Dilemma - please weigh in (all opinions welcome)

[Takahiwai]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

 

[Robo]

Sorry to hear of your experience.

If it were me?

I think I would pick a ‘fresh’ Camino route.

 

[Takahiwai]

Sorry to hear of your experience.

If it were me?

I think I would pick a ‘fresh’ Camino route.

There were good parts to it, but the destressing part didn't work out at all. At the moment, I'm leaning towards your opinion that something fresh might be good. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I'm with Robbo on this one: pick a new camino.
Leave those bad memories and all of that negativity behind and go for something new.

Alone

A double bonus: you get to research a route that is new to you. Enjoy!

 

[VNwalking]

Hmm. Good question.
Loving both of those routes as I do, in your shoes I'd do the same ones by yourself, gloriously alone, and make very good memories. That's the unfinished business.

The Tunel San Adrian alone makes it worth it...not to mention whatever of the Invierno you had to miss.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I would start afresh, to give the bad experience some time to settle down and go quiet in my mind. If it calls you back again someday, by all means go. But don't do it just to 'tie up a loose end." A camino is a big commitment, don't let your little compulsions rule your common sense!

 

[trecile]

I think that you will find plenty of solitude on any route in February, event he Francés.

Regardless of which Camino you choose, you should check the weather and availability of accommodation in February.

 

[nycwalking]

I think that you will find plenty of solitude on any route in February, event he Francés.

Regardless of which Camino you choose, you should check the weather and availability of accommodation in February.

Trecile makes a good point.

The Frances has the best off season infrastructure.

Maybe an excellent reason to walk that route.

Whatever you do, this time walk your own camino.

Buen camino.

 

[Takahiwai]

@trecile @nycwalking - I'll never walk that route again, but thank you for your thoughts. (1998 CF - my first camino - was such a life-changer that I could never go back to it.)

 

[trecile]

How much time do you have available? The Camino Invierno might be a good option.

 

[woody66]

Good luck with whatever route you decide to walk!
My personal opinion would be walk a new route; where there are no previous emotional triggers for you.
New walk new day new you
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[Takahiwai]

How much time do you have available? The Camino Invierno might be a good option.

Definitely 8 weeks, possibly 11.

 

[roving_rufus]

There are arguments for both - redo or fresh.

Just a note about accommodation on Via Bayonne- alot of it is open year round (I walked Vitoria to Burgos in January) but the issue could be snow up after the San Adrian tunnel which is a bit remote.

Truthfully - I like to complete things

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Embrace and live with the uncomfortable feelings, start again with a new Camino and walk alone....Buen Camino

 

[Albertagirl]

I would like to thank you for the wonderful gift that you gave to the woman who wanted to walk with you. She seems to have found what she needed from the camino and perhaps would never have had the confidence to go alone. It was her camino that she walked, not yours. It may be difficult for you to determine how you can choose the right camino for yourself after your experience in giving up your camino for someone else's. Listen to your own heart and make the decision that is right for you now.

 

[Annette london]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Unless Spain is the place you want to be
Have you thought about Italy and. the Via Francigena, to Rome, perhaps from the very north of Italy as the St Bernard Pass may be closed then, not sure
It’s a wonderful route although most probably more expensive than Spain
Also the infrastructure, I think has improved since we walked it in 2014
Of course, you could also start in Canterbury and work your way southwards

 

[trecile]

Definitely 8 weeks, possibly 11.

With that amount of time the Via de la Plata could be a good option that time of year.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I haven't read all the replies, but in February I would pick a camino in the SOUTH!

 

[dailycamino]

There were good parts to it, but the destressing part didn't work out at all. At the moment, I'm leaning towards your opinion that something fresh might be good. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

I too would pick something completely different. Also, I’d be very selective about who I tell about it. If people want to get in on it I would be VERY clear about my boundaries. It would be hard pass. The last thing I want is to have to feel like I’m obliged to take care of someone else. That doesn’t mean I can’t interact with people along the way or help people along the way, but if they want to do a Camino, they need to be able to do their Camino and not expect me to babysit them by making all the arrangements, doing all the talking in Spanish etc. etc.. Too many times in life people are trying to cross boundaries and unless one is extremely firm, they do not understand.

