This one was short, but fun, fun and funny! Thank you for sharing your travels and experiences with us as I quite enjoy them. Regarding the unsubscribers, it was surely their loss and not ours (the readers).
I think you'd better start reading the small print before the Guardia catch up with you. :) Very funny. I like Pamplona very much and we trundle through there regularly driving from the UK to VRSA. The trip over the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port is quite testing in a camper van with the hairpin bends but it can be testing avoiding the pilgrims who sometimes seem totally unaware of the dangers on the road. I often wonder if some of the cyclists with saddlebags etc fall on the way and just lie there wishing to die.
I enjoy your blog and noted with interest the statement ‘Over 400,000 people visit Pamplona each year while making the trek’-as a Camino pilgrim. I believe the 400,000 number refers to the total number of pilgrims that completed the Camino Frances to date in 2024. The number passing though Pamplona would be a small fraction of this total as Pamplona is so close to the beginning of the 500 mile + Camino Frances route, St Jean Pied de Port. Pilgrims can start any place along the route and the majority start at Sarria which is approximately 100Km from Santiago (to get a certificate of completion, walkers need to walk at least 100Km). Pamplona is a wonderful city and stop along the Camino.
Re men and (Camino) laundry: Yes. Doing the laundry in Europe and hanging it to dry is like a hobby for my husband. He really came into his own when hand washing on our Portuguese Camino trip over the late summer. Using every towel for the wringing and strategizing ways to hang them up. Of course he had clothespins and a cord at the ready.
He also was the one to take the clothes to the laundrymat in Santiago.
As for me I was happier on the rest day; we got to send them out🙂
As a rule of thumb - if there’s a walled old city, your car is most likely not supposed to go in, which is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way through a few experiences across Europe. However, every time that you don’t end up exiting the narrow streets in reverse is a win, so you had a double win!
Great story. Sounds like an adventure. My husband and I walked the Camino Portuguese Coastal route this past May. Loved every minute of it. Craig’s laundry skills were put to the test for sure. Thank you for sharing your stories. We plan to finally be in VRDSA as residents in 2025. You posts have helped us feel connected to beautiful Portugal.
This one was short, but fun, fun and funny! Thank you for sharing your travels and experiences with us as I quite enjoy them. Regarding the unsubscribers, it was surely their loss and not ours (the readers).
I think you'd better start reading the small print before the Guardia catch up with you. :) Very funny. I like Pamplona very much and we trundle through there regularly driving from the UK to VRSA. The trip over the Pyrenees from St Jean Pied de Port is quite testing in a camper van with the hairpin bends but it can be testing avoiding the pilgrims who sometimes seem totally unaware of the dangers on the road. I often wonder if some of the cyclists with saddlebags etc fall on the way and just lie there wishing to die.
We loved the drive from France (Brive) to Pamplona. Stunning! But we were in a car.
Much easier on the brakes :)
Yes, we male pilgrims do our own laundry. After numerous pilgrimages I’m quite efficient….Elke approves😎
Thanks for allowing us to follow your travels. Always fun - well, except for the driving in forbidden territory.
I enjoy your blog and noted with interest the statement ‘Over 400,000 people visit Pamplona each year while making the trek’-as a Camino pilgrim. I believe the 400,000 number refers to the total number of pilgrims that completed the Camino Frances to date in 2024. The number passing though Pamplona would be a small fraction of this total as Pamplona is so close to the beginning of the 500 mile + Camino Frances route, St Jean Pied de Port. Pilgrims can start any place along the route and the majority start at Sarria which is approximately 100Km from Santiago (to get a certificate of completion, walkers need to walk at least 100Km). Pamplona is a wonderful city and stop along the Camino.
Jane, you are probably right...I am NOT a Camino expert. Don't think less of me but I never understood the attraction.
I feel sorry for the bulls. Don’t they kill them after the event?
Yes in Spain bulls are killed in the ring.
Re men and (Camino) laundry: Yes. Doing the laundry in Europe and hanging it to dry is like a hobby for my husband. He really came into his own when hand washing on our Portuguese Camino trip over the late summer. Using every towel for the wringing and strategizing ways to hang them up. Of course he had clothespins and a cord at the ready.
He also was the one to take the clothes to the laundrymat in Santiago.
As for me I was happier on the rest day; we got to send them out🙂
I mostly do the laundry at home, though.
He sounds like a "Keeper"
It's pinchos! The ch sounds just like in sh_t... ;-)
You are correct in the pronunciation…I am using how the word is spelled in the local language
As a rule of thumb - if there’s a walled old city, your car is most likely not supposed to go in, which is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way through a few experiences across Europe. However, every time that you don’t end up exiting the narrow streets in reverse is a win, so you had a double win!
LOL
Great story. Sounds like an adventure. My husband and I walked the Camino Portuguese Coastal route this past May. Loved every minute of it. Craig’s laundry skills were put to the test for sure. Thank you for sharing your stories. We plan to finally be in VRDSA as residents in 2025. You posts have helped us feel connected to beautiful Portugal.
I look forward to calling you neighbor!