Ageing & A Few Updates

I never gave ageing much thought until late 2021 as I was approaching 65. My mind simply could not compute that I was about to turn 65...Old Age Security cheques...Senior discounts all over the place including discounts at overpriced Shoppers Drug Mart on Thursdays 🤣. For years and years I thought 65 was an age when one simply started to fade into being really really really old.

Recently I came across a Podcast by Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN Chief Medical Correspondent and a posting on the Camino Forum...both focused on ageing which I found most interesting and uplifting.

So as a reminder to my future self...and perhaps of interest for anyone reading this I am including both below...I don’t want to forget that growing older is a good thing...Dr. Sanjay’s mother said not growing older isn’t a great alternative...and represents opportunities!

Back to late 2021 I self assessed as to where I thought I was having reached 65 opposite where I had imagined I would be…

Physically - no question I was much stronger and more active than I had ever thought possible...

Mentally - still as sharp as “ever”...notice “ever” as that does not consider where my personal bar is set ☺️. No comparisons to others here…been there and done that 🥲. Overall felt pretty good…although recently I had a real Senior moment 😱

Toronto recently held a Mayoral election...I chose my candidate and went off to vote. I knew a 100 or so people were running for mayor…no problem I would just vote.

Once receiving the ballot I totally froze...the ballot was on a sheet 9 x 14 with 3 or 4 columns of names. I simply forgot who I was voting for...just knew I had chosen a woman candidate as the best choice. Seriously I must have looked at the ballot for 30 seconds...had no idea what the h*ll to do! Do I just pick any old name and hand in my ballot? Do I hand in an empty ballot and hope the person scanning it doesn’t say out loud “Sir you must fill in a circle beside the name you want...here I will show you how!!!”

Finally being sharp as “ever” I realized the ballots were in alphabetical order by last name and started looking down the first column desperately hoping I would recognize the person I was looking for. Thankfully this worked and after a full minute I stood up and proudly handed in my ballot as if nothing had happened. 🥲. Phew a glimpse of the future maybe 😳

Wisdom - Here I had to admit to myself that I was certainly a few (maybe many) bricks short of where I thought I would be at 65. Wise...geez I am not sure I have said anything that would be considered wise to anyone...hopefully in 15 years or so when I reach the age of my current good friend Ken I will have acquired wisdom as he clearly has.

Maturity - 🤣 I simply find way too many things funny and definitely few, if any people, think what I have said is funny.  I don’t hold out much hope here...I am regressing and quite enjoying myself doing so ☺️

So without further comment here are the two ageing reminders that triggered these thoughts…both are special to me...will be revisiting them in the future when ageing doubts creep in.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta Podcast

Dr. Gupta interviews his parents...mom 81 and dad 79. Their answers, especially his mother's, are priceless leaving me feeling good about the ageing process and what lies ahead. Personally well worth a listen...however I recognize 38 minutes of your time is a big commitment!

 Dr. Sanjay Gupta Ageing Podcast

Camino Forum Posting

A Forum posting really stopped me in my tracks...as it did for many Forum members as the writer received numerous positive comments and 100+ likes.

His determination, resilience in the face of repeated problems will certainly remind you of overcoming obstacles…certainly did for me concerning incidents on multiple long walks. He is now 84 and returning to complete the Camino Norte which totals 835 kms and is considered the toughest Camino overall due to elevation gains and losses.

The most important takeaway lesson for me is that he is willing to change his approach ie have someone transport his backpack items in consideration of what his current capabilities are. That is something that I really need to focus on going forward.

Here is the posting…may be a little lengthy for some…3 short replies are also included to provide a sense of how his words were received.

If at first you don't succeed, try-try again and again, and again....

"I walked my first Camino in September of 2013 at the age of 74. I was quite fit from years of hiking and backpacking in my home state of New Hampshire, but in no way a true athlete. However I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in 32 days with two days off in the middle. Easy peasy. The next summer I walked from Pau, France to Puente la Reina on the Camino Aragones. When I was first walking the France route I remember being fascinated by seeing a small Refugio just after the Col de Lepoeder crossing the Spanish border out of France. There I saw a sign for a trail intersecting called the GR 11, the Ruta Transpirenaica, and thinking to myself. Hmmm, maybe someday.

