Mac in a Sac… in the pack!

Such a birthday present, Mac in a Sac are supporting me on the Camino quest! Mac in a Sac is a waterproof jacket, manufactured by Target Dry in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The guys have said that they are happy to help with bits and pieces that I need.

Such a big relief as I have left to worry about and they are in touch with me on a regular basis… that is a massive bonus!

Gotta love a local company helping a local guy doing global things! Thanks guys!

I will keep you all with more info of the gear soon!

The folks at Alpkit Foundation… so lovely!

A couple of weeks ago, I found out that the lovely people at Alpkit have foundation that help people overcome obstacles and enable them to Go Nice Places and Do Good Things.

The Alpkit Foundation was set up in July 2015 and donates 1% of its sales plus the proceeds from events such as the Big Shakeout. Alpkit will donate at least 10% of its annual profit to the Foundation each year.

This year, they are helping me get some equipment for the Camino de Santiago. This helps on two ways…

1. I have less worry about getting the money to buy stuff for the walk… and this helps me to raise money for the Stroke Association.

2. The anxiety of worrying about failing to get the money for the stuff I need, and sadly anxiety is one thing the stroke have left me with, and it can be crippling.

Alpkit have helps me to beat a little of both… and will help me to do this walk. Thanks guys!!!

Time to grab the gear…

So, a big walk needs new stuff… and that started this week!

Due to being ill, and the timing of losing dad, I missed my 40th birthday… and so my 42nd birthday will be my version of the 40th! And my first present is this:

After a few talks and conversations, the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 in the mid range was decided. A zero drop shoe with a big look, but minimal weight… and a nice feel. Pity the colour was what my mum called “Desert Storm” shoes; but the dirty path won’t show up so much!

Hard to find in my large feet size, but Runmarkt On Amazon sorted me out! Cheers Stefan!!!

Now, to find the right bag…

T-shirts… let me explain!

So, in August, I will be starting a walk from France, over the Pyrenees, and across Spain. And in the this post, I have explained the reasons why I want to… and now, I have launched this t-shirt:

However, a few people have asked me why? Well, on the 18th June this year, it will be two years since my stroke. And in the last two years, I have wanted to do this quest, but having lost my wage, I had to create a way to make this happen, and this t-shirt is it!

The design is my own creation, a bit of rehab, learning a bit of graphic design (a very simple version, but still!) and my brain made it. The towns on each side are the start and end of the walk; the line is the way of across the map, the route I will be walking! See? Simple.

The t-shirt is a way of friends and family to support me to do this walk, and a way for me to raise the money for the food, drinks and shelter. Any extra support/money left over will make its way to the charity I will be walking for, The Stroke Association.

Without the work of the Stroke Association and the Speech and Language Therapists, I wouldn’t be writing or typing this posts. I wouldn’t be talking to people and asking them for help. And that is the next step…

But I will tell you about it later.

So, the t-shirts… well, there are two types available: organic and non-organic t-shirts. The reason for the two types is the sizes.

Organic t-shirts
S 36/38″
M 38/40″
L 41/42″
XL 43/44″
2XL 45/47″
3XL 47/49″

These t-shirts are beautiful; soft and lighter, but a good shirt… they will be £15. In this shirt, I am 3XL.

Non-organic t-shirts
S 35/37″
M 38/40″
L 41/43″
XL 44/46″
2XL 47/49″
3XL 50/52″
4XL 53/55″
5XL 56/58″

These are still beautiful; a little bit heavier in weight, but still cotton… they will be £10. In this shirt, I’m XL in size… so, the size range is the reason for two.

The design is one colour (either black or white), on a range of t-shirt colours. Email me for details, or phone me!