You know its December when...

[LesBrass]

... your mind wanders back to the camino

My walks this year have been a bit hit and miss...

• I planned 2 weeks on the CF in spring but a heavy cold forced me to stop a week early
• I planned to walk the Camino Baztan in August but a last minute audition forced a change of plans
• I planned to walk the Rota Vicentina in October but fell, cut my leg badly, it became infected and I had to stop on day 5
• but... I had an unexpected 2 weeks on the camino Portuguese in November... unbelievably I fell again, sprained my ankle, had more blister and shoe problems but I did manage to finish and I had an amazing few days before flying home.

I was honestly starting to question if perhaps I should stop walking... but it's December and the fire is on and its damp and cold outside and I'm on my spreadsheet working out distances and timescales for October on the Norte and looking at the weights of various t-shirts... And my mind keeps drifting off to maybe the Levante in 2019... I guess I'll start looking for another pair of shoes.

How about you?

 

[C clearly]

December tends to be quiet on the forum, for obvious reasons. However, the camino is never far from my mind. I have done the early methodical planning part (and have most of my equipment ready), now I am resting up until I allow myself to buy a ticket in January, and then I will be into panic/excitement mode trying to get training and other things done before early April when I depart.

 

[Levi]

I seem to have booked a flight to Madrid mid-March for 10 days or so on the Frances. And the Camino de Madrid is calling to me for the autumn....

 

[Camino Chrissy]

... your mind wanders back to the camino

My walks this year have been a bit hit and miss...

• I planned 2 weeks on the CF in spring but a heavy cold forced me to stop a week early
• I planned to walk the Camino Baztan in August but a last minute audition forced a change of plans
• I planned to walk the Rota Vicentina in October but fell, cut my leg badly, it became infected and I had to stop on day 5
• but... I had an unexpected 2 weeks on the camino Portuguese in November... unbelievably I fell again, sprained my ankle, had more blister and shoe problems but I did manage to finish and I had an amazing few days before flying home.

I was honestly starting to question if perhaps I should stop walking... but it's December and the fire is on and its damp and cold outside and I'm on my spreadsheet working out distances and timescales for October on the Norte and looking at the weights of various t-shirts... And my mind keeps drifting off to maybe the Levante in 2019... I guess I'll start looking for another pair of shoes.

How about you?

Being newly retired, I had excitedly planned and walked my first Camino Frances in April/May 2015. Thinking I was "once and done" I soon realized after returning home that I wanted to do another Camino and sweet talked hubby into letting me go again. So that winter I began the planning to walk the Norte/Primitivo in spring 2016, which kept my winter doldrums at bay. The following spring 2017 I walked the Frances route again. Hubby met up to walk the last week, but it is definately not "his thing".

I have new plans coming together to walk the Le Puy route this June with two Camino friends. It seems I am addicted and unable to feel completely fulfilled in my life of retirement without a "next" Camino in my future. I have been blessed with many beautiful and wonderful travel experiences throughout my adult life, but the Caminos are in a special, revered category all their own and my feet have become my favorite mode of travel.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

December tends to be quiet on the forum, for obvious reasons. However, the camino is never far from my mind. I have done the early methodical planning part (and have most of my equipment ready), now I am resting up until I allow myself to buy a ticket in January, and then I will be into panic/excitement mode trying to get training and other things done before early April when I depart.

Your planning stages sound much like my own...I'm on number four!

 

[Former member 49149]

I seem to have booked a flight to Madrid mid-March for 10 days or so on the Frances. And the Camino de Madrid is calling to me for the autumn....

I love that opening: ‘I seem to...’

 

[LesBrass]

... until I allow myself to buy a ticket in January

After this year's up and downs I've decided not to make any more plans... except of course October (which is husbands birthday trip... his choice not mine!) I have a few ideas and maybe a gap in the diary but I'm leaving it open... but it's hard sitting om my hands and not buying shoes or booking something

 

[nycwalking]

I have not been on camino since winter 2014. 2015, I planned to walk. 2016 too. Illness, mine, got in the way. 2017, relocated to Los Angeles, elderly parents and and and.... My feet want to trek. My eyes wish to see beautiful Spanish sky. My heart and spirit desire meseta renewal. Asap back on camino, Via de la Plata this time.

