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Recent content by Tom Conklin

  1. Tom Conklin

    current status of albergue bed availability on CDN

    The Salvador is a great idea but it is quite short. You might also think of the Labinego/Vadiniense from San Vincente de la Barquera. It is 9 - 12 days and very very quiet. There are a couple of relatively expensive hostal stays (25 to 40 Euros) but it is also very beautiful.
  2. Tom Conklin

    current status of albergue bed availability on CDN

    I walked from Irun last September and booked the first two nights in San Sebastian and Zarautz. After that I didn't bother booking and was fine though Markina and Deba were both crowded. The Norte is no longer a solitary walk. I also found the Primitivo quite crowded. I booked more but for the...
  3. Tom Conklin

    Would it be overkill to bring both a rain jacket and the Altus poncho in Oct/Nov?

    I took a Patagonia Torentshell on the Norte/Primitivo in the fall of 2023. It works well almost all of the time. However, if you get a lot of continuous rain, even a Gortex jacket will give up the ghost. Last fall there was a lot of continuous rain and everyone's rain jackets gave up the ghost...
  4. Tom Conklin

    Ultreia Sudoe

    I was on the Lebaniego last fall and the signage was absolutely fantastic in both directions. It was the Holy Year so a big effort was put in. I'm not sure if the Holy Year extends into this year but the signage should still be good. After the Lebaniego the Vadiniense is nowhere near as...
  5. Tom Conklin

    Camino San Salvador

    You might also think about going south from the Norte from San Vincente de Barquera onto the Labiniego/Vadiniense and then up the Salvador from Leon. I did it this past fall. The L/V is very quiet and a bit more expensive, but the views are pretty spectacular.
  6. Tom Conklin

    Norte-San Salvador-Primitivo

    I did the same route this past fall but instead of taking the train/bus from the Norte to Leon I walked down the Labiniego/Vadiniense from San Vincente de la Barquera to the French and then up the San Salvador to the Primitivo. The whole thing took me 40 days from the airport in Biarritz. It is...
  7. Tom Conklin

    Bar Etiquette

    Really? I don't think I've entered a bar without putting down my pack and then going to the bar. I've also never heard of a pack being stolen. Except in the The Way of course. You're kidding right?
  8. Tom Conklin

    Post Hip Replacement Camino

    My hip was resurfaced in January 2021. There is not much difference between a full hip replacement and resurfacing but you can do more impact sport with resurfacing. I could walk as much as I wanted that summer. I walked the Via de la Plata/Sanabres in 2022 (March/April 1000k) with absolutely no...
  9. Tom Conklin

    Demographic of VDLP pilgrim in recent years

    In 2022 I wrote this: There are a lot of late middle aged men on the Via. It sort of makes sense because it is the Camino for more experienced pilgrims who have time on their hands. There are younger folk but they are often stuck listening to chat about pensions and arthritis.
  10. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    Thanks so much for sharing your story. If nothing else, it lets me know that mine isn't the worst incident! My big issue is the insurance coverage as well.
  11. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    Thanks so much for that. Sounds a lot like my history though my solutions were explosive rather than surgical. Not sonic explosive but actually camera and laser penetration. Luckily anesthesia meant that I attended in body only.
  12. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    I had my first stone over 30 years ago and I've had two or three serious incidents since so I am well aware of tests and treatments! The big change in that time is medication. As I said earlier Naproxen (a strong anti-inflammatory) and Flomax (Tamsulosin - a muscle relaxant treatment primarily...
  13. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    Interesting thoughts and what I am wondering about as well. The physical exertion suggestion is one that has not crossed my mind outside of the dehydration issue. I am also wondering whether the sliced meats and other Camino staples might also be contributory.
  14. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    Thanks for the tips, many of which I have used in the past. My problem is following my own guidelines.
  15. Tom Conklin

    Kidney stones and the Camino

    Thanks for all of this. As you say, I am a regular stone production factory and I have had numerous visits with my doctors. I've also had mine blown up. It is more of a travel insurance issue now because stones are "pre-existing condition" personified. The medic alert bracelet is a good idea too...
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