• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Long distance pilgrims trade gifts

JillGat

la tierra encantada
Time of past OR future Camino
2018
Walking the Camino Frances a couple of years ago, I kept meeting up with Lindsay from Scotland. We never walked together, but - whether in a busy bar in a big city or on a remote side trail where I saw no one else - there was Lindsay. We'd have a beer (for him) and a glass of wine (for me), trade some stories and jokes, and be on our way. And then finally in Santiago, we ended up hanging out almost all night together, wandering around town, singing together with his homemade travel guitar named "Matilda," meeting some great local Spanish folks in back-alley local spots.

Lindsay is a retired carpenter ("Joiner" in Scotland), and he builds beautiful classical guitars. Corresponding, I asked him in passing if he ever built a ukulele. No, but since I asked, he built one and sent it to me. Yeah.

I learned to play the Camino song Lindsay wrote
and have spent much of the Covid lockdown learning to play every favorite song I know. This thing is coming with me on my next Camino!

So to show my appreciation for the ukulele, I made a mosaic for Lindsay of the "Bar Cowboy" in El Ganso, featuring Lindsay's travel guitar. It arrived in Scotland yesterday and he sent me a picture of it alongside Matilda, the guitar.
 

Attachments

  • cowboy bar in scotland.jpg
    cowboy bar in scotland.jpg
    320.2 KB · Views: 181
  • cowboy bar3.jpg
    cowboy bar3.jpg
    67.6 KB · Views: 167
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Here is my treasured ukulele from Lindsay.
That is a beautifully figured instrument - I'm quite jealous! Is it a soprano or tenor?
I like the way Lindsay has taken the concept of the Martin Backpacker and added a support structure to make Matilda more playable. I tried a "backpacker" once but there just wasn't enough body to support my right arm, also it seemed too long to be conveniently backpacked whereas Matilda looks "tote-able".
So, we're been serenaded by Lindsay and Matilda how about a tune from you on your uke? 🎼🎶🎵🎸
 
I asked him in passing if he ever built a ukulele. No, but since I asked, he built one and sent it to me. Yeah.
Here is my treasured ukulele from Lindsay.
Seriously?
Wonderful!!
This is an amazing sharing, on both counts — his, and yours. My first thought was that Jeff is going to be jealous, and I see he beat me to it!🙃

Thinking of ukuleles always brings to mind this amazing musician. I can't imagine being able to do this...:
 
Great story and better friendship and what an artist he is. Really liked the photo from one of my favorite spots on any Camino path. The Cowboy Bar. So sad it is gone but thanks for the memories.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I love your story and pictures, Jill. What a beautiful mosaic and a beautiful friendship you have with Lindsey! You have blessed me today by sharing it. I'd say this is one story of how "the Camino provides", as some would say.
 
The Lindsay guitar in the video looks very much like the Martin Traveler guitar that I have. Does not hav a lot of body, so just a tiny sound,
maybe the soundboard on the back will alleviate this ?
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
The Lindsay guitar in the video looks very much like the Martin Traveler guitar that I have. Does not hav a lot of body, so just a tiny sound,
maybe the soundboard on the back will alleviate this ?
I always feel like a medieval troubadour handling one of those and ought to be playing madrigals!
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
That is great!
 
The Lindsay guitar in the video looks very much like the Martin Traveler guitar that I have. Does not hav a lot of body, so just a tiny sound,
maybe the soundboard on the back will alleviate this ?
Lindsay built that travel guitar and made the removable back, which folds up for easy carrying.

My ukulele is a Concert model.
 
Last edited:
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
A heartwarming story and a most BEAUTIFUL piece of artistry in wood!

Your mosaic is beautiful as well but am I the only one who thinks that perhaps you have "dressed it up a bit"?;)

As my late Camigo noted after our stop there: "High prices, 'okay' food, surly service. But what a charming atmosphere." (He was charitable to a fault.)

Pic is from 2014. I am the weary cowboy on the right.
B
 

Attachments

  • 1607899092204.png
    1607899092204.png
    1,013.5 KB · Views: 95
A heartwarming story and a most BEAUTIFUL piece of artistry in wood!

Your mosaic is beautiful as well but am I the only one who thinks that perhaps you have "dressed it up a bit"?;)

As my late Camigo noted after our stop there: "High prices, 'okay' food, surly service. But what a charming atmosphere." (He was charitable to a fault.)

Pic is from 2014. I am the weary cowboy on the right.
B

Of course.
 
I didn't know the Cowboy bar was gone
I am not sure but I believe it has been closed about 3 or 4 years. I am sure some of the Pilgrims who are the keepers of Camino history and lore would know.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Two years ago my friend made Camino. He met a Spanish man one day. They walked together for somedays and gave their address. They didn't meet or write a letter to each other. But some days ago my friend received a wonderful present from this man. It was a COIN!
 

Attachments

  • монета.jpg
    монета.jpg
    72.7 KB · Views: 40
Hi everyone! I actually had the honor of having Lindsay stay in my albergue some days ago! I thought he was a very nice person and wonderful pilgrim. He sang some songs for us after dinner and allowed me to post some pics and a video in our facebook page; you can see them here:


I believe he is a member in this forum, though not know if he's very active.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Yes, he is on this forum. I chat with him almost every day!
Great! Can you tell him that I did pick up the trousers from some other pilgrim that he left for me to pick up in Estella? So far no one has claimed them, though... Thanks!
 
Hi @Juanma, I stayed at Casa Maralotz in April 2017 and have fond memories of my experience staying there, including the communal dinner. I had my two sons and daughter-in-law with me.
Hi Camino Chrissy! Thanks! We did not meet though, as I didn't run the albergue at that time. If you ever come back to this part of the Camino I'll love meeting you! Some forum members come every now and then but many of the times I never find out that they are forum members at all... Maybe I should put up a forum badge or something at the front door 😄😄😄
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Hi Camino Chrissy! Thanks! We did not meet though, as I didn't run the albergue at that time. If you ever come back to this part of the Camino I'll love meeting you! Some forum members come every now and then but many of the times I never find out that they are forum members at all... Maybe I should put up a forum badge or something at the front door 😄😄😄
Well it's a lovely facility either way, and I would be happy to stay there again! I'm sure you make it a memorable experience for your guests.🙂
 

Most read last week in this forum

Can anyone highly recommend an intro, fast track Spanish course, anywhere in Spain? I took Spanish lessons years ago, but was waylaid by learning Dutch, and couldn't cope with both...
Mark Taubert in FranceInfo, 24 Mars, 2024 , describes a new GR hike which has been planned for the past 10 years along the Seine passing the locations where famous 19th c Impressionist...
Moderator, please place this in the appropriate thread. Thank you. Well, it's about time.😊👍...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top