LIVE from the Camino OzAnnie -Camino Mozárabe de Almería to Mérida Start 28 Oct2022

[islandwalker]

Very difficult with 2nd dislocation..

Oh, Annie. This is a lot to deal with when you are in pain. Home will look so good once you get there. Thinking of you and hoping you get lots of help today.

 

[Former member 49149]

@OzAnnie wants me to inform you that unfortunately due to complications in her shoulder she took the decision to stop this Camino.
She will be in touch here when possible.

I guess I can speak for all of us that we wish her a speedy recovery and all the best with her planning.

Absolutely, and thanks for letting us know, Sabine.

 

[OzAnnie]

Yay. Sorted. !!! It’s 11,45pm here. I can go to bed knowing it’s arranged.
Copy below. Advice from travel insurance. …picking me up on Sunday midday
————————

Please see attached your ground transport and hotel itinerary.

As discussed, I have asked our travel agent to book for ground transport from your location in Baena to your accommodation in Madrid, we have booked you in for a night of accommodation at CROWNE PLAZA MADRID AIRPORT - C LOLA FLORES 1, MAD.

The driver will be ready to pick you up at 13:00 on 13/11.

The hotel has a free shuttle to drop you off the airport, you will need to ask front desk at the time you check in regarding request for a shuttle and your pick up time.

If you could please acknowledge receipt of this email would be greatly appreciated

———————
Flight leaves Madrid 8.20 am Nov14
Arrived Sydney 6.45 pm. Nov 15

No complaints there. Time diff is 10 hrs and 3.5 hrs transit stop in Doha/Qatar

Sad not to get any further and really disappointed not to visit Córdoba but maybe it’s still in my future.

 

[SabsP]

So relieved for you Annie!! All the best.

 

[mspath]

Annie,
I hope that your journey from now to home will be comfortable. May you have a speedy recovery.

 

[islandwalker]

Yay. Sorted. !!!

Annie, that sounds great! What a relief to know the driver will take you right to your airport hotel - no trying to figure out who will help you with your luggage, etc. Safe travels - I'll be thinking of you.

 

[Former member 104756]

Thank goodness that’s all sorted Annie. Well done. And a sobering reminder about the value of travel insurance with a reputable company. Insurance is one of those things … just another expense, a real pain … until you need it

Hope you are well looked after. Safe travels. Bon Courage

 

[AJGuillaume]

Yay. Sorted. !!! It’s 11,45pm here. I can go to bed knowing it’s arranged.

Safe journey home, @OzAnnie . Rachel and I echo your feelings, and we wish you a speedy recovery, with the best care. We'll keep you in our thoughts.

Sad not to get any further and really disappointed not to visit Córdoba but maybe it’s still in my future.

It's still in your future, as it is in ours, for sure! Who knows, we might meet in the Mezquita

Look after yourself! The Camino will be there to welcome you back!

 

[chinacat]

Oh, Annie, you must be so relieved!
You’ll be home, and healing, before you know it.
Of course you’ll be back … Córdoba awaits you

Wishing you a safe and pain-free journey

PS Here’s hoping you can enjoy a great meal or two, before you travel

 

[VNwalking]

What a relief to read your news, Annie!
Safe journey to Madrid tomorrow, and home the next day. And may it be a comfortable one! Such a disappointment, of course...but what you're doing now will allow coming back in good form next time. May the healing go well, without further surprises.

 

[peregrina2000]

Adding my feelings of relief and such admiration at your spirit. You still have a lot ahead of you, Annie, but you will soon be on your way. As AJ says, don’t give up on the mezquita. I think you’re right to focus on the immediate here and now, getting good treatment started, etc. But I’m sure the hope of a future camino is still alive and will be a great motivator!

 

[Theatregal]

Very happy to read this, this morning Annie! Now that things are sorted, I hope you have some good rest time in Madrid and safe onward travels home.

 

[OzAnnie]

@Kanga
Your suggestion back a bit about pain management & a vino tinto. One thing I’ve noticed on this route / a lot of tea totallers ! & mainly the Spanish I’ve walked with.
I bought a bottle to share last night but the other guests stayed out late. Marie-Chantal took a tiny bit. An English guy here tonight - maybe I might have someone to share a drop with. Maybe not. I’m not going to drink alone.
I also had a go at Wikilocs yesterday and today. (Some pics murals along the way ) I’m a dunce. I need someone to walk with me first and show me where I’m going wrong. I’ll not try it again until I’m home.
A few pics. One taken by the English pilgrim of me with Marie-Chantal on the top terrace of her Casa rural in Baena.
Casa Jazmines Mozárabes.

