LIVE from the Camino Pilgrim Report

[DowtyCamino]

Just checking in to report. SJPdP to Burgos

Crowds: Same volume on the Camino at any one time as 2014 with no problems with overcrowding but Albergues the often near capacity vs many open beds.
Weather: Hotter than 2014 by a large margin
Litter: Camino seems to continue to be well kept and I've seen none of the problems I'd heard about. Several Pilgrims picking up litter as they go.
Bikes: Substantially fewer than 2014
Albergues: Cleary more available and more advertisements for them.
Ice cream and veggies: Our two big unexpecteds from 2014 (no veggies and bad ice cream) seems to have been anomaly. Both in good supply so far!

 

[wayfarer]

Thanks for the update Dowty.
Buen Camino.

 

[MaryLynn]

Thanks for the update. I will be walking the CF from the second half of August and into the fall, and have been thinking about a Plan B in case of overcrowding. Maybe it won't be too bad then.
Re ice cream: Magnum ice cream bars were available in Spring 2012, and probably earlier. They are hard to beat!!!

 

[notion900]

@DowtyCamino most importantly, have you sighted the elusive Lemon Cornetto ?
Or perhaps it is a myth after all.

 

[trecile]

@DowtyCamino most importantly, have you sighted the elusive Lemon Cornetto ?
Or perhaps it is a myth after all.

I read about those here last year before my Camino, but never spotted one.

 

[notion900]

It's the holy grail of heladería.

 

[trecile]

If I find one this year I'll be sure to post a picture.

 

[notion900]

It was seen in Wrexham, Wales in 2005. Apparently now restricted to France, but a few are smuggled across the mountains to Spain in the back of old Renault Express minivans, under cover of darkness, hidden in hay bales.

 

[jgpryde]

I'm approaching Sarias and can echo your observations mostly. Have been largely avoiding the crowds by sticking to smaller hamlets and offsetting Brierley's daily plan.

The Camino does seem to be somewhat self cleaning, compared to American city streets for example.

Alas, Cannot share your opinion in ice cream though. The only hope is gelato in the larger cities.


Buen Camino,
- jgp

 

[notion900]

Lime Calippo is the next best thing.

 

[DowtyCamino]

@DowtyCamino most importantly, have you sighted the elusive Lemon Cornetto ?
Or perhaps it is a myth after all.

No. I haven't. Where can I find one!!!

 

[DowtyCamino]

and on a separate bit similar vein, what was that magical elixir of golden spirit that I'd intended on trying on Camino??

 

[trecile]

and on a separate bit similar vein, what was that magical elixir of golden spirit that I'd intended on trying on Camino??

That is no doubt Orujo, an acquired taste...
https://www.thespruce.com/orujo-traditional-liqueur-3083097

 

[Me Retiro]

Just checking in to report. SJPdP to Burgos

Crowds: Same volume on the Camino at any one time as 2014 with no problems with overcrowding but Albergues the often near capacity vs many open beds.
Weather: Hotter than 2014 by a large margin
Litter: Camino seems to continue to be well kept and I've seen none of the problems I'd heard about. Several Pilgrims picking up litter as they go.
Bikes: Substantially fewer than 2014
Albergues: Cleary more available and more advertisements for them.
Ice cream and veggies: Our two big unexpecteds from 2014 (no veggies and bad ice cream) seems to have been anomaly. Both in good supply so far!

Forget the ice cream (can't have it) bring on the melons. I was lucky and was given slices of melon instead. To me they were better than American melons. The other walkers saw they got the short end of the deal.

 

[kdespot]

Veggies??? You mean like on the plate, right? Not just walking by fields of them? Wow. Details, please... do tell!

 

[DowtyCamino]

Veggies??? You mean like on the plate, right? Not just walking by fields of them? Wow. Details, please... do tell!

Yes. On plates. In fact a full plate of veggies. As a starter we've had Judias verde (green beans). We had tons of asparagus and peas as well. GO figure...in2014 nothing...now, an abundance.