well, packing the back pack and trying to keep the weight under 20 pounds, dont know if that is possible, but I do know one thing, if it rains Im going to drown as there is no room for my Dry Duck suit. Not that there is much left of that suit after the King Ludwig Trail hike we did in Bavaria two years ago. After that adventure, I think Flop, Burger, Keeps, Deep and myself  all felt like we had swum the hole way, thank god for the German beer and sausage.

As I challenge myself with this blog, I have noticed that the only way it appears on the site is in reverse chronological order, so new posts are at the top. I figured out I can cheat and manipulate the date of the posting, where upon the blog reads in order and is easier to follow. So anyone following the times and dates of the post, you will notice the post times are actually older, but they are really  newer posts, so ignore the date stamp, I will include the actual date in the script at times.
Along with me on this trip will be a dear soul who left us far too early in life, Andrew, at the request of his mom and family, who are wonderful friends of mine, will be taking the hike in spirit.
"Voy a ver el mundo", see the world, was Andrews moto, now he will get a chance and its my privilege,     Deary me, I wonder if his mom knows what mischief he is about to get up to.

Andrew

Each time I pack this bag, I have to eliminate something else to get the bare necessities, so I need to quit before I end up hiking in my underwear (OK , I know, hold the comments)
Boots, (for this kind of distance, be sure to start with boots or shoes at least 1 full size to big, or welcome the blisters as your feet grow)
1 sandals
minimal toiletries
2 underwear
1 speedo (I know, I know)
1 micro fiber towel
sleeping bag ( very light one, mine is 600 grams, take a sleeping bag sock to use most night)
1 jeans
1 decent shorts( you can buy more on the way)
1 decent t-shirts( you can buy more on the way)
2 quick dry hiking shorts with liner
3 quick dry t -hiking shirts
1 cap
2 socks ( easy to buy more) 
electronics
passport and guide book

Well the bag is as light as I can make it and it still feels like my bad shoulder is going to complain. 

The big issue really is where to carry my Ipad without breaking it. Ill have to carry my boots by hand to Europe as there is no way they will fit inside.. I have a feeling that day #1 will be a wake up call, and some of the stuff in my bag will go bye bye at the first village, but we will see.

As for now, its off to the airport                                                                            

                                                           CAMINO PORTUGUES

Originally it was decided to do the northern way first, but seeing as we are starting early in the season, I think we will do the Portugues Way first as its further south and will be warm now, and really hot later in the season. That way, moving north for the second leg should be somewhat cooler, and will miss the early storms while hiking through the Pyrenees Mountains . Attached is the first leg from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostella, looks like the walk starts the morning of the 31st, April.

Arrived in Caruna today  ,April 29. After much messing around with the airlines, and had to take different flights to get here, arrived 8 hours late. Off to Lisbon tomorrow at 5am , will get our Camino credentials , have a night off, then hit the road the next morning.

Tonight john and I went out for supper in Coruna, had 3 beers each, and two pinchos( like bruchetas with squid, sardines, cheeses and veggies)  just wonderful .        Oh yeh 7 bucks

Finally got to Lisbon and found a hostel in town. Then the fun started again, at no Camino office were there any credentials for the Way. Luckily we had copies so we will have to use them till we hit a village where they have some for us going forward.
Its pretty hot but going to take an early night as I didn't sleep worth a damn last night in the crusty old hostel

Found

The start at the old Igraja de Santiago church, but the office there exists no more, so no credentials.

Took about 10 minutes to actually find the first Way marker to get us on trail tomorrow, why is it that all trails lead UP. I need to talk to someone about that

this is the start of the first leg for us, 610km to Santiago be Compostela, before we then head to France for the second leg. The Way markers are somewhat confused at this point, between yellow arrows on trees to this official market hidden on a road sign.

I have a strong suspition this marking

Will standardise itself as we reach the countryside tomorrow afternoon

32km tomorrow, but pretty flat, at least 5 hours in the city though before we get to the first beer............did I just say that.

Buen Camino

Today was a big day in Lisbon as they were celebrating May Day, so as I'm struggling with this new neck injury from a crash on my motocross bike in the mountains,when I have the pack on, and we had a bit of a gathering last night with a bunch of South Africans, we gave it a rest and will start tomorrow as the weather will be better too. L

lisbon from the cathederal today, and some of the traditional folk dancing in the square

John being himself again, a great bunch having dinner at the hostel.

and this live artist was being very clever.

tomorrow May 2nd,,got to start walking no matter the issues

Got on the road at 6am today may 2nd, was still dark so got to watch the sun rise over the River Tajo as we walked along its bank. Felt good to finally get our giddy up on, but what a day.
The first 2 1\2 hours are spent walking out of the city through industrial and deprived areas. The constant cobbled road and concrete were hard to take as a day one, that just hammers your feet. If I was a pilgrim Reading this as research , and wasn't hell bent on walking every step with the ancient ones, I would taxis past this point.
Just before turning west and hiking along the banks of the Rio Trancao, an old man stopped his car and gave us directions as we were a little confused, ten minutes later along the river ,out he pops again as he lived there, and insisted we come in to his house to refill our water bottles,,,even though they didn't need it.
For the most part everyone who recognized us as Pilgrims ,have gone out of the way to help, its like we are honoring them by taking this journey in their country.
20 miles today , that turned into 23 because we missed the turn to the hostel, in truth, the book was way wrong. that's too much for the first day, and I'm feeling it now, had a hot hot shower and now in a side street cantina having a beer ( carb loading), I had got ready for this, but you can't be completely prepared for the first day, did you know that hiking calls on muscles you didn't know were there, even ones in your ears and also your hair follicles. Tomorrow we are near a highway a lot of the time, which ain't great, another 20 miles, then I hope we will be into the country and tiny villages. I'm complaining a bit right now, but I know whats  coming once I find a stride and rhythm  , a high that's so motivating. and I need to change my attitude, 4 more days and it will be easier, and hopefully my neck etc will relax. you can train, but only walking yourself into fitness on the Way works.
Well, time for dinner
Buen Camino