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We are in training for our next Camino, Le Puy en Velay to Saint Jean Pied De Port, France about 750 kilometres. A walk of approximately 20 kilometres per day over forty-five days! We are starting small... 4 days per week, one hour walks and building up from there!
Check our progress and our past Camino experiences on https://pindun.wordpress.com
Please donate if you can
Thank you!
My Updates
Santiago June 2023
Saturday 17th Jun We finally made it! 751 kilometres on the via Podiensis and 120 kilometres on the last section of via de la Plata!
We made it...
Tuesday 6th Jun
507 kilometres done
Wednesday 24th May Hard to believe we've been going for 4 weeks and into our 5th week! We've had cold, wind and rain, hot days, humid days, grey days, days without a cloud in the sky
Limoges en quercy 304 kilometres
Friday 12th May Not quite half way, but almost to Saint Jean Pied de Port. The first two weeks were incredibly hard. Lots of climbing, road, muddy paths and stony paths, all made more difficult by rain and unseasonable heat. Each day we try to rest, re-assess over a drink and generally recuperate for the following day. If you want more of a description of what it's like on Camino please go to my blog page pindun.wordpress.com. Share
Three days... 64 kms completed.
Thursday 27th Apr
A really long way to go
Monday 24th Apr
Le Puy en Velay
Monday 24th Apr After years of planning and much training we have arrived at our starting point Le Puy en Velay. Yesterday we climbed to the Cathedral to have our Credentials stamped and had a look at the church. Along the way we discovered St George's College Church. We returned up the hill, early evening to meet fellow pilgrims. Today we discovered St Laurent, celebrated the eucharist there with local parishioners, then after a coffee we tackled the 270 steps upto the Chappelle de St Michel and on the way down the Chapel of St Clair, both of these tied closely with the Camino de Santiago. We are planning another visit to the Cathedral for a concert tonight. Tomorrow morning, Monday we will attend the 7am Pilgrims Mass and Blessing... a send off, of sorts. Your continued prayers and encouragement are of great support. Share
prologue to our 2023 Camino
Friday 14th Apr Finally arrived in Italy to visit family and friends for Easter. Easter services reminiscent of my childhood in Postiglione. Everything changes and nothing changes... unsettling and comforting at the same time. We are now in Aosta, Italian Alps seeing more family before we make our way to France.. There have been many opportunities for walking though the weather has been atrocious, wind, rain, snow ... hopefully better weather for the Camino proper! Share
leaving Oz...Australia
Thursday 30th Mar Though our Camino starts 24th April, we have packed, we have made final preparations and adjustments and are ready to leave next week, so that we can spend Easter in Postiglione SA Italia. We have not seen family for six years so it will be a wonderful reunion as well as a reminder of my earliest memories from my home town, the place in which I was born and where I spent most of my childhood.
Lederderg Gorge Circuit training continues
Wednesday 22nd Feb
Lederderg Gorge Circuit
Wednesday 22nd Feb
Up hills and down dales
Friday 10th Feb
Training post Christmas
Wednesday 25th Jan We have continued our walks, averaging 50 kms per week. The heat and festivities set us back a little but departure time is fast approaching and the real Camino beckons... read more on
from a very soggy Melbourne
Thursday 13th Oct It's been a while since the last update but be assured the walking continues. Our average is about the same but we've been able to incorporate different terrains and elevation. This last one is a particular challenge as both of us find it difficult in both directions... up is hard but sometimes going down is harder still... especially on the knees. Two weeks ago we walked part of the Bondi to Manly coastal walk and near Botany Bay and Maroubra... wonderful scenery and challenging walks... especially when the cliffs were windswept and the rain kept coming... good practice. Share
Training continues
Saturday 17th Sep
New boots
Sunday 28th Aug Training took a bit of a set back over the last few weeks... foul weather and feeling under the weather slowed us down but with new boots to break in and milder weather saw us returning to 50 plus kilometers for the week .... and we now have airline tickets.... yes it is all happening.
Uluru base walk
Saturday 13th Aug The past week has been marked by contrasts... one moment we are in the desert, walking the red path round Uluru and hours later we are back in Melbourne, sitting in a Lakeway, walking on asphalt paths and trudging to and from work.
Uluru sunrise!
Saturday 6th Aug The day started early as we needed to be in situ for day break and the sunlight hitting the rock!
a very long way for a walk
Friday 5th Aug We dreamed of this but never had the opportunity... we flew to Uluru today and seemed to hit the ground running.... visiting the cultural center, walked close to the rock and watched the colours change on the rock at sunset!
Week 4 or so
Sunday 31st Jul
This is serious....
Friday 22nd Jul
Thank you to my Sponsors
$500
St Monica's College
$211
Anonymous
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Margaret O'neill
You are amazing! I admire your commitment and wish you well both in the preparation and finally the Camino.
$105.50
Brendan Watson
Have a great trip
$105.50
Oliver Smith
Hope you had a wonderful Easter and are feeling primed for the big walk!
$105.50
Anna
Almost there!!!! Pictures have been absolutely amazing. Love you lots
$100
Adriana Mackinnon
We love Bill and Pina - our pillars!
$52.75
Anonymous
Hello Pina and Bill. You have our admiration. We wish you well. Love and prayer.
$52.75
Annemaree And Patrick
You are an inspiration, or insane.
$52.75
Daniel Dunne
Best of luck on the walk :)
$52.75
Patricia Murray
Every blessing for your Camino, Bill and Pina. Love and prayers, Trish x
$52.75
Peter Danger
Hi Bill & Pina Best wishes to you both on your next adventure. Looking to hearing of your travels. Stay safe & well.
$52.75
Marian Kelly
Keep up the good work you two! So glad you are back doing what you love! God bless your efforts!! Marian💕💕💤
$52.75
G. Mario & Luciana Martini
Wishing you a great Camino Bill & Pina.
$52.75
Celia Paoloni
Well done! I am so excited to hear your progress in training and about the actual Camino once you are there. Thanks for being such wonderful friends to Jesuit Mission too
$52.75
Tomay Cathy
Keep goind!
$52.75
Helene Van Iersel
$52.75
Carol Creed
Great walking, great photos, great people. Well done.
$52.75
Dorothy And Michael Mattalo
We are honoured to support two wonderful people we met on our first Camino. May your efforts bring eternal light to others finding their way. God Bless.
$50
Marsha And Steve
Buen Camino our friends. Hope to see you while you are in your journey.
$50
Pastorelle Sisters
Bravi. Buon cammino & God bless!
$50
Jeanine
What an inspirational couple you are!
$50
Adriana Mackinnon
God bless all your endeavours
$50
Domenico & Rosa Moscatello
Pina & Bill you’re an inspiration Gods blessings to you both
$31.65
E. Piu
state bene, un abbraccio c
$31.65
Susanna Hammet
Buon camino, what an amazing experience xx
$31.65
Andrew, Maria % Lucas Conte
We have thoroughly enjoyed following the camino journey and a little sad it has almost come to an end. Well done on such a wonderful achievement.
$26.38
Teresa Goldsbrough
Every blessing for training, preparation. Buon Camino. Endeavour to catch up before April.
$21.10
Lina Morales
So much admiration for you both! Bravissimi!
