After a travel intensive end to 2023, I had a quiet Christmas and New Year with friends and family. The dawn of 2024 marks a very busy first half of the year for me at work, and as I had sneaked in a few trips late last year, my annual leave allowance has been depleted; which doesn’t reset until April. An early UK pilgrimage to 2024 is doubtful. Also it is unlikely my usual Lake District Adventure will happen this year, as we are at minimum staffing levels in June on account of leave, and me being late to get my request in!
2024 also brings with it my 40th birthday, and I can’t let this milestone pass without an adventure! So I’ve managed to find three weeks in September/October where none of my colleagues have time off, when I plan to walk the Camino Primitivo.
The Primitivo starts in Oviedo and follows a 320km (199mile) route to Santiago de Compostela. It is considered the most difficult of the 7 main pilgrimages but boasts the most scenic. I first learnt about it from Javier, a peregrino I met on the Camino Frances back in 2021. While killing the ‘Moscas’ (flies) in the albergue garden at Terradillos de los Templarios. He was telling me about all the Camino’s he had walked and the Primitivo being his favourite.
The route is very hilly which was confirmed by an Italian pilgrim who I shared a dorm with at the albergue in O Pedrouzo last year, on my Mini Camino Frances. Not one to be deterred by a few hills, what better challenge to mark my 40th with?!
This route is considered to be the first and original pilgrimage to Santiago. It was undertaken by King Alfonso II of Asturias, who began at Oveido, the original capitol of the region. When the sarcophagus of St. James was discovered, Alfonso travelled to the where Santiago de Compostela now sits, to verify the remains. When he arrived, he confirmed that it was the Apostles body thus making him the first pilgrim of the way of St. James. There even is a statue dedicated to the Asturian king, near the ‘Mercado de Abastos’, a market area renowned for it’s fresh food and flowers, not far from the Cathedral.
To follow in his footsteps I am going to need get myself a new pair of trainers. My trusty Salomons that have seen me through 3 Caminos and various adventures around the UK, are showing their toil and hard life! Sadly I’m going to have to put them into retirement; by far the best trainers I have owned.
Like all long distance walkers, I have an obsession over footwear as they can make or break the journey. Many of my fellow peregrinos have suffered due to their choice of walking attire. While on my long distance hikes, I can’t help but observe what people are wearing on their feet. One brand I see a lot, especially on the continent is ‘Hoka’, and they do look comfy! After some researching, I have settled on the Challenger 7 from that brand.
I’ve put them on order and should be arriving next week! I am going to break them in on some day walks over the next few months, which will give me the opportunity to get my blogging fix until September!
Stu's Camino 