…an unaccustomed autumn camino. I’ve only walked in the spring previously. The timing is to accommodate my new camigo – my 14 year-old grandson Mikey, and most of our adventure will be during his half term break and a couple of in-service days.
Mikey is keen to earn a compostela and so we have to walk a minimum of 100 km. We have decided to start from the Portuguese/Spanish border and reach Santiago over six stages. Of course the days will be a lot shorter than I am used to – according to my weather forecast sunrise occurs at around 9 am.
I have walked all of the route before, the first couple of stages in 2014 when I walked from Lisbon along the central route of the Camino Portuguese, and the last few stages in 2018 when I walked the Camino Mozárabe from Almeria and took in a portion of the Portuguese coastal route and the Espiritual.
We fly into Porto tomorrow, arriving mid evening, so no time for sightseeing. We plan to catch the 06:00 train the following morning to Valença, where we will walk the short distance to the bridge over Rio Miño and cross into Spain to walk the 130 or so kilometres into Santiago de Compostela.
Mikey has taken a keen interest in my caminos from an early age and I was absolutely delighted when he asked if we could walk together some time. I have to admit to a few wavering moments in the intervening period. It will be a very different experience walking with a youngster, although he is extremely fit – a regular visitor to the gym who doesn’t think twice about cycling for 15 or 20 miles. I’m sure he will be a good deal fitter than me.
Unfortunately, the weather isn’t looking very agreeable for the first couple of days with lots of rain forecast. I don’t mind too much being rained upon, it’s just the resultant state of the tracks that I hate – walking through the mud is definitely no fun!
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Buon Camino to both you and Mikey.
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Thanks so much John
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How exciting is that! Can’t wait for the blogs x
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So nice to hear from you Janice x
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Looking forward to reading about this adventure!
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Good to have you onboard Renee
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Good luck, i hope you and your grandson have a great camino together.
greetings from the Netherlands
Trynke
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Many thanks Trynke
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Enjoy!
I walked 178 kms on the Frances with my daughter and 10 year old grandson in 2016 – it was great!
Then the summer of 2024. I walked Tui to Santiago with the same 2 ( Cy was now 16) and 2 more grandchildren, who were 14 and 12. No complaints!
I hope to walk next summer when I turn 80, with my 2 daughters and 2,3 or 4 grandchildren.
What a memory you will create with your grandson .
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That’s incredible Darlene. Thanks so much for sharing. A real inspiration.
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How marvellous, I hope to do the same but my little grandson is only 4! Hope it won’t be ten years as I’ll be 82…. If I’m spared. Looking forward to reports. I more or less copied your Portuguese camino from Lisbon in 2015 and 2016. Sorry about the rain, it may hold off…. I always walk in autumn and have been blessed with great weather, much prefer it to spring. You’ll capture different flowers. Buen Camino
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So nice to hear from you. Yes, I feel delighted that Mikey wanted to join me on a camino. He’s already talking about the next one!! You’ll have to get your grandson walking longer distances as he gets older. I’m sure you’ll make it.
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How fabulous that your g/son wants to have this adventure with you ❤️ it will sow the seeds for future exploits I’m sure 😊
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I hope so Kay – he’s proving very trepidatious!
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Buen camino, Maggie. I hope your grandson loves it! And you too, of course. Mel
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Hi Mel, lovely to hear from you.
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and lovely to see you out walking again. x
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Hoorah! I hope you have a brilliant time and that the weather forecast is wrong. R
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Great to hear from you Richard
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Hola Maggie and Mikey,
I wish you a buen Camino and no rain.
Hugs, Nina
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Well, no rain after the first day! Xx
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Hi Maggie, how exciting and so wonderful to be able to do it with your grandson, this will make treasured memories. I’m looking forward to your daily reports.
¡Buen Camino y buena suerte a los dos!
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Thanks Jackie. So nice to hear from you. Hope you’re keeping well.
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How wonderful to be able to do this with your grandson. Enjoy!
PS….did you see my email
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I can’t see who you are 😵💫 but thinking you might be Karen? If so then yes I did see your email and was delighted to receive it, and really sorry that I haven’t replied sooner.
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yes it is Karen….goodness only knows why my user name is so odd, I have changed it now!
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What great news Maggie,I’m sure it will prove to be such a special time for you both. I’m looking forward to your posts and pictures, grey skies and all. Take care both.
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So nice to have your company again Alan
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Good luck, Buen Camino to both of you.
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Thank you
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Oh my goodness Maggie, that was a surprise!!! Very good luck to the both of you, especially on the mud front. I can’t believe Mikey is 14 …..
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Fortunately mud hasn’t been a problem (yet). 15 in a couple of months
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Following you again, what a brave person you are! My granddaughter (20) cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End on her own, camping along the way, and I followed her on Strava. She stayed with me for a week on the way there and on the way back.
So good luck and many adventures to both of you!
Love Marian
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Hi Marian. So happy to have you on board. How very brave of your granddaughter. She must have very adventurous genes! X
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Hi Marian. Wow, that’s some adventure for your granddaughter. How brave
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