The third year, I stayed at home and kept wishing that I was in Spain. So on the fourth year of this personal Odyssey I went back to Spain and started on the GR 11 where it crosses the Camino Frances in Burguete (2016) After getting a taste of this route I returned the next summer at the age of 78 back onto the GR 11 (2017)

Unable to keep Spain and the Caminos out of my blood, I began the Camino del Norte in Irun in 2018 but due to a foot problem developed from badly fitting shoes I quit in Deba. I returned to the Norte again in 2019 and walked from Deba to to Bilbao where I took a bus to Santiago to meet some friends who had just completed the Portuguese Camino as they completed the International Appalachian Trail from Georgia in the US to Morocco. 4800 miles over a period of about several years.

Since I was now in Santiago, instead of returning to Bilbao and continuing, I walked instead to Finisterre and then went home.

The following year, 2020, Covid hit and I stayed home again, sorely missing walking in Spain.

However, the next September, 2021 I was back in Bilbao and continued my Camino but only made it to Santander. Old and tired at 82 and still carrying my full pack.

Here we go again. Last September, 2022 I returned again to Santander and this time made it to Gijon where I took a bus to Oveido to spend a few days and visit the wonderful Naranco World Heritage site.

It was a wonderful visit until I came down with a healthy or unhealthy if you will, bout of Covid, which sent me home again after a bit of isolation.

Today as I write this it is June 24th 2023 and I have a ticket from Boston to Santander to begin again in Gijon on August 31st. I am trying again to finish the Camino del Norte at the ripe old age of 84. I will be training all summer at home, and for the very first time letting Correos carry my main pack.. So there you have it. The Camino del Norte on the four year plan. Sincerely, Old Hillwalker"

My reply

"Absolutely made my day…so inspiring. Buen Camino…walk proudly into Santiago de Compostela…a great journey!"

Reply from a Forum Moderator and Veteran Pelegrina

"There are so many of us 70+ pilgrims on the forum, and knowing that there are 80+ members out there still going strong is the most joyful message I’ve read all day!

Wishing you a wonderful camino, @Old Hillwalker!"

Reply from a New Forum Member

"What an inspiring story! I will start my first Camino in SJPP August 27, and hearing your story fills me with encouragement and excitement! Thank you!"

Wainwrights Coast to Coast Walk in England - Sep 17th 2023 start

While this seems so far away Sep 14th the date Greg and I leave for this walk will arrive before we know it! Really looking forward to a very different experience...Mac’s Adventures is essentially taking care of everything...It should be quite a varied walk through 3 National Parks...and a big plus I can actually speak the local language.

- 13 walking days over 304 kms averaging 23.4 kms per day. My modified approach for factoring elevation gains/losses estimates this “feels like” walking 28.5 kms per day. By contrast the 2022 Camino Primitivo numbers were 317 kms averaging 26.4 kms per day and which “feels like” walking 32.1 kms per day ...so seems doable.

British pounds received...one can never be prepared too early 🤣...train tickets from London Gatwick airport to St. Bees starting point booked.. a 6h 17m projected trip involving train, tube, train and then train again. I am assuming the tube is actually the subway...☺️.

The final train switch at Lancaster promises to be an adventure...6 whole minutes. Here is how I foresee it working...Greg...the sprinter will be at the train door and as the train slows down he will jump out and sprint to the right platform. I will lug both my gear and Greg’s (which will include X kgs of Snicker bars) as fast as I can waddle over to the platform. If we are in jeopardy vis a vis the switch Greg will have to make something up and/or pretend to faint on the platform giving me time to get there. Greg will think of some diversion tactic!

Frankly not too much to prepare from an equipment standpoint...expect to go on the Coast to Coast with essentially the same gear as the PEI Island Walk. One aspect that I am struggling with is the concept of walking with a small daypack and having my gear baggage transferred to the next accommodation.

Seriously considering adopting a hybrid approach …walking with my full Gossamer Gear Gorilla backpack with just what I need for that day’s walk...extra clothes...lunch stuff...Cliff energy bars...some emergency type bandaids etc. Meanwhile the rest of my gear can be transported to the next accommodation in my MEC duffle bag.

