Don't Rubbish the Camino

[Saint Mike II]

For many years, probably more than she cares to remember, one of our favourite Camino People (Rebekah) accompanied by a number of "volunteers" (probably including Paddy) have conducted a "Camino Clean-up" usually during Nov.
At tonight's gathering of Sydney Pilgrims a new pilgrim (Ginny) who has recently returned from walking the Frances related her dismay/disgust at the amount of rubbish laying beside certain stages of the Camino. She proposed to the meeting that all those who intend to walk any of the various Caminos in 2017 bring along a supply of smallish plastic bags (and disposable gloves) and spend (say) 30 minutes, each day of your pilgrimage (if possible) picking up the rubbish. She also suggested that we "donate" a share of our collection bags & gloves to the various Albergues that we stay in. (If I remember correctly she actually did some rubbish collection.)
The pictures here show some of the Sydney group holding/waving black plastic bags that we (temporarily) borrowed from the RSL kitchen. Ginny agreed that these bags were probably to large - something like the ones often supplied at supermarkets might be ok (the ones approx 350-400 mm in length and 250-300 mm wide). A medium kitchen-tidy size would also do!
Now please don't "poo hoo" this suggestion (or the messenger), but am happy to discuss logically. Cheers

 

[vlebe]

Thats the spirit!

It's exactly what many try to do (myself included) and the suggestion is indeed a very good one. Although there is the need to advocate to more people about this and convince them to Help.


Its a shame that many pilgrims do not have the common sense to realize that leaving rubbish behind is outrageous and just plain disgusting though....


I always have a hard time understanding WHY someone would answer to " nature calls" ON the actual path, and just leave their waste behind, including nasty used TP.... WHY GOD??? WHYYY!??????

 

[VNwalking]

Yeah, I've had that thought too, @vlebe.
It's because we're all too human, I'm afraid.
@Kanga had two fabulous suggestions to counteract (some of) that here--the second one is a brilliant way of educating others about TP:

@SEB Make a donation or join the Ditch Pigs instead: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...o-cleanup-2016-theyre-back.44059/#post-457990
Or do as I do; take some zip lock plastic bags with a new children's size cotton handkerchief inside. Give them out to women in the first albergue as gifts to reuse and rinse each night instead of leaving toilet paper on the path. Ask them to spread the message.

 

[Kanga]

@Saint Mike II I did not get to the Sydney meeting tonight for various reasons, but if I make it to the next one I will bring along a couple of the little "kits" I give out for women to use - ziplock plastic bags with a new children's size handkerchief inside.

 

[Albertagirl]

I spent a lot of time while on the Camino Aragones recently picking up other people's garbage, at the rate of about two supermarket sized bags per day. This was a very unpleasant procedure, not because of what I was picking up, but because of the procedure itself. Constant bending over and breaking my stride at the next bit of rubbish was physically and mentally stressful. I did not feel that I really began my Camino until I joined the Frances at Puenta la Reina, and began to ignore other people's rubbish in favour of just walking. If you wish to commit to doing this, you might want to consider how you can take care of your own Camino, as well as looking after other people's.

 

[Tincatinker]

I spent a lot of time while on the Camino Aragones recently picking up other people's garbage, at the rate of about two supermarket sized bags per day. This was a very unpleasant procedure, not because of what I was picking up, but because of the procedure itself. Constant bending over and breaking my stride at the next bit of rubbish was physically and mentally stressful. I did not feel that I really began my Camino until I joined the Frances at Puenta la Reina, and began to ignore other people's rubbish in favour of just walking. If you wish to commit to doing this, you might want to consider how you can take care of your own Camino, as well as looking after other people's.

@Albertagirl blessings upon you. I've been there too. Ducking and diving (striving - for non-Cockerney speakers) with a pack on your back is hardcore. I've been praised by passers-by while at it with a loud 'Bravo Hombre' and I've been mocked - 'If you pick up all the tissues I'll get lost...'

I took a lesson one day: I'd made a vow to pick litter every day of my camino but one morning, 7 or 8 days in, I just didn't have the 'umff' for it, and I comforted myself with the thought that I didn't have a 'bolsa', a bag, to put the litter in. Sitting on top of the very first mojone I came to that morning there was a super-market carrier bag. In that carrier bag was a nice ripe pear. I accepted the saints' reminder, and the pear, and got on with the job.