 

[henrythedog]

I would like to thank you for the wonderful gift that you gave to the woman who wanted to walk with you. She seems to have found what she needed from the camino and perhaps would never have had the confidence to go alone. It was her camino that she walked, not yours. It may be difficult for you to determine how you can choose the right camino for yourself after your experience in giving up your camino for someone else's. Listen to your own heart and make the decision that is right for you now.

Seriously?

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Takahiwai
How unfortunate that an adventure you planned to be "restorive"(my words) gets commandeered.
I am in the camp with @Rebekah Scott, go back to the start. Sit down and plan your first week and then take it from there. (Just as an aside - in 2015 I cycled from Pamplona, in 2017 I returned and this time walked from St Jean all of the Frances - it was a totally different experience).
Á very special Buen Camino, go with the wind in your sails and wings on your feet.

 

[CTLawGal]

I agree with those who say start fresh with a new Camino - your experience with your friend is still too fresh. Going back now to do it "your way" seems a little bit too much like living in the past - let it go and move on, literally and figuratively. I feel like the experience would be more enjoyable if you are walking in the present. Go back when the feelings are not so strong - you're young, you'll have time.

I recently had a travel experience with a friend that felt more like babysitting (major health issues I wasn't aware of before the trip), and in many ways dealing with those issues disrupted my enjoyment of the trip. I tried to experience it as a practice of compassion, I'm not sure how successful I was at it. I need to go back on my own, just not right away.

Since you are starting in February, I too recommend La Plata - it's one I've been eyeing for a start at that time of year, February seems like the perfect time to start .

 

[J Willhaus]

Longer Caminos in the South like the Mozarabe or VdlP.

 

[nycwalking]

Definitely 8 weeks, possibly 11.

Lucky you.

VdlP.

Camino Invierno.

Via Mariana, an alternative route to Muxia and Finisterre. Sara Dhooma on YT posted her walk on this route.

You have plenty of time and options.

Buen camino.

 

[Takahiwai]

There are arguments for both - redo or fresh.

Just a note about accommodation on Via Bayonne- alot of it is open year round (I walked Vitoria to Burgos in January) but the issue could be snow up after the San Adrian tunnel which is a bit remote.

Truthfully - I like to complete things

I did Bayonne - Burgos in February, and had no problem with accommodation either. I pretty much picked the route at the very last minute, based on the weather forecasts at the time. I failed to factor in the French section of the route, where the weather was atrocious!

 

[Dani7]

@Takahiwai. What is your gut and heart telling you? Unfinished business lives there. Our minds can rationalize all day and tell us what we should or shouldn’t do. Whichever voice rings truest with you, there is your answer. Buen camino

 

[Takahiwai]

I haven't read all the replies, but in February I would pick a camino in the SOUTH!

Good point, but I live in sweltering heat all year round, so I embrace the cold when I can find it!

 

[Takahiwai]

I too would pick something completely different. Also, I’d be very selective about who I tell about it. If people want to get in on it I would be VERY clear about my boundaries. It would be hard pass. The last thing I want is to have to feel like I’m obliged to take care of someone else. That doesn’t mean I can’t interact with people along the way or help people along the way, but if they want to do a Camino, they need to be able to do their Camino and not expect me to babysit them by making all the arrangements, doing all the talking in Spanish etc. etc.. Too many times in life people are trying to cross boundaries and unless one is extremely firm, they do not understand.

I'll be telling noone except my camino-allergic friends here in Burma! I don't even plan to touch down in England this time - I'll just go directly to Spain.

 

[Takahiwai]

I agree with those who say start fresh with a new Camino - your experience with your friend is still too fresh. Going back now to do it "your way" seems a little bit too much like living in the past - let it go and move on, literally and figuratively. I feel like the experience would be more enjoyable if you are walking in the present. Go back when the feelings are not so strong - you're young, you'll have time.

I recently had a travel experience with a friend that felt more like babysitting (major health issues I wasn't aware of before the trip), and in many ways dealing with those issues disrupted my enjoyment of the trip. I tried to experience it as a practice of compassion, I'm not sure how successful I was at it. I need to go back on my own, just not right away.

