Via De La Plata - Final Impressions - Last day of the VdlP
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2024
- Here are some final impressions of the Via de la Plata Camino (VdlP).
I have one more day to go to Astorga.
You might enjoy this video, with some thoughts on the whole journey, that covered 4 different routes: Which Camino was Best. • Which was the Best Cam...
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TIMESTAMPS (in case you want to skip) 👇
0:00 Intro
1:20 High & Lows of Via de la Plata
1:57 Physical Aspect
3:00 Landscape
3:47 Isolation
5:28 Logistics Challenges - Food & Bed
10:44 Gear
12:15 What’s Different About It?
16:32 Summary
20:40 Outro
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#viadelaplata #vdlp #vdlpcamino
Really interesting insight Rob. I’m now 61 and in the last two years have done the Portuguese Central from Lisbon and the Coastal from Porto. Next year, I’d April, I’ve already booked flights for the Frances, because you have to do that don’t you. I did consider the VDLP because I’m not sure I’ll enjoy the crowds on the Frances. Your video has reinforced that I’d like the Plata so I’ll hopefully do that in 2025. I like a long hike! 😀🏴
You'll love the VdlP. Don't get me wrong, I loved it too. Endless Meseta, What's not to love?
Thank you!! This is amazing info.
Just a personal opinion..... 😉
Great observations on this trek. Completed this in Sept/Oct 2024. Agree 100%.
Maybe not a 'popular' view, but I really did love the Route.
Did you see this video? czcams.com/video/NQq_p0-5wyA/video.html
Thanks for sharing 🙏 For my past two Camino's, the pilgrimage for me has represented an internal journey - and I feel camaraderie on the basis that others are also going through and internal journey.
The churches and religious history isn't really important to me and I don't spent a lot of time with the churches (asides from historical interest) - but I find the internal journey to be profound and also hearing what others are going though in their minds and lives ❤️
But for me, I see spiritually in many forms and it's different for each person, some do it through business, some through raising a family, some through art or music, some through adventure into parts unknown and some through prayer. It's all a spiritual journey, even if it doesn't bear the traditional symbols of faith 🙏
Nice perspective....
A great insight Rob. I am thinking of CdlP. I did El Camino Frances many times and I need a different challenge. Thank you for your sharing. Buen Camino! 👋
The VdlP is very different to the Frances..... but really good.
I'll be publishing a set of daily videos soon, from this latest Camino. We'll do one each day.
Particularly liked your analysis of the 3 stages of a pilgrimage.
It's talked about quite a bit, but lots of people don't agree with it.
Thanks Rob 👍 very informative and honest. Listening to you and other pilgrims the DLP isn’t for me, I also like to get that feeling from a walk..I highly recommend Le Puy (GR65) there are so many more interesting walks than repeating the Camino Francis, this was a wonderful great first time experienced…..keep giving us all the inspiration and confidence and a young bloke like you…🇦🇺
Just an honest opinion Ruth, but it's only my opinon! I'm enjoying watching the daily videos of that route again. Brings back lots of great feelings and memories. Meeting one of my Camino Amigos this weekend! But I don't think I would every walk the same route more than once again. (Like 3 x Frances). It's much more exciting waling a 'fresh' route 🙂
Well done & thanks for sharing. You are looking much leaner & healthier.
8 months late.........not so much LOL
Really appreciate your insight. Pragmatic but encouraging.
Not sure I have it right in my own mind yet, but this is what I felt at the time.
