Not exactly breaking news, as such, but I thought I’d mention two bits of news: At Madrid airport, the ALSA (and other) buses used to leave from outside terminal 4 – T4 – and you could sit in the café/bar inside until 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time. I have written a step-by-step guide to … More Some pilgrim travel news
A camiga asked me if I had a packing list to share, and I kind of do, though they are getting a bit outdated. I realise that I mostly post un-packing lists these days, because I think it is more interesting to see, after the fact, what actually worked and not. This informs my next … More Updated packing list 2023
… and suddenly it’s April, and I am supposed to fly out to Porto later this month! How did that happen? How does it always happen? I feel like I have missed a month or something. The truth is, I have been trying to get stuff done to make room for my four week walk … More Micropacking
Well if it isn’t *officially* Backpack Day, it should be. On this day, ten years ago (OMG is it really ten years) I got my Osprey Aura 35 delivered. Fresh from the outdoors shop, from Osprey’s new range, ventilated and panel loading and state of the art. Time was of the essence; in three days … More Happy Backpack Day!
As always, a camino isn’t fully written up until I have done the unpacking list. This is a brilliant tip for repeat pilgrims, walkers, travellers – packing lists are an idea, un-packing lists are cold hard reality. I am currently planning another trip and rereading this to pare down my load, trying to learn from … More Un-packing list Caracola camino 2022
Now that my foot is still bruised and I haven’t been able to do all the training walks I wanted, I really have to think about the weight I am putting in my pack. I want to carry it, because it gives me freedom and flexibility and also because it works as a brace to … More Backpack weight loss hacks
The time has come. The kit box has been lifted onto the table and rummaged through, and two things hit me: I am so underprepared for this walk. These walks. I need to find my smallest and most lightweight things. And: This is a mess. How am I going to find anything small and lightweight … More Packing up and counting down
I have always liked the idea of shampoo bars for portability as well as saving plastic bottles and truck miles, so I have kept an eye out for that perfect camino bar. I don’t have many strict criteria but I really like an invigorating blast of uplifting citrus, fruity or floral smell to mark the … More Shampoo bars tried and tested (and updated)
As always, a camino isn’t fully written up until I have done the unpacking list. This is a brilliant tip for repeat pilgrims, walkers, travellers – packing lists are an idea, un-packing lists are cold hard reality. I am currently planning another trip and rereading this to pare down my load, trying to learn from … More Un-packing list CF21 Sola camino
Some pilgrims bring USB or multi splitter charger plugs on the camino so they won’t hog the sometimes few charging points in an albergue, which is a great idea, but not always ideal as others might not want to just tap into someone else’s plug or get upset if you unplug theirs to replug it … More Top pilgrim tip: Power bank
Love . travel . write . eat
My new mystery/thriller Lost in the Fog is available to order now! With this blog I’m chronicling my travel adventures as I work on finishing the sequel. Thank you for following along!
A Journal of life along “The Way”
Willing, Wondering and Weary: The Travels of J9
Notes from the Camino de Santiago
Thoughtful wanderer in search of virtual meaning
walking together on the way of saint james
The tale of a chubby guy, lots of wine and over 1400km of Camino walking
Eating my way to Santiago - just a few tips for non-Spanish speakers to read menus in Spain
Santiago de Compostela
because adventures are out there
Camino de Santiago de Compostela - before, during and after
adventures of a dual-pilgrim / henro / thru-hiker / cyclist...
stories of trekking and travel
Somewhere Slowly 