You may have noticed that I have been very quiet lately and not exactly posting mileage every other day of this #walk1000miles challenge, or as much as a photo of a refreshing clear and cold winter walk. That’s because I am stuck to the laptop working, for one, and also because my knee suddenly and … More A new level of Camino Chic
The humble nail scissors are among my staple kit items. I know many would rather bring nail clippers because they are more precise, less fiddly, and there is no risk of having them confiscated at security if you travel with hand luggage only, like I do. In fact, scissors are on the list of things … More Top pilgrim tip: Nail scissors
When planning a trip away that involves a lot of physical activity and also sleeping in dorms close to complete strangers, most people will instinctively reach for some sort of scented product – perfumes, lotions, bodysprays, aerosol or roll-on deodorants that will keep them fresh and subdue or mask any unpleasant whiffs, and put that nicely … More Top pilgrim tip: Unscented deodorant
Early this year I said yes to a few invitations and made a few plans, booking tickets sooner rather than later to make sure I actually went … and all with hand luggage only. For the first trip I took my hand luggage max size wheelie case, but it annoyed me whenever I wasn’t on … More Light, lighter … lightest?
Some of you may have noticed that I have a thing about lightweight sleeping bags and that I am also pretty weight conscious packing wise. This of course makes me yearn for things like the Sea to Summit Traveller 1 or the Montbell UL Spiral Down Hugger, but they are very expensive for the weight I … More Because I’m worth it …
Here’s my un-packing list after my April 2016 walk from Sarria to Santiago revisions. This is an all-in, from-skin-out (FSO) list, so everything I wear or am carrying is included. Osprey Tempest 30 L – everything fits as if by magic! Now also with lizard. Synthetic sleeping bag in drybag – only used once and definitely just for … More Un-packing list May 2016
Week Four has seen a few purchases (and quite a few near-purchases!) but they are mainly sensible and necessary ones. First of all I went to try my lovely pink and brand new Salomons before my departure for Spain later this month – hurrah! – but they didn’t feel anything like my fond memories of X-Ultra … More Shop Stop Week Four
OK, I confess! I kept getting newsletters from Icebreaker with their new collection and that dress and wrap combo just looks sooo good – not just for Camino use, you understand, but for travel in general. Sadly the set costs a small fortune (it would cover my albergue + food and drinks expenses for a week) … More Shop Stop Week Three … #fail
When getting rain gear for something like a Camino and not just a quick walk in the park, most people will go with what they know: rain jacket and ditto trousers, and a rain cover for their pack – it often comes with the pack these days. So far, so good. In most cases it … More Why a poncho?
Bet you’ve been wondering how my Shop Stop is working out! Well, here’s a quick summary: At the weekend I went for a trial walk in the torrential rain with my Camino companion, and found that my Altus Rainlight poncho (an emergency buy from the Peregrinoteca in Sarria some years ago) was too short for me. … More Shop Stop Week Two
Somewhere Slowly 