Hi!!!
First time on this forum since our trip. It all went REALLY WELL! Amazingly well, we had really very few problems, all were solvable.
One major one at near the beginning my 2 year old had been playing with my bumbag and the wallet dropped out, so stranded with no money, cards etc. I was at a bit of a loss, I must admit, as I hadnt paid for the previous nights meal yet and had to go in and try to explain that I had now lost my money! AHem. Received lots of help, even hard cash which was VERY welcome to give me some security right one the very first day, when I was considering turning around homewards - thank-you!!! It was quite an experience, living without money of 5 days, "begging" at the albergues for a bed, very humbling. A local spanish lady who we met whilst camping during this time in the park in Logrono, who i didnt tell we were currently destitute, actually brought us a basket full of supermarket essentials like milk for the babies, fruit etc and toys . Another Camino coincidence
True, ROncevalles turned us away on a freezing, snowy evening. After that we bought a tent in Pamplona so we wouldnt be dependant on such things.
Also the pilgrims themselves had very mixed attitudes regarding the babies. The percentage for us increased as the journey went on. Also we too became more confident.
Technically everything worked perfectly. The Croozer with fitted hand brake, our irish setter Ruby pulling us up the hills, the ergonomical fast walking with no back pack, as it all fitted in the luggage compartment of the Croozer,the fast walking due to the wheels, leaning into them, meant only short periods in the pram for the babies, the loads of kids parks, at least one on every stretch, the large church courtyards with semi tame pigeons for my babies and dog to chase (sorry bird lovers!), icecream parlours in every village, babies getting served frothy milk for every one of my coffees, the getting up always the last, so the babies didnt get trampled on underfoot, the getting into the albergues around 6-7pm every evening, late but mostly all OK.
Half way, Ruby got tired. Luckily (as it is on the Camino!!!) the Albergue we turned back to reach after deciding to give Ruby some rest, was owned by a vet!!! She had the best treatment, a nice dark room with milk to drink for 2 days, no people interactions, they said she seemed as emotionally tired as physically. As I said on another post to which I have just read very many disapproving comments, I dont ever use a lead on her, (except when sleeping near main roads). I respect the independancy of setters, and she always made sure she didnt get left behind anywhere. SHe slept outside mostly, which didnt seem to be a problem. Only at the beginning crossing the pyranees, but sure they didnt even wANt to give the babies accomodation so I didnt even ask about the dog, but later found a heated toilet block where she spent the night
PS wE HAD QUITE an adventurous trip home from the end of the world, in an old type 3 camper, driving back to Salzburg. Whole trip took 3 months in total. BUT on the last night before arriving home, we parked up in Venice near the fish market, and were robbed! They used gas, dog included all didnt hear a thing, the y took the wee bit of money but more importantly....... THE CAMERA with ALL the photos of the whole trip
So if anyone has any photos of us I would be sooooo grateful to get a copy!!!!!
PINK Croozer with 2 babies and a crazy skinny elegant racing white with red patches dog and blonde irish mummy, all from Salzburg.
Thanks!!!!! Buon Camino xoxoxoxoxxoxo
