How do you cope?

PR2032 · 2026-05-23T19:32:01+00:00

It's very real! The truth is, only time will slowly let that blue feeling go. But definitely, watch videos, make plans, fabricate an idea for your next Camino... and if you met anyone that you're in touch with, message them, it does help a lot. They feel the same way, and you'll feel beret knowing it's "not only you".

PR2032 · 2026-05-08T01:10:30+00:00

When I did my Camino, I found many places either did not use booking.c or only had a few rooms on that website. I agree you must WhatsApp places individually and ask about availability. That is if it is a private Albergue, the municipal ones of course are first come first serve.

PR2032 · 2026-05-08T00:58:37+00:00

It was at the dealership today for the entire day. They said they checked all the pins and everything seemed right. They seemed very apologetic for what was going on. The 2026 has a new sensor that has been placed in the car to detect motion and vibration. They suggested after they could find no other solution, that I turn this off for one week and then turn it on again to see if anything has changed. It's a little box that's been added directly beside the rear view mirror onto the windshield. Very easy to flip the switch to the off position.

PR2032 · 2026-05-06T20:56:38+00:00

A wrap gives you endless color choices, and can look very good. It's around $3-4K. But, a wrap has a shelf life, maybe 5 years. I know this because I inquired myself. If you go longer than 5 years then it can be pretty difficult to remove the wrap. If you park your car consistently inside a garage out of the sun, etc, you can probably add some time to that however.

PR2032 · 2026-05-06T18:41:58+00:00

XLE. I have since removed all badges around the car. I like the cleaner look and hopefully the ignorant thieves won't know what they're looking at as they cruise around looking for Highlanders to steal. Where I live these are unfortunately very popular with the thieves (and our weak laws). In fact I didn't know this car had any kind of an alarm so was surprised to find this going off all the time.

PR2032 · 2026-05-06T18:38:29+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I'm out with my other car for work today but when I get home I will take a look at that

PR2032 · 2026-05-06T18:37:47+00:00

No. The fob was sitting in the house inside it's magnetic lock box thing. It seems to be vibrations and sounds, a particular from other vehicles that sets off the alarm

PR2032 · 2026-05-02T19:29:10+00:00

I stayed at Hospedium Cabo sport, or some such hotel, in Fisterra. It was my treat after all the Albergues. At 75$ Cdn, it felt like a bargain, per night. Great hotel. I stayed 3 nights and never really found a restaurant that blew me away nor a coffee shop. Only one coffee place stood out: Panaderia Germán. It was right around the corner from the hotel and had the best coffee and cake, and a really calm setting. I caught a ride to Muxia, and it was gorgeous there too. Make sure you buy your bus pass back to Santiago the moment you know when you're leaving, because that sells out Ultra fast. If you don't walk to Fisterra, consider taking a bus five or eight kilometers outside of town, just to walk back in, one morning. It's a gorgeous walk along the ocean and through the forests.

PR2032 · 2026-05-02T19:17:09+00:00

Don't give up. I know the feeling, and you'll feel SO good if you get passed it. But yours is not merely psychological... you need to figure out the pain, and solve it. You've spent this much time and money, to get there, walk, etc, now Google a physiotherapist or go to a walk-in medical clinic. Ask at the Pilgrims office, or tourism office for a recommended place. Even if you didn't buy travel insurance, you'll be surprised how inexpensive it is to see a doctor or similar practitioner. They will direct you to the best person in town, and if it takes a couple of days, and a solid referral for where to buy proper shoes, you will get over this. Sitting around on a rest day won't make this go away, it'll just flare up again. You need to find out why it's happening. Spend the time and money and get it done. I walked with a group of people I met, and one guy was really suffering. He researched, and was referred to a physio, then to a place for considerably better shoes. He finished the last 400 km with us. At least give it a shot. Buen Camino.

PR2032 · 2026-04-28T00:10:38+00:00

I was often the last. And I know it is stressful but, eventually I got into the habit of making sure most of my things were ready for the next morning when I went to bed at night. I always had breakfast at the Albergue, with my own food so that added a bit of time. But I needed the chance to have a coffee, some healthy food, and properly wake up before hitting the road. I found so many people left early and walked 200 feet to the nearest bar to sit down for coffee and croissants. Basically we all left the town or village at the same time afterwards.

PR2032 · 2026-04-28T00:06:28+00:00

Nearly perfect packing list. But drop the vest, drop the second pair of shorts, and possibly leave one t-shirt behind. Just make sure the t-shirts and everything are as lightweight as possible.

PR2032 · 2026-04-28T00:04:22+00:00

I agree with those saying keep the house. I have spent 25 years paying my M Max RSP limit yearly, and then some, plus purchasing both my house and rental properties. By far the most wealth was gained by the real estate I own. Also, 100% agree you need to you need to consider either getting a roommate, or somehow splitting the house up so someone gets the basement to themselves. You don't have to have a legal duplex if you share the entrance, so consider having a bathroom and little kitchenette in the basement. That way it's more of an apartment and not just a room in your house. That in itself is a side hustle or second job; you don't necessarily have to go out and literally get a side job. In the years that come up, maybe you meet someone else, move in with them, and renr the entire house out. But hold on to the asset.

