Oh My! The Final Final Final Chapter ☺️

Well blow me down (new expression which I learned recently ☺️). I thought the story was over but... note I am committed to this being the last post on the Japanese Camino Documentary. If tempted to post again I will seriously consider contacting MailChimp myself to see if they will revoke my blogging privileges 🤣.

Hopefully you will understand why this post was absolutely necessary...in my own little world at least 😀.

In my March 10th...The Final Chapter blog posting I said the following:

"As it turns out this Japanese Documentary is the 3rd and final 60 minute segment focused on the Camino San Salvador and the Camino Primitivo routes which are the two Caminos I walked in Oct 2022. The first instalment was the Camino Mozarabe from Almeria to Merida. The second instalment was the Via de la Plata from Merida to Astorga. In total the 3 instalments total ~ 1,500 kms.” 

Ok so I couldn’t help myself and contacted Ryota (my documentary friend) asking if it would be possible to receive the links to Parts 1 and 2 of the 1,500 km Camino documentary.

This morning I received these links with the following message...

"You guys appear briefly in those parts as well, but you are focused more on the Part 3 which featured Camino Primitivo.”

WHAT! There’s more...this is the gift that never ends! So I immediately cleared my busy calendar and watched the two 60 minute Camino documentaries.

Before getting to what I saw... a few thoughts on these documentaries and an image that will be important later on 😂.

The two documentaries are again exceptionally well done showing very different terrain from any Camino I have walked. Desert, scrub, mountains, dry, hot...incredible architecture are all prominent in Southern Spain. Clearly walking the Camino Mozarabe and Via de la Plata is a much more solitary experience than more Northern Caminos. Snake country for sure 😱. Speaking Spanish...or being with someone who can...would seem quite important!

I don’t believe I have commented on the music enhancing the Documentary visuals...very evocative...one song in Part 1 is Pilgrim by Enya...one of my favourites on my Spotify playlist (yes I like Enya...also cry at the drop of hat...ok maybe I wouldn’t have been the 1st pick for the Marlborough Man commercial ☺️).

I will include only one screenshot from the two Camino Documentaries...in Part 2 on the Camino San Salvador which I walked in 2022 ...

Of the 8 Camino routes walked this is the most incredible section of Camino walking I have ever done. The exposure to the right of the path is like...forget it...toast country! Somehow...in spite of my lack of enthusiasm for heights... I am somewhat comfortable in this type of situation...just keep telling myself to stick to the path...focus and enjoy! 

One last thing before I spill the beans on Parts 1 & 2 Documentaries...serious question. Is anyone reading this aware of software available where one could play a Vimeo movie and English captions for Japanese and Spanish would be produced? I suspect the English captions have to be set up when the Vimeo movie was created however never hurts to ask! 

Why this blog posting was absolutely necessary

Numbers are interesting as they can mean many different things depending on the context and how one frames them ☺️. In my first work assignment as an Actuarial Student (still had aspirations however found out I didn’t quite have the smarts 🤔) I went in to see my Manager (an Actuary) and proceeded to tell him the results of product pricing where I had used an existing financial model with umpteen inputs.

“Ted the Rate of Return on XYZ is 15.34567%” I was pretty proud of myself. He looked at me and said “Guy how many assumptions have you made in the model...hundreds I think...so maybe simply giving me a range say 14 - 16% would have been accurate enough”. A lesson I have never forgotten.

Yes...I am getting there! Here is the scoop!

All three 2022 Japanese Camino Documentary movies have the exact same 2 minute opening. Within the 2 minute opening there are 3 speaking roles...% of 2 minute opening in brackets!

    - Mine 12 seconds (10%) 

    - Paulo’s 6 seconds or (5%) 

    - Spanish peregrina’s 10 seconds or (8%) 

Now 10% is a whole lot more impressive than the .33% mentioned in my March 10th blog posting. The power of a new perspective!

Doing a quick Google search on what is critical in the very early part of a Documentary to engage the audience...either they like the start or they go away...

"The most important thing to consider when starting a documentary is the subject of your story. You need a compelling narrative with interesting characters and, when possible, conflict and drama. This is what keeps the reader hooked."

So clearly our Japanese Camino Documentary roles were seen as HOOKS for the audience...hence very, very, very important ☺️

Reflecting on my initial feelings about my own 12 second performance...in the light of a new day...maybe it was waaayyyy better than I thought!

