Just a year ago today

[ConnachtRambler]

On this day in 2010 myself and my wife set out from St Jean-Pied-de-Port on what we expected to be a memorable journey and we were not disappointed. We arrived in Santiago on June 1, taking a little longer than the guidebooks suggest, but feeling elated.

It would be tempting to try to do it all over again but we are viewing it as a once in a life time experience and are instead thinking of attempting the Camino Portugués from Porto in late September.

By the way if anyone is in doubt as to whether they will be able to complete the Camino Frances, it is a case of 'if you believe you can, you can'. Given my age and health history I sought medical advice before leaving and was told to go for it. From the minute I booked the Ryanair flight to Biarritz I was never in any doubt that we would complete it. I suspect some of the wonderful people we met along the way were not so confident about our ability to last the course.

It was tough and we were wrecked at the end of each day but it is amazing what a night's sleep can do. If we passed people along the way it was because they were stopped for a rest. On only one occasion did we pass fellow pilgrims who were actually walking slower than us, and I think that was because they were engrossed in conversation.

May anyone who is starting out on the Camino today end up with at least as many positive memories as we have.

 

[Arn]

Congrats on your 1st Camino Anniversary!

Now the Camino continues to work with you and all as the Way opens up to embrace your efforts.

Buen "the best time...is the next time" Camino

Arn

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Great "year after" memoire. I confess to being less sure that I would finish; I just took it one day at a time, and examined whether I could finish that day. The answer always was "yes."

We must set up a race some day. I do not recall passing anyone who was not stopped. For a few days we would pass a French couple in their eighties, only to have them cruise by thirty minutes later. Our race could be genuinely heroic; a struggle to be last in order to win.

Many successful adventures to you in the future.

 

[ConnachtRambler]

Great "year after" memoire. I confess to being less sure that I would finish; I just took it one day at a time, and examined whether I could finish that day. The answer always was "yes."

We must set up a race some day. I do not recall passing anyone who was not stopped. For a few days we would pass a French couple in their eighties, only to have them cruise by thirty minutes later. Our race could be genuinely heroic; a struggle to be last in order to win.

Many successful adventures to you in the future.

I am slow at replying also

Taking it a day at a time is important - whenever I am asked did we "really walk 500 miles" I say "No, we walked 14 miles each day for 36 days". At the same time the thought of not walking all the way to Santiago never crossed my mind.

I have had a few 8km walks recently and reckon I am slower this year than last so should be in good shape for the race you suggest. A few steep climbs would, I think, tip the scales in my favour.