PC #46 – Camino Obsessions

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In writing my book, it’s forcing me to go back and remember detail I’d conveniently forgotten – like my various obsessions.

One of my obsessions was finding the right walking stick, or Pilgrim’s Staff, as I chose to call it. (note the capitals please.)

When I got to St. Jean, after something like forty hours of travel from my home in Australia to the L’Esprit du Chemin albergue, all I wanted to do was three things: Get my passport, buy an Opinel knife, and buy a Pilgrim’s Staff.

The passport was easy. I got that from the Pilgrim’s Office. The Opinel knife was less so. I had to go to a few stores to get exactly the right kind. It had to be Opinel – the classic French farmer’s knife – and it had to be big enough to cut cheese and chorizo, but not so big that it weighed me down.

But finding the right Pilgrim’s Staff proved to be the most difficult of all.

I didn’t want one of those mass produced broom-stick kind of staffs. Nor did I want one of those silly tourist staffs with a gourd hanging off the top. I also didn’t want one with a leather strap. I wanted one that was in keeping with “the romance of the pilgrim.”

The “romance of the pilgrim” was something I’d gleaned off medieval paintings, and statues in churches. You didn’t see pictures of St. James holding a broom stick, or dare I say it, trekking poles. No, he invariably had a gnarled tree branch.

That’s what I went looking for that afternoon I arrived in St. Jean. A gnarled tree branch.

Needless to say, it proved difficult.

But I am nothing if not tenacious.

I did three circuits of the town, going from store to store, checking out every single staff, looking for my gnarled tree branch. Looking for a staff that had The Romance of the Pilgrim. 

I never found it, of course. I ended up with a stick that was slightly deformed, that I pretended was gnarled. But given that I was jetlagged, and I’d worn out my welcome with all the storekeepers, I figured it would have to do.

Humorous and pathetic as it might sound, my obsession was real. I did require just exactly the right stick for me to feel comfortable embarking on my pilgrimage. I was clutching onto this notion of what it was to be a pilgrim.

It wasn’t long after that my knee flared up and I was forced to throw away that deformed stick and buy a pair of trekking poles. Trekking poles to me were the antithesis of The Romance of the Pilgrim. 

But they got me through to Santiago.

I had to let go my obsessions, to discover what it was to be a true pilgrim.

ws St. Jean

157 thoughts on “PC #46 – Camino Obsessions”

  1. This is so funny Bill. I did exactly the same thing, I settled for an “almost” Pilgrim’s Staff in one of the shops in St. Jean and had to let it go by the time I arrived in Pamplona.

    The Pilgrim’s Staff just wasn’t working for me. It seemed to put undue stress on my back – I was walking lopsided! In Pamplona I purchased a pair of Leki trekking poles and still use them today on every training trek – they will be with me this September when I walk the Camino.

    Arlene

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  2. I simply bought the least expensive trekking poles that I could find in St. Jean and they worked wonderfully and are still in immaculate condition. I still can not see the difference in the most expensive and least expensive except maybe $100 dollars. They all do the same thing. I never considered a single staff. I used them almost all the time. The few times I packed them on my back, I found my hands swelled. When I allowed my upper body to be an entegral part of my gait, and held the poles, my hands did not swell, and inclines and declines were much easier. I even used them on flat terrain. Mine do go tap tap, as the little booties came off along the mud somewhere, but I kind of like the sound. To each his own. Steve

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    • Hi Steve, I find the same hand swelling issue when I don’t use the trekking poles. Regarding the rubber shoes, you probably can purchase replacements (if you want) in any outdoor shop. I’ve replaced mine already because they simply wore out and I was again back to the tap tap tap.

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  3. Hi Steve and Arlene
    22 days to go!!! I purchased some cheap poles at Costco for $25. Have been training with them for a couple months. They work and are the shock absorber kind but to shiorten/lengthen they twist and are hard to do. I’m thinking about Pacer poles. Would you say it would be worth spending $100+ on them in SJPDP or Pamplona or stick with my poles?

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    • Linda, Stick with yours for sure. I bought mine at the shop in SJPP across from the credential place for 15 euros. They are Elementerre and bright blue. Can’t miss em, but no need for new ones unless you absolutely can’t operate yours. Mine twist also, but no problems.

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      • Thanks Steve! Just thought there might be some big deal difference other than the $100 dollars. Think I’ll save the money for a few special dinners. I can twist the poles to save $100.

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    • Hi Lynda,
      I can only speak for the trekking poles I bought which were Leki Ultralight Titanium. Mine are not shock absorbing, I purchased them in I think Pamplona, unfortunately I paid over €225 for them. Trekking poles can be expensive but even with the conversion I’m sure I overpaid. Here in the States the most expensive Leki’s only run $200.

      I would also say stick with what you have as long as you are comfortable with them.

