The countdown has started! One month from today I will step out on my seventh camino. Or I should say, on the first of a trio of caminos.
Camino 1 – Ruta de la Lana (the wool route) (27 stages, approximately 680 km)) which starts in Alicante (there is an alternative start point in Valencia). This camino heads north (and slightly west) to Burgos, passing mid-way through Cuenca, which is a city I have long wanted to visit and was probably the reason why I chose this camino. Alicante is also the starting point for the Camino Sureste. Of course the end point, at Burgos, is on the Camino Frances (the most popular and most walked camino route) which I try to avoid due to my preference for solitary walks. So at this juncture I will hop on a bus to…
Camino 2 – Olvidado (forgotten way, 196 km). This camino starts in Bilbao and winds through various mountain ranges to Ponferrada (also on the Camino Frances). I will be joining the Olvidado just after the half way point at Cistierna where there will be ten stages to reach the end. Conveniently, this camino ends where another starts…
Camino 3 – Invierno (winter route, 265 km). Starting from Ponferrada it is the route that in ancient days was recommended in the months when there might be snow on high ground. The route dips below the Camino Frances and near its end joins with the Camino Sanabrés for the last couple of days into Santiago. Another ten or 11 stages.
If I complete these caminos according to my plan (and we all know what can happen to ‘best laid plans’!) I may have time to walk a fourth camino (Fisterra) and so have the satisfaction once again of walking from coast to coast.
The map I have used for this little animation is available as a poster from the Wise Pilgrim website.
Very sadly, my dearest camino pal Marilyn cannot join us this year, but I am delighted that Nina, who I first met on camino last year, and with whom I have visited in Denmark in the interim, will be making up 50% of Team Lana (or Lala, as we have christened it!).
Marilyn, we will miss your smiling face so much. But there will be other adventures to share.
I have been making the most of the fabulous Andalucian weather over the last couple of months and have taken many long walks in the mountains hereabouts, under blue skies and warm sunshine. Sometimes alone (without human company that is, I always have my chum Roly by my side) and sometimes with dear friends, but always with an appreciation that I am able to do it and a determination to make the most of my good health whilst I am lucky enough to have it.
From the summit of Cerro Lucero in the Almijara mountain range with the snow topped Sierra Nevadas in the background
Early spring flowers. The hearts were spotted on a track on St Valentine’s day – how sweet!
Having made plans on paper, and going some way to getting walking-fit, I still need to round up my gear and check that I have all I need and that it is in good order. There won’t be many changes from last year. Perhaps a new fleece and shoes for the evenings. I’ve treated my rain jacket with a waterproofer, had my boots repaired, replaced the broken tip on my pacerpoles and sprayed my bedding with permethrin.
So, let the countdown begin – 31…
and I’ve just been told by the kind folks at Google that 7 April is World Health Day – an auspicious date to begin 50-ish consecutive days of exercise!
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Oh Maggie! It sounds amazing! One of these days I hope to walk a few steps with you! But in the meantime I’ll have to contend with following your footsteps… Buen Camino Pilgrim ❤
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Ah, but at least we have met now Colleen. It was such a treat to get to know you in person. Home all was well with your return xx
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It was so great to meet up! Everything was in perfect order but I do miss Spain! I’ve been rehearsing a lot as our first gig is next week… I so want to go walking but I have your blog to look forward too… and another meeting perhaps next year! xx
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Congrats Maggie, you are great in preparation and sharing it. I will be back on the Camino again this year. Probably the 6th alone for a few weeks and the 7th with my son on the Primitivo. The 6th is yet to be determined, thinking of the Via de la Plata starting in Salamanca. Anyway, first there is a virtual Camino: following your blog as you move forward on your 7th. Looking forward to that (for me virtual) Camino too!
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Hi Peter. I bet you didn’t think (any more than I did) when we met on that first day of our first camino that you would be planning your seventh!
How about the Camino de Madrid and the San Sanvador to get you in the right place to meet your son at Oviedo? Whatever you decide, buen camino amigo!
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Well that sounds just great from the point of view of a wet, cold and windy Bath; I’m glad to have this as something to anticipate enjoying come April. Sorry that Marilyn, she of the enormous backpack, won’t be with you. Have you sorted out a new camera yet?
Ultreïa!
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That could sound quite funny Richard to someone who didn’t know there is a town called Bath! My sensible head kicked in before I had a chance to buy a new camera – it told me it was rather foolish to buy a new camera that might get wet or dropped on camino. But it is about time – maybe later in the year.
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Hi Maggie, I look forward to the enormous but vicarious pleasure of reading your camino reports. Holding thumbs nothing holds up your preparations.
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I do like a plan, but am flexible about sticking to it.
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Hi Maggie I should be on Camino somewhere end of June… after Ireland. Maybe we’ll pump into each other…I.E. Inverneo….Buen Camino
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Hi Ingrid, I shall be finished walking by the end of May so not likely to meet up this year. We shall both have to keep walking every year until it happens! Buen camino!
