Now that is a question. When I started researching appropriate footwear for Hadrian’s Wall, the concensus seemed to be that you need waterproof boots. Which is fine for some, lots of people like wearing boots for all sorts of walks. It’s just … I really don’t. I prefer shoes, I like the lightness of them, I like the … More To boot or not to boot?
… they are a-changing. I made my first wobbly attempts at a fun and functional packing list about seven years ago, and I think I can honestly say that the only thing which is still with me is my compact collapsible brush with mirror. Oh, and my little pale pink tech towel. Obviously I packed underwear and … More Oh the priorities …
I have never used walking sticks or poles on my caminos, for some reason I just thought that was for people with joint or balance problems or in the case of the rough wooden single pole – a camino chic fashion statement. Also there were tales of people in constant panic about losing them, having … More Pacerpoles impression after a bit of use
I was recently reminded of my first typical camino breakfast, which was in albergue Orisson: white bread for toasting, butter and preserves/jams. Café con leche, of course. Orange juice. We could also buy a bocadillo – more white bread, and lots of it, so sharp it will cut your mouth inside and out – with … More Top pilgrim tip: The tostada
I am going back again this September. All booked and planned – well, as planned as I like my two week top-up caminos to be: flights and buses so I know when I get there, then the first and last nights’ accommodation to make sure I will get on the flights and buses. I have also … More To repeat or not to repeat?
In September 2014, on a brilliant walking day – warm, not too hot, the odd cloud giving a little shade – L and I were walking, as usual, side by side, laughing and talking. A few days earlier I had suggested to L that she empty her heavy pack and really have a look at … More The lady who laughed (but didn’t get the last laugh)
The PCB is a serious, dreaded and yet sometimes oddly cherished pilgrim affliction with no known cure. It tends to hit people who have walked one or a combination of caminos in Spain for anything between a week and several months. The severity of the condition does not seem to increase with the time spent … More Post Camino Blues
When people think back on the culinary joys of the Camino, they tend to think of chorizo, manchego cheese, pulpo, bocadillos, cerveza, vino tinto … but I have a very special favourite: The Clara. Sometimes called Clara con Limón, sometimes ready mixed with its own tap in bars. So what is it? A Clara is, … More Top pilgrim tip: The Clara
The Scouse Spouse has now booked time off work for our Hadrian’s Wall Path walk later this summer. We are set on walking it West to East and treating ourselves to B&B, hotel and pub/inn accommodation, so while he was out yesterday I sat down and looked through two guidebooks plus the interactive planning website … More Hadrian’s Wall is happening!
Ah, the sock conundrum. (Don’t get me started on the shoes or boots one.) One pilgrim’s favourite sock is the end of another’s camino, that’s how important socks are. Not kidding. Luckily there are socks to be bought along the way for those who got it wrong! On my first camino walk – my first … More A change of socks
Somewhere Slowly 