 

[C clearly]

I also had a go at Wikilocs yesterday and today. I’m a dunce.

I have not been converted to Wikiloc, either. Instead, I just download the tracks that I want and follow them on maps.me.

I'm glad to hear that your journey homeward has been sorted out!

 

[OzAnnie]

I find maps me much easier too. It’s what I use on camino. I was interested to follow some of the tourist trails around eg Baena or Granada that @islandwalker has provided links for. I think it comes back to what you know. .

 

[JennyH94]

Such a relief to have all your travel arrangements now set, Annie - I hope you’re feeling better and stronger every day and that the pain is manageable. Crikey - what a painful and stressful experience it’s been for you.

The photos are beautiful - Baena looks so lovely.

Safe travels dear peregrina -

 

[Former member 104756]

Love your resilience Annie. Getting out and about. I have fond memories of Baena!

Will be happy to share a vino tinto with you and JennyH back here. In the meantime, take it easy and safe travels. xx

 

[Former member 49149]

So tomorrow, my 7.20, your takeoff to your home space...
Annie, I wish you a safe and confortable journey till you reach your home place. May it go to plan.

 

[Kanga]

Yes, Annie, I'm happy to share that vino tinto too! Not too keen on the underground meetup in light of new waves of Covid, but very happy if we can arrange somewhere more open.

So glad everything was organised for the trip home, it may not be the most comfortable (that long flight never is) but at least you don't have to think about it any more.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Awaiting response from Australia. Very difficult with 2nd dislocation.. it happened during sleep so frightened and much worse. Praying for response from travel agent or travel insurer. Time difference prob.

G'Day Annie; real bummer about having to terminate the Camino. Hopefully your flights home will be comfortable. Also hope to catch up at Jan 2023 Sydney Pilgrims = a special glass of vino awaits your return. Cheers!

 

[linkster]

¡Deseándote buena salud!

 

[Magwood]

Wishing you a safe, comfortable and uneventful journey home. X

 

[peregrina2000]

Annie is in Doha!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I echo the lovely sentiments written by all others...they are a wonderful group of forum friends you have, Annie. Although I do not "know" you, I always appreciate reading your posts over the years.
Oftentimes "there is no place like home" and I'm sure you will be relieved to convalesce and recover your health under your own roof.

 

[C clearly]

I was interested to follow some of the tourist trails around eg Baena or Granada that @islandwalker has provided links for.

I wasn't very clear in my post. I meant to say that I go to Wikiloc to find interesting trails, and download those Wikiloc trails to use on maps.me.

Annie is in Doha!

Yay, Annie!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Annie is in Doha!

View attachment 136880

I think she will be on Qatar flight 908 out of Doha and into Sydney later tonight. Thanks for the update.

 

[OzAnnie]

Made it home safely. I’m staying with my daughter for a few days until I’m clear. Doctor appointment at appnt 9,15am in the morning. (Wed 16/11/22)
Xx

 

[AJGuillaume]

Welcome home, @OzAnnie !
We wish you a speedy recovery!

 

[Rushie]

Long story - flight delays - missed connections etc. Arrived Almería train station just before 9pm on wed night (26th) & was met by wonderful Nely of the association Camino Mozárabe de Almeria. I will stay with Nely for 2 nights & start off on Friday 28th.
Already she has done so much for me. Taken me to Vodafone / later to Decathlon for poles .
Now she has dropped me at La Alcazaba. We have plans to meet with another peregrina at 1.30pm. There is a blessing at Catedral tonight at 7.30pm.

Weather. Hot. 27celsius. I have prepared with warm gear but I’m sure it will get cooler at some point further along in November. The next week looks perfect tho.

Pic below is where I meditated at the beginning of Alcazaba and sent this post from.

Hasta luego
Annie

Buen Camino

 

[VNwalking]

Made it home safely. I’m staying with my daughter for a few days until I’m clear. Doctor appointment at appnt 9,15am in the morning. (Wed 16/11/22)
Xx

Wonderful, Annie! I'm sorry and relieved at the same time. May that appointment go well! I bet you're very glad to have that long journey back in your rear-view mirror!

 

[peregrina2000]

Wonderful news, I’ll bet it feels great to be back home. And with a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, no less! Let the healing begin in earnest.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Made it home safely. I’m staying with my daughter for a few days until I’m clear. Doctor appointment at appnt 9,15am in the morning. (Wed 16/11/22)
Xx

Hi Annie - you are probably at the Docs so no need to rush a reply. Really felt for you after the second dislocation. A real bummer that you had to abandon your Camino. Still Spain will always be there. Best wishes!!

