Saturday, 23 April 2016

In Training for Chartes!

It's a little crazy, as I will not know until Tuesday if it's a good idea for my left foot to go to Chartes, but B.A. and I went on another practice hike today. This time we walked along the Union Canal from Edinburgh Park (an industrial section outside Edinburgh) to Ratho and back. We think this was 8 miles. If it wasn't, we will count in the walk to our local railway station and back. That makes it 8 miles for sure.

Meanwhile I have ordered a splendid blue Scouting/Guiding hat from France, hoping against hope that the 60cm size will fit. After our walk, B.A. and I tried on much cheaper hats in a hiking shop in Edinburgh park, and 60 cm does, indeed, fit my massive cranium. (We are unsure as to how big my head would be without all the hair, but we hope we never find out.)

As B.A. was never, ever, ever going to take up swing-dancing, I am glad that there is one form of physical exercise that we both enjoy: hiking. Now that spring is here, I have been encouraging him to get the maps out and look up train timetables.

The hiking shop surprised me: apparently aluminum framed backpacks are no longer de riguer (or available). Sleeping bags and tents are thinner and lighter than ever! New outdoor ambitions are hatching in my brain, but I will have to convince B.A. that he doesn't just love hiking; he may love camping, too.
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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous23 April 2016 at 20:40

    I spent my chance to go to Chartres this year by choosing Norcia earlier in the year. How I wish I could have done both! Enjoy the pilgrimage, it's amazing.... Are you going to be sleeping on the hard cold ground in those big tents? If so, be sure to bring silk or cashmere long underwear, it's the only way to stay warm!
    Made me think of the poor soldiers of the first world war....
    Amused

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous24 April 2016 at 17:04

      Clean, dry bedsocks keep you warm. The kilted regiments had their woolen kilts to wrap up in. Aged P

      Delete
  2. Mrs McLean23 April 2016 at 21:38

    Oh heavens. I don't know yet. Aha! Norcia. Hopefully B.A. and I will be able to go to Norcia before Christmas.... (When were you there?) I am not sure yet about the details. I will ask at church tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous25 April 2016 at 14:47

      I was in Norcia at Easter-time. Oh, so cold! The Italians must be very hotblooded people indeed; they opened the windows "to get some air in" just when I was starting to get warm!
      Amused

      Delete
    2. Anonymous25 April 2016 at 16:15

      Also, I'm planning on going back before Christmas. It would be jolly if it were at the same time! I'm thinking American Thanksgiving ;-)
      Amused

      Delete

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