Friend from Barquinha
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- None yet; perhaps the Portugese (2021?)
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There are many of us who WERE planning to depart around this time. I was one of them (March 26th from Adelaide). I decided some time ago that I would change my plans and that I would change my ticket to Dec when I plan to walk the Camino Frances anyway. I have had no time to sort dates etc. but knew that I had the option of either changing my dates for the cost of $70 plus fare changes / taxes etc, or cancelling for somewhere between $4 - $500. I have been procrastinating and today received a message from the airline to say my flights were cancelled and therefore I can expect a refund. I tell you this because waiting just might be financially more prudent!My friend and I planned to fly out from Australia on Apr 1. We will now cancel and lose thousands of dollars. It is so devastating.
I don't think so! See Ivar's latest posts...everything is shutting down on the Camino. I just arrived in Santiago from walking the PC...really disappointed that pilgrim office, cathedral, Alburgues are all shut down.I am just double checking that I have my info right. As of right now I can fly from Canada to France and then walk the Frances. I know there is one closure so far of an albergue on this portion, but for the most part the frances is business as usual (at this point), correct? I am scheduled to start on Tuesday. I am not concerned about a delay in getting home, I just don't want to arrive for nothing.
That's interesting! I was due to fly out of Melbourne on the 27th March (with Qatar). I'm leaving it as late as possible to cancel/reschedule my flight in the hope the airline will cancel and I'll be refunded. Glad it worked out for you! Sometimes procrastination pays off!There are many of us who WERE planning to depart around this time. I was one of them (March 26th from Adelaide). I decided some time ago that I would change my plans and that I would change my ticket to Dec when I plan to walk the Camino Frances anyway. I have had no time to sort dates etc. but knew that I had the option of either changing my dates for the cost of $70 plus fare changes / taxes etc, or cancelling for somewhere between $4 - $500. I have been procrastinating and today received a message from the airline to say my flights were cancelled and therefore I can expect a refund. I tell you this because waiting just might be financially more prudent!
I think this is the 5th or 6th time I've seen someone say they're going to Scotland. Looks like it will be a busy place up here, the West Highland Way might be busier than the Frances.
No cases yet in the highland region, but 6 now on Shetland.
Remember still plenty of time for snow, like this morning, and the midges and clegs will soon be here, and the ticks, not that I'm trying to put anyone off coming of course.
Hi,,, but you can cancel now with Qatar,, and you can get a full refund,, or travel voucher for full value valid for a year!! I have just done so,,, and apparently other airlines alsoThat's interesting! I was due to fly out of Melbourne on the 27th March (with Qatar). I'm leaving it as late as possible to cancel/reschedule my flight in the hope the airline will cancel and I'll be refunded. Glad it worked out for you! Sometimes procrastination pays off!
You forgot to mention the health risk of sheep ticks and haggis
There’s a whole other conversation to be had on this subject, anyone heard of ‘family cloths’? Maybe not for this forum though,If we all had bidet toilet seats we wouldn't need so much TP
Obviously I am not going to start my first Camino for which I had an April 1 arrival in Madrid. I think Madrid may be in quarantine then.
The thing that scares me the most is that the stars may never align so well again for me to go. Maybe Never. I'm actually returning as much of the equipment that I can today. No point in keeping it. I hold out hope for the fall, but I can always repurchase next year, or certainly by the year after.
Re stocking up the TP (on the serious note)...
I heard a psychologist on TV explaining this as the need of people to think that they do something SUCCESSFUL in this situation. TP is relatively inexpensive and it's bulky so people have the feeling that they did something good about surviving. Makes sense in a way although I don't really understand it in my own case. But then again adds (on internet or TV or whatever media) doesn't have any effect on me
Thank you, Gabriel, for your encouraging words. Yesterday felt very dark for me as I returned my equipment and saw everyone at the store buying “survival” supplies. But today is a new day, the sun is shining and life goes on. I think we’re all in for a dark time for at least a few months, But as you said eventually it will all settle down, and my biggest complaint will be how heavy my sketchbook weighs in my backpack while walking the Camino. I’ll make sure I look you up, and maybe spend the night when I pass through. I’ll send you a PM which is just a reminder to myself in case it’s a year down the road.Stephan, the force of desire is surprisingly strong in everything to do with the Camino. I have seen this over a year and a half in the hostel, it seems that Santiago especially rewards those who believe in him and on the Camino. (maybe it's just an inner strength of ours…)
You will come to Spain, you will walk the Camino, and you will see that the stars with real strength are those of the Via Lactea, also called Camino de Santiago in Spain, that's how I learned it at school many years ago. The Camino follows the direction of the Via Lactea and the stars guided pilgrims at night, perhaps you already knew that.