Collecting info , seems quite similar experience to Camino Madrid. Quite impressive historic towns on the path of it, logistically challenging, not crowded at all(7 pilgrims in 500km), open fields, one "mountain", tiny albergues, sometimes no cafes or stores in town :) As for spiritual part of Frances funny how different people opinions can be and that is probably the beauty of all the different caminos.. For me Frances is tourist path, commercialised to the max, locals look at you like a bag of money or pests depending if they make money of you or not, that constant flow of pilgrims drains all the authentic interactions with locals, even with pilgrims on frances, you can choose your friends too easily, so you will actually limit your interactions to people you like from the getgo instead of slowly talking to the random stranger which you would never talk but cause you see his ugly mug every day or two you slowly open up to him. Madrid, Norte(not in the peak season) and partially Primitivo (not in the peak season,felt the most similar to Frances but still less crowded, btw myth of"hardest camino" is just a myth ) felt way more authentic to true pilgrimage to me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. So many routes to try 🙂
Have you walked the VdlP? Maybe thinking of walking it? I loved it. But....
You might enjoy this video, with some thoughts on the whole journey, that covered 4 different routes: "Which Camino was Best". czcams.com/video/NQq_p0-5wyA/video.html
My thoughts exactly, very accurate! Well done & thank you 💐
But I'm sure you enjoyed it? Hard not too 🙂
Thanks tremendously for these insights, Rob.
As always.........just a personal perspective. But it was a great route. Loved it.
Thank you, Rob! So insightful both in terms of personal stages and Camino differences. I like the idea of a long hike and a Camino in one, but also want the transformative experience of the Frances. So here's to my future Caminos!
I'm planning to try out other remote routes. Who knows, I might find one with the energy of the Frances.
Thanks Robo - an inspirational vid.
Quiet like the Invierno as we have discussed previously.
Much appreciated
Joe
Glad you enjoyed it
Really great video and description of this Camino for you. Your personal thoughts were helpful and the three stages breakdown was a really powerful way to think of any Camino. Thank you!
A lot of people don't like the 'over simplified' concept of the three stages. And I get that. They can occur at different points over different time frames or not at all. But I find it a useful reference point to describe how a Camino can 'develop'.
First of all thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Plata ..I had planned to walk it in the Autumn when it is alot cooler then my plans had changed so I plan to do the Portuguese route from Lisbon this year .. I started off on the Frances two years ago come next week, I stayed in both Alberques and Pensions and took me 37 days. As I queued up for my credentials, I was approached by a volunteer asking if I want to share my experience once I been to the office, which case I did .. I must admit I broke down in tears, there was something about the Camino which I could not explain, it was definitely a spiritual journey , the pilgrims I met were very friendly and they were from all walks of life and there was always someone who asked if they could walk with me, of course I never refused I just warned them our pace may be different and that I do stop from time to time to admire the views or see the churches in every village we pass through .. anyway I went on the camino not expecting anything and I found more than I can imagine .. would I do it again, of course, maybe next year when I reach my 65th birthday and hopefully there will be someone who will want to come with me and experience their own Camino ..living in the UK one can be in SJPDP in a few hours , same with Lisbon and Seville ..thanks again for sharing and God Bless
I envy you......... It's a 24 hour flight for me to do a Camino 🙂
@robscamino To get to SKPDP took me the same amount of time, it was getting to the airport which took me 9 hours by bus then wait around for checking desk to open then finally arrive in Biarritz then go via Bayonne, but was worth it Rob 👌
Joy to see you did it again, last year. l’ll hit San Salvador next end of April.
That's on my list to do at some stage 🙂
Merci beaucoup Rob…. Your insight are very appreciated. January 2024, I will start a full year walk trough few Camino and for sure now, my starting point will be VDLP… Thank you very very much…!
12 months. Now that's what I call a Camino ! Sadly my body was ready to stop after 2 months this year 🙁
Thank you
Not sure it makes sense, but it's what I felt at the time............. It's a great route!
@@robscamino hi Rob, the video makes sense to me though I still feel that the Camino Santiago is where I would start. I enjoy listening to your thoughts. a
I have yet to make my first Camino and I appreciate your insight and dilemmas such as hike vs. spiritual trek, and private lodgings vs. group.
I found the mix of lodging this time provided a different perspective. Though I tend to meet people on the road rather than in lodgings.