But you are right amiga - clearing up pilgrim shite can be as embittering as it is rewarding. Lovely Paddy at Peaceable had to stop when he found himself starting to hate pilgrims - he finds other ways to serve. I lost it once after I'd run out of bags and physical capacity and had to leave one stretch only half cleared. That night I found myself ranting at, probably innocent, pilgrims in the Albergue de San Nicolas de Flue, Ponferrada. " how could anyone call themselves a pilgrim and drop that shite - how could anyone who called themselves a pilgrim walk past that shite?" Anyone there that night: my apologies. 'Chico', one of the volunteer hospitalero took me for a long walk in the gardens...

He offered two moments of comfort that night with two ideas to take with me for the rest of my caminos - "not everyone who walks the camino is a pilgrim, yet" , and " offering service does not mean you have to achieve perfection". That second blessing I have carried ever since - I do what I can, when I can, as much or as little as I can: no more and no less.

 

[C clearly]

Constant bending over and breaking my stride at the next bit of rubbish was physically and mentally stressful.

Agreed. I think it would be easier just to clean a particular area for 15 minutes or half-an-hour and then consider it "done" for the day, knowing that you've helped a bit. Getting to hate the pilgrims is the worst outcome! I like the following advice from @Tincatinker

" offering service does not mean you have to achieve perfection"

 

[patk]

@Albertagirl blessings upon you. I've been there too. Ducking and diving (striving - for non-Cockerney speakers) with a pack on your back is hardcore. I've been praised by passers-by while at it with a loud 'Bravo Hombre' and I've been mocked - 'If you pick up all the tissues I'll get lost...'

I took a lesson one day: I'd made a vow to pick litter every day of my camino but one morning, 7 or 8 days in, I just didn't have the 'umff' for it, and I comforted myself with the thought that I didn't have a 'bolsa', a bag, to put the litter in. Sitting on top of the very first mojone I came to that morning there was a super-market carrier bag. In that carrier bag was a nice ripe pear. I accepted the saints' reminder, and the pear, and got on with the job.

But you are right amiga - clearing up pilgrim shite can be as embittering as it is rewarding. Lovely Paddy at Peaceable had to stop when he found himself starting to hate pilgrims - he finds other ways to serve. I lost it once after I'd run out of bags and physical capacity and had to leave one stretch only half cleared. That night I found myself ranting at, probably innocent, pilgrims in the Albergue de San Nicolas de Flue, Ponferrada. " how could anyone call themselves a pilgrim and drop that shite - how could anyone who called themselves a pilgrim walk past that shite?" Anyone there that night: my apologies. 'Chico', one of the volunteer hospitalero took me for a long walk in the gardens...

He offered two moments of comfort that night with two ideas to take with me for the rest of my caminos - "not everyone who walks the camino is a pilgrim, yet" , and " offering service does not mean you have to achieve perfection". That second blessing I have carried ever since - I do what I can, when I can, as much or as little as I can: no more and no less.

Thanks to all of you in relation to this issue.

The rubbish can really get to you and picking up other pilgrims' muck can indeed make you cross.
Education has to be part of the solution - watch a short video/you tube on Caring for the Camino before you can get your Credencial.

A New Rubbish horror has appeared on the path outside the airport on the way after santa irena
Pilgrims have taken to dumping unwanted clothing shoes hats plastic bags bottles etc in one small clearing by the polluted stream that emerges from the airport. It wasn't there the last time i went past a couple of years ago and it will get worse if not cleaned up.
Has anyone else been appalled by that??

 

[SYates]

One tip for all you lovely litter pickers:

If you decide each day only to pick up one kind of rubbish (glass, tin, plastic etc) things become much more manageable, nearly enjoyable (oh, I found another plastic bottle, where is the next one? There! Found it!) and, added plus, if you are lucky you find the recycle bins in the next village/town and can even properly recycle that rubbish ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Albertagirl]

One tip for all you lovely litter pickers:

If you decide each day only to pick up one kind of rubbish (glass, tin, plastic etc) things become much more manageable, nearly enjoyable (oh, I found another plastic bottle, where is the next one? There! Found it!) and, added plus, if you are lucky you find the recycle bins in the next village/town and can even properly recycle that rubbish ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

I think that the only satisfaction that I got out of litter picking on the Aragonese came from being thorough. Momentarily, at least, it was done. Last year, I picked up some of the less disgusting bits from the Frances - candy wrappers, etc., but I never felt like I was accomplishing anything. This year, I got nearly eaverything from the Aragonese, and I am counting on @vlebe for follow up. This is much more satisfying. But it was not my Camino until I allowed myself to move on. It helped that it was, in name at least, a different Camino. I felt like I had done my part.

