PACKING IS ESSENTIAL

this could be all one needs

Walking is easy, the most natural movement perhaps after breathing, but it can become cumbersome when carrying a heavy load. Hence, we needed to do a bit of strategising on what we absolutely needed for our walk which we hoped would last several months. Not that we were planning to be completely self-sufficient (it would be a pity not to taste the food and wines produced along the way!) but we would need to have all our clothes, accessories and back-up sleeping material with us to be able to spend the night in decent conditions in the event that there would be no more available beds to sleep in where are at the end of the day.

And perhaps, it could be nice to spend the night in a breath-taking location in a tent, away from the noise of civilisation (we could call it a romantic aspiration, provided it is not marred by mosquitoes or such pleasant surprises that nature might have in store for unseasoned hosts).

We were told that the ideal weight to carry and still enjoy walking is 6kg, which is quickly reached before you even think of it. Then one has to carry some water, some food for the day. I laughed when friends going for self-sufficient treks once told me one should consider sharing one's toothpaste and perhaps cut the handle of the toothbrush because every gram counts. But now the time has come to face the implacable truth that choices have to be made and that not all wish-list items will fit in a bag that should note exceed 10kg.

Minimalism and multi-purpose is certainly part of the ingredients to use. It all boils down to deciding what actually is essential and what is a luxury. Or perhaps a mix of both for a more quintessential experience.

An option to consider, if one can afford it, is to select ultra-light gear. In any case, there is no escape from weighing things one by one in order to do the final selection. This exercise is a first step to accept that what seemed impossible becomes possible (e.g. get along with just two t-shirts and one shirt to look decent in the restaurant ;-) or that a rain poncho is a good substitute to a rain jacket even if you look a bit like a green dromedary wearing it). Traveling light and with style is definitely a strong challenge.

our belongings for the next few months

In a way, preparing for a journey is a project in itself with its own share of gradual excitement and adrenaline in the process until the D-day. The night before starting will probably bring poor sleep. The next morning will simply be the beginning of the action, time to leave the stress behind and go one step at a time. Endurance.
To conclude, my doctor was recollecting from his own pilgrimage to Compostela that one needs to be optimistic that things would turn out well. There would always be time to buy things that were forgotten or spoilt. People met along the way would make the experience worthwhile, so I have chosen to believe he is right!