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!
If you have a significant pilgrim in your life, and want to contribute to their preparations with some practical, inexpensive and most importantly lightweight presents, here are some things I am sure they will be delighted to get (I know I would) in no particular order: Casa Ivar, on the Camino forum, sells some lovely … More The perfect pilgrim present 2020
Hope you are all well out there, keeping safe and sane and planning marvellous adventures. I have been watching lots of camino videos, got a few new guidebooks, currently weeding out surplus items from my kit box and (don’t shout) adding a few new ones (the perfect hiking dress!). Today I’m having the most horrendous … More If I could, I would …
(From our walk in late February to early March 2020) With only two walking days left, and dry shoes, the walk to Pedrouzo should be a breeze in spite of the weather. A long section of it is on a nice, quiet forest road, and at the end of it is Salceda, where we had … More Singing in the rain
(From our walk in late February to early March 2020) It really wasn’t a promising start. The coffee was delicious but the weather … oh well. Only a few days left, we were determined to enjoy them! The lady in the café where we had breakfast just shook her head and pulled her chuncky cardigan … More Wet winter walk to Arzúa
(From our walk in late February, early March 2020) The next day, everything was still wet. Everything. Puddles everywhere. Pretty soon my feet were wet too – a certain Scouse Spouse, on the other hand, had goretex shoes and was very smug and pleased with himself. We stopped for a good breakfast at a bar … More Short winter walk to Melide
(From our walk in late February and early March 2020) This was the view from our window when we woke up to rather grey and drizzly morning in Portomarin. The rooms are in a different building to the restaurant and bar where you check in, so we packed up everything and went there to hand … More Making our way to Palas de Rei
(From our walk in late February, early March 2020) Sarria! Normally the narrow street in the little town would be heaving with excited pilgrims starting their first walking day, and dusty long distance walkers going head down, full speed to get ahead of the colourful, energetic (and fragrant) crowds. We had breakfast at the Mesón … More Winter walk to Portomarin
Somewhere Slowly 