    - The look...Tilley Hat, Clooney glasses and hand expressions were seen as significant positives by the Camino Director. So instead of thinking of myself as Elmer Fudd...maybe a Harrison Ford comparison might be more realistic. ☺️

    - While I thought that perhaps what I said was total utter gibberish...likely it was seen as well thought out deep thinking. 🤔

    - My interrupting Paulo was not seen as rude but introducing conflict. 😇

Although I am a bit confused by Ryota’s comment that “you are focused more on the Part 3 which featured Camino Primitivo.” Hmm 🤔 Part 3 = Part 2 = Part 1 😉

So once again I believe what I want to believe and WHAT A PERFORMANCE...36 seconds total in 3 separate Japanese Camino Documentaries. Japan’s population is 125.7 million...conservatively estimating Documentary viewership at 40% that’s a little north of 50 million people viewing each of the 3 Documentaries.

Holy moly if I ever get to Japan for a 4th time I am going to have to ditch the Tilley hat, Clooney glasses...maybe for the baseball hat look...otherwise I will be mobbed!

Finally and the Oscar for Best Actor in the Opening Hook Segment of a Foreign Camino Documentary Film goes to....

An added bonus to the day...Island Passport for stamps obtained along the walk and the Island Walk cloth badge received...

Island Walk Passport and Badge

Computer Gremlins Again

I tried to send this out yesterday however it seems MailChimp email notification is an overnight batch process. I’m sure a number of you will likely have figured out what happened...

Oh well…a sure sign that MailChimp is tired. Somehow the software screwed up the Final Chapter blog post and the email sent had the post ending at the beginning 😥 of the post.

Options 1) look at email received... click on Read On just before you see excerpts 2) simply type in www.caminolongwalk.blogspot.com or 3) read as sent with ending first 😊...thinking to yourself “Does Guy really think it matters what the software does to his stories?”. 

The web blog version is fine…it was fine when published soooo...No idea what happened to the email sent by MailChimp 😢 If any computer whiz folks have any ideas on what caused this I am listening!

 « Life does not go in a straight line »! especially in blog posting 😂

The Final Chapter

Full disclosure...here is the March 7, 2023 timeline... a day to remember:

    - 9:10 am received email from Ryota which included Japanese Documentary Link

    - 9:40 am or so opened email and promptly sent WhatsApp message to Paulo “received link...did you?” secretly hoping that Paulo had NOT received anything ☺️

    - 1:55 pm Paulo - “I don’t have it »

     - 2:23 pm My reply - “Ah too bad...will let you know in a day or so IF you are in it...”

    - 3:00 pm on…Paulo sent a couple of pathetic pleading WhatsApp messages and then at 3:31 pm “Please!!!!! Send me the link!!” Young people today soooo demanding…why can’t they be patient like older worldly and wise folks 😉

    - 3:32 pm My reply - “Will send later today”  

    - 6:48 pm I published Blog and then at 6:49 pm started watching the Japanese Documentary totally contradicting what I had just said in my Blog 😂

    - 8:35 pm I relented and sent info to Paulo who apparently watched the Documentary during the middle of the night as per his subsequent WhatsApp messages.

A question I have been pondering 🤔 Did I make the commitment to send link to Paulo because I was dying to see the Documentary and knew instinctively that sending it Paulo would seal the deal. No way was he going to watch it first OR was I simply being a nice guy in sending the link to Paulo...I then decided I might as well watch it that day...needed something to do...whatever!

Ok so here is the scoop on the Japanese Documentary.

What met or exceeded expectations

Simply an outstanding visual documentary...great story telling...as much as I could make out given the 90% Japanese content was really well done and in some cases very touching.

I have confirmed with Ryota that they do not wish to have the Japanese Documentary video uploaded online. Shown below are screen shots from the documentary. The documentary will be available on a video online demand service however you can only view it in Japan 🇯🇵 So…if after reading this post you wish to see the Japanese Documentary just let me know and a private viewing will be arranged at the earliest opportunity. 😊.

As it turns out this Japanese Documentary is the 3rd and final 60 minute segment focused on the Camino San Salvador and the Camino Primitivo routes which are the two Caminos I walked in Oct 2022. The first instalment was the Camino Mozarabe from Almeria to Merida. The second instalment was the Via de la Plata from Merida to Astorga. In total the 3 instalments total ~ 1,500 kms. 