 

[GreatDane]

I picked up along the way both trips. Used the bags I get fresh veggies in at home. Very light weight. The meseta was cleaner but again I was there in early April. The problem I found was that when I did get to a refuse container it was usually so full I barely had space for my trash bag!!

 

[joanneking]

I spent a lot of time while on the Camino Aragones recently picking up other people's garbage, at the rate of about two supermarket sized bags per day. This was a very unpleasant procedure, not because of what I was picking up, but because of the procedure itself. Constant bending over and breaking my stride at the next bit of rubbish was physically and mentally stressful. I did not feel that I really began my Camino until I joined the Frances at Puenta la Reina, and began to ignore other people's rubbish in favour of just walking. If you wish to commit to doing this, you might want to consider how you can take care of your own Camino, as well as looking after other people's.

I started out that way last fall, with the intention of picking up garbage. After a few days of doing that, I realized that it was too difficult to break and resume my stride so frequently, especially with the weight of the backpack, so I gave up my garbage collection. The sight of the garbage bothered me all along the way, and I came to the thought that those who leave garbage are not actually pilgrims, they are more rightly called litterbugs.

 

[Matthew Fitzhenry]

What about using those rubbish picker-upperer claw things? No back bending or actual touching of the rubbish. You can donate them to an albergue when you're done.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

before anyone despairs, please know that Ditch Pig-type camino cleanup groups are popping up in regions all along the Caminos.
The AGACS, the Gallego amigos group, has a crew of about 15 people who go out quarterly to clear up messes on several different routes in Galicia. They have custom-made reflective vests with their logo on them, even!
Three people from the Navarre Amigos group go out and clean up periodically from Pamplona and over the Alto de Perdon, down to Uterga. They have a cool little cart they wheel along to help carry the trash away from remote spots. (We're having a similar one built right how.)
Two years ago, the Japanese Amigos Association cooperated with the Astorga Amigos and FICS to create Un Paso Limpio, a camino-wide litter pickup program. You still see the little yellow bags around sometimes, and the awareness posters and stickers and hats.
And even farther back, the then-embryonic South African Amigos distributed trash bags to albergues all down the Frances, and encouraged them to hand them out to pilgrims.
So the problem isn't new, and various solutions have been tried. I think the best defense is a good offense: if you see someone littering, don't just let it go. Say something! And if you see a mess, don't take photos and whine and complain: Clean it up!

FICS is working on an app that will enable pilgrims to report real-time violations of camino safety, patrimony and environment, complete with GPS coordinates. If I knew where the really awful spots were for litter, I could get someone in to clean up a lot quicker.

 

[Icacos]

What about using those rubbish picker-upperer claw things? No back bending or actual touching of the rubbish. You can donate them to an albergue when you're done.

This possibility was considered a while back. As far as I recall @Rebekah Scott said she's not seen these for sale over there. I've found in my searches on line that good ones are fairly expensive and they do not 'collapse' for travel. And I wouldn't think it's worth buying an inexpensive one, as it likely wouldn't last long.

 

[VNwalking]

I took a lesson one day: I'd made a vow to pick litter every day of my camino but one morning, 7 or 8 days in, I just didn't have the 'umff' for it, and I comforted myself with the thought that I didn't have a 'bolsa', a bag, to put the litter in. Sitting on top of the very first mojone I came to that morning there was a super-market carrier bag. In that carrier bag was a nice ripe pear. I accepted the saints' reminder, and the pear, and got on with the job.

the best defense is a good offense: if you see someone littering, don't just let it go. Say something! And if you see a mess, don't take photos and whine and complain: Clean it up!

Brava. Indeed, Rebekah! Let's all put our money where our mouths are. I have to say I saw relatively little this year, and some of what I saw I picked up. But the bending over and over again with a pack IS hard work and I had to give it up after my back started to whine.

What about using those rubbish picker-upperer claw things?

Yeah...it would be great to have at least a few of those claw thingos, at least for the Ditch Pigs. Are any of the Pigs going over from a place where good ones can be found? I'm happy to contribute.

