I arose early to a heavy moist mist for my trundle into Santiago what a difference to my start 29 days previously, the fog lasted until 11.30am I was nearly in Santiago what a bonus!
On the way in I met a couple that had walked from Salamanca(500k´s)they were about 15k´s from the city and were waiting for a bus, I felt sorry for them and confused. As i started approaching the centro area(the old city) the narrowing of the streets made traffic even more chaotic but with about 500 metres to the cathedral the towering spires came into view rising above everything else, I turned a corner to a riot of people and noise,I was not ready for the amount of people, tourists and pilgrims,the tourists nattily dressed mostly in this seasons colour red and the pìlgrims, well, whatever makes you stand out, the sillier the hat the better, shells tied on their clothing and hats, with thick heavy walking poles in hand, this was a complete contrast to where I had been and their numbers were many. I bustled my way along the approaches to the Plaza De Obradoiro they were occuppied by buskers, souvenir merchants, beggars and the never ending array of coffee/bars shops eager to get bums on seats. The plaza was full of pilgims and tourists standing around spinning a myriad amount of photos, if you stood still someone would ask you to take their photo so I did the same, stood for awhile admired the Portico de la gloria(stairs to the cathedral)and the facade stretching to the sky I slowly made my way out of the plaza found a comfy chair and ordered a cerveza grande(large beer) and peopled watched the most noticeable feature was the "Santiago walk¨" caused by sore feet nearly all had socks and sandals and seemed moderately equipped. This morning I went to the office to pick up my forwarded backpacks and found out that there are over 1500 pilgrims arriving each day over 95% have only walked the required 100km´s for a cerificate worse still they were getting up at 4am to get to the next alburge leave their backpacks there then wait until the next day to do the same, I met less than 30 walkers on the whole camino and only 3 for the first 500k´s so you can imagine the difference. Some friends Mishy turner and Chris did the frances about 2 months ago and it was not that bad maybe the 20% unemployment has the spanish seeking a cheap holiday.One other observation is the amount of bikers I believe it will be overtaken by bikers soon they get the certificates for the same trip and let me tell you a lot of these bikers could not walk 5k´s I am talking obese as I said a sight to see and yes they shave their legs they are all Alberto Contadors.
Well, my camino has now come and gone I have been lucky enough to achieve the 1000k´s and in a time that made it much more interesting than just walking it, as if the (PTI) in me was going to let me do it any other way also Mishy giving a challenge to beat her time was something not to take lightly I would never heard the end of it if I had lost.
Due to the lack of the internet I was unable to bring a lot of the walk and things that happened to me to you, by the time I had access I had moved on, but hopefully there was something there to give some idea of a camino´s walk on the via de plata. I have really enjoyed getting the emails especially from my mate chuck I believe you all should have read them and of course dennis keeping me going with his quotes.
My mum has done a lot of work in raising money and spreading these blogs at 80 plus their is no stopping her!
I am off to Frankfurt tomorrow a few days to settle and see what is on the horizon.
adios
Ian
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Nearly there
Well you are getting an extra report as I am only 19k´s from Santiago but after another 50k plus day I finally came to rest at a nice little hotel that has internet the first one in 29 days.
My leaving Ourense was delayed a further 24 hours by the worst case of food/water poisining I have had, it was by far the best whole body enema I have ever had, there was nothing left in me at the end. My first eruption happened at about 11pm just missed the toilet bowel but managed to hit everything else in the bathroom(it was tiny) it was not an emotional moment of the trip watching two days of good food sliding down the mirror,vanity and walls, but as thoughts of Jackson Pollock sprang to my mind my other senses burned from the smell and my taste buds sprang to life at the register of acidic content swirling around my mouth. This continual problem of bringing up solid parts and then nothing but green stuff maintained a steady timing that insisted I sit on a chair next to the bowl after a few hours and a tidy up I had a shower and went to bed, only to remain awake with aches and pains from one end of my body to another as dawn approached I thought well that was pretty tough, then all hell broke loose from the bottom oriface I made it to the bowl and remained there watching soapies in spanish for the next 6 hours, venturing now and then to the bed via a chair. I know the noise of my emotions, sorry my motions was disgusting enough but the waft of the odour was for sure permeating right throughout the floor. But like all good things it came to pass and after 24 hours I was back on the road, allbe it with no food or fluid in the body. I set about just getting some k´s in and drinking as much lemonade as the system would take, I gradually eked out 31k´s but was about 3 and half hours slower than normal. I visted a monastery on the way it has been there in some manner since the first century it is quite large and I was impressed because it is not there to sell it is there for the 12 monks to go about their business in a manner required of there brotherhood, I met one of the monks because he speaks english and I was the only english speaking person there but when the bell rings he made haste for his room and solitude as required, the stonework/brickwork is some of the best I have seen in my years of travel. Interestingly there is a medicine room where since early times they were mixing up herbal remedies all their bottles and pots are still in use.
I stayed in a refugio right next to a pool, beeeeautiful as I just layed in the pool until 9pm.
I was away early feeling great a spring in the step the feet great and a wonderful cool moring with mist hanging in the valleys, it was very dark so my first few k´s were navigated again by my trusty head torch, things were going well and I was thinking of that first beer. I finally arrived at my pre determined lunch spot in great time and perused my book and thought maybe I can reach this town about an extra 7k´s to what I thought I would do, yep!! somewhere I took a wrong turn and a couple of hours later I am yelling over the gate, over the dogs for help in directions and water, finally a lady came out and after much gesticulating I had to go back down this bloody great hill that I had come up and turn left not right, she filled my bag with agua and I was on my way. I came out ahead of my spot and had the option of going back to a known bed or try further along of course I took the later option and next thing I am outside a hotel with only 19k´s to Santiago, I had covered well over 50k´s and was now pondering a record of 70k´s, commomsense and fatigue finally took me inside to a special pilgrims rate and lo and behold the jackpot(internet)so there you have it, a detailed description of whats it is like to have a full body enema in Spain and that I do have commonsense.
Finally there are a few people worried about my feet, I like that, but I can assure you by the time I am home everything will be fine, I always new what a wonderful thing our bodies are, adapting to all things and repairing itself so quickly, but please my feet are not even on a scale to what Roisie and her colleagues constantly go through so channel your thoughts to those a little bit more unfortunate .
Ahhh!!!! Santiago tomorrow, what then!!!!
Maybe Istanbul to Beiging following Marco Polo, ain´t life grand.
