Rose

Hello... gosh I remember that first thread! Thanks for bringing it back 🙂 I am still walking, Greyman comes with me now too. We retired this year and travelling and walking a great deal; currently in Sri Lanka. I'm glad the forum is still going. So many folks helped us as we started our new life in France and France has been very kind to us. 🥰

Hello boys and girls... its been a long long time since I dropped by but for some reason I thought of you all. How is everyone? We're still in our little corner of France, but currently travelling as much as we can. What's new with you guys 🙂

[quote user="mint"]Rose, great to see you back................and looking as lovely as ever![kiss] [/quote] I wish I could play the piano... I have one and I tinker but I've never learned... one day maybe? I am back from another long walk too... 1006 km this time from Seville to St James.  And I am looking a little trimmer too... I managed to lose 25kg this year... five years cancer free and feeling pretty good! I hope all is good in your corner of France [kiss] [kiss] p.s. I havent baked a carrot cake for ages

I can sing (I sing at lots of weddings and parties here in France) ... and I can also walk a lot

[quote user="grumpyaudeman"]"So I’m not asking for sponsorship with nothing in return. I’m offering you a service and in return I ask that you make a donation" As an atheist "The best of fortune" If this charity is important to you why not forgo the long walk and just donate the money you would have spent or am I paying for your holiday ,admittingly with a good intent[/quote] Hello Grumpyaudeman and thanks for your thoughts. Just to clarify you're not paying for my walk, my walk is mine and always has been... all of the money I raise is being split between the two charities.  And just to further clarify, I was always going to walk, I have been doing this ever since I recovered from cancer... it's a way of making me feel alive.  A number of friends have suggested that I use the opportunity to try and raise funds... I've always been a tad reluctant because it adds pressure to something that is much more personal.  However, recently two events happened to people that do mean something to me, so I thought... why not? And to further clarify... I'm already carrying something for another atheist... your beliefs are your own.

Hello folks... a few years ago Mint and Gemonimo walked the Camino Frances, a voyage of almost 800km across northern Spain to Santiago.  Their journey inspired me to follow in their footsteps in 2014... and then I became a bit of an addict. [:D] In 17 days I leave to walk the Via de la Plata.  Starting in Seville, I hope to walk to Santiago de Compostella and then on to Fisterra and Muxia... a total of 1128 kms. I'm walking with purpose in 2016 and I hope to raise £1128... and I would welcome any and all support.  You can find out more from my blog... Rose is walking with Purpose... which documents my first camino and everything walking wise since then... and I'll make regular updates whilst walking. [:$]

Hello fellow walkers and pilgrims... just a quick update to say that I'm walking the camino frances again from Saturday and I'll be trying to keep my blog up to date... if anyone is interested. I'm starting in St Jean and weather permitting hope to get to Roncesvalles and carry on to Burgos.  I can only do 2 weeks this time but may be able to come back and finish in October. [:D]

Hi Yonner - so glad to hear you made it ... sorry to hear about the hiccups along the way but glad you got to Santiago! I would do it again in a heartbeat but sadly I just dont have the time in April.  I am going to try and squeeze 16 days out of the holiday for walking and Greyman will join me for the last 6 days.   I didn't start at St Jean last time (I walked from Roncesvalles) so I would like to start there and just see how far I get.  I'm happy walking 20-25km a day so I hope I can get into a routine that means I stay in different towns and villages... I'm confident that I can but I'm not going to plan anything. Interesting about Via de la Plata... someone else has told me its not so pretty. I've got plenty of time to decide... the main thing is for me to plan to take the 6 weeks out... but already looking forward to it. Well done to you both and as you say it is pretty fantastic! p.s.  I was blonde but am now copper... but maybe blonde again in April [Www]

ah Kitty - my blog has indeed gone silent as life and christmas just took over... as it always does! My feet are actually totally fine.  Once I'd got over the initial blisters early on my feet felt good.  The only issue I've had since I got home is from my knee... but from where I fell on the last evening before Santiago rather than the walking.  It is getting better but I still can't kneel... it hurts too much [:(] I've started training again this week... christmas festivites are done and I'm walking again in April.  I cant do the entire path as I dont have the time but I'm going to try and do half of it.  I'm starting in St Jean on the 14th of April (maybe).  Very excited but sad that I can do it all again.  And one of the ladies I met from the US is coming to visit us in September and she and her husband are going to walk one of the other routes. In October me and Mr Greyman will be cycling from Bordeaux to Sete and then in Autumn 2016 I'm going to either do the Francis again or have a go at the Portuguese route or the Via de la Plata (which is 1000km)... I think I'm addicted! So the blog will start again... but it maybe slow in coming... sorry! [kiss]

