This came up in a conversation last week with M. It would be really fun to go with him. It would be something special. 1 month ago

General

Quality backpack
Sleeping bag, pillow case, earplugs
Mat, bivvy bag?
Walking pole?
Water bottle, small knife and spoon for food?
Maps, guidebook, pilgrim passport, small Spanish dictionary?
Clear waterproof map holder?
Small New Testament & Psalms
Pen, notebook?
Passport, insurance details, money, card, keys – some kind of pouch for safekeeping?
Camera? Phone? watch?
Headlamp? 2 months ago

Toiletries

Sunscreen
Small hand sanitizer?/baby wipes?
Hairbrush, hairbands, clips
Shower gel/shampoo combo?
Flannel
Quick-dry lightweight travel towel
Razor, nail scissors, tweezers
Band-aids, paracetomol
Toothbrush, small tube toothpaste
Deodorant
Sanitary stuff, loo roll?
Possibly talcum powder for feet?
Laundry soap, safety pins (to dry clothes on back of pack when walking)
Plastic bags for wet/dirty clothes 2 months ago

Clothes

Good walking boots (broken in)
Flip-flops
Good quality socks x3
Walking trousers (with zip-off legs to make shorts) x2
Leggins (can double as sleepwear?)
Sports bras x2
Undies x3
Technical t-shirts x3 (can double as sleepwear?)
Zip-up long sleeve top (quick-dry)
Fleece
Hat
Sunglasses/ glasses with transitions lenses
Good quality waterproof jacket
Lightweight quick-drying dress for Sundays and best? 2 months ago

I’d love to do this. I’m thinking if I set a provisional date then it might push me to start thinking about what I need to do to prepare for this journey. Autumn (fall) 2014 is the very earliest date for this. Initial thoughts:

• I need to get a guide book or two and read them.
• Brush up on my Spanish and maybe a little French too.
• Get fit and used to walking greater distances.
• Save enough money in order to be able to pay my rent for three months, and for travel expenses. Probably £3000 to be comfortable. Maybe if I give up renting a place and stay with my parents for a couple of weeks after returning I can do this cheaper (and therefore sooner)?
• Get together all the necessary equipment.
• Renew my passport.
• Get hair cut short. 2 months ago

...of some financial, health, and personal challenges that I’ve had in the last 6 months, I don’t think I am going to get to do this in 2012. I originally wanted to do it in August or September of this year. Sometime in July, I decided that I was going to push it back till October. Now I can see that it’s just not going to happen this year. I’m not upset about it. Most of the reasons why I need to postpone this are not of my own doing. I’m sure if I was absolutely hell bent on going still this year, I could, but I honestly do not think that would be the best choice for me at this time.

My current idea is that I would like to do this in April of 2013. From what I’ve read, the weather isn’t really that great for doing the Camino November-March (either cold or rainy) and many of the albergues are not open during the winter as well, which would mean there wouldn’t be as many villages available to stay in. I could probably be ready to walk the Camino before April, but I think it would be best to wait till then because of the weather and the logistics. This plan could of course change between now and then, as well, but I really am intending to do this next year. Walking the Camino de Santiago is one of my biggest dreams in life, and it is a very big priority. 9 months ago