Here are a few Documentary snapshots...amazing scenery...which I remember well... on the Camino San Salvador and Primitivo routes.

Considerable Documentary time was spend talking to two pelegrinas…32 year old Ukrainian and another young woman from Russia who now lives in Ukraine 🇺🇦.

Both discussions were challenging 😥 as some very frank, difficult information and ideas were shared. In particular the pelegrina from Russia spoke openly about her parents living in Russia whom she does not expect to see in the near future and possibly ever again.

At the end in the plaza in Santiago de Compostela the pelegrina from Russia spoke about how the walk impacted her providing her with an inner sense of peace ☮️.

Watching the Japanese Documentary also evoked strong personal meaningful memories...

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela plaza pilgrim walkers from all over the world gather after completing their respective Camino walks. All have worked very hard to get there...often struggling through injury...personal doubts about their abilities to complete the walk...weather issues etc. however the overriding feeling is one of absolute joy no matter where one started from.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral

Botafumeiro Swinging

I have been very fortunate arriving in Santiago de Compostela 3 separate times and each time the Botafumeiro has swung. It swings on a dozen religious holidays each year or when someone pays 400 Euros. 

The first time was in 2014 on day 85 of the eventual 88 day Camino long walk (3 separate trips). A lot had happened over that time...health adversity overcome...long walking days...challenging weather...incredible joys...friendships made. I watched it with Marc (brother), Paulo (Brazil) and Cyrille (France). Quite simply a very emotional experience...tears just flowed...I was overcome...

The next 2 times were in 2018 and 2022 both times with Paulo. No tears however again watching the Botafumeiro was an incredible experience.

Typical Pilgrim hugging in plaza

A very common scene in the Plaza after pilgrims finish their walks. NO Marg I have never hugged someone in the plaza! 

A little diversion...in 2022 we went back to Winnipeg our home town. Early in the visit I saw my niece and gave her my best hug. This set off quite a chain of events...my niece later told my sister Pauline “Oncle Guy just gave me the most awkward hug ever! But don’t tell him I said this!”. I expect Pauline waited 15 seconds (we share this trait of not being to contain ourselves when something funny just happened) and texted me with the reassuring info 😳 concerning my “hugging” abilities.

Oh man...over the next couple of days I was meeting some good friends, family members etc...hugs for sure would be delivered. A lot of pressure on me 🤣...I reflected on this and really really tried to up my “hugging game”. Hopefully the hugs were good enough...they were genuine...they had to be better than the niece hug. I think...hope 😳

Finisterre - End of Long Walk 2014

This is actually Muxia which is a days walk from Finisterre however the view is the same and it evoked very strong memories. Arriving in Finisterre on Day 88 of the long 2,600 km walk was a very special time. 

Marc and I left early...Cyrille as usual was a little slow...une veritable tortue... to get started in the morning 🤣 and Marc and I walked strongly as we knew we had a 38 km day ahead of us. A clear memory is cresting a small hill and then the Atlantic ocean was straight ahead...a beach to the right and off in the distance the Finisterre lighthouse! Walking on that beach was incredible...every step closer to the end. Finistere in Christopher Columbus times was considered “the end of the earth” hence the name.

Marc as usual was well ahead of me...strongest walker I have ever seen...yet maybe a couple of hundred meters from the Finisterre lighthouse and Km 0 marker he stopped...Marc turned to me...and said “Guy go ahead of me...finish it”. A real classy move...one which seems like it happened yesterday.

Japanese Documentary - our staring roles!

Ok I have dithered long enough...buckle up...grab your favourite beverage...prepare yourself for a wild and incredible/unexpected finish to the Japanese Documentary saga!

Holy smokes at 1:22 (total Documentary just over 59 minutes) Paulo is on the screen talking! What a lightning fast start! 👍 Paulo handled himself very well...as you would expect from a lawyer...I would even go so far as to say he looked and sounded quite good. The baseball hat I believe was a gift from his daughter.

