Bad Pilgrim
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Yes
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Be prepared for extreme heat, even at night time.
Hola Bad Pilgrim
A big challenge for you in the current heat. But I know you've prepared well from many previous responses on this forum. It's such a great help to us all!
I just wanted to add my good wishes to you on this/these way/s for July.
Buen camino
Annie
Hola BP!
If you choose Vasco del Interior in stage no.2 let me know if you would need anything. I walked it past summer and memory still serves me
Buen Camino Combo!
All the best Bad Pilgrim!
Enjoy, find some shade, drink enough water...By now you know the tricks!
Day 7: Alcala del Júcar to Villarta.
About 39 kms. Temperatures are dropping almost all over Spain now so today was ok. Although at the end of the day you still feel overexposion of sun. It is also quite windy, which cools down the impression of heat. Today was almost 40kms of vineyards. Everything the same. Easy walking though and plenty of villages sprinkled along the way with an amazing amount of bars with café con... Sorry, I meant an amazing amount of culture and history... Oups...
Villarta, a room in the bar Los Tubos: 14 euros, with AC, wifi...! Wow! The owner is member of the Asociación de Camino De Santiago en Albacete, so helpful! And I must say, finally a woman. Is it just me or are most people involved in these Asociacones men? I am not talking hospitaleras, but members of Asociación del Camino del Sureste, Lana and so on.
Tomorrow there is 35 kms to Campillo, and only one place in between with..
Hrrm... Culture and history... Too bad...
Byyyyye <3
BP : impresive but please take care in that heat!!! Now rest!
Day 8: Villarta to Campillo de Altobuey
Chilly yesterday, at 19.30 when I went to buy food, I should have worn a sweater! No more tropical nights. And this morning I wore my jacket until 10.00 am. First part only vineyards, second part much nicer, looked like Via de la Plata in some places, ondulating landscape was back again, rural tracks, very beautiful road and easy walked. Took many photos, so peaceful. Only around 1 pm one could feel some heat. A cold breeze blowing constantly, but sunny weather. Perfect!
This is my first polideportivo. Villages are very small in this area up until Cuenca, so not many alternatives where to stay. Tomorrow I may have to stay in a Social Center, very basic without showers!! aaah what have I done to deserve this. I have tried to phone a Casa rural, 20 euros, but not answering. We will see... I hope the track stays as nice as today!!
BP
Hi everyone,
It may be Game over for this time. I have tendonitis in my right foot. I haven't been to a doctor but I know... I am currently in Retortilla de Soria and just resting. It has rained for three days which has made the roads really difficult at some stretches, so perhaps it has affected my feet. I have done the usual distances that I am used to, but this weather really made it all to difficult and of course I should have reduced my pace or stages which I didn't... Not cool. I will see how I feel tomorrow but I can see now that I have very little chances to carry on. I am currently moving through very small villages (tomorrow's stop, if I get there, has 24 inhabitants), and I don't see how I would get to a bus stop though. This is not good... The Camino is spectacular and although I have done the greater part of it, now it feels as if I will loose it all...
/BP
Yes I saw now where the taxis stop, it is just outside the hostal. I will go to bed now and sleep a lot... Not happy. But thanks for your encouraging words, it means a lot to me.
Still hoping for a miracle.
Hi, Kanga,@Bad Pilgrim I'm with you in spirit - I know just how you feel as it was also my experience this year when attempting the Vdlp. It was totally unexpected for me. Sooo frustrating and hard not to be depressed.
This too will pass, my friend.
I was able to go do some other, non walking, travelling, and that proved to be an enjoyable distraction.
Now home and having some proper treatment, and planning the next, walking, camino! It will happen for you too, I'm sure.
Hope everything is going well!
Well, @Bad Pilgrim, I found Portugal as a tourist was a delightful alternative. You just have to keep a reasonable relationship between the pastel de nada quota and the lack of exercise (i.e. walking).
Hi, BP, so very sorry to read about this. And also sorry I'm late to the thread! Don't forget to ice the sore parts, I have found it works wonders. And if you start up walking again, make sure to keep at that routine. At least that has been my experience. Ice ice ice.
Glad you can take some days off to rest and think about a new plan. Good thing that the camino will impose some shorter days on you, because that's probably a crucial part of the recovery. Is there a lot of asphalt or flat level surfaces on this camino?
