Kind of Camino related, for some of Us. Due to a lot of questions, in next week's video I'll openly share my battle with body weight and and how I'm well on target to be 30 kgs lighter on my next Camino! The Fat Pilgrim no more...... if it helps one person with finally solving a body weight challenge, it will be worth it.
Something I started doing on my last Camino, was to carry an extra 400-500 ml bottle, but with hydration powder added to it. I carried a few sachets. that stuff that is used to rehydrate after a bout of diarrhea. On a really hot day a few sips of that later in the day seemed to give a great boost. Must be all the salts and other goodies. I ended up giving away a few bottles of it to other Pilgrims who were a bit dehydrated. Seemed to pick them up really well. Of course carrying a bottle of 'Aquarius' (Spanish Powerade) has the same effect, but with lots of sugar added.
Keeping a bladder clean is another challenge. Not sure you could go a full Camino without doing a deep clean. Like you.... definitely prefer bottled water.
I would. Personally I find a bladder hard to manage, as I can't see how much water I have left. A couple of times I have run out in hot weather. Otherwise I think they are great. I now use 2 bottles on the front of my pack. THis has 2 advantages. (1) I can monitor my water constantly. (2) they act as ballast on the front of my pack, so that all the weight is not in the back. It makes a difference. You can see in this video how they work. th-cam.com/video/5i6cxuQTwqk/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=730
I love my bladder but gosh it is stress full not knowing how much you have left in it!! I’ll look into the tube you can fit to a regular bottle! Thanks for the great tips!
I might, actually leave out the tube next time. To save weight and cleaning. I walked the Camino Fisterra without it and manged fine. Or I might just stick a short tube in the bottle.
Room temperature water is easier for yr body to absorb. Also while back packing, I camel up. That is when you are at the water source, drink a ton right there. Then fill your bottles up.
Yes, good point! I drink a lot of water before I start each morning, and when I top up my bottles I have a big drink. Though once I got it wrong ! 1 km before a village that on the map had a water fountain, I drained my last water. It was a hot day. When I got t the village the water fountain didn't work any more......... a very dry 5-6 kms still to go........ Now I always have a 500 ml reserve bottle on warm days in my pack just in case.
Thank you for some really great and valid points here. You've actually talked me out of using the bladder that my wife and I have been training with. HOWEVER - I can't get on board with using single use plastic bottles NOR reusing them. Those single use plastic bottles leach microplastics into your body after the first couple uses. It's not healthy. Also, encouraging folks to support the single use plastic bottle industry in general is bad for all of us. There are many options that don't involve the disgusting and destructive single use plastic bottles, as you showed in your fine video. So I'll just leave it at that.
After watching your video last year I chose to go with a water tube and it worked great for me last September on the Frances. I used the larger "Smart Water" bottle as I trained prior to and including the Camino and it worked perfectly. I will definitely use it again.
That’s brilliant, thanks Rob! Had I not binged on your blogs I would of never heard of the front water system. I found a Canadian website that I will purchase from.
Great. It works really well. Cheap and easy. I'm tempted to cut the drinking hose shorter, but quite like the idea of it being able to reach right into my pack if required. I could put a large bottle in there if required.
If you are planning your first Camino, please think seriously about how you will carry water. Feel free to ask any questions below. And if you are a Camino Veteran, by all means share other water system tips. And have you ever run out of water?
Water bladders have strange water taste so I avoid them and don't like the bacteria buildup. I like the bottled water w/ tube! How do you handle the purity of water on your camino ? Do you use a filter like a lifestraw to make sure no cysts ? What about water sources in different towns ? Any gastro intestinal issues ?
Never an issue. Spain has very high quality tap water! The water from the public fonts was always great. Just make sure it is potable. It will have a sign if not.
I use a rule. 1/2 of my body weight...is approximately 100 pounds. So I need 100 ounces of H2O daily. So a 3 liter water reservoir covers the water intake. I can use a small bottle to add electrolytes daily. If I am walking and need to pee occasionally, I am doing ok. If I run out of water...well I know what I have taken in
Hi Rob, just discovered my pack has elasticated pull cords to retain bottles on each shoulder strap! There was I thinking I’ll be smart and attach my umbrella to one side and bottle to the other. I shall find out when I go caminoing, but I don’t seem to drink that much on a walk. I find a 500ml does fine, but I’m in the ever so hot and dry UK!
