Pooh Poohed Camino Advice

[Kirkie]

I think I have finally found some wise advice, ie, something to ponder: we live in a world of differences, not divisions.

 

[dick bird]

“I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

¨It is always a silly thing to give advice, but to give good advice is absolutely fatal¨

By the most quotable man whom ever wrote in the English language, Oscar Wilde (who else?).

​

 

[Kathor1]

The American Pilgrims have officially reached out to the pilgrim office to verify this. It was presented in a confusing way. Until/unless the Pilgrim office changes the advice on their own website, it would be wise for everyone to stick to the current rules.

Thank you for pointing out, as others have done several times, that there is much confusion about this. We all ought to be careful with the sources that we quote from or the speculations that we are making, perhaps without even realising that we are merely speculating and not reporting hard facts.

I am taking the liberty of quoting what was posted by the American Pilgrims on the Camino Association as recently as some 12 hours ago. It was a podcast chat on their YouTube channel that became the basis for others to proclaim an "official" change of rules while it is far from obvious that this is the case.

We should all just wait instead of risking contributing ourselves to misinformation and confusion ... Below is the copy-pasted quote for those who cannot access the original post on Facebook themselves. American Pilgrims on the Camino writes:

Some changes were announced by the Cathedral Canon at the recent American Pilgrims on the Camino Zoom Open House. ​

We are awaiting clarification from the Pilgrim Office about these changes. In the meantime, we are closing comments [to this post] so as to avoid misinformation. ​

Once we have clarification, we will post the correct information. There is currently discrepency among the new credential, the Spanish and the English Cathedral Pilgrim Office websites. All we have are the statements recently made by the Canon.​

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I wanted to read some of the early posts on this excellent topic, which has stimulated so much fine discussion, but all the early post (before Mr Bird's tribute to the divine Oscar) seem to have vanished and I can't find them. Can anyone advise? Thanks

 

[Molly Cassidy]

I wanted to read some of the early posts on this excellent topic, which has stimulated so much fine discussion, but all the early post (before Mr Bird's tribute to the divine Oscar) seem to have vanished and I can't find them. Can anyone advise? Thanks

You need to go back to page 1.

 

[Lindsay53]

I'm the most down to earn person here. I'm not saying my advice is for everyone. We have a hiking saying in the US: HYOH. Hike your own hike.

"I am the most down to earth person here". You aren't quite grasping this entire discussion are you?

 

[isawtman]

"I am the most down to earth person here". You aren't quite grasping this entire discussion are you?

Maybe I am so down to earth I am not quite grasping the entire discussion. You could be right!!!!!!

 

[Kirkie]

I wanted to read some of the early posts on this excellent topic, which has stimulated so much fine discussion, but all the early post (before Mr Bird's tribute to the divine Oscar) seem to have vanished and I can't find them. Can anyone advise? Thanks

I don't understand your reference to the divine oscar...

 

[Gerard Griffin]

I don't understand your reference to the divine oscar...

Oscar Wilde, whose advice about never giving it taking advice Mr Bird quoted so effectively. He also said the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, and that the truth is rarely pure and never simple. That'll never happen to Oscar. May God rest his brilliant soul.

 

[CWBuff]

I feel like letting out a little Winnie.

OMG!!!!
That...just....doesn't look right...!!!!

 

[lt56ny]

I'm the most down to earn person here. I'm not saying my advice is for everyone. We have a hiking saying in the US: HYOH. Hike your own hike.

haha once again you have shown arrogance sorry to say and i am not trolling you. That you are the most down to earth person on this website. Pretty adventurous and may i say egotistical statement. I am an American too. We also have a saying live your own life and keep it to yourself unless you are asked. Maybe i just made that up. I am sure you are an experienced hiker but not so much a pilgrim. I just don't see it. Sorry but that is how i feel and just my judgement.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

haha once again you have shown arrogance sorry to say and i am not trolling you. That you are the most down to earth person on this website. Pretty adventurous and may i say egotistical statement. I am an American too. We also have a saying live your own life and keep it to yourself unless you are asked. Maybe i just made that up. I am sure you are an experienced hiker but not so much a pilgrim. I just don't see it. Sorry but that is how i feel and just my judgement.

