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  1. Mike Blackard

    A pandemic hobby

    Lots of gardening this spring. Planted a ton (over 100 4" pots) of Blue Star Creeper as ground cover in 4 ft wide planter beds along 200 ft. of fence in back yard. It has grown into a wonderful blanket, keeping out most of the weeds. The Hostas are getting so big, they are covering up all the...
  2. Mike Blackard

    Beach in Spain

    Hi Terry, glad to see you back on the forum! Last year, after finishing the camino, and bussing to Finisterre, Muxia and Lugo, I rented a car and drove to Alicante & Benidorm. The beach was a little more crowded, but I did find a spot to lay down in the sun. After next camino (whenever that...
  3. Mike Blackard

    Toilet Paper Alternatives for Camino. . maybe?

    This idea is kind of on the same subject. I think you should have to buy the "Pilgrim's Passport". With it you are entitled to stay at Camino albergues for their typical fee. (should include muunicipals, privates, hotels - (if you want the pilgrim's discount),parrochials, monasteries...
  4. Mike Blackard

    From Switzerland - the country that brought you Toblerone

    How cool is that ! ? ! ? I remember years ago in Madrid they had a light show, like a fountain of lights on some of the downtown buildings. I think they may have had music also. But to light up the Matterhorn!! ?? How do you even do this?
  5. Mike Blackard

    2020 Camino Blanket

    Rachel, thanks for the fast response. So how much does this blanket weigh? I'm assuming one could roll it up pretty tight for backpacking. We were just in New Zealand about this time last year. Cruise from Brisbane to San Francisco via New Zealand, Tahiti, etc (41 glorious nights) with 3...
  6. Mike Blackard

    2020 Camino Blanket

    What a beautiful work of art. Was your design inspired by the electron microscope photos of the corona (crown) virus? Doesn't matter- It's obvious you put heart and soul into this project. At the risk of being ridiculed by all crocheters - can you do this with polyester, or nylon fibers? I'm...
  7. Mike Blackard

    Camino Primitivo - An Alternate Route

    Good on ya mate! Keep going! but.... after 14 days of solitude and not showing any symptoms, does not make it safe to resume your life and enjoy fellow humans. You won't know what their status is for sure until no one else is getting sick for at least two weeks. So if someone starts to show...
  8. Mike Blackard

    New and Portable Music Device For Camino Walkers

    DARN ! I was really hoping this was going to show me some new possibilities for camino entertainment. I had been seriously thinking about looking for a small, very light weight saxophone I could bring on my next (3rd) camino - now postponed. I do not know how to read music. I do not know how...
  9. Mike Blackard

    Ear plugs) Sponge or Layered?

    In 2018 (Sept.-Oct) camino Frances I thought I was being a good citizen by using a "SNOREBAN" mouthpiece so as to not disturb my fellow albergue pilgrims. First three nights, no comment from roommates in St. Jean, Orrison, & Roncesvalles . Fourth night in Zubiri at the Municipal (6 euro)...
  10. Mike Blackard

    Stencils for making St James Torte de Santiago

    Thanks Dave! I'll send you a photo of the finished product when I get it done.
  11. Mike Blackard

    Stencils for making St James Torte de Santiago

    TWO REQUESTS: 1) can anyone post the recipe and baking instructions for this special treat? 2) Please post photos of your stencils Buen Camino Amigos, hasta luego
  12. Mike Blackard

    Coronavirus...What can we do now at home?

    Casa Ivar has their wall map of Spain & Caminos for sale for 10Euro. I just ordered one with the idea of placing a push pin at every stop, and my favorite photo for each day below. I'll post a picture of the project when I'm done. I admit, it's not the same as walking across Spain.
  13. Mike Blackard

    What is a pilgrim?

    This question just shows my level of ignorance - What is an "OP" ? I'm assuming the "P" is for Pilgrim, but the "O"- I've come up with Old, Original, but neither make any sense. Please educate this old pilgrim. :)
  14. Mike Blackard

    Types of Compostelas and other certificates

    Call me crazy, call me stupid/ ignorant, but here's my thought for the day: All along the camino frances , and I assume along many or most of the other caminos , are the yellow conch shells marking the way. On my first camino from St. Jean, I thought the yellow conch was like an arrow pointing...
  15. Mike Blackard

    A Trail Mix and Snack Thread

    OK, not exactly a trail mix snack, but for me a new discovery for pick me back up and get me going every 3-4 hours at the next café/bar was a CLARA CON LIMON. schooner size glass half filled with tap beer and half filled with lemon soda. Low on alcohol, high on refreshing. Small places use...
  16. Mike Blackard

    Lucky New Yorkers!!!

  17. Mike Blackard

    Aioli in South Africa

    Hey KinkyOne, got back in May from 2 weeks down under with Aussie friends. They rented a 6 person van and drove us (2 Seattle area couples) all over South East Australia, staying in VRBO homes all along the way. Graeme converted me to a regular "black and tan" for breakfast daily. Proper...
  18. Mike Blackard

    The Café/bar vs The Pharmacia (phar-MA-tzia}

    For me, the most fun was going into la farmacia and asking "tienen un peso?" The nice lady said "si" and walked me over to the scale, where for 40 centavos they will weigh you. In my case I started with everything, including backpack, on and then weighed a second time without backpack. First...
  19. Mike Blackard

    Where people feel safe to walk (at night)

    Last September, first time peregrine from St. Jean to Santiago, I had several early morning in the dark starts by myself. First time was from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I had worn my Merrel trail runners across the Pyrenees and dutifully left my 'dirty shoes' in the huge downstairs shoe storage...
  20. Mike Blackard

    What was the biggest surprise of your Camino?

    Lots of pleasant surprises. First was just deciding out of the blue to go do it! I lived in Spain when I was a kid for 10 years until I was 16 and returned to Seattle, Washington, so even though that was 52 years ago, I still could speak a little spanish. 2nd big surprise was the dinner at...

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