Thanks for the video Rob. I am still waiting to experience my first Camino, and I am thinking that I may use a bladder (half filled) as an emergency supply in case I forget to top up. As you said, and from the many videos I have watched, the Frances will have an ample supply of fuentes to top up!👍
That sounds good, though you then have the weight of the bladder, which you may never use. You could just keep a small 500 ml bottle in your pack as a reserve? Yes the Frances has ample water sources, but don't rely on them all being open. Fonts can be not working, shops can be closed....... 95% of water sources shown in the guide books should be available. But it's always the one that's not, on a hot day, that catches you out. In high season on the Frances you sometimes also come across locals with a drinks stand. Usually in an out of the way place, just when you need it :-) One section to watch on the Frances is the 17 km stretch after Carrion. After a few kms there is a cafe 'caravan' but you can't rely 100% that it will be open. As the Boy Scouts learn, be prepared. The 1st time on that section I was a bit too prepared and carried 3L of water. 2L would have been ample. (based on my own consumption of 1L / 10 km)
Just as an aside. The 600 ml water bottles that I use are just regular 'single use' bottles of water from a store. (that i re-use) The empty bottle weighs 15 gms....... I have walked 800 kms using the same 2 'single use' bottles all the way. Easy 'ultra lite' bottles....... In fact I brought the 2 empty bottles from Australia, as 1) they were the lightest I could find and 2) I knew they would fit my tube system. But in fact other bottles in Spain fitted it without a problem anyway. I ended up carrying about 4 bottles in some places, if I wanted a couple of spares in my pack for longer sections. I would just fill the spares along with my regular 'front' bottles.
Good point. My wife and I walk about 10km every morning and we normally each have a 500ml bottle which we freeze the night before, then top it before we go. We do like our cold water in the Brisbane heat!
@@davidmewburn1682 Great idea. On Camino my wife Pat would often empty her bottles of tap water when we came across a village font. She loves the fresh cool water from those fonts.....
i have ordered 2 of those from hipsta, and i fell in love with them. It is just sad it cost so much. The shipping cost is close to the same price and takes a whole month to get to your front door. Still, the product itself is excellent. I'm using it at work all the time, so i always have somthing to drink with me, and it's not in the way, and it's easy and fast to take in and out i have not found anything as good and easy to use as this i would love to order more but not to the price it's at now which is kind of sad.
I fill a little bottle with water of my water bladder. When the bladder is empty, I still have enough for the next stop. ( I hope) To fill the bottle, I turn off the waterhose cap.
In another video you talked about your umbrella and I’ve been researching it. Can you lmk which one you purchased and what ties do you have to attach it to your strap? How does this strap get in the way with your watering system??
I use a Euroschirm umbrella (just google it) and these clips. Though I used to use velcro straps and they worked too. www.backpackinglight.com.au/products/gossamer-gear-handsfree-umbrella-clip
Water consumption will vary depending on the individual, the weather and other factors. You will get used to your own 'consumption' fairly quickly. I would suggest that many Pilgrims don't hydrate enough, and almost 'brag' about how little water they carry. Dehydration is a serious thing! My own consumption seems to be about 10 kms per litre. The best way to monitor your hydration is of course, to check the colour of your pee! just google ' hydration chart'. I top up from water fountains if they are 'obviously' drinking water. usually marked 'potable'. Usually lovely fresh cool water...... Watch out for non potable signs of course. And don't assume water fountains marked in a guide book are working. always have a reserve.
Hi Rob, I'm preparing for my first Camino and decided to ise the water bottle system you suggest. I bought the tube system from Amazon, and I'm training with 2 Smart Water bottles. Are bottles of water with the same type of cap available along the Camino, or do I have to bring my bottles from USA?
Sorry. I'm not sure what Smart water bottles are. Will you need to replace them? Rather than reusing single use bottles, which could pose a health risk, i'm looking for light weight see thru multi use bottles. Whatever bottles I plan to use though, I bring with me.
Thank you Rob for your informative video on water system. Just a question, is tap water or bubbler water safe to drink on the Coastal Portuguese Camino or do we have to buy and carry bottled water along the way? Thank you 🙏
I haven't walked the Portuguese. But tap water in Europe is generally very good quality. Any public water taps should have a sign indicating if it is OK to drink. I avoid buying bottled water where I can. In Span, Pat loved the font/fountain water so much, she would tip out the tap water she filled her bottles with, to refill from the fountain!
