Happy Feet

Your feet are probably the most important 'tools' when you are out walking or hiking so it's important to look after them. There are numerous things you can do but it all begins with choosing the correct hiking boots, as poorly fitting and inadequate footwear is probably the biggest cause of all foot injuries.

Choosing The Right Hiking Boots

Many novices fall into the trap of buying a pair of hiking boots or walking shoes without trying them on first. Often they'll buy simply on the basis of brand recommendations and design features yet it is imperative that you try them on first or you'll run the risk of suffering injury when out walking.

You need to ensure that your boots or shoes feel 'right' and to establish that when wearing the same socks you'll be using for hiking. You'll want to leave enough room to allow your toes to wiggle and there should be enough space between your longest toe and the tip of the boot (usually about the width of a finger or a size bigger than your normal footwear). Your heel should be able to plant itself firmly in the heel cup and should not be able to slide around in the boot when hiking. And you should not be able to feel any seams or stitching either.

Once you've established which are the most comfortable shoes or boots for you, then you should wear them around the house for a few days and, if they still feel comfy, try a little walking, e.g. to the nearby shops or your local park first so they can get used to molding themselves to the shape of your feet.

This 'breaking in' process is particularly important if you've chosen footwear made of leather as this can be notoriously stiff at first. Moisture wicking synthetic or woollen socks, not cotton, should be worn. Some people prefer to wear one pair of socks for hiking whilst others prefer a thin lining pair over which they wear an outer sock. However, if you intend wearing a double layer, make sure that the boots or shoes you choose will accommodate that.

Now don't think this is all a bit 'girlie' its important for your own comfort !

Caring for your feet

This extends to toenails, which should be trimmed straight across the nail and not rounded at the corners. Your big toe, in particular, is more prone to you incurring an ingrowing toenail so you should leave an extra bit of nail on the outside corner to prevent that.

Once you've clipped your toenails, smooth the nail down with a file to remove rough edges. Toenails which are too long can cause pressure on the bed of the nail which can result in extreme discomfort and pain if you're hiking.

Caring for the Skin on Your Feet And Hiking

Some people believe that having thick, callused skin on your feet prevents blisters but this isn't true and blisters underneath calluses can be very hard to drain and treat. A callus file and moisture cream can soften problem areas for good foot care, and also helps to heal cracks in the skin of your feet, especially on your heels. If these cracks aren't treated, they can split open and infection can result in the tissue underneath.

Blister Prevention And Hiking

The prevention of blisters can often come down to a personal choice. In addition to ensuring you have well fitting hiking boots or walking shoes and socks, you'll find a vast array of blister prevention products and taping techniques and you should experiment with a few to find one that suits you.

Early awareness can also help and you should stop walking if you feel a blister coming on and treat it as soon as possible. It may be caused by some grit or dirt that has got in to your hiking boot and is rubbing against your skin, for example, so you should always stop and fix things as soon as you think there's a problem, otherwise walking on with blisters can be extremely painful and can even reach the stage where you feel as if you can walk no further.

If you do not deal with blisters at the first warning, before they manifest, you may damage your feet, legs, knees and hips by walking in an altered and compensatory manner. This will cause far more inconvenience than a mere 10 minutes clever resting.

Resting Your Feet When Walking

When it's time to stop for lunch when you're walking, or if you've reached your day's destination take your hiking boots and socks off and give your feet a chance to rest and breathe. They'll appreciate the fresh air. Wearing flip flops or sandals will allow your feet to recuperate better and, if you're resting, elevating your feet will also help to reduce swelling.

Foot Care Kits For Hiking

Carrying a small foot care kit in a Ziploc bag is not going to take up much room and will give you much relief from the problems associated with walking. Things like blister plasters, a safety pin to drain blisters (yuk) a choice of powder or lubricant etc. can often help relieve foot problems before they get out of control and makes for excellent foot care that can feel blissful.