Main reasons for this potential hybrid approach:

1) I don’t feel ready for a long walk without my backpack...it will happen in the future...but for now having my trusty Gossamer Gear Gorilla backpack allowing for a little extra day stuff seems ok. Maybe instead of 8kg carry it will be 4kg ☺️

2) Greg had indicated he has daypack worries..he is concerned the one he has isn’t big enough to carry the daily snacks he needs...seriously this is a concern! The hybrid approach would allow Greg to utilize his current daypack...save a few $ and I will carry the extras...as long as the Snicker/daily snacks do not add up to 3-4 kgs 🤔

3) Perhaps MOST importantly...the Packa will go to England as the rain gear of choice while walking.

Once at our destination the Arc’teryx rain jacket will be the choice for about town meanderings. I am hoping IF I can ever get to New Zealand that by making this decision the drop in visit invite from the super mom pelegrina (and secret NZ Packa distributor) who has led her family on various lengthy Caminos will still be available.

2024 Camino Walk with Paulo

Prior to either the PEI Island or the Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walks even reaching the idea stage Paulo had suggested a 2024 Camino following our successful 2022 Camino Primitivo walk. Recently we started rediscussing and the plan is to walk mid Sept 2024.

Of course I have been working away on various ideas and recently sent a lengthy “Legal” type brief and spreadsheet to Paulo providing various options...Paulo will now review at his leisure...assess and research whatever Legal stuff he needs to do 🤣 and we will go from there...

Criteria for Camino Walk

- Walk a different route 

- Need to be realistic…Camino Primitivo was an exceptional walk…likely my favourite Camino to date. Everything clicked and we both walked strongly. The “feels like” kms per day should be < = to what we walked for the 2022 Camino Primitivo

- 13 - 15 walking days…I have included two walks of 16 days IF we choose to walk the Camino Norte in two stages 2024 and ???

- In the recent Camino walks I wanted to pre-book accommodation...need to be more flexible and book only the first 2 nights and Santiago de Compostela (to stay at the Hodpederia). On the 2014 Camino Frances this flexible approach was taken...booking in advance caused significant grief on the Camino Portuguese and less so on my Island PEI walk. 

- Choose a walk with Elevation gains/losses...PEI Island Walk was super flat...much prefer the ups and downs!

- Prefer to walk into Santiago de Compostela if possible

Options (number of options rejected as they do not meet the Baseline 2022 Camino Primitivo objective)

    Actual kms per day 26.4 kms; “feels like” 32.6 kms per day

- Three potential routes 

- Camino Invierno (entire route) which looks like a really nice scenic route 

- Camino Sanabres (entire route)

- Camino Norte (portion possible in 13 or 14 days to reach Santiago de Compostela)

- Another option mentioned would be to plan Camino Norte in two stages…1st stage starting in Irun 2024

Options…if 14/15 day Camino is possible

- Camino Invierno looks really intriguing for me … drawback would be a very quiet Camino and a couple of back to back very long days. The options are many…

- Start in Leon…move to Camino Invierno at Ponferrada…walk into Santiago 14 days

    Actual kms per day 26.2 kms; “feels like” 31.5 kms per day

- Start at Ponferrada…Camino Invierno to Santiago…walk to Finisterre 14 days

    Actual kms per day 24.2 kms; “feels like” 29.5 kms per day

 

- Start at Ponferrada..Camino Invierno to Santiago…walk to Muxia 15 days

    Actual kms per day 25.6 kms; “feels like” 31.0 kms per day

- Start at Ponferrada…Camino Invierno to Santiago…bus to Ferrol and walk Camino Inglis to Santiago 15 days. This option really seems like an adventure in that we would walk into Santiago for the 4th and 5th times. Also 2 new Caminos in one trip. Hmmm...how neat is that! 🤔

    Actual kms per day 25.3 kms; “feels like” 30.9 kms per day

- Camino Sanabres is another option...start in Zamora on the Via de la Plata...to Santiago 15 days

    Actual kms per day 26.7 kms; Modified kms per day (G/L adj) 31.0 kms

Option…if 13 day Camino is possible

- Start in Gijon…Camino Norte into Santiago 13 days

    Actual kms per day 26.2 kms; “feels like” 31.2 kms per day

2024 Long Shot Alternative

Way back in 2014 on the Camino Frances while walking with Paulo and my brother Marc we threw out a future “bucket list...I don’t really have such a list” type of walk. Paulo and I recently wondered if such a walk would be possible in 2024. A little research and finding a top adventure company yields a 13 day itinerary...fully supported by porters etc....including 9 days trekking which culminates at a mystery location below...location  will remain a mystery for now although some readers will undoubtedly know where this is immediately...