This is the kind of uncharitable and hurtful statement and tone that in my view is contrary to the Spirit of the Camino.

I think we should willingly observe two principles. First, my father taught me that one must never take offense unless offense is intended. Second, he told me that I must never say anything about a man unless you were willing to say it to his face. He never knew about the online world but he would have insisted that the same rule applies.

OP, don't let anything silence you. Your post has initiated one of the best discussions I've seen on this Forum, home to some truly great conversations (often cut short at their most interesting point, but that's another story).

We are brothers and sisters on the Way and we need to cherish and sustain one another.

 

[isawtman]

it is beautiful, no doubt, but the crowds vary A LOT. So your experience, even if you went twice or three times, might be totally different from someone else's. Plus what is a crowd for one will be close to solitude for another ;-)

I'd like to make a couple more points about powering through (doing the stages faster) the last 100 km. And Artic Alex reminded me of one.

I wrote that one of the reasons that you might want to power through is then you can move on to something more spectacular. I suggested that people head out to Fisterra/Finnesterre. Well, maybe I shouldn't have said that it was more spectacular, I should have said it features different scenery, which it does being on the ocean. But as Artic Alex point out, experiences can be totally different. So, I went to Fisterra/Finnesterre during the first week of October. At that point It was a sleepy little town on the Ocean. But if I would have went there on the first week of August, my experience probably would have been totally different. At that point it could be a crowded beach town. Again, some people might like a crowded beach town, too, because of the scenery.

My second point is about the Meseta. Different people often give different advice about the Mesata. Some people say it's the best part of the camino, other people say if you are short on time, take a bus
from Burgos to Leon and skip the Meseta. Also, I used the Brierly Guidebook when I hiked the
Camino. In that Guidebook, when you reach Mansilla de la Mulas, it suggests to you that you might want to take a bus into Leon. Breirly seems to think that the scenery going into Leon is very industrial and you are also hiking next to busy roads for much of it. But here's the deal, my powering through advice doesn't include skipping any part of the camino. What I am suggesting that conditions exist where you could do the camino faster. Plus, under the current rules you cannot skip any part of the Last 100 km.

During the meseta is where I first developed my powering through suggestion. I did the 8 stages of the meseta in 6 days. Now, you may ask, why did I do that or what allowed me to do that? Well, first of all, I wanted to keep up with my Camino friends. I was 64 at the time and several of my camino friends were much younger. The ones that were close to my age were faster hikers than me. Second, the conditions for hiking in Meseta are fairly easy unless you have bad weather. And thirdly, I had my backpack transfered for the Meseta so I wasn't carrying my backpack. In Burgos I got a little rope backpack for using when I wasn't carrying my full backpack. I just wanted to take a break from carrying the backpack, and that too allowed me to keep up with my friends.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that having your backpack transfered is another technique that will
help you do the last 100 km faster. If that's what you want to do.

 

[lt56ny]

This is the kind of uncharitable and hurtful statement and tone that in my view is contrary to the Spirit of the Camino.

I think we should willingly observe two principles. First, my father taught me that one must never take offense unless offense is intended. Second, he told me that I must never say anything about a man unless you were willing to say it to his face. He never knew about the online world but he would have insisted that the same rule applies.

OP, don't let anything silence you. Your post has initiated one of the best discussions I've seen on this Forum, home to some truly great conversations (often cut short at their most interesting point, but that's another story).

We are brothers and sisters on the Way and we need to cherish and sustain one another.

we all have our own opinions and that is mine. I didnt ry to silence anyone. To be honest i think there is nothing wrong with stating ones opinion. You don't like what i wrote that is fine with me. Don't silence the OP but silence me???? Also you have no idea what my attitude is or how i treat people that is a pretty sweeping judgement of me. And your dad is right because no worries i would say this to your face without a problem.
Finally i definitely think after walking 9 caminos over 9000k that all are brothers and sisters. That is a fantasy that many have. I respect all until respect is taken away by actions. I wasn't disrespectful at all just stating my own feelings.

