So this is how I come to be repeating the journey I made last year in various parts, to try to complete the Camino in a single pilgrimage trip. Like a polar bear, I have not been taking any exercise since completing a mini Camino (Astorga to Santiago) last September and I have lost my hiking fitness.
Eila and my brother-in-law David completed a week on the Camino route over a year and a half ago, staying in fairly smart hotels and being bussed to locations along the later part of the Camino (from Astorga), so that they could walk to their hotel for the following night without the need to carry their luggage. Eila wanted to complete the whole Camino and was persuaded by me that the 'overnight hostel' and 'carry your own luggage' method did have merits! David would be on his final courses before retiring from the Army at the end of this year and Eila was at a perfect loose end, so plans were made.
Ryanair tickets to Biaritz were booked and Euros purchased. Fairly organised until I spotted the minor matter of my passport running out in June. I applied online and then realised that the three weeks needed to leave for the passport to return was cutting things pretty fine. After a brief conversation with the Passport helpline I sent them a letter to cancel my application only to be informed later that I would forfeit my £72 fee. I was then persuaded to complete my application as there was just enough time to get the new passport back before the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, although I might need to pick it up in person from Peterborough. So my Camino could be said to have started yesterday, by me heading up North to Peterborough to pick up my brand new passport!
[Her Majesty's Passport Office - Peterborough!]
This first entry is part introduction and part practice for me to see how easy (or difficult) blogging is. Matthew my cousin and fellow Caminoer from last year has been setting me up earlier today. He too would go on Camino with the drop of a hat, if it were not for his university finals.
