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Not sure if it’s different at different times of the year or not, but I’ve been encountering swarms of flies at many/most of the places I’ve stopped at, starting from the meseta. At times I have to eat with one hand constantly waving the flies off my food. Eating outside when there’s a breeze helps a lot. Some of the villages in Galicia have lots of cattle, which they walk down the street to/from the pastures, so it’s not surprising there are lots of flies in the restaurants/bars. Fresh manure = flies. But yeah, perhaps it’s just a city-folk sensitivity. I’m sure one gets used to them if you’re around them every day.Except for a few sections on the Meseta, I was never much bothered by flies – but of course, there were some and other kinds of insects as well. That’s how it feels for us ‘city-folks’ when we get out into what is known as ‘nature'
so don’t take my post too seriously.
Ha ha, good point. All about perspective. I find myself getting excited walking into a proper city after days of villages.Indeed. Perspective and expectations.
As a countryperson I prefer flies and I get really nervous by all the traffic and noise in the bigger towns.
I'm sure it is, and for different locations, too. Recently on the Lana, I recall two sections of walking (a few hours each) where flies were pesky. However, it was not something that I would normally remember as an issue. Walking on other routes including the Frances in spring and autumn, I honestly cannot remember any flies.Not sure if it’s different at different times of the year or not
Having spent most of my adult life in Vancouver, there’s simply no comparison to what I’ve seen the past 40 days. Not even remotely comparable. As you mention, we don’t have any screens on our windows, as they aren’t necessary. I don’t see many flies in central Vancouver, and even fewer mosquitoes. I can probably count on one hand the number of mosquito bites I’ve had in 30 years. There might be a few more in the suburbs where there’s more greenery. Here on the other hand, I’m currently watching about 50 flies circle around the restaurant. And this place isn’t as bad as some others. Two nights ago I had to continually wave my hand over my food to keep the flies off. No idea if the fly situation is worse this year than other years or other locations, but it is what it is. I made it clear on my previous posts that it’s not something one should be concerned about. Just making an observation about what I’m seeing on the ground as we speak. Happily I haven’t seen a single mosquito since arriving mid-May.I'm sure it is, and for different locations, too. Recently on the Lana, I recall two sections of walking (a few hours each) where flies were pesky. However, it was not something that I would normally remember as an issue. Walking on other routes including the Frances in spring and autumn, I honestly cannot remember any flies.
I also come from Vancouver. Conditions can happen at certain times of year, when a few mosquitos will show up - not enough that we bother to put screens on our windows, but they are annoying at the time. I would certainly never suggest that mosquitos or flies are a "problem" in the Vancouver area! Similarly, I hope people don't come away from reading this thread thinking that flies are a significant issue on the Camino!
And in case there are any bugophobes out there, I haven’t encountered any other creepy crawlies either. Other than the flies it’s generally been a big-free experience here.Having spent most of my adult life in Vancouver, there’s simply no comparison to what I’ve seen the past 40 days. Not even remotely comparable. As you mention, we don’t have any screens on our windows, as they aren’t necessary. I don’t see many flies in central Vancouver, and even fewer mosquitoes. I can probably count on one hand the number of mosquito bites I’ve had in 30 years. There might be a few more in the suburbs where there’s more greenery. Here on the other hand, I’m currently watching about 50 flies circle around the restaurant. And this place isn’t as bad as some others. Two nights ago I had to continually wave my hand over my food to keep the flies off. No idea if the fly situation is worse this year than other years or other locations, but it is what it is. I made it clear on my previous posts that it’s not something one should be concerned about. Just making an observation about what I’m seeing on the ground as we speak. Happily I haven’t seen a single mosquito since arriving mid-May.
Just in case you aren’t kidding, there is absolutely no need for that!(shopping for a head net for September, just in case...)
Lol. Best post of the day.On the Camino Flies can be your friend. They always listen to your complaints after a long hot hard 40k day. After a few beers, sometimes they answer.
My favourite thing about nature in northern Spain is the complete lack of crows, which translates to lots and lots of song birds. I’m going to miss hearing the birds every day.Well here at home pesky squirrels are a real problem. Digging up gardens and potted plants constantly. Never saw one single squirrel on my Camino walk this spring. I had flies as well towards the end of my walk while in cow country.
Nature doesn’t care and to get by these nuisances…we need to spend more time in nature…so we are less bothered by them.
...
(shopping for a head net for September, just in case...)