 

[FamPed]

You know its December when...

• you are trying to learn some christmas carols in spanish, (you never know if it coms in handy..)
• you wish that Santa brings you an airplaneticket..
• all you want for christmas is Merino..
• .... (fill in the blanks) ....

 

[Kanga]

You look at the calendar daily and wonder how you can juggle the dates next year to achieve a 6 week window that avoids (a) school holidays and (b) being away from your husband yet again on his birthday at the end of May....

 

[Icacos]

You know its December when...

• .... (fill in the blanks) ....

Collapsible walking poles

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Ah, yes! The annual answering, "have I been naughyt or nice?" and "what can I get away with this year?"

LesBrass--somehow it is so encouraging to know that others go on Camino and get horribly ill and fall down! Sheesh, I feel so much better knowing that others can think past the pain to the next flight and journey!

I'm going to sit one out this year, probably.

 

[Theresa Ruttger]

Airfare sales at Thanksgiving and I have a round trip ticket from Minneapolis to Madrid for $653 leaving April 1. Pack is packed and I’m doing training walks in the Minnesota cold. This is my Camino prep and it satisfies the soul to no end. I have a camino picture on my office wall so I am on the trail every day.....
I will never tire of the journey and it’s a blessing to know there is a community of like minded souls. The world is in darkness except on the Road. We are all blessed-

 

[Turga]

Maybe a little out of tune with this thread, but you also know it’s December with Christmas around the corner when you start to think about things, that you should be thinking of more frequently, like peace, love and tolerance; but somehow these dark and cold days seem to bring it closer to mind.

My brother kneels, so saith Kabir
To stone and brass in heathen-wise,
But in my brother’s voice I hear
My own unanswered agonies
His God is as his Fate assign,
His prayer is all the world’s – and mine.

 

[domigee]

(... )you should be thinking of more frequently, like peace, love and tolerance; but somehow these dark and cold days seem to bring it closer to mind. (...)
.

And just ... life...

Lovely post @stgcph

 

[linkster]

You know its December when ... I might wear a pair of jeans to dinner (SWFL).

 

[naplesdon]

You know it's December.... when people start posting their concerns about problems with booking Refuge Orisson in April

 

[naplesdon]

... your mind wanders back to the camino

My walks this year have been a bit hit and miss...

• I planned 2 weeks on the CF in spring but a heavy cold forced me to stop a week early
• I planned to walk the Camino Baztan in August but a last minute audition forced a change of plans
• I planned to walk the Rota Vicentina in October but fell, cut my leg badly, it became infected and I had to stop on day 5
• but... I had an unexpected 2 weeks on the camino Portuguese in November... unbelievably I fell again, sprained my ankle, had more blister and shoe problems but I did manage to finish and I had an amazing few days before flying home.

I was honestly starting to question if perhaps I should stop walking... but it's December and the fire is on and its damp and cold outside and I'm on my spreadsheet working out distances and timescales for October on the Norte and looking at the weights of various t-shirts... And my mind keeps drifting off to maybe the Levante in 2019... I guess I'll start looking for another pair of shoes.

How about you?

I was ready to "downsize" my walks next year and limit them to canal walks in France and Spain. Then I read The Great Westward Walk and realized I still have many miles left in these feet. So, like you, I'm plotting my next adventure in 2018 on the Norte in May and June and then perhaps the Invierno in 2019. Ultreya

 

[Stivandrer]

..when you´re impatient and want to book coming Aprils 4 week remaining holidays that you have been saving through the year; and realising you still have to wait for January - at the very least...

