I like to watch - but now I want to do it myself (again)

[alexwalker]

The calling from the Camino is strong and strange - those who have walked before know what I mean. I have been watching pictures from the Caminos for several days/weeks now: The forum is set up in such a way that it presents a picture gallery on top. Well, that does it for me: No more pictures and memories; let's get on with the real thing!

Yet another time I will return to the Way, this time to Algarve, get a cheap hostel (www.hostels.com), train to Porto, two days theere (www.booking.com), and walk the Portuguese, just after Easter: Touchdown in Algarve/Faro 20. April, Porto 21 by train, and hitting the road on April 23 after 2 nights in Porto, preparing/breathing in/out, all powers willing.

When in SdC, have a rest and get a room with a wiev to the bell tower of the Cathedral from Jose Ramon in his fruit shop (did you know that getting one of the best places to stay in SdC central, 25 Euros/night single room on the main pedestrian street in SdC central, with all facilities, is by going to a 10m2 fruit shop in Rua Nova? ) and then on to Finisterre/Muxia.

After that, getting a "buen camino" tattoo on my arm in SdC, taking the Ingles, and then we'll see. Only need to be back home by June 5 for my flight to Creete with "the boss" next day.

And then, this year it will be a full CF in Aug./Sept. with a detour to a Viking princess (being a Norw. that was the least I could do...): The San Olav Camino. A way I walked last year and then wrote a guide about, since none existed! The blessing of retirement...

Hope to see some forum folks on my walk(s) this year.

Buen Camino!

 

[Rhun Leeding]

The calling from the Camino is strong and strange - those who have walked before know what I mean. I have been watching pictures from the Caminos for several days/weeks now: The forum is set up in such a way that it presents a picture gallery on top. Well, that does it for me: No more pictures and memories; let's get on with the real thing!

Yet another time I will return to the Way, this time to Algarve, get a cheap hostel (www.hostels.com), train to Porto, two days theere (www.booking.com), and walk the Portuguese, just after Easter: Touchdown in Algarve/Faro 20. April, Porto 21 by train, and hitting the road on April 23 after 2 nights in Porto, preparing/breathing in/out, all powers willing.

When in SdC, have a rest and get a room with a wiev to the bell tower of the Cathedral from Jose Ramon in his fruit shop (did you know that getting one of the best places to stay in SdC central, 25 Euros/night single room on the main pedestrian street in SdC central, with all facilities, is by going to a 10m2 fruit shop in Rua Nova? ) and then on to Finisterre/Muxia.

After that, getting a "buen camino" tattoo on my arm in SdC, taking the Ingles, and then we'll see. Only need to be back home by June 5 for my flight to Creete with "the boss" next day.

And then, this year it will be a full CF in Aug./Sept. with a detour to a Viking princess (being a Norw. that was the least I could do...): The San Olav Camino. A way I walked last year and then wrote a guide about, since none existed! The blessing of retirement...

Hope to see some forum folks on my walk(s) this year.

Buen Camino!

Alex - it sounds like you're in for one heck of a year - I hope your feet serve you well!

I agree with the desire to view pictures - along with Camino videos on youtube - it only makes the urge to walk again even greater. For me - I have to wait until my two weeks in September! Best of luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

 

[alexwalker]

I hope your feet serve you well!

They will: I have learned. The last years I have never had feet problems. If there is an issue I treat it with Iodine (Betadine in Spanish pharmacies) and pads: Problem over in 2 days max. Compeed is a gift from the Devil...

As for having a terrific time; make sure as a firstimer (not you, @Rhun Leeding ) to use your time wisely, and receive what the Camino is offering you...

 

[Micah26]

Sir you seem way too young to be retiring! Thank you for Iodine tip Compeed scares me frankly! I am planning my journey to be made when my 92 yr old mother passes... a bitter sweet planning! Have wonderful journeys! Buen Camino

 

[Mike Savage]

Buen Camino Alex! I can't get back until September and October but look forward to seeing Portugal and Galicia again.


Mike

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino Alex!
Enjoy the beautiful San Olav...and maybe this year make that loop from Covarrubias to Santo Domingo de Silos and back--out on the Lana, back on the GR82. You won't regret it!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Sir you seem way too young to be retiring! Thank you for Iodine tip Compeed scares me frankly! I am planning my journey to be made when my 92 yr old mother passes... a bitter sweet planning! Have wonderful journeys! Buen Camino

I love using compeed on hot spots. Never got a full blown blister and marveled at the way it doesn't loosen up and come off in the shower! What's wrong with it in your experience?

 

[alexwalker]

I love using compeed on hot spots. Never got a full blown blister and marveled at the way it doesn't loosen up and come off in the shower! What's wrong with it in your experience?

It's closing in the problem; not healing it. According to a Spanish doctor & my experience. For protecting hotspots it does the job.

 

[Magwood]

Buen camino Alex. I start walking the same day as you, but a different camino.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It's closing in the problem; not healing it. According to a Spanish doctor & my experience. For protecting hotspots it does the job.

Oh, good! Glad to hear I can still happily use it for hot spots! Haven't had a blister yet!

 

[alexwalker]

Buen Camino Alex!
Enjoy the beautiful San Olav...and maybe this year make that loop from Covarrubias to Santo Domingo de Silos and back--out on the Lana, back on the GR82. You won't regret it!

I will indeed! Now that I have friends on that route, finding my way and get some help/advice is preoblem-free Not to mention yours and others last year!

 

[alexwalker]

I love using compeed on hot spots. Never got a full blown blister and marveled at the way it doesn't loosen up and come off in the shower! What's wrong with it in your experience?

A thorough blister prevention guide here:

https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/the-advanced-guide-to-blister-prevention#.WMHXNG_hDIU
https://www.blisterprevention.com.au/the-advanced-guide-to-blister-prevention#.WMHVGW81_IW

 

[alexwalker]

Buen camino Alex. I start walking the same day as you, but a different camino.

Buen Camino, wherever the Way may lead you!

 

[VNwalking]

Buen camino, both!
@alexwalker, my favorite Camino photo of all was taken above SDdS on the way to Covarrubias, on that GR. Or rather, on an unintentional side track. At the time I had an incorrect idea about where I was but was very happy to find the viewpoint anyway. It was stunning.
You get there by following the GR82 out of SDdS, going uphill until the two track veers right and down over the ridge, past the Sad Hill Hollywood set and eventually into Contreras (which you can see in the middle distance at the bottom of a ridge). So when you get to the place on the ridge where the two track veers right, instead of going downhill, go straight ahead. The track dead-ends at this viewpoint and if you're only going back to Covarrubias that day, you can take your time to soak it in! (I went on to to Mambrillas and it was a bear of a day, I think about 34 or 35 kms because of 2 unintentional detours.)
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