Nomad Pack
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- Time of past OR future Camino
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Especially of the catPictures please
This really is a fantastic threadMore to come, found a bar for the night and a clothing cleaning house (can't spell it in Spanish). Will settle the animals then write about the past two days and get drunk at the bar which don't close till ten
Because my dogs are so big is one of the reasons I decided to get Vannii in the first place. My German shepherd Baissier doesn't like other dogs and Puppy my mastiff is very protective and doesn't like people coming too close. Although baissier always listens to me, Puppy being a mastiff will listen but is extremely strong and so is much easier to control whilst he's tied to Vannii. There is also the dog food, Puppy is now three years old and weighs just over 90kg. More than me. He carries up to 8kg of dog cookies when full which will last both dogs around 4-5 days if I share my food with them. I had baissier free and wearing her muzzle for the past two days, she's already had to chase away a couple of dogs but unable to harm them but the muzzle started rubbing her too much so I just tie her next to puppy when I see another dog now. She spends her day shepherding Nomad (the little donkey) and keep everyone together.Definitely you, I love this thread. Im in awe of such an undertaking. Love these photos, cant belive how chill he cat is. I plan to walk the length of NZ sometime in the next few years. And wondering how to take my dogs along with me.
In the absence of a donkey I settled on the idea of a hiking trailer. (They are big dogs need a lot of food) . will that work?
This....and your life in The Picos would surely make a great book to read?OK, so our first day was high up along the mountain ridge, we left the house around midday, I usually expect to be off sooner than what's real. I had to close up the abandoned house I've been living in these past 18 months, turn off the water etc plus check everything one last time. Then saddle Vannii, put puppy's backpack on and strap everything on Vanni. The whole packing process takes about 45 minutes on my own from when I wake up so I'm always improving the process. I have to water everyone, takes the dogs for their morning toilet and Buddha too then I'll allow myself 10 minutes to smoke before starting the days walk. So we walked up to the top of the mountain to the path that goes along the ridge and after a five hour accent and many meetings with the local free cows we realised that we wouldn't find the flat spot I wanted so we put the hammock between a couple of ancient oaks. Vannii and nomad had a good spot a hundred meters away. During the night it rained and rained, several times cows came too close for the dogs comfort and the cows found out that wolves still live in the mountain. Everything and everyone was still dry by morning, the donkeys had hidden under a tree and the dogs under the tarpaulin. Buddha doesn't much like the hammock for it swings and makes him feel unnatural but the first splash of the nights rain had him jumping in for the night.
The next day we carried along the 15km of mountain ridge and within three hours the rain started again. Light at first but as we turned onto the other side of the mountain we were hit by the full force of the wind, rain and hail. The donkeys and dogs are tough and deal with it whilst Buddha hides under the plastic to stay dry and occasionally meows his complaints. We finally got to the road we were heading for by 4pm but we were all demoralized and lack off a good camping spot made it worst, the pegs wouldn't penetrate the ground so we had the tent erected by an elaborate display of bungee cords. Only my sleeping bag and clothes were still dry and the dogs were shivering until I sacrificed my only dry towel to dry their fur..... I finish writing after another beer
I built it with that exactly in mind, just big enough to lie down in with some space. Had to build it as light weight as possible. I wanted a way to travel where I didn't have to pack every morning and look for a roof when it rains. I can and do camp in the rain but its so much extra work and with the wagon Vannii can pull much more than she can carry so I wouldn't be worrying so much about the weight. The animals aren't much work, they mostly behave themselves and know what's expected. We all have much experience doing this together so now its easy. All thanks to how perfect Vannii is.How very interesting, but it all sounds like a lot of work taking care of your little & big
4-legged friends! Are you able to curl up and sleep in that cute cart if it's raining at night?
Don't need to carry beer, here the bars are everywhere. Got 5 different types of cheese from the market though, salami, chorizo, boiled eggs from my chickens before I left. And a quarter leg of iberica ham, some chocolate etc etc. Me and the meat eaters of the pack never go hungry, and thankfully grass grows everywhere so vannii and nomad are easily fed.This....and your life in The Picos would surely make a great book to read?
Beer!!.....are you carrying beer as well?
Still.....the load does get lighter as you move along!!
Well Nomad,Don't need to carry beer, here the bars are everywhere. Got 5 different types of cheese from the market though, salami, chorizo, boiled eggs from my chickens before I left. And a quarter leg of iberica ham, some chocolate etc etc. Me and the meat eaters of the pack never go hungry, and thankfully grass grows everywhere so vannii and nomad are easily fed.