At 1:27 or 6 seconds later his speaking role was finished as a voice was heard “mine” saying something like “I don’t agree with that”...Paulo had been trying to say something about the changes Covid had brought to the Camino experience,

In looking at the Documentary I do feel somewhat badly speaking up when I did...perhaps I was still reeling from the fact that 5 minutes earlier Paulo had walked arm in arm down the hill in Campiello with Patricia and the Japanese Documentary pilgrim...clearly trying to edge me out of the Japanese Documentary.  Maybe I just wanted to ensure I would have my chance to speak...whatever...sorry Paulo I am sure you would have had an additional second or two speaking time had I been silent. 🥲.

At 1:28 or so I had my say...OMG what a show I put on... First the debonair look that I visualized for myself simply did not seem to translate well on camera. The combination of Tilley hat, Clooney glasses, a bit 😳 of a scruffy beard 🤣 and the white lanyard around my neck holding my money belt...is simply... well... not a good look.😂.

Ok maybe not a great look however what about my insightful comments? Weeellllll...I am not actually sure what I said or was trying to say...and I have listened to what I said multiple times. I really should have rehearsed my little speech ahead of time...but in my defence...I was asked many questions in the interview.

However the most challenging part was the HANDS... No one has ever told me that I talk with my hands! Twice in the short time period I spoke I raised both hands to emphasize a point. Quite simply it looks really odd..well to be truthful it looks totally and utterly ridiculous. Had I known I do this earlier in life maybe I could have sought intensive treatment or something to break this habit. 

At 1:39 or 12 seconds later my speaking role was finished. Twice Paulo’s allowed time however a little shy of expected however a full 58 minutes of Japanese Documentary was ahead...just getting started! 

I have subsequently learned from Ryota that the orange boxes shown in the Documentary when Paulo and I are speaking are meant to demonstrate that people of different countries and different generations  can and do walk together on the Camino pilgrimage routes. Paulo proud to be the old geezer walking with you 🤣😂. Oh that is funny!

At 2:45 Patricia, whom Paulo and I had recognized was going to be the star of the Documentary, made the first of her 8 separate appearances totalling 6:15 (minutes, seconds!)

Patricia spoke very well about many aspects of the Camino “Glad and fortunate to have the opportunity to walk”...something I think about many times. “Have the people of the Ukraine in my thoughts”. Patricia whom Paulo and I had met and walked with for a period of time was clearly a well deserving Camino star...very thoughtful person.

Patricia from the United States

At 11:52 John and Carmel from Ireland were seen walking strongly looking like the Camino veterans that they are. I could almost hear Carmel say to John “John stand tall...buck up...Japanese Documentary film crew ahead...we are about to be in the Documentary that Guy will be starring in and that Paulo may have a small role if he is lucky"

John and Carmel from Ireland

Ok so at this point we are about 20% through the Japanese Documentary film and I was starting to get a little nervous about the progress to date... for me (12 seconds) and Paulo as expected (6 seconds). Surely other scenes would be in the Documentary...I mean they had to be...otherwise why did we sit for a 20 - 30 minute interview...why did I send all those pictures...etc etc. No problem stay cool all will be good!

In earlier posts I went out on a limb and made the following predictions about what I thought might happen. In RED are final outcomes

"There are 3 possible scenes where Paulo and/or I could be in the film

1) Tineo - Camera crew filming Patricia and Japanese Pilgrim (he was in all 3 2020 documentaries) walking down the street. Cameras turned to me sitting in an outside patio while “Buen Camino’ was shouted to me.

Chances of being included - Rate as Medium

Not shown...nada, rien, nothing, nichts, faic

2) Sit down interview with Paulo and me - Maybe half hour in length answering various questions individually.

Chances of being included (in part only) - Rate as High

Guy - 12 seconds, Paulo - 6 seconds

3) Paulo cresting the hill coming into Campiello with Patricia and Japanese Pilgrim - Essentially 3 Amigos arm in arm.

Chances of being included - Rate as a Certainty...no question as this scene is priceless

Not shown...nada, rien, nothing, nichts, faic

So I must just calmly wait...I will let you in on what I secretly hope will happen. Wait is over nada, rien, nothing nights, faic

Scene 1) not used, 2) used but only when Paulo speaks and 3) used in documentary. In other words I am 100% shut out! If this happens I will have one of the best laughs ever and an amazing story to tell!!! It would be priceless..." Came pretty close to a shutout!

Once the shock wore off...I did have one of my best laughs ever...and have been chuckling ever since! 