Since you are starting in February, I too recommend La Plata - it's one I've been eyeing for a start at that time of year, February seems like the perfect time to start .

Your recent experience pretty much mirrors what happened between my friend and I on the camino, major health issues included.

 

[Takahiwai]

Lucky you.

VdlP.

Camino Invierno.

Via Mariana, an alternative route to Muxia and Finisterre. Sara Dhooma on YT posted her walk on this route.

You have plenty of time and options.

Buen camino.

It will mainly be unpaid leave, if that softens the blow!

 

[Takahiwai]

Thanks to all who've left their opinions (so far!) - I'm currently thinking about one of the following:

1. repeat the caminos and expunge the bad memories​

2. Madrid + Invierno​

3. Augusta + VdlP (possibly by bike, as I guzzle loads of water, even on short stages)​

4. Olvidado + Invierno​

​

It will all come down to the prevailing weather, I dare say.​

 

[nycwalking]

It will mainly be unpaid leave, if that softens the blow!

Just go and have a fabulous time.

Take loads of pictures.

Buen camino.

 

[VNwalking]

2. Madrid + Invierno

Oh, yes, this also is a nice idea. Though the Madrid in February may be 'interesting,' thinking particlarly abou the part over the Sierra into Segovia.

@nycwalking also has an appealing idea, the VdlP-Invierno.

 

[filly]

Just go and have a fabulous time.

Take loads of pictures.

Buen camino.

… and PLEASE post and share your experiences and photos. We will be with you all the way!

Gracias - ultreia!

 

[Takahiwai]

Oh, yes, this also is a nice idea. Though the Madrid in February may be 'interesting,' thinking particlarly abou the part over the Sierra into Segovia.

@nycwalking also has an appealing idea, the VdlP-Invierno.

Yes, I dare say it may all come down to the weather in the end, although we had a lot of storms and torrential rain on the Via de Bayona, and it didn't deter us. I found the heatwave in Galicia on the Invierno far more insufferable. I can't walk in extreme heat. I'd better get on with making some sacrifices to the weather gods.

 

[John Sikora]

I've walked about nine Caminos and have gone back to finish some sections that I didn't really get to do. In doing that, I had to walk some segments that I had previously done. What surprised me was that the ones that I had done before seemed different. The hard ones became easy, since I knew what was coming. The easy ones just became a jaunt. Going with a fresh group is just as good. Whatever your choice ends up, the real fact is that it is the act of walking a segment that brings the joy. Whether it is new or not is secondary.

 

[Tom Conklin]

Sorry to hear of your experience.

If it were me?

I think I would pick a ‘fresh’ Camino route.

I'm surprised you didn't suggest the Via which would be perfect for February.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Seriously?

Seriously.
I think @Albertagirl has a valid point.
If I had a friend who wanted to share a camino, I would not begrudge them... not even the things that didn't turn out according to *my* plan. In my reading, that is what "it's your camino" means -- that whatever happens is your path... not that whatever you want is what you get.
I have walked with a friend, and as the more experienced walker I laid out all the "what we will do if our walking distances differ, if one of us gets injured, and how we will handle illness" before we went.
*My* camino that time meant that I had to deal with getting CoViD (though I actually did not get sick), and following the health protocols to protect other people who could have become sick had I put my desires for my camino to be my vision of it ahead of other people's right not to be exposed...
My friend's camino meant confronting the anxiety of walking for 3-4 days alone, and moving through it.
If we live in the world with people, if we love some of them dearly, if we are needed... and if we are on some kind of pilgrimage toward something greater, then I think that taking a more generous attitude toward other humans and their needs and our place in an ethos of "be more giving than taking" makes sense.
Being bitter about a friend needing us so much, perhaps needing access to something profound that we have already had the chance to enjoy and learn from... is unfortunate.
If I felt that way, I would take my next camino to examine why I feel so pinched (try to remedy the causes) and I might even look to do some volunteer work on my next camino...

 

[Walkingat70]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Takahiwai
Do a fresh Camino and do it to your satisfaction.
Choose a route that suits the time you have. Remember that in February it will be fairly cold and not all places will be open.
Book ahead or research to see what is open.

 

[kptorrahk]

@VNwalking You could consider the variant route i walked from Madrid: Madrid - Simancas, then west along the Senda del Douro to Zamora (all historical towns), and then the Sanabres towards Santiago.

 

[pkonopka]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

I think the spirit of the Camino is such that those are not unfinished - they are what they are. At some level there is an end to the Camino, bu there certainly isn’t a set start except wherever to begin to walk.

I’ve walked two. The Frances solo, and the Portuguese with a friend. Personally I preferred the Frances and solo. It allowed me to float between groups and, in a good selfish way, explore what I wanted to when I wanted to. I met so many great pilgrims that way and ended up walking about half of each day with new friends, and half of each day solo.

Don’t stress about checking one thing off or another, just go and walk, and enjoy the simple beauty of that. Buen Camino!

 

[MarkyD]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

I'd pick a new route, and don't go with anyone else. You can always find people to walk with, chat with, have meals with - but you can walk your own itinerary in your own way. Walking with a partner all the way, unless you know them well, can sometimes be stressful for both.

There are plenty of other routes to choose from, or do a section of a route that interests you and combine it with another.

Buen Camino a la vuelta de España

 

[Elle Bieling]

Just my thoughts and experiences, after also not reading all the other posts:

I walked the Camino Inglés with a friend that made my life miserable. It was even my very first Camino! Fortunately, it was a very short Camino and the additional experiences outside of her drama did not leave me jaded!

I re-walked the Inglés some years later, and the bad first experience, while it did come up in my brain, fortunately on an infrequent occasion, I was able to create lovely memories that completely overrode the prior experience. I feel so grateful that the second experience made it so much more pleasurable in my mind now!

The same happened to me on the Camino Sanabrés, many years and many Caminos later. A friend walked herself into the ground, with a severe injury that ended her Camino, but fortunately, not mine. However, she made our group of four miserable and having to readjust our Caminos. I have not yet been able to return to do this one again. I feel sad that this is my sole memory of this Camino. I'm not sure if I will do it again, but only because I have other long distance walks on my bucket list, not because I don't want to!

Good luck to you, whatever you choose!!

 

[CTLawGal]

Seriously.
I think @Albertagirl has a valid point.
If I had a friend who wanted to share a camino, I would not begrudge them... not even the things that didn't turn out according to *my* plan. In my reading, that is what "it's your camino" means -- that whatever happens is your path... not that whatever you want is what you get.
I have walked with a friend, and as the more experienced walker I laid out all the "what we will do if our walking distances differ, if one of us gets injured, and how we will handle illness" before we went.
*My* camino that time meant that I had to deal with getting CoViD (though I actually did not get sick), and following the health protocols to protect other people who could have become sick had I put my desires for my camino to be my vision of it ahead of other people's right not to be exposed...
My friend's camino meant confronting the anxiety of walking for 3-4 days alone, and moving through it.
If we live in the world with people, if we love some of them dearly, if we are needed... and if we are on some kind of pilgrimage toward something greater, then I think that taking a more generous attitude toward other humans and their needs and our place in an ethos of "be more giving than taking" makes sense.
Being bitter about a friend needing us so much, perhaps needing access to something profound that we have already had the chance to enjoy and learn from... is unfortunate.
If I felt that way, I would take my next camino to examine why I feel so pinched (try to remedy the causes) and I might even look to do some volunteer work on my next camino...

I really appreciated these thoughts too, and a nice reminder of why we walk. And when you find yourself in a similar situation and start to feel a lot of negative emotions, It's important to stop and ask yourself, why am I feeling this and can I focus instead on compassion for my companion.

I"m not saying that focusing on compassion is easy, my own experience was that as much as I tried, those intrusive angry and frustrated thoughts kept coming back to the surface each time I found my friend's unexpected physical limitations resulted in a modification of plans. But that's why I think of it as a "practice", something you have to keep working on.

