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Recent content by Robert V J Varman ofs

  1. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Best day to arrive in St. Jean

    I intend to start at SJPdP about Wednesday because weekends are known to be busy but so can the first day or two of the weekdays be. The idea is to avoid a wave of walkers which can effect over-demand for accommodation for several days down the track. Does anyone know if there are any figures...
  2. Robert V J Varman ofs

    OBSTACLES

    Alwyn, I agree they are a great idea for all those reasons.... plus you can always tell when unexpected visitors are arriving in a car (ke-clunk). They can get slippery when wet, especially the timber ones. Now I'll be looking for cattle grids as I walk the Camino.
  3. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Did St Francis of Assisi walk the Camino?

    A few years after the death of St Francis, a contemporary of St Francis, Thomas of Celano, was asked by the Pope of the time to write an account of the life of St Francis. He was told to only include the accounts of reliable witnesses. It was a massive undertaking. A decade or two later he was...
  4. Robert V J Varman ofs

    How many Km/day?

    As Alexwalker, my time to walk the Camino will be flexible. I've allowed myself for up to two months, if necessary, because I want to absorb the history and culture along the way. I like to take my time when travelling. I travel solo so that I can spend as much time to check out everything in...
  5. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Musing on the small matter of back pain, the when and why...

    I find that morning stretches (including 'hovers' and pushups) make for a strong back. When you get the chance to sit, good posture is important. Loading the back pack correctly can make a difference too. Voltaren is very effective but watch that you don't get side-effects like diarrhea (as I...
  6. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Beware the Germans are coming

    I welcome more Germans on the Camino. I don't know any Spanish to speak of but I know some conversational German. In my travels I found most Germans to be interesting people and always considerate.
  7. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Beware the Germans are coming

    Kerkeling's book was great until about half way through when it became more about his relationship with two or three other walkers. Also it seemed to me that he would avoid the refugios/albergues as much as possible.
  8. Robert V J Varman ofs

    I'm hot!

    If you have a poor sense of smell, how do you know you smell.... unless others have told you. The mid part of the body doesn't usually generate smells, certainly not like the underarms and perhaps the groin area. Washing and underarm deodorant should rid you of most of the smells. Button...
  9. Robert V J Varman ofs

    OBSTACLES

    Since this has become a thread on stiles. They've got all sorts of stiles on Norfolk Island (mid-west Pacific). The chief obstacles there are cattle grids because cattle have have right of way and free range in most public areas.
  10. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Hotel stays

    I plan to stay in albergues but I would like the option to stay overnight in a proper hotel from time to time. I will be taking pot luck.
  11. Robert V J Varman ofs

    The Joy of Walking Alone

    I always travel alone because I like to go at my own pace, I like to linger at interesting places, I like to make my own mistakes. I'll be walking the Camino alone but look forward to meeting people along the way. Two people I know have already expressed interest in going with me but there is no...
  12. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Day 1 for the new Pilgrims Office!

    Thanks for the maps, there is no substitute for a good labelled map.
  13. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Possibility of new requirements for a Compostela

    This has been a fascinating debate. I am looking forward to walking the Camino in 2016 especially since it is the Jubilee of Mercy. Pilgrimage, for this year, has been cited as a particularly spiritually beneficial undertaking. The cathedral at Santiago de Compostela will have its Holy Door...
  14. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Need help with hiking poles

    Good advice Annette. Otherwise there is also the 'stick' variety which the pilgrims of old used.
  15. Robert V J Varman ofs

    Rainwear -again!!

    Thanks for your great ideas. I'm just going to get a poncho or one of those cheapo raincoats that go over your backpack as well.
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