dougfitz's Guestbook



20th April 2010

Dust
The major effect of the dust seems to have been on various travel plans, rather than anything we can see, smell or feel walking. Had a beautiful walk today, once out of the traffic of Leon. Birdsong for much of the morning, and such a clear sky. After the last village before my day´s destination, I slowed down a touch so that I could continue to enjoy the peace.
From Blog: Should I Push On
20th April 2010

Bravo
Hi Doug, it's just fantastic to read about your adventure in installments. How is the air that you are breathing? Not too much volcanic dust? Love, Lee
From Blog: Should I Push On
19th April 2010

this is getting better every day
Hi Doug, I am pleased you are relecting but also adding memories, to the rich pattern that is your life. Keep well and happy on your journey. I am enjoying the virtual one. Pam
From Blog: The Roman Road
18th April 2010

Spanish
I have tried to keep the use of Spanish in context, but there are a few entries where some additional explanation has been added. There are some practical difficulties. Eg hospitalero/a translates broadly as house keeper, but problably has more meaning as the person who keeps the house ready for pilgrims. Let me know if this helps.
18th April 2010

Blogging Barriers
The biggest barrier to blogging is getting to places that don´t have the internet, or so few kiosks that it is impossible to get on. So I have been unable to make blog entries for several days. Have just given it a long burst with basic transcription of my notebook.
14th April 2010

Have I missed some blogs?
Hi Doug. I got back from Florida this afternoon and have much enjoyed reading the story so far. It is now 14 April and the last blog seems to be 10 April. I did get 2 new link e-mails just now but one was for 9 Apr and one for 10 Apr. Also the blog for 10 Apr doesn't have a 'next entry' button to click. Perhaps you haven't been able to write for a few days? You seem to be walking on your own a lot more than I expected. I personally think that's good - time for reflection is important. Are you feeling exhausted or are you getting fitter every day?
14th April 2010

multilinguality
Doug: more and more Spanish is creeping into your otherwise rivetting accounts of deprivation and hardship. I do not speak Spanish, nor do I intend to. Just an observation :) Jeff
13th April 2010

Blessed?
Not sure just yet about blessed, although looking at some of the others who have made it this far, I am far from the worst off. That does give one cause to reflect, especially about the generosity of locals who eke out an existance in some remote and forbidding country. Will blog this later but this morning three older women out for a walk stopped me and gave me a handful of sweets ´for the Camino´. I felt like hugging them, and I suppose I should have, but something restrained me.
12th April 2010

do you feel blessed?
Been away from my computer so have just caught up on your trip. Subiaco to New Norcia trip seems less arduous. Glad you are going to plan. Keep safe.
7th April 2010

Links issues
Jeff, I knew there was a problem, which I thought had been fixed. Cannot do much at moment, but will see if there are issues later.
7th April 2010

Some people are just rude
So you think that I will lose some weight from my otherwise trim, taut and terrific frame! Let me tell you, I am down to one pair of walking trousers, one pair of ´evening´ trousers and a pair of shorts for bed. No luxury of having extras. So far the belt has come in at least five more centimetres! There might have to be a couple of purchases when I get to Santiago or the UK.
6th April 2010

La puerta, la cancela, ... la peregrina de la puerta.
Hola...toc, tocccc ¿se puede?... Si, soy la señora de la puerta. Quise escribirte unas palabras, en directo desde el Camino, más exactamente desde Estella y se me cortó... (se me cerró la puerta. Ahhh, no! La ventana ;-)) Siempre me han gustado los diarios de peregrinos, y ahora más todavía si formo parte de tu Camino. Escribir tus sensaciones y experiencias vividas tan cerca me parece algo estupendo. Ahora ya escribo desde casa, aunque mi Caminito diario sigue, éste ya terminó. Ha sido un placer compartir contigo peregrino australiano (qué lejosssss! y qué cerca a la vez...), conocerte, caminar y comunicarnos con el mejor idioma peregrino, la sonrisa. Te seguiré en tu diario, ánimo y... siempre BUEN CAMINO peregringo!!! Angeles (la señora-peregrina de la puerta ;-))
5th April 2010

