Mount Victoria

Saturday 24 February

Days to departing 40

A training walk today with the Blue Mountains Camino Supporters. We arrange monthly training walks and meetups to help people prepare for their Camino or connect back with their Camino on return to Australia.

There are 16 walkers in my group some like me getting ready to depart others still in the initial dreaming stage and some experienced pilgrims. There is lots of chatter as we walk about flights, bookings, socks, packs and training. I carried my full pack about 8.5 kilos including water. Since my last training walk I have ditched a couple of things and modified others. It’s a damp misty day so I have to wear my rain poncho and my backpack is covered also. My poncho is also a tarp if needed and covers myself and my pack. We walked in silence for a short section a chance to listen to the gravel under foot and the tiniest of birds in the nearby scrub sharing the latest weather update or perhaps the best grub locations.

After the walk we headed to the Victoria and Albert guest house and cafe recently renovated it’s a lovely spot to enjoy some walking rewards. The Camino meetup is a time for connecting learning and a bit of fun.

One of the questions posed was about fears and I am caught by surprise when this releases a sudden emotional response which must be bubbling at the surface, I call these SEO Sudden Emotional Outbursts of which I am indeed prone. For many years flying has been a challenge for me so the thought of long distances by plane a barrier to making a Camino actually happen. I have in the past researched land and sea routes to Europe. So yes I have fears and am training for these just as much as for the walking. The other fear that comes to mind is getting in and out of a top bunk without injury or complete disaster, like flying this will all be part of the journey.

Distance Walked; about 10km

Items lost, 1 glove (very annoying).