…so long that I’ve forgotten how to blog! My last post was sent out on 12 March 2020. I’ve occasionally thought about posting in the meantime but haven’t really had very much to say. Fortunately the pandemic hasn’t been too unkind to me – I finally succumbed to the virus in January this year, albeit with very mild symptoms.
Since last writing I’ve been given a new hip and a new granddaughter – though not simultaneously. The hip has been trouble free and the granddaughter is an absolute delight.
And now it will very soon be time to set off on a new camino. Nothing too adventurous this time. I feel slightly uncertain how my new hip will stand up to the inevitable pounding that will be required of it and I am just a little anxious about how easy it will be to camino this year. There will be many pilgrims raring to walk after a couple of years of confinement, in addition to which 2022 has been granted holy year status which always sees more people heading to Santiago. Add to this the likelihood that some private albergues will have gone out of business during the lockdown period. More pilgrims and less beds could well be a problem.
So I have decided to walk within my comfort zone this year. I fly into Bilbao and will start walking the camino del Norte from there, and cross over to the Primitivo. I’ve walked both these routes before, although in different years, so it will all be familiar. I shall ring the changes where I can on the Norte by taking every opportunity to walk coastal alternatives to the official route where possible.
I shall have the company of two special camigos. Renate, my Dutch friend who I know from my time living in Spain. We walked together regularly in the mountains, but this will be her first camino. And we will be joined by my serial camino buddy Paul who I have had the pleasure of walking with on three previous caminos.
I’ve just finished planning my stages. The Norte has been a bit complicated because there are so many opportunities to take alternative routes and I want to take them all. Of course if you are wiggling around the coastline rather than taking a more direct route it will obviously add kms. And if the weather is inclement there will be no point prolonging the stage.
I’ve started to gather my gear. But have the perennial footwear problem. There are only two weeks until I go and I have not yet sourced my boots. I’ve had my old boots repaired as a backstop but am hoping that the shoes due to arrive in a couple of days will be perfect.
I’m writing this by way of reminding myself how to post to my blog. I’m not taking my iPad this year so need to become accustomed to posting from my phone. In addition to which there appear to have been a lot of changes to navigate on WordPress in the last couple of years. So I offer advance apologies for any glitches that find their way to being published.
Incidentally the header photo is from the Norte when I walked in 2016.
I hope there are still some followers of this blog after my extended absence. I often dip into past posts and am always struck by the wonderful comments left by friends, those I know personally and those I know only through this blog. They warm my heart. Thank you.
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
WOO HOO!!! She’s back!! Go you good thing!! Melxx
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Hi Mel, great to hear from you x
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Walked the same two Camino’s in 2017 so will be following you with great interest.
Buen Camino, David
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Hi David. Hope I can bring back some good memories for you.
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delighted to hear you’re hitting the camino trail again – I’m reading your blog from 2015 again as I’m also heading back to the camino – repeating he VDLP, which i only did about 750km of 3 years ago, due to persistent foot problems, about 4 weeks. It’s a month later than last time, so hopefully the weather is not too hot
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Super excited for your new Camino this. Steady and easy on your hip. Your Dutch friend will be having the time of her life no doubt.
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I’m sure she will Brent. She is much fitter than I am – she will be running rings around me as she will have walked for a week before start!
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Who can tell what the weather will do these days? Buen camino for one of my favourite routes.
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So glad to see you’re back on the trail. Most of us are worse for wear after the last two years. Good luck with the new hip and I look forward to following you
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Thanks Annie. Hopefully I can get fit en route
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Delighted you are back Mags, I love following you on your Camino’s. I have done several myself, but had a knee replacement in October 2021( which is fantastic )and hopefully I will have the other one done this year. Safe travels and keep posting you are amazing, sending you Buen Camino from Cork, Ireland,
Angela
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Hi Angela. Thanks for your lovely comment. Good luck with the second knee op. Hope you’ll be back on the camino soon.
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Great news, and lovely choices. I often wondered if you’d get out on the hills again. I’ll be interested in how busy it is. In October I went to finish The Norte and also went to Finisterre and Muxia, it was not busy. You will bloody love that first beer and pinxos. I can smell the bar just thinking about it!
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Hi Celia. I’ve already plotted my route to the nearest bar to my lodgings in Bilbao. Cheers!
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I will follow every step you take (with a touch of envy).
