Explaining the rules of AFL….

afl3Our night in Zubiri was a good one with new friends and learning new cultures.. We found an Albergue for only €8 set up showered the hills off us, and showed some love for our feet…

afl2There was a Spaniard, an Aussie, & a German at a bar…. Yep sounds like a joke but that was us!! Only 2 Aussies in this scene. And over dinner and a few bottles of the local wine no subject of conversation was left untouched!

What a good night – you’ll see some pics here of me explaining where we live in Australia – I drew a map on the serviette,  much to the amusement of Ally and you could clearly see our beautiful country 🙂 which lead to the question what is Australia’s favourite sport (open to a lot of opinions) I said AFL which lead to a million questions about this! Talk about funny  – I don’t think Ally stopped laughing at my attempts! Don’t worry Australia I converted 2 foreigners to our sport 🙂

afl1Wine makes you sleepy.. Or it might be the combination of wine and 8 hours of walking which does that – either way with ear plugs in (a must in this style if accommodation) we hit the bunks early for an early start to beat the Spanish sol (sun)

Today we made it to Arre a little town outside Pamplona an easy 18 km day after such a mammoth start. Feet are getting used to punishment – we had hills, valleys, rivers, bridges, cobblestones and quaint little villages dotted along the track kept our senses alive 🙂

Note to self – stop and look around – this place is beautiful xxx

An afternoon searching thru this little town for anything to do – eat – or drink was an adventure in itself! The San Fernin Festival is in full swing so that means most (all) shops restaurants and bars shut for 5 or 6 days!! Even the ones selling stuff for San Fernin! We did find a lollie shop open and our new American friend Jamie shouted us a drink at the only bar open 🙂 plus a photo opportunity with some nuns…

Well time to get our red sash and head to Pamplona!
Bull fight tomorrow!
Buen Camino

Human Washing Machines

chicks-day3aOur set off from Roncesvalles began in the early morning with collecting our wet washing from the line… This meant with the strategic placement of each item on the outside of our bags so they can dry on the walk – we need them to dry because that’s what we’re wearing at the end of the day!! Our new title Human Washing Machines. I pretty sure other pilgrims were impressed with our ingenuity and it will fast become popular on our walk 🙂

chicks-day3bDay 2 – they say never as hard as the first… And that’s what we kept reminding ourselves as we climb hills in blistering Spanish heat – sounds harsh I know but the canopy of cool Forrest that met us at the tops of the peaks was what got us to keep going 🙂 they’re right day 2 not as hard as the first and finishing just after 2pm in the little town of Zubiri boots off blisters popped and wine ordered it was a good day.

So what else can I tell you about today… Well we have lied to you! Yes, sorry we didn’t know either 🙁 . After walking over 25km day 1, about 3k’s in on day 2 – we see our first big road sign with a big surprise and a few chuckles we read SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA 790. Yep that’s right we’ve already walked for a day and haven’t even begun to count down from 780km!! Oops we’re walking 815km now 🙂

New friends have been made from Latvia, Ireland, Canada, New Mexico, and Igor a Basque man who came in very handy to have a Spanish translator for us 🙂

Looking forward to day 3 – it starts flat with only a few steep hills in the middle starting early to beat the heat (really we want to get to the pub by 2pm for wine time, it worked well for us today) so it’s 9pm and we’re off to bed! Don’t judge us we’ve had a big day.

Miss you all! Until next time
Buen Camino!

With the kindness of strangers…

picture-day2That is how Ally and I are going to make it thru this journey 🙂 so far the French have been wonderful… On our first day the countries we have met people from so far are Austria, Canada, USA, Holland, Spain, Italy, and even Australia! We are all here for the same purpose some going to Santiago others just walking for a week or two – everyone in high spirits on the first day everyone happy to help you 🙂

When reading about the Camino EVERYONE SAYS THE FIRST DAY IS THE HARDEST – and they are not lying!!! WOW so much relief and pride to see the end insight.

Today took us on our biggest climb – imagine the steepest part of FED HILL in Wodonga it’s steep and hard but you see the top from the bottom – short and sweet… Now imagine that part for 10 KM straight and that was the first part we walked today – determination water hydrolites mints and Ally detouring 1/2 K off the trek to a local farm in search of water so I didn’t die (I’m being over dramatic) got us thru oh AND the view. The sights are beautiful the people friendly and after 8 hours trek I’m here sitting watching the washing dry with about 5 different languages speaking around me 🙂

Oh and a KIT KAT – this Alberge is amazing – a million choices in their vending machines so happy right now.

