Camino - gratitude yoga

28/09/202328/09/2023

‘Twas the night before the Camino Journey

I’m Camino ready, bag is packed and has been repacked a couple of times! I’ve decided not to take two pairs of walking shoes. I’ve trained for my Camino with two pairs of shoes, which I alternated on training walks. After talking this through with Team Camino Deb’s and Paul we decided this was a luxury, and if I need them they will be posted out to me en Camino.

I’m a bag of mixed emotions today as I empty the fridge, put the bins out and generally put the house to slumber before my departure tomorrow from Poitiers station. The love, encouragement and support from family and friends has been phenomenal, the little talisman gifts they have given me to bring me luck and keep my spirits up whenever I’m feeling a bit weary are so appreciated.

I’m walking the Camino Francés in memory of our late Dad Bert and our beautiful nephew Luke. East Anglian Air Ambulance is the charity that I’m raising funds for. Again the generosity of family and friends has been overwhelming and I’ve yet to step a foot on the Camino.

I’m not too sure how I will sleep tonight hopefully get a good nights sleep then off on my big adventure. I’m looking forward to times for reflection and meeting fellow pilgrims along the path.

Buen Camino

#josiewalksthecamino

#eastanglianairambulance

You can Donate Here!!

25/06/202315/07/2023

Mervent Forest Training Walk

Sunday morning and a nice long walk across rugged and undulating terrain around the river and forests of Mervent in the company of Debs, Paul and bringing up the rear, Dom.

Our route followed the Pierre Blanche in the Mervent Forest and the Chateau de la Citardiere map that is available on the AllTrails hiking app available from the App Store.

It was a lovely sunny Sunday morning but the walk involved a lot of forest paths so the shade was most welcome. There were several steep climbs and descents, some of which were on rocky and uneven ground, perfect preparation for the Camino and a great way of building ankle strength.

Huge thanks to both Debs and Paul for their encouragement, support and company and of course for the welcome obligatory croissants and coffee at the fabulous La Lutine at the end of our exertions.

I am walking the route to honour the memories of my late father Robert Millar and our nephew Luke, you can donate in memory of Luke using the dedicated Camino memor y pag e, don’t forget to giftaid if you can.

#josiewalksthecamino #Mervent #LaLutine

22/06/202315/07/2023

Camino Training

My walk along the Camino covers a total distance of 800km/500 miles which I plan to cover from 1st October through to 5th November. I will be taking rest breaks along the route but when walking my average distance covered per day will be @ 25km or 15 miles per day.

To prepare for this challenge I have regularly been walking around the local countryside here in the Deux-Sevres. Today Dominic and I tackled a circuit between la Menantelierre and Le Busseau as per this image from Map My Walk. The pace was not too rigorous but my Camino challenge is a marathon not a sprint.

I am confident that my regular training walks will prepare me well for the Camino in October.

#josiewalksthecamino

09/06/202312/07/2023

Camino Announcement

I will be walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route from St Jean Pied de Porte to Santiago de Compostella in the Autumn of 2023.

I am hoping to raise funds for two charities in their honour. I will be posting blog updates as I prepare for this challenge and plan to provide a daily blog update of my progress along the pilgrims route.

I will be using the hashtag #josiewalksthecamino in this blog, and also on my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts.

I hope you will follow my journey and allow me to share my experiences and reflections with you all.

#josiewalksthecamino