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Recent content by Patterson

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    Next Friday on my way to CDN

    Buen camino del Norte Alex. Each time I reflect on our del Norte experiences last year, smiling just happens.
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    Camino del Norte from Muros de Nalon

    Building in exploration time is really important if that is a priority for you. A highlight for us was visiting the Museum at Mondenado Cathedral, especially after missing opening hours at Lourenza cathedral! But, getting out of Mondenado (regardless of which of the two options you choose)...
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    Buy hiking poles in Irun or Amazon deliver?

    There is an Intersport shop on the main road midway between the Irun Railway station and the albergue. Just check opening times. May 2023 they had plenty of stock.
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    Accommodation worries

    We found that if we were worried about a bed, it was like walking under a cloud. Recommend that you just make a reservation - it will give you a freedom to enjoy your day
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    Camino Del Norte - smaller stages - Baggage transport

    Good decision! Cantabria is beautiful. May I suggest getting the train to Portulagete from Bilbao? We thoroughly enjoyed Pobena overnight, small untouched village. There had been a land slip so the route along the coast was closed however the alternative was well marked. The route may...
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    Camino Del Norte - smaller stages - Baggage transport

    Like you Michael, we had health constraints which governed our Camino del Norte adventure in 2023. We decided to stay an extra night in Hondaribbia (just out of Irun), so our Day 1 was 17.4k to the Passajes de San Juan where we caught the train (Herrera station) back to Irun, then bus to...
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    Pilgrim's office at SJPDP information - Christmas 2023 to New Years 2024

    Thank you everyone at the Pilgrim Office, especially the lovely lady who, after printing off my certificate to mark completion of del Norte, came around the counter to give me the best hug of all time! This, and marking our journey's end with a multi national church service, rounded off our...
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    Deba options if Albergue is full

    As we walked further west from mid May this year, there were fewer and fewer bars open for even coffee. Therefore always carried daily supply of fruit and snacks after being caught out with no sustenance available all day. Also note that 'bar open' does not necessarily mean kitchen open for...
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    Tarta de Mondoñedo

    Oh can taste this treat! We had a rest day in Mondenedo in June this year - tried to resist this gastronomic delight, so pleased I gave in to temptation! Thank you for the memories Ivar.
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    Meandering my way after dodgy start

    Enjoy! Finished del Norte in June, will go back any time. All the best with rain, we decided a €2 plastic poncho from Chinese bazaar shop best bit of rain equipment ever.
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    Following the GR123 on the Coast Between Gernika and Portugalete

    My husband and I finished del Norte in June this year and have talked constantly of repeating this Camino with variants - this reads like a dream. Thankyou so much for sharing.
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    Weather and Difficulty Questions

    Completed del Norte mid June, used Strava most days to record progress. To give an indication of hill climbing, overall we walked up and down nearly two Mt Everests! Poles are essential. Read any weather forecast with a grain of salt! Would we do it again? Absolutely!
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    Diversion at La Arena / Pobena

    We understand that the closure is due to a landslide. We were disappointed to miss this coastal walk too, but we took note of the apologies on the substitute path signs.
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    Leave only footprints

    Thank you Melissa for raising this issue. As an over 70, I have been appalled by the "white flowers" aka toilet paper, festooning pristine spring growth on del Norte. As pilgrims, we are guests in this country and should have the decency to respect not only people and place, but also the...
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    Accommodation at the beginning of the Norte

    To suggest another option - because of jet lag, we chose to stay for two nights at the beautiful town of Hondaribea just a half hour walk from Irun (or E25 bus). We split the first leg ie from Hondaribea we walked to Passaje de S Juan, then returned by train from Herrera to Irun, and so back to...
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