When it comes right down to it, that's just where you are - you agreed to do a trip with someone and you have to accept that the limitations. You can't go back in time to change it, you have to deal with where you are at that moment in time and let go of the negative emotions, otherwise the whole trip is a bust - and, worse, at the end you're left with thinking of yourself as not a very compassionate person after all (and isn't that one reason we walk the Camino, to try to bring out our best side?). These posts really made me think about this a lot - Thank you! Gratitude!

Lastly, I think this is also a reminder to think hard about whether you do want to go on this kind of pilgrimage with someone, and to come to some agreement on the "what ifs". When I first started thinking about doing the Camino, I had a friend who wanted to do it with me - I knew her well, but had never traveled with her. So I visited her for a weekend and realized we wouldn't really make good travel companions (including, she's a long-talker and I wanted some solitude). I also realized that she was not as fit as I was and wasn't really going to do much training to prep for the walk. I started to think about, what happens if she wants to do shorter stages or take more rest days? or if she gets injured and has to abandon? I thought I could handle the former, but the latter really got me thinking - I know I couldn't just drop someone at a hospital and continue on my own, I would feel obliged to help and take whatever time was necessary to help set things straight.

There are lots of reasons to walk with someone, lots of reasons to walk solo. I think you just need to think it through and do what's best for you. But once you do commit to walk with someone, that becomes your Camino and you need to just deal with it and let go of the anger and frustration that might come from the changes to the Camino you thought you were going to walk and use it as an opportunity to become a better person, the person you want to be.

My two cents anyway

 

[Takahiwai]

I'm surprised you didn't suggest the Via which would be perfect for February.

Plenty of others have, however, and I've definitely taken it under consideration!

 

[Takahiwai]

It's absolutely fascinating to read other people's take on walking (unwillingly) with a companion.

In fact, it happened to me on my very first camino, in 1998, which I did in order to write my thesis which was originally going to be about pilgrimage as a liminal period. A casual acquaintance invited herself aboard at the very last minute, and bailed out after Tours due to ankle injury. In fact, on day 2, she casually informed me that she'd always had weak ankles, and yet she was walking in soft leather ankle boots, and refused to contemplate changing. Our daily mileage became less and less, until finally we arrived at my parents' house between Tours and Poitiers. There we stayed for 3 weeks while her ankles failed to heal, and she steadfastly refused to contemplate buying more suitable footwear. In a dreadful scene, staged in a village bar four kms from my parents' house, I had to ask her to go home, leaving both of us in tears.

Why didn't I do this on my last camino venture, with this other friend? Mainly because she'd suffered a life-changing accident several years earlier, when knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. She'd spent the last five years looking after her Parkinson's-afflicted mother, despite her own problems, and after her mother's death, had virtually become a recluse. I thought the camino would be good for her, and it really was. So, yes, I did put aside my own needs, desperate as they seemed to me, because hers seemed worse still. The brain injury she suffered in the accident required powerful medication twice a day, which changed her personality completely. I learned to avoid being around at those times, because things would be said which were extremely hurtful. I'm happy that I was able to help her a little, but it wasn't enough to help me with my situation. That's why I'm looking to walk a solitary camino, and try to sort myself out. BTW, I don't begrudge for a minute giving up my camino in favour of her stronger need. I am genuinely happy that she emerged from the experience knowing that she was capable of doing much more than she thought.

 

[dbeatriceb]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Considering your plan to walk in February, I would look one of the routes that starts in the south or southeast. Beginning in Cadiz, Sevilla, Alicante, or Valencia, for example, might be better choices weather-wise. Maybe not Granada, since that is ski country and there might be more snow than you’d want to deal with. The uncompleted routes you mention aren’t going away, they will still be there for a future walk perhaps at a time of year when weather won’t be so iffy.

 

[dbeatriceb]

Considering your plan to walk in February, I would look one of the routes that starts in the south or southeast. Beginning in Cadiz, Sevilla, Alicante, or Valencia, for example, might be better choices weather-wise. Maybe not Granada, since that is ski country and there might be more snow than you’d want to deal with. The uncompleted routes you mention aren’t going away, they will still be there for a future walk perhaps at a time of year when weather won’t be so iffy.

And we should add a Portuguese Camino to the above suggestions. Chances are that would be a nice walk in February..

