Alasdair Kay
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- "May 2016 "
The following post is totally tongue in cheek and just a bit of fun as I have been misunderstood before. 
So St John the "Unreliable distances" Brierly ... has a new guide out. Things to note for the new reader, people love or hate this guidebook with a vengeance, (I'm a fan). However you should note the following.... some of this is said humorously and is purely my perspective and said in jest.
St John is all about the history... and you will have loads of it, when in fact you'd rather know where you can get a decent bocadillo a single bunk and orujo.
St John clearly has long lunch stops, and I suspect that consumption might make some of the afternoon distances approximate. I will never forget my day walking from Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos as being a simple flat 23 km stroll ... my foot it went on for what seemed forever... took me two hours to walk allegedly 6 km... so some of the distances you might just dispute.
When reading St John do watch the little symbols... so for example a red ! exclamation marks actually means life threatening decent that will render your knees in agony with loose scree, you may want to step off the path and walk on the road which will be three feet to your left. When an Albergue has a little heart symbol by it.... This does not mean a pool, well stocked bar, decent showers, or other such things. It means St John likes it for being quaint and the hospitaleros make their own Orujo. The two are not synonymous... Thirdly the Albergue prices are usually 20-30% below what it costs when you arrive.
Green alternative routes especially coming into Burgos. So because it is not the official route but it is the one that everyone except this idiot takes they are highly recommended. Don't take the official or grey route into Burgos I had to forge a river on the yellow one and then climb up onto a motorway bridge to avoid the second river and then the dogs in the gypsy site decided to go for me. Just take the green route as uncle John says... the distances on getting into Burgos are purely figurative just because you think you are in the city you've still got forever until you get to the Albergue. Also yes that wood to St Juan de Ortega is a figurative distance as well especially in the mud to be followed by what he calls a basic Albergue..... BASIC I will let you find out what basic means for yourself dear pilgrim as I am sure basic is good for one's sanctification however my advice is press on to Ages...
Important stuff he doesn't tell you like where are the great parties!!! OK So Legrono best tapas and Rioja ever, he says nothing..... Also you can have a proper night out if you stay at the Apostol Albergue. He doesn't mention there is a great British pub in Leon that sells great beer and pizza. Also not booking a hotel in advance but turning up at 4.00 pm and getting a bargain especially in Leon. Also Air B N B in Santiago is a very good idea as well... Oh top tip past Atapuerca top breakfast in cafe at entrance to village.. see he doesn't tell you that stuff...
Lastly gradients these are very figurative .... So the gradient between Huntto and Orrisson on the first day out of STJPDP is well frankly pretty vertical and you might need a defibrillator kit with you. The descent from Cruz de ferro to Molinesca ... be kind to yourself and walk on the road your knees will love you forever.
Where to get vital bits of kit like walking sandals good places are in Santo Domingo de Calzada, Ponferrada, Castrojeriz, Astorga brilliant shop and I am sure there are others.... Secondly he doesn't mention the "Chino" Bazars. you can buy anything in them including walking stuff I found walking poles in Burgos for 1 euro same quality as the 25 euro ones in St Jean.
DRUGS !!! He doesn't mention that Spanish painkillers come in massive doses for example it was only after I looked at the packet did I realise that all pain had emptied my body after downing 2 X 600 mg ibuprofen tabs with half a bottle of Rioja and a glass of Orujo. In the UK that is a whole days dosage. These are important things to know.. So do watch these little issues...
Lastly cover your guide book with some form of sellotape or scotch tape as it will get wet and worn out. But all praise to the great man he ha enabled many millions of bumbling pilgrims to make it on the most sacred of journeys to see "Ol Jimmy" in Santiago... John we will be forever grateful to you and I daily raise a glass to you and St James when walking...
So St John the "Unreliable distances" Brierly ... has a new guide out. Things to note for the new reader, people love or hate this guidebook with a vengeance, (I'm a fan). However you should note the following.... some of this is said humorously and is purely my perspective and said in jest.
St John is all about the history... and you will have loads of it, when in fact you'd rather know where you can get a decent bocadillo a single bunk and orujo.
St John clearly has long lunch stops, and I suspect that consumption might make some of the afternoon distances approximate. I will never forget my day walking from Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos as being a simple flat 23 km stroll ... my foot it went on for what seemed forever... took me two hours to walk allegedly 6 km... so some of the distances you might just dispute.
When reading St John do watch the little symbols... so for example a red ! exclamation marks actually means life threatening decent that will render your knees in agony with loose scree, you may want to step off the path and walk on the road which will be three feet to your left. When an Albergue has a little heart symbol by it.... This does not mean a pool, well stocked bar, decent showers, or other such things. It means St John likes it for being quaint and the hospitaleros make their own Orujo. The two are not synonymous... Thirdly the Albergue prices are usually 20-30% below what it costs when you arrive.
Green alternative routes especially coming into Burgos. So because it is not the official route but it is the one that everyone except this idiot takes they are highly recommended. Don't take the official or grey route into Burgos I had to forge a river on the yellow one and then climb up onto a motorway bridge to avoid the second river and then the dogs in the gypsy site decided to go for me. Just take the green route as uncle John says... the distances on getting into Burgos are purely figurative just because you think you are in the city you've still got forever until you get to the Albergue. Also yes that wood to St Juan de Ortega is a figurative distance as well especially in the mud to be followed by what he calls a basic Albergue..... BASIC I will let you find out what basic means for yourself dear pilgrim as I am sure basic is good for one's sanctification however my advice is press on to Ages...
Important stuff he doesn't tell you like where are the great parties!!! OK So Legrono best tapas and Rioja ever, he says nothing..... Also you can have a proper night out if you stay at the Apostol Albergue. He doesn't mention there is a great British pub in Leon that sells great beer and pizza. Also not booking a hotel in advance but turning up at 4.00 pm and getting a bargain especially in Leon. Also Air B N B in Santiago is a very good idea as well... Oh top tip past Atapuerca top breakfast in cafe at entrance to village.. see he doesn't tell you that stuff...
Lastly gradients these are very figurative .... So the gradient between Huntto and Orrisson on the first day out of STJPDP is well frankly pretty vertical and you might need a defibrillator kit with you. The descent from Cruz de ferro to Molinesca ... be kind to yourself and walk on the road your knees will love you forever.
Where to get vital bits of kit like walking sandals good places are in Santo Domingo de Calzada, Ponferrada, Castrojeriz, Astorga brilliant shop and I am sure there are others.... Secondly he doesn't mention the "Chino" Bazars. you can buy anything in them including walking stuff I found walking poles in Burgos for 1 euro same quality as the 25 euro ones in St Jean.
DRUGS !!! He doesn't mention that Spanish painkillers come in massive doses for example it was only after I looked at the packet did I realise that all pain had emptied my body after downing 2 X 600 mg ibuprofen tabs with half a bottle of Rioja and a glass of Orujo. In the UK that is a whole days dosage. These are important things to know.. So do watch these little issues...
Lastly cover your guide book with some form of sellotape or scotch tape as it will get wet and worn out. But all praise to the great man he ha enabled many millions of bumbling pilgrims to make it on the most sacred of journeys to see "Ol Jimmy" in Santiago... John we will be forever grateful to you and I daily raise a glass to you and St James when walking...
-- even our constantly agonising snaily-pace German friend managed it.
