Day one complete!

[wanderwoman]

Wow! First day from Roncevalles to zubiri done! What a gorgeous walk. So many friendly peregrinos and such magnificent scenery! I'm staying at El Palo de Avellano - lovely rooms, great feeling to it. I took advice from the forum and soaked my feet in the cold river upon arrival...manna from heaven! I was trying to explain to a friend how I feel...Sore feet and a Full Heart!

Thank you camino!

xAmanda

 

[Pilgrim-S-414]

It only gets better

Buen Camino!

 

[wayfarer]

Excellent, enjoy every step.
Buen Camino.

 

[scruffy1]

Good news! There are many lovely places to soak your feet along the Camino - one of my favorites is way further on but remember, the albergue in Trabadelo has a pool of constantly flowing spring water in the back yard - so nice! On the down side, I have met leeches in Spain, unpleasant but not nasty. Should one come and say howdy to your foot or leg don't yank it off, that is nasty, have some matches handy light one, put it out, and place on it's sitting down place - its gone! Buen Camino.

 

[Arn]

Leeches are coming back as "alternative " medicine. There are about 600 species of leeches, but only 15 or so have the proper enzymes in their saliva to greatly improve blood flow, thus bringing more blood to an inflamed area. In addition, the saliva has some pain blocking properties.
Buen "if it sucks...it may be a good thing" Camino,
Arn

 

[DurhamParish]

Enjoy your Camino. We all wish we were there with you.

I stayed in Lorosona, just beyond Zubiri. But I stopped in Zubiri for lunch.

Enjoy Pamplona tomorrow.

 

[Al the optimist]

So the slabs into Zubiri didn't dent your spirit (or hurt your knees)? Great! You enjoy the rest of the days as much. Don't overstretch yourself though. One good day is just that, one good day. It does not mean you are wonderwoman wanderwoman. There are many days to go. Take it easy for the first few until you get your Camino legs. Buen Camino

 

[Olivares]

The third day is typically when your body "fights" you from the get-go. Fight through it. You will gain endurance as you go.

 

[wanderwoman]

All such great advice! Day two has kicked my butt! In pamplona, probably walked too fast and my pack too heavy, plus a bit of jet lag and I am whipped! Blisters coming up on the side of my heels so will be attending to them as soon as I can lift my head off the bed. It was a hot day today! Staying at casa ibarrela ...what a terrific hostel. The warmest welcome as I staggered in at 2pm feeling exhausted!

Thank you so much for all the wisdom!

Sore feet but a full heart!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

probably walked too fast and my pack too heavy

That is the start of a lot of pain for a lot of pilgrims. Try to resist the temptation to make good time and cover a lot of ground. Buen camino.

 

[Stephen]

Get that blister seen to as soon as you can. And enjoy your Camino.
'Envious' isn't the right word for the feeling I had on reading your OP but it's close. You couldn't imagine how much I'd like to be there.

 

[Olivares]

Listen to Falcon-- force yourself if you have to to take breaks, drink water. You will feel compelled to match somebody's pace. DON'T. Let others go if their pace is not good for you, there are amazing people all along the Camino, you will meet other friends. This is not a race , but it is an endurance challenge. REST, HYDRATE, STRETCH. Buen Camino.

 

[Thornley]

All such great advice! Day two has kicked my butt! In pamplona, probably walked too fast and my pack too heavy, plus a bit of jet lag and I am whipped! Blisters coming up on the side of my heels so will be attending to them as soon as I can lift my head off the bed. It was a hot day today! Staying at casa ibarrela ...what a terrific hostel. The warmest welcome as I staggered in at 2pm feeling exhausted!

Thank you so much for all the wisdom!

Sore feet but a full heart!

YOU will walk your own pace, no other Wanderwomen , """ OR """ by the time you reach Burgos the following normally occur;
1/ A few days relaxing whilst your feet repair
or
2/ Home you go

You have 600KM to go so please relax and enjoy.
The camino family [ now your companions ] will not stop when you have foot problems so please consider this when walking.
Its your camino mate, no other person-persons.

Have a great 3 weeks ........slow up , listen to your body and enjoy.

