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  1. sillydoll

    Eucalyptus trees - when do they smell?

    You can read about the Benedictine monk Rosendo Salvado who brought the euclyptus to Galicia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosendo_Salvado There is a statue of him in Tui, his hometown but also a road named after him in Santiago - Fray Rosendo Salvado Street. There is a Camino...
  2. sillydoll

    Pilgrim reported "missing" because of broken mobile phone

    If one of my loved ones called regularly, and then suddenly stopped calling, I would also report it to the authorities and hope that they had just dropped off the grid, or lost signal or couldn't use their phone. In April 2015 the family of an American pilgrim reported her missing because...
  3. sillydoll

    What’s going on?

    Yes - love of the Camino doesn't change, and the Camino doesn't really change either. Only the people change.
  4. sillydoll

    What’s going on?

    What's going on? Tempus fugit - and with the flight of time, so everything has changed. In 1994 there were less than 150 albergues on the Camino Frances. There was no Google, Wifi, mobile phones, GPS or Apps. Only 15 863 pilgrims claimed a Compostela that year. Last year 438 182 Compostelas...
  5. sillydoll

    Getting your first sello

    If you belong to a local church you can get a stamp before you leave home. The cathedral in Oviedo has a lovely stamp and it is worth a visit, especially the Camara Santa - the Holy Chamber - which holds a number of ancient Christian relics including the Sudarium.
  6. sillydoll

    How many pilgrims do not ask for a Compostela after their Camino?

    The Compostela, based on a 14th c document has changed many times. There were long periods where it was not issued, especially in the modern era. The rather arbitrary 100km requirement was introduced in 1999 to ensure some 'suffering and effort' on behalf of the pilgrim. The TOURIST certificate...
  7. sillydoll

    Booking observations

    Many places that we book directly with now want a confirmation the day before via Whatsapp. Its great that when you buy a SIM card - like Orange - your Whatsapp number remains the same.
  8. sillydoll

    Morning ☕️ when there is none to be had

    Take an immersion heater and cup. You'll be the most popular person in places with no kitchens to boil water
  9. sillydoll

    Having spouse join for final 100km, or meet in Santiago - I’m thinking it’s not a great idea…

    In 2007 I walked the Camino for the 4th time, with two friends. My husband, who was a sportsman but not a walker, joined us in Sarria. It was wonderful - wonderful for him to share my passion for the Camino and finally understand why I loved it so much; wonderful to slow down and walk shorter...
  10. sillydoll

    What's the thing with pilgrims and scenic detours?

    When the modern Camino Frances trail was established in the late 1970s and early 1980s, many places with historical evidence of pilgrims having visited in the middle ages were bypassed in order to create an A to B path. From the time the first pilgrims walked to Santiago, the routes were in...
  11. sillydoll

    Altus Poncho

    If you cant get an ALTUS, Decathalon has a similar backpack raincoat.
  12. sillydoll

    Albergue owners, look this way

    You don't really have to complete a course first. If you are flexible and can be there a few days early, HOSVOL will place you with an experienced hospitalero to show you the ropes, and you'll learn as you go along. Contact Anai at anahosvol@caminosantiago.org to serve in the donativo...
  13. sillydoll

    My Camino regret!

    I didn't have any regrets about my first Camino - until I held a Camino get-together in my city in 2003. The article I wrote in our local newspaper attracted 11 people! I was amazed because when I started to research the Camino in 1999 nobody seemed to know what it was or anything about it. At...
  14. sillydoll

    Indulgences

    "In 1122 Pope Calixtus II gave Compostela the privilege of granting a plenary indulgence to those who visited the shrine of the Apostle in the years when the Saint’s day fell on a Sunday. This is recorded in the Bull, Regis Aeterni, issued by Pope Alexander III in 1179." The alleged grant of a...
  15. sillydoll

    What to do and not to do in a Refugio/Albergue

    The bunk closest to the bathroom is the noisiest, people flush all night and leave the lights on ;-)
  16. sillydoll

    Relics of the camino

    For Fr Jeffrey- a post from 13 years ago.
  17. sillydoll

    Veterans... who walked first?

    I LOVED my first Camino in May 2002 but looking back it wasn't that romantic! When we think of the Camino 20 years ago we envisage uncrowded paths, welcoming locals, sleeping in barns or under the stars and no intrusions. We three ladies were fit athletes, had hiked the Coast to Coast in...
  18. sillydoll

    creative virtual camino anyone?

    We are under a complete lock down. Living in a gated retirement village that means we can only leave if we need to buy food, medicines or visit a doctor. Nobody is allowed in. All activities have ceased. Fortunately, we are allowed to take a walk twice a day, within the boundaries of the...
  19. sillydoll

    Multi-timers: Compare your Camino experiences

    First CF in 2002. We walked it in 27 days - sometimes doing less than 20 km per day and then had to play catch-up and walk 40 km stages. It was a fabulous hike - physically challenging, great landscapes, wonderful people, but not particularly spiritual! There were only ± 160 albergues back...
  20. sillydoll

    Lifetime Members

    Jeffrey - I'm a future Lifetime member! Joined in November 2004 when it was a Santiago Forum, not so much a pilgrim forum. :-)

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