"Thinking about this further I am really warming up to the 3rd possibility...maybe this was the real reason for the Japanese Documentary experience. I will have to play this a little cool though...wait for the documentary and see how much airtime I have. Let’s say it’s between 5 seconds or 5 minutes...not to get too optimistic say 4:55 (minutes and seconds!) total." 

Well I was in the range 12 seconds is a little closer to 5 seconds than 5 minutes but still a victory!

Was all the fuss worth it?

Without any question a resounding YES! Every post, every comment, every laugh...all worth it! A great Documentary which I would never have seen...an albeit minor role (12 seconds or .33% of the total documentary length). Well have YOU been in a Japanese Camino Documentary...I don’t think so! Paulo, John, Carmel, Patricia and I have...amazing!

It’s possible that I do not have a future as a documentary/film star...I am willing to accept that and move on to other possibilities.

I may not remember a lot of details however some people, moments and events are unforgettable...the Japanese Documentary experience will clearly be one of these!

So that’s a wrap...the final chapter...no more comments on the Japanese Documentary...here are excerpts from a final email sent to Ryota (my Japanese friend).

"Hi Ryota,

Thanks for your quick response. We (Paulo and I ) will fully respect your requirements to not post the video online…we understand.

I watched the documentary video yesterday and it is beautifully done. I do have a couple of quick questions if you don’t mind.

.......

In closing many thanks for allowing us to participate and see the Japanese Documentary…much appreciated.

I am sure you likely have future projects in mind…possibly you would be interested in the Trans Bhutan Trail an absolutely incredible Pilgrim trail recently reopened in Bhutan.

Home transbhutantrail.com

Should you ever need a volunteer non Japanese speaking Pilgrim to walk the Trans Bhutan Trail I am certainly interested. 😉.

All the best,

Guy Arbez”

I subsequently received a nice reply thanking me for my suggestion of the Trans Bhutan Trail as the Japanese team hopes to make another Camino documentary in the future. Japanese have to be the most polite people ever. 

Is this really the end of this story? 🤣 Well one could read into the response received that I have no hope whatsoever of a freebie Trans Bhutan Walk and I should start buying Lotto tickets immediately.

However life does not go in a straight line...sometimes “Improbable things can and do happen!" ☺️

On to the wild and crazy walk around PEI Canada!

OMG 😳 Japanese Camino Documentary Link has been received...BUT

 ...I simply can’t bring myself to click on the link just yet! After all the anticipation...the story that simply kept expanding (ok out of most people's realm of what is realistic...however well within mine ☺️)...oh man!

Trying to describe how I feel takes me back to the very distant past...let’s say almost 60 years to my favourite time of the year Christmas. Actual true story...one of my first very strong recollections...say I was 6 at the time (yes I could have been 15 as well 🤓).

Christmas Eve into wee hours of Christmas morning...I was awakened by the sound of reindeer and Santa’s sleigh flying over our house. No question this was real...I did not dream this! Got up, went to the Xmas tree, turned on the lights...stared at presents and got to work sorting. Three piles...one present for me, one for my brother Marc and five for my sister Pauline and went through few rounds for me/Marc and then of course another 5, 10, 15 presents for my baby sister Pauline (just the way it was 😇).

My dad heard me...came to see what I was doing...I expect he told me that Santa would come back for the presents if I did not go back to bed so off I went. The excitement and anticipation was simply too much for me...

Well...that’s the feeling I have now. The anticipation was always way more fun than after the gift was opened...once the latter is done...well it’s done!

So...I plan on waiting until this weekend (honestly I will try) for a few reasons...want to savour the feeling of not knowing a little longer...want to clear up a few questions (see below) with Japan Documentary team...want to take my time appreciating the Documentary and seeing if I really am in it. 

How bad/good do I come across (ok my daughter’s expectations will be undoubtedly very very  bad 🤣...youngest daughter has told me countless times “tu parrais terrible Papa”…I have always understood her comment to be a “term of endearment”)..same for how Paulo does. Do I come across better/worse than the lawyer?

How much airtime do we each have in our starring roles...are other Camino friends in potential cameo roles like Pierre* (Belgium), Carmel/John* (Ireland), Didier & Sylvie (France), Chris (Germany), Syp (Holland), Georg (Germany), Gabriel* (Scotland), Simon (Germany), Jaroslav (Czech Republic), Patricia* (United States)

*Pilgrim friends that I have contact information for.

