Only 5 days now before I leave, and I’ve started to get serious about training!!

Yesterday (Sunday here) I did a 14km walk with full backpack plus two cameras. I wanted to see if I could find a configuration where I could have the cameras readily accessible, yet not have them interfere with my walking rhythm. I think I sorted it.

Why will I be walking with a full backpack when I have a support van? I could easily just put my pack in the van and walk with a much lighter day pack, but I want to approach this as a pilgrim –

Yes, I know, pilgrims can put their packs in vans too –

Perhaps the real reason is that …

Well, I actually don’t know the real reason.

And maybe that’s what I’ll learn on this walk. Is it bloody-mindedness? If there’s an easy way or a tough way, do I naturally gravitate towards the tough way? Just to try and prove something to myself?

Or am I showing off? Trying to show the other folks – those on the tour – that I’m big and strong and a “true” pilgrim? That I’m a leader? 

Like I said, I really don’t know. But my PGS has told me this is what I must do, and so I’m doing it with the backpack. And two heavy cameras.

Having decided this, I’ve started weighing things again, getting the weights down, and working out what do I really need to carry on my back for some 240kms.

It’s interesting – I learnt a lot from the last Camino. I carried way too much stuff last time. This time I know exactly what I need and don’t need.

As well though, this time I’ll be staying in hotels the entire time, so I won’t need a sleeping bag and towels and soap/shampoo.

For those of you who might be interested, my backpack is the one I used last year – an Osprey Kestrel. The poles are Lekis, and the boots are full leather Meindl.

So here’s the list:

(W = wearing one, or carrying…)