 

[Kanga]

@Rebekah Scott the really awful section was between Astorga and Molinasecca. When I walked in spring this year Navarra, Palencia and Galicia were all pretty good, I thought. But the section between Astorga and Molinasecca was a bit heart-rending, especially as it is has such natural beauty.

 

[SYates]

... Are any of the Pigs going over from a place where good ones can be found? I'm happy to contribute.

I am coming from Germany via bus, will have a look online and see what is available. SY

 

[Albertagirl]

This possibility was considered a while back. As far as I recall @Rebekah Scott said she's not seen these for sale over there. I've found in my searches on line that good ones are fairly expensive and they do not 'collapse' for travel. And I wouldn't think it's worth buying an inexpensive one, as it likely wouldn't last long.

@Icacos:
I brought with me a very lightweight plastic salad tong, which I thought I would use for the more disgusting items. But I soon lost my sense of particular distaste and the handles were too short to be very useful and just delayed the process. Only real, purpose-designed trash retrievers would seem to be very useful. If a few could be purchased, someone who takes all personal gear to Spain as carry-on luggage might pack them up for checked baggage, or check their own trash retriever in with their hiking poles. Maybe someone could look for one online and bring it to check out its utility. A ditch pig, perhaps?

 

[Albertagirl]

I am coming from Germany via bus, will have a look online and see what is available. SY

@SYates: I see that great minds think alike.

 

[SYates]

I found this one https://www.allbuyone.com/de/produk...reinigung-und-muellentsorgung/muellzange.html online. For those that don't read German, that is a company that specialises in event supplies, so the quality should be good as they depend on repeat-customers and word of mouth.

I have already contacted them and asked how I could get some rubbish tongs to Spain as they normally only deliver to Germany, Switzerland and Austria and I am living in none of these countries.

So, keep fingers crossed, if Santiago helps us the ditch pigs might have some rubbish tongs and our backs will hurt less.

SY

 

[SYates]

Ok, they just came back to me and - Good News! They are happy to make an exception for a good cause and send the rubbish tongs directly to Moratinos. Waiting to hear back from Rebekah regarding her exact postal address and all going well, the ditch pigs backs will hurt a little bit less this year. Buen Camino, SY

 

[VNwalking]

Wow. Fast work, and wonderful news!
But...The notorious Spanish customs?? I hope the hassle and ransom are not a confounding glitches.
Meanwhile, I'm good for a contribution--though it will have to be after the fact and in person....

 

[SYates]

Yes, I thought about customs also but as that will be an cross EU delivery and the company uses UPS and similar that should be hopefully not a problem, SY

 

[MinaKamina]

I am coming from Germany via bus, will have a look online and see what is available. SY

AldiSüd may have them still on offer as I write.
Definitely NOT the kind of item that you want to travel with all to Santiago, but it will do the job for a while. And donating it after a while for the next volunteer is a splendid idea

 

[Saint Mike II]

Ok, they just came back to me and - Good News! They are happy to make an exception for a good cause and send the rubbish tongs directly to Moratinos. Waiting to hear back from Rebekah regarding her exact postal address and all going well, the ditch pigs backs will hurt a little bit less this year. Buen Camino, SY

SY - I never ceased to be amazed; inspired by my extended Camino family. The range of comments above will (I hope) please Ginny and again hopefully, motivate all pilgrims to (1) pick up any rubbish; (2) not rubbish SPAIN. Great news on tongs. (BTW I have an address for Reb, but will wait for her to advise you directly). M
(2nd BTW - how are you paying for these tongs?? Need a donation/contribution??)

 

[SYates]

@Saint Mike II I will pay for them upfront and if the Ditch Pig fund has a couple of Euros left after wining and dining us all that could go towards the tongs if @Rebekah Scott agrees. As soon as I have her address and know the final cost I will figure out the fine details, but thanks for the offer! Buen Camino, SY

 

[MinaKamina]

Price at AldiSüd is € 4.99
https://www.discounter-archiv.de/Greifhilfe-mit-Magnet-ALDI-Sued_p1886514.php

the offer dates from October 13, not that long ago. I will take a look next time I'm there.

 

[vlebe]

I think that the only satisfaction that I got out of litter picking on the Aragonese came from being thorough. Momentarily, at least, it was done. Last year, I picked up some of the less disgusting bits from the Frances - candy wrappers, etc., but I never felt like I was accomplishing anything. This year, I got nearly eaverything from the Aragonese, and I am counting on @vlebe for follow up. This is much more satisfying. But it was not my Camino until I allowed myself to move on. It helped that it was, in name at least, a different Camino. I felt like I had done my part.