Remember ~ When you feel the tingle of blisters coming on…STOP WALKING & deal with it your feet will thank you.

Essentials

Its snowing outside, so time for Geoff to empty his rucksack to show you what he has decided to take and what he is able to carry, there may my some fine tuning to come.

Sleping Bag
Travel Pillow
travel towel
Waterproof trousers
poncho
Small folding mat to sit on
Fleece hat
Fleece neck scarf
Sunglasses
Head torch
Map
Flip flops
Light weight deck shoes
Crew neck t-shirts x4
Pants x4
Light weight trousers
Walking socks x 4
Normal socks x 1
Book
Small tissue packs x3
Small duct tape
Clutch clips
Blister plasters
Tiny sun lotion
Mini first aid kit
Travel knife fork spoon
On the go Andrex x2
Evian x2
Wash bag and mini products

OMG... Just weighed bag 10 kg !!! At least 2kg to come out of bag....

Its later in the day now, items have been removed, things that you think weigh nothing but when combined it all adds up, rucksack now weighs 8.8Kg items removed are:

Mat
1pr trousers
Book
Couple of items from wash bag (don't worry not the deodrant !)

Found these top tips online:

 

A little spiral immersion heater, plug for Spain, and a camping cup are most useful. Most of the refuges have electricity but they don't all have kitchens.

 

Take 8 Plastic pegs and a 2m plastic cord to use as a wash line. Useful when it rains and you can string it across the bars of the bunk beds to dry wet socks etc., also when the lines are full.

Take 8 large safety pins to pin damp clothing onto the backpack so that it can dry during the day whilst walking. Nobody cares if your underwear flaps on your backpack!

 

Two large suction wall hooks to use in the showers. There are never any clothes hooks inside (very few outside) and that means no place to hang your dry, dirty or wet clothes and, some of the showers don’t have doors. (If you start walking from France take a universal bathplug as well. Many places have baths but don’t provide plugs.)

Take a toilet roll: remove the cardboard roll and flatten it. Most albergues run out so be prepared!

 

That's dedication

The Boys are dedicated ... Out the the snow on their training walks.. Today's prize goes to Richard,  1400ft steep hill walk in the snow, well done, have a gold star, one question.. Who is taking the picture.. Or are you up there all  alone, if so I hope you followed the walkers code, tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to return.

Geoff and Mark did the coastal walk to Minnis Bay and back about 16miles, bitterly cold, funny enough, Linda and I decided not to join them today, well some of us need to stay home and hold the fort, nothing to do with the weather !

Training weekend

It was thought to be a good idea, a double days walking and a chance to all meet each other.

The proposal from John:

New Flying Horse in Wye (near Ashford, Kent) 

http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs/ashford/new-flying-horse-inn

Looking at the options as to access/travel to walking venues, accommodation for 5 and the walks themselves; this seems to be about the best of the bunch. Ashford International station (High Speed Link to St Pancreas); Wye station (Canterbury line from Ashford International station ) and nearby M20 are access routes.

As to the schedule?

Well a couple of options:

Option 1

1. Arrive 04:00 hours at Wye
2. Cold showers followed by special instruction in arctic survival by a Royal Marine; and harmonies singing practice for the ‘US Marines Chant’ on the run (3 next)
3. 10 mile run in full ‘Camino Gear’ with 25lb back-pack. Volunteers to carry Mark’s ?
4. Breakfast 06:00 – 1 piece of toast (2cm x 2 cm); I teaspoon of ditch water;
5. Should the weather change as we get past the Pyrenees– desert survival training by SAS;
6. Finally (and before the first walk of the day) ‘How to survive of 200 calories per day’ by Paras supplemented with experts from the French Foreign Legion with ’15 cordon bleu recipes using rats and other dubious creatures ’

Or

Option 2

1. Leisurely arrival at Wye about 10-ish check in;
2. Either a long walk along the Wye Valley (Pilgrims Way coincidentally) to Canterbury (get the train back) or several of the shorter circular walks;
3. Later afternoon: tea etc;
4. Evening; planning. Social stuff, drinks, meal etc;
5. Sunday – more local circular walks...

