Meandering my way after dodgy start

[Nomaddeb]

Greetings, I haven’t seen any recent posts on the del Norte so thought I would share insight into my journey in case anyone is about to commence their camino.

I started in Santander two weeks ago after a dodgy start with a vomiting gastro bug so started slowly, slowly until I was 100%.

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Other than two days experiencing dodgy wet, windy weather, the days have been beautiful. A lot of puddles to jump over on the tracks but that’s fun, although it can be slippery. My poles have been getting a workout keeping me upright

For the first couple of days after leaving Santander and then Santillana, I saw up to 5 pilgrims each day but I have gone days without seeing anyone, although today I walked for an hour with another pilgrim.
The scenery on the del Norte is incredible.
Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

 

[Tincatinker]

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Isn't it wonderful that we keep on learning even at our age

 

[J Willhaus]

Forecast for serious storm headed toward Spain starting tonight.

 

[TravellingMan22]

Forecast for serious storm headed toward Spain starting tonight.

Indeed Thursday is looking especially wet and windy with Galicia beating the brunt!

 

[Tincatinker]

My local river has gone walk about. The fish in my pond have just asked if they can come in and dry out for a bit.

My fishing trip today offered much opportunity. And the forecast is for rain.

Oh well. It’s only weather. I just hope the Broad Bean seeds don’t drown. The shallot are already a write-off.

 

[ELHS220]

Greetings, I haven’t seen any recent posts on the del Norte so thought I would share insight into my journey in case anyone is about to commence their camino.

I started in Santander two weeks ago after a dodgy start with a vomiting gastro bug so started slowly, slowly until I was 100%.

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Other than two days experiencing dodgy wet, windy weather, the days have been beautiful. A lot of puddles to jump over on the tracks but that’s fun, although it can be slippery. My poles have been getting a workout keeping me upright

For the first couple of days after leaving Santander and then Santillana, I saw up to 5 pilgrims each day but I have gone days without seeing anyone, although today I walked for an hour with another pilgrim.
The scenery on the del Norte is incredible.
Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

Cudillero is a beautiful spot, but anyone that lives there must have legs of steel. I gave up on the idea of trying to climb the maze of alleyways leading to the top.

 

[Nomaddeb]

Yes, I’m not looking forward to leaving this morning, definitely a steep descent yesterday so will be tough.
Thanks for the weather update, forecast shows very wet in this region as well

 

[jabrown]

Greetings, I haven’t seen any recent posts on the del Norte so thought I would share insight into my journey in case anyone is about to commence their camino.

I started in Santander two weeks ago after a dodgy start with a vomiting gastro bug so started slowly, slowly until I was 100%.

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Other than two days experiencing dodgy wet, windy weather, the days have been beautiful. A lot of puddles to jump over on the tracks but that’s fun, although it can be slippery. My poles have been getting a workout keeping me upright

For the first couple of days after leaving Santander and then Santillana, I saw up to 5 pilgrims each day but I have gone days without seeing anyone, although today I walked for an hour with another pilgrim.
The scenery on the del Norte is incredible.
Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

Sounds wonderful. Peaceful isolation and much to contemplate.

 

[Patterson]

Greetings, I haven’t seen any recent posts on the del Norte so thought I would share insight into my journey in case anyone is about to commence their camino.

I started in Santander two weeks ago after a dodgy start with a vomiting gastro bug so started slowly, slowly until I was 100%.

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Other than two days experiencing dodgy wet, windy weather, the days have been beautiful. A lot of puddles to jump over on the tracks but that’s fun, although it can be slippery. My poles have been getting a workout keeping me upright

For the first couple of days after leaving Santander and then Santillana, I saw up to 5 pilgrims each day but I have gone days without seeing anyone, although today I walked for an hour with another pilgrim.
The scenery on the del Norte is incredible.
Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

Enjoy! Finished del Norte in June, will go back any time. All the best with rain, we decided a €2 plastic poncho from Chinese bazaar shop best bit of rain equipment ever.

 

[pelerine]

Forecast for serious storm headed toward Spain starting tonight.