Buen Camino!
Hugs
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I’ll take you with me in my heart ❤️
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Brillant! Look forward to reading you again! Buen camino!
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Thanks Ina. Always good to have your company.
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so looking forward to your posts. we hope to leave NZ early June to walk Le Puy to St Jean, to Leon, then San Salvador to Oviedo then Primativo, so will be following with interest.
Hope the boots arrive in time, and glad you are back :).
Buen Camino
Jo
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That’s a long walk Jo. Have you seen my posts from the Salvador in 2017? Buen Camino!
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Congratulations on another Camino. How wonderful to be able to travel again.Im planning on walking the length of New Zealand beginning in Oct. Te Araroa is 3000kms long. I’ve started training for it
Go well on your Camino. Best wishes
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So good to hear from you Gwen. Wow, that’s some walk – are you doing it in one go? Good luck and very best wishes xx
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Welcome back! I several times looked on your website to see what was up. Glad to hear you made it Thru the pandemic in health (mostly) and joy. I look forward to reading about your walk and seeing your magnificent photos. (BTW I’m starting the CF tomorrow!)
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Hi Tali. I hope the Camino Frances is going well for you. Buen Camino!
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Lovely to hear your news and I so look forward to reading about your next Camino. Enjoy!
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Thanks Bridget. Great to have you aboard!
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This is the best news I’ve heard in ages Maggie. Looking forward to following your adventures. Congratulations on the new hip and the new Granddaughter. Best wishes and much love xx
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Thank you my friend. It’s always a special pleasure to hear from you xx
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Buen Camino! Good luck with posting from an iPhone. I found it extremely difficult when my iPad died mid-walk several years ago. Since then I have used an iPad mini which is perfect for me, small enough to fit in my shoulder bag of valuables but with access to full features on WordPress. Typing is infinitely easier too.
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Welcome back Maggie and congratulations on the new granddaughter. Have a fabulous time, it looks as if you will be in good company I met Renate when the two of you visited Bath. You’ll soon work your way round WordPress, doing is good learning! I look forward to following your progress once more. R
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You were the perfect tour guide. Can you believe that was two and a half years ago? One of my jobs before leaving is to plant my echium which survived the winter in the shed.
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Hi Michael, good to hear from you. I have always used an iPad mini on previous caminos but now that I have a new iPhone that is twice the size (and weight) of my old one, I feel the need to cut down on excess tech and weight. It seems a lot has changed in the two years since I last posted to my blog so wanted to write a couple of posts before setting off by way of practice. I’ve discovered glide/swipe typing which makes it all a bit quicker. Do you have a camino planned for this year?
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I’m still hoping to do the Olvidado / Inviernes but it looks less likely every day. Melanie was weakened by COVID and neither one of us is in that great shape after 2 years caminoless. I’d fly there anytime anyway but I need my walking companion by my side (or at least within sight ahead when we’re on flat land or behind when we are in mountains). If anything, it will be a September Camino.
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Those caminos would have been my choice if I had gone in 2020. My experience of covid was very mild, but I think it has left me with slightly reduced lung capacity for the time being. So the harder routes can wait for another year. But I really had the feeling that if I didn’t camino this year, I may never do it again. And I wouldn’t want that to happen!
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Delighted to read you are going back to the Camino. Look forward to reading about your adventures.
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Many thanks, welcome aboard!
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Oh joy of joys. So missed your blogged adventures since you pulled out of your last walk with back pain. Wishing you a fantastic time as you start walking again. Love your adventures. Congrats on new g’daughter & trust hip & new boots work well.
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Thanks Carlene. I still haven’t sorted the boots 😩. The hip and granddaughter are great though!
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What a treat to read your blog again after so long. It has brought sunny memories of the Camino rushing back. I look forward to hearing all about your adventures. Buen Camino 💕
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Hi Nancy – I hope the new adventure will bring more sunny memories and not soggy ones!
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So pleased to hear the new hip is a gem! Can’t wait for the blogs to arrive. Enjoy every minute!
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Thanks June. I’m hoping every stage will be enjoyable.
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¡Buen camino!
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Thank you amigo. I shall be thinking of you when I venture into Plaza Nueva for a tapas.
