I woke early this morning to take my last shower in the luxury of my own home and was wallowing in the delight of piping hot spray when it started to cool down and I had to rush to wash the conditioner from my hair before it turned freezing. The gas bottle had run out – no such luxury as mains gas in these parts. So that was that! Shower abruptly over. After dressing, the last few items were ticked off my packing list as I placed them in my backpack, and I was ready to go.
I have spent the last couple of weeks touching base with family in the UK over Easter and then meeting friends in Competa for a fabulous mountain hike, various farewell lunches and dinners, and yesterday was spent at our beautiful riverside location of La Fabrica for a Chi Kung class with my women’s group, followed by a picnic. So my energy should be well centred, ready for my walk. David wished me a fond farewell at the station and I have received some lovely messages from friends. I am very lucky to have so many loved ones to say goodbye to.
So here I am, sitting on the AVE high speed train at María Zambrano station in Málaga, awaiting my 10:55 departure. The station is very well organised and spotlessly clean and I am very excited to be about to have my first experience of the AVE. The train was waiting when I arrived 30 minutes early, we were allowed to board and the seats are very comfortable with oodles of leg space. And now that we have left the station there is a film show – ‘I, Daniel Blake’ – a fabulous and moving film that I have already seen, but well worth a re-run.
And now a new adventure begins. I will meet up with three of my camino pals this afternoon, and two more tomorrow. We are quite an international band, including two Brits, two Germans, an Australian and a South African. Who knows how we will all get along or how long we will stay together. Three I have walked with on past caminos and one I feel I know from all the correspondence we have shared.
Here is a story waiting to be told…stay tuned.
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
How fantastic! Good luck on your new adventure. I may well bump into you all soon. I fly to Madrid tomorrow early evening then will be going direct to the albergue in Tres Cantos and starting from there. Dave
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Hi Dave. It will be great to meet up. I have a feeling the albergue in Tres Cantos won’t be open tomorrow. It is situated in the town hall and I doubt there will be access at the weekend. I may be wrong. We are booked into the hotel VP Jardin.
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Go for it girl!. Enjoy every step, every day, all the views and all your camino friends. Will read you. Renate xxx
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Buen Camino! I can’t wait to hear about your journey! Isn’t there just so much excitement and a touch of trepidation at the start of a walk? I wish you all the best on this adventure 😊
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Looking forward to following your adventure. Buen Camino!
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He we go. I feel so excited for you (and sad for David left behind of course!). Can’t wait for all the blogs to get going again. Am flexing my muscles and stretching my legs in readiness! Xxx
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Good luck and have a nice walk!
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This will be fun with a small group.
Looking forward to episode 2
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Ultreïa Maggie.
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All the best. Take care. Look forward to your blog.
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Buen Camino Maggie. We have just finished Day 5 of our Camino Mozarabe and tonight are at Lucena arriving just in time to catch the Infantile procession where all the little children carry miniature thrones just like in Malaga at Easter. Following your Camino notes from when you did it.
Have a great time. The weather so far has been perfect so hope it is for you too.
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Buen camino Carlene
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Mmmm. Thanks for the tip re Sunday access to the albergue! Have decided to book into Hostel Tres Cantos tomorrow just to be sure. The plan for the next few days is Mataelpino Albergue, Cercidilla, La Granja, Zamaramalla and then beyond. Let’s hope the sun shines ….
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Although I have never met you, I am always inspired to read about your caminos. Have a wonderful experience and put some walking miles in for me. Thanks for sharing…
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🙂
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Buen camino, Maggie!
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Almost makes me wish I was there too – buen Camino, dear Maggie x
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Have a great time Maggie! I’m looking forward to reading about your experiences. X
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Looking forward to your wonderful blog…Buen camino!
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Here’s to another successful Camino. Looking forward to your daily blog. Take care dear friend. x
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Buen Camino Maggie. ..looking forward to hearing all about it. Light and Love Ingrid
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Good luck Maggie- looking forward to hearing all about it-Lindsay xxx
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Buen camino!
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Have a great time, Maggie. Enjoy every minute. Looking forward to reading all about it xx
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Buen Camino Maggie!
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Enjoy your latest Camino Maggie as we shall enjoy it with you, take care
Much love Pat and John xx
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Good luck Mum, stay safe and have a wonderful time, lots of love from all of us xxxxxxx
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Buen Camino Maggie! Best, best wishes for a wonderful pilgrimage.
Camino hugs –
Jenny
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I am settled back at home, and definitely will be following your journey day by day! I may follow some of your footsteps next year. Buen camino!
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Hallo Maggie!
Durch Zufall habe ich deinen Blog gefunden und freu mich darüber riesig. Wir haben uns 2015 auf der Via de la Plata (C.Sanabres) getroffen. Ein Ehepaar aus Österreich, vielleicht kannst dich noch erinnern. Im Vorjahr haben wir am Camino del Norte Paul getroffen, mit dem du unterwegs warst, das war eine Freude :-). Bin schon gespannt wer deine Begleiter sein werden, vielleicht ist ein Bekannter dabei.
Liebe Grüße und buen camino. Ich werde dich verfolgen 😉
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Buena suerte dear Maggie. So happy to again be getting daily updates on your life. x
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Buen Camino Maggie,hope it’s a good trip. I’m curious though if you received my long email about our Camino Madrid? Regards joal
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Buen Camino Maggie! The road ahead is yet another trail to explore and discover. Looking forward to readind and enjoying vicariously your posts and updates. All the best!
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