Some women (and some men) have discovered the joys of ditching the trousers and shorts and walking in a skirt, kilt or even dress. After my Best Ever Hiking Trousers developed a critical material fault (totally worn out) and no other trousers came close to being comfortable enough, I needed to rethink my hiking outfit. … More Walking in skirts and dresses
My post about camino sleeping bags always sees a lot of interest. When I started out, it was one of my main concerns – how to stay warm and comfortable in the night so I could get a good restorative rest and make the most of my days. So yes, I ordered, I returned, I … More Sleep system rethink
As always, a camino isn’t fully written up until I have done the unpacking list. This is a brilliant tip for repeat pilgrims, walkers, travellers – packing lists are an idea, un-packing lists are cold hard reality. I am currently planning another trip and rereading this to pare down my load, trying to learn from … More Un-packing list Caracola camino 2022
After the pressure blisters – or possibly before them – plantar fasciitis is my most common/feared/painful recurring issue/worry/problem on the trail. I first got it on my long camino Francés in 2012, towards the end of the 800 km walk. I was planning on going on to Finisterre, but after arriving in Santiago my heels … More Avoiding Plantar Fasciitis
I have friends who are always struggling to find the right shoes in the right size and width fittings (and I am so lucky to have found the Hoka Speedgoats) but for me it seems packs have always been an issue. It could be that I am tall, with a short back and broad shoulders … More Introducing Carrie
I have always liked the idea of shampoo bars for portability as well as saving plastic bottles and truck miles, so I have kept an eye out for that perfect camino bar. I don’t have many strict criteria but I really like an invigorating blast of uplifting citrus, fruity or floral smell to mark the … More Shampoo bars tried and tested (and updated)
The new line of Osprey Talon and Tempest packs is out, and in addition to the normal volume sizes there is a new bucket zip opening Talon 36L and Tempest 34L version. I have always wanted a zip opening Tempest, so I had to have a look! The pink pack in the photos is my … More Osprey Tempest 34 review
This possibly useful post was hiding under the Kit menu, so I have republished it here: Since I started seriously planning a long walk back in 2007, my list of what (I thought) I would need to stay warm, dry and comfortable has changed a LOT. You learn by trial and error, and after quite … More Picking your pack
Not long ago I wrote a blog post about my thinking and reasoning behind finding the right pack. For me, obviously – we all want and need different things. But I think I have done really well! Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate others, and I still check out new models that sound interesting. But all … More Oh hello!
I am currently sitting in Torp airport in the south of Norway, waiting for my flight home. I will have three days to get some extra training walks, wearing the clothes I will be walking in, and finalise the packing before I fly out again. Toiletries, odds and ends will be put in, taken out, … More Holding my packing nerve
Somewhere Slowly 