Secret world of walkers

A dear friend Sharon, after reading Wild, Cheryl Strayed book about hiking the PCT was quite shocked about the stories of Cheryl's blisters while on the trail.

Another Sharon, who is on the Camino at the moment, is also managing the hardship of long distance walkers - blisters, rain and any number of other challenges.

I asked the women walking with me to list their aches and pains:

• calf muscles, hip muscles, knees, shins, a bunion, a spider bite, heat rashes and blisters, allergies, split lips, flu symptoms, coughs, running noses.

This photo is not for the faint-hearted, but I need it as a reminder of my own personal challenge on this walk, because the shock of the pain will recede as it always does and the beauty of our experiences will be what lives on.

For the lovely ladies: Mary-Ann, Luciel, Sannie, Denise, Caren, Marike, Beverley.