Gear

Weekend and Monday walk I did (snow) indicates that using a combination of thin socks and thick socks worked a treat as did the ‘Long Johns’ thermals – not very elegant but who cares....

Also as the conditions could range from very cold (first day over the Pyrenees) to mild or even warm on the successive days ; I tried a lined ‘heavy duty’ shower proof jacket on Monday with multiple thin layers rather than an ‘arctic’type jacket . This worked a treat and means that with the ponchos as well we will be warm for the first day, rain-proof throughout; but not stuck with heavy jacket for the milder sections....

..anyway all down to personal choice.

So will this Famous Five have a jolly good time with lashings of ginger beer...


We'll leave you with this camino thought ~

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
- John Muir

 

 

 

Lovin' the training walks

'They' recommend training walks

So on Sunday 9th December (my birthday, not the normal choice of how to spend my birthday) we set off, Geoff & I, Mark & Linda.

Walk Two

Another bracing walk along the cliff tops from Cliftonville all the way round to Ramsgate, stopping at Miles Bar for a hot chocolate, then turned around and headed back.  When we reached Broadstairs we stopped for a light meal in Prezzo with a glass of Prosecco, well it was my birthday !  Its a bit odd going into a restaurant looking totally windswept and dressed in our chunky walking gear when everyone there is nicely groomed.  Then back out into the bracing cold for the final leg home to Cliftonville. This was a round trip of 17km (10.6 miles)

Walk Three

We set off again around 10:30 Sunday 13th January, how cold was it outside, only 3 degrees above freezing.  This time Geoff loaded his rucksack up with all his gear, it weighs 8.5kg this is over the recommended 10% of your body weight, but he's a strong lad (skinny by strong!), Mark took his as well, although not fully loaded.  Carrying the weight did make a difference to speed walked, Linda & I were a little way ahead with a faster pace. We walked to the far side of Ramsgate, naturally stopping for a little drinkies, then turned round and came back.  The return was into the wind and bitterly cold.  This was 21.8Km (13m), when we finally got back to Cliftonville there was a lovely pork casserole bubbling away in the slow cooker, this was enjoyed with another glass of wine, I think we earned it, we burnt around 1000 calories so I don't think we can knock that glass of wine, do you ?


http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=3E70C0A4-A345-D0F9-EA418F3163E33F8F


We'll leave you with this camino thought ~

At the start your feet, legs and shoulders WILL hurt

Training Walk One

After much reading, forums and website all about the Camino, one thing came up time & time again, some training would be necessary, you don't have to train to walk the Camino but it makes the whole experience more enjoyable, your boots will be comfortable and your body and feet won't go into shock ! 

We are lucky, we live on the South East coast of England so we can enjoy 'bracing' coastal walks in various directions, though small and large towns and we are also on the doorstep of the countryside so can vary the walks through Kent villages.

The first walk was before Christmas we walked from Palm Bay in Cliftonville along the prom most of the way to Minnis Bay, near Birchington. We =  Mark & Geoff, Linda & I..
we decided to join the prep walks to help us get our bikini bodies up to scratch for our cruise (ha ha).

We set off all wrapped up on this very cold Sunday morning, we walked about 10k (6 miles) to the Minnis, where we stopped and ate a big lunch and enjoyed a glass of wine, well we did derserve it afterall. I think we put back on the calories that we had walked off.

Now earlier Geoff & Mark had dropped a car over, so us girlies could drive home & the boys would walk...well the light weights, joined us in the car, don't they know there will be no car waiting for them along the camino!

I didn't think I ached at all, until I walked down the stairs at work then my knee screamed at me for over using it the day before.  We live in a bungalow so I din't know it was going to do that !

We'll leave you with a Camino thought ..

