Food – Somewhere Slowly

Zen top-up: Melide to Arzúa

08/01/2023

Leaving Melide late and at a leisurely pace, my feet were feeling a lot better, and the weather was perfect for a short 15 km bimble to Arzúa. Most of the morning rush was already gone so for a while I had the trail to myself. I even found the snake … Not today, pal, today I … More Zen top-up: Melide to Arzúa

Zen top-up: Villafranca to Vega de Valcarce

31/12/2022

The next day I took my time getting up, just kept turning around whenever a noise woke me, and when I finally got out of bed I noticed two things: Someone had left a bar of chocolate on the storage box by my bed (thank you, peregrina!), and I was alone. Yep, every single pilgrim … More Zen top-up: Villafranca to Vega de Valcarce

Burgos – day 0

31/08/2021

Yesterday I woke up at an airport hotel and took a prebooked taxi to the airport to make sure I wouldn’t miss my flight to Madrid with all the extra checks, controls, codes etc. I even paid for fast-track through security, which I think most of the passengers had done… So I got there hours … More Burgos – day 0

Camino 101 – Q & A

07/03/2021

I remember when I started planning my first walk on the camino and the many questions I had. And then when I told others about it, they sometimes asked questions I couldn’t answer. So here’s some of the absolute basics, in case you or a loved one is planning on walking it and you find … More Camino 101 – Q & A

If I could, I would …

25/10/2020

Hope you are all well out there, keeping safe and sane and planning marvellous adventures. I have been watching lots of camino videos, got a few new guidebooks, currently weeding out surplus items from my kit box and (don’t shout) adding a few new ones (the perfect hiking dress!). Today I’m having the most horrendous … More If I could, I would …

The long walk to Logroño

13/11/2019

For the group’s last walking day we were taking on the 28.5 kms from Los Arcos to Logroño. I must admit I don’t plan for 25+ km days normally, as I know the plantar fasciitis and/or the osteoarthritis could make the last part of the day very uncomfortable. However this time I was just tagging … More The long walk to Logroño

New adventure coming soon!

17/08/2019

You may have noticed that there is a counter on this blog steadily ticking down to another adventure. Not long now before I fly off to France to meet peregrina extraordinaire Colleen, of Are We There Yet? blog fame. We will spend a day walking, lunching, no doubt talking a lot about caminos past and … More New adventure coming soon!

CF Sola 19, Day 11: Melide-Arzúa

14/08/2019

Karen and I left semi early from our albergue in Melide, and it was shaping up to be another wonderfully sunny day. I took a photo of That Turning on the way out of Melide, also famously the cover of Mark McCarthy’s guidebook to the last part of the camino. The path was – is … More CF Sola 19, Day 11: Melide-Arzúa

Top pilgrim tip: The Boil Coil

29/03/2016

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

Changes and challenges for my September Camino

13/09/2015

This year I have thought about making some changes to my kit and Camino habits. It just occurred to me that I am so close to the ultimate kit and way of doing it – for me, I hasten to add – that I have perhaps forgotten or neglected to try out different things. Things … More Changes and challenges for my September Camino