I hope that all reading this are fit and well and have enjoyed a jolly Christmas and will experience a healthy and active year in 2020.
Since my last post back in October the work on my cottage back in the UK continued at a very slow pace and I finally have a shiny new kitchen and a beautiful parquet floor in my lounge. It all took so much longer than I anticipated, but I guess that is par for the course.
I also have a new love in my life – meet Lily my border terrier pup – quite the cutest canine, who has been my constant companion since the end of November. She is great with my grandchildren and loves every dog she meets whatever the size – she wasn’t even fazed by a St Bernard. But she is hindering rather than helping my walking activities at the moment as young pups should not be walked for more than five minutes for each month of their life until they have stopped growing. I’ve always had dogs and never heard this before, and they all survived without joint issues so I’m following this advice with a small pinch of salt. So when Lily has walked her allotted 20-30 minutes she is indignantly hoisted into the doggy pack for the remainder of the walk – she already weighs five kilos, so at least I am getting some weight bearing exercise.
I do get occasional pangs of envy when I see friends’ fb posts of mountain walks under a stunningly blue Spanish sky. Although it has not been cold thus far this winter in the UK, it has most definitely been grey and very, very wet. Which makes it all the more wonderful when we get a beautiful day like today. A crisp ground frost and thick ice on my garden pond, under the bluest sky without a cloud in sight. Lily and I made the most of it as did every other dog owner and family in the area. Everyone with a cheerful smile on such a beautiful day.
2020 camino plans are forming. I have no desire to return to the Lana to complete the few stages I missed after my hip let me down last year. But I would like to walk the two caminos that I had planned to follow the Lana. So the intention is to walk the camino Olvidado (forgotten way) from Bilbao to Ponferrada and then the Invierno (winter camino) from Ponferrada to Santiago.
The date is set for late April. Later would be better as there is a lot of elevation on the route (up to 1,700 metres) which may still have snow at such altitude.
We will be four walking – two best camigas from previous years and a walking pal from Spain – a camino virgin. Plus another I have walked a few stages with previously who is a bit of a speedy Gonzales and probably won’t hang around for long.
With luck my hip will carry me the 30+ stages without letting me down again. I’ve recently had another revision with the osteo consultant. Unfortunately, I have deteriorating osteoarthritis and loss of cartilage around the femoral head of my right hip. I’m likely to need a hip replacement in the not too distant future, but in the meantime the consultant saw no reason why I shouldn’t tackle another camino. So I need to take lots of weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the muscles surrounding my hips, plus some pilates at home – you might have heard of goat yoga – well I’m currently practising puppy pilates!
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Such a cute puppy! I love dogs.
And always…buen Camino. I look forward to reading about your cadventures (Camino Adventures?), and my fingers are crossed your hip behaves!
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Good to hear from you. Are you still walking caminos?
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I’m hoping to do the Camino Aragonés this summer, but grad school has me so busy finding time to walk 5 metres let alone 25 km a day 🙂 Fingers crossed I’ll get to though. And I’ll have yours to live vicariously through!
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I hope you make it, not sure what the travel situation will be in the coming weeks.
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Thanks. I’m watching closely to see how things develop.
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So good to hear that you are planning a return to the camino! And even better that you are feeling strong and healthy to tackle such an exercise. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we finally got to meet although we are heading in slightly different directions. I will be following in your Madrid Combo path from 10 May. Take care, Melx
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Not this year it would seem Mel. What a shame. We will both have to plan more carefully next year (although I’m not so sure about walking in a holy year). Buen camino and I hope you enjoy this route as much as I did x
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I will do my best and think of you along the way. Buen camino to you too! Melx
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Am so pleased to hear from you. Have been wondering how you were doing after your dramatic move from Spain to the UK.! Noticed your occasional posts on some camino thread which did not give any indication how you were doing.
Best of luck! Buen camino and keep us posted!
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Lovely to hear from you Ina. Do you have camino plans for 2020? Very best wishes x
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I’m so glad to learn your walking days are not yet over! Buen Camino!
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Dog walking days are everyday Linnea and I hope there will be many more Caminos to be walked.
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What a precious puppy! Happy to hear you are able to plan another Camino.
