“It seems thus possible to give a preliminary definition of walking as a space of enunciation.”
― Michel de Certeau, The Practice of Everyday Life
Late January,2018; first Blog of the year.
Since last September,I have been preparing and planning a Camino, for a group of 25 Pelegrinos, for many of them it is a ” First”.
Our group consists predominantly of Ramblers, from Sutton Coldfield, nr Birmingham, of which I am a member,plus assorted relatives and friends , from as far afield as Rome and the East coast of Ireland.
The idea was hatched on a ramble, last summer, when I fell into step with Colin, our group’s ” Chair”; he is always looking for ways to expand the repertoire of walks for the group. You rarely emerge from a conversation with him, unscathed! In the nicest sense of having your arm twisted, a little, often, to take responsibility for” leading” one of the weekly, Sunday walks.
The suggestion for a Camino was not a bolt out of the blue, as earlier in the year, at one of the monthly ” socials”, a local couple had given a presentation about their experiences on the Camino Frances.
I arranged a couple of meetings at my house for anyone interested and explained, importantly, that we should not be walking the Frances, but the last 110 km of the Portuguese Camino de Costa – it’s more interesting than the last 100 or so Km of the Frances and far less crowded.
Expecting a return of half a dozen or so in the group, to my astonishment it reached 25….The most I have organised a Camino for in the past , was four, including myself.
Logistics was a term I was going to become very familiar with, as plans and bookings were made.
In the best traditions of Spanglish, I named our group ” Rambleros” and the group have received regular updates about all aspects ( I hope ) of our Camino, which will take place in early June, this year. Apart from practical tips and details of accommodation, I have informed the group of some of the problematic aspects – room sharing and transportation, for example – and have tried to evoke the differences between a Camino and a package holiday, in the hope that the only surprises we experience are memorable and pleasant .
The updates are sent as a group e-mail and I have attached some of them, below; I should be more than grateful for anyone to contact me with further suggestions for enlightenment.
RAMBLEROS ‘UPDATE II
Perfect saying for the Camino and airport transfers:-
” start doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you will be doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi
Three more additions to the Rambleros:-
Luisa Mostile – friend of Caterina
Brid Condon – family friend.
June Wright – friend of you all !
Bewilderingly, what I thought would be a straightforward affair, booking a transfer from S de C Airport to Viladesuso, Hotel Costa Verde , turned out to be a mixture of no replies and, in some cases , silly prices!
Eg .One, so called reputable taxi firm, Quoted € 989.00. One way? Yes!
Suntransfers looked promising, then let me down.
Finally , I have a booking for the transfer , which is 117 km, approx.
€ 335.00 ie € 16.00 per head . A very good deal, I think.
(The alternative would have been a transfer by airport bus to S de C bus station, € 3.00, ( good value ). Then bus to Vigo. Then taxis to Viladesuso. Not sure what that might amount to. Nor time spent.
Bearing in mind, we don’t land till 17.00; out of the airport by 18.00, it would make a long day….longer.
Transfer should only take 90 mins.)
The same company is providing me with a favourable quotation for the proposed excursion to The Costa Del Morte, from S de C.
Cost approximately € 30.00 for whole day excursion , Tuesday 12th June.
A wild and beautiful stretch of coastline , with a history of shipwrecks.
This also takes in two iconic places in the history of the Camino – Muxia and Finisterre and would come with the services of a guide.
Finisterre https://www.google.co.uk/url? sa=t&source=web&cd=24&ved=0ahUKEwj06cK77fnWAhXH5xoKHdA6A_sQFgiTATAX&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.turismo.gal%2Fque-facer%2Ftop-ten-dez-lugares-unicos%2Fcabo-fisterra%3FlangId%3Den_US&usg=AOvVaw0WHcH5x1urdbikI
NB
Spanish meal times would then kick in…
BE AWARE
In Spanish Spain, lunch can be taken from 13.00, till 16.00 .
Dinner is 20.30 , if you are lucky. 21.00 is the norm.
I would hope that in the interests of mutual enjoyment and sharing of “ thoughts for the day” 🤗, we might have a communal,evening meal .
It may be possible to arrange earlier starts, in some venues.
Of course, some might want a late lunch – no Es una problema.
If we arrive at planned destinations, at the times I hope, then we should have time for a “ Siesta” , if required ,and chance for a local, self- guided walk about, ( recommended ) , if wanted.
THEN
Ideally :- “ Sharpeners “ @ 19.30
Briefing for next day’s walk.
Dinner
This is not mandatory! Just a suggestion.
If we can be on the Camino for 08.30,at the latest, most mornings, then it should allow for the actuality of the above, suggested, scenario.
