Thanks to those that don't walk and stay home

[John Sikora]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Well said, my friend.

Are you finished with the VLDP, or are you still walking?

 

[John Sikora]

I’m finished for this year. Walked and Gopro’d from Seville to Salamanca. Probably will pick up the Salamanca to Santiago next year.

Headed back to the Camino Portuguese to video a couple of segments that I missed due to weather.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I’m finished for this year. Walked and Gopro’d from Seville to Salamanca. Probably will pick up the Salamanca to Santiago next year.

Headed back to the Camino Portuguese to video a couple of segments that I missed due to weather.

Cool I'm looking forward to seeing those videos.

 

[ApproachingBliss]

I've always wanted to go on the Camino, but I stay home, so that more of you get the bottom bunk.

 

[nycwalking]

I've always wanted to go on the Camino, but I stay home, so that more of you get the bottom bunk.

There will be a bottom bunk for you when you are ready not to stay at home.

Buen camino.

 

[ApproachingBliss]

Thank you!

 

[Pam Scott]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Rolls are reversed in our house, my husband for the same reason as your wife stays at home. His duties of care also include looking after my dog and keeping an eye on my bees!!

 

[Vanozza]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Yes, indeed. My husband hates hiking, so he stays home and feeds the cats.

 

[Roland49]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Same here.
My wife won't make the first day to Roncesvalles. She don't fly, either.

She will be fine, knowing that I will return having fulfilled one of my longlasting dreams and wishes.
While I'm on the Camino she just manages the house, visiting friends, maybe visiting her parents and guiding and parenting our almost grown-up son not being a monster .

Buen Camino!
Roland

 

[lt56ny]

My wife is also very understanding. I always ask her to try it. But it is not for her. She says when there are 4 Seasons Hotels in every village and I can afford to put her there then she may think about it!!!! But as she says. It's not happening. Last year we agreed I would not walk this year. But about 6 or 7 weeks ago as I was watching a real good video about the Camino called Searching for Infinity (I Believe, and it is not one of those standard videos with music and how much my feet hurt, videos). She looked at me and she said you are pathetic, go book your flight and go walk ugggggg!!! Got to love her.

 

[Billy D]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

What a lovely thing to say, John.

Speaking as a wife who, like yours, sent her husband off with love and good wishes for a Buen Camino when we (his family) waved him off at Adelaide Airport, South Australia, three weeks ago to begin his pilgrimage from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, may I say a very big THANK YOU!!!

My husband, Bill, arrived at Leon yesterday after foot-slogging his way, often through high winds, driving rain, squelching mud and rocky tracks, for the past 21 days, and to say I'm fit to burst with pride at 'my fella' is putting it mildly.

Not just because he's passed the half-way point of the 790km trek to Santiago de Compostela (he also intends walking on to Finisterre!!), which is a huge achievement for anyone, but because this husband of mine celebrated his 79th birthday on 7 May, the day he reached Burgos, where he spent two nights in comfort in an hotel (rather than an albergue) and enjoyed a few birthday beers with a few other pilgrims he'd befriended along the way!

What a man! What a fabulous adventure! Real Boys' Own stuff! And a long-held dream of his finally becoming reality. He WhatsApp calls me three times a day and lets me see where he is and who he's enjoying walking with, and I follow him religiously through a tracking app on my mobile phone, which pretty much feels like I'm there, too - only he's doing all the work!!

So, yes John, I really appreciate your lovely thought for those of us who stayed at home. Thank you very much!

And for those presently walking their Camino, or about to embark on one, I wish you all a BUEN CAMINO, each and every one!

Billy D's wife (married 59 and a half years), Babs x

 

[Hurry Krishna]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

In praise of all those who don’t walk the Camino:

Thank you to those at home along the Way,
For the daily bread, the nightly bed and the warm ‘Buen Camino’ wave.
Thank you to friends and family back home
For reading our posts, watering our plants, wow-ing our photos,
Taking the dog to the park.
Thank you for all the ‘cheers’ and ‘congratulations’
For making us proud as punch
just because we went off for a bit of a long walk!
Above all else, thank you for staying home so that there is still a home
When I’m done wandering
And just wanna come HOME!!!

 

[IngridF]

Adding my praise to it. He stays home and I walk. As a matter of interest...in about 5 hours we are heading to the airport. I am off again..Camino bound.
First a short stay in Ireland, shorter then originally planned. By June 3rd I'll be in Spain. Will be a bit of a tourist in the south before heading to Leon to walk San Salvador with potentially extention to Primitivo. Time allowing I will hop over to the C. Portuguese staying by the coast this time and espiritual. Will be in Santiago during some of the feast days - something that has eluded me privious Caminos. Flying home August 12th.
So yes hubby will be stuart of our home and he will build his shed without my interference, and go fishing and hang out with the guys.
This time apart serves us both and has been working well over the years.
For me this time is a Camino of thanksgiving, after a serious health scare and relocation stress. No volunteering unless I am called upon. Just me , myself and moi, kissing the Camino with my feet.

 

[tominrm]

Those who don’t walk are the smarter ones. Who with a clear mind would want to walk risking blisters, boredom, aching legs, blistering sun, or even pouring rain.
Stay home and brew your favorite coffee, eat your favorite meals, and watch your favorite program.
No need to sweat under the blistering sun(today it was 30 degrees in Meseta) put up with dust. These are crazy people. Wonder if anyone would do it even if they are paid to do.
That’s what they call Camino de Santiago.
Strange, but it reminds me of the Olympics. Many people come from many different countries with proud to unofficially representing their country with pride and courtesy to leave good impressions of their country.

 

[nycwalking]

What a lovely thing to say, John.

Speaking as a wife who, like yours, sent her husband off with love and good wishes for a Buen Camino when we (his family) waved him off at Adelaide Airport, South Australia, three weeks ago to begin his pilgrimage from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, may I say a very big THANK YOU!!!

My husband, Bill, arrived at Leon yesterday after foot-slogging his way, often through high winds, driving rain, squelching mud and rocky tracks, for the past 21 days, and to say I'm fit to burst with pride at 'my fella' is putting it mildly.

Not just because he's passed the half-way point of the 790km trek to Santiago de Compostela (he also intends walking on to Finisterre!!), which is a huge achievement for anyone, but because this husband of mine celebrated his 79th birthday on 7 May, the day he reached Burgos, where he spent two nights in comfort in an hotel (rather than an albergue) and enjoyed a few birthday beers with a few other pilgrims he'd befriended along the way!

What a man! What a fabulous adventure! Real Boys' Own stuff! And a long-held dream of his finally becoming reality. He WhatsApp calls me three times a day and lets me see where he is and who he's enjoying walking with, and I follow him religiously through a tracking app on my mobile phone, which pretty much feels like I'm there, too - only he's doing all the work!!

So, yes John, I really appreciate your lovely thought for those of us who stayed at home. Thank you very much!

And for those presently walking their Camino, or about to embark on one, I wish you all a BUEN CAMINO, each and every one!

Billy D's wife (married 59 and a half years), Babs x

Wow!

That’s all I can say.

Wow, and double wow!

 

[RemysMimi]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

True. My husband held down the fort at home while I walked last year. He doesn't care to walk either. Buen Camino!

 

[gittiharre]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

So true. My 87 year old husband is a camino widower for several weeks a year. He walked with me a couple of times, while his health was still good, but now he can't.
He recognizes how important these walks are for me and actively encourages me to go.
I am so grateful for his love and trust.

 

[RemysMimi]

Cool I'm looking forward to seeing those videos.

DaveBugg, I was there Sept/Oct last year as well. Probably crossed paths. Trying to decide if I want to do the Frances again next year or the Portuguese. I am hooked.

 

[RemysMimi]

I've always wanted to go on the Camino, but I stay home, so that more of you get the bottom bunk.

You don't know what you are missing. Bottom bunk and all.

 

[Hurry Krishna]

What a lovely thing to say, John.

Speaking as a wife who, like yours, sent her husband off with love and good wishes for a Buen Camino when we (his family) waved him off at Adelaide Airport, South Australia, three weeks ago to begin his pilgrimage from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela, may I say a very big THANK YOU!!!

My husband, Bill, arrived at Leon yesterday after foot-slogging his way, often through high winds, driving rain, squelching mud and rocky tracks, for the past 21 days, and to say I'm fit to burst with pride at 'my fella' is putting it mildly.

Not just because he's passed the half-way point of the 790km trek to Santiago de Compostela (he also intends walking on to Finisterre!!), which is a huge achievement for anyone, but because this husband of mine celebrated his 79th birthday on 7 May, the day he reached Burgos, where he spent two nights in comfort in an hotel (rather than an albergue) and enjoyed a few birthday beers with a few other pilgrims he'd befriended along the way!

What a man! What a fabulous adventure! Real Boys' Own stuff! And a long-held dream of his finally becoming reality. He WhatsApp calls me three times a day and lets me see where he is and who he's enjoying walking with, and I follow him religiously through a tracking app on my mobile phone, which pretty much feels like I'm there, too - only he's doing all the work!!

So, yes John, I really appreciate your lovely thought for those of us who stayed at home. Thank you very much!

And for those presently walking their Camino, or about to embark on one, I wish you all a BUEN CAMINO, each and every one!

Billy D's wife (married 59 and a half years), Babs x

O, WOW!!! Happy 79th and Buen Camino to Bill and congrats Babs for your 59.5 years!!!!! All greater achievements than most of us will ever be able to claim!!!

 

[WendyOz]

I’m one of the lucky ones also. Rob has been happy for me to have my adventures as long as I don’t make him walk too. However last year I was away for nearly 7 weeks as my walking buddy and I tacked on Paris beforehand and Barcelona after the Camino. During this time his work mates convinced him to buy a canopy for our 4WD - their reasoning ‘mate she’s overseas for 7 weeks, you’ve got a right to spend some money too’. So he did! I didn’t mind - I still got the better end of the deal . So blessed to have him in my life.

 

[Billy D]

O, WOW!!! Happy 79th and Buen Camino to Bill and congrats Babs for your 59.5 years!!!!! All greater achievements than most of us will ever be able to claim!!!

On behalf of BillyD, a big Thanks for his Happy Birthday wishes, HK, and from me, a huge hug!! Good thoughts coming atcha!! bx

 

[Hurry Krishna]

On behalf of BillyD, a big Thanks for his Happy Birthday wishes, HK, and from me, a huge hug!! Good thoughts coming atcha!! bx

Need all good thoughts as am about to head off to walk the South West Coast in UK. All advice for that path gratefully received also

 

[Richmond Gardner]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

But for the willingness and forbearance of our significant others, we would not be able to walk. I, for one, am thankful that my wife has also allowed me the time for a Camino and the possibility of going again. She even joined me from Sarria to Santiago, but is not a long haul hiker nor a person who will stay in albergues. I am sure we will find a way to walk again with a few nicer hotels and meals towards the end ...which, of course is not anathema to me!

 

[Ianinam]

I have also always been grateful to my husband for letting me walk my Camino while he stayed home and looked after the garden and the grandchildren. He 'followed' me on the internet and was very encouraging day-by-day from a distance. He would never, never walk a Camino himself, but he understands why I did.
But ....... the funny thing is: when I told him after my Camino Frances in 2013 I wanted to work as a hospitalero in Roncesvalles, he suggested to join me. And so he did; he became a member of the Dutch Association of Saint James which is obligatory for hospitaleros in Roncesvalles. It is also obligatory to have walked at least one Camino yourself, but sometimes for partners an exemption can be made. Together with me he did the preceeding classes five years ago, next July we will be working there together for the fifth time and every year he is even more enjoying it than I!

 

[Felicia V]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Yes. My husband would NOT be into this, yet, he put his fears and concern aside, encouraging me to walk Porto to SdC, then the next year Tui to SdC, with my sister. We are both in late 60s

 

[BPG2017]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Nice thought! I think all of us have loved ones back home whose "permission" we need, one way or the other, if we are to have the freedom to do the Camino. In my case it was my 89 year old mother, of whom I take care full time. And my son, who stayed with her during the month I was away. And my husband, the couch potato of all couch potatoes, who (at my request) flew 5,000 km. to Santiago just to walk the last half mile with me, so we could arrive at the Cathedral together. Thanks to all!!!!

 

[Flem]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

A very nice story about doing the camino or not.
I do think you have a very lovely and understanding wife. She expect to get a more glad and smiling husband home from your camino.
Happy trail from me.

 

[Becky 59]

My husband and I have a different problem: we both want to go, but someone needs to caretake the homestead and two dogs (one of whom is on doggy hospice). Last year he came with me to support me on my Camino (160 km of the Frances), celebrating my survival after a horrible accident. Our young adult daughters did house duty. Then he got “the Camino bug”, and is leaving in a few weeks to walk the entire Frances and on to Finnisterre and Muxia, while I mind the homestead. (I can’t walk as fast or as far as he, and the home needs a more responsible caretaker this summer). We’ll meet up for a walk together on the Ingles in August with youngest daughter (age 20). But we’ll have to sort out next year’s plans about who goes for how long, since we both have the bug!

 

[Ctshagr]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

John, I feel the same my wife has let me venture out the last three years. She has never complained or made me feel guilty in other words she says go for it. Looking back maybe thats why we’ve been together for 50 years. I did take her to Spain last year Madrid, and Barcelona with a side trip to Santiago for two days. We went to the Cathedral for Mass on Sunday and she got to see the Butafumria. I was happy for her because I think she enjoyed the trip so much and saw what the Camino is about.

 

[James_Anderson]

I was talking to my wife and thanked her for letting me do the Camino VLDP. Not in the sense of giving permission but in the sense of enabling the freedom to do a Camino.

She doesn't enjoy walking and the constant change of rooms and places every night. But she is very willing to let me walk while she manages the home. I'm sure there are other cases that are the reverse so I'm not trying to be sexist in any way.

Just thought it was time to recognize those that don't walk.

Are you finished with the VLDP, or are you still walking?