Hi
well, good morning Dad, I have been reading the 5 or so updates that were waiting for me this morning and having a little giggle. Its great to read what is happening. I did have one thought though. Have you taken trousers that can be adjusted inwards? I am guessing that you are going to be (if not already on your way) a little skinnier by the time you get home and one would hope that you will still be able to hold your trousers up :) X Theresa
5th April 2010

not all blog entries available
Doug: hope all goes well and your legs hold up. Just a note that not all of the links to your entries are working - I have been able to access the Easter Sunday entry, but the previous two simply give me the travelblogs home page. cheers from Melbourne :) Jeff
5th April 2010

Keep'a'dancing.....
I'm certainly jealous, Doug. This reads like an interestng wander around Spain. THanks for the blog and keep on dancing... Cheers Pete and Joy
5th April 2010

Easter
Good fun keeping up with your progress and commentary Doug. I can hear you 'speaking' - you write just as you talk in conversation. Must haven been quite something to experience Easter on the Camino. Looking forward to more blogs. Smiles Monika & Jim
5th April 2010

Hi
Hi Doug, entertaining script - love your sense of humour! Lee
3rd April 2010

Hi Dad, thanks for the great blog - I'm following along and wishing you well.
3rd April 2010

Fantastic!
What a fantastic adventure. Bravo!
2nd April 2010

All the best, Doug, hope it goes well. Steady walking and safe travels. Jim & Monika
From Blog: Camino Countdown
27th March 2010

Happy treking
Just wanted to wish you all the best. Break a leg does not fit this situation but I wish you just as much luck. Do not actually do it though! Have fun and I will be watching your progress.
From Blog: Camino Countdown
11th March 2010

The Camino is a Great Walk
Doug, I promise you that you'll absolutely enjoy every moment of the Camino as I did in 2008. We had 24 days of rain or changeable weather out of 29 walking days and it's still much better then sitting in the office. It's also a wonderful time for you as an individual and you will realize at the end how good it has been and how well you feel - the blisters along the way you soon forget about!! I've started bedding in my new Danish Ecco boots which are made from Yak leather and if I wear them every day they should be ready by our departure date - if not, you may have to carry my pack also.
9th March 2010

Well worn boots
Candee, for the past few years, I have had two pairs of walking boots 'on the go'. It started when I found the pair of Scarpa boots I was wearing in were giving me problems when I was walking locally on footpaths and roads, etc. They were brilliant in the bush on tracks, and I have used them around the world, but they just weren't good worn training in an urban area. I originally used a pair of relatively soft soled Columbia boots for most of my training, occasionally wearing the much harder soled Scarpa. The Columbia boots lasted about 4000 km, and were replaced by a similar pair which lasted a similar distance. The relatively soft 'rubber' sole material wore down on both boots. Last year I succumbed (at a sale) to purchasing a high end Columbia which I will probably use on the Camino now that they are properly bedded in. When walking with the friend who I will walk with on the Camino on the weekend, he found that his favourite boots, and the ones he had worn on his first Camino in 2008 and had been planning to use again this year, had cracked through where the toe flexes. He reckoned he had walked 3000-4000 km in that pair. Now he faces bedding in another pair of boots over the next three weeks before we start. Doug ps I hope your travelling partner recovers quickly, and that you both have a great Camino.
9th March 2010

Walking the Camino
Doug~ I'm bitterly disappointed because I won't be able to walk the Camino this summer as planned. My walking partner has hurt her foot, and we are now pushing the trip back to Summer 2011! I hope you post about your adventure, as I will eagerly read every bit of it! I want to wish you the best of luck...but most of all, I hope that you enjoy your upcoming adventure! Candee P.S. To get ready for my adventure, I walk every single day. My husband jokes and says I will have to buy new hiking boots when my time to hike the Camino finally arrives, which really annoys me, because my boots are perfectly worn in! :o)

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