 

[wanderwoman]

Thank you all so much. I'm thinking of just walking to uterga tomorrow, and going very slow. And stopping even sooner if I need to. I've lightened my bag, treated my blister and had a good rest this evening. Feeling a bit more heartened, mostly by your words of encouragement.

Thank you all so much.

xAmanda

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is seventeen kilometers with severe up and down to get to Uterga from Pamplona. Consider stopping at Zariquiegui.

 

[DebR]

I shared diner with you last night (red haired Deb from Melbourne) and am also in Pamplona tonight! Take it slow tomorrow and you'll be fine... Hope to share a drink with you sometime soon!

 

[Arn]

1. Your pack was too heavy. What did you remove and why?
2. The way up to Alto de Perdon is both an easy walk and well worth it. That said, the way down is treacherous. Make sure your feet are well taken care of ...now! The rips and tears are worse when there's no stairs.
I should be in Sarria on October 1st. Should you keep up your pace and not take care of your feet. I may just see you there...getting off the train.
Slowwwwwllllyyyyyy. Enjoy.
Arn

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The way up to Alto de Perdon is ... an easy walk

When it has been raining, the walk up is among the most treacherous stretches! I had the muffled satisfaction of watching some aggressive bicyclists slide down the hill about thirty meters into the scrub brush. When it became my turn to walk it, I almost duplicate their feat. Karma in both cases.

 

[Arn]

When it has been raining, the walk up is among the most treacherous stretches! I had the muffled satisfaction of watching some aggressive bicyclists slide down the hill about thirty meters into the scrub brush. When it became my turn to walk it, I almost duplicate their feat. Karma in both cases.

Interesting...I never encountered rain my entire Camino Frances, or on any of them for that matter

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The day of which I speak:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/alto-del-perdon-when-wet.1225/
An inch of mud on my soles did not help with the traction!

 

[annakappa]

Interesting...I never encountered rain my entire Camino Frances, or on any of them for that matter

Well.....lucky you
I've walked the Alto de Perdón a few times. The first time with fantastic weather and an incredible view. The last time in pouring rain, so much so, that it was impossible even to see the blades on the top of the windmills. And the mud...just like Falcon showed on his photo! Anne

 

[wanderwoman]

I shared diner with you last night (red haired Deb from Melbourne) and am also in Pamplona tonight! Take it slow tomorrow and you'll be fine... Hope to share a drink with you sometime soon!

Hi Deb....kept an eye out for you girls last night but couldn't' remember where we were meeting. If I can figure out how to send you a private message on this I will...if you can send me one! Love to catch up for a drink. Feeling much better this morning and it's my birthday so extra chipper! XxxA

 

[smj6]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Wanderwoman. What a great way to celebrate it ... On the Camino.
Have a great day.
Suzanne

 

[Mike Savage]

Happy Birthday and Buen Camino! I'm so glad you are feeling better this morning.

 

[david g]

What a memorable birthday this will be for you! "Where was I when I turned (_) ? I was in Pamplona, on the Camino, making my way to Santiago." Happy Birthday and Buen Camino!

 

[pilgrim b]

Happy Birthday wanderwoman, but remember tomorrow is another walking day maybe? Beun camino.

 

[Al the optimist]

Belated happy thing Amanda. Guess you survived the descent. Just learnt a new Camino rule - always watch for when Arn is walking! How do you do it man? Never got wet? Like Anna and Falcon I have took my life in my hands descending from the Alto de Perdon in the wet. Not a pleasant experience at all.

 

[OssieMate]

I shared diner with you last night (red haired Deb from Melbourne) and am also in Pamplona tonight! Take it slow tomorrow and you'll be fine... Hope to share a drink with you sometime soon!

Hi Debr

I see that you tackled the Camino in April, what was the weather like at that time of the year including May? I will be doing this route starting 8 April 2015.

Your response would be apprteciated

Ossiemate (Melbourne)

 

[Al the optimist]

I have walked from SJPdP twice in early May. Once was terribly wet, overcast and cold and the other was lovely, sunny and warm. You just never know.