I’m not sure if I’ll blog as normal on this camino but will give a brief outline of our plans here and see what happens. 

My grandson Mikey was keen to walk another camino with me. We have about twelve days and my thoughts went immediately to the Primitivo. I’ve walked it before, first time in 2017, commencing from Madrid then the Salvador before reaching Oviedo already as fit as a flea. 

Then in 2022 I walked the Norte from Bilbao taking in all the alternative coastal tracks which are often missed on the ‘official’ route, dropping down to Oviedo to once again walk the Primitivo. Sadly on this occasion I injured my knee and struggled for a while before admitting defeat when I reached Lugo. 

As this current adventure approached I began to feel rather daunted by my choice, as I never have before. Partly because of the dubious weather forecast, partly due to the great deal of elevation, but mostly due to starting fresh – ie totally unfit (and nine years older that my first hike on this route). I have no doubts about Mikey’s stamina – he’s a strapping lad with lots of energy, but I fear I may not be up to scratch…there’s only one way to find out. 

I have set us a bit of a strenuous task to get to the starting point. Flying from Bristol at 18:00, arriving in Madrid at 21:15, finding our way from terminal 1 to terminal 4 for a midnight bus to Oviedo arriving at 06:15. Then we plan to find ourselves some breakfast and a first sello in our credenciales (pilgrim’s passport) and set off on our first 25km stage. There is a possibility to stop at 12km but I’m sure we’ll be able to get to Grado. 

Vamos a ver…