I shall give more practical details of each
day’s walk, later, but a great lunchtime filler is a Bocadillo – a fresh, large bread roll with a choice of fillings – Jamon y Queso – ham and cheese being a personal favourite, but cafes are very flexible and non-meat alternatives are usually available.
😓Please send me your full name and Mobile Phone Number, if you have not done so, already.
Thanks,
John
PS
“it is fresh on my mind I walked some way with a couple of people who were part of a commercial tour group. I won’t share the name of it because I can’t verify the information. They pay 3600€ for 12 days including all meals, hotel stays, a support van with snacks, some special tours. The price includes luggage transport. They get to enter the Pilgrim office through a special door for their Compostela and a special place to sit on close to the altar. (I have some problem with these last 2). The people I talked to thought they were getting value. It is 300€ a day though. Judge for yourself. I think it helped some people walk who couldn’t do so otherwise but what a lot of money!”
Writer , Edward Abbey (Desert Solitaire, The Monkey Wrench Gang) inadvertently described the Camino many years ago:
“There are some good things to be said about walking. Not many, but some. Walking takes longer, for example, than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. I have a friend who’s always in a hurry; he never gets anywhere. Walking makes the world much bigger and thus more interesting. You have time to observe the details. The utopian technologists foresee a future for us in which distance is annihilated. … To be everywhere at once is to be nowhere forever, if you ask me.”
I shall be sending a separate update, shortly, with details of hotels,,average room costs and daily distances .
Meanwhile, contact me any time you have a query and enjoy your Rambles.
Pps Don’t forget to send me your full name and mobile number, I’ve only received three to date!
Regards and Best,
John
Rambleros” Update III
“Paths are the habits of a landscape. They are acts of consensual making. It’s hard to create a footpath on your own…Paths connect. This is their first duty and their chief reason for being. They relate places in a literal sense, and by extension they relate people.
Paths are consensual, too, because without common care and common practice they disappear: overgrown by vegetation, ploughed up or built over (through they may persist in the memorious substance of land law). Like sea channels that require regular dredging to stay open, paths NEED walking.”
― Robert Macfarlane, The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot
TWO WELCOME ADDITIONS TO OUR GROUP
Roger Gallier
Anita Wilkins
We are now 25 in all …..
DISTANCES AND UNDULATIONS ( none very steep )
Some slight variations, eg getting to Hotel , but near enough.
DAY I Viladesuso – Baiona. 12 KM
Hotel Restaurante Costa Verde – Monday 04/06
One Climb of 120 M
Baiona – Vigo by bus ( after afternoon in Baiona )
Day 2 Vigo – Redondela 17 KM
Hotel Atlantic – Tuesday 05/06
One, Gradual climb of 160 M
Day 3 Redondela – Pontevedra 18 KM
Hostal Santo Apostolo – Wednesday 06/06
Two, gradual climbs – 153 M and 145 M
Day 4 Pontevedra- Caldas de Rei. 23 KM
Hotel Rias Bajas – Thursday 07/06
One ,gradual climb – 135 M
Day 5 Caldas de Rei – Padron 18 KM
Hotel Balneario Acuna – Friday, 08/06
One gentle climb – 160 M
Day 6 Padron – Santiago de C. 24 Km ***
Hotel Scala – Saturday, 09/06
One steepish , but gradual climb 260 M towards the end.
( *** can be shortened by taking local bus for last 6 KM )
Day 7 Santiago de Compostela
10 – 13 th June Hospederia SAN Martin Pinario
———————————————————————————-
AVERAGE COSTS PER NIGHT, PER ROOM
Hotel Costa Verde – Breakfast included
Double € 50.00.
Single. € 40.00. As above
Hotel Atlantico
Double € 43.20
Single. € 36.00
Hotel Santo Apostol
Double € 50.00 T B C
Single. € 30.00 T B C
Hotel Rias Bajas’,
Double. € 68.00
Single. € 59.00
Hotel Balneario Acuna – Breakfast included
Triple € 118.05 x 2
Double € 65.00 x 4 and € 83.00 ( special offer ) x 4 includes thermal bath
Hotel Scala
Triple. x 1 €.70.00
Double x 6. €. 55.00
Double x 1. €.45.00
Single x 3. € 45.00
Single. x 2. € 40.00
Hospederia SAN Martin Pinario NB 3 x Nights’ accommodation.
Booking was complex, here, and because of late additions to the party, I had to shuffle Barbara and my rooms:-
1 night @ €118.