If I had the patience to write a book plus someone to help I think I would. I'm autistic and spent my childhood in a special boarding school in Oxfordshire, I've tried writing about that before but I find it really hard figuring out how to express my feelings into words so end up getting no where.
It reminds me of Guenther's cart. I met him just after Astorga.Because my dogs are so big is one of the reasons I decided to get Vannii in the first place. My German shepherd Baissier doesn't like other dogs and Puppy my mastiff is very protective and doesn't like people coming too close. Although baissier always listens to me, Puppy being a mastiff will listen but is extremely strong and so is much easier to control whilst he's tied to Vannii. There is also the dog food, Puppy is now three years old and weighs just over 90kg. More than me. He carries up to 8kg of dog cookies when full which will last both dogs around 4-5 days if I share my food with them. I had baissier free and wearing her muzzle for the past two days, she's already had to chase away a couple of dogs but unable to harm them but the muzzle started rubbing her too much so I just tie her next to puppy when I see another dog now. She spends her day shepherding Nomad (the little donkey) and keep everyone together.
A hiking trailer may work. I suppose it depends on how strong the dog is and how likely he will pull it sideways. I built a cart during last summer for Vannii which I will be bringing to the new house this summer when my wife comes back. Perfect for attaching large dogs
View attachment 51034
Just loving your journey and sensing the great feeling of freedom you are experiencing. I also love your attitude to it all, it makes me a bit envious as I think of all the planning I tend to do! Just go, will be my new Camino motto ' thanks!
Agree wholeheartedly!
But why are you going at this time of the year when later would be much easier? Have I missed something you said earlier?
Two more questions: When you sleep in the hammock in the rain how do you keep dry - you mentioned several times, I think, that everything was wet, but your clothes and sleeping bag.
And would it be possible - eventually, when you have finished - to have a map of the way you went in the mountains?
Thank you for detailed reports! And buen camino!
Definitely you!Hard to know if we're luckier, Nomad, or you!
Travelling in the winter makes no difference to me, its not really cold or I'm just so used to it that it no longer bothers me. But for this little travel its the lure of a real house, I've been living in an abandoned house me and my wife claimed after our travel from Andorra through the winter of 2016. I've lived there for 18 months, no hot water, generator for power etc and done a lot of work repairing it but as I work as a shepherd and the picos are too far from the house my friend from Germany offered me his holiday house near Llanes.
I have a couple of nylon sheets so with the bungee cords I fashion a waterproof shelter over the hammock. That way I stay dry and the dogs as well.
Winter here in Cantabria is not really ever cold just wet. I prefer it to be freezing cold and dry. The dogs can't sleep in the tent if they are wet but if they are dry then everyone is curled up in the tent together. Takes some fighting for space as Puppy will try and stretch to claim more space. At least that way we are all warm. But I have good clothes to, a merino wool sailors jumper, and other specific winter gear. I also have my wife's sleeping bag with me as well so with two winter sleeping bags its impossible to be cold.
Hmm.. I don't even care about the "radar" anymore. The Spanish only seem to use the law for money and as I don't have any I guess that's why they leave me alone. Haha. And the inheritance system here is just stupid which is why so many houses are abandoned with the "owners" long gone. My house was on communal land so the law meant nobody could buy it. The roof was still OK but I had to strip the inside and rebuild. Made some good use of some of the local eucalyptus that plague's the north. I'll tell you more about it when I have power.I am from the USA and here we would not be allowed to take over an abandoned house as it would still be someone's else's property. I am fascinated by your interesting life you have been writing about and wonder if you are living "under the radar" so to speak, have permisdion from property owner or if you must register with the Spanish government to do this. I'm just curious, not trying to be critical at all. ☺
I'm following you with great interest although I would never undertake such a travel with (so much) animals. Too demanding, too stressful and waaay too much responsibilitySo done quite well today, not much battery left so will be brief for now. I'll write more about it later. Polcia local stopped asking me for a photo. I love how the police in Spain are the complete opposite of my native English Constable's. He was completely casual, shook my hand then asked me the usual questions about my journey, took some photos then got too close for Puppy's liking and got barked at. They just laughed and said that's what mastiffs are for. I've gone past more than 50 mastiffs today barking at us. Camping on the side of a small road near parbyon, using the electric fence tonight to stop nomad sleeping on the road, little portable fence energizer that's weighs only a kilo. And I'm camped right next to them. I'll take a picture in the morning. Rain has been on and off so nothing that stops us. Picked up Camino signs in Liano and it seems to be an alternative route going to acre which was where I was going anyway so I guess I'm on the Camino nowwill update again when have more power. Good night
Gosh I was meaning to tow the trailer myself. never thought about hitching it to a dog although my big one weighs more than me.Because my dogs are so big is one of the reasons I decided to get Vannii in the first place. My German shepherd Baissier doesn't like other dogs and Puppy my mastiff is very protective and doesn't like people coming too close. Although baissier always listens to me, Puppy being a mastiff will listen but is extremely strong and so is much easier to control whilst he's tied to Vannii. There is also the dog food, Puppy is now three years old and weighs just over 90kg. More than me. He carries up to 8kg of dog cookies when full which will last both dogs around 4-5 days if I share my food with them. I had baissier free and wearing her muzzle for the past two days, she's already had to chase away a couple of dogs but unable to harm them but the muzzle started rubbing her too much so I just tie her next to puppy when I see another dog now. She spends her day shepherding Nomad (the little donkey) and keep everyone together.
