What else to expect?

Food for thought.

Food.

Comfort Food.

Goose Neck Barnacles ( Percebes)

Galician Sea Food Specialty.

A big Tapas is a Pincho.

Cheating.

High energy snacks.

The Way to do it.

All at Once or Chunks. Kids and Women.

To get a Compositla one has to prove a walk of 100km.

And hey whats the problem? Kids do it.

More women do the Camino Frances then men. That's Official. One famine blog I came across had the Lady vLogging in "flip flops". Women feel safe, I am told, solo and when in groups the noisiest at meal times.

So what's the big deal Mark La Corte?

Bring it on!

The Commandments of the Camino:

The Prep.... we're on, we're off, we're on, we're off again!

Too much information.

You can tell I have done some online prep. Well, I had to. The local Library informed me in the whole of Surrey there is only one book on the Camino and as such has to be ordered and not taken home.

Ever since Paul Allcorn gave me the bug to "do one" last year this project has been on, then off, then on again. I now hope to start before October 2018 and in my usual fashion will not train for the planned 6 weeks. 

That is what the extra week is for..... getting into the marathon slowly. I may even go onto "Muxia" and the "Fisterra (End of the World)" for a Pagan finish in 8 weeks!

In this time I hope to have a period to signify a change in my life. A spiritual journey without repetitive prayer. Stimulating company, food, wine with miracle weight loss. I'll be solo with plenty of churches for company and then there is you reading this Blog.

I have had several goes at my packing list to weigh no more then 8kg. It's amazing how much "the lighter the weight" costs and it has to be special stuff for a over night laundry at the Albergues. 

I've worked out a workflow for the daily blog which will have pics and video whenever. My Blog will be different to the other excellent Blogs and Vlogs done already and I 'll be lighter then others who have taken Drones in addition to Cameras. You'll see!

What finally needs to be said of this blog is it is described as daily but I'll make no such commitment as it could get in the way of the Pilgrimage. If I manage to say my prayers and complete my "self care" I'll Blog to rest and contemplate.

I'll declare the contents of my pack before I set off ..... but a few things have to come together before then.

In the mean time I think of this.

The upside of an Autumn Camino

Dangerous and poisonous snakes in Spain

There are 13 different types of snakes in Spain, but only five of these have poison that is fatal to humans. Here is a list of toxic and dangerous snakes in Spain.

1. Lataste’s Viper

Lataste’s Viper is present in the Spanish peninsula. It is gray and short (around 50cm) and is characterized by its triangular head and a zigzag pattern on the back. It lives in dry, rocky areas. Be especially careful when collecting firewood and do not put your fingers in holes or cracks where this where the snake can be.

2. Seoane’s Viper

This snake is dangerous. It lives in Galicia, Leon, Biscay coastal strip (Cornisa Cantábrica) and Basque. Great the 2 most poisonous at the start (Asp Viper) and this one at the end most found.

3. Asp Viper

A very poisonous snake in the cobra family where the venom from a bite can lead to cardiac arrest and death. There are not many in Spain, and is believed to be limited to the Pyrenees. If you are bitten by this poisonous snake, seek medical attention immediately.

4. False Smooth Snake

This snake is not aggressive and is mainly seen in Catalonia. But no matter which snake you see in Spain, it is advised to stay away.

5. Den Adder or Common Viper

Found in most parts of Europe, including Spain. A bite of this snake is very painful and can be dangerous, especially for children and older people. It can also be fatal for someone who has a bad health condition. If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

The great thing is "no heat no snake" and that goes for the Centipedes, Scorpions and Spiders. Well Spiders maybe but the biggest pest "Bed Bugs" will be sleeping.

Here is "Count Everything" on Chinches.

Codex Calixtinus

The Codex.

The Guide to St James.

So from the place above comes my prayer below to start the Way:

“In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, accept the purse, this symbol of your pilgrimage, that you may be worthy to arrive chastened and cleansed at the threshold of St. James to whom you wish to go; and with your journey completed, may you return safe to us with delight, with Him as a guarantee, Who lives and reigns as God forever and ever, Amen.Accept this staff as a support for the journey and for the labour on the route of your pilgrimage, so that you may be able to overcome all the throngs of the enemy and arrive secure at the threshold of St. James; and having completed your passage, may you return to us with delight, with the agreement of Him Who lives and reigns as God. World without end. Amen.”

Codex Calixtinus. Sermon “Veneranda dies” LI, c. XVII

The Official Camino Frances Site.

Here is a 2hr Holywood film. Made in 2015 you can watch for free here.

Buscador de Alegría en Camino

No motorcycle on this adventure. Thus I have allowed 6 weeks for this 500 mls pilgrimage walking the "Way of St James"  otherwise known as Camino Frances. The route starts on the French side of the Pyrenees at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port immediately crossing into Spain using Basque country trials. 

Santiago de Compostela is the end of the Pilgrimage and many go onto the coast.

I'm doing what is considered the 'main' Camino. However there are many routes going back to the middle ages as seen in the map above. Camino Inglés is the shortest. One lands on the coast less then a week's trek from the remains of Saint James. 

It's all in what the author to the most popular guide book says.

On this holiday when does one become a Pilgrim?

Away with me and hopefully my son will meet me along 

"the Way".