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Recent content by curlylottie

  1. curlylottie

    Gite de la Porte Saint Jacques

    I stayed here for two nights before beginning my Camino in 2022. Lovely place, and if I recall breakfast was included but no other meals. They have a nice “sending off” ceremony. Fond memories!
  2. curlylottie

    Camino Frances in September - experiences

    I started from SJPP on Sept 13 two years ago, and it was magical. Some warm days, cooler toward mid-Oct when I reached Santiago. I had my first week’s accommodations reserved before starting, and then used Booking.com to reserve out several days in advance from there. And for that last week from...
  3. curlylottie

    Unfortunate, but true... I need to skip some sections

    You have a lot of good advice here, so I’ll just share my experience on the CF, which I walked in 2022, beginning Sept. 12 and arriving in Santiago Oct. 17. A bit longer than you have, but because Oct. 17 was a hard deadline, I took two taxis on the camino—one from Belgrado to Burgos and another...
  4. curlylottie

    Post Hip Replacement Camino

    My right hip was replaced in 2020, when I was 60—anterior approach to the surgery. I had complications with a fractured heel bone after that delayed my full recovery, but I walked the Camino Frances, with backpack, in 2022, with absolutely no pain or problem. Of course, everyone is different...
  5. curlylottie

    If you had to choose to skip a part of the route. What would be your choice?

    You can always start in SJPP and time your “skip” as you go. When I walked the Frances in 2022, I had a commitment back home that gave me a deadline, but my body had other ideas. With sore, swollen feet, I took a taxi from Belorado to Burgos and rested. Then reduced my mileage a bit out of...
  6. curlylottie

    Cool and fun tools (gift for mom)

    When I walked the Frances last year, I wore the lovely sterling camino pendant my husband had given me for my birthday. It is such a special token for me, since it traveled with me (I never took it off) and reminded me of my husband’s “presence” and love. (I walked without him.) You can find it...
  7. curlylottie

    Staying motivated between Caminos

    Oooh, the BK Lee videos are GOLD! Thank you for the reference!
  8. curlylottie

    Post-Camino Blues and Reflection

    Agree with others that 100kms is a warm up. I walked the Frances from SJPP a year ago (as a first timer newly retired at 63yo), and it took two weeks of walking for my feet to swell up, blister, heal, rest, and recover enough to finish the 700km walk. Also agree with you about the language...
  9. curlylottie

    Which jacket?

    I walked the Camino Frances in Sept-Oct 2022, and had with me a micro fleece shirt and a down vest and a rain poncho. But what I wore over and over and over and grew to absolutely love was my Patagonia Houdini jacket...
  10. curlylottie

    Looking for Long Pants and Shorts with Great Pockets for the Camino

    When I walked the Frances last year, I wore Mountain Hardwear women’s Dynama Bermuda shorts, capri, and pants. Elastic waist, pockets and a side pocket for my iPhone. Light and quick drying—loved them and still wear them hiking.
  11. curlylottie

    Buy a new pack or use what I have

    I would do some training hikes with the backpack packed and then decide. I walked the Frances last Sept-Oct with a full 35L Dueter pack and grew to *love* my pack since it was 1) new, 2) designed to fit a woman’s body, 3) super comfy. But before I left in Sept I committed to doing all my August...
  12. curlylottie

    Parador de Santiago

    Loved the Parador in Santiago, especially their breakfast buffet and the history of the place! Plus the nice room and laundry service ;-). Pilgrim rates and friendly staff were my experience!
  13. curlylottie

    Altra Olympus 5 Hike Mid GTX - follow up.

    ' Were you carrying a pack? Curious as my experience tells me that adds to the necessity of shoe padding…
  14. curlylottie

    Starting late from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

    I, too, had time constraints on my Camino Frances when I walked from SJPP last Sept. My recommendation is to take your time in the beginning. It is one of the most beautiful sections, esp walking over the Pyrenees. I ended up taking taxis twice — once from Belgrado into Burgos, which saved me 2...
  15. curlylottie

    Weight Loss, Chronic Pain & Keeping Fit After Camino Frances

    I would love to get back to where I was when I left. How long after your return did it take to moderate and get back to that? I’m exercising, and active, but struggle with “dieting” and restraint and/or finding balance. I grew up during a time when all mothers were dieting and that’s what I...
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