Gil A
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2013 Camino Frances
2014 Camino Frances
2015 Camino Portugues
2017 Camino Portugues
I am in my mid 70s, planning my fourth pilgrimage for October and for the first time worried about my capabilities.
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing