Soft tips for new walkers

[dbier]

Like the old saying goes, " I don't have to outrun the predator. I just have to outrun you."

 

[trecile]

When I choose a bunk in an albergue I first look for a bed close to an electrical outlet. Next, I like to be near a window to have control of the window.

 

[Purple Backpack]

6. Have a treat in your pack for the moment you need it. (Depending on the season it best be something that is good warm or cold). For me thats usually a can of Coke, some Oreos or some licorish / gummi bears (that the right word?). Especially good with tip #2.

Peanut butter M & Ms are reserved for the Camino.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Next, I like to be near a window to have control of the window.

Haha. Good luck with that! .

R u a "closer" or an "opener"? I'm an opener, but some people out there think they'll catch a "chill" that will kill them if the window is cracked.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I thought this thread was about poles.

 

[Richard Smith]

When I choose a bunk in an albergue I first look for a bed close to an electrical outlet. Next, I like to be near a window to have control of the window.

+1 for this

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I'm sorry. I can't resist another story. Sometimes I feel like I'm reporting "band camp". Apologies.

So one time, after walking into Oviedo after the San Salvador, I was placed in the 'Old man room". This was sort of a unique Albergue, where the "man in charge" assigned a room based on a demographic. Couples got one room, Single women got another... and well I got stuck with the old guys.

I walked into the room and was instantly overcome by the smell of ben-gay (think warming agent for joints) and flagellance.

So I go to the window, and open it.

And then some dude says, "oh no, don't open it. We'll catch a chill."

I respected, almost barfing. But when he fell asleep, I opened it up again, just so I could breathe.

All night it was a war of window openers vs closers.

 

[SabsP]

I walked into the room and was instantly overcome by the smell of ben-gay (think warming agent for joints) and flagellance.

So I go to the window, and open it.

And then some dude says, "oh no, don't open it. We'll catch a chill."

I presume you mean flatulence? I sincerely hope you were not sharing a room with a flaggelant?
Though I can imagine that someone would like to punish himself due to personal farting.

 

[JJW]

Mr. Corn.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I presume you mean flatulence? I sincerely hope you were not sharing a room with a flaggelant?
Though I can imagine that someone would like to punish himself due to personal farting.

I should have just said "farts".

 

[Damien Reynolds]

your fanny pack

20) Don't say "fanny pack". It's a cultural thing. Learned the hard way.

 

[Damico Walking]

My personal set of rules to camino by:
1) hydrate often
2) snack often
3) never pass up a toilet (a function of numbers 1 & 2, no pun intended)
4) never pass up a bar, needed for number 3
5) never pass up a laundromat, you get clean clothes and you get to watch something that looks like TV
And
4) always stop to get out phone/camera to take a picture since you are always one wrong step from a sprained ankle/camino end.

 

[Bradypus]

No way! I always thought Europe had lost all its predators! I've never seen anything like that!

The ones I get worried about are the Wild Boars...

I've seen wild boar a couple of times on the Via de la Plata. Always in a hurry to get away from me. And at one place the hospitalero told me that a wolf had been spotted crossing the path a few hours earlier. Sadly I didn't get a glimpse of it myself. I did once hear wolves howling at night in a forest in Poland. A remarkable sound.

 

[David61]

#?a If your familia is developing, discuss tomorrow's destination or lunch stop. You are unlikely to all walk at the same pace, at least you will be able to meet during the day.

#?b Don't forget to look up. Spain has some beautiful birds!

#?c Shade. Seek out shade for your rest breaks.

#?d If you can find safe access to a creek or river, that's a great time to give your feet a nice cool dip in the water. (A friend and I found a spot with no one around to pause. By the time we left there were 7 other pilgrims that followed our lead!)

Spain does indeed have beautiful birds. It also has vultures which are spectacular although only their parents think them beautiful. Although these peregrinos of the air do not like going to Portugal for pilgrimage! There is a reason for this.

 

[VNwalking]

always stop to get out phone/camera to take a picture since you are always one wrong step from a sprained ankle/camino end.

This.
Also stop, pause, look around. There is no need to hurry.

 

[pelerine]

And finally, don't worry - there is always a bed somewhere.

Yes, but sometimes many miles away and not anywhere near the camino…

Usually. I was very glad for my phone's flashlight.

I take paper to the loo, not a telephone…..

In 2024 anyone using those horrid poles without soft tips on surfaced paths will have a custard pie thrown into their face - I will be carrying at least a dozen

Hi David, do you carry these custard pies now instead of the first aid equipment you used to carry to help pilgrims in distress ( have I got this right or am I mistaking you for someone else?)?

No, NW Spain was the last bastion of such beasts (there and the Apennines of Italy). Populations started rebounding as the humans started deserting the rural areas in favour of the city's to seek fortune. Then came the added protections under the Bern Convention to start trying to undo some of the damage we've done to our world. But the success story is in danger of being rewritten as farmers struggle or simply refuse to live along side these animals.

I thought the bears in Spain were reintroduced from Italy some years ago like wolves in France, in the Pyrenees - do they respect the borders and stay in France?

 

[Damien Reynolds]

do they respect the borders and stay in France?

Let's hope not.

