Tag: lisbon

Another ramble planned for September…

On By clearskiescaminoIn apostaday, caminho portugues, camino de santiago2 Comments

And the Camino experience keeps rolling on..

I had toyed with walking the start of the Via de la Plata from Seville as a 2nd Camino this year. Maybe ten days or so. But I received a message out of the blue from a Camino buddy that I met last September. He is starting his own Camino from Lisbon in September and had his dates. So I decided to book my flights (Ryanair!) and walk the first week or so.

This is where it gets tricky. From Lisbon to Porto on the Camino Portuguese, the municipal albergues tend to be spread further apart due to the lower number of pilgrims but there are more hostels and hotels. However, I’m glad I am starting out in Lisbon as there is quite a bit to see but I won’t have the time to see it all. Brierley’s guide will come in handy too.

I’m hoping to reach Coimbra but if I don’t, there is a great bus service that will bring me to Porto. But first, I have a Camino Ingles / Celtic Camino to count down to starting in May!

Preparation..a slight change..and the Camino Portuguese

On By clearskiescaminoIn caminoLeave a comment

So one of the downsides of postponing any trip is it gives you leeway to change or rejig what you are packing. Well, I’ve just gone and bought a rain jacket to add to my pack. So, out with the poncho and in with the rain jacket. The debate over rain gear on the camino (I’m not going to even start linking to these articles!) has been going on for years and for the last few years, I have swore by my poncho. This time I’m going to ditch it. I reckon the Marmot Precip is a good buy. It is breathable, lightweight and is pretty waterproof. All I need to do is give it a test run. I promise to leave my rest of my list as it is!! (although I said that before I bought the Precip!). I am the worst when it comes to gadgets however, so don’t be surprised if I bring more than my iPhone and charger.

I’ve started to get in some kms over the last week. I try and get in 10km during the weekend and maybe 5km each working day. Not running. I don’t think I’ll ever run..not sure why? I hope to do a long distance walk (maybe 2) before I go..there are a few trails along the west coast I want to take in.

I have also been quietly reading up on the Camino Portuguese for the future. One of my blog followers has just completed her Camino from Lisbon to Santiago and she gave some great tips that I will take note of. I don’t think I will start in Lisbon though, but Porto. You can read the blog here from day one. Another follower, Natasha Murtagh has started from Porto with her father and are both making their way to Santiago. You can read their story on natashamurtagh.wordpress.com. Natasha and her father have previously walked the French Way a number of years ago (I think it was 2011?) and wrote a very successful book called “Buen Camino!”.