecast. Sure hope it gets it over with and glad that I will be with you and your sunny day luck. 🙂
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:39 am said:
        
        Do you have a forecast five weeks ahead? How reliable would that be? Anyway, we have a nice warm van for you… 🙂
        
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:42 am said:
        
        No, I just look week by week and day by day. I took my iPhone in to Apple to see if it was broken as the projected forecast never changed. 🙂 But to be with you, I will not only walk but walk in the rain. 🙂
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:43 am said:
        
        haha – Steve, you make me laugh. I will annoy the heck out of you, always stopping to take photos!!
        
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:46 am said:
        
        You will be teaching me…..Giving me new eyes…….perhaps adding in some patience……..
        Well, I better not get too carried away. 🙂
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:48 am said:
        
        Ah patience… I don’t know that I’m very good at that one… 🙂
        
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      - Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 6:44 am said:
        
        Well I’m certainly hoping the rainy season is over by April! Walking in the rain was fun the very first day then it got old very quickly!
        I’ve got my fingers crossed for nice weather
        Arléné
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:20 am said:
        
        Yeah, he bloody trains. He’s a stealth trainer!
        
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    - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:22 am said:
      
      Wel I’ll also through you into the mix with body fat averages – bring mine down a bit!! 🙂
      
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:27 am said:
        
        Glad to help. Averaging you, Arlene, and me together on all fronts makes us pretty well rounded and athletic. I like that.
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:39 am said:
        
        🙂
        
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  - Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 5:48 am said:
    
    Donna,
    Absolutely no need to worry about the training I do. I’m looking forward to this Camino for the friendship, I simply love hiking, that’s why I seem to train so much.
    Arléné
    
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    - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:21 am said:
      
      Me too Arlene – this is not a big walking exercise, although I do think there’ll be days when it will be demanding. But it’s the friendships…
      
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:26 am said:
        
        I’m going for the friendship, the wine, and the Portuguese chicken.
        
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      - Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 6:28 am said:
        
        Steve,
        Food and wine along with friends – there could not be a better combination!
        Arléné
        
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:40 am said:
        
        I so look forward to that, that you will find me walking in the rain for it.
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:42 am said:
        
        Well that’s pretty damn extraordinary – given how much I know you hate walking in the rain!
        
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      - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 6:44 am said:
        
        Well, Matey, anything to be with you……….. 🙂
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:47 am said:
        
        I’m looking forward to it! But you know my mission on this walk is to get you fat…
        
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      - Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 6:39 am said:
        
        I can’t think of three better reasons!
        
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jmomper on February 26, 2014 at 10:35 pm said:

Enjoying morning coffee with you and the PGS gang again, Bill. A big Southern welcome back, y’all. I’m actively training for the CF beginning April 10. Getting fit is making me stronger in body and mind and I have no worries now that I won’t be able to go the distance. 70 is the new 50!

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 3:27 am said:
  
  Hi Julie – lovely to see you back here too! Crikey, your Camino is coming up fast too – you must be excited!
  
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Nancy Gentile Gomez on February 27, 2014 at 12:19 am said:

Welcome back Bill. I’m looking forward to your pictures and blog. Joe and I will be doing part of the German Camino, from Cologne to Aachen this April. We will be walking with our friend that we met on our Camino last year in Spain. Lasting friendships are a wonderful by product of walking the Camino!

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 3:28 am said:
  
  Hi Nancy – WP held up your comment, for some reason – but you’re up now – and how lovely to see you back here! Bill
  
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lyndalozner on February 27, 2014 at 7:01 am said:

Bill
Bill
I don’t think your mission of getting Steve fat will work. I just saw a recent bodybuilding picture of Steve and it looks like he works hard to maintain his body – NO FAT!!! Looking forward to getting his program on eating.
Lynda

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 7:02 am said:
  
  Lynda – it will be my over-arching goal… to put significant body fat on Steve.
  
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  - stevelangham on February 27, 2014 at 7:25 am said:
    
    Yummie!!!
    
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- Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 7:54 am said:
  
  Lynda,
  Send me an email mlle.du.m@hotmail.com. We can talk.
  Arléné
  
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  - lyndalozner on February 27, 2014 at 7:59 am said:
    
    You must’ve been emailing with Steve! Will email you in a minute. I’m so excited!
    Lynda
    
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mariethebasque on February 27, 2014 at 8:26 am said:

oui !!! bonjour bill, let´s the fun begging

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 8:52 am said:
  
  Bonnuit Marie Basque!! Great to have you back here! Looking forward to seeing you in Porto very soon!
  
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Connie on February 27, 2014 at 10:39 am said:

Thank God! I have missed all of you.
I did the camino in October, 2013 and I want to go back.

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- Bill Bennett on February 27, 2014 at 10:46 am said:
  
  Hey Connie – well a bunch of us are walking the Camino Portuguese in 5 weeks – a tour. Let me know if you want to come along! Bill
  
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- Arlene on February 27, 2014 at 10:48 am said:
  
  Hi Connie,
  It sure does get into your blood doesn’t it? I’ve been twice, returning in April on the Portugués Tour and then again in August to walk the Inglés.
  Once Bitten, hey?
  Arléné
  
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Anne Maddock on February 27, 2014 at 9:49 pm said:

Well, what a wonderful surprise to receive your email Bill. Hooley Dooley!! This trip is going to be loads of fun. Great to read the banter and frivolity which is already in full swing. Hello to all the PGS siblings. Have missed you all.
I look forward to following the Portuguese tour progress.
There is never a day goes by without some reminder of my Camino. Currently writing a major paper for uni and have been allowed to write a Camino reflection. I am so grateful to my fabulous professor. The words are hard sometimes and the tears flow, but it is so healing. The only essay I have truly looked forward to.
Blessings to all
Anne

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- Jenny Heesh on February 28, 2014 at 8:39 am said:
  
  Anne! Lovely to see you post! Good luck with your essay – it will be wonderful.
  I hope that you and all your loved ones are well – all is well here.
  Jenny x
  
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rambler1959 on February 28, 2014 at 2:00 am said:

Bill – I just want to add my “welcome back” to the plethora of good vibes heading your way. I’ve already had some other Camino flashbacks this month: dinner with my Camino buddy Nancy who’s going to walk the Via de la Plata in April and a nice email from Tim, the ballet dancer from down under. I’ve been researching my next section from Leon to Sarria. Don’t know when I’ll walk it, but you always have to be ready if the Camino calls.
Love to all, Michael

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- Bill Bennett on February 28, 2014 at 2:15 pm said:
  
  Hey Michael – great to see you back here!! The Camino connections keep finding their way into our lives, don’t they. No doubt you’ll be back when it calls for you to be back. Bill
  
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Deborah Rogowski on February 28, 2014 at 2:10 pm said:

Great to see you back, Bill.
I’m hoping just by tuning in I will be motivated to get cracking with the hiking again. 😇😎🚶🚶🚶🚶🌴🌻☀️🗻🌺
Resting with the iPad just doesn’t seem to be doing it for me. 💻📱🛀📖🎼☕️🍰🍧🍫🍓🚷😴
Debbie

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- Bill Bennett on February 28, 2014 at 2:17 pm said:
  
  Hey Debbie – love your emoticons mate!! Come tomorrow (March 1st here in Australia) I’ll begin detailing the training, or lack thereof, that I’m doing. It might motivate you to keep resting with your iPad! You’re obviously having fun with your emoticons…!!!
  
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