Starting....again

[Jan and keith]

Last year my husband and I started our much anticipated Camino. After a year of dreaming, planning, and walking, we started out from Pamplona. The first three days were absolutely magnificent. (He was 67 and very healthy, I was 64, newly retired and also healthy). The sights, people we met, rich conversation, and overwhelming feelings of gratitude were enormous blessings. On our third day, walking into Estella, we had never felt better! In less than 20 minutes after entering the Municipal Alberque.....my husband fell ( NEVER had fallen before....RARELY sick) in a slippery shower and completely blew out his hip. Huge long story starting in hospital in Estella, ending thankfully in University Hospital in Pamplona for a total hip replacement. The recovery has been surprisingly difficult...docs in U.S. don't recognize prosthesis used and he still has residual pain and limp. BUT... We bought our plane tickets yesterday for September and did our first 6 mile walk today to prep. Planning to start in the Alberque in Estella......and very symbolically leave. This time, we only are going to take three weeks, and have decided that given the reality of his hip, we will be skipping some parts, and using bus/ taxi when necessary. Any thoughts on how best to use 20 days?

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Jan and Keith, sorry to hear what happened to Keith but great news that you are both returning to the Camino.
Buen Camino.

 

[Al the optimist]

Great news that hubby has recovered enough to continue. Is he going to carry his own shower bathmat? Suggest considering having some short days walking linked to a short ride. Maybe get taxi numbers every night ready for the next day. Perhaps start the day with a taxi (pre-book the night before with hospitalero's help). Perhaps plan to stay at the foot of the harder climbs to climb while his hip is relatively OK? I hope all goes well and Buen Camino.

 

[gerardcarey]

Keith. A very warm welcome to the tin hip club.
Like the rest of us you'll be bounding over hill and dale fuelled by fine Spanish food and wine.
Buen Camino!
Gerard

 

[Wiebmer]

Last year my husband and I started our much anticipated Camino. After a year of dreaming, planning, and walking, we started out from Pamplona. The first three days were absolutely magnificent. (He was 67 and very healthy, I was 64, newly retired and also healthy). The sights, people we met, rich conversation, and overwhelming feelings of gratitude were enormous blessings. On our third day, walking into Estella, we had never felt better! In less than 20 minutes after entering the Municipal Alberque.....my husband fell ( NEVER had fallen before....RARELY sick) in a slippery shower and completely blew out his hip. Huge long story starting in hospital in Estella, ending thankfully in University Hospital in Pamplona for a total hip replacement. The recovery has been surprisingly difficult...docs in U.S. don't recognize prosthesis used and he still has residual pain and limp. BUT... We bought our plane tickets yesterday for September and did our first 6 mile walk today to prep. Planning to start in the Alberque in Estella......and very symbolically leave. This time, we only are going to take three weeks, and have decided that given the reality of his hip, we will be skipping some parts, and using bus/ taxi when necessary. Any thoughts on how best to use 20 days?

We're on the Camino now -- and we're amazed at how inexpensive charming little pensions and hotels are. I understand there are folks who believe one must stay in Albergues to have a true experience, but it's been wonderful for us...and we've met a lot of other pilgrims, as well. In addition, we're having our luggage transported -- also not terribly expensive.

Why not plan for shorter days? The towns are lovely...and there is no need to do 30 km or to follow Briarly exactly. Split it in half and take buses on the boring parts.

I would vote for savoring the experience more than the hardship -- the walks are tiring enough. If you'd like, I'd be happy to send a list of all the hotels/pensions our tour company booked us in. They've all been great.

It's been a magical experience.... Ning

 

[John Sikora]

Thanks for you comment. I'm doing my first Camino in August/September and opted for 60 days rather than the traditional. Doing the same approach. I'm probably only going to do this once and I'd rather spend the time walking, thinking, and enjoying the experience (not that there isn't enjoyment in the traditional approach). I'm 66 and spent my physical hardship earlier in my career You've reinforce my approach.

 

[Jan and keith]

Great news that hubby has recovered enough to continue. Is he going to carry his own shower bathmat? Suggest considering having some short days walking linked to a short ride. Maybe get taxi numbers every night ready for the next day. Perhaps start the day with a taxi (pre-book the night before with hospitalero's help). Perhaps plan to stay at the foot of the harder climbs to climb while his hip is relatively OK? I hope all goes well and Buen Camino.

Thanks for the kind words and advice. Shower shoes for sure and more vigilance about slippery surfaces. We are so excited to return!!

 

[Jan and keith]

We started our first camino with the intention to be in gratitude for the blessings of our lives, and to be very open to lessons which might be presented to us. We both agree that this year of a bit of hardship HAS taught us many lessons that apparently we needed. So blessed to be able to start again!

Keith. A very warm welcome to the tin hip club.
Like the rest of us you'll be bounding over hill and dale fuelled by fine Spanish food and wine.
Buen Camino!
Gerard

 

[SYates]

... We bought our plane tickets yesterday for September and did our first 6 mile walk today to prep. Planning to start in the Alberque in Estella......and very symbolically leave. This time, we only are going to take three weeks, and have decided that given the reality of his hip, we will be skipping some parts, and using bus/ taxi when necessary. Any thoughts on how best to use 20 days?

Bearing in mind that there are literally every few kilometres albergues available, I would suggest you just walk every day as far as he can comfortably walk and if you don't make it to Santiago this year, continue next year. Skipping parts will just give you a feeling of 'disconnecting' in my experience.
Buen Camino, SY