I´m also a painter by profession ..., if you go through Frómista, even if only in passing, I´m here.
Gabriel
(keep alive the wish!!!)
From Monday on, you won't be allowed outside in Spain unless it's for certain reasons only. If you're on the Camino right now, please take note. If we see any updates for this lockdown that are Camino-specific we'll post them here.
Yes, when I posted that post I was correct, but then things kept changing. As of yesterday morning I am now not going. It was going to take those official states of alarm type things to stop me, and that's what happened. I wasn't going to skip just because of speculation, but things thankfully became official before my scheduled flight which would have been tomorrow night.I don't think so! See Ivar's latest posts...everything is shutting down on the Camino. I just arrived in Santiago from walking the PC...really disappointed that pilgrim office, cathedral, Alburgues are all shut down.
Yes, my travel agent had notified me of this...but I thought I'd prefer a refund than a travel voucher that must be used within 12 months. It's doubtful I'll get this amount of leave from work again in the next 12 months. But still, it is a pretty good alternative so I'm not complaining!Hi,,, but you can cancel now with Qatar,, and you can get a full refund,, or travel voucher for full value valid for a year!! I have just done so,,, and apparently other airlines also
Just go onto Qatar airlines online
Sorry I don't really understand your reply,,,,, but you can get a refund!Yes, my travel agent had notified me of this...but I thought I'd prefer a refund than a travel voucher that must be used within 12 months. It's doubtful I'll get this amount of leave from work again in the next 12 months. But still, it is a pretty good alternative so I'm not complaining!
Ahh...yes, I was confused! Looks like a refund is possible! Yay!Sorry I don't really understand your reply,,,,, but you can get a refund!
Hello
I think that it would be OK (for now) to walk a camino.
the big deal will not be this winter/spring it is going to be next winter when the virus will be well spread throughout the world.
There where very few Albergue’s in the distant past. Pilgrims slept out and the Spanish are not vindictive.
I realize that sleeping out is not for everyone, but a Camino is a pilgrimage not a stroll in the park it is ment to be a challenge.
I think you are grossly mistaken. It will not be OK to walk a Camino now. As of tomorrow morning all unnecessary movement outside the home in Spain is being strictly limited by law. Making a pilgrimage on foot will not count as one of the exceptions to that regulation which the government intend to enforce for the well-being of all. I do not believe that such action is what you choose to call "vindictive". I do not believe it is up to us as individuals to decide which laws we will abide by and which we can simply choose to disregard because of our personal ideas of what a pilgrimage is about.Hello
I think that it would be OK (for now) to walk a camino.
the big deal will not be this winter/spring it is going to be next winter when the virus will be well spread throughout the world.
There where very few Albergue’s in the distant past. Pilgrims slept out and the Spanish are not vindictive.
I realize that sleeping out is not for everyone, but a Camino is a pilgrimage not a stroll in the park it is ment to be a challenge.
I think, that as a new member, you should read ALL the threads on the virus before posting.Hello
I think that it would be OK (for now) to walk a camino.
the big deal will not be this winter/spring it is going to be next winter when the virus will be well spread throughout the world.
There where very few Albergue’s in the distant past. Pilgrims slept out and the Spanish are not vindictive.
I realize that sleeping out is not for everyone, but a Camino is a pilgrimage not a stroll in the park it is ment to be a challenge.
If the Spanish government ban movement outside the home then I agree with them.
We got it straight away. You say that there are a privileged few who can walk and camp. The privileged few can travel to their camino starting point and travel from their camino end point. The privileged few can buy food along the camino and interact with the locals. The privileged few can buy their coffee con leche and their beer and their zumo and interact with the locals (actually, they can't right now, I guess you are not up to date on the situation in Spain). All the privileged few have to do is avoid staying in an albergue. I would not call this creative thinking.I give up
The fact that one is not allowed to be outside of their home except to go to the grocery store, pharmacy or work means that for all intents and purposes the Camino IS closed NOW.In Tenerife the government has closed all hiking trails in the National park. I feel it is only a matter of time before this is extended to the Camino.
