Sometimes you just have to START

📰 News

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• I ditched my phone and hiked 110km through the Swedish wilderness – this is what I learnt

• South Africa's Cape Camino is the Story of a Lifetime (podcast)

👍 Recommended Gear I Used This Last Year

The mere mention of these little critters on Camino can send pilgrims into a panic.

BED BUGS 🐛

You won’t often catch a glimpse of them, but having seen pilgrims who’ve been bitten by bed bugs on two of my Caminos, I always like to play it safe and make sure my gear is treated before each trip.

Which is why I treat my bag and sleeping bag liner with Lifesystems spray.

It contains Permethrin, which is a known bed bug repellent. Treating your pack can be an effective way of preventing bugs from hitching a ride and following you along the trail.

When using this product, ensure you spray your gear outside in a well-ventilated area and leave it to dry properly before using.

🏡 Camino Accommodation Recommendations - Guest Creator Addition.

This month's Camino Accommodation recommendation comes from the prolific and ever brilliant creator Gerrit, from the Storiestellr YouTube channel – I recommend checking out his wonderful videos.

Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda – Camino Frances

This Parador is situated in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, which is stage 9 on the Gronze.com stage breakdown.

(Gerrit): After a week of roughing it on the Camino de Santiago, pilgrims often find themselves craving a respite from the rustic albergues that line the route. Fear not, dear traveller, for there is no "Camino police" to dictate how you choose to pamper yourself.

It was with great relish, then, that I booked a night at the Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda, a stunning example of old Spanish architecture that offers a welcome respite from the rigors of the trail.

Here, you can indulge in the simple pleasures of a real bed, complete with luxurious linens, and a bathroom all to yourself – a true luxury after the communal facilities of the albergues. And the only snorer you'll need to contend with is, mercifully, yourself.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada, the charming town that plays host to this Parador, is a gem in its own right. While not situated directly in the town centre, a leisurely three-minute stroll from the accommodation will bring you to the heart of the action.

The true highlight of Santo Domingo de la Calzada is its culinary delights. The pintxos, those delectable small plates that are a staple of Spanish cuisine, are a must-try. Simply point at random, brave the chaos at the counter, and prepare for a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. It's a sensory experience unlike any other, and one that will leave you in awe of the Spanish passion for life.

Cost is about €100 for a single/double room. Money well spent, in my opinion.

In this pilgrim's opinion, the Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda is a Camino hack worth indulging in. Treat yourself to a night of luxury and let the vibrant town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada work its magic on your pilgrim's soul.

Video walk through of the Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda

Sometimes you just have to start…

Waiting to do something until you feel 100% ready can be procrastination by another name. 

You watch YouTube videos full of people looking like true Camino experts; they know the route, don’t get lost, and tell you about all these special and unique places to stop. Seeing all that can make you feel like Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, but on Camino: "You know nothing, Pilgrim."

The truth is these seemingly perfect videos often don't give you the whole story. Chances are, their first Camino wasn't perfect either. They all started out not knowing what they were doing, just like you. And I'm willing to bet they made loads of rookie mistakes early on. I know I made enough mistakes to last a lifetime! On my first Camino, I walked through the midday sun for so long, I ran out of water and gave myself mild heatstroke! Ahh, those were the days 😂

Imperfection, vulnerability, and uncertainty are all part of being human.

If you've never walked the Camino, you don't realise what a gift it is to approach it with fresh eyes. The new, inexperienced pilgrim possesses what the seasoned pilgrims covet - that wide-eyed sense of awe and joy on seeing it all for the first time.

I totally understand the desire to feel fully prepared before you go. This knowledge can act as a comfort blanket when your fears and doubts come calling. You tell yourself you’ll go when you’re ready or at least when that project is completed, even though it’s been hanging around for an age and might never get done. 

Not to get morbid, but what if while you’re waiting for the perfect time to go your health falters or new important life commitments pop up out of the blue. Will you then be forced to put the trip off indefinitely?

I will never forget watching a documentary where a couple talked about how for their whole working lives they had saved for their retirement. Once retired they were going to travel the world and see all the places and do all the things they’d been dreaming of - this exciting dream drove them to save pots of cash for an epic retirement trip. But the husband’s health took a turn for the worse and once retired he was no longer well enough to travel - their dreams of foreign travel were put on indefinite sick leave. 

I’m not saying some mystery illness will befall you, but there is a lesson in their misfortune. Saving and waiting, delaying, and saving…but what about the now, today, tomorrow? We don’t know what life events will come round the corner and demand our attention.

Waiting for a time when you feel more confident and knowledgeable may never come, and there may never be a ‘right time’ so why not try it sooner rather than later?