April Panic

Hi Friends Peregrinos and rellies


This has been a very hectic month and I am going to cheat and ask you to look at Maisie's version of events, which is on the 'Our News' page of our web site.


I have been trying to get fit enough to go and the pack light enough to take! On finding a bowls trolley dumped by the roadside, I came up with the idea of a trolley fitted to the back of my pack so I can pull it sometimes, this worked but the little wheels were a problem getting it up pavements and over any rough ground. I had to make new fittings to lower the axle point to make room for bigger wheels. Two arms off a bathroom shower head solved the problem. This worked ok until I stopped and wanted it to stand upright. It promptly fell over as the leg that fits close to my backside when I'm carrying it was too short.

Ok I tried several ideas to make this bigger only to find it now jabbed me in the bum when going even slightly downhill! After more trials the offending leg was remade and the original leg bent further back, it still touched, so a strong rubber band was fitted to pull it away and next thing this broke so now a spring does the job fine. The wheels come off for transporting it on the aeroplane and it all folds flat and fits in the rucksack outside pocket. I intend to wrap it all in cling foil to stop anything getting lost while in transit.
This time both walking poles will also be inside my pack! as I'm getting fed up making new ones after the airline loses them! I am taking the bent one I brought back last time from Burgos and one that a friend gave me when I walked the North Camino, both come in half for packing now!
Well I have much to do as the garden will grow while I am away and still I am finding more paperwork that needs to go with me. I haven't weighed my pack for sometime, but I still hope to be under the 17 kilo I took before, about 15 I think and I hope the wheels will help this old peregrino. I should stay dry too as I bought a new tent last year!!!! I won't tell the story of getting robbed last time so people don’t think I am a robber again! Maisie and I will try to keep the record of the journey on the Blog Mozarabe when and as we can, so pop in and peep often if your interested. Wish me luck
Abrazos to all
Michael