Extras

[el nadador del sol]

Hello My Friends,
Perhaps this has been talked about before. I did a little hunting around, but didn't see anything, so I thought I'd start a thread and see where it goes!
When I walked el Camino Frances (a few different times starting from few different places) I brought along some books, a sketch pad, some writing material/journals, etc. The books were not guides, but rather some literature/poetry.
During my time on del Norte I had some similar "extras".
As I prep for Via de la Plata I am again considering ideas of what I might like to have with me. Whether it be in the evenings or during a midday rest, etc., I know I'll narrow it down to a few "extras" that I might enjoy.
My first journey along el Frances was waaaayyy back in the days before smartphones, facebook, instagram, etc. I had a disposable camera and that was it! So, in keeping with this simplicity, I like to refrain from using such things during my walks. To me, and this is my humble opinion, once they are removed one can spend time being there fully, soaking it in, etc. Naturally, considering the day and age we are in, I will snap a few photos to share with family and, in the evenings, update them with a quick whatsapp notice.
(Wow, this is longer than my initial intention...)
Anyways, considering the length of VdlP and the need to be mindful of space/weight, what extras do you all plan to bring with you along the Way? A bird watching guide? A deck of cards for an evening game of solitaire? A laptop/other such device, for updating blogs, etc.?
Many big Camino hugs!

 

[Davey Boyd]

Chilli sauce always. Made many friends with chilli sauce!
Bubble wrap, for comfortable sitting in wet weather.

Davey

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I consider to bring one of my analogue cameras, light meter and film. Might be a fairly antique one from around 90 years ago.

 

[el nadador del sol]

Chilli sauce always. Made many friends with chilli sauce!
Bubble wrap, for comfortable sitting in wet weather.

Davey

Bubble wrap!!!!!! This is a brilliant idea! (& the chili sauce is a must!)

 

[el nadador del sol]

I consider to bring one of my analogue cameras, light meter and film. Might be a fairly antique one from around 90 years ago.

I think this would be a great "extra"! The pleasure of processing the film would certainly be worth the extra weight of such a setup

 

[Walton]

I bring a light weight rechargeable battery operated shaver - don't like too many whiskers on my face, which add weight anyway .

I'm also going to buy a portable smartphone charger to use on the next trip. There will be a little clothing cull to cut weight to compensate for the extra though. For instance, I carried rainpants all the way from Lisbon to Finnistere without wearing them once. Thankfull for the extra exercise though.

 

[Peregrina 2013]

Playing cards, definitely! My granddaughter volunteered to be the carrier. I'm travelling with 2 other friends with whom I play Continental every month and they love it. I taught my sweet granddaughter how to play and she loves the game and the competition! SO, it's a win, win situation for me because I don't have the extra ounces
Ultreïa!

 

[Theresa Brandon]

Sketchbook and a small watercolor kit

 

[nycwalking]

A journal, and a nice dress or wrap skirt and always a change of shoes plus flip-flops.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I consider to bring one of my analogue cameras, light meter and film. Might be a fairly antique one from around 90 years ago.

Don't you worry about breaking the glass plates?

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Harmonica because I woudn't want to break a ukulele. Don't worry, I never play to an audience.

 

[trecile]

Mascara

 

[Geodoc]

Way too many extras - some because I need them, others because they enhance my journey.

Need - computer/tablet for work (and please don't rehash the "do the Camino to escape work" thing - already discussed in a now closed thread); cell phone (mobile hotspot/maps/tracking)

Enhance journey - deck of cards and cribbage board (anyone interested in a game?); small autofocus binoculars (I like to look at things), small camera with 20X optical zoom (better photos than a cell phone); iPod (for Spanish and French language lessons and the occasional Jimmy Buffett song); electric beard trimmer (don't want to shave, don't want a full beard)

Yeah, it all probably adds a couple of pounds, but it makes my Camino more enjoyable.

 

[trecile]

Way too many extras - some because I need them, others because they enhance my journey.

Need - computer/tablet for work (and please don't rehash the "do the Camino to escape work" thing - already discussed in a now closed thread); cell phone (mobile hotspot/maps/tracking)

Enhance journey - deck of cards and cribbage board (anyone interested in a game?); small autofocus binoculars (I like to look at things), small camera with 20X optical zoom (better photos than a cell phone); iPod (for Spanish and French language lessons and the occasional Jimmy Buffett song); electric beard trimmer (don't want to shave, don't want a full beard)

Yeah, it all probably adds a couple of pounds, but it makes my Camino more enjoyable.

My motto is that you should carry what makes you comfortable, so long as you can comfortably carry it. So if what you bring enhances your Camino and it's not burdensome go for it!

