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About a month before my Camino this year I walked into what I thought was an open door, only to find myself on my a$$ after bouncing off of a glass wall. My face took the brunt of it, and all that I could think of was, it's just my face, I can still walk.
Glad I'm not the only one who visited the dig site at Atapuerca. I loved it. Hope you were still able to enjoy it even after your best effort at demolishing the visitors centre?In our CF we stopped for a morning at Atapuerca to visit the palaeontology site of the oldest European man. While waiting for our tour, I walked into a glass door at the reception centre. The door shattered. I got a bruce in my forhead and a sore knee but after the tour we walked another 20 km (or something like that). At least I am not the only one who walks into glass doors.
Good morning!Hey, friends--I would like to suggest that given your situation with the elbow and leg, how about you take it back to the easier time and get pack transport?
Also, you are still putting in a lot of kilometers on this planned walk. Why don't you perhaps build in a rest day every third day---and honor it? Give your bodies a bit more "healing up" time so you don't have an unexpected issue?
I have found that when my body is very tired is when I get careless.
Just a thought!
Be careful with balance in Portugal--and be very careful with the traffic. I understand that in some of the cities (Porto) it can be a bit of an issue.
Let us know how you make out!
Gil--I'm your age, did the Camino last year, saw this hand painted on the back of a waymarking:I am in my mid 70s, planning my fourth pilgrimage for October and for the first time worried about my capabilities.
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing
That is "sort of" what we do on the Forum...Hey, all us "senior" pilgrims should get together for a Camino!
Just go in September to meet up with the other seniors.Hey, all us "senior" pilgrims should get together for a Camino!
The statistics from the Pilgrim Office in Santiago indicate that in October 2016, about 28,000 pilgrims received compostelas from all routes. Of those, 24% (about 7,000) were over 60 years old. There aren't details about which route, or breakdown of ages over 60, but you can expect that in October about 1 in every 4 pilgrims you meet will be over 60.I was thinking that there would be very few people my age walking.
Well, you've let the 'secret' out now! Just don't tell anybody to go in October!Just go in September to meet up with the other seniors.
I am in my mid 70s, planning my fourth pilgrimage for October and for the first time worried about my capabilities.
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing
I am in my mid 70s, planning my fourth pilgrimage for October and for the first time worried about my capabilities.
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing
Hi Gill A, in my experiences I try to forget my body problems (and I got quite a few) and listen and play attention to my needs, I convince myself that is what I want to do and go! On the camino things can happen and not, from the time I start I keep thinking that James is waiting for me at the other end, so I keep going. You are the only person that can decide and take any consequences for it.
And as they say "no pain no camino"
This year has been the longest pilgrimage I have ever done : started from the village of Proceno descending inj 6 day towards Rome on the Via Francigena so that I could get the "Statuto of Rome" at Saint Peter (which is the equivalent of the Compostela in Santiago), next day Francigena in reverse (very complicate course it is not signalised) I entered France via Montginevro 1.876 m down into France Via Arle and entering Spain via the Samport to Puente la Reina and meet the French Camino to Santiago/ Fisterre / Muxia.
At the exit of the peregrino office, there was the Galicia television asking question. You can watch it here. My son kept the count of every days distances.
Hope to be the last Camino but you never know.
(PS)
I'm not mid seventy yet but in a couple of month I be only 71 young.
Ultreya
This year has been the longest pilgrimage I have ever done : started from the village of Proceno descending inj 6 day towards Rome on the Via Francigena s
Sometimes the best thing to do is constantly listen to that voice in your head. And always question yourself. It's a game I play to keep making the right decisions. Being mainly a solo hiker, it has saved me more than a few times. You can call it what you want; I know Who is talking to me. Your confidence level must always remain high. If it's not, there's a reason for it. I'm in my 60's. I don't take the risks that I used to. I want to keep doing this as long as possible, but we've got to be careful. I greatly admire your courage in pursuing a full life. You are in charge. A comforting thought for me is knowing I always have options to change my plans. Buen Camino.
I am in my mid 70s, planning my fourth pilgrimage for October and for the first time worried about my capabilities.
Some background, my first pilgrimage at the age of seventy was just a test. My wife and I walked from Sarria in comfort, someone transported our luggage and pre-planned everything.
The following year the wife and I did it for real, carrying our own packs and starting in Roncesvalles. We did the 800 km in 41 days with me landing in emerg only 3 times with easily reparable malfunctions with a couple of days of rest in Pamplona and in Astorga plus a couple of face stitches in Portomarin. It was an amazing Lent pilgrimage starting on Ash Wednesday and ending in Santiago de Compostela for Holy Week.
The next year we started in Lisboa and walked to Santiago in 31 days. This time without the need of emergency services but with very high heat and lots of blisters. We never had a doubt that we would be able to finish.
Then last year came around. My wife, quite a bit younger than me but in her sixties fell just walking down the street and shattered her elbow. She had surgery and ended with implanted metal appliances. She was totally incapacitated for over a month. She was not completely recovered when my turn came. Again just walking down the street i heard a pop and my left leg gave up. After paramedics, ambulance and all that, the doctor told me that the big tendon above the left knee, the quad tendon, had been severed completely. This time surgery for me and it would be 4 months before I could walk without a cane, though I still have a (probably) permanent limp and trouble particularly going down the stairs. Finally the wife had another surgery to remove the metal bars from her arm.
So here we are, a year later, this time a little afraid of what we can handle. The plan is to go the easy way: we are going to Portugal that is flatter, there is only one climb that is really not too long nor too hard. We are going for shorter walk. We plan to visit Lisboa and Fatima and then by bus to Tomar and start there. according to Brierly, it is only 470 km. We'll make short stages and give ourselves 25 to 30 days to finish. Last time we walked the central route, this time we will try the coastal route.
But I am worried that we may not be able to complete the pilgrimage. So, old pilgrims, you who know that our bodies are not what they use to be. What do you think, what are your experiences.
Thank you for sharing
Thanks. Other than tree damage and roof damage, it wasn't as bad as I expected. When the lights goes out, the howling wind intensifies as the hurricane moves closer. What a display of of force and power! Especially if you're alone (as I often am) in the dark. It all boils down to Faith over Fear. The big thing, of course, is 'What comes next?' Some of our finest people reveal themselves in times like this. Thanks for your concern.Hey Frank. Stay safe in the face of Irma. We are all thinking about those of you in its path.
Thanks. Other than tree damage and roof damage, it wasn't as bad as I expected. When the lights goes out, the howling wind intensifies as the hurricane moves closer. What a display of of force and power! Especially if you're alone (as I often am) in the dark. It all boils down to Faith over Fear. The big thing, of course, is 'What comes next?' Some of our finest people reveal themselves in times like this. Thanks for your concern.
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