After thoughts

So I am safe back home again and wanted to write a few after thoughts.

This was my 2nd Camino and a few things were different.

1)  Last year I walked with my son which was THE best treat a parent can wish for. This year I walked alone so it took a bit getting used to but turned out to be a special time again. Just in different ways.

2) Last year my legs and feet were HURTING the first week. This year it was to my surprise way better. Maybe the fact that I kept walking throughout the year paid off.

3) walking the trail for a second time enables you to enjoy the scenery better due to the fact I wasn't in such a rush then last year.
4) my "happy daily distance" is about 20 km, after that it becomes 'work'  :)
5) once again no blisters or knee problems.  My system of preventative taping my heals and toes with Leukotape P and wearing double Chopad knee straps seemed to work again.

6) YES I will walk a  Camino again in the future. It's good for your body and soul! So why not ?!?!

 

I MADE IT !

Once again it was an amazing journey ! Spain was a great host , I met so many nice people and ate too much food ( and wine ) .

 After completing almost 300 km this year I can say that my feet and legs did great . After my fall at day 4 and when I bruised my rib area pretty bad , I was dreading that I wouldn't be able to complete this years walk . Weird though that walking with my pack on felt better then laying down , so after having it checked by 6 !!!!  Lol  MD's from Australia (who were walking with me that day) .....I kept walking . (All feels a lot better now . ) and I'm so happy I did . It's not an easy walk but the scenery and people you meet make this trip so special . For all of you who are thinking about it ...... Just do it !!! For you who won't ..... Follow me on my next adventure 😀 ........ Next year maybe ?????? Thank you for reading my Camino 2016 blog 👣👣👣💕

Today's video : http://youtu.be/KpJ55ksHbtk

The Dutch Family :) 

I made it !!! 

So nice to reunite with Holly with whom I walked day 7 and 8 ( together with her friend Tami and Jenny ) 

?!?! The Pilgrim statue in front of the cathedral . 

Walking day 12

That went on and on .....up and down hills !!!!

It was to say the least , another interesting day . Since day one I never had a moment that I was afraid . Today that changed . After walking a very nice 20 k surrounded by nice people , I found my self all alone for the last 5 k . I walked the 3 k to the top of the last hill and saw absolutely nobody . Then the last 3 k were through a dense Forrest . I suddenly got a bad vibe about it and stood there thinking what to do for 15 min . I decided to walk back 3 k down the hill and took a taxi to the next stop . Safety still comes first and I ended up walking 26 k after all 😜 but the day ended GREAT ! Nice dinner with a very fun family from Holland !

Walking day 11

IIToday was interesting lol . First of all it was hot (85f/30c) but still ok for me there it's dry heat . Secondly : I got 'stuck' with someone who I found annoying ( that's putting  it mildly ha ha ) that started walking with me . Mmmhhh what to do ??? And the solution offered itself ! At the first stop some other people walked into the cafe and one of them was a young (30 year old)Dutch guy. We started talking and he asked if I wanted to walk with him for awhile . I said sure and quickly snuck out of the cafe while the weird annoying guy was getting his shoes back on 😜! Now I'm relaxing a bit at my stop for the day and plan to go to sleep early there it  be a long day tomorrow . 25 km in the heat with some serious hills .After that it should be a smooth walk into Burgos Friday ! Oh I'm at 250 km's now . 40 more to go . I also forgot to write yesterday that the 2 Dutch ladies got me all sorts of little gifts for my B day ! A Dutch book , one pair of new socks for the next Camino , a Camino shell key chain , a patch for my back pack and a very nice card . All was wrapped in paper with shoes on it ( the most important item for us long distance walkers ! SO sweet

!!!!Today's video : http://youtu.be/rdrr0EYh0VI

Walking day 10 birthday walk 😀

Welcome Birthday gift from hostel owners ! How sweet !!

Wonderful room !

Santo Domingo dela Calzade plaza .

Wild flowers everywhere .

One of my favorite stretches ....saved for birthday walk 😀

PERFECT day !!!! I'm feel 200% happy on my crazy walk . If not with family and dear friends , this is for me the perfect way to celebrate . Great weather, beautiful walk, amazing hotel with surprise mini cake with candle and flowering plant from owners (so sweet) and dinner with 2 Dutch women tonight ! Dinner was amazing . NOT our usual 10 euro pilgrim meal !!!

Today's video : http://youtu.be/WgAw_I04E_0

Walking day 9

Should I....... Take 1 rest day ??? I think I will . After traveling from the USA to France and walking 8 days straight I feel that I deserve and need a day off . Last year we did this after day 9.  It's strange , you feel guilty however it's not a race or like I have something to proof . It is a vacation after all too lol . So the weather is great and I'm going to enjoy it . I will have a late breakfast and then I'm on my way to Najera by bus . The 30 km trip will take 35 min by bus and would have taken 7 to 8 walking (lunch break included )  😗

I arrived in Najera and I napped,ate and had 2 baths today ...... I'm ready to walk again tomorrow ! 22 km to Santo Domingo dela Calzada . Last 100 km of this years trip . Today's video : http://youtu.be/rEcSY1GjDa4

Leaving Logrono . 

Logrono.

Mmmmhhh which one shall I pick ? I treated myself with a room with a bath tub , and 3 beds as it turned out 😄

Finally a classic lunch . Sangria and paella !

Najera !

Najera !

Walking day 8

BGuitar player on the middle of nowhere .                   

                                                       Another good day . We walked 22 km . I'm now at 165 km total . About 125 more to go !  A bit sad that this was the last day with Jenny, Tami and Holly . Wonderful people !!!! I definitely had one of those Amazing Camino moments today . We were walking in the middle of nowhere and looking for a good picnic spot for lunch . Coming down the mountain we hear guitar music . There was a guy in the middle of nowhere but on the Camino trail playing great music . We sat near him and had a lovely lunch while listening to Music :) . We're in Logrono now . The Rioja capital and famous for its wonderful Tapas . So Tapas crawl tonight with the girls to wrap up our 3 day journey !!! After dinner they had a street musician playing Happy Birthday for me. 2 days early but SO nice :)  today's video : http://youtu.be/XNbZavWwvaE

Picnic:) 

Tapas crawl . Yummy !!!!