2 nights @ € 209 in total € 327.00
Triple x. 2. € 297.00
Double x 4 € 191.97 ( I had to pay for these in advance )
Double x 1. € 237.00
Single. x 4. € 198.00
Estimating”Watertight “ Averages is difficult because in three hotels, there are triple room shares for “ Singletons” which are cheaper than double and single rooms.
So, the following figures should be taken as reasonable guides, only.
Single Room average cost is € 44.00. Per night **
Double room average cost is € 60.00 Per night ie € 30.00 per person
** As indicated, when sharing a triple, this should reduce the cost.
BREAKFAST
We have breakfast, prepaid, in two hotels.
Breakfast can be obtained in all the hotels, or often, more cheaply, at a nearby cafe – the choice is yours.
Recommend taking breakfast at Santo Apostol – very reasonable when I was there, this September.
Just a couple of things.
0. If you have not forwarded your full name and mobile number, please do.
2 a. I was on the train to London recently and was writing a Blog** about the multifarious reasons people have for beginning a Camino. I should be ever so interested in learning of our reasons for doing so.
2 b.And it would be really interesting then, to compare our thoughts
AFTER the completion of the Camino.
So, if you would like to send me your thoughts, please do .⌨️ ✒️
I should only summarise them – if possible !
Full confidentiality assured, of course.
**My Blogs can be found on”ensuitepilgrimblog.wordpress.com”.
In the world there are 194 countries recognized by the UN .Galicia received pilgrims from 177 nationalities, and pilgrims from 17 countries are missing. I’m sure they’ll visit.

https://www.santiagodecompostela.me/collections/most-popular-camino-items/products/a-pilgrims-guide-to-the-camino-portugues-lisbon-porto-santiago-camino-guides latest Portuguese guide
Understanding Spanish food on the Camino –
Here’s a guide to the most common tapas terms to help you navigate these tasty dishes:
Almendras: fried almonds
Aceitunas : olives
Bacalao: cod
Banderilla: small skewer of spicy, pickled vegetables — it’s named after the spear used by matadors to spike the bull
Bocadillos: sandwiches
Bombas: fried meat and potatoes ball
Champiñones: mushrooms
Croquettas: deep fried balls of dough that are stuffed with anything from ham and cheese, to chorizo or prawns
Empanadillas: fried or baked pastries that are stuffed with meat or seafood
Gambas al ajillo: prawns sautéed in olive oi and garlic
Jamon Serano: air cured ham
Patats bravas: potatoes (baked or fried) topped with a spicy tomato sauce
Pollo: chicken
Pulpo: octopus
Queso: cheese
Racíon, or racíones: larger-size portions of tapas that are meant to be served, possibly , as a main course.
Tortilla: a omelette of many layers of thinly sliced potatoes cooked with eggs and onions
Coffee
My favourite Camino/ coffee song:-
Standard coffee terms are café con leche , coffee with milk,cortado (espresso with a little bit of heated milk), café solo (a shot of espresso), solo doble (double shot of espresso). Americano ,( espresso with added hot water)
For those who like more milk than coffee, ask for a manchado (in Spanish it means “stained”). It’s milder and whiter than cafe con leche.
This is not exhaustive …….
MAPS by an expert.
If you would like some definite mapping of our route,then John Harden, one of our group, has been grappling with a Spanish website, I linked to him and he has made PDFs of relevant sections of the Camino . He is more than happy to put them on a memory stick , to share around .
EXCURSION
I have just received some good news about the proposed excursion to Finisterre and Muxia with the same Pilgrim friendly company arranging our coach transfer, from S de C.
They are offering us the day for € 25.00, per head ! (Average price with other firms is € 35.00 ). The itinerary is quoted, as follows:-
To Pontemaceira – Muros – Cascado de Ezaro ( waterfall ) – Finisterre ( free food ) – Muxia.
The airport transfer to Hotel Costa Verde is € 335.00
The whole day excursion is € 625.00
€ 960.00 in total .
A 30% deposit required by March, next year.
70% remainder, by May.
Can I suggest that I settle the whole total in March, thus saving an additional collecting of money.
Therefore, if you can pay € 38.40 each, for both trips, in February, to me, I can complete payment in March.
I have to say I have been very impressed with this company and have attached their confirmation, below for your information.
This article is is interesting for anyone contemplating a first Camino.
Albeit, about the Camino Frances – it’s not the only one Camino…..
Walk of a lifetime: Why the epic Camino trail across Spain is a route to true happiness | Daily Mail Online
Caminante, No Hay Camino
by Antonio Machado
Caminante, son tus huellas
amino, y nada más;
nante, no hay camino,
ace camino al andar.
ndar se hace camino,
volver la vista atrás
e la senda que nunca
a de volver a pisar.
nante, no hay camino,
estelas en la mar.