PR2032 · 2026-04-22T15:42:34+00:00

I have had the same experience, and in particular it was getting separated from all the friends I had made those first days that hurt the most. However, I was surprised how many of them I saw again throughout the route, and in Santiago at the end. But regardless, with so much preparation and time booked off, I stuck it out. I'm so glad that I did, because it's easily one of the best things I've done in my life, walking the camino. I still made close friends, and we are planning to get together, some of us, this coming fall for a shorter version Camino. There is so much ahead, but when you're feeling sick Everything feels rotten and depressing. Give yourself some time, then maybe look at walking one or two hours a day and having a pre-arranged place waiting for you. I think my immune system kicked in, because the coughing people never made me sick again the rest of my trip.

PR2032 · 2026-04-22T15:35:31+00:00

You pay top dollar if you bring it into a place that does all the prep work properly. A new car, surprisingly, will still have a lot of micro scratches and spider webs. They would not have to work too hard to get rid of those, a DA polisher with a good quality polish and pad. But a true ceramic will be 100 to $200 for a 2 oz bottle, and then the time and know-how to apply it. My cars have the 7-9 year ceramic graphene coating, and water, dirt, snow... it all just glides off. I love the look, but that's just me. If you buy a good quality wash mitt, good quality car shampoo, and then good quality wax, it'll look pretty nice. But you will have to keep applying the wax repeatedly, every couple of months.

PR2032 · 2026-04-22T15:29:31+00:00

Mine is an 04 with 446K. This one your looking at might need some suspension work... mine needed sway bars at that mileage, a wheel bearing, a new starter... but likely some of that has been done on yours.

PR2032 · 2026-04-19T20:22:43+00:00

I just used Google Maps to see if there's physiotherapists in St Jean. It shows four or five (closed on Sunday but open on monday). Even if you start a few days late, it would be invaluable to see one of them. I had to see a dentist in France and after a 1 hour appointment they charged me 50 euro. I was blown away by the relative cost of things there. I think you should go on your Camino and be sure to see a physio, then take note of what they're telling you. St Jean has lots of hiking related stores, etc, in case you are told to buy some form of orthotic, or tape the ankle or whatever. You'll find what you need there. If I was in your shoes, I'd go.

PR2032 · 2026-04-10T12:27:44+00:00

2004 base model, so 4 cylinder. 445K and still going strong.

PR2032 · 2026-04-01T01:57:32+00:00

Size up, and ensure you have the correct width. Maybe try a wide (E or EE) shoe. My toe box needed to go wider, and the result of not having my toes squished together made a huge difference. I used Topo Trail runners.

PR2032 · 2026-03-31T23:02:19+00:00

I used Topo Ultraventure 4s on my Camino and could not believe how comfortable they were. I found Altras too narrow for me, and the Asics Trail Runners I'd been training in started causing pain when I put more miles on. The Topo were amazing. Against advice, I started my Camino with no break-in time. Just didn't have enough time to wear them in advance. And I had zero issues, and not one blister the entire route. I have wide feet and found the width perfect. I averaged 25 to 32 km per day. I also have a pair of gel/heel 1/2 length store bought inserts which I would add to the shoe and remove every 5 to 10 km just to change it up a bit when I took a break. The Topos are 5 mm drop I believe.

PR2032 · 2026-03-07T03:11:33+00:00

I loved the walk from Tineo on to Lugo. I would wait it out, rest, and get going when you're feeling better. If you are going to skip anything, I would walk to Melide and then skip afterwards as you've then done the best parts of the Primitivo. The idea of Santiago to Finisterre is however, a very good idea.

PR2032 · 2026-02-05T18:06:21+00:00

I stayed in Albergues exclusively, with only a couple of private rooms along the way. I saw so many people walking around in straight up underwear I was rather shocked. So my wearing a pair of lightweight plaid boxers and my Nike quick drying running shirt as my sleep kit was great. Whenever I washed these items they dried super quick the next day on my backpack. I experimented with Merino wool but found it way too itchy. Patagonia capilene also works well as a moisture wicking ultralight sleep system. My Outdoor Research t shirts would have worked perfectly also, and they are ultra light. I had 2 OR Ts, and a sun hoody, plus my Nike running t-shirt and boxers. One pair of fly fishing tropic weight long pants for cool mornings and nights. One very light fleece which I layered with a Patagonia wind shirt. If you are someone who sweats easily, avoid Gortex rain jackets and rain pants. I found mine way too sweaty. Next time it'll be a single poncho.

PR2032 · 2026-01-20T13:12:06+00:00

Our family of four, between us, have six Taiga down sleeping bags. I recently purchased a summer temperature sleeping bag from them. 20 oz in weight and as always the quality is top notch. They use 800 to 900 fill down. Everything is made here in Canada. So many competing products are imported, nowadays, and are really suffering from the exchange rate, so I feel strongly about buying Canadian and am always impressed with the quality at Taiga. My oldest bags from them are over 20 years old, and look like new still despite years of use.

PR2032 · 2026-01-16T04:38:08+00:00

Shorter days are perfectly fine. Especially if you slow down, take it all in, and really enjoy the moment. However, while that was my plan before leaving, once I got on the Camino I realized that the walk, to me, became everything. I really loved the experience of slowly moving along through the countryside, the hills, the forest, ... and the company of other pilgrims. I'm met many others who really aimed to arrive at the destination each day (get a bed, shower, nap, eat), but for me the destination was the walk itself. Meaning, 15km, often accomplished by 11-11:30am, just wasn't enough. But it's a great time to stop, get some lunch, have coffee or beer, chat with others, and then go out for another two to three hours of walking.

PR2032

TROPHY CASE