In Tenerife the government has closed all hiking trails in the National park. I feel it is only a matter of time before this is extended to the Camino.
Woah. The same happened with a National Park in Aragon in Northern Spain. National hiking associations ask people to stay at home, see here. It seems that many hikers and cyclists had the brilliant idea to travel en masse to somewhere in the open air.In Tenerife the government has closed all hiking trails in the National park. I feel it is only a matter of time before this is extended to the Camino.
My mum is travelling from Greece on Thursday to be with my 92-year-old grandmother in England. She said I could go too, but given the travel I've done in the last few weeks I won't. I'm well aware I could already be carrying the virus.Well, the only positive thing about the closures in Spain is I think it’s quite likely that the airline will cancel my flight, which means I’ll get my money back. Hopefully also for the many people who’ve also had to cancel their travel plans. This morning I see I can change my flight without penalty, but honestly I don’t know when I want to change my flight to, yet.
And of course, the best thing countries could do everywhere, is follow Italy’s and Spain’s example; mandate everybody stay home. That would massively flatten the curve. Probably even make it smaller. It would screw up the economy, but how much are a million lives worth?
And I wonder if there will be either enforced or socially pressured closures in my country (USA)? I just started thinking that maybe in the next week I should load up everything, and drive the 1500 km to my elderly mother’s house, In case she needs help. And then I have to wonder if I would bring it with me....
I can already imagine in my mind the day when we all feel safe again, and the freedom you‘ll feel walking down the street without fear.
A link to a short video that I found helpful:This thread is for general discussions about Corona Virus and how it is affecting the Camino - personally or in general. Please do not post about how the virus is affecting albergues as we have a special thread running for that here. We also have this thread that gives general information "live from the Camino" - it is for people who are actually on the Camino right now.
You are welcome to post your thoughts about whether you will go or not, but please do not try to tell other members what they should do, and do not give medical advice.
All other information about the virus can be posted; numbers, spread, insurance issues, travel plans, disruptions, links to relevant newspaper articles, government press releases.
We will keep a close eye on the thread and delete any posts that offend against the Forum Rules, or that the Moderators deem unhelpful, alarmist or unreliable. Any complaints - send a PM to Ivar (see Forum Rule 7).
Please try to keep your posts reasonably short.
This is not news, not scientific, not political, not medical or mathematical, but it does say something about the human spirit.
‘My street came alive’: Rome sings anthem from balconies during lockdown | ITV News
Residents spoke of the ‘solidarity in expression’ they felt as music broke out across the country. | ITV National Newswww.itv.com
I completely understand the sentiment but crashing economies also costs lives. Decision makers will be forced to strike a balance - very difficult to do but necessary. I pray the measures being taken are effective but I do not think they can be sustained for very long.And of course, the best thing countries could do everywhere, is follow Italy’s and Spain’s example; mandate everybody stay home. That would massively flatten the curve. Probably even make it smaller. It would screw up the economy, but how much are a million lives worth?
I think this is the classic definition of “between a rock and a hard place.” And the rock is a mountain and the hard place is a field of diamonds. I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make these decisions.I completely understand the sentiment but crashing economies also costs lives. Decision makers will be forced to strike a balance - very difficult to do but necessary. I pray the measures being taken are effective but I do not think they can be sustained for very long.
Ohhhh. Very heartwarming.when people come together like this it does give a sliver of hope that maybe our current state of polarization is not going to last forever. Yesterday at 10:30 pm, people all over Spain all came to their balconies to applaud the sanitation workers and thank them for their work. I got an email from a friend near Tarragona who said it was a pretty emotional experience. And I figure that good news is in short supply so these little snippets may be soothing.
For goodness sake...why?lso on a lighter note, someone suggested that I change my avatar
Ohhhh. Very heartwarming.
For goodness sake...why?
Thanks. I'm in the U S. but I imagine much of this information would apply to us as well. Very informative to see how countries around the world are handling foreign arrivals.I really can't imagine anyone is travelling anywhere at the moment, but if you have to, here's the latest UK FCO advice, summarised by the Guardian ...
