The new pack saddle keeps its promises. Closing the straps is a little exhausting (Western system) and requires a lot of strength - which I don't have :-/ .
But the whole thing is solid. Even loading up the heavy bags (first one, then the other side) does not destabilise the construction.
I therefore dedicated the past couple of days to the reorganisation of the panniers. Filling them again, weighing them, distributing things differently. Even if both bags had the same weight, their volume was often very different. Which meant that they had to be repacked. Now we have ca. 16,8 kilograms per bag, and almost everything has been packed. Still missing are the hoof shoes and the first aid sets. And a bag for the upper middle, which will contain the feed.
The feed is one of my greatest worries. Heidi can graze on the way, but she is not supposed to eat too much of the young grass, because it might give her laminitis. But the stressful journey means that she will need a lot of food. At the beginning, I can carry concentrated feed. On the road, I must try to find some, maybe ask farmers ...
However, we are approaching the finishing straight of the preparations. Everything - or almost everything - has been bought. Now we must train with the full weight. Exactly one year ago I began the training, still in sport shoes and without a pack animal. So many things have changed since then! What a difference!
And slowly I need to say farewell to my settled life. To my home, my place of retreat, which means so much to me. But that's what I wanted.
The very same things that frighten me - the large distance, the incredibly long period of time - are the things that fascinate me, that are the salt in the soup of this adventure.
Will I really make it to Maglie? Will I really stand in front of Aldo Moro's statue in the Via Lama? I don't know? The future ist in total darkness. I will perceive the pilgrimage as successful if I at least make it to Torrita Tiberina, to Aldo's grave.
But Maglie, Apulia ... it would be beautiful.