My leaving Ourense was delayed a further 24 hours by the worst case of food/water poisining I have had, it was by far the best whole body enema I have ever had, there was nothing left in me at the end. My first eruption happened at about 11pm just missed the toilet bowel but managed to hit everything else in the bathroom(it was tiny) it was not an emotional moment of the trip watching two days of good food sliding down the mirror,vanity and walls, but as thoughts of Jackson Pollock sprang to my mind my other senses burned from the smell and my taste buds sprang to life at the register of acidic content swirling around my mouth. This continual problem of bringing up solid parts and then nothing but green stuff maintained a steady timing that insisted I sit on a chair next to the bowl after a few hours and a tidy up I had a shower and went to bed, only to remain awake with aches and pains from one end of my body to another as dawn approached I thought well that was pretty tough, then all hell broke loose from the bottom oriface I made it to the bowl and remained there watching soapies in spanish for the next 6 hours, venturing now and then to the bed via a chair. I know the noise of my emotions, sorry my motions was disgusting enough but the waft of the odour was for sure permeating right throughout the floor. But like all good things it came to pass and after 24 hours I was back on the road, allbe it with no food or fluid in the body. I set about just getting some k´s in and drinking as much lemonade as the system would take, I gradually eked out 31k´s but was about 3 and half hours slower than normal. I visted a monastery on the way it has been there in some manner since the first century it is quite large and I was impressed because it is not there to sell it is there for the 12 monks to go about their business in a manner required of there brotherhood, I met one of the monks because he speaks english and I was the only english speaking person there but when the bell rings he made haste for his room and solitude as required, the stonework/brickwork is some of the best I have seen in my years of travel. Interestingly there is a medicine room where since early times they were mixing up herbal remedies all their bottles and pots are still in use.
I stayed in a refugio right next to a pool, beeeeautiful as I just layed in the pool until 9pm.
I was away early feeling great a spring in the step the feet great and a wonderful cool moring with mist hanging in the valleys, it was very dark so my first few k´s were navigated again by my trusty head torch, things were going well and I was thinking of that first beer. I finally arrived at my pre determined lunch spot in great time and perused my book and thought maybe I can reach this town about an extra 7k´s to what I thought I would do, yep!! somewhere I took a wrong turn and a couple of hours later I am yelling over the gate, over the dogs for help in directions and water, finally a lady came out and after much gesticulating I had to go back down this bloody great hill that I had come up and turn left not right, she filled my bag with agua and I was on my way. I came out ahead of my spot and had the option of going back to a known bed or try further along of course I took the later option and next thing I am outside a hotel with only 19k´s to Santiago, I had covered well over 50k´s and was now pondering a record of 70k´s, commomsense and fatigue finally took me inside to a special pilgrims rate and lo and behold the jackpot(internet)so there you have it, a detailed description of whats it is like to have a full body enema in Spain and that I do have commonsense.
Finally there are a few people worried about my feet, I like that, but I can assure you by the time I am home everything will be fine, I always new what a wonderful thing our bodies are, adapting to all things and repairing itself so quickly, but please my feet are not even on a scale to what Roisie and her colleagues constantly go through so channel your thoughts to those a little bit more unfortunate .
Ahhh!!!! Santiago tomorrow, what then!!!!
Maybe Istanbul to Beiging following Marco Polo, ain´t life grand.
Friday, August 14, 2009
I am in the big smoke
Ourense, finally a internet site
I broke the day in as usual with 5k´s before sunrise then another 5 k´s as the sun come up I have really been enjoying the mornings I am always first away breaking the trail for the day and usually in at least 2 to 3hours before the next walkers arrive, so I have first choice of the bed.
After Salamanca it was a pretty straight forward 65k´s although it was slower than usual as I had scrubbed my feet back to they bled with a nail brush then soaked them in mecruchrome for 2 days(old SAS method) although I used a half bottle of scotch before the initial scrub, but between that and a pair of silicone innersoles I have gradually started to walk like a normal person although once all that was right my little toe that had bled became infected so I now walk with a slip on shoe with the side cut out and on the right my good shoe on the left but it all works well and thats all that matters.
From Zamora the weather has been perfect clear blue skies but only max at 35 c and that is late in the afternoon so I was able to walk most of the day but I still found myself doing 30 plus kñs by lunchtime it was straight forward walking from the floodplains then up to the first catchment area on the rio Else followed that up and over the dam and across to another catchment on the river negro I was able to swim everyday even though water was frezzing it was good on the feet.
Fields of corn,sunflowers ans maize had replaced the lunar landscapes that preceded salamanca.
I was getting km fever again after a number of 40k´s and from a small town Tabara I thought I would push to 46k to a village(my book said a bed )but when I arrived it had closed down and the next bed was 10km away so of I set the longest 10k ever I struggled in on unbelievably sore feet to find a pool on the river it was late but it did not matter I was in there and I am sure it helped, I vowed there would be no more 50k´s.
I have stayed in Alburges for the last 10 days as that has been the only thing available most have been really good but with still not a person speaking english it becomes tedious trying to communicate the last few days I have slept in the disabled room to get away from the spanish as they do not stop talking, still I have managed some good times a german couple could understand a bit and we had dinner together, I had dinner with 4 mountain bikers(touring) which is very big over here, but after a tedious hour of communicating we reverted to shouting a famous sporting name then sculling our drinks they would go "sergio garcia" we would all cheer and drink I would respond "cadel evans" etc etc etc, we were all legless but much laughter. The mountain bikers have spread the word and I have a name "the australian kangaroo" because they cannot believe the distances I walk or the speed that I do them as I am the only aussie on the track when I register it is always "you the kangaroo". The last 6 days has been the most enjoyable all in the mountains it has been very taxing physically in fact 30k´s is it the mountain passes have been extremely steep at times 1600m straight up, the mountain bikers have to carry their bikes it is so steep they have impressed me with their ability to take their bikes where we have walked although they do take advantage of the downhills. The walk has taken me through villages lost in time and that is exactly the way they want it, some villages only have 1 or 2 families now living there as it is to difficult to survive but once a year they return from all over the world clean their houses out and set about having a fiesta quite incredible to have that sort of feeling for your birthplace. Each village has a fountain as you enter and leave with a major one in the centre of town as well as a washing pool which are still used and is how i have been doing my washing you scrub it on the cement side it is incredible how well it works. These fountains run 24 hours a day and the water is delightful yet south of salamanca the same setup but none of the fountains has had any water for many, many years. In some villages donkeys and carts are used for firewood etc they have wooden wheels and axles I fossicked around in some ruins there are things we would have in museums but here!
I spend my early evenings in the bars always 2 or 4 in a village I just people watch everyone smokes and in every bar there is at least one person with a throat box from cancer but it does not seem to worry anyone, they engage me as best I can but it is always the same Si, Seville to Santiago, si australian, it has become tedious but enjoyable at the same time. Everyone outside of the large towns grows there own vegetables etc they are out tilling as I pass in the morning there is always a cheerful response to my call of "Buenos" I must call first though other wise nothing.