 

[Walton]

Actually, having a granddaughter volunteer to carry weight is not a bad idea. Golfers have caddies so why not granddaughter for Peregrinsos? Caddies might be a lot cheaper though!

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Don't you worry about breaking the glass plates?

Actually, then I would have to bring my camera from 1890 ... but for good reasons I do not ;-) Also one time I lugged my 4x5 planflim camera into the mountains ... pnly to experience zero visibility.
This time it will probably be only a pre-war 120 rollfilm camera

 

[PeteD]

Waterproof socks. As long as my feet are dry, I'm happy

 

[Miki Goldie]

A small jar of vegimite.....

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Actually, then I would have to bring my camera from 1890 ... but for good reasons I do not ;-) Also one time I lugged my 4x5 planflim camera into the mountains ... pnly to experience zero visibility.
This time it will probably be only a pre-war 120 rollfilm camera

Sadly my roll film cameras seldom get used nowadays and the weight! (Fuji GS645S = 900g and Yashica 635 = 1300g!)

I have, however, been playing "old school" photography with my DSLR - set on manual at 1/50 sec, f16 and ISO 100. A 32Mb card (yes they do exist) gives me just 6 frames @ 12Mp (12 @ 6.3Mp) - no cheating, no deleting. B&W of course (this colour film nonsense will never catch on). Surprising good results in bright sunshine (sun behind me of course ) and it concentrates the mind wonderfully on the chosen subject.

My nephew's exhortation (he teaches photography) to "Just go out and buy a Box Brownie" falls on deaf ears.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

(...)
My nephew's exhortation (he teaches photography) to "Just go out and buy a Box Brownie" falls on deaf ears.

Actually, one of my oldies is an Agfa Synchrobox ... it is actually fun and weights as much as a box of matches ;-)

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Actually, one of my oldies is an Agfa Synchrobox ... it is actually fun and weights as much as a box of matches ;-)

I think the appropriate word is SNAP!



though there's enough fungus on the lens of this one to make a mushroom omlette!

 

[japes]

A small jar of vegimite.....

must be an Aussie

 

[Via2010]

Just a light-with isolated matress (100 gr) to have a siesta in the middle of nowhere or to sit down for a picnic in These Long sections without infrastructure. And an open mind of course, encouraging me to talk to locals and fellow pilgrims rather than reading a book.

 

[VNwalking]

deck of cards and cribbage board (anyone interested in a game?)

You're on @Geodoc.
Grand idea.

A small jar of vegimite.....

Mmmmmmm. Also a grand idea! What would it take for you to share that, Miki?

I have a too-large first aid kit. And a camera that I use too much. And a mobile phone that rarely gets used...

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have, however, been playing "old school" photography with my DSLR - set on manual at 1/50 sec, f16 and ISO 100. A 32Mb card (yes they do exist) gives me just 6 frames @ 12Mp (12 @ 6.3Mp) - no cheating, no deleting.

In extremely scenic Seddona, Arizona, USA we stopped in at a photographer's gallery. He wasn't there but the shopkeeper pointed to two lovely pictures of one place and mentioned that they were exceptional in that the photographer normally restricted himself to taking just one photograph a day.

 

[Just Karin]

Mobile phone which I use as a guidebook, map, camera (I have to leave my slr at home because of the weight and my company, who knows with a camera close I forget everything around me including time), writing device, library, and much more. Probably a little gimbal as well as a spare battery

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Way too many extras - some because I need them, others because they enhance my journey.

Need - computer/tablet for work (and please don't rehash the "do the Camino to escape work" thing - already discussed in a now closed thread); cell phone (mobile hotspot/maps/tracking)

Enhance journey - deck of cards and cribbage board (anyone interested in a game?); small autofocus binoculars (I like to look at things), small camera with 20X optical zoom (better photos than a cell phone); iPod (for Spanish and French language lessons and the occasional Jimmy Buffett song); electric beard trimmer (don't want to shave, don't want a full beard)

Yeah, it all probably adds a couple of pounds, but it makes my Camino more enjoyable.

Is cribbage still popular in the US? Used to play it all the time with my Dad - that and "Nap" or Napoleon (which I think you call Euchre in the US?) which has wonderful names for hands like misère, Blücher, Wellington and, of course Napoleon.
Nobody seems to play them anymore so I have to resort to on-line gaming and it's really not as much fun.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

In extremely scenic Seddona, Arizona, USA we stopped in at a photographer's gallery. He wasn't there but the shopkeeper pointed to two lovely pictures of one place and mentioned that they were exceptional in that the photographer normally restricted himself to taking just one photograph a day.

I admire his commitment - my "best shot" of the day is often the one I could have taken if I hadn't run out of memory. My nephew says I could always carry a spare 32Mb memory card (!) but that would be stretching the rules!

 

[Miki Goldie]

You're on @Geodoc.
Grand idea.


