LIVE from the Camino Sadness, Soreness and Joy on the Frances

Tommybhoy · Sep 7, 2016

Hey all, sorry it's been a little while since my last update. As you all are well aware, there has been a heatwave all across Spain and I've been walking in 38-43 degree heat, and I've been exhausted at the end of every day. So much for planning to walk in cool September eh?!!
Physically, I'm a bit of a mess. My feet are swollen, blistered and I've now lost both pinky toenails due to swollen feet and was dehydrated and had a bit of heat exhaustion but after lots of water and a full nights sleep, I'm back on the right track .
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.
Mentally, I'm still right up for it and looking forward to moving forward, all the way to Santiago de Compostella, hoping to be there around 1-2 October.
So far I've covered just over 250 kilometres, passing through places such as Los Arcos, Estrella, Logrono, Torres del Rio, Santa Domingo and Granon, taking in all the splendour the Camino has to offer. I'm now in Belarado, preparing for a 28 kilometre hike to San Juan de Ortega tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Thomas

Sheffield James · Sep 7, 2016

Hi Thomas,
I walked the VdlP in May and bemoaned the fact it was so often cold and very wet. I guess -from your report- that I could have been a lot more thankful about the weather conditions than I was at the time.
Stay safe + Buen Camino!

Deleted member 36903 · Sep 7, 2016

Hi Thomas, I felt I would die this year walking in temperatures on the CP that hit 33 degrees so I have nothing but admiration for your determination to carry on to SdC despite the heat and also your foot problems. But please take care tomorrow walking to San Juan de Ortega. The climb out of Villafranca de Oca needs to be taken steadily in any temperature but especially so in heat, and after that there is a very long stretch on a wide track through the forest. So after Villafranca there are a couple of picnic/rest stops but no cafes. Make sure you have enough water and soak your hat/buff to lower your temperature. You are probably not interested but it didn't rain today here in Scotland. Buen Camino!

Stephen · Sep 7, 2016

There is a little oasis along that forest track. It's called El oasis del Camino. They're even got a Facebook page.
It seemed a Godsend to me as I'd run out of water some miles earlier. They offer soft drinks and beer on a Donativo basis. You can even get a sello there.

Waka · Sep 7, 2016

Keep your spirits up and your water level.

Buen Camino

KinkyOne · Sep 7, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.

???

Deleted member 36903 · Sep 7, 2016

Stephen said:
There is a little oasis along that forest track. It's called El oasis del Camino. They're even got a Facebook page.
It seemed a Godsend to me as I'd run out of water some miles earlier. They offer soft drinks and beer on a Donativo basis. You can even get a sello there.

Thank you for this information @Stephen. It was April 20 15when I walked and it wasn't there then.

SYates · Sep 7, 2016

KinkyOne said:
???

A pilgrim died recently on the VdlP and Radio Camino passes the sad news on to the other ways. Buen Camino, SY

Stephen · Sep 7, 2016

I suppose by their nature these Donativo places are temporary and shouldn't be depended on. We need to make sure we're carrying enough water to last us through the day.

jsalt · Sep 7, 2016

Stephen said:
There is a little oasis along that forest track. It's called El oasis del Camino. They're even got a Facebook page.

Links please! I have also never seen this oasis. Thanks! Jill

KinkyOne · Sep 7, 2016

SYates said:
A pilgrim died recently on the VdlP and Radio Camino passes the sad news on to the other ways. Buen Camino, SY

OK, I'm not a native English speaker, but "recently" doesn't mean yesterday for me. It might be so though. Thomas posted this info that I've attached today (Wednesday, Sept.7th) and he mentioned that a pilgrim died "yesterday" (that's Tuesday, Sept.6th) and that is yesterday nevertheless how much you turn it. I don't want to hijack the thread but I haven't see any notice about pilgrim died yesterday (!) that's why I asked. I did saw posts about deaths "recently" though...

Tommybhoy · Sep 7, 2016

SEB said:
Hi Thomas, I felt I would die this year walking in temperatures on the CP that hit 33 degrees so I have nothing but admiration for your determination to carry on to SdC despite the heat and also your foot problems. But please take care tomorrow walking to San Juan de Ortega. The climb out of Villafranca de Oca needs to be taken steadily in any temperature but especially so in heat, and after that there is a very long stretch on a wide track through the forest. So after Villafranca there are a couple of picnic/rest stops but no cafes. Make sure you have enough water and soak your hat/buff to lower your temperature. You are probably not interested but it didn't rain today here in Scotland. Buen Camino!