Every spaniard has a dog, most have two dogs then again nearly all have 3 or more dogs and they bark incessantly on my passing but are always behind good fencing and have been no worries.
The church and the state which is pretty close seem to keep nationalism to the fore virtually no internet out of the towns and television is solely spanish the newspapers seem to carry very little overseas news unless directly related to spain. Most people have said they would like to learn english but do not have the opportunity.
To give you some idea of the hills I have just encountered over the last 130k´s there was a railway line running basically along the same route it had over 120 tunnels.
I have seen more churches,crosses and symbols of christianity then can be imagined but it seems to please some and that matters as for myself, the crisp, dense mountain air that seems as though you have to push through it of a morning, the quiteness of the open track, dramatic vistas on all sides as I walk, being a voyuer of people as they go about their chores and daily lives in the same manner as their fathers and fathers before that did, but still having to maintain my own disciplines to make everyday run as smooth as possible, in other words the washing as soon as I arrive at my destination, organising food and water for the next day having the backpack in the right manner as to gain access to the things I may need. Simple things but they have made a memorable walk, still not there but 3 walking days left and I will be in Santiago but lets not think about that!
I am staying in a hostal today in the old centre of town it is quite lovely so I will enjoy the few hours and eat and drink merrily, which brings me to a point I now believe I was born with a beer gut after 23 days of consecutive marathons it is still there so one can only assume it is there forever.
I hope this finds everyone in as good spirits as I feel and I am in, Life can only be lived through actions, actions will give a response.
Ian
Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living."
I broke the day in as usual with 5k´s before sunrise then another 5 k´s as the sun come up I have really been enjoying the mornings I am always first away breaking the trail for the day and usually in at least 2 to 3hours before the next walkers arrive, so I have first choice of the bed.
After Salamanca it was a pretty straight forward 65k´s although it was slower than usual as I had scrubbed my feet back to they bled with a nail brush then soaked them in mecruchrome for 2 days(old SAS method) although I used a half bottle of scotch before the initial scrub, but between that and a pair of silicone innersoles I have gradually started to walk like a normal person although once all that was right my little toe that had bled became infected so I now walk with a slip on shoe with the side cut out and on the right my good shoe on the left but it all works well and thats all that matters.
From Zamora the weather has been perfect clear blue skies but only max at 35 c and that is late in the afternoon so I was able to walk most of the day but I still found myself doing 30 plus kñs by lunchtime it was straight forward walking from the floodplains then up to the first catchment area on the rio Else followed that up and over the dam and across to another catchment on the river negro I was able to swim everyday even though water was frezzing it was good on the feet.
Fields of corn,sunflowers ans maize had replaced the lunar landscapes that preceded salamanca.
I was getting km fever again after a number of 40k´s and from a small town Tabara I thought I would push to 46k to a village(my book said a bed )but when I arrived it had closed down and the next bed was 10km away so of I set the longest 10k ever I struggled in on unbelievably sore feet to find a pool on the river it was late but it did not matter I was in there and I am sure it helped, I vowed there would be no more 50k´s.
I have stayed in Alburges for the last 10 days as that has been the only thing available most have been really good but with still not a person speaking english it becomes tedious trying to communicate the last few days I have slept in the disabled room to get away from the spanish as they do not stop talking, still I have managed some good times a german couple could understand a bit and we had dinner together, I had dinner with 4 mountain bikers(touring) which is very big over here, but after a tedious hour of communicating we reverted to shouting a famous sporting name then sculling our drinks they would go "sergio garcia" we would all cheer and drink I would respond "cadel evans" etc etc etc, we were all legless but much laughter. The mountain bikers have spread the word and I have a name "the australian kangaroo" because they cannot believe the distances I walk or the speed that I do them as I am the only aussie on the track when I register it is always "you the kangaroo". The last 6 days has been the most enjoyable all in the mountains it has been very taxing physically in fact 30k´s is it the mountain passes have been extremely steep at times 1600m straight up, the mountain bikers have to carry their bikes it is so steep they have impressed me with their ability to take their bikes where we have walked although they do take advantage of the downhills. The walk has taken me through villages lost in time and that is exactly the way they want it, some villages only have 1 or 2 families now living there as it is to difficult to survive but once a year they return from all over the world clean their houses out and set about having a fiesta quite incredible to have that sort of feeling for your birthplace. Each village has a fountain as you enter and leave with a major one in the centre of town as well as a washing pool which are still used and is how i have been doing my washing you scrub it on the cement side it is incredible how well it works. These fountains run 24 hours a day and the water is delightful yet south of salamanca the same setup but none of the fountains has had any water for many, many years. In some villages donkeys and carts are used for firewood etc they have wooden wheels and axles I fossicked around in some ruins there are things we would have in museums but here!
I spend my early evenings in the bars always 2 or 4 in a village I just people watch everyone smokes and in every bar there is at least one person with a throat box from cancer but it does not seem to worry anyone, they engage me as best I can but it is always the same Si, Seville to Santiago, si australian, it has become tedious but enjoyable at the same time. Everyone outside of the large towns grows there own vegetables etc they are out tilling as I pass in the morning there is always a cheerful response to my call of "Buenos" I must call first though other wise nothing.
Every spaniard has a dog, most have two dogs then again nearly all have 3 or more dogs and they bark incessantly on my passing but are always behind good fencing and have been no worries.
The church and the state which is pretty close seem to keep nationalism to the fore virtually no internet out of the towns and television is solely spanish the newspapers seem to carry very little overseas news unless directly related to spain. Most people have said they would like to learn english but do not have the opportunity.
To give you some idea of the hills I have just encountered over the last 130k´s there was a railway line running basically along the same route it had over 120 tunnels.
I have seen more churches,crosses and symbols of christianity then can be imagined but it seems to please some and that matters as for myself, the crisp, dense mountain air that seems as though you have to push through it of a morning, the quiteness of the open track, dramatic vistas on all sides as I walk, being a voyuer of people as they go about their chores and daily lives in the same manner as their fathers and fathers before that did, but still having to maintain my own disciplines to make everyday run as smooth as possible, in other words the washing as soon as I arrive at my destination, organising food and water for the next day having the backpack in the right manner as to gain access to the things I may need. Simple things but they have made a memorable walk, still not there but 3 walking days left and I will be in Santiago but lets not think about that!
I am staying in a hostal today in the old centre of town it is quite lovely so I will enjoy the few hours and eat and drink merrily, which brings me to a point I now believe I was born with a beer gut after 23 days of consecutive marathons it is still there so one can only assume it is there forever.
I hope this finds everyone in as good spirits as I feel and I am in, Life can only be lived through actions, actions will give a response.
Ian
Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living."