 

[chinacat]

Here’s hoping your appointment went well, Annie, and that your daughter is taking care of her mum!

 

[Blister Bill]

Sorry to hear your news Annie and wish you a speedy recovery. Look forward to seeing you again on the way especially if you are aiming to finish your Mozarabe next Spring. Best regards Anna & Bill

 

[Kiwi-family]

Wow Annie, what a camino! This would be a fabulous thread for worried first-timers to read - they would find wisdom, resilience, problem-solving, gratitude, community, support, suggestion, affirmation and the assurance that even though bad things can happen, you can survive them with grace and serenity. Wishing you all the best as you recover.

 

[Dickwilbur]

Hi Annie.

Posting this on behalf of Shane from Plymouth UK who you met in Baena. As he told you, he doesn't do forums or social media but wanted to wish you well and he hopes your recovery is swift and that you can get back on the road soon. He's sat in front of me relating the latest chapter of his Camino.

 

[MarkyD]

Made it home safely. I’m staying with my daughter for a few days until I’m clear. Doctor appointment at appnt 9,15am in the morning. (Wed 16/11/22)
Xx

Greetings from Alicante, but not a camino this time. I just checked in because I hadn't heard of anymore posts from your trip.
I've only just seen that you've arrived back in OZ. The weather is changing now in Spain, so those out on the Caminos might be getting ready for a fee showers, or even snow! At least you managed to enjoy the last of the summer sun before you had to call it a day.
Buen Camino peregrina,
MarkyD

 

[OzAnnie]

Greetings from Alicante, but not a camino this time. I just checked in because I hadn't heard of anymore posts from your trip.
I've only just seen that you've arrived back in OZ. The weather is changing now in Spain, so those out on the Caminos might be getting ready for a fee showers, or even snow! At least you managed to enjoy the last of the summer sun before you had to call it a day.
Buen Camino peregrina,
MarkyD

I hope those further along on the Mozárabe manage to escape most of the cold.
I see on the Mozárabe Fb page that Peregrinos are still beginning from Almeria. Also the association albérgues are open all year - so comforting for pilgrims to know that they can find shelter by requesting the code. Such an excellent association down there.
The weather looks warm enough for walking though when I look at the weather app for Córdoba and Mérida. Some rain has to be expected by pilgrims and that area is in desperate need of a few drops.

Lucky you having time in Alicante Marky-
No doubt researching whilst there.

@Dickwilbur
Thanks for relaying the encouragement Shane. I’m sure Shane would also attest to the sincere welcome that comes to all when staying with Marie-Chantal at Casa Jazmines in Baena. Many (including Shane) decided to ask for a 2nd night of her hospitality. Hoping Shane did well on the time he had left to walk. The terrain (as I was being driven from Baena) back to Madrid - especially nearer Baena / was spectacular.. soooooo many olive groves. At least they looked beautiful across the hills into the distance from the car.
Still rather hilly though ? I’d be interested to hear from Shane or anyone else - how much difficulty they had crossing this region. That is ; on the camino route, as earlier on in Quentar ., the owner who took me to Granada emergency was explaining that people come to Granada hiking because they want the mountains - but after Granada… it’s easier- ‘only hills’ he said . Just wondering, after seeing the view on departure from Baena.
Glad to hear from MarkyD that there is some rain expected for southern spain but hope you manage to walk around it Shane if you’re still on the way.
It’s Sunday here back in Sydney. It’s always hard to get an appointment with a physio - but my first is scheduled for tomorrow. Monday 21st. So that will help me regain confidence in using my right arm. I’ve kept the sling in place 24/7 as advised by 2nd hospital visit in spain., but will follow advice I receive tomorrow.

Buen camino to all Peregrinos out there now. Be prepared for weather.
️
Annie.

 

[P Rat]

Long story - flight delays - missed connections etc. Arrived Almería train station just before 9pm on wed night (26th) & was met by wonderful Nely of the association Camino Mozárabe de Almeria. I will stay with Nely for 2 nights & start off on Friday 28th.
Already she has done so much for me. Taken me to Vodafone / later to Decathlon for poles .
Now she has dropped me at La Alcazaba. We have plans to meet with another peregrina at 1.30pm. There is a blessing at Catedral tonight at 7.30pm.

Weather. Hot. 27celsius. I have prepared with warm gear but I’m sure it will get cooler at some point further along in November. The next week looks perfect tho.

Pic below is where I meditated at the beginning of Alcazaba and sent this post from.

