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  1. BiggBlue

    Splitting bills with fellow pilgrims

    Over the years on various Caminos, I've often found myself in situations where people go out for supper. When the bill arrives, some individuals only contribute the exact amount they consumed (often incorrectly). Invariably, the total collected is short. Historically, as the oldest member of the...
  2. BiggBlue

    Is there really a waterproof solution

    My poncho is waterproof- its the condensation that sneaks up rather unexpectedly
  3. BiggBlue

    Is there really a waterproof solution

    I am convinced that if I ever manage to invent air-conditioned underwear or truly waterproof gear for the Camino that keeps you dry, I will become a millionaire. Today, I walked in heavy rain from about 7 in the morning until about 11. I wore a shower-proof jacket and topped it with my poncho...
  4. BiggBlue

    The Taking of Gloves Paradox

    Usually, when I go on a Camino, I take gloves. These are mainly for those chilly, damp mornings when it's raining slightly. However, I've found that few gloves are waterproof, and the ones tend to be too bulky to carry. So, as I prepare for my late September departure, I'm debating whether to...
  5. BiggBlue

    LIVE from the Camino MelMc walks from SJPP

    The first day on the French Camino is undoubtedly the toughest single day on any Camino I have walked, including the Primitivo and the Norte. The first seven kilometres out of SJPP are steep and unexpectedly tough, especially for those who are new to the Camino and not used to hilly terrain. I...
  6. BiggBlue

    To increase my backpack size ...or not.

    Yes that is a consideration
  7. BiggBlue

    To increase my backpack size ...or not.

    For the past six years, I have used a 33 L Osprey backpack, which has been fine, but it is always fully packed. I thoroughly understand that nature abhors a vacuum, so any available space in a bag generally gets filled up. On my last Camino two years ago, I came across the Osprey XEOS 48, which...
  8. BiggBlue

    Camino del norte october 2024

    I set off on 1st October 2022 and thought it would be very quiet, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover quite a few pilgrims. However, after Bilbao, it thinned out considerably. I think leaving on 22nd October will be much quieter. When I walked, quite a few Albergues were closed or closing...
  9. BiggBlue

    In Praise of Albergues

    Over the past years, when I tell people I have walked several Caminos, without exception, someone says," Oh, that is something I would so love to do. Tell me more". In the early days, I would quite enthusiastically tell them how fantastic the experience was for me, and in describing Camino life...
  10. BiggBlue

    Sleeping bag or just liner (starting Frances at SJPdP on April 25th)

    The first Camino I walked was the French, and I took a sleeping bag, which I used most nights; however, like all sleeping bags, it took up a lot of space in the backpack. On all subsequent Caminos, I simply took a silk liner. The pack volume is very small, and in almost every Albergue, there are...
  11. BiggBlue

    Difficulty comparison: Camino del Norte vs. Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port

    There is no doubt in my mind, that for a first Camino, I would always recommend the Camino Frances, it is very well-supported and has a fantastic infrastructure. The first day from SJPP is easily one of the hardest days on any Camino route. After that, there is only one significant climb that...
  12. BiggBlue

    Question about Via de La Plata from Merida starting November 02, 2023

    I’m planning to start 30th September- though a little concerned that it’ll still be 32C+ for the first two weeks. I’m taking an umbrella as shade is a must on long stretches!
  13. BiggBlue

    Ryanair charging to check poles in Santiago

    When I flew back today from Santiago to London, as I had done many times before, I went to check in my walking poles (which historically had been free of charge) only to discover there is now a charge of €40. In the past, it was complimentary, and even though I can disassemble them and fit them...
  14. BiggBlue

    What is Your Marching Music

    When I am walking my preference is to walk alone, and then later in the day listen to an audiobook, if there is a long slightly featureless path. However often as I come to the end of a long day or when I am feeling tired I have a few go-to, what I refer to as marching songs. Usually, they...
  15. BiggBlue

    Weather in October C. del Norte and C. francés

    I set off from Irun on the 1st of October this year. And arrived in Santiago 34 days later. During that time there were five days when it was wet and chilly, this was more frequent towards the end of the trip as I entered Galicia. In general, the Spanish forecast was fairly accurate in...
  16. BiggBlue

    Reflections of the Camino Norte in October.

    One of the pilrims I walked with for a few days was using Gronze.com and it was in my opinion the best resource. As for blisters, wet socks will increase friction, making blisters more probable. I got my blisters before the rain came, so by that time each troublesome toe, was individually...
  17. BiggBlue

    Reflections of the Camino Norte in October.

    I posted on this forum before leaving for the Camino Norte, wondering if it would be very quiet. I received some helpful input but went expecting it to be very quiet. I arrived in Santiago on the 4th of November and thought I would share some thoughts and reflections from my Camino. First, I...
  18. BiggBlue

    Frances or change of plan?

    I’m currently on the Norte it is way busier than I had anticipated- but is a wholly different experience from CF. The infrastructure is very slim compared to CF. As for Covid if you are vaccinated I’d be less inclined to stress. At my albergue tonight one pilgrim was sneezing so took a test and...
  19. BiggBlue

    1st Oct Start from Irun.............is this Wise?

    Due to a family birthday celebration, I had to delay my planned start on the Norte until 1st October. I read as much as I could and know the route and the potential weather challenges as well. I have 34 days to do it before I have to fly back to London. So having down previous Caminos I realise...
  20. BiggBlue

    Is there a cruz de ferro place on the primitivo?

    When I walked the Camino Frances I carried some of my mother's ashes (she had died a few the previous year) and it had always been one of her ambitions to walk one of the Caminos. I did not think before my walk where I would plan to scatter them. I was of the opinion I would know the right...

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