Hi folks..I’m back. I find it hard to believe it is a month since I put finger to keypad and wrote. I guess life got in the way. I keep meaning to sign in, say hello to everyone and then sign out, but that is a little too much like facebook. I even forgot my password! I’ve just finished brushing down some cobwebs while reading some posts written by some followers.

I may as well say where I have been all this time. Don’t worry..I haven’t left Dublin or anything..I haven’t decided to pack my bags and move to Spain on a whim..although I would jump at the chance. Incidentally, a few people have told me that now is an ideal time to take that extended break. I have no ties, no mortgage, no children..it’s a great time to do it. It’s a nice thought alright, but….maybe later! The word “regret” automatically leaps into my mind!

As you are all aware (if you have been reading my blog), I have a mortgage approved for quite some time. I have been looking here and there and had pretty much bought an apartment in north Dublin. I was beyond happy as it was central and the prices are getting higher, so I got a good deal. But before I signed on the dotted line, I wanted to check one final thing out. The original architect’s report..drawn up in 2000..which was by chance in the middle of the riddled Celtic Tiger. I wanted to see if he had approved the build. But he didn’t. He denied liability, as there were no fire breaks in the walls. The words “Priory Hall” jumped into my mind and I ran from that sale as fast as I could. I’m delighted I didn’t sign as I would never be able to sell in the future. I have pity on the current owners, they will have a tough time trying to sell it. Imagine if there was a fire there…actually no, don’t! So I am back to square one and I’ve decided to wait until the new year to start looking again.

I have decided to go back to Spain to finish the remainder of the Camino, but not until September. I have gotten used to the May / June time slot, and I wonder what it will be like in September. I reckon 10 days will be enough and I will have it completed. I may leave it a few years after that and walk the full stretch…for my 40th! Who knows? I am meeting some folks I met in Burgos in May before Christmas. It will be great to see them again. And I hope to see a few others who plan to visit Ireland from Canada and France respectively. I’m actually looking forward to walking the first few stages, they aren’t busy and there are no day trippers, unlike in Galicia.

He terminado mi clase de español para el año, pero no sé qué hacer ahora. Creo que necesito más prácticas de conversación! You might need to use Google Translate to figure out what I said there, but it’s about learning Spanish 🙂 Oh..if you are planning on learning the language, you shouldn’t pay a dime..you should 1) visit duolingo.com 2) read El Pais online and 3) watch a Spanish speaking channel. You will pick it up very easily. And practice makes perfect. Surrounding yourself with like minded individuals helps too. That goes for any language. Rosetta Stone..ripp off, more like!!

Well I think that’s about it from here. I have a few e-mails to write and an episode of Breaking Bad to watch. Yes, yes, I know it is finished but I am still catching up. I’ve avoided spoilers for a while so I’m doing well!!

I have been on the Camino Frances three times now. I suppose one of the first things I decide on before going is “which way do I go”. Well, there are plenty of yellow arrows and it is next to near impossible to get lost. However, a lot of people, including myself, like to have some sort of guidebook to read up on where we are going, and where we have been. They are very useful and I would always carry some sort of book while there.

John Brierley’s books lead the way for most pilgrims. However,  it acts as some kind of bible for some people. Pilgrims tend to follow the start and end points in the book and miss out on the great little towns in between.

I brought this along on my first trip in 2011. It was pretty heavy, even though it contains pretty much “everything” related to the Camino. So for last year’s trip, I left it behind and brought along the Michelin guide. This is much lighter and contains maps and information on albergues. It is very much a stripped down Brierley guide and I used it every single day. At the time of writing, it is battered, worn and covered in notes in biro. The signs that it has done its’ job.

So I brought along this in 2012 and this year. I recommend it highly.

I have bought, this week, another Brierley guide which contains Maps and very small notes on each stage. It is 40 pages short compared to the original 250+ page book. However, the “recommended” stages are the same as the full guide and are different to the Michelin guide.

However, if you would rather not buy a guidebook and you want to keep your weight to a miniumum, I think www.caminoguide.net would interest you. Or you can download a Smartphone app.  There are many different options.

I think it’s time to park the Camino to one side and get on with my so called life. It has been a week since I touched down in Dublin and 8 days since I said goodbye to my Camino buds. They are pretty close to Santiago at this stage, under the 50km mark, and you don’t know what I’d do to be walking under the arch into the Praza do Obradoiro.

I have decided on next year however. The plan is to walk from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago. 30 days. 800km. I have well and truly caught the Camino bug. Next year will be my 4th year in a row being in Northern Spain. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.

But that’s next year and that’s why I am parking the bus now. I have a lot of other things to concentrate on and dreaming of a return to the Camino is not one of them.

I will post my photos and clips on my Picasa account later this week, but here are some photos that stand out for me.

An eerie quiet Logrono street as I start out

This little creature appeared everywhere

Emilio Estevez’ foot and hand prints in Belorado

El Cid and friends in Burgos

Different emotions leaving Burgos

The long and winding road into the meseta

And Hontanas appears from nowhere

Looking down over Castrojeriz

Some of my Camino friends in Boadilla Del Camino

Spitting pips at Bercianos de Real Camino

Leon’s famous cathedral

Our final meal

Dueling in Leon

I’ve 2 weeks left before I fly out…
Yep, 2 weeks! The time is flying by and I have less and less time to get packed, organised and on the plane. I have only managed to find my rucksack, and I have no idea what should go into a blister kit. I’m sure everything will fall into place in the end though.
But help is at hand in the form of various forums and YouTube videos.
One set of videos I have stumbled across during my daily browse on YouTube is from a chap living in Madrid who is walking two Caminos in one; The Camino del Norte and the French Way..over 1000km. Mad eh? At the time of writing he is in or around Leon, where I plan to finish up in June.
So if you are looking at something to watch that is Camino-related, I would recommend clicking the video. Luke has over 20 videos there and they are pretty enjoyable.

His channel is here: http://is.gd/WDHgNN