      Arlene

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      • Arlene, When I looked at REI here and saw the prices they wanted, I almost fainted, and Amazon was not a whole lot better. I can’t see the difference one to the other. Cork Handles, Slanted handles, Titanium, Aluminum, Straps, etc. Kind of like a Kia will get you the same place a Mercedes will and you will be warm, cool, dry, entertained, and safe in either. And, in this case the Kia has a 100,000 mile warranty. But, I digress. My poles performed great and they ARE shock absorbing, but that feature only means something if you put a lot of pressure on them and their biggest use is stability, and of course using the upper body to help lighten the load on the lower body. So you overpaid. Big deal. Maybe the Lekis make a difference if you are climbing K2 or Kilimanjaro. I paid 30 euros for a pair of flip flops that are not even comfortable. Steve

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        • Steve, I totally agree with you, but I was stuck, I needed to buy poles and unfortunately only the Leki’s that I got were available, there wasn’t even a choice l- Leki’s or nothing!
          Arlene

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      • Holy cow! That’s almost $300!!! I need all the help I can get walking (feet, knees & hips hurt) but I think i’ll stick with the Costco ones. They do have the shock absorbing feature and several extra tips.

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        • Lynda,
          You are telling me!!! A great lesson in going prepared.

          Another expense I had was hiking boots. I left the States confident with my Trail Running Shoes. But once I hit the gravel and rocky paths on the Camino, I felt every stone under my feet. So in the same store I bought the trekking poles, I bought a pair of Northface hiking boots another very costly purchase!

          I wore those boots climbing up to the Alto de Perdon – my feet were screaming all the way. The result was two bruised toes, one on each foot from which I subsequently lost the toenails. The boots went into the pack after that day and never came out again. Actually now they are in the bag for Good Will.

          So yes, go prepared – everything and I mean everything gear-wise costs 2 to 4 times the amount you would pay for it at home. Oh and sunscreen is inflated about 4 times.

          Arlene

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          • Except the trekking poles in SJPP 🙂 🙂 And, by all means Lynda wear in the boots before you go. Funny, I also had bruised toes on each foot right next to the big toe and that is where I got my blisters, and I lost one nail. I actually bruised them the first time before departing, and the irony is that my boots felt like slippers. I was fortunate with them they were LOWAs from REI. They helped fit me perfectly. I think the bruises and blisters on those two toes had more to with my foot’s geometry rather than the boots.

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          • Hi Arlene,
            Just wanted to add a few things about my experience on the Camino both with walking poles and with shoes. A friend of mine lent me a pair of his poles which I brought with me and they were wonderful. I had the same type of experience with Steve when I didn’t use them I noticed some swelling. One day I sent my pack ahead and just kept on pole with me. Big mistake. I evidently over poled when I walked and that shoulder was actually very sore the next day. One and only time that happened.

            For those of you who know me I’m the person that we left the Camino because my shoes were improper. When I go back I am taking my most comfortable running shoes. Like so many other people I spent $130 on a pair of trail shoes and they were not at all what I needed. In fact for me I needed to have my boots with me with a 3 inch heel to counterbalance myself from walking in flat shoes all day and heels at night!!

            For me the trail shoes were way too stiff and I also felt every single stone that I stepped over.

            So tread lightly!! Couldn’t resist. Xo

            Jill

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          • Jill, Please listen to your husband next time and get some nice, comfortable, expensive, Gore-Tex lined hiking boots. I never felt a rock under foot and my feet stayed dry except for perspiration. 🙂

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          • This is the guy that didn’t bring a GoreTex Jacket? And you’re giving your wife advice???

            (Oops – I better stay out of domestics.) (And I better get back to my writing.) (couldn’t resist that. 🙂 )

            bb

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          • You are right about that. Did you not sweat in Gore-Tex. I avoided it for a rain jacket because of the cost and the weight. Might not have been such a good idea.

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          • Bill, Just an aside on everything else. Thanks for turning us on to Steve McCurry. I love following his blog and have read a bit about him. Amazing guy.

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          • Hi Steve –

            he’s an amazing photographer, isn’t he?

            I notice he’s just put a new blog up, which I’ll now reblog.

            By the way, another of my favourites is Sabastio Salgado –

            Bill

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          • Steve –

            sweet of you to say mate, but wish I could take a photo HALF as good as McCurry!

            Bill

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    • Hi

      I do a bit of hiking in South East Qld ….. Haven’t done the Camino yet. That’s still a dream. I use cheap $5 poles I got off eBay and have been using them for over 5 years. My friend uses expensive ones and other than the increased clickity clack sound his make I can’t see any difference in them. I’m quite happy to stick with my cheap ones and if they ever break I’ll look for another cheap pair.

      Donna

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      • Unfortunately my Camino journey won’t be soon. At this stage it will be in 2022. I can hear you gasp from here. We did have this chat awhile ago on here the very first time I posted. I know it flies in the face of what the Camino is about but for me I need to wait until my children finish school so that I can do it without Mother Guilt. I believe 2021 is a Holy Year and I don’t want to do it with crowds of people so I’ve penned in 2022. I also think it’s going to take that long to fix my knee. From all accounts reading the blog I should sort out physical issues before I leave. The mental ones might take a bit longer – that’s what the Camino is for.