My initial plan was della Plata this year, my first Camino, but I end up doing the Invierno last August due to time constraints. I was in a hurry so I have walked an average of 33 kms a day so I finished it in 9 days. Some stages are very challenging (steep climbs, no basic services in 20 kms). I only met 4 pilgrims for the first 5 days but walked alone because they spend the night at short stages. Maybe in 2024 will be della plata or Primitivo, i like challenging routes, solitude and long walks. I probably will not do the Francés due to crowds.
I'm sure you would love the Via de la Plata!
Thanks for your insights Rob, I was particularly interested in your inability to reach 'phase 3'. Definitely food for thought mate because the VDLP was on the radar and phase 3 is important and I kinda get the reasons you gave for struggling to get there.... Brilliant mate, good luck, and enjoy the rest of your trek.... and there's still time for 3 to make an appearance 🤞
Hi Steven. Just my impressions, don't read too much into them. I think not reaching 'stage 3' was maybe my issue not the route. The VdlP is a great route to walk. I've ben back a few months now. I shot so many videos they will be coming out for a while yet. Stage 3 did happen. See this video 🙂 czcams.com/video/NQq_p0-5wyA/video.html
Very interesting information- thanks a lot for sharing. What about the aggressive dogs and bulls on this camino? I´ve heard that it can be dangerous. Did you encouter any tough situation regarding these animals? Buen Camino!
Bulls and cows were fine. Dogs, lots of them every day. But only one scary encounter.
Hi Rob I love all your videos and on your recommendation I bought the Euroschirm umbrella with attachment and the cost with shipping was US$152! I am wondering if took this umbrella on the VdlP?
Again, thanks for all your great videos
Yes, that's the one I used on the VdlP. I bought in 2016 after my first Camino.
Thanks for sharing you thoughts and feelings on the VDLP. The logistics point is significant but the “lack” of spirituality is surprising. You have always said you are not a hiker so I am pleased you still enjoyed it.
It was great. Loved it. It just missed that little bit of 'icing on the cake' for me.
Maybe the lack of other pilgrims contributed to the lack of feelings of spirituality as much as the lack pilgrimage architecture.
Maybe? I tended to think that greater solitude would make it stronger, but perhaps you're right. I was practically alone for the whole Invierno and that didn't seem to strengthen it. Did you watch this video? czcams.com/video/NQq_p0-5wyA/video.html
I watched it when it came out and have just watched it again. It is the community that lifts it from (just) being a long walk. I am happy to walk alone and happy to meet and be with people, but generally only for a couple of days then I need more alone time. Planning to walk from Pamplona to Ponferrada on the CF then the Sanabrese (?spelling) Spring 24 which will all be new to me.
@@johnavery5384 I might walk the Sanabres with Pat next year. Still looking at options for a shortish Camino.
Me too.
When did you walk the VdlP?
September 1 to October 17 2023
@@billwiggins9953 Nice. Was the weather good? Ir was quite warm in May.
Out of Sevilla for about the first 10 days in September the temperature was getting into the 30’s. I would check the route each day and as you know there are many days with really nothing between point A & B, so I would leave early and walk in the dark. I had a particularly long day so I left at 4:30am and I escaped walking in the severe heat that day.
Great insights Rob, I just watched this while on my exercise bike trying to strengthen my knee after ending the VdlP last year in Zamora with a fracture. I think I was a few weeks behind you .Hoping to continue along the Camino Sanabrés later this year. I too felt the VdlP was missing something and now realise it was not reaching phase 3 and it did feel more like a long distance hike than a pilgrimage . My disappointment was finishing early due to an injury and perhaps I would have felt differently if I’d been able to continue to Santiago de Compostela.
