Tag: Thames Valley 2-dayer

A few thoughts

So I have now done a few long walks, in fact I can quite honestly say that I have “hiked” my 5 lifetime longest walks in the last 2 months.

Do I enjoy it? … too early to say.

Can I do it? … of course.

Does it hurt? … had sore soles on one of the walks.

Will this help my Camino? … probably although all the slipping and sliding on the muddy trails will hopefully be an unneeded skill!

I have however been amazed at the extensive network of footpaths and bridleways that criss-cross the countryside not far out of town. From the great ancient byways like The Ridgeway to roman tracks near Silchester to the waymarked Chiltern Way extension.

Next walk will be with local pilgrim group from St James’s Church in Reading who are walking St James’s Way over the next few months in preparation for their Camino del Norte in September. Only a short stage to start so I’ll load up rucksack and probably extend the walk after they finish at Mortimer.

Packing bag for first ‘practice’ caminos!

Tomorrow (Tuesday 19th February and 155 days till #MyLongWalk2019) I will be doing the first of two back to back 25km+ walks with my rucksack loaded! I will be walking from Twyford to Cookham on Day 1 – 25.9km on a variety of surfaces, hopefully not too muddy! Then on Wednesday from Reading to Henley – 28.7km.

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This afternoon I laid out all the kit I have accumulated on my dining table and proceeded to pack it into my back pack, quite methodically and without any hassle I must add. Almost everything I plan to take was in there – daily medication and water excepted. I was delighted to see it weighed in at 6.2kg – so with a litre of water and a few extra bits and bobs it will still be under 7.5kg!

Be interested to see how I feel after 5 hours walking tomorrow, having never walked with a loaded rucksack before! #BuenCamino