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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
New day, new walk. I had decided to do my best for myself and the knee, meaning not giving up but also not overdoing it. I know this walk by now and was looking forward to a lovely bimble through forests and tiny villages, with a good few places to stop along the way. Hopefully … More CF21 Day 23 – Palas to Melide and Arzua
I suppose I should have planned for more half days or something, because when I woke up to thick, cold fog over Portomarin and got out of my bed, my knee complained with a loud and crunching noise. Seems the downhills the last couple of days had done more damage than I was aware of. … More CF21 Day 22 – Portomarin to Palas de Rei
Love . travel . write . eat
My times on the Camino de Santiago
My new mystery/thriller novel Lost in the Fog is available to order now! With this blog I’m also chronicling the 4 months I spent wandering in France, Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean in 2019. Mahalo for reading!
A Journal of life along “The Way”
Willing, Wondering and Weary: The Travels of J9
Notes from the Camino de Santiago
Your Way to a better Camino
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 1200km of Camino walking
Eating my way to Santiago - just a few tips for non-Spanish speakers to read menus in Spain
Santiago de Compostela
Follow My Life Changing Camino Travels
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
A personal blog about one woman's journey on the Camino de Santiago.
Somewhere Slowly 