I'm not sure if Norman is missing me, Frenchie or Kitty... but I'm hoping it's me [;-)] update... Just spotted the Rose!  yeah [:$]

Can I say a quick hello too?  I dropped by for the first time in ages and found this little reunion! [kiss]

Hello!!! I'm rubbish at checking this thread... Greyman has just told me to come and look... so sorry! Apps... the one I've got is called Camino Francis and is by Wise Pilgrim... I've also used this website ... http://caminopedia.com/?page_id=15 - it has lots of useful information and places to stay.  Hope that helps as a starter [:$] I'm not ready... I need another month... another 2 months!  Where has the time gone?  Last year this seemed like so far away that I felt I would be superwoman by now... and now I think I'm so unprepared. I've had a few hiccups recently.  A health concern that might have put an end to my walk but thankfully all is fine and I have the seal of approval.  I had a week of walking last week and horror of horrors I got three bad blisters!  I've never been troubled with blisters before, and I've been walking my boots in loads.  So... drastic actions... I've bought 2 new pairs of boots and I'm trying them at home.  I have feet as wide as clowns and the blisters are because the boots are too narrow.... in between the toes. Mint - I've got so many pairs of socks I could open a shop - but dont tell greyman!  (I could also sell shoes as I'm on my 7th pair now) [Www] - I've tried several combinations and at the moment feel happier with coolmax liner and a merino wool outer... and yes good idea about saving the washing!  I have 3 new pairs coming tomorrow - they have been recommended by a blister expert... so I'll give them a go too... only a week to choose! I've also decided I dont like walking with my Pacer Poles.  I've used them a lot on my practice walks but last week I ended up carrying them and felt they were a nuisance.  They do help on the hills but I found walking down through the steep decsents I wanted to use my arms to balance and I found them distracting.  I think on balance I'll prefer to save the weight and leave them behind.  I can always buy a walking pole or find a stick/branch if I really miss them? And... we're now starting at Roncesvalles... for a whole host of reasons.  But we decided it was simply easier and it's the traditional start point of the Camino Frances... and what's 20km between friends! So... we're off... in a few days... I'm sooo excited and sooo terrified!  I've started a blog for friends and family - if anyone is interested PM me and I'll send you the link. Happy walking everyone... wish me luck please... I feel I'm going to need it!

[quote user="Yonner"]Hi Rose, I know just what you mean about shoes!! Mrs Y has developed a bump on her Achilles which is aggravated by the boots, so we may also be going for a shoe type boot. We've also gone for sandals - think they are tensas - and seem very comfy so far, I can see them getting plenty of use weather permitting. Training walks are coming along too, but we'll see how effective they are once we get on the way I suppose. I think we'll be booking Orison, and perhaps Roncevales, but its interesting you've booked the next two, we hadn't considered that, but will now though. We expect to start on 16th September, so we may well bump into you on the way!![/quote] Yonner, I'm getting some insoles made - collect them next week.  I went to see a podiatrist as I had been getting a little bit of an ache.  It's down to my scoliosis and how I've adapted my walk to compensate.  She's wasn't worried unduly but felt that maybe the insoles would help me.  Maybe Mrs Y would find this useful too? We may well see each other... I'm not planning on walking fast... certainly not in the first week or so.  I've got 7 weeks so I dont want to rush.  I only booked the two extra nights because I wanted to take the pressure off the first few days.  I've got kind of a plan for the first week but I think I'll play it by ear and not book any more.  I've got a list of places that folks have recommended... and a couple of camino apps on my phone... saves carrying books! Maybe see you soon!

[quote user="mint"] WHAT an experience you will have, Rose.  I envy and pity you in equal measure!! No, seriously, you will get from the Camino all that you wish for and MORE. Buen Camino, Rose [:D] [/quote] I'm counting down the days... wishing I was better prepared... can't beleive how quickly this year has gone... but you know what... I'm already thinking about my next adventure [:$] But I think maybe I should see if I can manage this one first! [:D] [kiss] [kiss]

[quote user="Cendrillon"]... After you've walked through the spooky woods (not dangerous but it's where they used to burn witches!) there is a café in the next village and cafés in the next small towns after that... [/quote] Why would you tell me that [:-))]  - I am the easiest person to frighten... if I could I would still sleep with the light on [blink] [kiss]  [kiss]