I'm sure it is, and for different locations, too. Recently on the Lana, I recall two sections of walking (a few hours each) where flies were pesky. However, it was not something that I would normally remember as an issue. Walking on other routes including the Frances in spring and autumn, I honestly cannot remember any flies.
I also come from Vancouver. Conditions can happen at certain times of year, when a few mosquitos will show up - not enough that we bother to put screens on our windows, but they are annoying at the time. I would certainly never suggest that mosquitos or flies are a "problem" in the Vancouver area! Similarly, I hope people don't come away from reading this thread thinking that flies are a significant issue on the Camino!
Come to outback Australia mate!Just a heads up for those about to walk their first Camino. There are lots and lots of flies. Definitely not in all places, but in many. And not noticeable while walking, just when you stop somewhere. Not a big deal of course, more of a minor nuisance. Perhaps I’m just spoiled, living in a non-fly city, but I was surprised at the number of flies in some places, including where I’m currently sitting writing this. If I lived in Spain I’d choose to live in one of the cities/towns without flies.
I have seen rabbits and squirrels on the Camino Frances as recently as this January. If I saw chipmunks I would probably have my glasses prescription checked as they are mostly a North American family of species though there are some in Asia. Not native to Spain.And as @Dani7 has mentioned, I too have always been surprised to see no squirrels, chipmunks or rabbits on my Caminos, as they seem to be everywhere in the US Midwest.
Good advice, actually. Random food flies are to be expected when communing with nature. However there was a forested section before reaching San Juan de Ortega where the face flies were really quite aggressive little buggers and a lightweight head net would have come in handy!(shopping for a head net for September, just in case...)
When we lived in N.Y., I loved watching chipmunks in our garden.If I saw chipmunks I would probably have my glasses prescription checked as they are mostly a North American family of species though there are some in Asia. Not native to Spain.
Bambi burgers and Tufty tartare. Served with a bottle of Brewdog's famous "The End of History" with a squirrel skin wrapper? Must be a market for that in such an upmarket neighborhoodThe image of his face when I asked why there wasn’t any Venison or Squirrel on the Cafe menu is one I will treasure for some time to come
Come to outback Australia mate!We'll show ya the best flies in the world!! Great source of protein.
I have an excellent recipe for squirrel which comes of all places from my Beatrix Potter Cookbook with the picture of Squirrel Nutkin! As an Aussie, I substitute rabbit for the squirrel. It is delicious.At R.S.P. B Pulborough today the warden was bemoaning the damage done by Deer and Squirrels. The image of his face when I asked why there wasn’t any Venison or Squirrel on the Cafe menu is one I will treasure for some time to come
Don't forget the Airoguard and havagòodweeged!Just a heads up for those about to walk their first Camino. There are lots and lots of flies. Definitely not in all places, but in many. And not noticeable while walking, just when you stop somewhere. Not a big deal of course, more of a minor nuisance. Perhaps I’m just spoiled, living in a non-fly city, but I was surprised at the number of flies in some places, including where I’m currently sitting writing this. If I lived in Spain I’d choose to live in one of the cities/towns without flies.
(shopping for a head net for September, just in case...)
Apparently so. And by getting warm, or cold, or wet.Are people really surprised to see some flies in the countryside and villages around farmland, in summer...?
Yes, flies. Flies landing on my sweaty face. Flies and cow poop are like peas and carrots. Flies in the bars. They certainly helped curb my appetite! What bothered me most about flies on the Norte was watching how they torment the horses. I cursed the owners who can’t be bothered to fit the horses with facial guards. Near Deba on a 90 degree plus day, I watched a trio of horses standing head to hind quarters in order to fan with their tails the face of the others. Oh what we see when we travel at the human rate of speed.Just a heads up for those about to walk their first Camino. There are lots and lots of flies. Definitely not in all places, but in many. And not noticeable while walking, just when you stop somewhere. Not a big deal of course, more of a minor nuisance. Perhaps I’m just spoiled, living in a non-fly city, but I was surprised at the number of flies in some places, including where I’m currently sitting writing this. If I lived in Spain I’d choose to live in one of the cities/towns without flies.
Thanks.Kind of an expression that means, I am not really complaining or telling you off, but maybe I really am. My husband always says instead that he is "just stating facts" and not really complaining although he really is...
Well it is usually meant to be joking and usually taken that way, too.Thanks.
So the person "sayin" this actually knows that they are full of guano whilst pretending that they are not. And presumably expecting others to accept that they are not?
It's a passive-aggressive way of arguing, when someone wants to establish their superior knowledge, opinion, or whatever.What does "just sayin" mean
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