- Time of past OR future Camino
- Yearly and Various 2014-2019
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How about a pilgrimage route in Ireland, the U.K., Norway or Turkey so the time isn't applied toward the Schengen visa?I envy all those of you who do not need to worry about your Schengen visas...I have to figure out how to avoid overstaying...I arrive in Europe in early April for commitments in Holland, so...
Great idea, Rick, which I've also considered but for some reason it doesn't call me. Go figure. But I will go to have some quiet time someplace, GB or Ireland...How about a pilgrimage route in Ireland, the U.K., Norway or Turkey so the time isn't applied toward the Schengen visa?
I am still up (hopefully!) for a pilgrimage from Santiago to San Andres de Teixido with you ;-)
Why in the world are you carrying such a heavy pack??Now that I know I can walk 250km carrying a 16kg pack,.
I'm thinking it was hair-care products, and maybe a small television...camping gear...to each their own, I wouldn't do it....on the camino, anyway...maybe he means somewhere elseWhy in the world are you carrying such a heavy pack??
I'm thinking it was hair-care products, and maybe a small television...camping gear...to each their own, I wouldn't do it....
that's quite a lot...so I'm guessing you have to cook for yourself, also? Did you find it isolating to be apart from albergues, restaurants, etc if that's not too nosy to ask (because some folks post about wanting to camp, but they also want to have all the usual pilgrim get togethers, and it seems camping/eating by yourself limits that)I suffer from a load of life threatening illnesses. Have to carry my own life support kit. But joking aside, I do indeed suffer from a few things, mainly really severe allergies that when triggered cause my throat and tongue to swell up and essentially try to kill me. So as you guessed I carry camping gear (I try and avoid albergues/hostels due to people eating things im allergic to). On a side note, I had one of those hits at Gonzar's church albergue three weeks back that took 2 piriton, 40mg pred and 0.5mg of adrenaline to sort out (also several bottles of estrella, but that was more to take the edge of the adrenaline side effects). I also have to carry alot of other heavy meds for other things. My medical loadout was 2.5kg. Yes, if you have perfect health im sure its brilliant walking with a 2kg day pack, but thats not my reality, so I just get on with it.
that's quite a lot...so I'm guessing you have to cook for yourself, also? Did you find it isolating to be apart from albergues, restaurants, etc if that's not too nosy to ask (because some folks post about wanting to camp, but they also want to have all the usual pilgrim get togethers, and it seems camping/eating by yourself limits that)
Yes and no.
I would love to have spent more time in albergues, but its a risk for me. I did it five times on my journey (Villada, Acebo, Sarria, Gonzar and Arzua). I suffered one bad session at Gonzar, but I came prepared with essentially 8 epipens, and over 100 anti-histamines and steroid tablets. That night was also the most amusing since I was the only english speaker there, and I spoke maybe 30 words of Spanish. Everyone ignored me except for a girl from Hong Kong who spoke chinese (which I dont speak).
While camping I met Manoel (or Manuel) a guy who had walked from Germany with his dog and for obvious reasons camped every night. Also a lady at Rabanal who was also walking with a dog, camping and spoke no english. So people who camp do exist. But at the same time it was starting to get rather cold at night, especially on the plains section from Villada to Leon.
Im afraid I havent done any food eateries even here in the UK for over 6 years, so I didnt really notice that. But I did hate the fact I couldnt stop at cafes for the most part, but I broke the rule while walking to El Ganso with a sweet german lady, and bought a coke at a cafe/bar at the village before El Ganso (its name escapes me). But that was the only time. I stayed at that big Mafia Hideout albergue at Acebo, the one with bars and restaurants and a swimming pool, and the nice young lady allowed me to buy some emmental cheese and a litre of fruit juice for (my adventurous) dinner. "I guess im the problem peregrino" I said, and she laughed, but I guess its true. I could only buy 2 things in their supermarket, that I knew wouldnt put me in the ground.