 

[Takahiwai]

Considering your plan to walk in February, I would look one of the routes that starts in the south or southeast. Beginning in Cadiz, Sevilla, Alicante, or Valencia, for example, might be better choices weather-wise. Maybe not Granada, since that is ski country and there might be more snow than you’d want to deal with. The uncompleted routes you mention aren’t going away, they will still be there for a future walk perhaps at a time of year when weather won’t be so iffy.

What you, and others, have said makes perfect sense, but the thing is that I've always loved the north of Spain, and would prefer to walk there, given the opportunity. However, I am tempted by the idea of the VdlP, just because it's such an iconic route. Still haven't made my mind up!

 

[Takahiwai]

And we should add a Portuguese Camino to the above suggestions. Chances are that would be a nice walk in February..

I'm sure they're delightful, but my emotional bond is to Spain, where I lived and worked for many, many years!

 

[peregrina2000]

Longer Caminos in the South like the Mozarabe or VdlP.

Agree with @J Willhaus. Since you have so many weeks, I would go for either the Mozárabe from Almería, or start with the Via Serrrana (Rock of Gibraltar to Sevilla) and continue on the Vdlp in Sevilla from there. The Mozárabe is a favorite of many, especially those who like solitude, who like albergues, and who have been bowled over by the caring hospitality of the Amigos in Almería. They offer endless support and take care of every pilgrim who contacts them and they run all of the albergues on the stretch between Almería and Granada (with maybe an exception or two).

The Via Serrrana is even more solitary than the Mozárabe and does not have many albergues so private lodging is needed. It is beautiful, but you may not find that it has that ephemeral camino feeling until you hit Sevilla.

No worries about albergue closings in winter on the Mozárabe!

 

[@Ditts]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Totally in agreement with Robbo. He’s also done loads of videos of many of the routes, I always find them helpful and unbiased. People are always asking who I’m doing my caminos with and are always shocked when I say that I wouldn’t go with even my best friend. Solo is best I think and a much better way of meeting a variety of people and just doing your own thing. Start afresh and forget the other person. Even if you did do one of those again , you’d have a totally different experience by yourself and would most likely form many new friendships and it would change your perception, well it’s a thought anyway. Buen Camino whatever you decide.

 

[Dudley]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Hi, you sure are getting alot of conflicting advice. For me, some of it is rubbish and some pure gold. But the point is we are all different.
Do what works for you.
In your final paragraph you say you “hate to leave things unfinished “, so maybe you will decide to do the same trip but on your own. As for “bad memories “ I find they are better dealt with head on rather than left festering away.
I will pray that what you decide will bring restoration of your body, spirit and soul.
Step your own steps.

 

[alexwalker]

I would do a fresh Camino. You have plenty of time to do the VdlP.

 

[Takahiwai]

I would do a fresh Camino. You have plenty of time to do the VdlP.

Not so sure about that - I'm getting on!

 

[Takahiwai]

Agree with @J Willhaus. Since you have so many weeks, I would go for either the Mozárabe from Almería, or start with the Via Serrrana (Rock of Gibraltar to Sevilla) and continue on the Vdlp in Sevilla from there. The Mozárabe is a favorite of many, especially those who like solitude, who like albergues, and who have been bowled over by the caring hospitality of the Amigos in Almería. They offer endless support and take care of every pilgrim who contacts them and they run all of the albergues on the stretch between Almería and Granada (with maybe an exception or two).

The Via Serrrana is even more solitary than the Mozárabe and does not have many albergues so private lodging is needed. It is beautiful, but you may not find that it has that ephemeral camino feeling until you hit Sevilla.

No worries about albergue closings in winter on the Mozárabe!

Both sound intriguing, thank you - more research required on my part!

 

[Helen2006]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

Remember that I can only tell you what I would do, not what you should… but, like you, I hate unfinished business. That’s why I would seize the opportunity to follow my own plan and would go back and do the job properly, perhaps making better memories…After that, I would feel free to choose my next Camino - but that’s me, not you!

 

[VNwalking]

I've always loved the north of Spain,

I'm the same.

