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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=270314600-29012002>Dear Pilgrims - a
cautionary tale</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">I had difficulty with pain and
deep blisters in Spain 2000. When a similar pain appeared recently I sought
professional advice.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">The <SPAN
class=270314600-29012002>p</SPAN>odiatrist likened my condition to the effects
of that torture where a person's soles are beaten with a bat. Constant pounding
breaks apart the fibrous padding under the heel so that when the person stands,
the padding politely moves to the side, the bones coming in contact with the
skin. This is the problem I had in Spain, though it has only now been throughly
diagnosed. </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">I embarked on the Camino with
too little preparation and too little knowledge of HOW to walk. My boots had
orthotics to protect mainly the ball of the foot and correct the tendency of my
toes to curl up, but there was too little padding under the heel. With the extra
weight on my back and a tendency to go too fast and slam my feet down (I was not
aware of this) the damage was done. </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>The<SPAN
class=270314600-29012002><FONT color=#0000ff> </FONT>p</SPAN>odiatrist said
he believed I could continue walking distances provided I was well equipped and
I modified my walking style. So all is not lost! Nil desperandum, but it is a
cautionary tale for all embarking on a long walk.<BR><SPAN
class=270314600-29012002><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT color=#000000>John
Watson</FONT> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=270314600-29012002><FONT color=#0000ff><A
href="http://www.pilgriminspain.net">www.pilgriminspain.net</A> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>