24-28 September 2018 – As you pound out the miles on this Camino, you get to thinking “Oh I wish this path was easier”.

I have come up with a categorisation for Camino trails:

1. Tarmac road

Oh! to be walking on smooth tarmac you’d think would be a joy but it is fine first thing in the morning (except when you’re walking in the dark and you can’t see to read the yellow Camino arrows and then there might be cars) when cool, but as the temperature rises and you are walking on this stuff; “oh boy!” Your boots and socks and feet begin to cook. Feet get sweaty and dreaded blisters start to form. And then there’s the monotony of it.

2. Concrete, pavements and roads.

Again not so great in the afternoon as it gets hot but pleasant enough. But different people pour concrete differently and some try to make a feature of sprinkling the surface with local stone. But some sprinkles become cobbles in different towns making walking difficult.

3. The gravel path

Ah that old chestnut:- the gravel path. Oh the pain of walking along a gravel path and then your foot meets a slightly larger rock and the foot is jarred and the pain shoots up your leg throwing you off balance.

4. Rock

So for the geologists among you… I’m aware this is some form of metamorphic rock, tightly folded and forms the base for a few of the paths we walk. This bit was flat for 3-4m or so but then became a difficult downhill path. The stone cracks and slips underfoot, its hard to find a safe footing and it doubles the walking time as you have to think about each foot placement.

5. Life’s a beach

Ah yes, sandy soil with really fine particles that colour your boots and socks. It is audibly different, you may be “thump, thump, thump” and then “pah, pah, pah” as you step from gravel or rock unto smooth or rippled sandy soil. It is so soft, like walking on carpet or as another pilgrim commented “Like walking on velvet!”

It may not last for long but the relief is tangible. You see pilgrims ahead of you change their orientation on the path to step on this stuff, such is its appeal.

6. Grass

Some of the paths are grassy or have grass up the middle. Very acceptable to walk on.

7. Forest litter.

Walking on soft pine needles, apart from the texture there is a lovely smell.