MarkyD
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés 31/08/2018 - 20/10/2018
A few days ago an old friend of mine asked me if I would like to join him picking up where he left the Camino del Norte about 3 or 4 years ago as he took the left fork at Casquita to go on to Oviedo and join the Camino Primativo. So for me, having mused through the summer about possible "short caminos" and weighing up risks and inconveniences about doing it at all, eventually it appears that the Camino has called me.
I live in Madrid, which is about to restrict movement in and out of 37 areas of the community, but luckily where I live is not in the list of restricted areas (at least for now, so fingers crossed it stays that way).
We'll hopefully be starting around 3rd October. My friend will be getting a flight from the UK to Santander first, and then bus to Oviedo. I guess from Oviedo we might walk back to Villaviciosa or get a bus, we shall see what happens.
Living in Spain now for several years I am well aware of the weather situation that is likely to greet us on the Asturian coast, and later the green rolling hills of Galicia. I'm not sure what accommodation options might be available, but I'm reasonably confident that we will find something each day. I speak fluent Spanish, which will help with making phone calls ahead etc.
It would be great to bump into anyone on this forum who might be on the same route, but how will I recognise them? I seem to remember there was an idea floated on this forum of a badge or something to identify us. But maybe it will be more of a surprise if it pops up in casual conversation, as most Camino synchronocity experiences often do.
I have a couple of weeks to test rain gear, mess around with boots, backpack and kit. I've been doing regular training walks this week and will continue for the next two weeks before heading north.
Perhaps this Camino might not have been my preferred choice to do next, nor the time of year, nor the current situation of uncertainty and risk; but the Camino has chosen me at this time and in that place. My first Camino in 2018 started with a practice walk going in reverse direction from Orio to San Sebastian, I then went to Irún to collect my credential but then went on to SJPP to think about which Camino I would start. Once there I had a clear sign that I should start there. Coincidentally, it was the same friend that had advised me to do the Camino Francés first. So now it looks like we will both walk part of El Norte, which will leave me with a "to do list" item of completing the route by walking the previous part another time.
I live in Madrid, which is about to restrict movement in and out of 37 areas of the community, but luckily where I live is not in the list of restricted areas (at least for now, so fingers crossed it stays that way).
We'll hopefully be starting around 3rd October. My friend will be getting a flight from the UK to Santander first, and then bus to Oviedo. I guess from Oviedo we might walk back to Villaviciosa or get a bus, we shall see what happens.
Living in Spain now for several years I am well aware of the weather situation that is likely to greet us on the Asturian coast, and later the green rolling hills of Galicia. I'm not sure what accommodation options might be available, but I'm reasonably confident that we will find something each day. I speak fluent Spanish, which will help with making phone calls ahead etc.
It would be great to bump into anyone on this forum who might be on the same route, but how will I recognise them? I seem to remember there was an idea floated on this forum of a badge or something to identify us. But maybe it will be more of a surprise if it pops up in casual conversation, as most Camino synchronocity experiences often do.
I have a couple of weeks to test rain gear, mess around with boots, backpack and kit. I've been doing regular training walks this week and will continue for the next two weeks before heading north.
Perhaps this Camino might not have been my preferred choice to do next, nor the time of year, nor the current situation of uncertainty and risk; but the Camino has chosen me at this time and in that place. My first Camino in 2018 started with a practice walk going in reverse direction from Orio to San Sebastian, I then went to Irún to collect my credential but then went on to SJPP to think about which Camino I would start. Once there I had a clear sign that I should start there. Coincidentally, it was the same friend that had advised me to do the Camino Francés first. So now it looks like we will both walk part of El Norte, which will leave me with a "to do list" item of completing the route by walking the previous part another time.
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