 

[John Sikora]

But, I didn't cross that line. I never said that my approach is the absolute fact. When did I say that? And, I have often suggested some other ideas. I have suggested that people take alternative routes such as hiking on the next street over from the camino. Damien Reynolds thought powering through meant hiking the whole 100 km with no breaks. But, I clarified that for him. It means doing the stages faster and covering more ground. It means doing the final 100km in 3.5 days instead of 5. And I freely admit that powering through is not for everyone. Jodean says she hiked the camino slower because she takes a lot of beautiful photos. That's great. And John, you may hike the Camino slower because you are filming the Camino. I have watched pretty much all your Camino Frances videos. And I suggest if people want to see what the final 100km of the Camino Frances is like, they should start by watching your video here:

. I usually speed up the John's Videos

Isawtman: Probably should have been clearer. I was commenting in general on the comments that were entered - not really on your opinion (which was not stated as absolute fact). Apologies. Also, thanks for watching. As a true slow walker (and getting slower as I approach 80), to each their own. Best wishes.

 

[jrewins]

Constantly. Together with the thought that I am not seeing the log on my shoulder when criticising the chip on someone else's.

That said, when a post such as that which started this thread is concerned, there should be a legitimate concern over what is objectively true compared to how @isawtman perceived his earlier treatment. For example, his claim earlier in this thread that

is debatable. He might have made that statement somewhere else than this forum, but it is not something that he has written here as far as I can recall. He did make this statement somewhere in the middle of 2024:

Why worry about this - surely this is just a little detail? Because it indicates to me that he has a fundamental disregard for the truth. If he cannot relay with accuracy something so easily verified, why would I trust him on matters where I am not able to test what he is saying.

Here is an example of why that trust is important:

Some who have attempted to engage with @issawtman in the past will recognize his ongoing confusion about the nature of the camino and his belief that there must be some central authority in Galicia that controls all aspects of the camino. Repeated attempts to disabuse him of this notion have clearly not succeeded.

But that is perhaps less important than the inference that there has been some ongoing conflict between different factions and that he was influential in that debate. While I don't expect to personally know what the Cathedral is considering, I expect that if there was some such conflict, as a community we might have heard about it through the various pilgrim associations or the press. But until the recent podcast, I had been hearing crickets. As a statement, I don't think he has had any role in the decision by the Cathedral to amend the current requirements for the compostela, if that is what they have done. This statement doesn't pass the pub test for me.

Those who have engaged with @isawtman in the past might quite legitimately have formed the opinion that he is a less than reliable interlocutor, and, .like me, be reluctant to engage in discussion with him. I think this is just one more example of showing scant regard for the truth in some effort to promote himself, or in this case, to present himself as a victim.

I don't buy it. I don't think anyone else should either.

Well said, Doug. I especially like the “log” analogy (…is that an analogy? ). I need to consider that possibility more frequently.

 

[isawtman]

Isawtman: Probably should have been clearer. I was commenting in general on the comments that were entered - not really on your opinion (which was not stated as absolute fact). Apologies. Also, thanks for watching. As a true slow walker (and getting slower as I approach 80), to each their own. Best wishes.

Wow, John, you are a true inspiration. Have you done any interviews or webinars? I'd really like to hear more about your story. I remember in some of your early videos you showed a lot of the vegetation
on the side of the trail. But you got that fixed! I hope to be still doing Caminos when I'm 80

 

[Arctic_Alex]

(...) During the meseta is where I first developed my powering through suggestion. (...)

The Meseta is indeed an example of how different perceptions can be. Some people hate the Meseta for its monotony and say it is boring, others say it is not monotonous but beautiful. To me, it appears beautiful and monotonous. I love how the monotony with my fast walking speed combines to something close to meditation, for hours.

So we are all different, all advice is welcome, but not all advice should be followed by everyone alike.