The timing's a bit too winterish to combine the Madrid with the San Salvador/Primitivo - and for the Olvidado after Aguilar de Campoo, alas.

No-one has mentioned the Castellano Aragonés, perhaps in combination with something else like the Lana or Ebro. I've not walked it but it gets fabulous reviews from all the right people (here's looking at you, @peregrina2000).

If you want a mix of what you did and something new how about the Viejo from Pamplona, as far as Aguilar de Campoo. Once the Olvidado gets into mountains it wouldn't likely be suitable...but maybe as far as Cistierna, where you can head down to the Frances in the Vadiniense? Then along the Frances as far as Ponferrada (Invierno option) or Vega de Valcarce (Via Kunig/Primitivo option)?

 

[peregrina2000]

I'm the same.

The timing's a bit too winterish to combine the Madrid with the San Salvador/Primitivo - and for the Olvidado after Aguilar de Campoo, alas.

No-one has mentioned the Castellano Aragonés, perhaps in combination with something else like the Lana or Ebro. I've not walked it but it gets fabulous reviews from all the right people (here's looking at you, @peregrina2000).

If you want a mix of what you did and something new how about the Viejo from Pamplona, as far as Aguilar de Campoo. Once the Olvidado gets into mountains it wouldn't likely be suitable...but maybe as far as Cistierna, where you can head down to the Frances in the Vadiniense? Then along the Frances as far as Ponferrada (Invierno option) or Vega de Valcarce (Via Kunig/Primitivo option)?

I think Castellano-Aragonés and Viejo are great suggestions, @VN, but not for a February camino.

 

[ua1907]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

I would walk a new camino as well. Its too fresh, it would only bring back bad memories and ruined this one too. The “repair” camino will come later in your life, i’m sure. And if you are still in college, you are probably very young, a whole life is ahead of you, surely there will be opportunity to do those ones again the way You wanted them.

 

[aussie62]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

I would start a new one .. I would start at Pamplona as that is a really beautiful section and start with fresh memories

 

[VNwalking]

I think Castellano-Aragonés and Viejo are great suggestions, @VN, but not for a February camino.

Thanks for the reality check, Laurie. I assume you're considering accommodation issues rather than walking conditions, Right?

 

[Takahiwai]

Thanks for the reality check, Laurie. I assume you're considering accommodation issues rather than walking conditions, Right?

I've been looking at both, this morning. I am absolutely sure my camino choice is going to have to be very last-minute, and totally dependent on the weather.

 

[Liica]

At the beginning of this year, I took a term off (plus 3 weeks of school holiday) with the intention of walking a number of small, connecting routes in Spain. It's very stressful living in Burma, and I hadn't had a holiday for two years, so I thought it would be a good way to ponder my options and de-stress. Unfortunately, a very old friend decided to join me (just for a week, she said, but it turned out to be the entirety of the walk) and completely took over my camino. We finished the Via de Bayona (but skipped some stages that she wouldn't walk, including the all-important Tunel day), and failed to finish the Invierno because she contracted tendonitis.

I had planned to save up for a couple of years to fund my next visit to Spain, but I have the opportunity to go back next February. So, my question is, should I go back and redo those two caminos, or should I set my sights on another camino entirely?. . I don't want to bring back bad memories, but I hate leaving things unfinished, or badly done. In a quandary, so what would you do?

I would do another one, for sure

 

[dodo]

With that amount of time the Via de la Plata could be a good option that time of year.

I´m with trecile: I´m walking the VdlP starting in January. All the research I´ve done says: Go!

 

[Takahiwai]

I´m with trecile: I´m walking the VdlP starting in January. All the research I´ve done says: Go!

Buen camino! Who knows, I may well be following you!

 

[Takahiwai]

I just want to express my gratitude to all of you who chose to express an opinion here. I wrote down every suggestion and weighed everything up in my mind. As much as I hate leaving things unfinished, I think that Feb - Apr, 2025 I'm going to tackle something totally new - start in a part of Spain that I really don't know, continue on through other parts that I'm unfamiliar with, and try to see if a route that has its own sub-forum but no live threads is actually viable. I want to give myself a proper challenge, but if the weather is crap you might just see me starting a VdlP blog!