Saturday, August 8, 2009
I have heard from Dad.
Posted by Linda
At precisely 5:10 this morning the phone broke the longest sleep I have had in 8 months. My husband was going to look after the little one all night and look after her in the morning so that I could have a sleep in. Unfortunately no one had told Dad that.....
I can't tell you what dad's first words were because I was still half asleep.
He had come in from his "PB", a 56K walk. He was so chipper though I thought it was someone else. He had completed 40 and 44K's over the last 2 days. At this rate he will be finished in about 10 days. If he does he will have completed the walk in 28 days.
Tonight he is bedding down with 30 or 40 other Europeans in a dorm that has cost him not a cent. I have a feeling it is one room..... So much for the air conditioned rooms he has been staying in. I believe he's still not spoken English with anyone. It certainly was the longest conversation I have had with him.
I also vaguely remember him saying something about Hunting boar and fishing for salmon. He made a joke that he was hunting for his dinner(not sure it was a Joke).
All in all he sounds great. A little tired and he will probably stop over in Thailand for a new pair of feet (off the black market). As soon as he gets a chance he will send another blog but don't expect it for a few days.
Regards, Lou
Monday, August 3, 2009
Salamanca HALF WAY
day 14 and half way, day 12 and I was out of here and heading home, after a 44km slog across more lunar landscape, absolute soul destroying terrain then a wrong turn to a village that had the same name but spelt slightly different saw me do the extra 9 k´s in extreme heat with pretty bad feet I arrived to find my only choice of a bed was hotter than outside and the dogs barking incessantly, I was at the extreme edge of my physical ability I had been pushing to hard! I layed in bed most of that night fighting against myself not to give up, in the morning I asked the owner what time does a bus leave for anywhere, "no buses come here, you must go to Banos De Montemayor" yuk!
My shoes would not go on my swollen feet so had a ice bath until I could put them on picked up my moachilla(backpack) and headed off, 2 k´s later I came around a bend and there were mountains that I had been watching for days whats more they had trees and plant life, a further 8 k´s of continued climbing saw me in this beautiful little town Banos, there were fountains with water more water than I had seen in the previous 12 days, I sat in one of the fountains it was freezzing but refreshing it had also cooled somewhat as I gained altitude so lets try a bit more, on shoes and I had a day where I climbed another 400 metres and walked along the ridge plateau where cows and sheep looked as they should, not like what I had been seeing on the plains below.
I spent that night in a refugio and had a funny session in the bar talking to some local people via my dictionary we did drink a little but I had covered 43k´s that day and I was very much uplifted.
the 14th day arrived to more swollen feet and I had to walk in my night slip ons they were surprisingly good as once again I tested myself to the edge having done 33 k´s the sign said "Salamanca 22k´s" I could not resist the challenge! so I fell into this most beautiful town(the architecture is stunning) I am sure the pensione keeper was a little stunned at how I looked and where I had walked from but he gave me a lovely room for only 22 euros($A40) I am in the university area 1 street from the main areas, so now I will stay for a day to try and break my cycle of doing kilometres no matter what, I was becoming besotted in doing more distance. I have arrived here at 530 kilometeres in 14 days about 37 kilo´s a day that does not include all the km´s I have done retracing my path being lost etc.
The walk is like "Hash House Harriers" you have to search for the yellow arrows painted in the direction to go and they are never in some sort of uniform way I search for the most unorthodox areas first then narrow it down, to be honest they are there to be seen in most cases sometimes you cannot believe that is the way as I become very uneasy if I am not heading north. Some towns in the last few days have good signage leading in and out but when you get to roadworks etc the arrows might have disappeared I then do 360 degrees searches first 50 metres then 100 if still nothing I take the road north usually somewhere the path will cross it. I have taken the wrong path on a number of occassions but on two times I was in the middle of nowhere had not seen anyone for hours and I heard horns beeping once a truck and once a tractor thay came to tell me I was heading the wrong way, it was quite scary the way it happened. The other thing neither of them offered me a lift back to the wrong turning.
I can stay in refugios(dormitory style,for next to nothing) but I found finding the key in the village and the position of them far worse then paying for the hostals that I mostly stay in, also the hostals are near the supermarkets(well badly provisioned shops) and provide food and a cold beer plus my own shower etc.
I forgot to say that I topped out at 1140m yesterday they say that is the highest point but I will be taking a new/old route in the final week and I believe it will be much higher I can feel those cool days coming on.
Halfway according to my guide was 30km´s back at a pig farm would you believe it, the pigs here are farmed like sheep they run free in the paddocks and for the little tackers they are in large yards with their own kennell like structures.
This walk is of course one of symbolism, the more the better to capture their disciples I am always astonished at the faith in these symbols, this morning I walked past the bibloteica it has a beautiful entrance with grand sculptures and at least 100 large scallops on the wall the pilgrims, mainly tourist pilgrims were sitting there in droves looking at it as though their souls were to be giving new hope it certainly seems to meet some peoples needs.
Also at 8.30 this morning the university students were heading to class imagine our students getting up that early.
I have now seen and met 3 pilgrims, since cachere only. 1 was doing what I am doing he started 5 days before me he will take about 8/9 weeks I could not mentally be at this for that length of time the other two were only doing about 150k and will return over the next few years all spoke spanish so there was not a lot of discussion.
Well I am about to look at this city
Adios
Ian
I hope that has answered a few of your questions.
I am of to explore this city and try and relax for a day
My shoes would not go on my swollen feet so had a ice bath until I could put them on picked up my moachilla(backpack) and headed off, 2 k´s later I came around a bend and there were mountains that I had been watching for days whats more they had trees and plant life, a further 8 k´s of continued climbing saw me in this beautiful little town Banos, there were fountains with water more water than I had seen in the previous 12 days, I sat in one of the fountains it was freezzing but refreshing it had also cooled somewhat as I gained altitude so lets try a bit more, on shoes and I had a day where I climbed another 400 metres and walked along the ridge plateau where cows and sheep looked as they should, not like what I had been seeing on the plains below.
I spent that night in a refugio and had a funny session in the bar talking to some local people via my dictionary we did drink a little but I had covered 43k´s that day and I was very much uplifted.
the 14th day arrived to more swollen feet and I had to walk in my night slip ons they were surprisingly good as once again I tested myself to the edge having done 33 k´s the sign said "Salamanca 22k´s" I could not resist the challenge! so I fell into this most beautiful town(the architecture is stunning) I am sure the pensione keeper was a little stunned at how I looked and where I had walked from but he gave me a lovely room for only 22 euros($A40) I am in the university area 1 street from the main areas, so now I will stay for a day to try and break my cycle of doing kilometres no matter what, I was becoming besotted in doing more distance. I have arrived here at 530 kilometeres in 14 days about 37 kilo´s a day that does not include all the km´s I have done retracing my path being lost etc.
