The Boil Coil, or electric coil, cup boiler, immersion heater, travel kettle element … whatever you call it, it deserves a big round of applause. You know the thing I mean, right? No? Here’s one. Ignore the plug, these come in US, UK, EU and even USB versions, and probably others too. And what can … More Top pilgrim tip: The Boil Coil
Lately* it seems I have been trying to quell the pangs of PCB by way of retail therapy and kit research. The other day I discovered that Cotswold Outdoors, where I have a Ramblers’ discount, were exclusively selling the new Osprey Mira 26, a smaller version of the same AG (anti gravity) back system as the new … More Shop Stop!
Did I mention I over ordered a tiny bit? When I get my research head on I just won’t let go. Also of course it benefits you! When I found the Gelert X-treme range I ordered – and promptly returned – the 800 version for weighing a lot more than the advertised 800 grams. What … More (Actually) Lightweight sleeping bags
Of course there is no such thing as a specific Camino sleeping bag. The only right one is the one that’s right for you, your chosen route, the time of year and the way you want to do it. In other words you have some questions to ask yourself: Do you normally sleep warm or … More Camino sleeping bags
Just in case anyone should wonder what it is I am actually carrying, wearing, using and discarding on my walks and travels, I thought I would give a short overview of some of the stuff I wouldn’t go walking without. It might seem a lot, but I actually carry very little. Bear in mind that … More My basic Camino packing list
Let it not be said that I hang about when I discover some new form of kit that excites me! After Clare at Seeing Clarely tipped me about the Dirty Girl Gaiters, I of course had to have a look at them. I soon found the UK stockists, UltraMarathonRunningStore, and was immediately smitten with the … More Gaiter Girl strikes again!
This year I have joined the Ramblers again and fully intend to go for more local walkies. Reading through the stuff they sent me and looking at the pictures I noticed that many Ramblers use gaiters. That made me think. I do own a pair of gaiters, expensive ones and goretex no less, but they weigh … More Gaiters – good, bad or just ugly?
I thought I would start a small and irregular series of Top Tips on this blog, but to clarify: I will not be advertising stuff I have been given or asked to review, I will only give the Top Tip stamp of pilgrim approval to products I have researched and bought myself, but which I … More Top pilgrim tip: Birkenstock EVA Madrid
One change I made – finally – for my Camino Sola in September 2015, was walking in a skirt. I took one black Royal Robbins Discovery skirt, knee length, stretchy and with some hidden pockets, and I took two pairs of running tights under to avoid chafing. Chafing can be incredibly painful and slow to … More Challenges and changes – Walking in a skirt
One of the changes I made for my Camino Sola in September 2015 was taking poles, something I have never done before. But not just any old poles. Heather at Pacerpole very kindly let me test drive a pair of carbon Pacerpoles for which I am very grateful. I thought it was time to really consider poles, … More Challenges and changes – Pacerpoles
Somewhere Slowly 