Week 5 - Random Thoughts

Miles so far: 501

How have five weeks passed already? Surely I'm stuck in a time warp and we only set off three days ago?

After 500 miles there are pieces of kit which are starting to show distinct signs of wear. Here's this week's thoughts:

Falling apart at the seams: that's Mick's shoes. As you may recall, he switched to his boots down in Chepstow but within half a day decided that they didn't fit his newly expanded feet and so sent them home. George Fisher doesn't do mail order footwear, however on explanation of his predicament they agreed to send out a pair of boots, half a size up from the two pairs he already bought from them. He will get his hands on them on Friday, which means that the Salomon XA Pros need to last another four days. They're completely worn down and are literally falling apart at the seams (not to mention squeaking) so it's touch and go as to whether they'll make it. Still, 550 miles (so far) of hard use out of a shoe like that isn't bad.

Underpants: My £4 Decathlon own brand are doing just fine - as I expected them to as I've been using Decathlon's finest for a few years now. Mick's Decathlon £5 pants are doing fine too. However after just 17 days of use his Berghaus ones are stretched out of recognition and have been pilled badly since about day five. Don't think we'll be buying any more of those!

OMM Villain MSC: you may recall that one of the things that I particularly liked about this backpack was the padding on the shoulders, which meant that for the first time ever I could avoid bruises on my boney collar bones. That's another thing that was good whilst it lasted. Alas, the padding is now compressed.

Montane Featherlite Jacket: it's still in one piece and still working exactly as it should, but it's become surprisingly faded. Given the colour combinations that we often sport in any case, a bit of a patchily faded jackeet isn't really bothering us.

Mick's trousers: performance is just fine, but they have suddenly become a bit baggy on him. I don't think it's a fault with the trousers, just a need for more pies!