Hi @Albertagirl ! You most certainly can count on me to follow up your work on cleaning up the Aragones!!!

Although I'm a bit surprised that even in the Aragones the rubbish piles up! How bad it is in a "Camino Frances Scale" comparison?

 

[Icacos]

I think in one of her latest posts on the ditch pigs' thread, @Rebekah Scott mentioned that she's got some litter picker-uppers for this year's clean up. Check with her maybe.

 

[Albertagirl]

Hi @Albertagirl ! You most certainly can count on me to follow up your work on cleaning up the Aragones!!!

Although I'm a bit surprised that even in the Aragones the rubbish piles up! How bad it is in a "Camino Frances Scale" comparison?

@vlebe
Two places were so bad that I didn't even try. The first was a lovely grassy area, just off the Camino, which was liberally littered with toilet paper. The second was places where the pilgrim route was adjacent to the highway and most of the litter had apparently been jettisoned out of car windows, or was the result of persons in cars stopping to relieve themselves near the road. I considered that this second type was not my responsibility, and it was, in any case, far too much for a single pedestrian litter picker upper. Comparisons to litter on the Frances are hard to make, but I did wonder if this was one summer's worth of litter, or years' worth. I tried to clear the trail and generally did not have energy for any more. Good luck.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Dear AlbertaGirl, I hereby declare you a DitchPig! Thank you for what you have done, and may you return again to pick up several more tons of debris!

After years of picking up litter along the Camino, I have decided it does not matter who put the trash there. We're only concerned with clearing the Way, not deciding who's the moron or why it got there. Yeah, we pick up after farmers, truckers, picnickers, and teen parties as well as piggy pilgrims. We're ecumenical that way.

We can pay for the pick-uppers with the funds donated for the Pigs Program, if they can get here on time. Keith has brought a couple of different models of these from UK a couple of different years, but they managed to fold themselves up or collapse after a couple of days' use.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

@Rebekah Scott the really awful section was between Astorga and Molinasecca. When I walked in spring this year Navarra, Palencia and Galicia were all pretty good, I thought. But the section between Astorga and Molinasecca was a bit heart-rending, especially as it is has such natural beauty.

Maybe we'll have to do a little day-trip? An overnighter, perhaps? Our new litter wagon is in Santa Catalina de Somoza...

 

[C clearly]

I have decided it does not matter who put the trash there. We're only concerned with clearing the Way

That's the best attitude! Then you can enjoy the accomplishment without feeling hostile.

 

[Kanga]

@Albertagirl were the bad sections of the Aragones in France, as well as Spain? When we've walked the chermins in France we've noted how clean they were. Its a pity if that is no longer the case.

 

[Albertagirl]

@Albertagirl were the bad sections of the Aragones in France, as well as Spain? When we've walked the chermins in France we've noted how clean they were. Its a pity if that is no longer the case.

@Kanga
I only walked three days on the Camino d'Arles, much of it in the pouring rain. Parts of that final section of the route up to the Somport Pass were right beside the highway. The margins of the highway were liberally littered with empty cigarette packets, which I could only assume had been tossed out of car windows. The final climb up to the pass, which was on a trail, was almost entirely empty of litter. Since my commitment to litter picking was limited to the Camino Aragones, I paid relatively little attention to litter on the Camino d'Arles. For various reasons (route finding, altitude gain, distances to walk, etc.) it was a demanding start to a long walk.

 

[Walton]

We have just returned after walking the Camino from St. Jean to Santiago.

Along the way, on each day I made it a point to pick up rubbish especially rubbish that wouldn't break down over time such as aluminium lolly wrappers, ring pull can tops and plastic.

We noticed that there was a lot more rubbish along the highway routes and figured that a lot of this is probably vehicle driver discarded rubbish.

Nevertheless, there is a lot of toilet paper on the way. Spain is not noted for providing public toilets and there are some long stretches where if the call of nature happens, one must go. But seriously, who attends the call of nature just a few metres from the track? Why can't pilgrims who are walking at least 100 kilometres just walk 100 metres of so from the track to attend to this kind of thing?

We also saw men walking and riding the track just stop and pee just one metre from the track in full view of everyone. Unbelievable.

