Our last meeting of 2022 was well attended plus two guests to hear Yvonne and Chris describe their journey on the Camino Trail starting September 13.
They followed the Napoleon Route which was 800 km starting in St. Jean-Pied-De-Port in France, traversing the Pyrenees and continuing through the Rioja wine region and along rolling hills of northern Spain and finishing at Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St.James, 33 days later.
To prepare for the trip they trained by repeatedly walking from their house to the end of Huyck’s Point Road and back, a distance of 15 km, using walking sticks and carrying a backpack equal to about 10% of their body weight. They read “The Way” by Kathie Lee Gifford and “A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino de Santiago” by John Brierly and were advised by Liz Brown Davidson and Maria Hridova who had walked the Camino previously. Chris and Yvonne bought the Camino Ninja app which they used to book hostels and keep on the right track.
Starting in France, each day they began at 6-6:30 and walked 5-6 km before breakfast. They developed a rhythm that enabled them to average 23 km each day, despite how they felt at the end of each day. The highlight for Chris was that they met numerous people from around the world, giving him a tapestry of connections. Yvonne was pleased with the physicality of the journey; they did 40,000 steps a day, but she appreciated more the mind clearing that happened that allowed her to relish the introspective of her mental state.
Club Business
Barry advised that the Rotary toques would be in after the New Year and those who had not paid for them could pay him the $26.
To assist David Hawkins with the weekly joke, Peter had prompted every other member who had a joke to tell, to deliver it today. About 10 others entertained us.
Christine’s number was drawn for the 50:50 draw but she gave the chance to Margo because Christine had recently won. Margo did not draw the ace of spades.
Many members wished everyone Merry Christmas.
Note that there is not a meeting on December 27.
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