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Fantastico! You are back, Maggie! Always love reading your informative and inspiring blogs. Can’t wait to get back to Spain and another camino! Buen camino! and congratulations on your new granddaughter! Love from Down Under
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Cheers Ronald. Thanks for the good wishes. Hopefully I can bring a bit of inspiration!
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Yeesss!!!! Looking forward to your adventures.
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Thank you so much
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So happy you are walking a Camino again. I myself hope for a fall Camino as long as my hip cooperates. In the process of finding out WTH is going on.
Buen Camino Ingrid
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Good luck with your hip problem. If you do need a replacement, I hope it goes as well as mine did. Best wishes Ingrid
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Hi Magwood
Good to hear you are back in action and on your travels very soon. Looking forward to your blog. I shall sit back and enjoy the ride.
Stay safe and well.
Buen Camino
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Buckle up Stewpot. I hope it’s not too bumpy!
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Maggie
Your blog is on fire.
We have fastened our seat belts and are ready to go with you. You just look after those toes on the downhills.
Looking forward to seeing your photography as always.
Stay well
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Amazing to have you you back! I will look forward to your posts and comments as planning to walk Camino del Norte next year. Enjoy your journey x
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I hope I can provide some useful info for you. You might also find something helpful in my blog posts from 2016.
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So glad to see this and so glad for you. Yours is one email notification which actually produces a click and a thorough read. Your writing is splendid and really serves to transport me back to Spain! Thanks for sharing with us and buen Camino to you and your new hip!
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Many thanks Rebekah. It gives me great pleasure that my blog is received well. I hope I don’t let you down this year.
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Dear one and only Maggie!!
To hear/read from you is like a mayor step back to normal (and good) life!!! :-:)
From all of my heart: congratulations to your granddaughter (and also your new hip…as it went quite trouble-free?)! And reading, that you gonna be walking “the camino del Norte from [Bilbao] and cross over to the Primitivo.” brings back sooo many memories…. like the bells…THOSE bells in Guenica! And my strange “running in circles and getting back to my special place” the same day before. 🙂
Ahhhh…..good memories…and so good reasons to create some new ones!
All my love,
Carsten (from Germany)
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Hello my dear friend. There are so many great memories from that camino. I was truly lucky to walk amongst such fabulous people. And to all meet up again in Santiago was the icing on the cake. Yes, that day arriving in Guernica made my hair tingle. So moving. I think of you often. Special times. I hope we can meet up again some time – if you’re ever in Bristol…
Huge hugs xxx
ps do you still have the same email? I wrote to you a while back but not sure you received my mail x
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Little addendum: Don’t know, if you already heard it aready: Alan finally got his wedding a few weeks ago…after postponing it 3 times due to Corona.
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Yes, I’m friends with Alan on facebook. The always look so happy together.
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Yay welcome back Maggie. Great to hear from you. Take it easy you say and do the Norte!! We’re on our 5th day and it ain’t easy imo fir a new hip. Still you’re an experienced walker and know what’s doable. Looking forward to your blog and pics. Best wishes.
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Hello Alan. I think those first few days were a bit tough, but I’m missing them this year – starting in Bilbao. I hope its going well for you both and that the weather is being kind. What a pity we won’t cross paths. Buen camino!
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It is so wonderful to hear from you again! I’ve loved following you over the years. I share many of your concerns about how it will be this year.
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Are you walking this year Linnea? If so, buen camino!
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Just dreams so far, but maybe a camino in the fall.
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Welcome back! Looking forward to your future posts…
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Thanks Kristina
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Welcome back and congratulations on the new hip and baby Elysia (lovely name). I’ve had a new shoulder meanwhile! Look forward to your Camino blog! X Janice
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Hi Janice. Lovely to hear from you. Hope you are both well. Was the new shoulder a success? Very best wishes to you and Jeff x
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So wonderful to see your post Maggie and congratulations on being a grandmother to little Elysia. I hope your gorgeous puppy has grown into a beautiful young dog and that life is great!
Looking forward to following you on your 2022 Camino –
Buen Camino! Xx
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Hi Jenny. Great to hear from you. You’ll see the dog in the next post. Are you out and about with David this year?
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Welcome back, I‘m looking forward to following you on your next camino.
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Thanks Lucy. Lovely to hear from you.
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Great to see you on the road again.
I will be walking the Primitivo from early June. When are you there?
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Aiming to reach Oviedo around 17 May. Buen Camino!