The Sarria to Santiago section is quite heavily littered and we guess that would be due to the large crowds that walk this section.

We also saw, on a few occasions where there were trash bins that were overflowing with rubbish. Here it is not pilgrims doing the wrong thing but rather laziness on the part of those who are charged with maintaining those rubbish bin facilities.

Returning to the toilet issue again, we were unable to find a toilet from Orisson to Roncevelles. Surely, the Camino Association could impose some kind of levy and raise funds for installing the kinds of eco-friendly toilets that one finds in National Parks all over the world? How hard would that be?

Anyway, that's our 10 cents worth

Cheers

Walton

 

[SYates]

... We also saw men walking and riding the track just stop and pee just one metre from the track in full view of everyone. Unbelievable. ...

Welcome to Europe - at least those men didn't leave any toilet paper behind ;-)
...

Returning to the toilet issue again, we were unable to find a toilet from Orisson to Roncevelles. Surely, the Camino Association could impose some kind of levy and raise funds for installing the kinds of eco-friendly toilets that one finds in National Parks all over the world? How hard would that be?

Feel free to do it! The Spanish and French Camino associations are run by volunteers and have very little funds but I am sure they would accept your offer to do a fundraiser for the installation of such a toilet (and its maintenance fee!).

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I will admit, I have no idea where there is road or not on the Napoleon, when I walked it was pure white everywhere...so if there is a road, then it should be possible to put a portajohn...but how costly to run a truck up there to empty it? It would make a good photo-op, though, a long line of walkers waiting for their turn, like before a marathon starts.

I was amazed once, walking I think west of Astorga, to see a man get out of a car and urinate, right on the side of the road, probably less than 1-2 km from the town. He almost accidentally made it into the picture I was taking of the road sign (I take the town names when possible so I can keep the pictures straight afterwards).

that was one reason I wondered about the efficacy of handing out handkerchiefs...someone unwilling to bag up and carry their used tissue is in my opinion less willing to carry and wash a handkerchief.

I don't get it, there are very few places where toilets are not readily available (and I have walked some of the less traveled routes)...but if you have to run behind a tree, for goodness sake bring the tissue along with you to the next trash can.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

and this is something that really makes me sad to be a walker (not a picture I took, from a spanish newspaper I lost the reference)

 

[SYates]

Plenty of them in Galicia, often combined with the no-camping pictogram. Buen Camino, SY

 

[C clearly]

the Camino Association could impose some kind of levy

I don't think there is a camino association with authority to impose a levy. The problem is also in maintenance. As you pointed out, placing a garbage bin is easy and cheap, whereas the maintenance program is not so easy or cheap. (I'm not convinced that laziness is the issue.) Neither am I keen on seeing portajohns scattered along the camino and I'm not sure that the litterers would use them. However, it might be worth considering if there were an authority with budget.

We also saw men walking and riding the track just stop and pee just one metre from the track in full view of everyone. Unbelievable.

Not so unbelievable. Being seen peeing is not such a scandalous thing in Europe, as it is to us Anglos.

 

[Albertagirl]

Dear AlbertaGirl, I hereby declare you a DitchPig! Thank you for what you have done, and may you return again to pick up several more tons of debris!

After years of picking up litter along the Camino, I have decided it does not matter who put the trash there. We're only concerned with clearing the Way, not deciding who's the moron or why it got there. Yeah, we pick up after farmers, truckers, picnickers, and teen parties as well as piggy pilgrims. We're ecumenical that way.

We can pay for the pick-uppers with the funds donated for the Pigs Program, if they can get here on time. Keith has brought a couple of different models of these from UK a couple of different years, but they managed to fold themselves up or collapse after a couple of days' use.

@Rebekah Scott
Thank you for the title, which must remain honorary until such a time as I am able to attend your communal activities the end of November. I remain active, however, wherever I am. I was introduced into litter picking up at an early age on family road trips. When we stopped for lunch at public picnic areas, father would announce that we were to "police" the area, which involved searching for litter throughout the picnic sites. I cannot remember that we ever found much, except for bottle caps. When I started to walk in the mountains many years later, I always tried to carry out as much as I could of whatever litter I found, and I still do, in my home neighbourhood, as well. It. Is love that urges this, love for home, for natural beauty, for special places. But you know more of this than I do. Thanks again for recognition.

 

[joanneking]

What about using those rubbish picker-upperer claw things? No back bending or actual touching of the rubbish. You can donate them to an albergue when you're done.

