Somewhere Slowly

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

Zen top-up: Ponferrada to Villafranca

30/12/2022

The next morning I went downstairs for my first café con leche and whatever baked goods came with it. There was only one other person there, clearly of a pilgrim persuasion, so naturally a conversation ensued. The Breakfast Man, as I would call him, was from the USA and was having a gentle breakfast while … More Zen top-up: Ponferrada to Villafranca

Zen top-up: Liverpool to Ponferrada

29/12/2022

This is was supposed to be my walk with my Scouse Spouse from Ferrol to Santiago, and then out to Finisterre. Sadly though, he had to pass on it and I had the choice between staying at home or quickly rebooking my accommodation to suit one instead of two. As it was, I decided to … More Zen top-up: Liverpool to Ponferrada

Happy Backpack Day!

17/08/2022

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!

Un-packing list Caracola camino 2022

14/08/2022

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

Backpack weight loss hacks

09/04/2022

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

Top pilgrim tip: Planning websites

08/04/2022

The second best part of any camino is planning for it. But where do you even start? With a guidebook, is one answer, and I always recommend having a (decent and recent) guidebook available when planning. These days there are also lots of websites offering bits of information, and just deciding on which website to … More Top pilgrim tip: Planning websites

VC5: Last day in Cologne

07/04/2022

My last day in Cologne. I started by leaving my backpack in the luggage storage at the hotel, then went downstairs to the restaurant – first customer of the day – to order a coffee and a salad for late breakfast. While I sat there, B sent me highlights of her day so far: Mine … More VC5: Last day in Cologne

VC4: Rest day in Cologne

06/04/2022

I had come back to Cologne to rest, and that’s all I did: Rested. I got up late, kept my foot up while I considered my options and watched news on the TV (wish I hadn’t), then went downstairs for a coffee, but they weren’t open yet. And there was a huge demo on the … More VC4: Rest day in Cologne

VC3: Back to Cologne

05/04/2022

Another day, another fabulous hotel breakfast buffet. I shall miss that! We treated ourselves to a huge meal and B also made a packed lunch. I decided I didn’t need a lunchbox lunch, as the train would only take an hour. I gave her my tiny salt and pepper shaker as a parting gift, the … More VC3: Back to Cologne

Nidarosa the hiker, traveller, pilgrim