My son on the Camino - a live update from mum in Australia

[KateB]

Hi - I've had a few people ask me if I can post some updates on how Jack and his friends are getting along so rather than tack onto the beginning thread from SJPDP, I'll just post a few lines each day when he contacts me.

Today the overnight stop was Uterga. They left Pamplona and crossed the Perdon Pass, taking some bewitching photos of the whooping wind turbines and the pilgrim sculptures. The sun was out, scattered fluffy clouds dotted the skyline and carpets of yellow wildflowers were their companions. He took a photo of his friends walking in the middle distance front of him, surrounded by that view of those flowers and blue sky. It was so beautiful it caught in my throat when I tried to explain to someone today.

Not sure of his next stop - presume Puente la Reina - and if you see him and his four friends - say hi!

 

[VNwalking]

Beautiful!

 

[Kiwi-family]

I can *see* those photos in your description! You better watch out - you'll be the next one walking;-)

 

[Introibo]

Hi hi KateB. How nice that you can follow your sons progress almost day to day.

To make sure he keeps in touch maybe you could end all your replies with "cliff hangers"? Example. "Glad to hear it's going well Jack. I'll tell you how I got on getting the roo out of the kitchen latter." He's bound to get back to you!

 

[Pabloke]

I guess those carpets of yellow flowers are the wide fields of rape.

Impressive view. Of course.

 

[KateB]

Yesterday they walked from Uterga to Estella. A very long day. He described his fatigue as 'broken knees, ruined body'.

 

[cher99840]

Yesterday they walked from Uterga to Estella. A very long day. He described his fatigue as 'broken knees, ruined body'.

I hope he is going at his own pace and not pushing himself to keep up with others.

 

[Kiwi-family]

I hope he is going at his own pace and not pushing himself to keep up with others.

He's young, he's male and he's with a group of friends. He doesn't need to be old and wise yet;-) On the other hand, he may well be one of those many who in a few days start slowing down because they realise they are missing something - or he might just like pushing himself to new limits. There are lots of ways to walk a camino.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Sounds as if you are now enjoying his journey as much as he is. So happy to hear he is doing well, despite the aching joints ;0), and that you also have a smile on your face. This will be a very important event in his life, and you were there all the way along with him.

 

[Pattii]

I am glad you are not worrying anymore and that he is enjoying himself. I hope you continue to post about his progress as it is encouraging to all of us.

 

[t2andreo]

Uterga is the location of the fabled winery offering free red wine and water from two taps built into the wall of the winery on the Camino path. It may not be the best vintage, but you do tend to get what you pay for. On the other hand, free has a quality all its own.

I hope he was responsible. Too many folks empty their water bottles for the free wine. On a warm, dry summery day, this is not a wise idea. In any event, I am certain he and his fellow pilgrims enjoyed themselves.

 

[cher99840]

I thought the wine was at Estella. Have I been giving out bad info?

 

[mspath]

Uterga is the location of the fabled winery offering free red wine and water from two taps built into the wall of the winery on the Camino path. It may not be the best vintage, but you do tend to get what you pay for. On the other hand, free has a quality all its own....

You mean Irache don't you? The winery is just before the monastery and slightly west of Estella. Wherever it may be and whatever the weather those taps are always very popular with passing pilgrims.

 

[SYates]

Uterga is the location of the fabled winery offering free red wine and water from two taps built into the wall of the winery on the Camino path. ...

Nops! You confuse it with Irache, just walking out of Estella, passed Ayegui! SY

 

[KateB]

He actually missed the winery with the outside taps. They knew about it and were looking forward to it (of course - they're 19!) but somehow they passed it by without realising. I think he was a tad disappointed by that

They're in Los Arcos at the moment after walking an 'easy' (his words) 22km today. He sent a photo of the world map etched into the hillside and another one that showed the path snaking off into the distance, dotted with pilgrims and rippling, silky green grass on either side, blazing blue sky overhead.