Translated as :-
Wanderer, your footprints are
the path, and nothing else;
wanderer, there is no path,
the path is made by walking.
Walking makes the path,
and on glancing back
one sees the path
that will never be trod again.
Wanderer, there is no path—
Just steles in the sea.
CONFIRMACION DE RESERVA – JOHN TWORT.pdf

Apologies for this rather lengthy update.
Next Update will include info. about the Pilgrim passport and training tips ( if required ! ), Spanish alcoholic drinks and those Yellow arrows.

Una feliz Navidad y un año nuevo pacífico, para todos ustedes.
John
Rambleros IV, 2018

un año nuevo feliz y pacífico para todos ustedes ✌️
Pilgrim passport details. I.e Credencial
These go by a number of names :-
Compostela
Pilgrim Passport
Credencial
I shall be ordering these for us, shortly .
Personally , prefer “ Credencial” – it’s the shortest !

Luggage Tranfer Airport Transfer and Excursion
( please disregard any earlier cost estimates)
We shall use the Mi Mochila Con Correos Service for luggage transfers,
as provided by the Spanish Post Office.
As a group we receive a discount, so I am estimating the cost at
€ 25.00 per head, for all the luggage transfers. This is a good deal.
The coach transfer from S de C to Viladesuso, a distance of 144 km. € 335.00 – call it € 14.00 per head.
Our excursion to Finisterre and Muxia will also cost€ 25.00.
Therefore, I hope you will find it helpful to submit payment to me for all three, in one transaction of £57.00, by 28th February.
Polite Reminders
Please ensure your Passport
and European Health Card ( E H I C ) are up to date.
Have you sent me your full name and Mobile number? 📱
On a lighter note, some information on drinks in Spain. 🍷
Spanish Alcoholic drinks
Patxaran (Spanish: pacharán) is a Basque liquor flavored with sloe berries, usually served over ice. Good as an aperitif or digestif.
Anís is similar to other anise-flavored drinks in France and Spain. Common in Galicia.
Cerveza con limón. How good is a cerveza con limón after a long day’s walk? Mahou Limón is the pre-made brand, though it’s better freshly made, or simply ask for una Clara .
You may be asked if you would like it with Gasera / Gaseosa, or Limon.
Spanish vermut, which is served on the rocks or in a martini glass. It’s not a mixer like in other countries.
tinto de verano – red wine over ice mixed with Casera or Gaseosa is a very refreshing drink at the end of a hot day.
A chupito is an after-dinner shot.
In Galicia, at least, a chupito means a shot of arujo, which is like mild grappa. You can have some added to your coffee, or just have a shot after dinner. It can be herb flavoured, or, sometimes coffee flavoured .
Can you recommend a local liqueur to try?
¿Puedes recomendar un licor local para probar?
Wine
A saying in Spain:
Si vas a España y no bebes vino, ¿por qué vas a España?
If you go to Spain and don’t drink wine, why do you go to Spain?
It’s not mandatory though !
vino tinto – red . You will very often be served Rioja; or ask for
A glass or bottle of local red wine.
“un vaso o una botella de vino tinto local, por favor.”
NB The Spanish usually serve red 🍷 quite cold.
If this is not to your liking then ask for one at room temperature.
“un vaso o una botella de rojo local a temperatura ambiente, por favor”
Vino blanco – white. In Galicia, Albariño is ubiquitous and very good.
🍺 Beer
Can always be obtained on draft – cerveza de Barril.
Una Cana – a glass 🥃 or
Una grande – large 🍻
Or in bottles – by all the major breweries , and local “ craft” beers.
Fitness and Bootlace Finesse Links
Lace Tying Techniques – Prevents Blisters With Almost Zero Effort
Walk This Way – Guardian article – And you thought Walking was simple?
MOTIVES FOR WALKING THE CAMINO
Thanks to Rambleros for responding to my request for sharing reasons, hopes etc; all different ! It’s never too late to send me your thoughts.
I came across this “life- changing”Camino experience, the other day.
“Walked the Camino de Santiago from St Jean to Finisterre in October. Life changing! Got home and put house up for sale! Now sold! Going to start walk again in February to find our new home on the Camino. Can’t wait! “
Hope everyone is getting out walking and, as the weather improves , we are all able to put in the extra mile.
Please let me know if there are items of information you feel would be helpful for inclusion in the next Update.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch about any of the above matters, or others.

Saludos y Mejor.
That’s where we are at present.A further Update Is already in the planning stage.
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