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Looking forward to following your progress yet again Maggie. Keep singing while you walk!
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I don’t want to frighten the wildlife Katherine. I’d better keep all those tunes inside my head!
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WOo Hoo! We are off again! Can’t wait to follow your footsteps. Happy training and packing. Melx
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Thanks Mel. I really appreciate your support xx
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Unfortunately my Camino plans are on hold for this year, so I will have to enjoy the path and experience through your footsteps…take care and buen camino. xx
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This is great news, I thought it would be an east coast starting point and was waiting for your grand announcement. I’m in awe of your preparation Maggie. I’m currently in Malaysia and got bitten by a stray dog, always one of my fears on the Camino. Have been checked out and hopefully all fine. Looking forward to your journey, I’m returning to the Norte and hopefully Finisterre this year so one never knows we may cross paths. Buen Camino. X
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Hi Cecilia. Ouch! That sounds horrible. I hope there are no after-effects from the bite. Enjoy the Norte and look out for the diversions off asphalt. Buen camino!
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I’m so looking forward to “joining” you on another Camino. I had such a marvelous time last Spring 🙂living vicariously through your posts. So inspired I returned for my third Camino last October! Perhaps inspiration will hit again. Tali
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Hi Tali. I shall do my best to inspire you again. Thanks for your support.
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Reading your post and realizing that it is LESS than 1 month before I was thinking of starting my camino made me go online and actually make a reservation! (Ssshhh. Don’t tell anyone else. I have just completed the reservation and for some reason I feel guilty.) Now I should be arriving in Madrid on April 5 and then heading to Zamora. I’m looking forward to following you at the same time I am walking.
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I’m guessing that you will arrive in Santiago well before us Clare, so not likely to meet up this year. But I’m sure you’ll soon be planning your 2020 camino so it may happen then! Buen camino for the Sanabrés – I loved it!
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I can’t wait Maggie for all the wonderful posts to start coming. Like many people above I’m in awe of your planning ability. Sorry Marilyn won’t be joining you this year but you will have a good companion in Nina I have no doubt. Buen Camino and much love xx
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Hi Mary. Looking forward to your cheery comments when I’m feeling exhausted. They never fail to pick me up xx
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Oh Mags the tears are flowing again but I am so glad that you and Nina will be doing this awesome camino or should say caminos – as always your preparations are so spot on but leave room for changes – as should be – nothing is cast in stone except you know what!!! I will follow your every step and be with you inspirit everyday. You know I send much love and warm hugs darling – buen camino and I too have started your countdown!!!
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You’ll be with us in spirit Marilyn. Not sure what I shall do without your Mary Poppins bag of everything than any pilgrim could ever want! We will so miss you. We will just have to wait until the next one! xx
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Buen camino! Will be following you!
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I value your company, and your comments, Ina. Are you walking this year?
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Buen camino!
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Can’t believe a year has gone by since your last camino, where does time go? So looking forward to reading about your adventures from the comfort of my armchair!! Buen camino friend. xx
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You’re obviously having way too much fun Maggie for the time to whizz by that fast! xx
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Maggie I’ll be following along with you yet again this year. It certainly looks like a fun hybrid. Your experience will be much appreciated by the many who follow your footsteps. Thanks for all the wonderful information you’ll be passing on. xGrace
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Hi Grace, I shall welcome your company along the way!
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I cannot wait to follow this route. In particular the”Lana” route which has been on my radar for a few years. On this route have you prebooked your bed each night? I would love to walk it with out doing that but heard it isn’t advisable. You are an inspiration to a generation that seems to have more and more hikers. Thank you for writing and sharing
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Hi Amanda and thank you for your lovely comment. I have only pre-booked a hostel for an extra night in Cuenca as I want to spend a day in this charming city and it is only possible to stay in the albergue for one night. Other than that I will take it as it comes and will let you know how that turns out via the blog!
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So looking forward to your lovely posts. We are a group of three starting 5 days before you from Seville. I’ll try to stay up late enough to read your posting every night, lol… Buen Camino!👣👣
P.S. we might meet in Santiago…
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I love travelling along vicariously with you and whoever else you are walking with on your Camino’s. You are able to convey so much through your words and your wonderful images. Buen Camino!
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grande MAG .il cammino olvidado e inverno sono bellisimi. gia fatti anni fa io e Ivonne. ti abbiamo seguita sul cammino di Torres e sei stata Utile per noi. quest anno andiamo a fare il la RUTA DE LANA e sicuramente ti seguiremo.grazie ancora .LUCA E IVONNE da MILANO CIAOOOOO
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Sono molto contento che il mio rapporto sulla rotta Torres sia stato utile per te, e spero di poter fare lo stesso su Lana.
Buen camino
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DA BURGOS VAI A SANTANDER(BUS) E PRENDI IL CAMINO VALDINIENSE PER SANT TORIBIO ,PICOS D EUROPA,CISTERNIA. è BELLISIMO
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Grazie per l’informazione
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