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Recent content by John Finn

  1. John Finn

    The Devil's Directives

    (This is advice from Old Nick for prospective pilgrims. Not to be taken seriously of course - in fact, do the exact opposite.) There is no need to train for the Camino. No need for regular long walks, preferably with some climbing involved, for a few months beforehand. Once you start on the...
  2. John Finn

    I Hate Mountain

    The phrase makes no sense unless it refers to the American rock band Mountain formed in 1969 and featuring Leslie West, Felix Pappalardi, Steve Knight and N.D. Smart. I was never a great fan of theirs but I certainly didn't hate them so, no, I wouldn't wear the shirt.
  3. John Finn

    Yet Another Orisson Question

    Not impressive at all, in my view. Just a good walking pace. I had prepared for the Camino for several months by taking regular long walks including hill climbs. My normal walking pace is 4 miles an hour but obviously I would have been somewhat slower on the ascent. Nor was I appreciably faster...
  4. John Finn

    Yet Another Orisson Question

    Ask yourself: do you really need to stay in Orisson? When you set out from St Jean you will arrive in Orisson in two hours or less (it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes). Most pilgrims leave St Jean between 6:30am and 7:30am so if staying in Orisson you will have a very long day to contend with. The...
  5. John Finn

    Bus - Logrono to Bilbao

    Hi Mick. There's a Cuadro bus that leaves at 7:30am and arrives in Bilbao at about 9:45. There's another at 10am and it arrives at noon. The cost is €10. You can purchase the ticket at the self-service kiosk in the terminal building or online if you wish at http://cuadrabuslineas.com/
  6. John Finn

    The Beatitudes of the Pilgrim

    This morning I stopped off at the 13th century Church of St Stephen at Zabaldika, about 10kms before Pamplona on the Camino Frances. Well worth visiting. It has a very interesting altar and there is a statue of St Joseph holding the infant Jesus, which is unusual. You can also climb to the top...
  7. John Finn

    Do they speak English ? Clues ? ?

    I always say "Good Morning!" or "Good Afternoon!" rather than "Buenos Días" when passing someone. In addition, I have a "Camino Society of Ireland" badge on my rucksack. I do have a smattering of Spanish but not enough to hold a conversation with anyone so I think it's best to indicate I'm an...
  8. John Finn

    It appears to be happening again.

    All sound advice but Andywild knows all that already - he was taking the mick.
  9. John Finn

    Can Forum members help Fecepa via Go Fund Me?

    Surely, if anyone has the misfortune to suffer such a monetary loss on the Camino he/she will be able to call on family and/or friends to help out? In extreme cases I expect that one's country's embassy in Madrid will be able to assist.
  10. John Finn

    Dum Pater Familias

    Why not give a full-throated rendition in an albergue around 5am some morning? I'm sure the other pilgrims will appreciate being woken by such a wonderful song and will, as a result, be eager to step out into the day fortified by the ringing tones in their ears.
  11. John Finn

    "The Mind Quieted, The Body in Motion, The Spirit Entranced"

    This morning's Sunday Miscellany program on Ireland's RTE Radio 1 had a very nice piece by Sligo writer Brian Leyden on walking the Camino. And while it was inspired by a trek on the Camino del Norte, the sentiments apply to any of the Caminos - which is why I'm posting it here. This is the link...
  12. John Finn

    Bringing The Camino home - an Interview with John Brierley

    Like yourself, I find the spiritual musings in his celebrated guidebook to be eminently skippable and I much prefer the maps only version for its brevity and lighter weight (in every sense of the word). That said, the interview is worth reading for the insight it provides into the personality of...
  13. John Finn

    Bringing The Camino home - an Interview with John Brierley

    This interview with John Brierley by Greg Daly of The Irish Catholic newspaper may be of interest: https://www.irishcatholic.com/bringing-the-camino-home/
  14. John Finn

    Pre-Booking Lodgings and Availability

    I'm a fan of Booking.com but one would want to be very skeptical of warnings about "only one room left" and such like. Such messages designed to get you to book straight away are almost certainly incorrect and are an example of the sharp practice indulged in by nearly all booking sites. The UK's...
  15. John Finn

    Hiking at Night?

    On the contrary, on a clear night with a full - or nearly full - moon, walking at night is a wonderful experience. Look up and see the stars and planets. The light from the moon will render the need for a torch unnecessary - you will be able to see the countryside bathed in beautiful moonlight...
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