The walk is like "Hash House Harriers" you have to search for the yellow arrows painted in the direction to go and they are never in some sort of uniform way I search for the most unorthodox areas first then narrow it down, to be honest they are there to be seen in most cases sometimes you cannot believe that is the way as I become very uneasy if I am not heading north. Some towns in the last few days have good signage leading in and out but when you get to roadworks etc the arrows might have disappeared I then do 360 degrees searches first 50 metres then 100 if still nothing I take the road north usually somewhere the path will cross it. I have taken the wrong path on a number of occassions but on two times I was in the middle of nowhere had not seen anyone for hours and I heard horns beeping once a truck and once a tractor thay came to tell me I was heading the wrong way, it was quite scary the way it happened. The other thing neither of them offered me a lift back to the wrong turning.
I can stay in refugios(dormitory style,for next to nothing) but I found finding the key in the village and the position of them far worse then paying for the hostals that I mostly stay in, also the hostals are near the supermarkets(well badly provisioned shops) and provide food and a cold beer plus my own shower etc.
I forgot to say that I topped out at 1140m yesterday they say that is the highest point but I will be taking a new/old route in the final week and I believe it will be much higher I can feel those cool days coming on.
Halfway according to my guide was 30km´s back at a pig farm would you believe it, the pigs here are farmed like sheep they run free in the paddocks and for the little tackers they are in large yards with their own kennell like structures.
This walk is of course one of symbolism, the more the better to capture their disciples I am always astonished at the faith in these symbols, this morning I walked past the bibloteica it has a beautiful entrance with grand sculptures and at least 100 large scallops on the wall the pilgrims, mainly tourist pilgrims were sitting there in droves looking at it as though their souls were to be giving new hope it certainly seems to meet some peoples needs.
Also at 8.30 this morning the university students were heading to class imagine our students getting up that early.
I have now seen and met 3 pilgrims, since cachere only. 1 was doing what I am doing he started 5 days before me he will take about 8/9 weeks I could not mentally be at this for that length of time the other two were only doing about 150k and will return over the next few years all spoke spanish so there was not a lot of discussion.
Well I am about to look at this city
Adios
Ian
I hope that has answered a few of your questions.
I am of to explore this city and try and relax for a day
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
WHATS THE INTERNET
Rural Spain has yet to accept the internet, I can understand the hill towns and villages as they are mostly inhabited by the older person or the aged community and they live a simple and relaxed life or it seems so anyway. But places like Zafra,Merida and here in Caceres all towns with over 50,000 people and maybe 1 internet site in Merida none at all, even Hostals and Hotels do not have one.(saves you from my ramblings)
Los Santos de Maimona, Villafranca de los Barros, Almendralejo, Torremegia, Merida, El Carrascalego, Aljucen, Crus de San Juan, Alcuescar, Casas de Don Antonio Valdesalor and now Caceres I have passed through these towns as have so many before me armies, pilgrims and travellers their traces are there to be seen but these days by only a few. The Romans have left a lot behind many mileage posts remain as do fences, roads and bridges, there has been a return to preservation of these and not to late either. As I pass through the towns I make the detour and pass the main square although the churches are locked there are always the shell(scallop) and sword of Santiago imbedded on the walls or doors most of these are from the 10th to 12 century, amazingly there are many hospitals some still used as in Merida which treated the pilgrims. In Merida it is run by the church and Pilgrims were either given the last rites or could be forgiven their sins by the priests and when well return to their home thus not needing to go to Santtiago(buggered if I could find a priest) so must keep walking.
I have been 8 days and covered 299 km´s as per my guide, I am averaging 37.4 km´s a day(not bad for an old fellow with small feet) I am ahead of schedule so have taken an extra 8 hours off today and will start walking at 6pm with a short stroll of 23km´s for my next stop. It has been extremely hot and the local folk think I am crazy! at times in the desert it had to be well over 45c, but mostly I try and get between 35 and 45k done by 2pm after that it is very difficult to walk. I now carry between 4 and 6 litres of water(6 kilos in weight) one litre is to keep the towell that I wear over my head and shoulders damp for as long as possible. The walking has been mountainous, through vineyards, farms,national parks(usually desert) during all this I have not talked to or seen another Pilgrim, maybe there is only one person mad enough to try it at this time of the year!
I thank you for all the emails and concern for my health, except for my American, New York born jewish brother that was defamatory to say the least about my stubby feet and fingers, Marc"do I look beautiful today" levine you must look beyond my extremities and search out positives.
While we are philosphying Lucius Annaeus Seneca who lived in Rome from 4BC to 65 AD during the time the path I am taking was built, he was the tutor for Emperor Nero, and he said "its not the length of life that matters but how it is lived"(way before "nike")
In Spain most people still smoke, they communicate verbally non stop engaging in conversations where you can have 4 or 5 people all talking at the same time! even though I cannot communicate we manage and on the whole the people are very friendly and engaging. I have translated a few menus from my pocket book dictionary waiting to be served dinner once being served by the chef in his shorts and nothing else, time is of little importance. As I walk I think of so many things to write but at the end of the day it is all about trying to get my feet ready for the next day, physically I feel great and mentally I am in a very nice place, life is good.
I do not think Rosie will mind, Rosie is the lady I am raising the money for but I received an email from her that she has been back in hospital having operations on her chest, Rosies email was R. Glasson, I did not take it in at first I thought it was from my mate Chuck Glass, initials R. Glass I was wondering why Chuck was having his breasts done!! but then again that would not surprise me.
Next target is Salamanca the half way mark.
My old travelling mate Dennis has been sending me Spanish emails, so I will sign of
Le molesta que de de pecho acqui?(sometimes you have to be careful with spanish)
Ian
Los Santos de Maimona, Villafranca de los Barros, Almendralejo, Torremegia, Merida, El Carrascalego, Aljucen, Crus de San Juan, Alcuescar, Casas de Don Antonio Valdesalor and now Caceres I have passed through these towns as have so many before me armies, pilgrims and travellers their traces are there to be seen but these days by only a few. The Romans have left a lot behind many mileage posts remain as do fences, roads and bridges, there has been a return to preservation of these and not to late either. As I pass through the towns I make the detour and pass the main square although the churches are locked there are always the shell(scallop) and sword of Santiago imbedded on the walls or doors most of these are from the 10th to 12 century, amazingly there are many hospitals some still used as in Merida which treated the pilgrims. In Merida it is run by the church and Pilgrims were either given the last rites or could be forgiven their sins by the priests and when well return to their home thus not needing to go to Santtiago(buggered if I could find a priest) so must keep walking.