Yes. It gives me up to 2 litres. On long hot days, I might add an extra 500 ml. I'll do another video on water, as I found my needs varied a lot this time. Distance, terrain, weather...
I have never used a water filter, and only used tablets once. Tap water in Spain is safe. If filling from an open air font I only use the ones marked as Potable. Or those that are obviously for Pilgrim use.
Wish I could get hold of them hipster bottle clips km the uk.I've bought similar holders but don't like them.I've searched everywhere but can't find any online.
@@robscamino that's a shame as looked a good item.I'm hoping to return next year to Camino as stopped at estella .I'll be continuing from there.love your videos rob
I think there is a problem with the Hipsta website. Just a question. The drinking tube is optional, right ? I mean I could only buy the hipsta Clip to have the quick access to the bottle? Do you have a video on the hipsta and how does ir work?
The hipsta is just the clip. Indeed you could use it to just hold a bottle as designed. I choose to add a drinking tube. THe links to the items I use are inthe description under the video. I hope that helps.
I am planning to bringing the water bladder. And a extra very small water bottle for safety and water for when I’m in albergue. I’m afraid that everyone will expect you to have a water bottle when in a albergue for breakfast and dinner. And that if I don’t have that extra water bottle I will have to go clean a cup every time I want a drink of water in albergue. I hate water bottle. Am I right to think this way?
Sorry, I have not walked since Covid, but your idea makes sense. Maybe don't carry a heavy bottle though? I just use 'single use' bottles and reuse them for the whole Camino. Ultralite weight.
Sadly the bottle holders seem to have gone out of business. Hipsta Clips. The tubes should be on Amazon. Just serach for water bottle tube, I found lots of them. www.amazon.com/SmarTube-Drinking-Bottles-Standard-Adapter/dp/B094X15FNZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KG3HAZ8P2I9J&keywords=water+bottle+tube&qid=1651116614&sprefix=water+bottle+tube%2Caps%2C270&sr=8-1
And here are some variations on the bottle clips. I just searched for water bottle holder. www.amazon.com/GetLucky-Silicone-Carabiner-Activities-Traveling/dp/B07DL77W4B/ref=sr_1_6?crid=J9TCZC7BP0FR&keywords=water+bottle+holder&qid=1651116676&sprefix=water+bottle+holder%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-6
Yes, I used to do that too. It works fine on a route like the Frances where it's easy to replenish water, but on the VdlP for example, I wanted to know precisely how much I had left at any time. As I was often carrying my whole water load for the day I needed to carefully monitor consumption and how much remained. It was just as important to me, to make sure I was drinking 'enough', as knowing how much was left.
Kind of Camino related, for some of Us. Due to a lot of questions, in next week's video I'll openly share my battle with body weight and and how I'm well on target to be 30 kgs lighter on my next Camino! The Fat Pilgrim no more...... if it helps one person with finally solving a body weight challenge, it will be worth it.
That’s something to look forward to. I personally have lost 30 kg over the last three years, and with new knees, the battle was certainly worth it. 😉
@@davidmewburn1682 Well done!
Something I started doing on my last Camino, was to carry an extra 400-500 ml bottle, but with hydration powder added to it. I carried a few sachets. that stuff that is used to rehydrate after a bout of diarrhea. On a really hot day a few sips of that later in the day seemed to give a great boost. Must be all the salts and other goodies. I ended up giving away a few bottles of it to other Pilgrims who were a bit dehydrated. Seemed to pick them up really well. Of course carrying a bottle of 'Aquarius' (Spanish Powerade) has the same effect, but with lots of sugar added.
Bladder water tastes horrible! Good tips and balanced review - thanks
Never found that a problem before. Do you clean the bladder before use?
Yes, always clean it out, I'm just sensitive to the taste of bladder plastic.....
@@K123-yg2sn Fair enough
Keeping a bladder clean is another challenge. Not sure you could go a full Camino without doing a deep clean. Like you.... definitely prefer bottled water.
Yes, I found I had to clean it every week or two. With denture tablets.
I don't use a bladder but my son who has backpacked says you should always have a back up bottle when using a bladder.