I received the following email today...note I have removed the link and password.

Title: A gratitude from Japan for your cooperation with a TV program

Dear Mr Guy Arbez,

Hope this email finds you well.

My name is Ryota Mimaki from Documentary Japan, a Japanese TV production office. Our crew met you on the Camino and asked your help there.

First of all, we would like to let you know our deepest gratitude for your cooperation and participation in the program. We won't be able to produce a documentary without your support!

Here we would like to share the link of the story you appeared.

Please do not post it online... We might get into a problem...

Kind regards,

Ryota

Not wanting to totally give up on the idea on posting the link on this blog...but knowing full well that it may/will not be allowed I sent the followup email. Even if I could post it I would expect maybe a couple of blog readers max would actually look at it ☺️. Never give up...even when the writing is on the wall!

Hi Ryota,

Thank you 🙏 kindly for the link to your Camino Documentary! I very much look forward to seeing it in the next day or so.

I sent an email to Shidara yesterday and the main questions I had are shown below.

From your comment on posting it online would the answer to 1) posting on my small blog be.... "no that is not allowed". It would be fun to post on the blog however if your comment on not “posting online” precludes this I will respect that fully…thank you.

As to point 2) I would appreciate knowing if the Camino Documentary can be viewed on an online platform by paying to do so?

I assume it is ok to send the link to Paulo who was involved in assisting the Japanese Documentary team…will ensure he understands any limitations on sharing that you have expressed.

Have a great day!

Regards,

Guy

Hi Shidara,

I hope this email finds you well and that the Camino Documentary development is proceeding as per your preferred timeline. You had indicated the release could be as soon as March…in advance of receiving the link, as mentioned in your recent email, I thought it best to ask a few questions in advance. Please no problem if you are too busy at this time to answer my questions.

1) I maintain a blog of my various Camino routes…on average about 75 people receive blog updates. All would be past or new friends. When the link is received would it be possible for me to include it in a blog posting? If yes I expect some blog recipients would be most interested in viewing the Camino Documentary. If this is not possible I understand and will respect this fully.

2) If including a link on my blog is not possible I have been asked whether the Camino Documentary would be available on any online viewing channel…likely where someone would pay to see it?

Ok maybe the reference to 75 blog subscribers “All would be past or new friends” is a stretch as I have not met a number of subscribers. However I honestly believe that if I met them I could be friends or at least on friendly terms with them sooo...not that terrible a stretch!

Even though I ask permission to send to Paulo I will send him a link before I receive a response. I will however stress the Legal implications of not respecting the online posting of the video. I am not really sure what the Legal problems could be however Paulo will or should know. 

The email received clears up a few outstanding items...

1) I will not be invited to the Documentary Gala opening in Tokyo Japan. Actually I am somewhat relieved as the thought of getting all gussied up was stressful.🙂

2) I think from Ryota’s (my new friend) email that I must be in the Japanese Camino Documentary. If I am not I may have to have something stronger to drink than the Hot Chocolate mentioned below...like maybe pineapple juice or something. It doesn’t look too good for Paulo though as he is not mentioned at all! I tried to forewarn Paulo a number of times that this might be the end result...hope he at least gets a brief exposure.

So...my next Blog post will be the final one on the Japan Documentary...yes a ridiculously weaved story but it sure was fun...unless of course if the Japan Documentary leads to me walking gratis the Trans Bhutan Walk in which case all bets are off! 

The Blog will likely then go silent until the Island Walk in PEI mid May. At this point I am not sure how Blog worthy the Island Walk will be...will see how the spirit moves once I start the PEI long walk.

As s final little touch to this post...I came across an article on the Caminito del Ray in Spain. For years it was known as the most dangerous hike in the world however in and around 2015 Spain totally rebuilt the walk and today gutsy people walk it regularly...believe it is 7.7 kms in length.

But holy smokes the height exposure is incredible...Paulo this would be a neat hike to do prior to a walk such as the  Camino de Levante which starts in Valencia (would take 3 separate trips of 14 days each to reach Santiago de Compostela or 2 trips 21 days each...Canadian math here as opposed to Brazilian so could explain if required). If you are too scared well I will see if someone else 😂 is game...I would be 🫣💩😱scared however I am ready to try. Not crazy about height exposure however have to challenge myself sometime!

