Five Weeks to Go!
… and still a lot to
prepare; visas, inoculations, money…
But every day sees a little
bit more achieved. Today I’ve been putting together an itinerary for the walk,
inserting into a Google calendar the stretch to be covered each day with the
total hours estimated. For example;
Sat 6th April
Xanthos to Akbel 7hr 15min
This is about average; the
entire “first leg” from near Olu Deniz to Kas totals 70 hours walking time, to
be completed between the 1st and 10th April so the
average is 7 hours. But, since places suitable for overnight stay are not
evenly distributed there is some variation in the hours to be walked each day. On
the 4th April for example the days quota is a mere 4 hrs 5mins (with
the remainder of the day spent at the idyllic beach of Guvuragili); the 9th
April on the other hand holds in store a gruelling 12hrs 10mins – and this with
an initial ascent to 787, then 990m (that’s a Munroe!) and continuing on a 900m
high plateau for most of the day. This is the penultimate day of the first leg
– the “home run” to Kas on the following day is a comparatively bearable 9 hours
and 40 minutes!
Hopefully by this time my
walking companion Nancie Crick and I will be seasoned travellers, well equipped
with the most practical yet comfortable clothing, and well-prepared with sun-block,
plenty of water and fortifying snacks. What cannot be predicted, however, is
the weather; early April is still prone to changeable weather and rainfall and
this could seriously prolong stretches of the walk.
Risks that cannot be
eliminated must, as far as possible be reduced! A recent trip to Paris gave me pause
for thought. A piece of pizza bought in a seemingly respectable café had a
devastating effect on my health for the following 24 hours! I was dehydrated
and weak and couldn’t manage the schedule of visits planned. No great hardship
as I was able to rest and recuperate in the comfort of my hosts apartment. If
this were to happen on the Lycian way it could easily derail the schedule, so I
am thinking through strategies for avoiding suspect food and drink.
Another minor setback on my
Paris visit was that I developed a blister
on my heel; perhaps because I had worn no other footwear than the brand new
hiking boots that arrived the day before I went! With luck Heléne, the partner
of my host provided me with “Double skin”, an amazing invisible but tough gel
plaster that covers that crucial spot on the heel, reducing the effect of
rubbing and protecting skin that’s already stressed. As she said it is “What
every woman in Paris will be wearing in May” when winter boots are discarded in
favour of sandals! I’m going to make sure I find a supply of these for my
journey!
Once again – if you haven’t
already, please visit my Virgin Money Giving page and think about sponsoring me
on my walk. And if you have then take a look at Water Aid’s website to see how people
benefit from your donations http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-JpKUsuMGlQ#!
Thanks to
everyone who has already contributed to Water Aid; I was stunned at the
immediate and generous response from you!
Please pass my details on to
anyone you think might be similarly moved to donate.
All my best, until the next one, Robin*
