I think that’s it - Camino Angel

[GuyA]

After recently completing a hobbled and modified Camino Portuguese (walked from Lisbon to Santarem...train to Porto...4 day recovery...walk to Santiago de Compostela) and having previously completed 5 Camino routes totalling approximately 3,000 kms I think that’s it. Time to move on to other walks...maybe South West Coastal Path?

Many memorable moments over these 105 days of walking however a recent experience on the Camino Portuguese meeting what I consider a Camino Angel tops them all.

I would like to end my posts on this great forum with a little story.

In a previous post I noted that my Camino Portuguese walk from Lisbon did not go as planned...not even close!

I had to take the train from Santarem to Porto due to very bad blisters and here I met Dr. Olga of the Vita Saude Clinic.

Late on a Friday afternoon she treated me for well over an hour with utmost care and compassion (no one likes to change plans!). All for 40 Euros and providing her private cell number in case I needed help over the weekend (bed rest Dr.’s orders!)

On Monday afternoon a followup visit where Dr. Olga was very encouraging and told me that a Camino restart was possible with various caveats. Once again she provided her cell number in case I needed help.

Problems developed and both the following Saturday and Sunday we called Dr. Olga (she was not working) and she called back both times and patiently modified the approach.

The following Thursday (a full two weeks after seeing Dr. Olga for the first time) Dr. Olga phoned us as 10:00 in the evening to say she was worried about how I was doing as she had not heard from me since the weekend!!!

Dr. Olga was my Camino Angel and a person and an experience I will never ever forget. I would never have made it to Santiago de Compostela without her help. While I have thanked Dr. Olga post Camino there is no way I can convey my real appreciation.

By posting this I am trying to do so...one meets fantastic people along the Way.

Great memory!

Guy

 

[domigee]

Nice story, Guy. All the best for your next path(s).

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Buen Camino, Gyt, wherever you walk.

 

[Angelo]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Indeed Camino angels will find you when you need them most.

 

[Jo King]

After recently completing a hobbled and modified Camino Portuguese (walked from Lisbon to Santarem...train to Porto...4 day recovery...walk to Santiago de Compostela) and having previously completed 5 Camino routes totalling approximately 3,000 kms I think that’s it. Time to move on to other walks...maybe South West Coastal Path?

Many memorable moments over these 105 days of walking however a recent experience on the Camino Portuguese meeting what I consider a Camino Angel tops them all.

I would like to end my posts on this great forum with a little story.

In a previous post I noted that my Camino Portuguese walk from Lisbon did not go as planned...not even close!

I had to take the train from Santarem to Porto due to very bad blisters and here I met Dr. Olga of the Vita Saude Clinic.

Late on a Friday afternoon she treated me for well over an hour with utmost care and compassion (no one likes to change plans!). All for 40 Euros and providing her private cell number in case I needed help over the weekend (bed rest Dr.’s orders!)

On Monday afternoon a followup visit where Dr. Olga was very encouraging and told me that a Camino restart was possible with various caveats. Once again she provided her cell number in case I needed help.

Problems developed and both the following Saturday and Sunday we called Dr. Olga (she was not working) and she called back both times and patiently modified the approach.

The following Thursday (a full two weeks after seeing Dr. Olga for the first time) Dr. Olga phoned us as 10:00 in the evening to say she was worried about how I was doing as she had not heard from me since the weekend!!!

Dr. Olga was my Camino Angel and a person and an experience I will never ever forget. I would never have made it to Santiago de Compostela without her help. While I have thanked Dr. Olga post Camino there is no way I can convey my real appreciation.

By posting this I am trying to do so...one meets fantastic people along the Way.

Great memory!

Guy

Dear Guy,
I'm so sorry to hear your foot troubles but although one of those wonderful Angels helped you, I do beg you to reconsider exactly where you think you might walk next. I live in Dorset and have seen most of the South West Path - and it is NOT AN EASY WALK.
I hope I'm not offending any advertising rules but please do read Stephen Reynolds book "Just off for a walk". It puts the South West Path in perspective. That's all.

Jo
Old Dorset Tortoise

 

[MikeyC]

Dear Guy,
I'm so sorry to hear your foot troubles but although one of those wonderful Angels helped you, I do beg you to reconsider exactly where you think you might walk next. I live in Dorset and have seen most of the South West Path - and it is NOT AN EASY WALK.
I hope I'm not offending any advertising rules but please do read Stephen Reynolds book "Just off for a walk". It puts the South West Path in perspective. That's all.

Jo
Old Dorset Tortoise

As fellow Dorset residents we train on the Coastal path for an easy Camino. Admittedly, we don't do 34 days non stop which does add an extra challenge!