I thought of that at the time, and will take some when I go back next September. Good idea to donate them at the end. Thank you, Matthew!

 

[kdespot]

I'm sure this has been discussed before (what hasn't?), but seems that it would be a good idea for all the folks who hand out credentials (pilgrims' offices, bars, etc) to implore pilgrims to help keep the Camino clean. Specifically, in the common toilet spots it's easy enough to have a plastic bag in the accessible area of your pack and then you just toss the paper in there, tie it up, and drop it in the next garbage can you encounter. I'm thinking that just bringing it to pilgrims' awareness might cut down on some of the littering.

 

[Deleted member 56069]

If you are dropping your crap while walking, you are on a hike, not a Camino. Seriously could not believe the amount of garbage in some sections.
Kind of sad, it is always about treading lightly and having respect for the trail you are walking.
I had a bag with me which I filled while walking and dumped at each town.

 

[oldchieft]

Hi all.
I am new round here so I thought I would try to work out how to post pictures

I think this shows the sort of problem, how does this fits in with the prayer?

Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage.
That I lay at the feet of the cross of the Savour.
Weigh the balance in favour of my good deeds.
When the deeds of all my life are judged.
Let it be so.



The work that happens cleaning up the way, is good works the will truly weigh the balance in the favour those that do that work.

Also the amazing work that happens marking the way to guide pilgrims makes it the best place to walk that I know.

Buen Camino, to everyone. I look forward to my next outing to Santiago.

Jon the Chief

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hi all.
I am new round here so I thought I would try to work out how to post pictures. I think this shows the sort of problem, how does this fits in with the prayer?
Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage.
That I lay at the feet of the cross of the Savour.
Weigh the balance in favour of my good deeds.
When the deeds of all my life are judged.
Let it be so.

The work that happens cleaning up the way, is good works the will truly weigh the balance in the favour those that do that work.
Also the amazing work that happens marking the way to guide pilgrims makes it the best place to walk that I know.
Buen Camino, to everyone. I look forward to my next outing to Santiago. Jon the Chief

Thanks Chief - your bottom photo (close up?) really reveals what some "unthinking?" pilgrims thought were appropriate "mementos". I had a similar experience at the Cruz de Ferro - underwear (nickers/bras) half empty wine bottles (what a waste). Maybe the rule for memorial crosses only stones or a simple cutting from a tree - nothing man-made!! Cheers

 

[Tulle]

Hi all.
I am new round here so I thought I would try to work out how to post pictures

I think this shows the sort of problem, how does this fits in with the prayer?

Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage.
That I lay at the feet of the cross of the Savour.
Weigh the balance in favour of my good deeds.
When the deeds of all my life are judged.
Let it be so.

View attachment 30250 View attachment 30251

The work that happens cleaning up the way, is good works the will truly weigh the balance in the favour those that do that work.

Also the amazing work that happens marking the way to guide pilgrims makes it the best place to walk that I know.

Buen Camino, to everyone. I look forward to my next outing to Santiago.

Jon the Chief

I was at the same place in September and was as shocked as you of this sight. But I have also a picture of the same cross from two years ago, then there was only a little pile of stones. Perhaps someone is cleaning up sometimes?

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

If you are dropping your crap while walking, you are on a hike, not a Camino. Seriously could not believe the amount of garbage in some sections.
Kind of sad, it is always about treading lightly and having respect for the trail you are walking.
I had a bag with me which I filled while walking and dumped at each town.

If you're dropping your crap while walking you're definitely NOT on a hike. You're a litterbug.

 

[oldchieft]

Hi Tulle
The pictures were taken about 14.00 on the 13th of September, maybe we met around that time?
I was walking with Ann my wife. (in shot on the picture and below)


Best wishes
Jon and Ann

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I walked the Ingles in July, and didn't see this. Can you remember exactly where it is? Looks like I might do a bit of a Solo Strike in Galicia this Christmastide, just to hit the really bad spots...

 

[oldchieft]

The cruceiro is near the top elevation before Hospital de Bruma, if you Google 43°10'15.6"N 8°18'54.0"W and change to maps. Then change to satellite view, then zoom in.

Johnnie Walker, says little about it in the guide.
" Pass a cruceiro in a clearing with a forest path coming from the left. Follow the waymarker just past the cruceiro taking the Right hand path."

But to me, it was one of the gems of the Camino.

Jon the Chief