Yes it limits everything. For the first five days I avoided people. I cant do communal dinners, as much as I would like to, so theirs no point dwelling on it. After that I walked with others and chatted. I didnt meet a massive number of english speakers until maybe Sarria. Then all the Americans that had been hiding for the prior 8 days started to appear and I once again managed to have some chats with people. If I could their was an albergue with 400 beds near the airport that I wanted to try out, just because it had 400 beds, and sounded like the party house for the finishers. I never made it there. Maybe next time.
Also my next trip wont have a 16kg pack in it. I am aiming for nearer to 12kg. By spending some money I can probably cut the loadout down. This time some corners got cut, and in hindsight it wasnt the wisest choice Ive ever made. If I had invested in a 1kg ultralight tent and a 0.5kg sleeping bag, I would have saved 3kg. SImilarly I had to many clothes. Two t-shirts and two shorts would have done fine. Also didnt need the second pair of shoes. I reckon my next pack will be about 10-11kg which should be better.
I dont know if that answers your question well enough, but hopefully it does a bit.
Wow, I'd go back through that part of the world again in a heartbeat. It was a 10 out of 10.I visited it this summer. If you enjoy with this kid of monuments, dont forget to visit Santa Maria del Arco at Tricio 4 Km from Nájera. and a little far San Millán de Suso Abot 20 km from Nájera.I've just visited Santa María de Lara, a rare visigothic church of c650AD in the sierra de la Demanda, south of Burgos. It's an amazing building, just outside the village of Quintanilla de las Viñas. The walls are covered with intricate stylised carvings showing plants, birds, vines and dogs. Inside is what is believed to be the earliest representation of Christ in Spain, and a sun and moon which later would probably raise questions of paganism from any sharp-eyed Inquisitor. After the reconquista, in about 880AD, it was restored, possibly with funding from Doña Mumadona, mother of Fernán González, the count of Castille.
Well worth a detour
https://www.google.es/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwit1Z3bgpTQAhVYFMAKHd3ADaIQFgg-MAU&url=http://cienleguasalaredonda.blogspot.com/2016/09/por-donde-nacio-castilla-tierras-de-lara.html&usg=AFQjCNHQDAtBfGkOAqOzE1zkrASLDR-8EA&sig2=iveqv30E44ECscsjhBwPcQ&bvm=bv.137904068,d.d24
I loved the Le Puy enough that I went back and did it a second time. But I would also put in a plug for the Norte. I've just reread my live thread, and it revived how fabulous it was. Even though we had quite a bit of rain. We did take a tent, so it may be of interest to those of you thinking about it. My posts were very intermittent, I seemed to post mainly when it rained, probably because they were the days we did not go exploring at the end of the day. It's here if anyone is interested.
@intrepidtraveler for companionship (unless you are a native French speaker) I think the Norte or the VdlP. There were certainly other English speakers on the Norte and although I have not walked the VdlP the desire for some company is one of the reasons we have chosen it for our April/May walk. The Le Puy is great, but we found that 90% of the other walkers were French, often only walking short distances.
As for the rest of us...
Maybe we need a map, a few blindfolds, and a box of pins.
Wish I could lend you my Irish passport.Maybe!...but then I would have to vamoose out of the Schengen zone for 15-20 days in July.
Hmmm. Worth a change of plans!
So yes, I will. I was thinking to duck out in May but would rather walk the Baztan together with you! I have to be in Ireland briefly in mid June, anyway...so instead of coming right back to Spain I'll find a way to stay away for enough time so that I can do some walking in July (at least with you, Sybile, if not more), and still have enough days on the visa to go to the meeting at the end of the month.aren't you going to have to get out of dodge for some weeks anyway?
Sounds like fun. Too bad my plans are likely for March and April! However, come to think of it, I will probably be back in Europe in July although I hadn't planned to include a walking trip then.... Hmmmm!So yes, I will. I was thinking to duck out in May but would rather walk the Baztan together with you! I have to be in Ireland briefly in mid June, anyway...so instead of coming right back to Spain I'll find a way to stay away for enough time so that I can do some walking in July (at least with you, Sybile, if not more), and still have enough days on the visa to go to the meeting at the end of the month.