Mmmmmmm. Also a grand idea! What would it take for you to share that, Miki?

Just meet me on the Portuguese way (Lisbon) from May 1st....or English Way (Ferrol) June 5th.....
Love

I have a too-large first aid kit. And a camera that I use too much. And a mobile phone that rarely gets used...

 

[VNwalking]

@Miki Goldie :

 

[Geodoc]

Is cribbage still popular in the US?

Beats me. We play it, and that's all that matters to me

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Beats me. We play it, and that's all that matters to me

I wonder if you can play "postal cribbage" like postal chess in days of yore?

 

[FrankWall]

I’m a bit of a techno geek so......
- phone
- mini IPad (I just hate searching for things on my phone plus we can stream some stuff from home if we get the time or inclination.)
- kindle ( gotta have a book to read before I nod off )
- battery bank
- a tiny mp3 player for audiobooks and podcasts I have been downloading (70 hr battery life if I am to believe the eBay seller)

I know it’s a bit of weight the rest of my stuff is pretty light.

 

[nidarosa]

I consider evening clothes, evening sandals, a mobile and mascara essentials, so the only thing I take that is technically superfluous is the guidebook, since I could just follow the arrows or use a mobile app/map. I like having the guidebook though.

 

[el nadador del sol]

I bring a light weight rechargeable battery operated shaver - don't like too many whiskers on my face, which add weight anyway .

I'm also going to buy a portable smartphone charger to use on the next trip. There will be a little clothing cull to cut weight to compensate for the extra though. For instance, I carried rainpants all the way from Lisbon to Finnistere without wearing them once. Thankfull for the extra exercise though.

ohhh I think it's great to grow the 'ol pilgrim people. As you'll see in my photo (avatar?) I was getting kinda shaggy by the end! I was trying to clip it with scissors that were in a small med kit, but then just gave up and let it go wild!

 

[el nadador del sol]

I’m a bit of a techno geek so......
- phone
- mini IPad (I just hate searching for things on my phone plus we can stream some stuff from home if we get the time or inclination.)
- kindle ( gotta have a book to read before I nod off )
- battery bank
- a tiny mp3 player for audiobooks and podcasts I have been downloading (70 hr battery life if I am to believe the eBay seller)

I know it’s a bit of weight the rest of my stuff is pretty light.

Definitely some audiobooks! I really enjoy these in the evening when I was to unwind a bit.

 

[el nadador del sol]

Just a light-with isolated matress (100 gr) to have a siesta in the middle of nowhere or to sit down for a picnic in These Long sections without infrastructure. And an open mind of course, encouraging me to talk to locals and fellow pilgrims rather than reading a book.

I've discovered the mattress is a great idea! Just a closed cell one, very lightweight & they can pack small. They keep the dust etc. off the bum and are very nice to sprawl out on for a little snooze!

Talking to locals is a must!

 

[el nadador del sol]

A small jar of vegimite.....

Well, of course!
One does not simply walk to santiago without vegimite!

 

[el nadador del sol]

Waterproof socks. As long as my feet are dry, I'm happy

Yep! Basically! I could walk with nothin' but my credentials and a tooth brush (ok some clothing, too), as long as my feet are dry and feelin' good, I'm feelin' good!

 

[el nadador del sol]

My motto is that you should carry what makes you comfortable, so long as you can comfortably carry it. So if what you bring enhances your Camino and it's not burdensome go for it!

Certainly! Though I sometimes have to sit back and say "ok, do I need this, really?"

 

[el nadador del sol]

Harmonica because I woudn't want to break a ukulele. Don't worry, I never play to an audience.

Have you thought of investing in a carbon fiber uke? I know they make carbon fiber guitars that are basically indestructible!

 

[Geodoc]

I wonder if you can play "postal cribbage" like postal chess in days of yore?

Beats me. I'm an "in person" kind of person (and considering how much cheating my wife's family does, it would be hard for me to verify via post). Besides, the boasting byplay wouldn't be as much fun (we're very vocal when we play cribbage, or any other card game).

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Have you thought of investing in a carbon fiber uke? I know they make carbon fiber guitars that are basically indestructible!

I have (among others) a Makala Dolphin ukulele made from molded resin - I heartily recommend these for sound and value - you could probably use it to play table tennis (or even lawn tennis) and it wouldn't make a dent!

 

[roving_rufus]

First time I went from Leon to SdeC on CF I took a journal as my extra but since then as I have walked a few other sections and routes a few extras have been added especially as I have walked in January with few other pilgrims so i needed something to do on cold dark nights. My kindle has been added in and a crochet hook and thread. I tend to make something small and simple like a flower and then use it as a gift along the way.