A hiking trailer may work. I suppose it depends on how strong the dog is and how likely he will pull it sideways. I built a cart during last summer for Vannii which I will be bringing to the new house this summer when my wife comes back. Perfect for attaching large dogs
View attachment 51034
I wanted to ask what is the reaction of local guard dogs when they see your 2 big dogs walking past. We went to southern Spain with a yorkie and Irish terrier (medium size which is about knee high). We had to return from some walks because the shepherd dogs behind the fences of villas went mad barking, and when a little doggie slipped under the fence to say hello, the other was very protective and jealous, I wasn't sure what happens if/when that gets over the fence. Maybe nothing but it looked ready to shred us. Plus the reaction of locals with small fluffy dogs was unsettling - while they were friendly with the doll like yorkie they were literally running from our bigger dog, grabbing their dogs up in their hands. I assume they have had bad experiences with bigger dogs.I've gone past more than 50 mastiffs today barking at us.
I'm following you with great interest although I would never undertake such a travel with (so much) animals. Too demanding, too stressful and waaay too much responsibility
@Camino Chris is asking interesting questions so I'll ask something else. Did the dogs and donkeys at any moment get into "dispute"?
Stay well, Nomad!!!
I wanted to ask what is the reaction of local guard dogs when they see your 2 big dogs walking past. We went to southern Spain with a yorkie and Irish terrier (medium size which is about knee high). We had to return from some walks because the shepherd dogs behind the fences of villas went mad barking, and when a little doggie slipped under the fence to say hello, the other was very protective and jealous, I wasn't sure what happens if/when that gets over the fence. Maybe nothing but it looked ready to shred us. Plus the reaction of locals with small fluffy dogs was unsettling - while they were friendly with the doll like yorkie they were literally running from our bigger dog, grabbing their dogs up in their hands. I assume they have had bad experiences with bigger dogs.
Before the rainView attachment 51243
These photos are wonderfulMost of the dogs we pass are either behind a fence or chained. They bark like mad and my dogs will just keep walking with me, maybe sometimes barking back a couple of times. Although we will meet free dogs at least once a day, its more of an annoyance than a problem and what I do depends on firstly what breed of dog it is and secondly if the owner is present. Vannii doesn't care about the other dogs but my dogs certainly do. So if a dog is free and causing a problem and either the owner is not there or as usual in Spain just watching then I count to 5 then release baissier. No more dog and she always comes back right away. If I ever feel another dog is causing stress for vannii I don't hesitate to release my dogs to deal with it. I keep very good control of my dogs but won't tolerate someone not controlling theirs, my animals safety is always first.
I stayed at the muni in Santillana in 2016, so I remember this semi enclosed area where you check in. A good place for your brood, especially if wet!View attachment 51250
Big dinner for puppy at the albergue
I stayed at the muni in Santillana in 2016, so I remember this semi enclosed area where you check in. A good place for your brood, especially if wet!
Annette I totally agree. This for me, has been a real "breathe of fresh air" posting.These photos are wonderful
Especially the cat hitching a ride on the donkey!!
I think these animals are gaining quiet a following on the forum ....
