OMG I can't believe how lucky I am

This via Francigena which I will be cycling later next week was original documented by the bishop Sigeric, who journey from Canterbury to Rome (via France/Switzerland over the St. Bernard pass) a thousand years ago. My journey is shorter and mainly from Rosalinda's house (a dear fellow pilgrim whom I had met on my Camino de Santiago in 2006) in Milan to Rome.

Tha would be 787 km instead of the 1900 km from Canterbury. I am so happy and honoured to be able to start from her house (or her albergue de peregrinos as she calls it).

When Rosalinda found out that I would need to get 2 things when I get to Milan, she went ahead and got me those ahead of time without my asking. The bike (with rear rack and bottle cage) and local SIM card is there waiting for me. I really owed her a lot, especially the effort on her part to get them. You are an angel Rosalinda!

 

Yes, it's the same budget MTB from Decathlon that I have already have here in Singapore (so no learning curve) which I plan to sell (or donate) upon my arrival in Rome. It's much easier for logistics than to bring one's bike on the plane and also cheaper than rentals.

Now all I need to do is to get off my a** and start packing. I keep forgetting that it's  different than packing for a walk.

Backpack differences on the Camino

A big thanks to Francis for these photos. I believe this was taken after Miraz, a cold morning. We took our jackets off only after about 2 hours of walking.

You can see that both backpacks are on 2 opposite ends. Jonathan's backpack is 17 kg, with a 2 person tent, cooker, and that giant umbrella while mine is more of the norm at half that weight.

Carrying that much weight one risks injury especially on a long journey. I guess the age (younger) helps. :)

Picasa photo album of my Camino del Norte

Including photos not posted to this blog.

Link - Camino del Norte

Meeting of pilgrims - 2 years later

 

We have now another member, my wife. Here's the picture taken 2 years ago.

The Way - Movie Trailer

The trailer for The Way (Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez) is out. The movie is currently in post production. No release date have been given yet. Very soon, one of the best kept secret will be out in the mainstream.


It's making me want to drop everything and walk again.

A Meeting of Pilgrims - Bénédicte

Over the year end, I had the privilege of spending an evening with a dear peregrina Bénédicte and her family near Pontarlier after our vacation around the French Auvergne region. Wow, has it already been three and a half years?

Another meeting of pilgrims

Rosalinda (with Sancho) on the left and Isabella on the right at Albergue Rosalinda :)

I've just gotten back for a few weeks from a trip to Provence with the wife. I've decided to go there via Milano and visit a dear pilgrim Rosalinda along the way. Best albergue and hospitalero outside the camino, :))))

Here is a photo during the camino in 2006. Bénédicte left and Rosalinda on the right.

My photo of Itálica short listed by Schmap

I was notified today that my picture of Itálica (Seville) at the start of my Camino via de la Plata was short listed by Schmap. What it means is that it might be used on their site with my name credited for the photo. The photo was originally posted to Flickr.



Wonder if they know it's taken from a 2 megapixels fixed lens mobile camera?

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