The Invierno guide makers will look forward to your comments in whatever year you get there, so don't worry about that. Buen camino, Laurie
...The worst thing is the uncertainty: should I stay or should I go...
Okay, so I am in a hostal in Madrid now since I was convinced yesterday that I wouldn't be able to continue. In order to get closer to an airport. Although today it hurts less so I don't know. Transfer from Retortillo de Soria to Madrid was smooth, so I guess it would be easy to get back as well. I don't know what happens tomorrow...
Okay, so I am in a hostal in Madrid now since I was convinced yesterday that I wouldn't be able to continue. In order to get closer to an airport. Although today it hurts less so I don't know. Transfer from Retortillo de Soria to Madrid was smooth, so I guess it would be easy to get back as well. I don't know what happens tomorrow...
Take your time and enjoy Madrid. If you need a place to stay in Santiago, you know where to find me ;-) Buen Camino, SY
Sending lots of healing thoughts your way, bad pilgrim. And as Sabine says, Madrid is not a bad place to be!
Oh thanks Syates,
It is just that Santiago seems so very far away right now :0(
I have decided to stay 3 nights in this hostal in Madrid, so I can stay still and just rest my foot. Which is now less red than before, and a bit easier to walk with. But it has swollen into the size of a basketball!?? Well just as long as the pain subsides I am cool with it.........
I just wish I could move around more...
Are you back from the Norte now? Or are you still in Spain?
Sorry it's not gone well, pain isn't good. As others have said, Madrid is a great place to be, but not if you can't walk.
All the best
I have a friend living in Madrid (he's in Slovenia at the moment though) and can get an info for good physiotherapist if you want to.
Thanks Sulu,
At least I feel I am getting better day by day now! I really hope I can wait this out.
Are you on a Camino as well?
Oh, lucky you, the Prado has a spectacular exhibit from New York's Hispanic Society, which is closedp for renovation. There are many Sorolla paintings, plus some of each of the Spanish masters you can think of!
https://www.museodelprado.es/en/wha...-america/172077ff-2b82-4238-b137-cc7a447a16b9
Walk gently, BP, and lucky for you to be in one of the most pedestrian friendly center cities of the world, with benches and cafés every few steps!
This is great news, but PLEASE let us in on the secret why you can't take one hour of these three days left in Madrid and spend a few euros to get things checked out by someone who may know a bit more about what's going on than you do? (not intending to be disrespectful, of course.Hi chicos y chicas,
I have booked a room at the same place in Retortillo de Soria that I left - this Monday! Hooray! The reason is that I made a long walk today to El Prado and back - no problem at all! And with three more days to recover, I should be fit for getting back on the Camino, on Monday then, to start walking Tuesday. AND I have checked with a casa rural that is only 7 kms from Retortillo, so I will do a baby stage the first day! If it is ok, I will then have 2 stages of 19 kms each in front of me, which sounds doable. I know it sounds too good to be true - I am still prepared for defeat, should the injury return. In that case I am definitely returning home! But right now it feels as if I have been given a little bit of a chance of getting back on track!
This is great news, but PLEASE let us in on the secret why you can't take one hour of these three days left in Madrid and spend a few euros to get things checked out by someone who may know a bit more about what's going on than you do? (not intending to be disrespectful, of course.)
BP, European Health Card will cover all costs the same as in your own country (assuming you're from UK) or even more in Spain, if your medical insurance is paid. And even if not paid for a few months I don't believe the Spanish health institutions have access to that info. As long as you go to the medical center/hospital that's included in Spanish public health system.Well I have seen that there is a Centro de Salud in the neighborhood, but I have tried in vain to see how much it costs, on the Internet? Is it free in Spain? I have the European Health card or whatever it is called. There is an economic side to my reluctance as this stay in Madrid until Monday is taking a toll on my piggy bank...
Poor @Bad Pilgrim
Have a look at this resource: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/de-bed-bugging-your-camino-gear.483/
Buen Camino, SY
@Bad Pilgrim ... that is rough luck
I'm sorry I cant help with the washing info... but I do know that you should check the temperature limits of your cloths and gear. For example, my t-shirt shrunk at 40c wash and my quilt would melt in more than luke warm? If you have this issue I think the answer is a black bag in the sun? Others will know better though.