 

[Jodean]

Damn, here I am slowing down, looking at those darn snails, lady bugs and bees, recording the frogs and crickets, admiring the storks, wondering how old that tree might be, finding tiny weasel creatures skipping in and out of a tunnel, admiring the vaulting in an ancient church and looking for stone masons marks, or maybe just being quiet, listening to someone pour their heart out, and all this time I could have been going faster instead.
People like to walk their own speed and find what they need in their own way. If I went faster, I might miss the small stuff that makes life so fascinating and beautiful to me. Would I tell you to slow down though? Nope. None of my business.

 

[isawtman]

The Meseta is indeed an example of how different perceptions can be. Some people hate the Meseta for its monotony and say it is boring, others say it is not monotonous but beautiful.

I loved Alto Mostelares on the Meseta west of Castrojeriz. I would say that it's one of my top 5 experiences on the Camino Frances. My video of it is here:

Starting at the 7:30 mark is me starting up the hill. Also to all you people that
don't think I am down to earth person, take a look at one of my videos. Do so at bedtime and it will put you right to sleep!

 

[Marbe2]

We are askedas Pilgrims not to judge other pilgrims. We are to accept people from
all backgrounds. This forum should be more like that.

Here is where you lost me? My experience on this Forum is that members are generally very respectful. Yes, we frequently and passionately may present different perspectives based on our own experiences and knowledge, and we often respectfully disagree, but that does not mean we are not accepting of the person?

 

[WonderWander]

I too, enjoyed the one short section where I found myself in the midst of a huge, happy, polite, singing school group, as it was just another part of the Camino mix. Because they were altogether, it was easy to eventually pick up the pace and walk past, and generally my experience of the whole Sarria-Sdc stage was that it was overwhelmingly sparse with fellow-pilgrims - perhaps too quiet, for me! (Though I was also staying "off-stage".)
I guess it's also easy to forgot that each of us makes up part of "the crowd" for someone else!

I was walking in October, for reference.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I'd like to make a couple more points about powering through (doing the stages faster) the last 100 km. And Artic Alex reminded me of one.

I wrote that one of the reasons that you might want to power through is then you can move on to something more spectacular. I suggested that people head out to Fisterra/Finnesterre. Well, maybe I shouldn't have said that it was more spectacular, I should have said it features different scenery, which it does being on the ocean. But as Artic Alex point out, experiences can be totally different.

Well, the 100K+ between Sarria and Santiago can also be very different, especially if you're lucky enough to get into it with not many pilgrims.

On my first few days setting out from Sarria in early June last year I met no more than a dozen or so pilgrims per day -- but I am a very slow walker, so the start of the summer surge caught up with me and I ended up inside it.

Certainly after you get to the major towns close to Santiago, the Camino becomes less rural/semi-rural and more suburban/urban -- and not just the Francès of course, but most approaches towards the city. And naturally some people who are more attracted to hiking purposes than pilgrimage purposes will enjoy this less, especially if they also dislike more populated Camino routes compared to less populated ones.

OK and de gustibus non est disputandum.

And I myself have in the past made significant detours to avoid large cities for various reasons. On my 1994 from Paris I completely avoided Bordeaux but instead walked via Angoulême leading eventually to the Vézelay Way ; and later I cut across in a straight East-West line to avoid León, but that was because there was no Albergue there that year.

On my Way towards Fátima on my last very long Camino, I made a 100K detour around one large urban sprawl.

And from a common US thru-hiker perspective of "walk every step of the way" on "the" trail, well then those detours could be frowned upon.

Historically though, pilgrims would very frequently embark upon alternative routes for various different purposes -- except that it is geographically hard to do so in the final stretch towards Santiago, as it is a topographical bottleneck.

And your only realistic option to avoid it from the Francès is switch to the Invierno at Ponferrada.

But if your perspective is that of a "walk every step of the way" on "the" trail thru-hiker thing, well then those 100K+ from Sarria are a part of it. And good luck with them.