Actual kms per day 12.3 kms; “feels like” 21.1 kms per day...so a lot shorter walk however more significant Elevation Gains/Losses on a daily basis.

Much discussion is required for this to become reality however long shots sometimes materialize and it’s fun to think about.  IF this option was chosen I will reach out to a few people who have indicated they would like to go on a long walk to gauge interest. Group size is 4 to 16.

Kumano Kodo - 2031 Walk Update

In an earlier blog posting I included the following...

"Arriving in Hongu Taisha Center March 25, 2015 I was stunned to learn that I was the 5th person to earn the Dual Pilgrim designation and the 1st Canadian! Timing is everything 🤣! I was ushered to a special table glass display where the photos of the first 4 Dual Pilgrims were displayed and was excitedly told that my picture would be “right there” besides #4 😊.

I asked Patricia as a special favour to take a peak at this table display…confirm if in fact my mug shot is there and if so please send me a picture.

Hmmm 🤔 ...2031...I will be 74 years young...the same age as my Dad was when he walked with my brother Marc and me in Nepal over 200 kms in the Khumbu Valley towards Everest. Grandchildren will be a little older..Rose who was born in Tokyo Japan (16), Elodie (13) and Rishi (9). Might they be excited to walk the 5 day Kumano Kodo with their Papi (assuming all is still good!)? If other grandchildren arrive they would of course be welcome to join…as well as any other helping hands for sure.”

I wrote to the Hong Taisha Center asking if they would be so kind as to let me know if the display mentioned above was there...the response 🥲

"In regards to your inquiry, we have checked with the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center in Hongu regarding the photo display you mentioned, and they have told us that while there may have been one there at the beginning when the Dual Pilgrim had started, there have been many changes at the center in the last eight years and currently no such display is inside the hall.”

Ok a bit of a setback for the grandchildren 2031 Kumano Kodo walk to see if my picture is in the display case however I just need to reframe the walk objective to “Let’s walk together to see if the Kumano Hongu Heritage Center has seen the error of their ways and reinstated the display where Papi’s picture will be displayed!”

I think that is a reasonable approach to take...☺️

Newfoundland August 2023

A one week trip to visit what should be a fascinating Canadian province...the only one left for me to visit. There will be no blogging on this trip however there is a minor walking angle amongst many other things to look forward to.

We are booked at an Inn which should be a real treat...it had better be as in the distant past I have made some spectacularly dumb choices...1 week rental in the Black Hills South Dakota at a “Cozy, Modern, Rustic” set of cottages where the family rightly rebelled and we left after 2/3 nights…I can’t bring myself to even describe what we were booked into 😢🥹…1 week rental at a cottage near Lake Winnipeg (likely 1 km or more away) where we were greeted by mice!

This is what the Inn says about the Skerwink Walking Trail...

"The internationally renowned Skerwink Trail is on the Inn's doorstep. A 5.3 km coastal, woodland trail, it has been named by Travel & Leisure Magazine among the top 10 hiking trails in Canada.”

A few Instagram photos from a former co-worker who recently was in Newfoundland and walked the Skerwink Train...clearly not a trail to be day dreaming away and not paying attention!

There are other interesting activities to look forward to...eating seafood, have booked dinner theatre and another play at local theatre and the big three...whales, puffins and icebergs!

Now for whales and puffins the following tour looks like a good option...and it has a $5 Senior discount! Anyone who has been to Newfoundland and taken a similar tour I welcome hearing any and all recommendations!

https://bonavistaboattours.com/

However the Iceberg sighting in early August seems to be problematic...who would have thought that Icebergs can’t be seen all year long 😉! In researching this a bit I am blown away by the interest in seeing Icebergs...Facebook groups, Instagram groups etc. Tons of questions...

where/when etc. From what I can tell 2023 has so far been a bumper year for Iceberg sightings along the Newfoundland coast.

The Newfoundland government even has an Iceberg tracker website...where I found this Large Iceberg sighted not far from where we will be staying.

Ok this Iceberg sighting was updated 17 days ago or June 17th. Some will say a lot could have happened since then…or could happen in next 35 days! I understand that an August sighting of an Iceberg is rare…however I am holding on to the hope that this Iceberg or a suitable replacement will be there when we visit. 😊

I will even accept an ice cube floating in the water but it must be an Iceberg ice cube!