I would. Personally I find a bladder hard to manage, as I can't see how much water I have left. A couple of times I have run out in hot weather. Otherwise I think they are great. I now use 2 bottles on the front of my pack. THis has 2 advantages. (1) I can monitor my water constantly. (2) they act as ballast on the front of my pack, so that all the weight is not in the back. It makes a difference. You can see in this video how they work. th-cam.com/video/5i6cxuQTwqk/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared&t=730
I love my bladder but gosh it is stress full not knowing how much you have left in it!! I’ll look into the tube you can fit to a regular bottle! Thanks for the great tips!
I loved my bladder too. Till I sucked it dry a couple of times 😳
love the tube cleaning tip.
I might, actually leave out the tube next time. To save weight and cleaning. I walked the Camino Fisterra without it and manged fine. Or I might just stick a short tube in the bottle.
Room temperature water is easier for yr body to absorb. Also while back packing, I camel up. That is when you are at the water source, drink a ton right there. Then fill your bottles up.
Yes, good point! I drink a lot of water before I start each morning, and when I top up my bottles I have a big drink. Though once I got it wrong ! 1 km before a village that on the map had a water fountain, I drained my last water. It was a hot day. When I got t the village the water fountain didn't work any more......... a very dry 5-6 kms still to go........ Now I always have a 500 ml reserve bottle on warm days in my pack just in case.
@@robscamino yes best to guzzle yr water empty while looking at a working water fountain
@@ninalitta69 A painful lesson at the time that will never be forgotten!
Thank you for some really great and valid points here. You've actually talked me out of using the bladder that my wife and I have been training with. HOWEVER - I can't get on board with using single use plastic bottles NOR reusing them. Those single use plastic bottles leach microplastics into your body after the first couple uses. It's not healthy. Also, encouraging folks to support the single use plastic bottle industry in general is bad for all of us. There are many options that don't involve the disgusting and destructive single use plastic bottles, as you showed in your fine video. So I'll just leave it at that.
I agree. I'm now looking for lightweight reusable bottles to use in their place. Need to be see thru though.
Thanks for sharing the clips idea, sounds like a perfect idea and totally agree with why you prefer the bottles vs the bladder👍
You are so welcome!
After watching your video last year I chose to go with a water tube and it worked great for me last September on the Frances. I used the larger "Smart Water" bottle as I trained prior to and including the Camino and it worked perfectly. I will definitely use it again.
Glad to hear it all worked out for you.
That’s brilliant, thanks Rob! Had I not binged on your blogs I would of never heard of the front water system. I found a Canadian website that I will purchase from.
Great. It works really well. Cheap and easy. I'm tempted to cut the drinking hose shorter, but quite like the idea of it being able to reach right into my pack if required. I could put a large bottle in there if required.
Canadian here. What Canadian website did you find? Thanks.
If you are planning your first Camino, please think seriously about how you will carry water. Feel free to ask any questions below. And if you are a Camino Veteran, by all means share other water system tips. And have you ever run out of water?
Water bladders have strange water taste so I avoid them and don't like the bacteria buildup. I like the bottled water w/ tube! How do you handle the purity of water on your camino ? Do you use a filter like a lifestraw to make sure no cysts ? What about water sources in different towns ? Any gastro intestinal issues ?
Never an issue. Spain has very high quality tap water! The water from the public fonts was always great. Just make sure it is potable. It will have a sign if not.
I use a rule. 1/2 of my body weight...is approximately 100 pounds. So I need 100 ounces of H2O daily. So a 3 liter water reservoir covers the water intake.
I can use a small bottle to add electrolytes daily. If I am walking and need to pee occasionally, I am doing ok. If I run out of water...well I know what I have taken in
I guess that's one way of doing it. Probably monitoring the colour of pee is the most reliable method.
Hi Rob, just discovered my pack has elasticated pull cords to retain bottles on each shoulder strap!
There was I thinking I’ll be smart and attach my umbrella to one side and bottle to the other.
I shall find out when I go caminoing, but I don’t seem to drink that much on a walk. I find a 500ml does fine, but I’m in the ever so hot and dry UK!
Yes, It's fun when you find extra things on your pack! 500 ml is not a lot though. I'd be very thirsty!