 

[jpflavin1]

First, I’d like to say that I’ve taken a break from this
forum for a little while, mainly because the advice
that I give out has been Pooh Poohed by many of the
forum members here. I realize that I come from a
different background than many of the forum members.
I have hiked the 800 miles of the North Country National
Scenic Trail in Minnesota mainly on weeklong backpacking trips.
I have also completed the 1100 mile Ice Age National Scenic
Trail mainly with day hikes and a few backpacking trips.
So my advice is a little different because I am from a
different background that includes backpacking.

For instance, on one of the most brought up topics, the last
100 km, my advice is totally different than some forum members.
I say if you started from St Jean and have been walking for something
like 25 days, well, you’re in great hiking shape by then. At that point
you should be able to just power through (do the stages faster)
the last 100 km and move onto something more scenic and perhaps
inspirational by going to Finnesterre or Muxia. I have written that the last 2 km
before the Cathedral are absolutely incredible but the 98 km before that
are pretty average. If you power through it that will give you
less exposure to the crowds, etc.

Of course that advice has been pooh poohed by several of our
forum members. Some of them say they even slow down in the
last 100 km because they don’t want their camino to end.
To me that’s just giving you more exposure to the crowds, etc.
For some people that might be good advice. But for me,
I’d rather be at the Finnesterre Lighthouse than hiking around
the airport near Lavacolla. I took a bus out to Fisterra/Finnestre
to meet up with some friends that were faster than me. I stayed
overnight with my friends and it was one of the most excellent
experiences for me on the Camino.

And, most of the people bringing up the topic of the last 100 km
want to avoid it, not go slower in that section.

Now I am happy to report that it appears that the Camino Officials
are taking my side by implementing new rules. The new rules state
that you can do most of your required 100km on whatever part of a Camino
you wish. So, basically, you could be doing Astorga to OCebriero
which is absolutely spectacular instead of hiking around the Airport
near Lavacolla.

But even if you are hiking around the Airport, the Camino treats everybody
who hikes around it with the same courtesy and respect. We are asked
as Pilgrims not to judge other pilgrims. We are to accept people from
all backgrounds. This forum should be more like that.

Anyone who thinks the last 100km's is too busy should detour to the Invierno in Ponferada, No crowds and a beautiful walk all the way into Santiago.

If you are just looking for recognition of an accomplishment, The San Salvador from Leon to Oviedo is a great walk and has its' own certificate. It starts and finishes in two wonderful cities and Oviedo has the best ice cream shop on the Camino.

Happy walking. I leave for Spain on March 9 and cannot wait for my next walk to begin.

Ultreya
Joe

 

[isawtman]

And your only realistic option to avoid it from the Francès is switch to the Invierno at Ponferrada.

I think Galicia has recently allocated money to improve the Invierno. They must be
getting prepared for more people to take that route as an alternative to the Frances.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

Just as well I'm only a regular little DownUnder bear .... and not a Pooh bear .... or I might develop a complex about being Pooh Poohed
This is all just too much for me ... maybe it's time to hibernate!
Before I do, these are some of my favourite "beyond Sarria" images ... pretty beautiful I reckon.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

And to finish ... when things just get too much, me sits me down and ponders

 

[Kirkie]

And to finish ... when things just get too much, me sits me down and ponders

You and Yoda, I would love to sit with you both under a nearby tree.
A rather wise countrywoman impressed me with this, 55 years ago: when all is said and done, more is said than done.

 

[Kathor1]

I think Galicia has recently allocated money to improve the Invierno. They must be
getting prepared for more people to take that route as an alternative to the Frances.

@isawtman, if you are not a regular follower of the Galician press, in particular of their Camino related articles, you may not be aware of the fact that "they" have invested millions of €'s, often with significant financial support from the EU subvention programs for the poorest regions in the EU, to improve the infrastructure of all the Caminos in Galicia, and in particular the lesser frequented ones, among them the C. Inglés and the C. Invierno. New Xunta (public) albergues have been built already or former school buildings and parish buildings have been renovated and turned into albergues, and more are planned.

May I recommend to you: Plan Director de los Camino de Santiago en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia 2022-2027.

