28th May Packing

 

In Luke 9, Jesus sends his 12 disciples off on one of his 'now go and do' exercises. He sends them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick but with the instructions that they should “Take nothing for your journey. Don’t take a walking stick, a bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes."

Having just enjoyed a sartorially satisfying two week cruise around the Mediterranian during which time I wore more outfits than a catwalk model at the Paris fashion show, today has been my attempt to incarnate those instructions of Jesus as I try to limit the amount of stuff I will have to carry on my back for the next month or so. 

As a general guide I am trying to stick to the rule of three; one to wear and two for spare with regards socks, underwear, trousers/ shorts, long sleeved T shirts, micro fleeces plus rainwear (because I have been reliably informed that at some point during the walk, the rain in Spain will fall mainly, wherever I happen to be.) 

This is off course before I started to add all the 'essentials' of modern day life ie phone and tablet complete with all their associated leads, cables and Europen plugs, 5 weeks supply of medication and what will inevitably end up being everything including the kitchen sink.

Having watched what feels like the entire internet content on walking the Camino, what I have learned it that apparently in order to make the journey as 'comfortable' as possible and not feel that my pack in a 'burden', I should be aiming to carry no more than 10% of my body weight. 

Judging by this attempt, it looks like I only need to put on another 4 stone before I leave to achieve that feat.