Hasta luego
Annie

Oh Annie! I was trying to contact you around about the time you left for Spain. We wer win your Oz neighbourhood and wanted to catch up. What a good way you picked though! We have booked tickets to do this Camino just after Easter, you can tell us all about it! So glad you got back to Spain after the pandemic, I know how much you feel at home there. Stay in touch? Sorry about the public post, no idea how to send a pm on this forum…
Much love, Frank and Patty

 

[OzAnnie]

@P Rat
I’ll pm you when I’m home.

Edit: actually I’ll WhatsApp you.
We used WhatsApp back in 2019 on the Vdlp. Remember Galisteo Parador.

 

[P Rat]

@P Rat
I’ll pm you when I’m home.

Edit: actually I’ll WhatsApp you.
We used WhatsApp back in 2019 on the Vdlp. Remember Galisteo Parador.

I’ll wait to hear from you! Speedy recovery Annie!

 

[linnea.borealis]

I forget what places you recommended originally in Córdoba Laurie.
Not sure at the moment ; whether I’ll be there on days I have booked . I have another day - to cancel booking. . Do you think Hostal La Fuente is not a good choice?

Oh my, Annie! I just started reading your account tonight. I booked tickets to Madrid yesterday, and the Mozarabe has been on my list. It sounds like a challenging walk, but I'm still intrigued. I will have to read on to find out what happens next for you. I see some familiar names here. We're getting older -- and three years of hiatus during the pandemic has not helped. My husband is now 82, and I'm not all that far behind. Our last walk was the Aragones from Arles to Toulouse. Before that, it was Toulouse to Puente la Reina. We found Arles to Toulouse difficult through the isolated mountain regions. These were the latest of several other Caminos. I'm no longer walking the 30 and more km per day I sometimes did on the Frances in 2010! But the crowds along the Frances, no longer appeal (we were hospitaleros in 2016).

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi @linnea.borealis
I hope your planning is going well. My apologies ., I’m a little confused or bad memory. Possibly another ‘Annie ‘ you walked with ?
All the best though for your future caminos.

 

[MickMac]

Annie P Rat has been trying to contact you maybe DM would help.

 

[P Rat]

I’ll wait to hear from you! Speedy recovery Annie!

Not sure you can WhatsApp me as I don’t have the Eu sim anymore. Anyway, we’re very keen to catch up and pick your brains about the Mozarabe. We intend to start this mid April. We have just left the ferry and are in Geelong.
If you respond here, or PM Patty van Hest on Facebook (me on a paddle board) I think we’ll be able to make contact.
I do hope your recovery goes well!
Patty and Frank

 

[peregrina2000]

Not sure you can WhatsApp me as I don’t have the Eu sim anymore.

One of the many wonderful things about WhatsApp is that it doesn’t care what sim card you use. I have used WhatsApp without interruption and without confusion for at least 5 years, going back and forth between a different SIM card every year in Spain and back to my US number on return. WhatsApp doesn’t miss a beat. I don’t know how, but I just keep adding numbers and it keeps recognizing me and them!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

it keeps recognizing me and them!

Oh my gosh, Laurie! I love your new Avatar photo. It looks just like you, "close up and personal".Everyone will recognize you, but mostly on those "roads less traveled"!

 

[C clearly]

One of the many wonderful things about WhatsApp is that it doesn’t care what sim card you use.

Yes, it only cares what your user name is, so you can sign into your account - just like Gmail and other accounts you might have. Your username might have been the Spanish phone number you first set it up with, in which case I think you can still use that as your username from another phone or computer. At least, it is worth trying, if you really want access to those messages. Maybe someone else can confirm this.

 

[OzAnnie]

The delay was at my end. I have WhatsApp’d Patty. (P Rat) and it was received.

Typing is very limited these days. Hands ache.
Will eventually update my recovery but 3 mths since fall and no change. (Waiting on specialists etc ) nerve damage etc. Movements and tasks really slow relating to RH and arm - but getting some steps in daily.

More later.
Annie

 

[Kirkie]

The delay was at my end. I have WhatsApp’d Patty. (P Rat) and it was received.

Typing is very limited these days. Hands ache.
Will eventually update my recovery but 3 mths since fall and no change. (Waiting on specialists etc ) nerve damage etc. Movements and tasks really slow relating to RH and arm - but getting some steps in daily.

More later.
Annie

@OzAnnie , do you have a very good friend who would be your camino companion?
There are many reasons for using baggage transfer companies, yours is a good case in point.
Meantime, as with many whose names have appeared and rested in shadows since my first foray into this forum almost ten years ago, I send my best wishes for restoring of your limbs and maintenance of your resolve.