We’ll be out the door in an hour and I should be researching a place to stay in Madrid. However, this post takes priority. I suspect that I will not be able to post here as often as I would like, while on the Camino. If I post a lot, it will likely be because we are lounging in a comfy hotel somewhere, having abandoned the walk!

Packing light truly is a fine art. I have been somewhat obsessed with trying to reduce my load but still have more than I’d like, at 6.1 (13.5 lb). A common guideline is to carry no more than 10% of one’s body weight in a back pack. My s-i-l (sister in law) N is carrying a kilo more – I couldn’t talk her out of the umbrella. But she weighs a bit more so is allowed to carry more! I did fatten myself up slightly in the last month but not enough, haha.

With a November trip, a sleeping bag is necessary since some accommodations may not be very well heated. Rain gear and warm things are necessary. The back pack to carry it all, is also necessary. That adds up to over 2 kg already. Half a litre of water is (as you science-literate readers will know) 500 g.

Various weight-cutting measures are implemented. I used an Exacto knife to cut out half of the guide book since we are not walking the whole route. I cut out the inside of a winter toque (winter hat for the non-Canucks) so it is just a single layer. I have a bar of hard soap for washing my body and clothes, instead of liquid soap which is heavier per lather effectiveness. I have weighed every one of my included items and picked the lighter of alternatives and rejected many nice-to-haves outright. I am allowing myself an extensive collection of ear plugs in a little bag because they only weigh 8 g. Had to cut back on spare pencils and pens.

Here is my complete list for the few of you who share my fascination.