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Ahh the perennial shoe problem! I too suffer from this. Boots that were perfect one year, become uncomfortable the next etc. Now I wear Brooks Ghost. They are super comfortable, but don’t last. 600 km and they are ready for the bin….also, they really smell bad. Never had that issue before.
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I’ve given up and am having to wear and old pair 🤞
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Good to hear about your plans. I know exactly what you mean about getting some blogging practice. I haven’t done that yet but should do it soon. I’ll be following, too!
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Good to hear from you Clare
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Maggie, I am so delighted to see you return to your blog and to hear that you are returning to Spain to walk another — or rather two more — caminos. You have been so generous with your knowledge and experience over the years and I have missed your posts. I hope your new boots arrive soon and I wish you a camino muy bueno!
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Thank you Elizabeth for such a lovely comment.
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Hi Maggie,
Those replacement hips were especially developed for grandparents like you and me. So you will be fine!
Great to hear from you again.
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Always a treat to hear from you Henk 🙂
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Really glad to read your post and hear you are writing again. I missed your observations and thoughts.
Buen Camino
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Thank you, it’s good to be back!
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Fantastic!!! Can’t wait hear all about it!👍💃
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Yay Max. Lovely to hear from you xx
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Wonderful, can’t wait to be taken along the trail with you Maggie. All the best from Oz. 😊💪
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Thanks Holly. I hope it’s not a bumpy ride!
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I certainly enjoy reading about how life is getting back to normal for other people. Glad to hear that things have been going well. Welcome back! 💙
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Many thanks.
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Hi Maggie, Great to see you will be back on a camino journey again. Your blog was the first camino blog i ever read and tried to model mine after:). I’m hoping to add to my camino journeys in September with the Primitivo so I will closely be following your camino! Buen Camino – David
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Lovely comment – thanks David. Hope my info will be helpful
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Good job Maggie! Glad that you back at it and eager to go… looking forward to reading you and seeing the beautiful photos of flowers 💐
Buen Camino!👣👣👣
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Thanks Danielle. I’m sure there will be plenty of flowers to come, and hopefully lots of seascapes too.
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Welcome back, you are my favourite blogger! I’ll be heading over in April next year to walk the VDP, with a new hip. I took mine for a 10km run 2 weeks ago and will be running a half marathon in July. These modern hip replacements are fantastic and as an experienced walker you shouldn’t have any trouble on your Camino. Woohoo 🥳 🦵🦵👏
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Cannot wait to hear of your daily adventures again! Your previous posts were a source of info and encouragement when I planned my first Camino, French way and in my 2nd the Portuguese. I’m hoping to be back to walk the Del Norte next year. Hopefully giving everyone else the chance to be out and about it will help calm the trails.
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I’ve no idea what to expect this year Cheri. Vamos a ver!
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Coo eee Maggie! Love to read your thoughts and experiences. I’ll be ‘zooming’ with you in spirit.
Take care of the hip and sounds like you’ll have perfect walking companions too.
Looking forward to a few spring flowers pics.
Buen camino
OzAnnie
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Hello Magwood
Good to hear from you as used to follow yr camimoing 2 years ago , I think you had walked de la Lana a few weeks before us and lots of mud . And I think that was when you couldn’t finish because of your hip
? Forgive me but the times get muddled up
Doug and I also preparing to walk in May , and thinking to do 2 short ones : maybe from Yoledo to Avila and then the Terassina from Avila
After that not sure . Wary of the Covid effect and we’ll see . Like you like the more solitary paths
Anyway buen camino to all of us and look forward to yr bloggs Suzette
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Hi Suzette. Thanks for your comment. Yes, the Lana ended in disaster. I hope it was better for you. I don’t know anything about the caminos that you mention – more for the list! Buen camino to you and Doug.
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Toledo I meant !! Also trying to use WordPress on phone more . Trying to write more , anyway . I’ve just bought second pair of Merrill’s too . Light but I don’t think tough enough for a mountainous Camino . We’ll see as always .
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Great plans Maggie! Me too, I’m looking forward to go back to the Camino, last one was in 2019. If everything works out I will be doing the Primitivo with my son sometime during summer. I guess I can follow your Primitivo experience before then!?
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Always good to hear from you Peter. I hope I can give you some useful info on the Primitivo. Buen Camino to you both
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Look forward hearing about your plans 🙂
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Thanks Mark
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