A 6 minute Youtube video link by a prominent Camino Forum member is included below if anyone wants a little more info...In many areas you can see the old trail just below the new trail…yikes for old trail!

https://youtu.be/KzaCcULt_5I

Ok a few volunteer income tax returns to do over next few days...then Doritos...maybe go crazy with a hot chocolate and watch the Japan Camino Documentary ☺️

Oh my goodness technology is fun 😳 What a mess!

My last blog posting Various and Sundry Update was an unmitigated mess 😳...sorry about that!

I amam not going to blame any particular system development area for this. Could be poor Business specs, lousy System programming, System Project Manager lapses, System Analysis flaws, flamboyant recommendations from outside Consultants, shoddy Executive leadership, rotten System Architect recommendations.

No let’s chalk it up to terrible Business Leadership. There I have finally admitted that Business Leadership can sometimes be a little problematic... thankfully I am long gone from that game ☺️😂.

Ok here is what I have been able to ferret out.

iPhone or Other

Email sent by MailChimp was totally unreadable with super small text and gigantic pictures...absolute garbage. If you want to look at this blog posting on your smart phone please go to your favourite browser Safari, Chrome etc and type in caminolongwalk.blogspot.com. There you will see the various postings and if you click on the one you want it’s pretty easy (maybe not worthwhile 😂) reading.

On the Various and Sundry Update the map of Alexander Campbell’s world walk is absolutely tiny...no idea why!

Laptop/Desktop

Option 1 - MailChimp email is perfectly readable however you have to contend with huge shoes (nice colour though...socks received look ridiculous with shoes but no one will notice ☺️) with some blank spaces. However it’s much better than iPhone MailChimp email. Let’s call this option one that didn’t fully go through system testing process.

Option 2 - Go to bottom of MailChimp email and at bottom left click on Read On and you will get what I call the Web version (Business tech talk here). Overall the very best view of the email...the Alexander Campbell world map is huge and goes beyond the borders however this seems perfectly ok to me as it is an incredible endeavour.

I am quite sure the problem is likely my copy/paste of the Alexander Campbell world walk from his website. Why no idea of course!

So that’s my best shot at explaining the options...perhaps someone much more tech savvy than me (not hard) will have better ideas. I think I better stick to walking 🥲 as at least I understand how that works ☺️.

Also Greg has correctly pointed out that I may have stretched my story about how he did not want me to run in the 4x400 meter relay. On Sunday between the last two responses shown below I did contact Greg (sort of forgot I did this or did I remember but it didn’t fit my story 🤔) and I have inserted this in the exchange below. Now Greg and I both know that his comment about being “all set to include Guy...” is well...

So in fairness to Greg I may have slightly exaggerated his “terrible treatment” of me 😉. The facts are I was totally unsuited to run in the 4x400m, never had an intention of doing so, Greg clearly knew this but played along and then a story emerged. In the end just friendly repartee between two 60+ year olds. Yes I started it…again 😇

It’s ok to be a little silly at times…life moves along at warp speed…if not now when will be a good time to laugh at something totally not important?

Greg - Cutthroat Response

Lol!  Just because you signed up for the newsletter doesn’t mean you are a member! You have to pay money to athletics Ontario!!

Anyway you have until Saturday to become a member.  We have to name the team Saturday afternoon by around 2:00. So you have until then to prove your worthiness. (Autocorrect wanted to say worthless…lol!!!)

Greg’s additional Comment

Just to be clear ... I received this text from Guy at 1:08 on Saturday:

"Good run Greg! Man that sure looks crazy fast to me. I am hereby withdrawing from consideration for the relays. Fun to watch ... that "M62" is a tough competitor. Stay calm and cool and do well in your other races!"

I was all set to include Guy in an M60+ 4x400 team, especially with his new fancy shoes, but he made a hasty retreat from the track shortly after the 800M race, so that I couldn't even try to talk him into running the relay!

Greg - Final Insult

Since you backed out, we do not have enough for a 4x400 team.  But we should be fine for the 4x800 tomorrow (no you do not need to step up for that).”

Now tell me WHEN did I back out? 😇 Hmmm…well maybe I kind of sort of did!