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  1. jrewins

    What do you wish you had worried less about?

    Great question, David! Probably best sums up ALL of the Camino prep issues! Like others, I had prepped, read & watched videos, trained (physically), packed & unpacked my backpack so many times, I could do it in the dark (which was the point!), direct messaged pilgrims I found on this forum...
  2. jrewins

    GPS maps for walking

    Good summary and sound advice, df. I too, used both Wise Pilgrim and Camino Ninja on the CP last year, and because I am often distracted by Squirrels!, I needed both to return me to, and keep me on “track”. And, like you, I mourn the loss of Ninja…it was a great app. Now, if someone (maybe...
  3. jrewins

    GPS apps — Find Penguins

    I used Polar Steps on my first CF. It does a very good job of tracking your route, but the picture posting and text editing were buggy on my iPhone 11. As I recall, to begin route following, you have to create a “trip”, and then it will track your route by day. I don’t know that PS would be a...
  4. jrewins

    Folding up an Altus?

    The Altus poncho is like the bottom fitted sheet on a bed…one can spend their entire life trying to figure out how to fold the d@#$ thing! My Osprey pack has a built- in rain cover with its own pocket, soooo; since the Altus covers the pack as well, I don’t need both. The built-in cover is...
  5. jrewins

    Merino wool shirt

    Yes, Amazon’s profit driven curation of search queries drives me nuts as well. It’s one of the reasons that I do product searches on other pages, and then if I want to audition the product, I’ll find it on Amazon and use the ‘no extra shipping charge’ (I’ve already paid for this service with...
  6. jrewins

    Return Transportation to Sevilla

    Hi MB, and welcome to the forum. You’ll find lots of good stuff in here, but best to learn early the difference between information and opinion. If you’re looking for HOW to get from <anywhere> in Spain to Sevilla, try the website Rome2rio which will provide all of your transport options...
  7. jrewins

    Last train from Bayonne to SJPDP

    In 2022, I arrived on the last train into Bayonne and was greeted by crickets. My arrival was delayed because of a rail strike two weeks earlier that changed my connection from CDG into Bayonne. The last connecting train to SJPDP had departed ~30 minutes before I arrived (I learned later)...
  8. jrewins

    Accommodation options on the Camino Portuguese: To book or not to book?

    If you’re walking the Portuguese in late April / early May, you should be cognizant of the Festival of Fatima which occurs on 11 May. ALL accommodations approaching Fatima will have pre-booked large church groups that pilgrimage to Fatima and that will reduce the available beds. It’s important...
  9. jrewins

    List public Albergues Central route/starting in Lisbon

    At the risk of being argumentative, Tinkelbel inquired about Albergues…not €100+ / night hotels that are 5-8 km off of the published Camino route. Yes, there are hotels, apartments, etc., along the northern exit routes out of Lisbon, BUT, there are no Albergues until Alverca do Ribatejo, unless...
  10. jrewins

    Trail Runners?

    Richard: I’m a fellow 70+YO and I share foot issues that come with the birthday disease. I wore Merrell Moabs on my first 2 Caminos, the Francés (low cut) and the Portuguese (mid-ankle), and I’m now prepping for the VDLP. I’m considering Trail Runners for a few reasons: 1. The VDLP...
  11. jrewins

    Question about phones and SIM cards in Spain

    Rick if you use WhatsApp, you will not need to do any switching back & forth between Spanish & US phone #s. I’m not sure why you would want to anyway…doesn’t that result in the caller incurring the charge for an international call? WhatsApp only requires that BOTH parties have each other in...
  12. jrewins

    Question about phones and SIM cards in Spain

    The new Apple phones have electronic SIMs. Mine is a 15 and I think that’s the first model that has electronic SIMs. Be aware that electronic SIMs are a new concept, and while they are very convenient, some of the Mobil phone retail store employees may not be familiar with them and it may take...
  13. jrewins

    Searching for a camino buddy May 2024!

    There is an expression on the Camino that covers just about all of your needs…including and especially your relationship and personal growth opportunities. So many people, personalities, perspectives, histories, and life experiences will present themselves to you without any manipulation by you...
  14. jrewins

    My first Camino gear list

    For me, water systems are not just about “Stop and smell the flowers“. Bladders are very difficult to clean, you never know the water level in the bladder, you can’t share (if necessary), the water is always smelly (I don’t know of a BPH bladder), and the only thing you can do is drink from them...
  15. jrewins

    Say No! to rubber tips on your poles.

    Spot on, Doug. BB may have an opinion, but it’s nothing more than that. It just shows both his inexperience and ignorance of how poles can / should be used in multiple walking environments.
  16. jrewins

    My first Camino gear list

    Welcome Camilla! You’ve got all the basics youll need and maybe a bit more on the clothing side. Everyone here will nit pick according to their personal preferences (I don’t think you’ll need /use the bamboo knife/fork/spoon - Spain has cutlery), but at the end of the day, you’ll make your own...
  17. jrewins

    Scallop Shell

    I waited until I reached Fisterra and had my scallop lunch there…with the scallops still attached to their original homes, so no playing shell games with my guys 🫣🤣. The server did not think it odd at all that I wished to hold on to 2 of the shells and even offered to clean them up for me to...
  18. jrewins

    List public Albergues Central route/starting in Lisbon

    I STRONGLY suggest that you look at the route and where the hostels are located before starting your camino. You’ll find that (measured from the church starting point) the first day is a minimum distance of 32 km. There are simply no hostels at all, let alone available, before Alverca do...
  19. jrewins

    The Perfect (almost) Backpack?

    Attached is an interesting stab at presenting some UL packs based on their attributes. While I personally would not consider a 45+ liter for a Camino, I sure see a lot of ‘em out here. Whether you agree or not with this assessment of the packs, it does provide several brands and models to...
  20. jrewins

    The Perfect (almost) Backpack?

    Sorry for the typos: it should say;

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