Gear testing – Somewhere Slowly

Un-packing list Caracola camino 2022

14/08/2022

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

Avoiding Plantar Fasciitis

22/03/2022

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

Introducing Carrie

14/03/2022

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

Shampoo bars tried and tested (and updated)

14/02/2022

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)

Osprey Tempest 34 review

26/02/2021

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

Picking your pack

26/02/2021

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

Oh hello!

25/02/2021

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!

Holding my packing nerve

22/08/2019

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

Camino Sola ’19, Day 0 x 3

02/06/2019

This time there really were three Day 0 before my camino started properly. The first was the day I finished my packing and left the house with my Scouse Spouse to spend the night in Liverpool. The flight to Dublin was so early that I would have needed a taxi to make it, and the … More Camino Sola ’19, Day 0 x 3

Another countdown to Camino

03/03/2018

According to my countdown widget, it is now 14 days until I set off for Spain again! The plan is to make it a trial run for my fit & kit before the St Olav’s Walk from Oslo to Trondheim this summer, and it seems both will be a lot colder than I had hoped. … More Another countdown to Camino