Thanks for the video Rob. I am still waiting to experience my first Camino, and I am thinking that I may use a bladder (half filled) as an emergency supply in case I forget to top up. As you said, and from the many videos I have watched, the Frances will have an ample supply of fuentes to top up!👍
That sounds good, though you then have the weight of the bladder, which you may never use. You could just keep a small 500 ml bottle in your pack as a reserve? Yes the Frances has ample water sources, but don't rely on them all being open. Fonts can be not working, shops can be closed....... 95% of water sources shown in the guide books should be available. But it's always the one that's not, on a hot day, that catches you out. In high season on the Frances you sometimes also come across locals with a drinks stand. Usually in an out of the way place, just when you need it :-) One section to watch on the Frances is the 17 km stretch after Carrion. After a few kms there is a cafe 'caravan' but you can't rely 100% that it will be open. As the Boy Scouts learn, be prepared. The 1st time on that section I was a bit too prepared and carried 3L of water. 2L would have been ample. (based on my own consumption of 1L / 10 km)
Just as an aside. The 600 ml water bottles that I use are just regular 'single use' bottles of water from a store. (that i re-use) The empty bottle weighs 15 gms....... I have walked 800 kms using the same 2 'single use' bottles all the way. Easy 'ultra lite' bottles....... In fact I brought the 2 empty bottles from Australia, as 1) they were the lightest I could find and 2) I knew they would fit my tube system. But in fact other bottles in Spain fitted it without a problem anyway. I ended up carrying about 4 bottles in some places, if I wanted a couple of spares in my pack for longer sections. I would just fill the spares along with my regular 'front' bottles.
Good point. My wife and I walk about 10km every morning and we normally each have a 500ml bottle which we freeze the night before, then top it before we go. We do like our cold water in the Brisbane heat!
@@davidmewburn1682 Great idea. On Camino my wife Pat would often empty her bottles of tap water when we came across a village font. She loves the fresh cool water from those fonts.....
i have ordered 2 of those from hipsta, and i fell in love with them. It is just sad it cost so much. The shipping cost is close to the same price and takes a whole month to get to your front door. Still, the product itself is excellent. I'm using it at work all the time, so i always have somthing to drink with me, and it's not in the way, and it's easy and fast to take in and out i have not found anything as good and easy to use as this i would love to order more but not to the price it's at now which is kind of sad.
Yes, sadly they are quite expensive. I get the same problem buying stuff from the US. The postage costs more than the product! 😲
If you want to use a bladder you could always carry a bottle in front as your back up.
True.
Thank you for another very helpful video. Would you mind putting the link for the drinking tube that you like?
Sure, I'll add into the description below the video.
I fill a little bottle with water of my water bladder. When the bladder is empty, I still have enough for the next stop. ( I hope) To fill the bottle, I turn off the waterhose cap.
Many ways to do it I guess.......
In another video you talked about your umbrella and I’ve been researching it. Can you lmk which one you purchased and what ties do you have to attach it to your strap? How does this strap get in the way with your watering system??
I use a Euroschirm umbrella (just google it) and these clips.
Though I used to use velcro straps and they worked too. www.backpackinglight.com.au/products/gossamer-gear-handsfree-umbrella-clip
I wouldn't reuse bottles that are meant to be single-use, especially if exposed to direct sunlight, Because they release microplastics into the water.
I'll look into that more then.
How much water per kilometer should a pilgrim consume throughout the camino? Is water from water fountains potable?
Water consumption will vary depending on the individual, the weather and other factors. You will get used to your own 'consumption' fairly quickly. I would suggest that many Pilgrims don't hydrate enough, and almost 'brag' about how little water they carry. Dehydration is a serious thing! My own consumption seems to be about 10 kms per litre. The best way to monitor your hydration is of course, to check the colour of your pee! just google ' hydration chart'. I top up from water fountains if they are 'obviously' drinking water. usually marked 'potable'. Usually lovely fresh cool water...... Watch out for non potable signs of course. And don't assume water fountains marked in a guide book are working. always have a reserve.
Hi Rob, I'm preparing for my first Camino and decided to ise the water bottle system you suggest. I bought the tube system from Amazon, and I'm training with 2 Smart Water bottles. Are bottles of water with the same type of cap available along the Camino, or do I have to bring my bottles from USA?
Sorry. I'm not sure what Smart water bottles are. Will you need to replace them? Rather than reusing single use bottles, which could pose a health risk, i'm looking for light weight see thru multi use bottles. Whatever bottles I plan to use though, I bring with me.
What about the fountains? Is it safe to drink water from them? Thanks for the video 🙏
I use them. They are generally marked potable or non potable.