 

[el nadador del sol]

I have (among others) a Makala Dolphin ukulele made from molded resin - I heartily recommend these for sound and value - you could probably use it to play table tennis (or even lawn tennis) and it wouldn't make a dent!

Ukulele

We've taken all of our experience building thousands of guitars to create the most durable and amazing sounding carbon fiber ukulele out there. Perfect for travel and home. Learn more about why this ukulele will change your life!

klosguitars.com

I am looking at one of their guitars. They look amazing!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Something extra, and personal, and "useless" is in my view an absolute necessity -- my craziest one personally was 6 volumes of Marcel Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu in 1994 -- the excellent one-volume Gallimard edition didn't exist back in those days, else I'd have carried that instead.

I had to find out the hard way though that the facsimile 18th Century Latin Breviary I was carrying this time is simply too heavy, and I'll need to leave it at home before restarting, but that's what being 25 years older than I was does to a pilgrim ...

 

[Rozenn]

Hello My Friends,
Perhaps this has been talked about before. I did a little hunting around, but didn't see anything, so I thought I'd start a thread and see where it goes!
When I walked el Camino Frances (a few different times starting from few different places) I brought along some books, a sketch pad, some writing material/journals, etc. The books were not guides, but rather some literature/poetry.
During my time on del Norte I had some similar "extras".
As I prep for Via de la Plata I am again considering ideas of what I might like to have with me. Whether it be in the evenings or during a midday rest, etc., I know I'll narrow it down to a few "extras" that I might enjoy.
My first journey along el Frances was waaaayyy back in the days before smartphones, facebook, instagram, etc. I had a disposable camera and that was it! So, in keeping with this simplicity, I like to refrain from using such things during my walks. To me, and this is my humble opinion, once they are removed one can spend time being there fully, soaking it in, etc. Naturally, considering the day and age we are in, I will snap a few photos to share with family and, in the evenings, update them with a quick whatsapp notice.
(Wow, this is longer than my initial intention...)
Anyways, considering the length of VdlP and the need to be mindful of space/weight, what extras do you all plan to bring with you along the Way? A bird watching guide? A deck of cards for an evening game of solitaire? A laptop/other such device, for updating blogs, etc.?
Many big Camino hugs!

A swimming suit for finisterre!

 

[MileHighPair]

A large microwavable cup. Look on YouTube for meals-in-a-cup. You can cook almost anything in 5 minute in a cup in a microwave. Just a few ounces in the backpack provides the possibility of a homemade hot meal in almost any albergue.

 

[el nadador del sol]

A swimming suit for finisterre!

YES!

 

[el nadador del sol]

A large microwavable cup. Look on YouTube for meals-in-a-cup. You can cook almost anything in 5 minute in a cup in a microwave. Just a few ounces in the backpack provides the possibility of a homemade hot meal in almost any albergue.

Is that like MREs? I've eaten a few of these and, though certainly not mamma's home cookin', they aren't bad!

 

[Paladina]

Something extra, and personal, and "useless" is in my view an absolute necessity -- my craziest one personally was 6 volumes of Marcel Proust's A la recherche du temps perdu in 1994 -- the excellent one-volume Gallimard edition didn't exist back in those days, else I'd have carried that instead.

Did you read all six volumes and if so, did you discard each on completion. I rather like the novel idea of following Swann’s Way!

 

[JabbaPapa]

Did you read all six volumes and if so, did you discard each on completion. I rather like the novel idea of following Swann’s Way!

I didn't discard them on the way, but I did leave a packet in books in Burgos to pick up on the way home.

IIRC I managed to read 3 and some of a 4th, but I needed to keep all of them as I was starting Univ right after the Camino. It was a good choice of "extra" anyway, as I ended up being top in Proust ...

 

[tangata hikoi]

I am carrying a spiky massage ball for my calves. I had terrible Achilles Tendonitis last trip and only massage from my Camino buddy everyday kept me going. This time I'm on my own so need to be able to do it myself if needed...so far it hasn't kicked in again which I'm grateful for

 

[Marcus-UK]

Sadly my roll film cameras seldom get used nowadays and the weight! (Fuji GS645S = 900g and Yashica 635 = 1300g!)

I have, however, been playing "old school" photography with my DSLR - set on manual at 1/50 sec, f16 and ISO 100. A 32Mb card (yes they do exist) gives me just 6 frames @ 12Mp (12 @ 6.3Mp) - no cheating, no deleting. B&W of course (this colour film nonsense will never catch on). Surprising good results in bright sunshine (sun behind me of course ) and it concentrates the mind wonderfully on the chosen subject.

My nephew's exhortation (he teaches photography) to "Just go out and buy a Box Brownie" falls on deaf ears.

I have considered taking my Lubitel medium Format camera since it is lightweight. I would of course only use monochrome film. My Mamiya 645 is way too heavy.