It’s December. It’s cold outside and I’ve got a cold. As I’m stuck on the sofa nursing inflamed sinus and a cough cough cough… I’ve kept myself happy by planning my 2018 camino… or should I say Gerry’s 2018 birthday trip.
My lovely husband is celebrating a rather special birthday in 2018 but he doesn’t want a party; instead he wants to go walking in Northern Spain. The Camino del Norte meanders its way along the northern coast of Spain and it makes sense for us to follow this route. Gerry is a fairly easy going sort of chap but he prefers to walk around 20-25 km a day and he’s not a fan of albergues; he prefers to know that he has a comfortable bed and a private bathroom waiting for him at the end of the day. So whilst we’re following the camino this is definitely more of a hiking holiday.
I’ve spent the weekend in front of the fire pouring over routes and variations and GPS tracks and blogs and I’ve come up with a plan. We’re going to take the train to Hendaye and walk from the station to our first hotel (about 6.8km). If my calculations are correct we should be in Llanes on the 11th October. We’ll walk one more day and then Gerry will return home and I might (might) carry on and cross over to the Camino Primitivo… although I’ve been told that I’ll be back in the albergues and on a pilgrim’s budget. 😀
*** post script *** our dates changed! We’re still walking the Norte but sadly I don’t think I’ll be following this with the Primitivo… but I do have three weeks in April… so watch this space!!
I’m the kind of pilgrim who prefers to walk without too much of a plan. The problem with a plan is that things can change (or go wrong) and if there is a schedule you feel like you have to stick to it. But, I’ve made my peace with this over weekend as this isn’t my camino, it’s Gerry’s holiday and I so love walking with this chap. And, if I continue along to the Camino Primitivo I can switch back into pilgrim mode… although I have a sneaky feeling that I’m going to miss Gerry a great deal.
So… it looks like we’re both going to be in training! The Norte and the Primitivo are difficult walks and we need to be ready for the challenges we’ll face… and I have to find new boots.
Happy Christmas folks.. and happy safe walking!
Then We Walked 
You have a wonderful writing style. Thanks for sharing!
When are you thinking of doing the Primitivo? Based on elevations, it looks easier than the Norte. I haven’t done any camino yet, this will by my first time but I have plenty of time. Hoping to go at my own pace and change my mind whenever I feel like it. Re boots, I love my Keens. Also, Salomon makes some good shoes, too. Buen camino 🙂
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Hello Amanda and sorry for the tardy response! I’m glad you like my blog… the more I write the more I enjoy trying to use words to express my feelings and thoughts… it’s been a good process. I’m pretty sure once you complete your first camino you’ll be addicted 🙂 I was hoping to complete the Primitivo in the Autumn but I think now that’s unlikely… I envy you as I’ve read it’s beautiful. It will have to wait for another year! p.s. I too love Salomon but they are a tiny bit too narrow. Happy walking!
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Enjoy your planning and preparations including boot browsing! The Norte looks great, but not sure I have the knees for it so I will warm up with a Celtic Camino before my St Olav’s Way in May.
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Looking for the new boots should keep you busy until October!
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Thanks Clare – I just caught up with your June reflections blog… that’s just how I feel about the walking and the blogging too. xx
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