Somewhere Slowly

Double jitters

21/03/2022

Today is Monday, and on Friday I am flying out to meet my friend B who is currently walking from her front door in Germany, through France and Spain to Santiago and Finisterre. I am only catching up to her in Cologne and walking with her for a week, but she has been on the … More Double jitters

Introducing Carrie

14/03/2022

I have friends who are always struggling to find the right shoes in the right size and width fittings (and I am so lucky to have found the Hoka Speedgoats) but for me it seems packs have always been an issue. It could be that I am tall, with a short back and broad shoulders … More Introducing Carrie

Packing up and counting down

13/03/2022

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

Top pilgrim tip: Non-alcoholic drinks

17/02/2022

There are many reasons why you might want to limit your drinking or avoid alcohol altogether while on the camino. For one thing, when you are spending your day walking through the heat and dust and relentless sun, alcoholic drinks are not your best friend – what you need is hydration, hydration, hydration. Obviously your … More Top pilgrim tip: Non-alcoholic drinks

Shampoo bars tried and tested

14/02/2022

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

More perfect pilgrim Christmas presents

11/12/2021

Last year I wrote a post about the perfect pilgrim present, and this year I thought I might expand on it. The perfect present never needs to be expensive, just thoughtful and fit for purpose, and in a pilgrim’s case – lightweight and practical. Buying the big 3 – pack, shoes, sleeping bag – can … More More perfect pilgrim Christmas presents

Un-packing list CF21 Sola camino

23/10/2021

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

CF21 Day 26 – Santiago

22/10/2021

What do you do when you wake up in Santiago and have nothing to do, nowhere to go, and can’t seem to get back to sleep after waking up at pilgrim o’clock? Well, if you’re staying in the Pinario, you can go down to the Obradoiro square just to see dawn changing the colour of … More CF21 Day 26 – Santiago

CF21 Day 25 – Pedrouzo to Santiago!

16/10/2021

Here’s the thing, when you accept that there are alternative transport options, walking becomes a choice. I know there is a bus going straight into Santiago and where it stops (assuming it is still running), but even though the fog hung heavy and wet outside the windows when I woke up, I wanted to walk. … More CF21 Day 25 – Pedrouzo to Santiago!

CF21 Day 24 – Arzua to Salceda and Pedrouzo

16/10/2021

When I woke up, there was only me and two other pilgrims left in the room, one of them was fast asleep. The other one and I got ready as quietly as we could in semi darkness until he woke up and we could put the light on. Turns out my fellow awake pilgrim had … More CF21 Day 24 – Arzua to Salceda and Pedrouzo

Nidarosa the hiker, traveller, pilgrim