And certainly I look forward to all the posts re your journey........ and the photos
Keep going
Annette
Thank you, its nice to know other people are thinking of me during the wet nights. I'll certainly write up the whole trip and post it once I get to the house. The only reason I'm taking the photos is for everyone here to see a different way. Im having to use the tablet camera as the go pro has no memory and I forgot to get a new card. Plus transferring etc just to post uses so much battery. But I promise loads of photos and videos of us all in the Pico's this springThese photos are wonderful
Especially the cat hitching a ride on the donkey!!
I think these animals are gaining quiet a following on the forum ....
And certainly I look forward to all the posts re your journey........ and the photos
Keep going
Annette
I cant believe the cat does that. Maybe he's learnt its better than walking. I'm pretty sure I couldnt put mine on a donkey.
I grew up on a farm and spend most of my life in a rural situation before moving to Auckland, a city. So most of my dogs have been farm smart, they could get out of anywhere, rode on all the farm vehicles, hunted for possums etc.
My current dogs are city dogs, and so different, they dont challenge fences or gates, dont seem to know what a possum is, and refuse to ride on the tractor or the quad bikes. Even if I'm driving. I guess its what they're used to.
I'm not sure how mine would react to a dog challenging them. They're shepherds, but they've never encountered real aggression. And the only loose dogs we meet are on the beach and pretty well behaved.
I'm sure they would love such a trek though, they love camping - although they expect to be IN the tent, wet and dirty or not.
Yes a great grand mother from Dublin. I never thought about the writing, Its hard to figure out how to say what I mean so I guess I just write it the same way I'd tell someone.Have you any Irish in your blood? I ask because you write a story like a conversation.
laineylaineyHave you any Irish in your blood? I ask because you write a story like a conversation.
sounds like a Menagerie Camino.So I've been having a small dilemma recently as to which direction to go. I've been waiting for my donkey foul to grow up somewhat before embarking on another long distance trek. He is now eight months old and turning out to have an excellent character like his mother. My plan was to take the Ruta de la Lana and head south to join my wife who has just started a mountain guide course but now the universe has conspired to keep me in the north by offering me another summer season of chasing cows around the Pico's. Its a shame for me as I was really looking forward to going somewhere new. But I now have a new house to live in just off the Camino Norte and right next to the Pico's so Monday or Tuesday I will be setting off on my shortest Camino ever. Roughly 150 kilometers. About 70 kilometers of making my own way through the mountains from Ramalas de la Victoria and the rest along the Camino del Norte where I plan to connect onto it just after Santander. This will be the third trek for our foal, I've taken him on several excursions already for him to gain some experience but this will be new for him as he will have his first new home at the end. Vannii the donkey, the dogs and Buddha the cat have already travelled most of France and half of Spain with me so everybody knows their role but now with an added donkey and my wife absent I'm sure that it will be interesting. I'll try to keep this updated as make my way, there's no chance of the solar charger doing much so depends what bars I find along the way to recharge the batteries. And get drunk of course, it makes the winter camping experience much more enjoyable.
I lived in Ireland for 6 months when I was 18 near Kilkenny. My partner lived in Sligo for years when she was younger. If I could get the animals there I would spend years travelling one of the best lands in our world. Irish hospitality is equal to nonelaineylainey
So true
You've just hit the nail on the head!
And this is why Nomads posts are so interesting and easy to read
The Irish are great storytellers and this is the style of writing of many Irish authors
But then again, being Irish, I would think that wouldn't l !!!!
Best wishes
Annette
More the circus I like to think, I would have an elephant if possible, could carry a small house for me to live in.sounds like a Menagerie Camino.
I do that too, but I'm Italian, French and German ☺Yes a great grand mother from Dublin. I never thought about the writing, Its hard to figure out how to say what I mean so I guess I just write it the same way I'd tell someone.
This flooding is so sad as Santillana is such a beautiful town.Santillina is experiencing a biblical flood right now. The cobbled streets are more suited for rafting and if the rain keeps up like it is at the moment then the town is gonna become a harbour. I went and saw the big boss man of the town and got permission to stay another night. I got vannii and nomad a big bag of apples to keep them happy and made a fort for the dogs with the tables.View attachment 51271 In the bar at the plaza central right now enjoying a beer. Wondering if any pilgrims will swim into town.
Hi Nomad, I have read your posts with great interest.
At first, I readily admit, I was quite concerned about your animals. I have seen a number of animals along my caminos who had bleeding paws, or who were limping or stressed. Normally, many of us discourage bringing animals with them on caminos.