I have been 8 days and covered 299 km´s as per my guide, I am averaging 37.4 km´s a day(not bad for an old fellow with small feet) I am ahead of schedule so have taken an extra 8 hours off today and will start walking at 6pm with a short stroll of 23km´s for my next stop. It has been extremely hot and the local folk think I am crazy! at times in the desert it had to be well over 45c, but mostly I try and get between 35 and 45k done by 2pm after that it is very difficult to walk. I now carry between 4 and 6 litres of water(6 kilos in weight) one litre is to keep the towell that I wear over my head and shoulders damp for as long as possible. The walking has been mountainous, through vineyards, farms,national parks(usually desert) during all this I have not talked to or seen another Pilgrim, maybe there is only one person mad enough to try it at this time of the year!
I thank you for all the emails and concern for my health, except for my American, New York born jewish brother that was defamatory to say the least about my stubby feet and fingers, Marc"do I look beautiful today" levine you must look beyond my extremities and search out positives.
While we are philosphying Lucius Annaeus Seneca who lived in Rome from 4BC to 65 AD during the time the path I am taking was built, he was the tutor for Emperor Nero, and he said "its not the length of life that matters but how it is lived"(way before "nike")
In Spain most people still smoke, they communicate verbally non stop engaging in conversations where you can have 4 or 5 people all talking at the same time! even though I cannot communicate we manage and on the whole the people are very friendly and engaging. I have translated a few menus from my pocket book dictionary waiting to be served dinner once being served by the chef in his shorts and nothing else, time is of little importance. As I walk I think of so many things to write but at the end of the day it is all about trying to get my feet ready for the next day, physically I feel great and mentally I am in a very nice place, life is good.
I do not think Rosie will mind, Rosie is the lady I am raising the money for but I received an email from her that she has been back in hospital having operations on her chest, Rosies email was R. Glasson, I did not take it in at first I thought it was from my mate Chuck Glass, initials R. Glass I was wondering why Chuck was having his breasts done!! but then again that would not surprise me.
Next target is Salamanca the half way mark.
My old travelling mate Dennis has been sending me Spanish emails, so I will sign of
Le molesta que de de pecho acqui?(sometimes you have to be careful with spanish)
Ian
Still alive
Hi,
Linda here Ians daughter. I bet your all wondering if dad has fallen off the face of the earth. Well I can tell you all now that he is fine. He is feeling fit as a fiddle his only ailment sore feet. This is all second hand info though he phoned my grandmother this evening.
He has been walking for 5 days and has yet to speak to anyone that speaks English. The heat is a bit of a killer but he is a quarter way through the trip having walked over 300K's. The only problem is that every town he stops in doesn't have a computer.
So stay tuned and he will have a story or 2 to tell you when he can.
regards,
Linda
Linda here Ians daughter. I bet your all wondering if dad has fallen off the face of the earth. Well I can tell you all now that he is fine. He is feeling fit as a fiddle his only ailment sore feet. This is all second hand info though he phoned my grandmother this evening.
He has been walking for 5 days and has yet to speak to anyone that speaks English. The heat is a bit of a killer but he is a quarter way through the trip having walked over 300K's. The only problem is that every town he stops in doesn't have a computer.
So stay tuned and he will have a story or 2 to tell you when he can.
regards,
Linda
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Hola Amigos,
Manana, yo voy a viajar(oops, english), I have just arrived in Zafra, my first major town about 16000 people an historic town pre dating our lord. But as usual I am to sore to do any sightseeing other than the walk in and the walk out I am staying in the historical centre so thats nice not much good for the wallet though.
I left Seville only 3 days ago but seems an absolute eternity, I will give you a brief rendition 1st day horrendous after leaving Guillena I turned north and straight into a National Park better known as a desert with lots and lots of hills I came out 6 hours later in not to fine a state, physical exhaustion and serious doubts at what I was doing here it only reached about 45c but it was very debillatating. That night I thought this is silly but thought I had to give it ago, so decided to do the next town 33 km´s away and make a decision, this day was harder than the first, I ran out of water and with only 2 km´s to go but a 500 metre hill(steep) and a 1.5k stroll into the village, well it took me 1 hour.20 mins to get up it, I had to pull on every reserve I have ever had, I stumbled down the hill, did not look at the fine view as my guide suggested!
As usual everything was in lockdown to keep the heat out(high 40c´s) but I hit the first bar door I saw and in an act of bravado collapsed, I then remember a lot of talking water being offered and a senorita flapping her dress over me(I never noticed wether she had underclothes on) I new I was in a little bit of trouble and asked for a doctor(30k´s away) but it seems every town has an ambulance, yep sirens and all, after the ambulance man ask every one in the bar what was wrong with me (or that is how it seemed) he came back with a saline drip, 4 hours later and 4 litres of water I was in the bar having a beer, working out my next move.
I decided to give it one more go al be it only 12k´s but asked the bar owner to send my day pack with what I decided was to heavy about 5 kilo´s, now I could carry more water and food.
Next morning I was a little shaky but warmed up and did 41k´s I was a tad tired but not on deaths door, had a great feed a few beers, did my shopping for today and away I went, I peeled of 48k´s and feel a million dollars sore feet but that goes with what I am doing but otherwise I am on my 3rd beer and looking forward to manana only 35 k´s.
The towns that I stayed at are all from roman origins and the locals still live that way although they have modern services and quite a few are totally run on solar hundreds of panels right next to each village. A lot of the churches and town squares are beautiful kept but I have to yet work out where they get the money as the bars for coffee are full at 7 am and then again at night no one seems to work.
Lauguage is a ever source of amusement for me and who ever I am communicating with, beer for instance is cerveza(the-ves-a) (thank you) mucho gracias(moo-cha-gra-thayas) the reason you say it with a lisp is because some pompous king a few hundred years ago had a lisp and so the court and then the people pronounced it so, in other words it is not spoken that way in south america.
So there you have it I have nearly died, been chased by a pig, come to understand that spain has hills, many hills it also has extreme heat and in some strange way I enjoy the challenge each day brings and by the way I ground out 156 km´s only 844 to go.
Adios
Ian
Manana, yo voy a viajar(oops, english), I have just arrived in Zafra, my first major town about 16000 people an historic town pre dating our lord. But as usual I am to sore to do any sightseeing other than the walk in and the walk out I am staying in the historical centre so thats nice not much good for the wallet though.
I left Seville only 3 days ago but seems an absolute eternity, I will give you a brief rendition 1st day horrendous after leaving Guillena I turned north and straight into a National Park better known as a desert with lots and lots of hills I came out 6 hours later in not to fine a state, physical exhaustion and serious doubts at what I was doing here it only reached about 45c but it was very debillatating. That night I thought this is silly but thought I had to give it ago, so decided to do the next town 33 km´s away and make a decision, this day was harder than the first, I ran out of water and with only 2 km´s to go but a 500 metre hill(steep) and a 1.5k stroll into the village, well it took me 1 hour.20 mins to get up it, I had to pull on every reserve I have ever had, I stumbled down the hill, did not look at the fine view as my guide suggested!
