The cover photo is at the very start of the trail. This is the PCT monument at the Southern Terminus. I will be camping just down the road at a place called Cleef. The Mexican wall is on the far left. I can’t wait to have my own photo taken right here!
What a crazy week it’s been. I’ve been blessed with some awesome gifts for my PCT hike for Christmas and my birthday.
🎁 The best present I received was a little stuffed bear from Rachel. When you squeeze his tummy I can listen to messages of encouragement from my family. This made me very emotional and will be the perfect luxury item. I know it will give me comfort on the days when I’m missing home.
💰 I received some cash in my birthday cards (thanks to those that contributed). So, I emptied my money box (I’ve been saving for the last few years from selling drinks from the back of Dave the van to presenting Women’s Institute talks etc) and went to Tescos on Xmas Eve. I exchanged all my cash into dollars otherwise I would be tempted to spend it! This will pay for a few meals and a couple of hotel rooms when I reach a town on the trail (a bit of luxury with a real bed and a hot shower!). Thanks to anyone who is reading this that has bought a coffee or snack from Dave or given me cash for my hike. 🙏
💝 Other little gifts that I received were:-
1. Zip care (like a chapstick but you use it on the zips of your tent/jacket). I’ll be walking through the desert and sand gets everywhere so this will help keep my zips working.
2. Reflective strips – which I will stick on my tent and food bag.
3. PCT pocket maps (just in case I have issues with my phone).
4. Air Tag – To add to my pack for peace of mind. I want to get another one for my bum bag.
5. Toe socks (I love the Coolmax ones).
👃 I remember the one thing that got me down when I walked The West Highland Way, SWCP and also the South Downs Way was not feeling clean. I think this will be my biggest battle mentally on the PCT. There is a common hiker phrase “embrace the stink”, but that is easier said than done.
👩 With the above in mind…. After a long chat with Rachel, I’ve decided to TRY to not wash my hair for as long as I can stand it. Apparently, hair can be self-washing. Who knew?? Washing your hair every day (like I do) is not good. It weakens the hair and drains the natural oils. I’m going to give it a try and see how my hair feels by only washing it with water. Apparently, the first two weeks are the worst and then it becomes self-cleaning. I’ll keep you posted! As I upload this blog I’m on day six and it’s starting to get to me!
🇺🇸 ESTA – As I’m away for less than 90 days I wrongly assumed that I didn’t need a visa for the USA. Apparently, I need to get an ESTA, which is now on my ever-growing list of things to do!
107 DAYS TO GO!
The cover photo is at the very start of the trail. This is the PCT monument at the Southern Terminus. I will be camping just down the road at a place called Cleef. The Mexican wall is on the far left. I can’t wait to have my own photo taken right here!
What a crazy week it’s been. I’ve been blessed with some awesome gifts for my PCT hike for Christmas and my birthday.
🎁 The best present I received was a little stuffed bear from Rachel. When you squeeze his tummy I can listen to messages of encouragement from my family. This made me very emotional and will be the perfect luxury item. I know it will give me comfort on the days when I’m missing home.
💰 I received some cash in my birthday cards (thanks to those that contributed). So, I emptied my money box (I’ve been saving for the last few years from selling drinks from the back of Dave the van to presenting Women’s Institute talks etc) and went to Tescos on Xmas Eve. I exchanged all my cash into dollars otherwise I would be tempted to spend it! This will pay for a few meals and a couple of hotel rooms when I reach a town on the trail (a bit of luxury with a real bed and a hot shower!). Thanks to anyone who is reading this that has bought a coffee or snack from Dave or given me cash for my hike. 🙏
💝 Other little gifts that I received were:-
1. Zip care (like a chapstick but you use it on the zips of your tent/jacket). I’ll be walking through the desert and sand gets everywhere so this will help keep my zips working.
2. Reflective strips – which I will stick on my tent and food bag.
3. PCT pocket maps (just in case I have issues with my phone).
4. Air Tag – To add to my pack for peace of mind. I want to get another one for my bum bag.
5. Toe socks (I love the Coolmax ones).
👃 I remember the one thing that got me down when I walked The West Highland Way, SWCP and also the South Downs Way was not feeling clean. I think this will be my biggest battle mentally on the PCT. There is a common hiker phrase “embrace the stink”, but that is easier said than done.
👩 With the above in mind…. After a long chat with Rachel, I’ve decided to TRY to not wash my hair for as long as I can stand it. Apparently, hair can be self-washing. Who knew?? Washing your hair every day (like I do) is not good. It weakens the hair and drains the natural oils. I’m going to give it a try and see how my hair feels by only washing it with water. Apparently, the first two weeks are the worst and then it becomes self-cleaning. I’ll keep you posted! As I upload this blog I’m on day six and it’s starting to get to me!
🇺🇸 ESTA – As I’m away for less than 90 days I wrongly assumed that I didn’t need a visa for the USA. Apparently, I need to get an ESTA, which is now on my ever-growing list of things to do!
So that’s it for this week. Not much to report.
Thanks for listening to my ramblings.