I’ve just taken off on my flight to Bilbao and finally I feel excitement instead of slight anxiety about this trip. To be honest I’ve been happy not going anywhere in recent times and could very easily have not made this trip. I think covid has robbed me of my spirit of adventure and maybe a little confidence too. The reason I have pushed myself to organise this trip is that I had a deep seated feeling that if I didn’t camino this year, then I might never camino again – and that prospect would really leave me feeling defeated and depleted.
So here I am, soaring above the clouds that are giving Bristol a very grey day and now I can see the blue sky that I hope will accompany me on this camino.
Checking in with EasyJet at the last minute has paid off again, with a rank of empty seats to myself.
We are now going to be a band of four camigos. My long-time camino buddy Marilyn has jumped over from the Camino de la Lana to join Renate, Paul and me in Bilbao. I’ve not seen Marilyn since we walked the camino Mozárabe from Almería in 2018, when Paul joined me for the last couple of weeks of that camino. The last time Renate and I were together was when she visited me in Bristol soon after I returned from Spain in 2019.
It turns out that Bilbao is also basking under a grey sky. The airport bus reached the city centre within 15 minutes and I was met at by Paul who walked me to my room in the old quarter of the city where I had an emotional reunion and a quick catch up with Marilyn before popping literally just around the corner to the Decathlon store where I finally purchased some walking shoes. Yay – it’s surprising how panic and necessity can make a decision relatively easy. Please all cross your fingers for me that I’ve made the right decision. I have with me an ancient pair of Merrells from my 2014 camino Portuguese that have very l little wear remaining, and I will carry them for a couple of days ‘just in case’!
We then meet up with Renate and her friend Bernadette for a bite to eat and a few drinks. And so a new adventure begins…
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
I missed your messages after 2019 and am glad you are taking us along again. “Happy trails”
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I am so happy to hear you are on your way! Beautiful! Buen Camino! ~Lorrie
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Enjoy!
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Amazing decision! Buen Camino!🎉🙌
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Amazing decision! Buen Camino!😊🎉
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I think Covid made many of us anxious about travel/crowds etc., it certainly has for me but our trips to Paris and Marrakech helped to relieve this.
Now you’re there in good company and well shod (hopefully! ) you can crack on with what you’re so good at and I, and many others, can look forward to your daily reports. Ultreïa!
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Woohoo. Great to see you all together. I hope you have lots of sun and laughs in the coming weeks. Looking forward to the updates.
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This is great news, I’ll be interested to see how walking with others works out for you, good luck with the new hip and new shoes. Looking forward to living vicariously again, as well as picking up recommendations. Enjoy the lovely Spanish bars, food and drink. Buen Camino.
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Well done you for finding some boots. Have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute.
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Oh my goodness, I’m so excited for you Mags, and also really looking forward to sharing your experiences, all be it only on line. I know exactly how you feel about pushing yourself, and happy not to go anywhere, I feel the very same, and I am certain its because of covid and the lockdown. But look at you girl, you’ve done it and your on your way, I’m so full of admiration for you, take care of yourself and Buen Camino, ❤❤
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Hi Maggie
Glad you are now on your way. You have always shown us how brave you are even with what you have called trepidation. We call it determination. Hope the shoes work out. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful photography. Glad you are with good friends.
Buen camino to you all
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What a wonderful Camino group. So happy for you and Marilyn to be back waking together again.
Enjoy xx
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Wonderful. I’ll be following along. Buen Camino
Manitoba Canada
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Great news about the shoes, I hope they are perfect! Have a wonderful time xxxx
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Such a wonderful, classic photo of a Camino group on the day before the walk begins. Oh how I wish I could join you.
Say hi to Paul and Marilyn. Buen Camino!
Hugs
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Buen Camino Maggie
So happy for you. Never give up !!
You are looking so ready ! And happy.
Annie. (Writing this from a lavandaria in Toro on the Levante. Xx.
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On a Camino, you’ve already taken the biggest step! Ultreia!
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