- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2023
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After walking 5 different Camino routes you would think I should know better...agreed!
I started last Sunday walking with Paulo from Brazil from Lisbon...short day to Parque de Nações. We then proceeded to walk in 3 days to Santarem...a little over 100kms in total.
Almost constant rain, long long stretches of road walking, distances further than my guidebook, lack of scenery, dreadful blisters combined with almost certainly inappropriate use of Compeed has stopped me cold.
Compeed worked for me once before but the small growing eggs on both feet told me...not this time!
For the first time in over 2,700 kms of Camino paths I had to take the train. Awful feeling...what worked for me in the past was not what I should have done this time!
The next 3 days forecast constant rain so...major plan change. Going to Porto...get some medical assistance...rest for 4 days and replan walking to Santiago averaging 18 kms rather than 30 kms as planned (remember I was simply assuming what worked in the past would work again).
Actually now that I have let go of the “plan” I am really looking forward to the walk...even it it rains!
I will look back and laugh at myself in the future...what was I thinking?
Ultreia
Guy
Ah the rain and road walking, takes me right back to Portugal, thankfully no blisters as I have learnt my lesson the hard way. Ditch the compeed and use a liberal daily dosing of vassaline or lanoline based foot cream. The route does get better.
Many thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Just saw Dr. Olga at the Vita Saude medical clinic. Unbelievable kindness and caring shown...she worked for 1 hour and 15 minutes for 40 euros. She even provided her private phone number if I need help over the weekend which I won’t as I am to rest off my feet mostly. Our Tuesday restart plan with shorter distances is definitely possible.
Truly the Camino spirit in action with Dr. Olga!
So the beautiful city of Porto will have to wait...unintended book reading here I come!
For other pilgrims here is what I was told by someone who has cared for many many pilgrims. Note I am simply relaying expert opinion...clearly different approaches can and do work:
1) small blister and large Compeed is ok however large blister and large Compeed is a recipe for big problems as the Compeed cannot absorb the moisture which is why my very large blisters occurred
2) my Dalghren socks which worked well in past are too thick, old and trap heat. Recommended a Portuguese brand Berg
3) vaseline not the best as it does nothing for the skin...will buy some type of foot cream
Bom Camino to all!
Guy
So happy to see that you made it to Santiago. Thanks for keeping us all informed.Well it’s been 3 weeks now...feet mostly healed and am glad to say that I walked to Santiago de Compostela from Porto. It wasn’t easy (read painful as tender new skin was really put to the test) however the satisfaction of achieving the modified goal made it all worthwhile!
Thanks for the support and encouragement!
Guy
Sorry to hear about all of the above! We’ve had health crises in Porto and always found the local medical professionals very kind and helpful.vaseline not the best as it does nothing for the skin...will buy some type of foot cream
Yes. I have been walking 39 days. Finished CF Sunday. I took Pharma advice (after showing her my can of Unguento) and she recommended Arnica cream which I applied to my feet this morning. This morning - 2 hours into a 7 hour walk - my feet started to heat up on the top. I had to stop, walk in sandals and get help from other Peregrinos. Even a cafe gave me ointment to get by until I could make the next village to buy some Vaseline. So tips:Sorry to hear about all of the above! We’ve had health crises in Porto and always found the local medical professionals very kind and helpful.
Regarding foot cream: any cream/creme is water based and so will soften the skin and make it more blister-prone. Not a good choice when walking, although it might be fine the night before.
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