This document is brimming with information about all possible aspects of the Caminos de Santiago in Galicia: 251 pages full of details about the current state of affairs and about future imminent plans for improvement and conservation of all sorts - certainly highly relevant and interesting for peregrinos like you who are apparently engaged to bring about change for the better. Aspect of the valores paisajísticos and their conservation or improvement are addressed and there are tables with details about the many actors in Galicia and their various competencies for all aspects of the Caminos - another topic that you appear to be interested in.

One general strategy that has been pursued by "them" for years: to encourage Camino pilgrims to walk the lesser frequented Caminos and doing so during the lesser busy periods of the year. Busy periods of the year on the Galician Caminos are July and August for Spanish pilgrims and May and September for international pilgrims. And the most frequented Camino in Galicia is the Camino Frances.

I believe you walked the CF in September? Then you are part of the target group where "they" would like to see change of pilgrims' Travel & Camino patterns.

 

[Kirkie]

I think Galicia has recently allocated money to improve the Invierno. They must be
getting prepared for more people to take that route as an alternative to the Frances.

Do pay attention to @Kathor1

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

You and Yoda, I would love to sit with you both under a nearby tree.
A rather wise countrywoman impressed me with this, 55 years ago: when all is said and done, more is said than done.

You and Yoda, I would love to sit with you both under a nearby tree.
A rather wise countrywoman impressed me with this, 55 years ago: when all is said and done, more is said than done.

I'd have to agree with that rather wise countrywoman Kirkie. I'm sure we all know somebody who's full of good advice but so empty of action. Just join a committee and you'll find one or more. That said, don't let that stop you from joining a committee that actions worthwhile outcomes

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Kudos to the OP ... They can pooh-pooh you all they like, but if there was a prize for starting one of the best threads on this best of forums (fora? ... some pendant will be sure to let me know) you'd win it hands down, OP. Keep posting, never stop.

 

[grayland]

The OP must also hold the award/record for the receiving the most personal attacks on one thread.
I am amazed the some of the posts were/are allowed.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

The OP must also hold the award/record for the receiving the most personal attacks on one thread.

Damn, I covered that award. Next year for certain, I'm a subscriber to the thousand-flies theory of Truth. So enjoy your award OP, next year it's all mine

 

[SabsP]

General notes :

1. If you want to you can unfollow a thread.
2. There is also the option to " ignore " a poster if you want to avoid aggrevation, irritation and anger.

 

[Anamiri]

If you want to see what it is like that last 100km, take a look at my videos, one for each of the last 5 days. Quick to watch with your coffee and breakfast. Then let us know if think it is beautiful or not or too crowded.

The walk through Galicia is in my opinion very pretty. The misty mornings clearing, revealing the lovely rural setting is a fond memory.
Yes there are more people on this stretch, but the scenery itself is beautiful. Villages, farmland, gardens - all quite picturesque. Don't forget that the majority of people walking this part are Spanish, enjoying their own countryside.

Personally I prefer walking through countryside to cities, so for me the walk through Santiago is for the most part just like any other city, except for the anticipation of the cathedral, and the old town.

This year I avoided the crowds from Sarria for the most part (early June), so that is very doable. Without the need to Power through.

 

[stewinyvr]

@isawtman, if you are not a regular follower of the Galician press, in particular of their Camino related articles, you may not be aware of the fact that "they" have invested millions of €'s, often with significant financial support from the EU subvention programs for the poorest regions in the EU, to improve the infrastructure of all the Caminos in Galicia, and in particular the lesser frequented ones, among them the C. Inglés and the C. Invierno. New Xunta (public) albergues have been built already or former school buildings and parish buildings have been renovated and turned into albergues, and more are planned.

May I recommend to you: Plan Director de los Camino de Santiago en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia 2022-2027.

This document is brimming with information about all possible aspects of the Caminos de Santiago in Galicia: 251 pages full of details about the current state of affairs and about future imminent plans for improvement and conservation of all sorts - certainly highly relevant and interesting for peregrinos like you who are apparently engaged to bring about change for the better. Aspect of the valores paisajísticos and their conservation or improvement are addressed and there are tables with details about the many actors in Galicia and their various competencies for all aspects of the Caminos - another topic that you appear to be interested in.

