I knew as soon as I woke up: Bedbugs. Oddly it seemed I was the only one bitten, I must be extra tasty? I have been bitten once before and freaked out quite badly about bringing them with me to new beds, and so far on this walk we had made sure we lifted the … More CF Day 9 – BEDBUGS!
My Scouse Spouse and I have walked together several times – Astorga to Santiago for our honeymoon, Hadrian’s Wall, then Astorga to Santiago again earlier this year. I knew he enjoyed it and he sometimes mentioned wanting to walk the Francés from St Jean Pied de Port to Astorga to see what I have seen, … More Accidents and Emergencies
As the new year approaches, the date reset in itself is enough to make us feel we are given a chance to start again, with seemingly infinite possibilities. Opening a new daily planner or diary only adds to that, and all this fresh, blank paper invites a lot of dreams and ideas of what you … More Plotting vs Planning
The humble nail scissors are among my staple kit items. I know many would rather bring nail clippers because they are more precise, less fiddly, and there is no risk of having them confiscated at security if you travel with hand luggage only, like I do. In fact, scissors are on the list of things … More Top pilgrim tip: Nail scissors
When planning a trip away that involves a lot of physical activity and also sleeping in dorms close to complete strangers, most people will instinctively reach for some sort of scented product – perfumes, lotions, bodysprays, aerosol or roll-on deodorants that will keep them fresh and subdue or mask any unpleasant whiffs, and put that nicely … More Top pilgrim tip: Unscented deodorant
This question comes up on the Camino forum(s) again and again. With so many cheap tickets and steep checked bag fees it is tempting to pack light and take your Camino pack on the flight as hand luggage. But can you take your collapsible hiking poles too? No, you can’t. You need to put them … More Taking hiking poles on the plane
Some of you may have noticed that I have a thing about lightweight sleeping bags and that I am also pretty weight conscious packing wise. This of course makes me yearn for things like the Sea to Summit Traveller 1 or the Montbell UL Spiral Down Hugger, but they are very expensive for the weight I … More Because I’m worth it …
The soap and shampoo thing has always bothered me. Carrying stuff diluted with water seems silly when there are lighter, solid alternatives. Then again, solid soap and shampoo gets sticky and takes a while to dry between showers, which isn’t ideal when you go from place to place every day. Also there is often nowhere … More Old idea, new camino tip!
When getting rain gear for something like a Camino and not just a quick walk in the park, most people will go with what they know: rain jacket and ditto trousers, and a rain cover for their pack – it often comes with the pack these days. So far, so good. In most cases it … More Why a poncho?
The Boil Coil, or electric coil, cup boiler, immersion heater, travel kettle element … whatever you call it, it deserves a big round of applause. You know the thing I mean, right? No? Here’s one. Ignore the plug, these come in US, UK, EU and even USB versions, and probably others too. And what can … More Top pilgrim tip: The Boil Coil
Somewhere Slowly 