As usual everything was in lockdown to keep the heat out(high 40c´s) but I hit the first bar door I saw and in an act of bravado collapsed, I then remember a lot of talking water being offered and a senorita flapping her dress over me(I never noticed wether she had underclothes on) I new I was in a little bit of trouble and asked for a doctor(30k´s away) but it seems every town has an ambulance, yep sirens and all, after the ambulance man ask every one in the bar what was wrong with me (or that is how it seemed) he came back with a saline drip, 4 hours later and 4 litres of water I was in the bar having a beer, working out my next move.
I decided to give it one more go al be it only 12k´s but asked the bar owner to send my day pack with what I decided was to heavy about 5 kilo´s, now I could carry more water and food.
Next morning I was a little shaky but warmed up and did 41k´s I was a tad tired but not on deaths door, had a great feed a few beers, did my shopping for today and away I went, I peeled of 48k´s and feel a million dollars sore feet but that goes with what I am doing but otherwise I am on my 3rd beer and looking forward to manana only 35 k´s.
The towns that I stayed at are all from roman origins and the locals still live that way although they have modern services and quite a few are totally run on solar hundreds of panels right next to each village. A lot of the churches and town squares are beautiful kept but I have to yet work out where they get the money as the bars for coffee are full at 7 am and then again at night no one seems to work.
Lauguage is a ever source of amusement for me and who ever I am communicating with, beer for instance is cerveza(the-ves-a) (thank you) mucho gracias(moo-cha-gra-thayas) the reason you say it with a lisp is because some pompous king a few hundred years ago had a lisp and so the court and then the people pronounced it so, in other words it is not spoken that way in south america.
So there you have it I have nearly died, been chased by a pig, come to understand that spain has hills, many hills it also has extreme heat and in some strange way I enjoy the challenge each day brings and by the way I ground out 156 km´s only 844 to go.
Adios
Ian
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Seville to Santiago Day 1
What a day!!! I walked about 25k´s but only 18k´s was the Camino I was lost about 5 times, I met my first Camino walker he was spanish and totally confused to, I left him in my wake , he was mumbling, hands in the air shaking his head I never saw him again. I am hoping the Amigo´s that I see tomorrow morning have the information I require!!
The "Caminino Via Del Plata" (vdp) I passed my first roman ruins of the trip and they were impressive (Italica"), founded in AD206 there is a grande amphitheatre.
The cdp was originally a roman road and towns along it were started of with pensioned of soldiers from the v and x Legions over 2000 years ago.
But the vdp as a pilgrim route began much later in in the 12th century after the fall of Toledo in 1085ad, Spain was still under Muslim rule then but a degree of tolerance was allowed for christians to do the walk, this was also when the "Order of the knights of Santiago, founded in Caceres in 1170 whose purpose it was to protect the pilgrims.
This route is used very sparingly by pilgrims because of the lack of facilities and extreme temperatures so this just adds to my management skills walking the 30 plus k´s a day should be okay it will be how I manage things around it. Communication is difficult but after day 1 I can say Hola(hello) how good will I be at the end. The pilgrim I met this morning is doing it in 10 day periods it will take him 4 years if he finds his way this year.
I have a new follower Jeanette welcome all the way from the united states!!!
Don´t forget if I do not enlarge on things such as the Roman ruins or the v and x legions if you just google or wiki it you might find things most interesting I hope my grandchildren are!!!!
Adidos
Ian
The "Caminino Via Del Plata" (vdp) I passed my first roman ruins of the trip and they were impressive (Italica"), founded in AD206 there is a grande amphitheatre.
The cdp was originally a roman road and towns along it were started of with pensioned of soldiers from the v and x Legions over 2000 years ago.
But the vdp as a pilgrim route began much later in in the 12th century after the fall of Toledo in 1085ad, Spain was still under Muslim rule then but a degree of tolerance was allowed for christians to do the walk, this was also when the "Order of the knights of Santiago, founded in Caceres in 1170 whose purpose it was to protect the pilgrims.
This route is used very sparingly by pilgrims because of the lack of facilities and extreme temperatures so this just adds to my management skills walking the 30 plus k´s a day should be okay it will be how I manage things around it. Communication is difficult but after day 1 I can say Hola(hello) how good will I be at the end. The pilgrim I met this morning is doing it in 10 day periods it will take him 4 years if he finds his way this year.
I have a new follower Jeanette welcome all the way from the united states!!!
Don´t forget if I do not enlarge on things such as the Roman ruins or the v and x legions if you just google or wiki it you might find things most interesting I hope my grandchildren are!!!!
Adidos
Ian
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Arrival Seville
Hola,
Ireland, the colour of green, rain, sunshine and freezing cold all in one day, the quiet and sedate way of life in the south west, the hustle and bustle of never ending days of Dublin, that was a few hours ago.
Now Spain, the colour of brown, sunshine all day and half the night, it is 8.30pm and just coming down to 38c, the pace of life well the streets are empty it is the weekend and holidays so it seems the population head for the coast. But still Seville has pockets of vibrancy people seem more energetic, athletic and confident or it could be just me as when I was here a few years ago that was how I felt when leaving the country.
I have hit my first hurdle, I cannot obtain my "Pilgrims Passport" until monday morning thus delaying my start, but as the town is quiet and I have visited the sites before I am going to walk 23km´s to a town then catch the bus back and stay in my hotel, this will negate any time lost.
I hope all my supporters and there are not many of you (spread the word) are feeling as well as I am.
Flying over Spain this morning, certainly made me realise what a task I have ahead of me, still the anticipation of the journey far outweighs those negative forces.
Adios
Ian
Ireland, the colour of green, rain, sunshine and freezing cold all in one day, the quiet and sedate way of life in the south west, the hustle and bustle of never ending days of Dublin, that was a few hours ago.
Now Spain, the colour of brown, sunshine all day and half the night, it is 8.30pm and just coming down to 38c, the pace of life well the streets are empty it is the weekend and holidays so it seems the population head for the coast. But still Seville has pockets of vibrancy people seem more energetic, athletic and confident or it could be just me as when I was here a few years ago that was how I felt when leaving the country.
I have hit my first hurdle, I cannot obtain my "Pilgrims Passport" until monday morning thus delaying my start, but as the town is quiet and I have visited the sites before I am going to walk 23km´s to a town then catch the bus back and stay in my hotel, this will negate any time lost.
