Category Archives: Preparations

The boots dilemma has concluded

Posted on 30/04/2022 by magwood

…in a very inconclusive way!  Having tried on dozens of walking shoes/boots in tens of different shops, ordered six pairs from Amazon and several more from other online outlets, I have now officially given up and admitted defeat. I’ve ruined … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Norte, Camino Primitivo, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Two days and counting…

Posted on 11/04/2018 by magwood

Two days and counting!  Backpack is almost sorted, most items on the packing list are ticked off.  Rather than show you the standard series of photos of  folded clothes that will accompany me on my camino, I thought I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino Mozárabe from Almeria, Camino Torres, Preparations, Trujillo variant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Reflections on the Caminos de Madrid & San Salvador

Posted on 21/08/2017 by magwood

It’s hard to believe that almost three months have passed since I finished my 2017 camino.  I’ve spent quite some time going through my photos and video clips to put together the movie you can see below.  I managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Madrid, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Salvador, Preparations, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Review of clothes and gear (II)

Posted on 26/11/2016 by magwood

Part two of my ongoing missive reporting on items taken on my Camino del Norte in April/May 2016 part (I) on clothes can be seen here part (II) on gear and equipment appears below part (III) on technology will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Review of clothes and gear (I)

Posted on 15/10/2016 by magwood

Here is the first part of my long overdue gear report.  I will divide it into three parts clothes (herewith) gear and equipment (see here) technology (to follow in separate post) My last such review was in 2014 and  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Last day of near normality

Posted on 21/04/2016 by magwood

Backpack packed Bumbag loaded Lovely long hot shower taken (a treat even at home because we are very water conscious here) Hair straightened from its natural curly frizz Teeth electrically cleaned and water jetted until danger of what little enamel … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Norte, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Everything but the kitchen sink…

Posted on 16/04/2016 by magwood

I have spent another couple of half-days faffing about with my camino packing. But however many times I weigh all the various items, I can’t seem to make them any lighter. I’m trying some new ideas this year. I’ve made … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Norte, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Ten days and counting

Posted on 12/04/2016 by magwood

Have you seen the countdown box at the side of this post? Yikes, only 10 days to go. I seem to have been preparing for this camino forever, but I am feeling totally unprepared. I have plotted my route, downloaded … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Norte, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

They’ll see me coming in this…

Posted on 09/03/2016 by magwood

We’ve had some very stormy weather here the last few days. Yesterday, gale-force winds were whipping around the mountain almost taking control of your movements, pushing you along from behind or almost stopping you in your tracks. There was even … Continue reading →

Posted in A view of life, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Expats in andalucia, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

The boots that were meant to be

Posted on 06/03/2016 by magwood

I have been a bit fickle with my choice of camino hiking boots. I have needed a new pair for each of my three caminos, and whilst they have all been ok, I have not wanted to buy the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino del Norte, Camino Ingles, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Happy feet

Posted on 02/03/2016 by magwood

Only eight weeks until my next camino and my head is whirling with all sorts of planning strategies. The most important piece of equipment I shall be taking with me are my feet and I thought I would share my … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Preparations | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

I’m off then…

Posted on 07/04/2015 by magwood

Oh my goodness, the countdown in the sidebar has turned from days to hours. I’ve had the surprise farewell party, complete with ‘Buen camino’ cake (thanks Kim). I’ve been given the T-shirt (thank you Hens for this very thoughtful gift). … Continue reading →

Posted in A view of life, Camino Mozarabe, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

The making of the super-duper Maggie shoulder cape

Posted on 17/02/2015 by magwood

I wrote the post below eighteen months ago (February 2015, but didn’t publish it at the time because I hoped to develop the idea commercially. I had extended discussions with an equipment manufacturer, but the project didn’t ultimately come to … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Preparations, Walking the walk | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Assessment of clothes and walking gear 2014

Posted on 28/06/2014 by magwood

I updated my packing list and review following my 2016 Camino del Norte which can be seen here Meanwhile, here is my original post from 2014… Firstly, apologies for the very long and detailed assessment below. I have been asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Camino assessments and reflections, Camino de Santiago de Compostela, Camino Portuguese, Preparations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Long time…….no post!

Posted on 27/02/2014 by magwood

I’ve been putting in some training over the last few weeks, and now have a couple of 25+ km walks under my belt. My new boots (Merrell Moab Ventilators) are bedding in nicely, no sign of any blisters yet – … Continue reading →

Posted in A view of life, Preparations | Tagged , | 5 Comments