Tarifa

Well I have arrived and I have done a bit of walking.

Apart from my Lidl experience it has been a good day.

I got to Tarifa in really good time. Straight of the plane, my rucksack was the third item on the conveyor, and then down the road and onto a bus to Tarifa. Absolutely perfect day, clear sky but a breeze which kept it was nice and fresh.

What I didn't know is that today is Andalucia day, a bank holiday, and all the shops are shut. Because I didn't know, I went on a wild goose chase following signs to Lidl. The signs were confusing and when after about a hour I eventually found myself in the Lidl car park I was the only one there. Thought it was something to do with thesiesta but no it turns out every thing is shut.Also shut was the island of Tarifa, connected to the mainland by a causeway, and technically the most southern bit of Spain. Because I couldn't get in so I started my walk at its gates.

Although Tarifa looked like a nice place, apart from the Lidl car park, I'm actually staying about 7 kilometres along the trail at the end of the beach at a small, but on bank holiday Monday, very busy surfing hotel. Tarifa is particularly famous for its wind and kite surfing and today there was a least 100 people flying about, it looked great.

The final thing that struck me is just how close Tarifa is to Africa. Tarifa is the point along the coast where the Mediterranean ends and Atlantic begins but with everything so green at the moment it could be a large Scottish loch rather than a sea crossing. Looking back to Tarifa, across the huge beach, the mountains you see behind the town are in Africa.

25th of February - departure minus three.

Less than three days to go, feeling very apprehensive.  It is a good job I've made so many commitments, without them I'd be staying at home.

The list of things I'm going to miss just gets longer, including some really important and exciting family things.  I'm also going to miss the "mighty Spurs" end of season run-in and the last six episodes of " The Killing".  Why am I doing this!

The good news is that the weather looks great in Tarifa.  I know the weather can still be unsettled in March and that it can be very wet - nice weather at the start of the walk would be a real bonus.

The bad news is that my bag has got heavier.  With all the bits and bobs it is now pretty full and 45 litres no longer seems excessive.  I guess I could drop the spare pair of Inov-8s for the first month, they don't weigh much but they take up a lot of room.

Going to the River Cafe tonight, having a leaving do in a pub in London on Saturday, and then a quite day with Christine on Sunday.  Monday, involves a 7 o'clock flight to Gibraltar,  a couple of buses just down the road to Tarifa and then I start. 

Final I packed my bag..

Well it's too late to worry now.  Flight's are booked, deposits on hotels have been paid and friends have even scheduled holidays to come and join me.  I have even made the decisions on what I'm going to wear and what I'm going to carry.


Firstly special thanks to Berghaus, Inov-8 and Osprey who between them have kitted me out.  180 days constant use will be a pretty extreme test of their gear and I know they are keen to see how it does.


In the world of walking footwear is perhaps the most controversial thing.  Well I'm not going totally bare foot but I am going very light weight and taking two pairs of Inov-8 trainers, the Inov-8 Terroc 330 and the 345 GTX.  I am already convinced that light footwear is best, particularly for this type of walking, and my only question mark is its longevity.  Taking two pairs is insurance against things falling apart but will also mean I will be able to change footwear in the evening. 


Nearly all my clothing is Berghaus.  I'm taking GORE-TEX® Paclite® Shell Overtrousers;  Dru Stretch GORE-TEX® Paclite® Shell Jacket; 2 pairs of Terrain zip off convertible trousers (hoping for maximum zip off) and a pair of Berghaus shorts; 4 T-shirts with argentium technology to prevent the smell (fat chance), one with long sleeves; and one Brenta Microfleece half zip top.  Apart from socks (4 pairs) all fabrics are synthetic, very easy to wash and very quick to dry.


I have already talked about my Osprey Exos 46 bag but I'm also taking an Osprey 3 litre Hyproform water reservoir (has a really neat magnet to keep the mouth piece in place) and their water proof cover.  Really worried about getting stuff wet so have go a couple of fold dry bags as well.


Other items of course include hat, gloves and walking sticks.  Always struggled with hats but at the moment I'm wearing a East German Army issue forage cap which at least is different. On sticks I have bought at pair of Fizan Compact which were both relatively cheap and very light.  


On the electronics I'm taking my Iphone and an Ipad.  The Ipad is probably a bit mad (adds about 800 grams) but it means I will be able to use it to read i-books and perhaps even watch a film.  It also provides some resilience in terms of GPS because I'll be able to use it as back-up to the Iphone which is going to be my main means of navigation.  Will do another blog on navigation although it is now too late to change my navigation approach.


Nearly all my overnight stops will allow me to recharge my electronics (just a couple of places where this might not be possible).  To supplement the Iphone battery I have bought a New Trent Iphone case, which both protects the Iphone and massively extends its battery life. I have also bought an additional Trent battery pack.  Have tested the Iphone and have been able to get 10 hours from it both listening to stuff and tracking my route. Everything charges of the same Apple charger although I will need a separate charger for my Panasonic Linux camera.


Based on the scales in my kitchen and excluding water and food I will be carrying just under 5 kilograms in my bag.  Food and water will add another 4 kilograms to this so I will starting each day with just shy of 20 lbs on my back.  


  

Support from Sir Chris Bonington

Sir Chris on Cleopatra

"I wish John Hayes the very best of luck for his attempt to be the first person to walk the trans-Europe E4 route in one go. Tarifa to Budapest looks like an epic trip.  John is trying to raise money for a really important Britain Nepal Medical Trust project and deserves all the support he can get".

Getting slightly apprehensive as the departure deadline approaches so support from Britain's best known mountaineer is a real fillip.  Sir Chris Bonington's record of achievement, including numerous first time ascents, is inspirational and his support for my project is a great honour.