Indeed Thursday is looking especially wet and windy with Galicia beating the brunt!

That was last night, I think. We are told to stay indoors until tomorrow afternoon. Trains cancelled and lorries forbidden to travel. Storm expected to hit us in the middle of the night before going off north along our coast to the Channel islands and the UK…

 

[annette zarb]

Greetings, I haven’t seen any recent posts on the del Norte so thought I would share insight into my journey in case anyone is about to commence their camino.

I started in Santander two weeks ago after a dodgy start with a vomiting gastro bug so started slowly, slowly until I was 100%.

Lessons learned: Don’t babysit sick grandbabies before heading of to do Camino.

Other than two days experiencing dodgy wet, windy weather, the days have been beautiful. A lot of puddles to jump over on the tracks but that’s fun, although it can be slippery. My poles have been getting a workout keeping me upright

For the first couple of days after leaving Santander and then Santillana, I saw up to 5 pilgrims each day but I have gone days without seeing anyone, although today I walked for an hour with another pilgrim.
The scenery on the del Norte is incredible.
Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

Thanks for the info. I am thinking of doing this route in 2025. Just finished the Portuguese and loved it.
Cuderillo wow.
Can you keep me updated especially on the hardest parts as we are going to start probably from somewhere like Llanes.

 

[Nomaddeb]

That was last night, I think. We are told to stay indoors until tomorrow afternoon. Trains cancelled and lorries forbidden to travel. Storm expected to hit us in the middle of the night before going off north along our coast to the Channel islands and the UK…

Stayed in Novellena last night, power went off at least half a dozen times and had to wear earplugs to block out the howling wind. I think there is a warning still in place until tonight, and it’s also raining now. Might be a tough day. Also got an email from a place I had booked closer to Santiago, they cancelled booking due to flood damage

 

[Nomaddeb]

Thanks for the info. I am thinking of doing this route in 2025. Just finished the Portuguese and loved it.
Cuderillo wow.
Can you keep me updated especially on the hardest parts as we are going to start probably from somewhere like Llanes.

I found yesterday a challenge, lots of ups and downs and due to rain some of the paths heading into Soto de Luina were very steep and slippery. Totally recommend staying in Cuderillo though, a magical place.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Tonight, I have taken a small detour off the Camino to stay at Cuderillo - totally worth the deviation.

I did the same and Cuderillo was a definite highlight for me; probably my favorite village on the second half of the Norte, with Luarca being my next favorite.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Cudillero is a beautiful spot, but anyone that lives there must have legs of steel. I gave up on the idea of trying to climb the maze of alleyways leading to the top.

I tramped up many of the delightful meandering walkways wearing my backpack and took way too many pictures as everywhere I looked was so colorful...I even climbed the lookout at the top.

 

[TravellingMan22]

That was last night, I think. We are told to stay indoors until tomorrow afternoon. Trains cancelled and lorries forbidden to travel. Storm expected to hit us in the middle of the night before going off north along our coast to the Channel islands and the UK…

Is that France? Very windy here today in Paris. Lots of cancelled flights I believe. I am hoping to fly back to Spain tonight… flight is still scheduled to go though lots of cancellation and diversions!

 

[El Cascayal]

Remember to steer clear of Palancas (horribly overgrown & vandalized route) and take the coastal route from Soto de Luiña. Buen Camino!
PS: Cudillero is a wonderful spot!

 

[pelerine]

Is that France? Very windy here today in Paris. Lots of cancelled flights I believe. I am hoping to fly back to Spain tonight… flight is still scheduled to go though lots of cancellation and diversions!

Brittany, lots of damage, but calmed down now. 500,000 of 800,000 plus households still without electricity and telephones…
Will stop now. I think we we are somewhat off-thread here!

 

[JimG59]

I tramped up many of the delightful meandering walkways wearing my backpack and took way too many pictures as everywhere I looked was so colorful...I even climbed the lookout at the top.
View attachment 159568View attachment 159569

Wow, shivering just looking at it.

Good post keep the info coming. Any highlights or lowlights from your first two weeks on the Camino.
Thinking about doing the CdN Feb- mid-March 2024