Having reflected on this more, I think the failing if there was one, was me! I might do a video about it soon. Managing expectations, and some of the things that can add to or distract from those expectations. It was a great Camino though! Continuing on to the Invierno and Fisterre was really special. If you haven't seen my comparison of the routes it might surprise you! czcams.com/video/NQq_p0-5wyA/video.html
I *think* I've made this point before, but there's a type of spirituality attached to the more "crowded" Camino routes (that I'd call a more religious spirituality) and another to the more solitary ones (that I'd say is more mystical). Perhaps the difference is between an outward-looking spirituality that is helped by the presence of others on the same journey, and a more inward-looking one that is helped by their absence.
On some of the longer Caminos you can have both, as in a more solitary route to SJPP, or Puente La Reina/Logroño/Burgos/wherever and then a more peopled one on the Francès to Santiago.
As to the VDLP it's definitely a historic Camino route (from my early 1990s IGN map of the historic routes throughout western Europe), from either Cádiz or Málaga as the southernmost major points of origin (plus Gibraltar but less historically so) through Sevilla of course, though it's highly doubtful that the current waymarked route coincides very much with that historic route, even moreso than on the Francès.
Yes, you make a good point Julian. I tried to research the route and many historians felt it was not a 'traditional' route as the Southern part of Spain was in Moorish control till about 1500. After that it may have been. You certainly get the feeling that it quite closely follows the Roman trade route. So you are probably right. The Camino route is less well preserved.
@@robscamino I have a suspicion that the Way to Rome from Portugal and Western/Northern Spain via Irun or SJPP was more important to them at the time than the Camino. It anyway has more architectural remains, and it's being repurposed as a Marian Way between Fátima and Lourdes (the route exists, but without infrastructure or waymarking, except after it reaches the Francès and in a few spots where it crosses over with other Camino routes).
Yes, good point. The history of these routes can be fascinating...
Your 3 stages idea is interesting. I walked the Portuguese in September from Porto; 2 weeks. Exhausted after week 1, took a rest day, then moved on happily, enjoying every day's walk and glad to put on my pack. But I never did get to that stage 3, and I wondered at the time (and still) if I was finishing too soon and so missing the gear switch to get into the spiritual headspace; if it would have been stronger with a longer walk.
The 3 stages bit is just an idea that a lot of people resonate with. Some think it's nonsense, some say it's happens but not a in clearly defined or predictable time sequence. For me it normally takes 2 weeks. For my wife it takes about 2 weeks. But I think it happens faster the more Caminos you walk. That's what I found unusual about this one. I 'felt' like I hit stage 3 after abut 2 hours! But I seemed to drift back and forth a bit over the journey.
Rob, thanks for the thoughtful insights. I took the left onto the Sanabres at Granja de Moreruela. The countryside was beautiful with, what I found to be, a few challenging climbs. Though with the reward of usually a stunning view on summitting the climb. While I'm an atheist, I nevertheless found a spiritual element to the walk. A dear friends 94 year old mother gave me a set of rosary beads to take. So in the sense of Philip Larkins poem "Church Going", when I came upon a pueblo with its church open (sadly more often than not closed) I'd stop and ponder for a while. For me at least, I wonder whether I found it easier to connect on the VDLP with the more mediative/spiritual side of the journey because I haven't had the experience of travelling the Frances. That being said, on the Sanabres, certainly from Tabara, there is more religious iconography about. As for the VDLP the only real problem I had was when I poorly timed a walk to arrive in a pueblo after 2pm on Saturday which meant, as you would know, the supermercado or tienda had closed only to reopen on again on Monday. From one 60+ old geezer to another, a thousand thanks for all of your helpful tips.
Caminos are amazing journeys aren't they? They always serve up the unexpected and open the way for us to look upon things differently. We're still pondering a route for next year. Pat will be joining me so it needs to be a short one tacked onto a broader European trip. The Sanabres from Ourense is looking good with maybe a couple of city visits prior like Madrid and Salamanca. I'll get to do a longer Camino alone after that. 😉
Hola Rob, yo creo que también influye que hay más soledad en el camino de la Plata , hay menos calor humano. Y claro .....es más triste. Saludos.😊
Sí, estoy seguro de que tienes razón. Espero con ansias otro Camino remoto para descubrirlo. 🤔
Hi Robbo. Your conclusions are interesting and very honest. I did the VdlP in February to April last year at the age of 68, so you are a spring chicken mate!
