My idea of hell on earth is ill-fitting walking shoes or boots when walking The Camino. Whether you go for walking boots or shoes is really a personal choice. You can walk the Camino in anything ranging from walking sandals through to heavy duty hiking boots. As long as they are comfortable and appropriate for the weather. Saying that, when I walked part of the French Camino – from Saint Jean de Pied de Port to Logroño in the month of July one year, one of my walking companions happily walked the whole stretch in a pair walking sandals. I don´t think my feet would have handled that but his were very happy apparently. I personally tend to go for the walking shoe – in the middle, not too ridged, not too flimsy, hardwearing and comfortable. But you can go for a more flexible trail shoe or sturdy around the ankles hiking boot – whatever your feet and ankles prefer. There are no rules here, though I think the trail shoe is gaining ground as the dominant footwear you´ll see walkers wearing on The Camino. Do pack a plan B in your suitcase so if you´ve had that day from hell you can swap over for the next day. If you´re lucky and it´s dry for the whole of your Camino and your footwear is comfortable enough, you´ll be in the same footwear for the whole journey. But if you are rained out one day and your footwear is drenched and hasn´t dried out by the next day you´ll be glad of that second pair of whatever it is. I can tell you from experience that even waterproof shoes and boots will be squelching wet in a downpour. The year I walked from Hondarribia along the Camino del Norte the rain came down so heavily my feet were swimming in my walking shoes by the time I´d reached San Sebastian. It was impossible for them to even vaguely dry out overnight. As it was due to rain the next day too, I went for a nice pair of fresh walking socks rather than get my plan B footwear wet too. Which brings me on to socks. Don´t skimp on your socks. In the same way you have done with your footwear, take your time to choose good quality well fitting, merino wool mix socks. Your shoes and socks are an item, so buy one to be in harmony with the other as they will work together as a team to keep your feet comfortable. With the inevitable blisters I opt for cleaning my needle with an alcohol swab, puncturing the blister, popping a good dollop of antiseptic cream on and then a plaster. When I get to my destination, remove the plaster, have a shower, pop a good dollop of antiseptic cream and leave the blister exposed and walk around in flip flops or walking sandals. The next day, antibiotic cream and plaster again and keep repeating until healed.
One of the (many) joys of The Camino is that you don´t need to be pending on any apps or maps to guide your way. Just look around you, enjoy the scenery and keep your eyes peeled for the next waymarker.
The French Camino – Maybe not the Original Camino but it is arguably the most Iconic Camino.
The Camino del Norte is an absolutely stunning route steeped in beauty, culture and history. The Northern Way starts in Irún and there are 35 sections and 820 kilometres before you arrive in Santiago de Compostela. This route crosses the whole of the north of Spain. It´s an absolute gem, following the Cantabrian coastline from France to Galicia.
Often overshadowed by the more popular and transited French and Portuguese Way, The Camino del Norte is an absolute gem of a route. The Camino de Santiago originated in ancient times as a pilgrimage taking Christians to visit the tomb of Saint James (Santiago). All routes take you to the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, and more specifically Santiago Cathedral.
The Jubilee or Jacobean year (Xacobeo) is the year when the day of St James the Apostle (25th of July) falls on a Sunday. This happens about 14 times each century. Every 6, 5, 6 and 11 years apparently. This was decreed by Pope Calixtus II in 1126 and coincided with the laying of the last stone at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
The Credencial del Peregrino or Pilgrim´s Passport is a small booklet that you carry with you and get stamped along The Way. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages when the booklet was used quite literally as a passport to provide safe passage to pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela.