Travel updates: which countries have coronavirus restrictions and FCO warnings in place?
The latest details of UK government advice on travel to countries across the globewww.theguardian.com
I would be very surprised if it were the case that there is no succession plan. In fact, I believe there is a well-defined process. What is your source?For the first time in history, apparently, the Canadian government has put in place a succession plan in the event the Prime Minister becomes unable to do his job!
I would be very surprised if it were the case that there is no succession plan. In fact, I believe there is a well-defined process. What is your source?
From reading that article, I think that "unprecedented" referred to the moment when it would be implemented. In other words, the plan has never had to be activated. However, I am confident that the plan and succession process have existed, ready to be started if needed. See this older article. Let's hope so!Perhaps my mistake. I always assumed there was a plan, this article made me go hmm and then I contemplated not remember anything re this from my civics class an eon ago. Perhaps this new order in counsel just articulates and formalizes an existing plan.
I have a Rails to Trails only a few blocks from my home. I love it and use it almost daily. Thanks for the info, Buffy!making the best of the situation here is a prety good article I received from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC):
Staying Active While We Practice Social Distancing
Ultreia!
Hamstering, from the verb "to hamster". This refers to humans copying a hamster which will fill its cheeks with far more food than it needs. Most usually observed in humans in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons et al.What's this about?
Dont they also required to drive KIA Soul?Hamstering, from the verb "to hamster". This refers to humans copying a hamster which will fill its cheeks with far more food than it needs. Most usually observed in humans in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons et al.
Weelll...this is an interesting prospect because new studies show Covid-19 can apparently pass via fecal matter. WASH YOUR HANDS (& other parts) OFTEN!If we all had bidet toilet seats we wouldn't need so much TP!View attachment 70822
Our local commuter trains have all announced that they will operate on weekend schedule (i.e. reduced # of trains and lesser cars per train)Travel is still technically legal within France -- however, new measures are being implemented reducing TGV timetables down to 15% normal, and the local TER trains & buses to 25%.
You do have a point. However, the train companies are struggling to keep staff safe and clean the trains. So, I guess it depends on what the ridership actually turns out to be.Our local commuter trains have all announced that they will operate on weekend schedule (i.e. reduced # of trains and lesser cars per train)
Which of course begs the question - does not this result in more people being in said train\car thus negating the whole 'keep social distance' idea?
Like it or not some folks DO need to move about and do use public transportation only now passengers from say 3 trains 10 cars each are all getting onto 1 train\3 cars
Around 60% is the number that nearly everyone works with: this particular virus has the effect that, on average, every infected person infects 2-3 other persons if no measures are taken to prevent this. When around 60% of a population have been infected and become immune, this is no longer possible.He thinks 56 percent of Californians may be infected. From whence he has come by those numbers I know not.
Oh! Oddly, enough you can still get your hair and nails done
If California can keep infections down to 56 per cent of the population it'll be doing well. The UK chief medical officer thinks 20 per cent infection would be a *good* result. Epidemiologists expect 70 per cent of the world population may get it. If the UK has only 20 per cent, that's 12 million and 10 per cent of those infected need an intensive care bed, that's 1.2 million. That's about 10 times to total number of beds in England. So a shelter at home order sounds sensible. There is nothing like that in the UK and in a couple of weeks we'll probably regret that.He thinks 56 percent of Californians may be infected. From whence he has come by those numbers I know not.
SURELY there are people in this World for whom their nails are VERY ESSENTAILThat's ridiculous. Especially the manicures.
In PA all liqueur stores are closed but beer distributors are notOh! Oddly, enough you can still get your hair and nails done.
Keep the populace lightly juiced and sedated?In PA all liqueur stores are closed but beer distributors are not
Splain dat to me Looocie
@Kathar1na, I don’t understand what you mean - ‘When around 60% of a population have been infected and become immune, this is no longer possible.’ What is ‘no longer possible’? Thanks.Around 60% is the number that nearly everyone works with: this particular virus has the effect that, on average, every infected person infects 2-3 other persons if no measures are taken to prevent this. When around 60% of a population have been infected and become immune, this is no longer possible.
Surely beer is essential!In PA all liqueur stores are closed but beer distributors are not
Splain dat to me Looocie
Keep the populace lightly juiced and sedated?
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