As you say, it is very solitary, and I met very few pilgrim's until joining the last 100 km at Ourense.
1000km is no mean feat. And your Camino will be even longer, many congratulations.
As you point out, there are very few emblems of pilgrimage on the way, but perhaps you will find a sense of personal achievement at the end, which will more than compensate.
I'm back home now. It was indeed a wonderful journey. From Astorga I cut across to Ponferrada on the Frances to walk the Invierno to Santiago, and then on to Fisterra and Muxia.
A truly great journey
It was fun... Looking at a couple more remote ones for next year.
Another reason why it is hard to reach the third level is perhaps because of the lack of infrastructure devoted to the Camino (churches, albergues, meeting places, etc.) I had the same feeling about 10 years ago, and I got a lot of good feelings due to the historical places, the deep nature and the relative solitude.
I think it was me. I needed to slow down and reflect more....
Did you find the spiritual element? I massively enjoyed the Frances, but found the portuguese a little too touristy. I was thinking of walking VLDP as my next camino when i next get enough time from work and life, and your video has a lot of my concern - will it feel like a long hike on my own vs that pilgrim feeling i got on the Frances. If indeed you found it in the last few weeks i may continue with VLDP as my ideal, however if not then i can look for a different long distance hike.
That's a tough call. I think you will find it on the VdlP but in a different way. On the Frances you are surrounded by the Pilgrimage culture and history, and of course so many other Pilgrims. I think it is still there on the VdlP but you find it in a different way perhaps. Through solitude and reflection...
Last year when I was on the Camino del Norte I was missing the spiritual component as well. The Norte offers also challenges and solitude, but not as much as the VdlP. My strongest spiritual moment appeared when I was wet to the bone and heard the first sounds of the bagpipe player close to the cathedral in Santiago. So it can be a smart just in time delivery.
Nice 🙂
That's an interesting thought. As @mramazingtroy said, maybe the Spiritual side comes to the fore when we are suffering in some way. On my first Camino, I was injured from (before) the start and was in pain for 800 kms. That was an amazing journey from a Spiritual perspective. and one I have never been able to repeat. That's why on the VdlP perhaps I felt that I was doing something wrong, to not feel it. Perhaps it's inside us, and not the environment. We have to want it and need it more? Kind of makes sense?
@@robscamino I love your followup reflection
And I agree that it's an inside job. For me I have experience it when overcoming physical challenges (that also have a mental component, like injury or some other form of physical anguish) - or when I've overcome a mental challenge
My first camino was both traumatic and healing on a relationship front - it helped me clearly see what pattern I had in relationships (and why they weren't working) and got to face that and transcend a lot of my own behaviours. Plus physically I also had challenges at the start that I overcame and felt like a giant at the end
On my second one, I desired to be in my own energy a lot and learned to have boundaries around how much I interacted, and successfully navigated that - which again tied into patterns that were running in my day to day life. I also had the goal to lose weight, but I wasn't fully on board with that because after losing 7kg I put it all on again and more 😂🤦♂️
However today is now a year later and I have faced that once more - have done a water and juice fast for the past 30 days (no food), have lost 11kg and have setup a clear path for myself as to how to maintain it, both in terms of diet and exercise - and in this (and the previous examples) I feel the spiritual transcendence of my own ways of being, letting old patterns and identities die off and embracing new ones to help take me forward ❤️🙏
Wow, that's extreme weight loss! I've always tried to keep it to 1 kg / week, which I read is a safe amount ........
@@robscamino yeah I get that, I just enjoy pushing my body and seeing what it's capable of 😂 I once did a 14 day water only fast - was amazing, super healing for my whole system - and the benefits lasted for a few years (before I got back into unhealthy habits).