 

[Sailor]

When my sore throat returns, and with it my dry hands full of cracks [and this time around my O'keefe's Working Hands cream is not doing the trick]. Anyway, I count my blessings and life is good. Have a Feliz Navidad, y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[ranthr]

You know it's December when it is dark most of the day, only some sort of daylight from 10 to 12, the sun is under the horizont, still until end of January from November. Many flighttickets booked at this time during the years. But this year wondering whether I've done enough caminos.
Should have seen the sunflowers on GR65 in June and walked the Sanabres from Granja. Last year I chose walking in England because of the lot of people in Spain. Perhaps I am too old for this way of life. We have winter with snow for 7 months so perhaps a winter camino?.

 

[C clearly]

only some sort of daylight from 10 to 12... We have winter with snow for 7 months

That must be difficult. Today I was remarking on how miserably chilly it seems here in the Vancouver area, on a foggy day at 2C and 93% humidity. Not cold enough to impress anyone, but it is hard to stay warm outside!

 

[Kiwi-family]

You know it’s December when you’re spending the weekend at the beach with good friends (and we dragged all the kids up the hill in the heat...and I wondered how we ever walked in Spain when it was over 30 degrees because today’s 25 seemed hot and our walk only lasted two hours!)

 

[Bob Chambers]

Us two 80 year olds had planned to walk the Primitivo in May 2017. But we've had a quite bad year. I had bowel cancer in January - all contained. Chemotherapy until August. I was just getting fit when I got tipped off my pushbike and fractured my pelvis in September - 6 to 8 months healing. My mate is currently recovering from Polymyalgia and is thus also somewhat incapacitated. Our new plan is to walk the Primitivo, el Verde and Norte starting September 2018, when we're hopefully back to form. We both walked a few years ago, me in 2014 part of the Levant, my friend some of the Frances, and we need to walk again (as you do) Any comments on likely weather and probable crowding?

 

[Stivandrer]

[ Perhaps I am too old for this way of life. We have winter with snow for 7 months so perhaps a winter camino?.[/QUOTE]

Never.....

 

[domigee]

You know it’s December when you’re spending the weekend at the beach with good friends (and we dragged all the kids up the hill in the heat...and I wondered how we ever walked in Spain when it was over 30 degrees because today’s 25 seemed hot and our walk only lasted two hours!)

You know it's December when you REALLY dislike the people who live on the other side!!! Only kidding of course, @Kiwi-family , enjoy the Summer

 

[yaying]

Its December
Knowing this year is ending
& a New year about to begin...

Resolute is cracking...
Wishes are blazing...

 

[Kanga]

Cicadas serenade the evenings, test cricket is on the radio, the sky shimmers with heat, and the air is filled with the smell of mangoes and sun-screen....

 

[C3 to Camino]

It has changed so much! Used to be hearing the Christmas music and seeing the decorations, but now all that is out in November. Ugh. But if I'm not out into the "commercial" world, December for me is doing things with a bit more intention, and awareness and appreciation of all my blessings. I think it's the cold, and knowing I have a safe and warm home to come to, looking forward to family gatherings over the holiday season. And this year, the added bonus of going to Galicia for a month next summer, and at least walking the Ingles and then hopefully on to Finisterre and Muxia.

 

[Former member 49149]

...you pass a house on a cold winter night, and the curtains are open, and the fire is blazing... and you don't have a real fire any more!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Cicadas serenade the evenings, test cricket is on the radio, the sky shimmers with heat, and the air is filled with the smell of mangoes and sun-screen....

Do you seriously have cicadas already? They are a late summer thing for us, not an “it’s only just summer” thing!
Strawberries are our current fruit, with plums just starting and boysenberries starting to colour amongst the greenery.
But I did LOVE the white Christmases we experienced in Poland - it felt so right!

 

[HedaP]

Cicadas and Christmas beetles!
I know it’s December when I still haven’t made up my mind about what I am doing next year...aggghhhh!

 

[Kanga]

Do you seriously have cicadas already?

- yes, they are chirping outside my window as I type. Not in the loud chorus we get later, when the sound can be deafening.

 

[domigee]

It's snowing really hard at the moment but sadly it doesn't show in the photo.... Brrrr....