One general strategy that has been pursued by "them" for years: to encourage Camino pilgrims to walk the lesser frequented Caminos and doing so during the lesser busy periods of the year. Busy periods of the year on the Galician Caminos are July and August for Spanish pilgrims and May and September for international pilgrims. And the most frequented Camino in Galicia is the Camino Frances.

I believe you walked the CF in September? Then you are part of the target group where "they" would like to see change of pilgrims' Travel & Camino patterns.

Thanks for sharing this..I was looking for something like this yesterday.

 

[jpflavin1]

I think Galicia has recently allocated money to improve the Invierno. They must be
getting prepared for more people to take that route as an alternative to the Frances.

The Invierno is a great 9-11 day walk. Day 7, according to Gronze.com, can be a tough climb finishing in Chantada. Lightly traveled but plenty of accommodation. Very different entry to Santiago.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[isawtman]

You may recommend it if there is a version in English

May I recommend to you: Plan Director de los Camino de Santiago en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia 2022-2027.

 

[dick bird]

Very different entry to Santiago.

Absolutely endorse that. The first sight of the cathedral is almost as if it were staged. This, incidentally, is also the entry from the VdlP, the two routes coincide for the last stages.

 

[dougfitz]

You may recommend it if there is a version in English

@Kathor1 may recommend things no matter what language they are written in, as might anyone else.

 

[isawtman]

@Kathor1 may recommend things no matter what language they are written in, as might anyone else.

Well, @Kathor1 was specifically recommending it to me. And I don't mind if anyone else recommends stuff to me. But I'm not all that great with Spanish. I can get by, but not a huge document.

 

[dougfitz]

Well, @Kathor1 was specifically recommending it to me. And I don't mind if anyone else recommend stuff to me.

Really. The post was on a public thread, apparently in response to something you had posted that was also on this thread. None of this has the hallmarks of a private conversation or recommendation.

Having said that, and having read a small part of the document earlier, I agree with her that it is something that you might find useful. But then, I think anyone with a genuine interest in improving the camino would benefit from understanding what strategies the Galician Xunta has in mind for that.

 

[isawtman]

Really. The post was on a public thread, apparently in response to something you had posted that was also on this thread. None of this has the hallmarks of a private conversation or recommendation.

@isawtman, if you are not a regular follower of the Galician press, in particular of their Camino related articles, you may not be aware of the fact that "they" have invested millions of €'s, often with significant financial support from the EU subvention programs for the poorest regions in the EU, to improve the infrastructure of all the Caminos in Galicia, and in particular the lesser frequented ones, among them the C. Inglés and the C. Invierno. New Xunta (public) albergues have been built already or former school buildings and parish buildings have been renovated and turned into albergues, and more are planned.

May I recommend to you: Plan Director de los Camino de Santiago en la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia 2022-2027.

Yes, the post was on a public thread, but Kathor1 wrote @isawtman in front of it so the comment was directed at me

 

[JabbaPapa]

The OP must also hold the award/record for the receiving the most personal attacks on one thread.
I am amazed the some of the posts were/are allowed.

Well, there have been quite a few robust disagreements with various parts of his contributions, but not so many personal attacks as you seem to think, IMO anyway.

Also, questions concerning routes within the 100K+ radius around the cathedral have recently become more topical ; so that there is bound to be a bit more discussion about this area than previously, at least until these questions shall have been clarified.

 

[dick bird]

Yes, the post was on a public thread, but Kathor1 wrote @isawtman in front of it so the comment was directed at me

Could you use Google translate or a similar translation app?

 

[dougfitz]

Yes, the post was on a public thread, but Kathor1 wrote @isawtman in front of it so the comment was directed at me

I don't agree with your interpretation, but only @Kathor1 would be able to tell us what her intention was.

Not that, in this case, this is particularly relevant, because I was commenting on something that you posted which by your interpretation was not addressed personally to @Kathor1, but to anyone who happened to be reading this thread.