Have also done things like climb Mt Kilimanjaro and do Ice Baths.
I have a lot of confidence in my body now days and I know what it can do, so and able to push but without breaking it. Plus I have good mentors for each of the things I do, so I'm not going it blind - that helps 🙏❤️
Thank you very much for sharing! I am looking towards doing this route next month. I do have some questions. Do most albergues have kitchens with supplies that can be used? Do you'll reckon it'll be very quiet in January?
Unfortunately I don't cook when staying in Albergues, so I didn't really look. I always head to the local bar. But many seemed to have cooking equipment. Though I'm not sure what you mean by 'supplies'. I wouldn't count on it. There might be some oil........ I expect it would be very quiet in January. Do make sure to check if the Albergues you are planning to use are open. Gronze is a good resource for that.
@@robscamino I mean a cooking pan with some cutlery. I was also wondering whether it would be a good idea to bring a sleeping bag
@@patrickvanderlinde5283 I would expect to find a pan and cutlery, but that does not mean you always will, sorry. If I was going to cook most days I would carry an ultralite pot, or even a foil tray as a backup (the type you find in supermarkets). Not all Albergues will have cooking facilities though. Again, expect to find one or two that don't. Be prepared. Either with something in your pack you can eat without cooking or use the local bar, petrol station, whatever. I would certainly take a seeping bag. Don't assume everywhere will be heated or will provide blankets..
Have you considered the Camino Madrid? It’s like if the CF married the VdlP
Yes. Planning that one next!
I think spiritual side comes when you start to break down and the constant grind lessens the impact of the outside world. I found when i did the frances as my body got stronger and used to the distances I slowly increased the distance walked per day to keep the same level of exhaustion. The Vdip interests me but it seems you have to plan where you are going to sleep and eat a lot more. The more popular caminos you can get up start walking and at two o'clock think about where you are going to stop. How much off plan did you or could you go whilst on your journey?
Interesting thought. I still wonder why I felt it lacking in some way and how I might have contributed to that or tried to counter it. Depending on your level of fitness / endurance, there is far less opportunity to go 'off plan'. I planned the whole route beforehand, merely to ensure that it could be done with sub 25 km days, and also to have an idea of how many days to allow. I actually ended up 2 days ahead of plan. But going 'off plan' is hard. It's like a chess game, so you have to plan 2-3 days ahead (if like me you are limited to 25-27 kms a day max. So you look at the next 2-3 days, and it's like.......Plan A. 20, then 15, then 25 or Plan B. 30 then, then 30, You kind of have to lock in your plan a day or two ahead. Put another way, it's not easy to say 'what the heck' I'll walk another 8 kms. Because it might be another 15 or 20. And that in turn might mean the following day is 10 or 30. A got a tip from a fellow Pilgrim and she actually gave me a 'spare' print out she had. It was 3-4 Gronze stage maps per stage, on A4 paper. What a great planning tool! We would pull these out over dinner and plan the next couple of days. I still have them with scribbles all over them. Where I planned to stay, contact numbers, and so on.
I hesitate to say this as I'm having lunch with some Camino buddies this week LOL. Regarding the Spiritual side. I think I felt it more on the VdlP in the first week when I was totally alone. Never saw another Pilgrims. I stopped more often, I took my time...... Once I met up with other Pilgrims, which was great, maybe I felt like I was on a schedule to keep pace with friends? Not sure. But there again, I was totally alone on the Invierno (right after the VdlP) and I didn't really get that Spiritual depth there either. On the Frances for 3 days? Absolutely! That route is special.
Hi Rob, I really enjoy your content. I was wondering if your view on not reaching stage 3 is due to you having walked other Camino's? I haven't walked a Camino yet, but I would think that having all the amenities of the Frances and then do the VLDP with not alot of amenities may taint your opinion. I am not having a crack mate, I would love to hear your thoughts on that.