 

[trecile]

I take paper to the loo, not a telephone…..

Both are good to have when the automatic light goes out!

 

[Bradypus]

I take paper to the loo, not a telephone…..

One situation where an Android app really is no substitute for an old-fashioned guide book...

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I did once hear wolves howling at night in a forest in Poland

I hear Coyotes outside my doorstep, (I live in a city) when they all gather it's crazy. Not so many outside cats anymore. Sorry @David.

 

[David Tallan]

I take paper to the loo, not a telephone…..

I take paper, too. But I will take my phone if I can't count on the light staying on. Which is sometimes the case. I like to have both paper and light available.

 

[Mycroft]

Yeah, i wasnt sure about the exact term in english. Those sweet, stringy jelly things that practically every spanish supermarket carries. Doesn't get bad, doesn't melt, lots of sugar for a quick energy and/or morale boost and there usually is a picture of some fruit on the packaging so it must be healthy as well ;-)

licorice

 

[davejsy]

I thought the bears in Spain were reintroduced from Italy some years ago like wolves in France, in the Pyrenees - do they respect the borders and stay in France?

In the Pyrenees yes, although they were reintroduced from Slovakia I think. The last original Pyrenean best was shot in Urdos early 2000's in "self-defence".

However, the Cantabrian population is still the original, I think they were down to the last 50 when conservation efforts started. There are two main groups at present, the largest of about 200 centered around Somiedo (a beautiful place if anyone wants to go see a bear), and a smaller group of 50-75 around Palencia/Pico's de Europa.

As with the wolves they can travel large distances, and have been seen from Burgos area to deep in Galicia. Both the Primativo and San Salvador cut through some of the best bear country in Spain. While the bears are easier to spot than the wolves you would still need to be lucky or knowledgeable to do so.

Spain is a beautiful country on so many levels, and it's wildlife is certainly one of them.

 

[SeñorJacques]

I thought this thread was about poles.

Glad I'm not the only one!

 

[Robo]

Spain does indeed have beautiful birds. It also has vultures which are spectacular although only their parents think them beautiful. Although these peregrinos of the air do not like going to Portugal for pilgrimage! There is a reason for this.

These birds of prey were circling me as I prepared for the walk up Calvary Hill on the VdlP.
Just before Almaden. I was determined not to trip and look injured!!


View attachment 2023-03-28 11.51.11.mp4

 

[David Tallan]

licorice

I would say "red licorice". If you don't specify otherwise, black licorice is understood, which has a very different flavour.

 

[bellamira]

Spain does indeed have beautiful birds. It also has vultures which are spectacular although only their parents think them beautiful. Although these peregrinos of the air do not like going to Portugal for pilgrimage! There is a reason for this.
View attachment 162075

This is so interesting. Does it have anything to do with laws on how farmers are allowed to dispose of dead farm animals in Spain? I recall reading that most countries require cremating but no so in Spain. Farmers put the carcasses in the furtherest corner of their property and allow nature to take it's course. Hence the prolific population of these beautiful birds in Spain. (I think).

 

[Kirkie]

I have just read the last four posts. I did not read even the original.
Hilarious. Isn't it nice to be non confrontational?
Thanks, David. You picked a winner.

 

[David61]

This is so interesting. Does it have anything to do with laws on how farmers are allowed to dispose of dead farm animals in Spain? I recall reading that most countries require cremating but no so in Spain. Farmers put the carcasses in the furtherest corner of their property and allow nature to take it's course. Hence the prolific population of these beautiful birds in Spain. (I think).

Exactly that.Although I am not sure its "law", the Spanish see no profit in paying to dispose of carcases so leave them to feed the local wildlife. Portugal follows EU rules closely and dispose of the bodies carefully. Not sure of EU law but the UK bans even burial on private land in case it contaminates the water course

 

[Helen Robinson]

5…..No matter how desperate you are for a cafe con leche, sustenance, the loo, whatever….. remember that the first cafe/bar that you come across in a village or small town is often way from being the best…..be patient!

Oh yes. Always the second cafe. Its a Camino rule.

 

[David Tallan]

Oh yes. Always the second cafe. Its a Camino rule.

And then sometimes you walk all through the village and discover there was no second cafe. It has happened to me more than once.

I have invariably found that the best cafe is the one that has all of the pilgrims sitting in front of it. But that may have something to do with what I enjoy in a Camino cafe.

 

[Bradypus]

And then sometimes you walk all through the village and discover there was no second cafe. It has happened to me more than once.

I do most of my Camino walking in winter. I am pretty grateful just to find one cafe open.

 

[w gangel]

5…..No matter how desperate you are for a cafe con leche, sustenance, the loo, whatever….. remember that the first cafe/bar that you come across in a village or small town is often way from being the best…..be patient!

It could be the only one though, on many occasions there is nowhere else open in winter anyway take them when you can.

 

[Stivandrer]

Recommendations on towns for rest days?

reserve rest days when U need it! Cannot plan every step.
Rest is needed if you are mentally overloaded, blisters or tender spots in progress.
Or the place is simply too good to be true, and you need to stay another day.....
On my first time out, I never had rest days, FOMO !!
-and then had days in surplus, made me reconsider my erring ways !