News

They say no news is good news, which is just as well, as I have little in the way of Camino news to report in this month.

It gives me a break from reporting about bed bugs 😄 

Weather wise, temperatures on the Camino Frances have dropped from the highs of September, especially in the evening. They’ve also been hit with a lot of rain, so if you’re going, I’d recommend packing with this in mind.

My Camino Packing Guide should help.

Recommended Gear I Used This Year

No one likes being a smelly pilgrim, and a cost-effective way to clean your clothes on Camino is travel wash. I have taken Dr. Beckmann Travel Wash on all my Caminos and it’s perfect for washing your gear on the go.

Each tube weighs in at 140 grams, it’s super cheap at under $5 US (£3 GBP) and is 50% cheaper than alternatives I’ve seen in Pamplona and Burgos.

Using it is super easy, simply fill a bowl or sink with water, pop a small amount in and get handwashing.

Wave goodbye to smelling like an old gym sock with Dr. Beckmann Travel Wash.

Camino Accommodation Recommendations

Casa Da Fernanda – Portuguese Central Camino

I wasn’t sure if I should talk about this one, it has limited beds and the more popular it gets the less likely you, or yours truly will be able to stay there!

So, you’ll have to promise to keep this absolute gem between us.

Casa Da Fernanda is situated in Vitorino dos Piães, which is about day 3 of walking from Porto. It’s off stage, and in summer with the luscious garden in full bloom you can walk straight past the unassuming exterior.

You will be greeted by Fernanda, the hardworking and caring host of this wonderful albergue. Nothing is too much trouble for this amazing woman.

Come lunch time she cooks for all her guests on an outside stove, rustling up delights made from the produce of her garden.

The garden is a tranquil place where you can eat, relax, and unwind.

The albergue has 10 comfy beds, none of which are of the bunk variety. There is also an ‘extra’ bed, hidden at the back of the dorm on the veranda - only recommended for warm summer nights.

The communal dinner in Fernanda’s home is a true Camino experience.

We were treated to multiple courses, with a seemingly endless supply of local port. Breakast the next day is also included, helping you start your day on the right foot.

Due to limited beds, this place books up, so it’s recommended to call before arriving to secure a place.

If you only stay in one albergue on the Portugues central, makes sure it’s this one. And remember, keep this between us…

LISTEN TO YOUR FEET

Blisters are painful, annoying, and hard to ignore. When one rears its ugly head, we want it dealt with pronto. This way we don’t have to lose any valuable time, we apply one thing, the problem’s gone and OFF WE GO…or so we think.

Living in a fast-paced modern world has led us to expect results straight out of the box. We’ve been sold so many gadgets, lotions and potions that purport to ‘clean in one spray’ or ‘one application last 72 hours.’ Hell, we feel so busy we NEED these things to save us precious time!

Marketers and companies know we’re time poor and play on this, selling hacks to fix our problems quicker than the competition (the irony of being called Camino Hacks isn’t lost on me).

Now, I’m not going to turn into some crotchety old timer, bemoaning the fact we’re all losing traditional life skills. Progress and technology in the western world have lessened the need for old techniques and methods. But in the race for the new, have we lost something?

Bringing this thought back to life on Camino, it’s no wonder we reach for a one plaster fixes all solution. It’s what we’ve come to expect, and besides we need to get to Santiago!

I’d argue that by choosing to be on Camino we’ve decided to step away from the fast-paced, quick fix mentality of the modern world.

A stage on Camino can take us 7/8 hours of walking, but by car it can be completed in 30 minutes or less. Do we stand at the side of the road, green with envy, raging at the cars as they whizz by? No, because by going on Camino we have made a choice to forgo speed. We have chosen to simplify and slow down.

This slower, less frenetic pace gives us more time to listen, to feel and to be more in-tune with our mind, body, and tootsies.  

Compeed, is a quick and easy modern solution for blisters, or so we’re sold. Most first-time hikers plaster their feet with them. You don’t need to learn anything, just stick it on and you’re done. But so often you’re not done, you’re simply kicking the can down the road for the sake of speed.

If we take a more mindful approach to foot care, we can take better care of ourselves. By learning how to deal with blisters properly, we can stop them from becoming worse, and pick up a new skill that can be used to help ourselves and others on the Camino.

Fast isn’t always best.

Inside your sweaty, smelly sock lurks some life lessons…

Slow down

Listen to your body

And learn to take care of it

Did I miss anything?

I know I need reminding of the above when everyday life starts to feel stressful and overwhelming.

If you bring home nothing else from Camino, these three lessons will serve you well. And unlike Casa De Fernanda, I want you to tell people about this.

Adios.