Agree with you, Kanga, the Puy Way is a wonderful walk; however to socialise it is better to be able to understand a reasonable amount of French and at least speak a little. The majority of people were French speaking and often only walking a short distance as you say. We met two Australians, five Americans and a bilingual French Canadian. That was it for English speakers. We did not mind as we are trying to learn to speak French, but we did not form as many friendships as we did the previous year on the Camino Frances. We loved staying in the Gites though as the food was really good, we were made to feel very welcome and often had rooms to ourselves even when only booking a bed.@intrepidtraveler for companionship (unless you are a native French speaker) I think the Norte or the VdlP. There were certainly other English speakers on the Norte and although I have not walked the VdlP the desire for some company is one of the reasons we have chosen it for our April/May walk. The Le Puy is great, but we found that 90% of the other walkers were French, often only walking short distances.
If you don't mind pensions I think you could do the Norte...it's been a while since I walked, so I can't say for sure there are always hotels but I'm pretty sure you could find something. Another option that is very easy on the Norte, is they have excellent public transportation. So if you find a 'base station' you like you can use public transport to get you to and from start and end points if there's nothing where you want to end the day.We are also undecided but considering the Del Norte for Spring 2017. However, I prefer not to walk more than about 20km per day and I think some of the stretches may be too long without accommodation?? We don't mind taking private rooms, staying in pensions or hotels if necessary to break up the stages. We would normally prefer to stay in Albergues if available and can walk a few longer days if need be.
Thank you @Smallest_Sparrow for your quick reply, and your suggestion to use public transport.If you don't mind pensions I think you could do the Norte...it's been a while since I walked, so I can't say for sure there are always hotels but I'm pretty sure you could find something. Another option that is very easy on the Norte, is they have excellent public transportation. So if you find a 'base station' you like you can use public transport to get you to and from start and end points if there's nothing where you want to end the day.
Which route would you take? I am thinking of doing this in 2018.
Hmmmm, indeed!However, come to think of it, I will probably be back in Europe in July although I hadn't planned to include a walking trip then.... Hmmmm!
Yes please--and @SYates would likely appreciate it too.I walked from San Andres de Teixido to Ferrol (Neda) this year. I recorded my path on GPS. If you are interested I could send you a link.
I walked from San Andres de Teixido to Ferrol (Neda) this year. I recorded my path on GPS. If you are interested I could send you a link.
It's a very strange place, in a breathtaking setting.
I walked from San Andres de Teixido to Ferrol (Neda) this year. I recorded my path on GPS. If you are interested I could send you a link.
It's a very strange place, in a breathtaking setting.
Me also interested!Also, where did you stay between Ferrol and San Andres? And did you find accommodation in San Andres itself? Thanks, SY
@Viranani, @SYates
I have 'joined the dots' of my camino between Ribadeo and Ferrol (Neda) - you can find it in this link.
The section that included San Andres de Teixido was from Porto de Espasante to Cedeira (with a short tide on the Feve to get past the mud flats at Ortigueira). You can see it on Wikiloc here and read about the day in my blog post here
View attachment 30227
Ahhh, Maggie, your post reminds me I will have more decisions to make! Should I stick to the Norte or veer off to the Ruta deal Mar/Inglés?! I think I will leave that decision till I'm there and walking, but will read your blog carefully.
@Kanga thank you for this information. We are thinking of changing our plan to walk a much shorter camino next year due to time constraints. We are thinking of the Camino Madrid and stopping at Sahagun. We do still want to walk the Del Norte though and will probably try to make the time for it the following year.@Lucy Longpath we had no problem finding accommodation close together on the Norte - it is a holiday area and as long as you are not completely dependant on albergues there is plenty of choice. I can't recall any long distances - I'm quite sure you can keep the daily km under 20 if you want.
The food is also excellent! Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia - gastronomic paradise.
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