Thanks @SEB , yeah I noticed the steep ascent for tomorrow in the guidebook, and also the lack of facilities on the last stretch of this stage, so I hit the supermarket with a vengeance tonight! The weather is quoting 18-20 degrees with rain tomorrow, but with clear skies tonight I'm not taking any chances, the buff and cap will be soaked. Thanks for the excellent advice.
Burn Camino

SYates · Sep 7, 2016

@KinkyOne
Nor am I. Said pilgrim died on Monday, see https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...m-died-in-40-degrees-heat-near-almaden.43122/
Depending when @Tommybhoy read about it, it might have translated/appeared as yesterday for him.
SY

angus55morrison · Sep 7, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
Hey all, sorry it's been a little while since my last update. As you all are well aware, there has been a heatwave all across Spain and I've been walking in 38-43 degree heat, and I've been exhausted at the end of every day. So much for planning to walk in cool September eh?!!
Physically, I'm a bit of a mess. My feet are swollen, blistered and I've now lost both pinky toenails due to swollen feet and was dehydrated and had a bit of heat exhaustion but after lots of water and a full nights sleep, I'm back on the right track .
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.
Mentally, I'm still right up for it and looking forward to moving forward, all the way to Santiago de Compostella, hoping to be there around 1-2 October.
So far I've covered just over 250 kilometres, passing through places such as Los Arcos, Estrella, Logrono, Torres del Rio, Santa Domingo and Granon, taking in all the splendour the Camino has to offer. I'm now in Belarado, preparing for a 28 kilometre hike to San Juan de Ortega tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Thomas

On my 2012 camino I lost 5 toenails ,I taped them down with sticky tape till they came off . Just remember your made in Scotland from girders at least that's what I told myself when struggling ,out as early as you can to get the benefit of the cool if you feel fit enough push on to Ages or the next village ,but that's ok for me to say sitting on a couch in Glasgow . Buen Camino.

Stephen · Sep 8, 2016

Jsalt, if you have Facebook search for: El oasis del Camino.

jsalt · Sep 8, 2016

Stephen said:
Jsalt, if you have Facebook search for: El oasis del Camino.

Great, thanks, I know where you mean now. There was no-one there last year when I walked by, perhaps because it had been raining. Jill

domigee · Sep 8, 2016

jsalt said:
Great, thanks, I know where you mean now. There was no-one there last year when I walked by, perhaps because it had been raining. Jill

There was no-one there either in July this year.

Terri B · Sep 8, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
Hey all, sorry it's been a little while since my last update. As you all are well aware, there has been a heatwave all across Spain and I've been walking in 38-43 degree heat, and I've been exhausted at the end of every day. So much for planning to walk in cool September eh?!!
Physically, I'm a bit of a mess. My feet are swollen, blistered and I've now lost both pinky toenails due to swollen feet and was dehydrated and had a bit of heat exhaustion but after lots of water and a full nights sleep, I'm back on the right track .
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.
Mentally, I'm still right up for it and looking forward to moving forward, all the way to Santiago de Compostella, hoping to be there around 1-2 October.
So far I've covered just over 250 kilometres, passing through places such as Los Arcos, Estrella, Logrono, Torres del Rio, Santa Domingo and Granon, taking in all the splendour the Camino has to offer. I'm now in Belarado, preparing for a 28 kilometre hike to San Juan de Ortega tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Thomas

Hi Thomas, well done. You're doing better than me. I'm stuck in Logrono with infected blisters. Not sure when I'll be able to start walking again.
Buen Camino
Terri

Robo · Sep 8, 2016

Take it easy Thomas. That's a long section to San Juan through the Forest and a lot of it is without shade. Big wide open tracks. Take lots of water on board... There is a font just up the hill past Villafranca Montes De Orca. But then you have 10'5 kms through the forest to San Juan. I did that in about 28 degrees and it was hot...... Much of the track is not in shade but at least you can pull off for a break under the trees.

Hopefully the lower temps will make it easier for you after all that heat.

But it's a great section. Enjoy

If you are lucky, you might see an Umbrella on the track, meaning there are cold drinks ahead.

Here are some videos of that section. http://robscamino.com/11th-of-may-from-belorado-to-atapuerca/

You're doing great Thomas. Buen Camino mate.

Oh, and the good News? It's more like 24 kms to San Juan, not 28

Malabar Circle AS · Sep 8, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
Hey all, sorry it's been a little while since my last update. As you all are well aware, there has been a heatwave all across Spain and I've been walking in 38-43 degree heat, and I've been exhausted at the end of every day. So much for planning to walk in cool September eh?!!
Physically, I'm a bit of a mess. My feet are swollen, blistered and I've now lost both pinky toenails due to swollen feet and was dehydrated and had a bit of heat exhaustion but after lots of water and a full nights sleep, I'm back on the right track .
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.
Mentally, I'm still right up for it and looking forward to moving forward, all the way to Santiago de Compostella, hoping to be there around 1-2 October.
So far I've covered just over 250 kilometres, passing through places such as Los Arcos, Estrella, Logrono, Torres del Rio, Santa Domingo and Granon, taking in all the splendour the Camino has to offer. I'm now in Belarado, preparing for a 28 kilometre hike to San Juan de Ortega tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Thomas

To san juan is a bit less abt 23/24. I made it to ages and surrendered to a few days of resting. Also i insisted on walking way past my blisters erupted in abt 9 spots. Locals say heatwave is unprecedented. I also surrendered boots and am currently into seeking teva terra sandals. Good luck. Maybe i see you out there in the trenches.

