Training begins

Today training begins in earnest. We have a packing exercise, followed by a navigation exercise and then a physical exercise. All designed to tune up body and mind ready for the big walk starting at the end of August.

Furthermore Bonnie has got her panniers - apparently they were recommended by the dog whisperer. Apparently it looks like this. Ruth recons it is good for 4 days of food.

Meeting friends

At the big tent. There's a few folk here who may be coming along for a few miles for the big walk.have also Bergen breaking in my 5000 league boots.

Training

It has to be said that for a 200 mile walk, training has been somewhat neglected. Partly because Bonnie has been spayed recently, so she has been out of action, partly because of the need to look after two lively young girls over the school holidays and parly because of what lies before us.

In a couple of weeks we do what I think of as the 'shake down' trek, complete with all the family and a donkey. The purpose is to harden up those muscels a little bit, check that the body still functions when pushed and most importantly get into the zone of going for a walk. It will be a comparitively short 50 miles over 5 days through Languedoc. Can't wait and neither can the kids!

The feet that will do the walking.

Here is a photo of two of the six feet before the walk. They are blister free at the moment.