READY FOR TOMORROW

Today we went to the Basilica of Sta Maria to the km 0 of the Camino de Santiago, Camino del Sureste, to get our "credencial" stamped.

 It is amazing to think that the very first pilgrims from this part of Spain, set off from this point in medieval times.  We are excited by the challenge that lies ahead and hope to keep you informed of our progress.

ALICANTE

An interesting find in the Alicante Town Hall, next to a 1973 statue of Dalí. At the foot of the building's main staircase is the so-called "Cota Cero", the reference point from which the altitude of Spain's various cities is measured in metres above sea level. Relaxing prior to the start of our walk tomorrow.

En el Ayuntamiento de Alicante, al pie de la escalinata principal se encuentra la llamada "cota cero", un punto de referencia que se utiliza para medir la altitud sobre el nivel del mar de cualquier punto de España.

PACKED AND READY TO GO,

At long last we are ready to fly to Alicante to start our walk on Tuesday 12th May! It is a shame we had to delay the start by over two weeks as the temperatures in Spain have already started to soar.  We now expect to hit 32 degrees at some point during our first week, which is not good news!   We had hoped to avoid this so early on.

CAMINO CASUALTY!

Sad news today that our Belgian friend Linda van Lierde Saudemont has had to pull out of her 736km walk from Le Puy-en-Velay to St Jean Pied-de-Port. After walking 280 kms over 12 days together with her husband Bart she has sustained an injury to her ankle.  She hopes to continue the walk next year.  Goes to show just how punishing some of these long walks can be!  We wish her a speedy recovery.

FIRST WALK WITH FULLY LADEN PACKS

This morning we tested our packs fully laden, over a very short 6 km walk.  Only three more days to go before we leave for Spain!

At Walton Bridge, the newest bridge over the River Thames

WINDSWEPT WALK!

Just got back from a 7 km walk in Windsor Great Park, carrying a semi-full pack.  So far so good.  The Valley Gardens are in full bloom!  Shame that it was so windy.

TRAINING RE-STARTS

Our first training walk since my op. A 13km walk along the Thames Path, stopping briefly at Hampton Court Palace. We leave for Spain on 10th May and hope to start the walk on the 12th.