Wishing you a pain and bug free voyage for the rest of your trip!
Oh no, is the hostal going to help you out here? I would think they have an incentive to do so.
SYates is the bedbug instructor par excellence. I followed her instructions when I (may have) had them this year. Having had to do this twice in the last two years, I know that it is SO much easier to do when someone is helping you, so you can get rid of all your clothes, shower, put on new clothes (I bought a cheap dress in a market in Zaragoza, and borrowed the hospi's clothes in Meruelo), wash and dry, spray, etc.
Hope you get some help and access to all you need to make sure they are gone. Don't panic, it can be unpleasant and it is hugely important to get rid of them right away, but you have the time and can make sure to do it right! Good luck, BP.
Not to take this too far off-topic, but SYates, have you thought of adding this to your list of "services provided" in Santiago? I'm actually only half-kidding!
I must confess to being extremely grateful that Bad Pilgrim did not take me up on my offer of a place to stayLots of wooden floors and beams with crevices to hide in for the bichos! Plus I don't have a bath tub to give a backpack a good scrubbing, only showers. So no and I pray daily that nobody brings this kind of 'gift' to the house. Buen Camino, SY
I am sorry for you, there is nothing worse than itching, particularly when the weather is very hot, I hope the rest of your camino goes really well.There are bedbugs in the room. First I felt them, then saw them. White sheets and walls so they are easy to spot. Bites all over my body. Not cool. I have told the hostal etc etc.
@Bad Pilgrim I've found that all you need to do is put your clothes, sleeping bag, etc dry into a commercial hot air dryer for a cycle (at an autoservicio). If everything is dry there is no problem with things shrinking (e.g. merino). It is the heat that kills the bedbugs, and dry works better than wet. In small towns without an autoservicio you can use a domestic dryer, but do your clothes bit by bit, to ensure the heat gets into every bit of clothing. A domestic machine may not be big enough to do a sleeping bag properly, you might need to augment it with the black plastic bag in the sun, and insecticide.
Because I seem to be a magnet for bedbugs, and have such a bad reaction, on Camino I now cover myself in a 40% Deet repellent, before I go to bed. I hate it but I've not been bitten since I started using it.[/QUOTE
@Bad Pilgrim I've found that all you need to do is put your clothes, sleeping bag, etc dry into a commercial hot air dryer for a cycle (at an autoservicio). If everything is dry there is no problem with things shrinking (e.g. merino). It is the heat that kills the bedbugs, and dry works better than wet. In small towns without an autoservicio you can use a domestic dryer, but do your clothes bit by bit, to ensure the heat gets into every bit of clothing. A domestic machine may not be big enough to do a sleeping bag properly, you might need to augment it with the black plastic bag in the sun, and insecticide.
Because I seem to be a magnet for bedbugs, and have such a bad reaction, on Camino I now cover myself in a 40% Deet repellent, before I go to bed. I hate it but I've not been bitten since I started using it.
Oh I can’t believe I’ve missed this thread!
@Bad Pilgrim I’m so sorry to hear of your woes. Firstly, your leg problem seems to be a mirror of what I experienced on the Levante in June this year. I stopped for a week (holiday in Sevilla) and then resumed again with some short days. That worked well until I (stupidly) walked an extra 10km one day and it flared up again. My advice - keep the distances as short as possible once you start again.
I also had a ‘red rash type area’ at the front of my ankle. I’ve been home a few weeks and have no pain walking but the area is still swollen and ‘lumpy’. Massage is helping but it’s a slow process.
I really hope you can finish the Lana and get to the Invierno as planned.
I loved the area around Alpera. It was one of my favourite towns ‘on’ the Levante (although a detour).
I can’t wait to get back to finish my Levante from Toledo. I know how you must be feeling.
Kia Kaha (stay strong) and Buen Camino
I have done that a couple of times with an Osprey Talon 33, and the plastic panel that is inserted to stiffen the back became somewhat deformed - extra curvature due to tumbling. I think the heat alone would be okay, or if the panel had been removed before tumbling. However, if you can get some insecticide, I'd agree that a good spray inside and out would work.Should I throw in the mochila in the dryer as well this evening?
... Should I throw in the mochila in the dryer as well this evening?...
All the best Bad Pilgrim!
we’re with you all the way (wherever that may be)
All the best from me too.
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