I’m also considering the Invierno but in May. (I’ve walked the francés, Primitivo, Portuguese and a few days of the Camino de Madrid followed by Astorga to SDC.)
Ann
(tincannieannie)
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We should be on the Invierno around the third week in May. Maybe we will meet up? Buen camino
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Happy New Year Maggie and great to hear of your Camino plans ahead – will be on the journey again with you (albeit online)!
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Hey Holly. I hope you are safe in Australia. It all seems so devastating.
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I wish I could join you! Maybe next year… ps I think I love Lily ❤️
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One day Colleen xx
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Lovely to hear you’re planning to walk again and I’m already salivating at the thoughts of your daily reporting. I’ll be hospitalero with a friend at St Anton outside Castrojeriz in the second half of August and then we’re taking the Invierno, because one doesn’t travel that far and not walk a camino, does one??!
Great anticipation all round and I trust all your preparation is rewarded with a strengthened body.
Brian
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So good to hear from you Brian. I hope I can provide some useful info for your stroll along the Invierno. It seems to be becoming quite popular. Good luck with your hospitalero-ing, I hope you meet lots of happy pilgrims. Buen camino and best wishes
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Happy New Year Maggie. Glad you’re making g progress with the cottage and that Lily is keeping you on the move. I’m looking forward to reading your blogs when you’re walking your caminos. We must meet for a walk with Lily and Maude when the weather is nicer. R
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That’s a date Richard
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I’m happy you have recovered. Buen Camino Maggie.
Happy Trails
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Fingers crossed Tony
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Hi Maggie – it’s good to hear from you. Lily is very cute!
I hope to be in Spain mid-April to mid-May, but probably on the Sanabres. I look forward to reading about your Camino.
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Hi Clare. I shall also look forward to reading about your camino, it will bring back some memories. Buen camino x
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Gorgeous dog and beautiful kitchen Maggie. It’s great to hear you are heading off again and I look forward to your wonderful blog. Much love and happy New Year xx
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Hi Mary. I hope 2020 will be a fabulous year for you. Are you walking a camino this year. Would so love to bump into you on the way some time. Big hugs xx
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Seems like old times again – oh that little is so cute – can’t wait to meet the baby!! Oh am I looking forward to this next one – and getting onto the paths again. Much love always and 2020 is going to be a wonderful year – meeting up with old amigas – mmm what could be betterXXXX
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Hola Camiga. It would be so wonderful if you could ever meet Lily. Meanwhile I’m so looking forward to seeing you at the end of April. Big hugs xx
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Great to get your news. The kitchen looks like our new one if a little longer. We have a grand-puppy called Benji who we walk on Tuesdays. Really looking forward to your Camino blog x
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Hi Janice. Lovely to keep in touch with you. Best wishes to Jeff x
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What a sweet dog. I have border terrier envy! Very glad to hear you are well enough to do another camino! I hope you all have a great walk. I had been thinking about doing the invierno plus something this spring…but I might try Germany this year. Still haven’t decided!
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Hi Mary Louise, how nice to hear from you. If you do decide to walk the Invierno and coincide with us, do let us know. Buen camino whichever route you take x
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Hello Maggie,it is great to read that you are planning your next caminos.I wish you luck and that you will be able to do what you have planned to do.I am thinking about walking ,part of the Via Lusitana together with my brother in April.I have turned 76 and am hoping to keep going for a little while yet.I know my limits but soemtimes you just have to keep going.All the Best.
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Wow, I’m so impressed that you are still walking caminos in your mid-seventies. I just hope that I can be as fit as you. Very inspiring. And how nice to be walking with your brother. Buen camino to you both
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Glad you are thinking of caminos again.I did my only camino the Frances all the way with two hip replacements when i was 68.Once you have your hip replaced you will be off and running. I have been wanting to dothe Portuguese since then but one of the replacements which was nearly 30 years has been patched and half replaced.Its a year since i had it done and im walking every day and building up.I wont do more than 20 kms a day …maybe around the 15 to start as time is not an issue.Im 73 in
another month and hope to do it in the next year or so.
just to let you know that even with dodgy hips and replacements you will be better than before
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So inspiring Judy. Thank you for sharing – I just hope I still have the drive to get up and go in years to come.
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