I'm off then, to quote the title of  Hape Kerkling's memoir of the Camino.  It is the best book of its type I have read.  I have finished my preparation with 4 days on the Ridge Road trail in the Gatineau Park.  I wasn't able to last for the 6 hours, 25 km that was my target but it went ok.  I will probably be a 20 km per day guy and bus or train over a couple of hundred kms during my walk.

I leave Ottawa Sept. 19, get to Le Puy on the 20th, spend the 21st initiating things and getting the cobwebs out, and set off on the 22nd.

I will do my best to keep up progress reports and observations as I go along.

I want to thank everyone who encouraged and contributed, especially:

• my family for the poles, the pack, the time and the love;
• Nancy, Dan and Jessie for the ear plugs and shell;
• Bob and Jan for the chocolate;
• Ailsa for the laundry kit;
• my friends in Faith and Light and the OMI lay associates for their prayers;
• Father Robert for the gentle teasing;
• and everyone for their patience with my focusing on preparation.