Thoroughly inconsistent!

Kiwi-family · Feb 6, 2017

A few weeks back I started a thread called Thoroughly depressing
It was prompted by an afternoon spent looking at the first week of photos from our Via de la Plata when it rained every day and we often ended up with no warm showers at the end of the day.
I have just spent an hour flicking through photos from a different part of the walk. What a different feeling I am left with! It was HOT, scorching hot! The emotions evoked by those photos are quite different. In fact it was like a completely different camino. I remember exhaustion, mirages, determination not to grizzle about the heat knowing we'd just been walking in rain! And more rain was to come;-)
Photos, images, journals - they bring such powerful memories.
I can't walk any camino this year, but I am ready for another!!!!! And I really want to do one without my kids!

cher99840 · Feb 6, 2017

I think you've earned enuf frequent family points to embark upon a solitary Camino.

Kanga · Feb 6, 2017

Yes, I agree. Rachael, I know how you feel. For quite a few years I made the choice, willingly and gladly, to put family responsibilities ahead. I'm glad I did. But when I did go back to the Camino, I had such a thrill at being completely alone, with no-one to answer to except myself, no-one to worry about, and no-one even knowing where I was.

mmm042 · Feb 6, 2017

I've only walked the VDLP (3 times), but when you talk about walking alone, this is the one for you. You can really get lost in your thoughts and become meditative, as it's rare to come across many others (if any). Yet at the end of the day there are always people in the restaurants, pubs, hostels, etc. to partake in enjoyable company and conversation.

Kiwi-family · Feb 7, 2017

mmm042 said:
I've only walked the VDLP (3 times), but when you talk about walking alone, this is the one for you. You can really get lost in your thoughts and become meditative, as it's rare to come across many others (if any). Yet at the end of the day there are always people in the restaurants, pubs, hostels, etc. to partake in enjoyable company and conversation.

We walked the VdlP last year (May/June) and walked WITH others almost every day!!!

Hikoi · Feb 11, 2017

I walked the VDLP last year also - April/May and only walked with others on a couple of days. I prefer being alone while walking - except when I get lost! Had loads of brief encounters during the day though and enough company in the afternoons and evenings.

Wendy Bowler · Feb 12, 2017

We're due to start the Via de la Plata in mid-April this year. We are hoping for relatively warm temperatures and little rain. What will we get in reality??!!

SYates · Feb 12, 2017

Wendy Bowler said:
We're due to start the Via de la Plata in mid-April this year. We are hoping for relatively warm temperatures and little rain. What will we get in reality??!!

Climate is what you can expect, weather is what you will get ;-) Sorry, don't have my crystal ball at hand just now - but warm rain comes to mind plus dry sunny, but not to hot days with coolish nights . Buen Camino, SY

sharon w · Feb 12, 2017

Wendy Bowler said:
We're due to start the Via de la Plata in mid-April this year. We are hoping for relatively warm temperatures and little rain. What will we get in reality??!!

When do you start Wendy? We are starting from Sevilla on 15th April.

Tracie · Feb 14, 2017

Kanga said:
Yes, I agree. Rachael, I know how you feel. For quite a few years I made the choice, willingly and gladly, to put family responsibilities ahead. I'm glad I did. But when I did go back to the Camino, I had such a thrill at being completely alone, with no-one to answer to except myself, no-one to worry about, and no-one even knowing where I was.

You hit the nail on the head

went from my parents house to a house with my husband who had a 3 year old son. We have been together 32 years. I have never been on my own. this is a major part of my needing to do this pilgrimage. "I've gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, please keep me here" can't remember who said that but I like it

chrisje · Feb 14, 2017

We walked the VDLP sept-oct. Most of the days we walked alone. Some days we met a few pelgrims in the Alb or we we're alone. More people on the way from Salamanca via the Sanabres to Santiago. We had gorgeous weather !
Realy nice !!