For someone who seems to have started this thread because your advice was not being given serious consideration, you seem remarkably quick to want to shut others down.

 

[LeslieC]

I've been following this conversation with interest but hadn't intended to add to it, until a thought occurred to me on my walk today. This is from the very first post:

I say if you started from St Jean and have been walking for something
like 25 days, well, you’re in great hiking shape by then. At that point
you should be able to just power through (do the stages faster)
the last 100 km and move onto something more scenic and perhaps
inspirational by going to Finnesterre or Muxia.

My revelation was that there's a fallacy here. Yes, you may well be much stronger than when you started, but equally well there will be some of us who are less healthy, or have become injured along the way, for whom the last 100km (or even the last 100m) are a painful trial they'll be pleased to reach the end of.

In a nutshell: walking quickly is often a choice. Walking slowly may not be.

 

[Bob Howard]

And to finish ... when things just get too much, me sits me down and ponders

Bonnie, you took a really great photo with this one--lighting, composition, everything. Would make a great oil painting. Moderators, is there a repository for "really great photos", although who would determine what
"great" is. Anyway, I aspire to capturing a scene like this.

 

[isawtman]

For someone who seems to have started this thread because your advice was not being given serious consideration, you seem remarkably quick to want to shut others down.

I didn't shut you down at all. In fact it took a few posts to explain to you that Kathlor1 had actually directed that post at me. And I seriously doubt you could be shut down and I would not try to do that.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

Bonnie, you took a really great photo with this one--lighting, composition, everything. Would make a great oil painting. Moderators, is there a repository for "really great photos", although who would determine what
"great" is. Anyway, I aspire to capturing a scene like this.

View attachment 183500

Thanks Bob (and I really don't mind being called Bonnie) and Bronte wasn't offended either The Camino lends itself to amazing images and as one walks the "slow walk" they are easy to spot. My husband and I are keen amateur photographers and during COVID I posted some of my favourite images on this forum. At that stage I think we were limited to 1 or 2 images a day ... thanks to whomever began that thread, it kept the Camino community connected and there was a lot of reminiscing going on. Let's not even try to define "great" ... like many things, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'll share another favourite that showed life on the "path". This time it was on the Le Puy walk just after leaving Osterbad. A beautiful serene moment in the morning of the farmer.

 

[isawtman]

My revelation was that there's a fallacy here. Yes, you may well be much stronger than when you started, but equally well there will be some of us who are less healthy, or have become injured along the way, for whom the last 100km (or even the last 100m) are a painful trial they'll be pleased to reach the end of.

Some people don't make it to the last 100 km.

I met a man in Carrion de los Condes who was almost crying
He had a big heavy backpack, big heavy boots and big blisters.
It was a Sunday and he was going to see the doctor the next day.
He had started at Burgos so he was only on the Camino for four days.
He told me he thought his camino was over.

I told him Nope

I grabbed his backpack to see how much it weighed. Whew! I told him to
ship half the stuff in the backpack back home. And while he was shipping,
ship his big heavy boots back home, too. I told him to get a pair of
light hikers like mine. If the doctor told him to rest a couple days,
rest on a bus going to Sarria. When he gets to Sarria and if his feet are better
start hiking something like 8 miles a day. Then, after 8 days he will have completed
enough of the Camino to get a Compostela. He could take it home to show
people and nobody would know the difference.

So what's the moral of the story: Well, it's that I CAN advise people
to go slow in the Last 100 km!

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

Please bear with me for 1 more picture as I love B&W images. I had never seen trees pruned in this fashion but the canopy of branches formed such an interesting pattern. Taken just before Pamplona in the little town of Villava in April 2013

 

[Arctic_Alex]

(...) In a nutshell: walking quickly is often a choice. Walking slowly may not be.

Reminds me, as a really fast walker doing sometimes ultra-long days, of those two days on the Primitivo when I was slow as a snail, one day even limping and people looking in pity at that old man who should not be on any camino and who certainly was not really fit enough to walk anything longer than from his doorstep to his car.