I hope all my supporters and there are not many of you (spread the word) are feeling as well as I am.
Flying over Spain this morning, certainly made me realise what a task I have ahead of me, still the anticipation of the journey far outweighs those negative forces.
Adios
Ian
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Via de la Plata. De Compostela Seville to the Camino Mozarab
The Via de la Plata. De Compostela Seville to the Camino Mozarab
This is a good link to what I am doing
ian
This is a good link to what I am doing
ian
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
arrived in ireland
Latha math dhuibh,
Somebody must have phoned ahead(was that you Foo), I had 4 seats to myself on the plane so was very well rested on my arrival into london, although the flight is getting longer I am sure.
Iam now in waterford,ireland a very,very beautiful part of the emerald isle.
I was straight into training a 20k first day and 28k yesterday I am having grave doubts about 30 to 35k a day!!. The scenery and the houses and their splendid gardens have been a bonus on my walks along secondary roads and lanes, "top of the morning to ya, ah its a marvellous day" rings out from behind fences and hedges, I have to try and be polite but keep walking as they all want to have a natter. The main reason is they want to let you know that it is the best weather in years hence why they are in their gardens and I must admit it is glorious.
Waterford and its surroundings have changed dramatically since I was here a few years back, it has really modernised with new housing and roads(E.U.funded) it is becoming a very well laid out city with all the conveniences we would expect.
It is very hard seeing everything that is on, wimbledon, cricket and the aussies, hurling and gailec football finals but I have to focus on walking down country lanes and wondering how on earth my feet are going to hold up to this.
But I guess a couple of sore feet does not register on any scale to the indignation's and pain cancer sufferers have to handle on a daily basis, so lets see if you can get that money balloon to start moving upwards, maybe you have some friends who would like to give a little and for what it is worth I will try and entertain and inform on my travels over the next two months.
Sian leibh
Ian
Somebody must have phoned ahead(was that you Foo), I had 4 seats to myself on the plane so was very well rested on my arrival into london, although the flight is getting longer I am sure.
Iam now in waterford,ireland a very,very beautiful part of the emerald isle.
I was straight into training a 20k first day and 28k yesterday I am having grave doubts about 30 to 35k a day!!. The scenery and the houses and their splendid gardens have been a bonus on my walks along secondary roads and lanes, "top of the morning to ya, ah its a marvellous day" rings out from behind fences and hedges, I have to try and be polite but keep walking as they all want to have a natter. The main reason is they want to let you know that it is the best weather in years hence why they are in their gardens and I must admit it is glorious.
Waterford and its surroundings have changed dramatically since I was here a few years back, it has really modernised with new housing and roads(E.U.funded) it is becoming a very well laid out city with all the conveniences we would expect.
It is very hard seeing everything that is on, wimbledon, cricket and the aussies, hurling and gailec football finals but I have to focus on walking down country lanes and wondering how on earth my feet are going to hold up to this.
But I guess a couple of sore feet does not register on any scale to the indignation's and pain cancer sufferers have to handle on a daily basis, so lets see if you can get that money balloon to start moving upwards, maybe you have some friends who would like to give a little and for what it is worth I will try and entertain and inform on my travels over the next two months.
Sian leibh
Ian
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
An "Every Day Hero' doanation page has now been set up for those of you wanting to support Ian in his effort to raise money for Cancer Research. Please follow the link below if you would like to donate.
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/pink_spanish_dancer
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/pink_spanish_dancer
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
about to leave
just a check post as my computer guru geoff smythe is going to help a few people. I leave tomorrow but do not start the walk for a month so hang in there. remember i will be in ireland for a month drinking guiness and training i will send a few posts as training for me.
I must apologise to the wives of my wednesday partners as their weekly budgets might be effected while i am away but it is only for a few months so hang in there.
best regards
Ian
I must apologise to the wives of my wednesday partners as their weekly budgets might be effected while i am away but it is only for a few months so hang in there.
best regards
Ian
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Ian is trying to set up his blog site for his walk for cancer research in assocciation with the "pink Ribbon charity golf day" at twin waters golf club on monday 26th October. This Golf Day is being run by Rosie Glasson and her untiring band of helpers.
I have decided to walk 1000KM's from Seville to Santiago in Spain, just to make it a bit more difficult I will be leaving Seville on the 20th july 2009, yes, 1 month away. I am seeking from family,friends,associates and people that could not care what I am doing for a small donation for every kilometre travelled, sorry walked unaided, except for my walking sticks. I will be doing the walk solely and will carry all items and stay or sleep as required, hopefully I will average about 35KM's a day,everyday, I will be following the Pilgrims route known as "the Camino Del Plata" a "Roman way" been followed for many centuries but slowly making a revival of sorts.Hopefully I will be able to keep all donaters up to date of where I am and of things of interest. To be perfectly honest I am not sure what to expect and not sure of the amount of contact and ease of use of the internet, as the route follows no major cities or towns. But as most people know the intrusive internet reaches to most places.
I will be in Ireland for a month doing pre season training hopefully a few guiness and the odd game of golf will not interfere to much before I step of from Seville at the early morning of the 20th July 2009.
This is the first post and I hope many more to come and I will try and not be to boring or predictable.
"The Spanish Dancer"(cancer) is a challenge for many in our communities, I am luckily enough to be able to give myself a challenge of walking a 1000KM's I am just asking my family,friends and others that will come aboard to support people like Rosie Glasson and the cancer council in my pursuit of the 1000km walk
I have decided to walk 1000KM's from Seville to Santiago in Spain, just to make it a bit more difficult I will be leaving Seville on the 20th july 2009, yes, 1 month away. I am seeking from family,friends,associates and people that could not care what I am doing for a small donation for every kilometre travelled, sorry walked unaided, except for my walking sticks. I will be doing the walk solely and will carry all items and stay or sleep as required, hopefully I will average about 35KM's a day,everyday, I will be following the Pilgrims route known as "the Camino Del Plata" a "Roman way" been followed for many centuries but slowly making a revival of sorts.Hopefully I will be able to keep all donaters up to date of where I am and of things of interest. To be perfectly honest I am not sure what to expect and not sure of the amount of contact and ease of use of the internet, as the route follows no major cities or towns. But as most people know the intrusive internet reaches to most places.
I will be in Ireland for a month doing pre season training hopefully a few guiness and the odd game of golf will not interfere to much before I step of from Seville at the early morning of the 20th July 2009.
This is the first post and I hope many more to come and I will try and not be to boring or predictable.
"The Spanish Dancer"(cancer) is a challenge for many in our communities, I am luckily enough to be able to give myself a challenge of walking a 1000KM's I am just asking my family,friends and others that will come aboard to support people like Rosie Glasson and the cancer council in my pursuit of the 1000km walk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)