Well off to dinner at one of the local 3 restaurants €10 will get us 3 courses with a bottle of wine 😉

Until next time
Buen Camino

So It Begins…

1044972_209237632565737_1305579152_nAfter leaving Albury Friday afternoon… we have had an eventful time that included a massive flight delay in Melbourne, missed connection in China. That means another delay BUT also included an upgrade to premium economy (so worth the delay!) a game of musical chairs… and sighting the Eiffel Tower on landing we made it to Paris 🙂

1001349_209210702568430_1701957549_nSweet Paris where the wonderful French helped us navigate the Rail System… Ally calculated that with 9 very loong lines of waiting, catching at least  5 trains (one beginning the wrong one & another a total fluke!) it’s  Sunday evening and we have finally made it too St Jean Port de Pied thou it was 1130pm!!

So with the fancy Capitol Hotel (one cannot pick and choose that late a night) able to supply beds and Cafe Ttippa able to feed us so late… I am now sitting here enjoying a cafè, orange perriomsse, and croissant (doesn’t beat the bottle of french champagne we had in Paris) after a restful nights sleep.

The day has arrived – time to get our pilgrim passport and start what we have been waiting for!

Buen Camino!

Delicious!

Indian TandooriSo our friend of Chicks Walk for a Cause Kate Morey organised a dinner for Ally and myself to invite friends and family to say farewell and good luck..

Indian Tandoori generously hosted our night AND also donated the banquet money back to our Charity!!

Big THANK YOU to Raj, Nazija & the awesome crew at Indian Tandoori for their fabulous food wonderful service and generous support.

Everyone who attended loved the food – and if you are looking for your next feast… Head into there!!

Armstrongs – You Rock!

armstrongsReceived another very generous donation from the fantastic team from Armstrongs Financial Advisers.

$1 for every km walked!! That’s a whole lot of $$$ right there 🙂

Thank you for your support it is amazing! Need some advise on your finances? Go see Armstrongs Financial Advisors.

 

Well it is not long now… The days until we leave are in single digits!! WOW

The Way…

the way featureSo some of you have now seen the movie that has inspired our walk. Thank you all for comming to our movie afternoon. BIG thanks to Regent Cinemas for the generous donation of cinema, staff, movie, catering!!

The afternoon was wonderful, and a great time for us to say hello and thanks for supporting us in person – we hope you enjoyed a glass of vino from Rutherglen Estates (Thanks Phil)

All who attended have helped us raise over $3,000 this afternoon!! Plus the raffle on the day (Congratulations to those who won)You have pushed us over the $20,000 mark!

I hope you all loved the movie, and for those who will be following us on our blog as we trek, you will have some idea of what we are doing 🙂

Don’t worry – if they so don’t walk that way… we won’t! AND I won’t take my pack off on the edge of a bridge.

Not long now till we take off..

Buen Camino!

 

Thanks Tez!

G & C Powdercoaters – thank you for your donation!!!

It was great to go to the bank and see your name on the list. Denise and Tez showing their support. We really do appreciate it all.

Anyone need something Powdercoated?? You know who to call 🙂

 

Fifield’s Suport!

Thanks to Ben and the team for your big support of Chicks walk for a Cause! Picked up a cheque from them today 🙂Fifield Family Pharmacy

Also they were awesome in helping me get what I need for anything that may come up on our trek! Including the ear plugs for the dorm style accommodation…

It is so fantastic that the local businesses are getting behind and supporting us.

So make sure you return the favour and support them!!

Fifield’s Family Pharmacy in Dean Street – say hi to Ben, and the gang 🙂 Support them as they are supporting us!

Thank you Intencity!

intencity picThanks to all who turned up for our Intencity Super Session! We raised over $460!

All money going to our cause 🙂

It was loud, hetic, and fun! BIG thanks to Dave and the Intencity crew – they put on a great time!

Everyone who came had fun and left with lots of prizes!!

Our tally keeps rising and can’t thank you enough for your supoort.

Next week is our BIG Movie fundraiser! You can see the movie that inspired our walk – look at the events page for more details 🙂