Trial Run

Today I thought it was about time I did a hike with my backpack.   It is recommended that one's backpack should not weigh anymore than 20 lbs. (9.07 kg.) or else one will just start throwing things out of their backpack whilst on the Camino in order to make the journey a little more bearable.  I have been very conscious of weight whilst buying all the various things I will need on the Camino. For instance my sleeping bag only weighs 675 grams.( 1 1/2 lbs.)  Today my backpack was not fully packed, I didn't have my two pairs of socks, my Crocs ( a Camino fashion statement) my contact lense fluid, toothpaste, toothbrush and meds, and a couple of other things  packed but that was it.  It only weighed 10 lbs. Yipee!!!  I figure once I have fully packed it, it will be about 15 lbs. maximum which is very good. 

I had made arrangments to meet Natalie at the top of the street and we walked 4 km. to start our hike with the rest of our group.   We had a lovely hike  through the Don Valley.  It is hard to believe that such a beautiful Valley runs right through the centre of Toronto.  We walked along the Don River.  Darlene, the group leader really planned a nice hike and  our goal was the Camino Restaurant on Danforth Avenue. 

The owner of the Camino restaurant is Hiroshi, who is originally from Japan and is a  French trained chef . He  has walked the Camino twice.  Besides the wonderful food he prepared, he also gave us a slide show of his trip on the Camino  de Norte last year.  It was lovely to see the passion he felt whilst talking about his previous pilgrimages. 

After our lunch we were on the road again and by the time we were finished Darlene informed me we had walked 23 km. and I felt great!  No pains from the back pack and I felt I could have walked another 5 km.  I am starting to think I am ready for the Camino.