I am doing the VLDP as my first Camino, ( I know, I must be mad lol) and then a couple years later, one of the others. I am like you, I love the whole solitude thing, I doubt it would worry me if I didn't see anybody on my pilgrimage.. I hope you enjoy the rest of your pilgrimage.
Good question. I don't think it has anything at all to do with facilities. The VdlP and Invierno taught me not to worry about that. No coffees or second breakfasts along the way. Occasionally no first breakfast! For me it's very much an inner thing. And this will sound a bit 'woo woo'. But in the first few days of the VdlP I 'got' it. Totally alone, in nature with my thoughts, and moments of just giving thanks for being able to be there. Then I lost it for some reason. Maybe because it was such a long Camino (60 days) that took my focus a bit? I'm thinking it's about making sure I enjoy 'moments' as they arise. And just enjoying it and engaging with it and giving thanks for it. Might be a view, animals along the way...... Slowing down..... not trying to keep up with others. But the route itself feeds that also I think. When I started walking on the Frances that first day out of Astorga it was like I suddenly had an extra boost of energy! The footfalls of millions of Pilgrims over a thousand years, leaves a trace...... 🙂 I look forward to hearing about your first Camino. It is always............amazing.
i’ll search more of your clips, to see how it went thw rest of your journey
I'm publishing them about 1 per day.........
I’m curious to know what you do in the immediate days/week following a Camino?
I generally try to wind down and relax a bit before diving back into work and 'normal' life. This year I used the Camino Fisterra to slowly wind down, and also visited my sister in France for a few days. In the past I have stayed in Europe a little while and gone sightseeing. It would be hard I think to fly right back home and head into work the next day.
Cold turkey - the big one!
Tough getting back into the rut - and I think also tough for those left behind who can never really get it without having partaken…
Hi Rob, another super video with a lovely backdrop. Do you ever come across cyclists? Is it cyclable or would that be frowned on because it might spoil it for walkers? I would like to walk it, but my husband is not good on his pins, so cycljng would be the only way.
I have to confess I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with cyclists on the Camino, having been hit by three on the Camino Frances 😳 But I did come across a few cyclists on the VdlP and all was good. They had a few less targets to weave around 🙂 There were only a couple of short sections that would require dismounting.
Re the Backdrop. It was about a km before Santa Elena de Jamuz, which in turn is about 6 kms before our end point for the day at La Bañeza. We (myself and 4 amigos) planned to have a farewell picnic at Santa Elena de Jamuz. Two of the group were departing later that day. We had some wine, meats, bread. They went on ahead whilst I stopped for 30 mins to make videos. They texted me on Whatsapp, that they were just across the bridge in a little park. All good. I hope they kept a bit for me. So I got there about 30-40 mins after them..............and they said........"We've been waiting for you because you have the corkscrew"! Darn...... I should have thought to give it to one of them earlier... 😳 But we had a nice picnic.
why didn’t you turn left and walked Sanabres to Santiago? Camino Sanabres is absolutely joyfully, full of history and finishing at Santiago. real filling of one long pilgrimage
Good question. (1) I wanted to go North to Astorga to visit the Pilgrim Memorial Grove. and (2) I wanted to cut across to walk the Invierno, before it's gets more popular and crowded 🙂 OK and (3) I wanted to walk the more 'traditional' VdlP route that goes to Astorga. I'm keeping the Sanabres as a seperate Camino for another time......
It sounds to me that this camino is more about solitude... As I listen to you, while the lack of history matters ( although it does go back to Romans and Moors etc so history, right) , which I can understand but also your 'need'...of a larger community, community meals, people and camino family etc...as you state, always one of the key elements is the people you meet. So perhaps that is what you are missing...the masses of people that actually chase me away from it. For me....lack of people...solitude...to get into a zen of being alone and just staying away from the masses that are on the France route. Not sure....just a thought.
Yes, I'm still reflecting on this Camino. On the one hand I loved the solitude. On the other hand I really enjoyed the company of others. I think I need to 'walk' alone.........