Thank you Rob for your informative video on water system. Just a question, is tap water or bubbler water safe to drink on the Coastal Portuguese Camino or do we have to buy and carry bottled water along the way? Thank you 🙏
I haven't walked the Portuguese. But tap water in Europe is generally very good quality. Any public water taps should have a sign indicating if it is OK to drink. I avoid buying bottled water where I can. In Span, Pat loved the font/fountain water so much, she would tip out the tap water she filled her bottles with, to refill from the fountain!
@@robscamino thank you so much for that. Much appreciated
do you personally carry just the 2 waster bottles on your trek??
Yes. It gives me up to 2 litres. On long hot days, I might add an extra 500 ml. I'll do another video on water, as I found my needs varied a lot this time. Distance, terrain, weather...
Never disinfectant tablets or water filter use? All those wells are safe?
I have never used a water filter, and only used tablets once. Tap water in Spain is safe. If filling from an open air font I only use the ones marked as Potable. Or those that are obviously for Pilgrim use.
Wish I could get hold of them hipster bottle clips km the uk.I've bought similar holders but don't like them.I've searched everywhere but can't find any online.
Sadly that particular clip is no longer available.
@@robscamino that's a shame as looked a good item.I'm hoping to return next year to Camino as stopped at estella .I'll be continuing from there.love your videos rob
I think there is a problem with the Hipsta website.
Just a question. The drinking tube is optional, right ? I mean I could only buy the hipsta Clip to have the quick access to the bottle?
Do you have a video on the hipsta and how does ir work?
The hipsta is just the clip. Indeed you could use it to just hold a bottle as designed. I choose to add a drinking tube. THe links to the items I use are inthe description under the video. I hope that helps.
I am planning to bringing the water bladder. And a extra very small water bottle for safety and water for when I’m in albergue. I’m afraid that everyone will expect you to have a water bottle when in a albergue for breakfast and dinner. And that if I don’t have that extra water bottle I will have to go clean a cup every time I want a drink of water in albergue. I hate water bottle. Am I right to think this way?
Sorry, I have not walked since Covid, but your idea makes sense. Maybe don't carry a heavy bottle though? I just use 'single use' bottles and reuse them for the whole Camino. Ultralite weight.
Rob I notices your pack doesnt have the hip pads? does it make a difference ? I see youve hiked many miles guess it doesnt make a difference? Thanks
Yes, it has a padded hip belt. Very important. All the weight goes on the hips.
ERROR. Sorry, a slip of the tongue at 14:10. DARKER urine = dehydration! CLEARER is Better.
Here is a handy Colour chart. Get in the habit of checking every time you pee! www.healthdirect.gov.au/urine-colour-chart
Having trouble finding the bottle holders and the drink tube that you show . Any info ?
Sadly the bottle holders seem to have gone out of business. Hipsta Clips. The tubes should be on Amazon. Just serach for water bottle tube, I found lots of them. www.amazon.com/SmarTube-Drinking-Bottles-Standard-Adapter/dp/B094X15FNZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KG3HAZ8P2I9J&keywords=water+bottle+tube&qid=1651116614&sprefix=water+bottle+tube%2Caps%2C270&sr=8-1
And here are some variations on the bottle clips. I just searched for water bottle holder. www.amazon.com/GetLucky-Silicone-Carabiner-Activities-Traveling/dp/B07DL77W4B/ref=sr_1_6?crid=J9TCZC7BP0FR&keywords=water+bottle+holder&qid=1651116676&sprefix=water+bottle+holder%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-6
2l water bladder for me.
Glad to hear they work well for you.
Rob, I googled "Hipster Clips" to no relevant avail. Can you please reply with link. Thanks.
THe link is in the video description. Hipsta not Hipster.
@@robscamino
Does that imply they are supposed to go on your hip?
Dark urine is dehydrated, not hydrated as stated.
Wow. I really did say that. I checked. Slip of the tongue, well spotted!
To address not knowing if your water bladder is running low I carried a single use plastic bottle as a backup.
Yes, I used to do that too. It works fine on a route like the Frances where it's easy to replenish water, but on the VdlP for example, I wanted to know precisely how much I had left at any time. As I was often carrying my whole water load for the day I needed to carefully monitor consumption and how much remained. It was just as important to me, to make sure I was drinking 'enough', as knowing how much was left.