However, your camino is leading you to a new and better home, hopefully! You also appear to have been very thoughtful about caring for your brood. And, too, your animals are used to “ruffing the elements” ...which makes it easier for them to deal with such inclement conditions. My dog would never make it...though we walk him 5 miles daily.
Thank you so much for posting your journey! May you find a warm spot at the end of your camino and joy with your wife and brood! Blessings!
Los Picos de Europa,Just arrived from a quick journey, I found this thread. Amazing!
When you say "Picos", wich area are you talking about?
As a native of Cantabria (living far away) , I'm in touch with family and friends, and I know how worrying the floods are in some places. In fact, you're "just there"! So, take good care!
I'll seat down here waiting for your news
K.
I'm happy to everyone is enjoying this, 3 more pilgrims have turned up this evening who certainly are not happy and very wet. I let the first two in before opening time as I was left with the key, a middle aged couple from Madrid, and the first thing the lady started doing was complaining to me about the lack of good heating and that she wanted to dry her boots. I again was a little shocked that she didn't foresee the fact that its winter and raining. I just told her that this is the Camino in sunny Cantabria, what did you expect?!Thank you so much for sharing your pilgrimage with us - and the wonderful photos of your family
Thanks for the compliment about Ireland. I live in Fermanagh on the border with Eire and I love being Irish, most days. However one of the reasons I believe the rest of the world experience the Irish as friendly is due to our downright "nosiness" about other people!I lived in Ireland for 6 months when I was 18 near Kilkenny. My partner lived in Sligo for years when she was younger. If I could get the animals there I would spend years travelling one of the best lands in our world. Irish hospitality is equal to none
Just take a sharp knife and be prepared to cut your arm off like James Franco in that movieWe're all going for a walk in the park soon and "geocaching" there. I've never done it, but I liked scavenger hunts as a kid. If you never hear from me again it will be because I've been bitten by a poisonous snake while looking for the little "treasure".
There was a guy that travelled around Ireland with his donkey and cart back in the 70's whose reason was he just wanted to get to know his country better. Its the love the Irish have for their land which draws me. No doubt when I can afford to transport the animals across the water which involves hiring a big truck my wife will never let us leave.Thanks for the compliment about Ireland. I live in Fermanagh on the border with Eire and I love being Irish, most days. However one of the reasons I believe the rest of the world experience the Irish as friendly is due to our downright "nosiness" about other people!
Los Picos de Europa.
laineylainey,Thanks for the compliment about Ireland. I live in Fermanagh on the border with Eire and I love being Irish, most days. However one of the reasons I believe the rest of the world experience the Irish as friendly is due to our downright "nosiness" about other people!
Ah ok, so the house im going to is in a small village called soberron near llanes. I don't know yet which area I will be working in though, depends on who owns the cows and where other shepherds will be as they try to keep the herds apart.Sorry, I didn't wrote clear enough. I meant wich area of Picos de Europa are you heading to.
K.
Annette your posts are inspiring me more and more to seriously try writing a book. I'm so glad my journey is creating happiness for others, its motivating me a lot through all this rain and makes the hardships worth it. Thank youlaineylainey,
Again...you're spot on
We're the nosiness people in the world
My daughters go mad at me.....
Questions, questions ...stop asking people so many questions
However I do think also that's it's because we are actually interested in other people and where they come from etc etc
Then again....it might be just plain nosiness!!!
We went for a long walk today and every time I thought about this thread ...the storytelling and the animals, my face just lit up with a big smile ....
I've actually forwarded it to some family and friends ....
It's just too good to keep to ourselves!!!
Annette, thanks for confirming my belief about us Irish ( i was a little concerned after posting it, that I might upset some of my fellow citizens!) and I agree I do believe it is because we are genuinely interested in other people (I find a lot of areas in Spain exactly the same!) Yes like you , Nomad's post is brightening my week and I have pointed it it out to others!laineylainey,
Again...you're spot on
We're the nosiness people in the world
My daughters go mad at me.....
Questions, questions ...stop asking people so many questions
However I do think also that's it's because we are actually interested in other people and where they come from etc etc
Then again....it might be just plain nosiness!!!
We went for a long walk today and every time I thought about this thread ...the storytelling and the animals, my face just lit up with a big smile ....
I've actually forwarded it to some family and friends ....
It's just too good to keep to ourselves!!!
That would be great Nomad Pack,Annette your posts are inspiring me more and more to seriously try writing a book. I'm so glad my journey is creating happiness for others, its motivating me a lot through all this rain and makes the hardships worth it. Thank you
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