He said the mornings are cool but it warms up to hot afternoons. He also said many of the albergues where they're staying don't provide dinner (he was budgeting for their cheap eats) so his budget is blowing out - not too much but paying for restaurant food isn't what he expected.

He has only one blister which is minor. He's wearing Asics trainers but very expensive hiking socks so am not sure if that is making the difference. His pack also weighs 8kg but I guess even that's heavy after walking with it for 30km.

Our chat at 1am (my time in Australia) ended with him sending a short video of the five of them crashed out on their bunk beds, all on their phones to home and looks of utter exhaustion on their faces.

Not sure of next stop - I guess Torres del Rio - it depends on energy levels.

Thanks for all your positive words and encouragement - I'm passing them onto him

 

[Juno]

If they are exhausted could it be that they are not drinking enough water, stopping for breaks at popular bars along the way and eating either an energy bar or something like fruit & nuts? It might also be useful to get rehydration tablets to add to their water bottle to sip as they walk, obtainable in the pharmacies in tubes of 24. Not all Albergues have restaurants but with their shell on their rucksacks some restaurants charge less for pilgrims so there's no harm in asking if there's a menu for pelegrinos!

 

[KateB]

Juno - thanks for the tip about the shell and discounts - will pass that on - and the tip about the rehydration tablets - all advice is so welcome.
It's 12.00 (midday) Spanish time and 8.00pm here in Australia so will await the 1am messages and his photos of him and his friends - five young Australians who - this time last year - were still in high school.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I suspect the joy of discovery and freedom is all the elixir they need. They are veterans now, probably giving advice themselves. Whatever they need, they will figure it out!

 

[KateB]

The boys are in Logrono after a 30km walk today. There was no room at any albergues so they had to spring for a hotel room which has added another hole in the budget but as I said to him - enjoy the privacy and peace! Enjoy sleeping on sheets and not having to share a bathroom.
Part of this walk was along a road which I wasn't expecting but he assured me it was very quiet.
More endless blue skies and sore knees.
Can't wait for the photos of Logrono - that bridge is just bewitching!

 

[macao]

 

[Pabloke]

If they are exhausted could it be that they are not drinking enough water, stopping for breaks at popular bars along the way and eating either an energy bar or something like fruit & nuts? It might also be useful to get rehydration tablets to add to their water bottle to sip as they walk, obtainable in the pharmacies in tubes of 24. Not all Albergues have restaurants but with their shell on their rucksacks some restaurants charge less for pilgrims so there's no harm in asking if there's a menu for pelegrinos!

Actually, those menus are the same 'today's menus' you can easily find at almost every spanish bar and bar-restaurant. You can also ask for it even if you are not a pilgrim.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

He also said many of the albergues where they're staying don't provide dinner (he was budgeting for their cheap eats) so his budget is blowing out - not too much but paying for restaurant food isn't what he expected.

KateB, I get the feeling you may have to replentish the bank account. The few albergues that offer food do so at market prices (and when they are donativos you really should be paying market prices, if you can afford it). I also find that buying food at the local grocery store will end up costing the same as dinner '"out on the town" with a "'pilgrim menu", and you end up eating the same thing over and over again unless you share with a group of people and can then buy larger portions of this and that. In a grocery store I tend to buy a package of cold cuts, a tomato, a fruit, a single serving of yogurt. Just that will cost me 6-7 euros or so. There is no thing as a 'cheap eat' on the Camino, just a more or less fairly priced one.

 

[t2andreo]

Nops! You confuse it with Irache, just walking out of Estella, passed Ayegui! SY

Oops. big OOPSIE. Actually my senior moment for the day. I allow myself one each day.

 

[SYates]

Oops. big OOPSIE. Actually my senior moment for the day. I allow myself one each day.

Only one? I need allowance for several silver moments per day ;-) SY

 

[t2andreo]

I ALLOW Myself one senior moment each day. After that, I begin to get increasingly cross with myself.

On the rare day when I hit three such lapses in memory or judgement, I know that it is time to retire to my flat and surf the internet for mindless entertainment and a search to learn something new.