Many people approach the Camino as an adventure. They are not mistaken. Year after year pilgrims cover hundreds of miles on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, on trails running through stunning landscapes and hidden, isolated villages, where time seems to have come to a standstill. No day is the same on this long journey, which is sub-divided into manageable stages and is signposted all the way. Equipped with no more than a rucksackand a few basic supplies, pilgrims are challenged by the difficulties that arise along the route. Once they have completed the journey and reached Santiago, all pilgrims agree on one thing: that the effort has been well worthwhile.

Getting there (& back)

..As you may have noticed these posts are slightly out of order, its a catch up game, we decided on starting the blog a few months into the planning game, so bear with us, we will get up to date. 

 

Believe me everyday the camino in some form or other pops into our day. (Along with deliveries from Amazon with ' essential paraphernalia' required for the trip, today's delivery includes Laundry soap from www.lakeland.co.uk/21164/Laundry-Paper) 

 

Luckily I have an excited husband (in a camino kind of way, not 'another' kind of way ) but not quite to the extent of Mark who is like an excited puppy, at every opportunity he has his rucksack out and showing anybody & everybody the contents....he probably takes it to bed !  (see wineclubuncorked.blogspot.co.uk where Jacqui & Nick had a demo of Mark in Geoffs poncho & saw the contents of Marks rucksack, they were very enthusiastic..not !!)...

 

Anyway, I digress a bit, so back to 'Getting There' its very tricky with no easy answers but one asks is that part of the challenge, why should a pilgrimage be easy ?

 

The added dimension for this group, there are five going, two of which live some way away, they would all prefer to travel together and don't really want to fly the budget airlines they would rather take the train, which we must admit seems more in keeping with the whole experience.

 

This however is not as straightforward as you might think, initially they will need to get to Dover to catch the ferry  to Calais, followed by train to their destination.  We started to research this & it became clear trains don't run to St Jean Pied du Port everyday, this means juggling with the leaving date, extending it to leave a couple of days early to arrive with enough time left to complete a good section of the walk.  This brings its own problems for some, taking more holiday days from work and not family holiday time.

 

After lots of time consuming searching we came up with these options to be put forward to the group, who may also have some ideas, the Eurostar does make the journey easier, giving a more relaxed less chop and change style journey, bearing in mind the first days walk is the toughest through the mountains which is a bit unfortunate but cannot be avoided, so arriving feeling as refreshed as possible must be a bonus.

Outward - TGV
Thursday 4th April Calais to Paris 10:32 - 12:17 £18.00

or

Thursday 4th April Calais to Paris 11:06 - 14:20 £33.50


Friday 5th April Paris to St Jean 07:28 - 16:14 £40.50

or

Friday 5th April Paris to St Jean 12:27 - 19:33 £59.50

 

Outward - Eurostar

Thursday 4th April Ebbsfleet to Bordeaux 08:12 - 15:42 from £73

Thursday 4th April Ebbsfleet to Bordeaux 09:35 - 17:37 From £61 less than 10 seats left

There are later times available

Friday 5th April Bordeaux to St Jean 10:51 - 16:14 £26.60

And getting back is just as tricky, hard to plan as there is no way of knowing just how far the group will manage to walk..

Mark had found a five hour bus journey, this had us rolling around on the floor laughing, he gives us a major hard time everytime we catch National Express coach to London which takes 3 hours..

 

Inbound Journey

There appears to be an Overnight train (Rail Europe website) Barcelona to Paris but too early for April timetable

There should be a train from Logorno to Barcelona but again no timetable yet.

Also Bayonne to Paris (Sat 6th April as no timetable for following week yet) 07:26 - 12:35 £32

 

..Any suggestions are most welcome..

We'll leave you with a camino thought ..

Rapidly changing climate, start the day dressed in five layers, eyes watering with cold, and end the day sunburnt and wanting to throw my clothes to the cows. Never mind Vaseline, I needed an Air Ambulance. ..Martin Sheen, The Way.