Tommybhoy · Sep 8, 2016

SEB said:
Hi Thomas, I felt I would die this year walking in temperatures on the CP that hit 33 degrees so I have nothing but admiration for your determination to carry on to SdC despite the heat and also your foot problems. But please take care tomorrow walking to San Juan de Ortega. The climb out of Villafranca de Oca needs to be taken steadily in any temperature but especially so in heat, and after that there is a very long stretch on a wide track through the forest. So after Villafranca there are a couple of picnic/rest stops but no cafes. Make sure you have enough water and soak your hat/buff to lower your temperature. You are probably not interested but it didn't rain today here in Scotland. Buen Camino!

Thanks @SEB , yeah I noticed the steep ascent for tomorrow in the guidebook, and also the lack of facilities on the last stretch of this stage, so I hit the supermarket with a vengeance tonight! The weather is quoting 18-20 degrees with rain tomorrow, but with clear skies tonight I'm not taking any chances, the buff and cap will be soaked. Thanks for the excellent advice.
Bue

Terri B said:
Hi Thomas, well done. You're doing better than me. I'm stuck in Logrono with infected blisters. Not sure when I'll be able to start walking again.
Buen Camino
Terri

Hey @Terri B, I'm so sorry to hear about your blisters, I hope they heal very quickly and you're very soon back on your Way.
Buen Camino
Thomas

Castilian · Sep 8, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
The weather is quoting 18-20 degrees with rain tomorrow

I would suggest to change your source for weather forecasts. And I wish you ¡Buen Camino!

Terri B said:
I'm stuck in Logrono with infected blisters.

Take care! Best of luck with your blisters! Rest as much as you need it! Logroño isn't a bad place to get stuck. Food there is great... and that may be a good way to forget about your blisters while they heal.

Seabird · Sep 8, 2016

Tommybhoy said:
Hey all, sorry it's been a little while since my last update. As you all are well aware, there has been a heatwave all across Spain and I've been walking in 38-43 degree heat, and I've been exhausted at the end of every day. So much for planning to walk in cool September eh?!!
Physically, I'm a bit of a mess. My feet are swollen, blistered and I've now lost both pinky toenails due to swollen feet and was dehydrated and had a bit of heat exhaustion but after lots of water and a full nights sleep, I'm back on the right track .
Also, as you know, we lost a pilgrim yesterday and believe me, this is being felt all along The Way.
Mentally, I'm still right up for it and looking forward to moving forward, all the way to Santiago de Compostella, hoping to be there around 1-2 October.
So far I've covered just over 250 kilometres, passing through places such as Los Arcos, Estrella, Logrono, Torres del Rio, Santa Domingo and Granon, taking in all the splendour the Camino has to offer. I'm now in Belarado, preparing for a 28 kilometre hike to San Juan de Ortega tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Thomas

Terri B said:
Hi Thomas, well done. You're doing better than me. I'm stuck in Logrono with infected blisters. Not sure when I'll be able to start walking again.
Buen Camino
Terri

Malabar Circle AS said:
To san juan is a bit less abt 23/24. I made it to ages and surrendered to a few days of resting. Also i insisted on walking way past my blisters erupted in abt 9 spots. Locals say heatwave is unprecedented. I also surrendered boots and am currently into seeking teva terra sandals. Good luck. Maybe i see you out there in the trenches.

To all of you -- my heart goes out to you enduring such difficult conditions. When I was at my lowest, hobbling along, I would repeat often: poco a poco. And little by little I got there. We're all behind you with all our support. Ultreya!

Ian T · Sep 9, 2016

Ah the power of Irn Bru

angus55morrison said:
On my 2012 camino I lost 5 toenails ,I taped them down with sticky tape till they came off . Just remember your made in Scotland from girders at least that's what I told myself when struggling ,out as early as you can to get the benefit of the cool if you feel fit enough push on to Ages or the next village ,but that's ok for me to say sitting on a couch in Glasgow . Buen Camino.

Deleted member 12253 · Sep 9, 2016

KinkyOne said:
OK, I'm not a native English speaker, but "recently" doesn't mean yesterday for me. It might be so though. Thomas posted this info that I've attached today (Wednesday, Sept.7th) and he mentioned that a pilgrim died "yesterday" (that's Tuesday, Sept.6th) and that is yesterday nevertheless how much you turn it. I don't want to hijack the thread but I haven't see any notice about pilgrim died yesterday (!) that's why I asked. I did saw posts about deaths "recently" though...

Losing a pilgrim can mean anything. Did pilgrim go home or just stopped walking. Buen camino

Terri B · Sep 9, 2016

as gaillimh said:
Losing a pilgrim can mean anything. Did pilgrim go home or just stopped walking. Buen camino

No @as gallimh, a lady died. She lost her life.

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