        I did a relatively fast 10km walk last night, granted it was on pavement, but I’m paying the price today. My friend, who intends to do the Camino with me, is wondering how we will cope with 20+km each and every day if we crumble after 10km on a single day.

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        • Hi Donna –

          don’t let that put you off, feeling sore after a swift 10km walk.

          That happens to all of us in training. Nothing can fully prepare you for the Camino, but doing what you’re doing is the right way to go.

          And only you know the best time to do it.

          In fact you’re actually doing it now, involving yourself in blogs and forums etc. This is long term preparation at its best!

          Bill

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  4. Bill
    Could we have an update on Jennifer’s mom?
    Wishing her a speedy recovery.
    Lynda

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  5. Hi guys –

    just woke up to all this activity on the blog!!

    I won’t reply and join in just now – I have to use these next few hours for writing the book – but will jump into it after that. (I find I write best first thing in the morning, after sleep has worked its wonders on my psyche.)

    A couple of things though:

    Jill – I have been having difficulties with email notifications on the forum. Last night I went into the admin panel and changed some settings, and that’s probably why you’re having problems. I’m no tech head! So I’ll go back in and change them back, and you should have no problems.

    Lynda – thanks for asking about Jen’s mother. She’s now getting up and about, whereas before she was confined to bed, which is an improvement. Jennifer sleeps over at her house though each night at the moment, because her mom needs help during the night. Not sure how long that’s going to last. Her mother lives only two houses over, and her sister lives next door – there’s three houses of us all in a row! Lucky we all get on well together!

    Arlene – I did the same thing whenI got to Pamplona, bought a pair of Lekis from the big department store. They were the shock absorby ones, and cost €120 from memory. My goodness they were fantastic. Best thing I could have done. I won’t ever knock trekking poles again.

    Sister – hope all went well for you today. Please let me know; email me if you don’t wish to discuss here…

    Now into the rewrite of Chapter 3 – just about to leave St. Jean….

    Bill

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  7. Steve and Arlene
    You actually lost toenails? That must’ve been very painful walking. I’m having trouble with shoes. I never buy expensive shoes but decided to buy an eighty dollar pair of Columbias. They aren’t comfortable. I want something with more padding or cushion. Any suggestions? I think I’m going to go to Payless and buy the cheap shoes that always felt comfortable

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    • Lynda,

      Try on many pairs in local shops. When you find a pair that feels good, go home, log onto Zappos.com and purchase the shoes from them. They will take back returns (whether worn or not) for 365 days. Yes, that is right, one year! That’s where I get my boots.

      Arlene

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      • Lynda, Don’t recall where you live, but REI also takes back returns at any time for any reason. Don’t waste your time with shoes that are not comfortable. That is the single most important decision you have to make and the single best investment you will make. Mine were $220 at REI, and they were great. Steve

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    • Lynda – Sorry for the length of this! I get a bit nervous when I see “inexpensive footwear” discussed. Moreso when I understand someone sets out to fit a pair without a fully loaded and fitted pack. While claiming no special expertise aside from having walked the Camino from SJPP through to the Galician coast without foot problems, here is a bit of food for thought.

      Each foot has 20+ bones and a few more articulating joints. I seem to remember there being some really important tendons in there as well. (Sorry but my anatomy background is too far in the rear-view mirror to have cold numbers. Maybe someone could Google it but I think this is close enough accuracy for my point.) So one has to be concerned about the safety of 40+ bones and the slightly more flexible stuff that keep them aligned and functional.

      All of this delicate design appears to have been engineered for robustness in handling dynamic as well as static loads. In short, feet “adjust” to a new configuration of length, width and arch deformation as one puts more weight on. Foot gear has to take that into account. Then, even if the feet alone are slipped into a comfortable and safe environment, the alignment of them with the upper body must be considered. If one is carrying a pack, then the center-of-gravity that your feet are used to is subtly shifted. If the shoes do not account for keeping one comfortable in their stride then you will see pains (and potential damage) in knees, hips and back.

      There is duration to account for on this walk. Let us assume that your standard stride on flat ground is 65-75% of a meter. Shorter steps for women than men with both reduced in length going up or down hills… of which there are a few. So even the short jaunt required for a Compostela (100 km) will cost the walker 130,000 to 150,000 steps. So from SJPP one is over one MILLION steps for a long walker.

      Considering all these factors, which occurred to me somewhere between Atapuerca and Burgos, I think it is a miracle that more people do not have more major, crippling foot problems than is actually experienced.

      Though miracles happen I am of a mind to not presume on them. There are many routes to optimizing one’s walking and foot safety – – a guru possessed of a secret recipe I am not. But I heartily endorse giving oneself an edge by: a) getting one’s pack first, b) loading it to planned weight and THEN fit some shoes by wearing the pack while walking around in them for an hour in the socks that one is planning to wear.

      Just also, I’ll note that I am a fan of the BodyGlide/Vaseline morning treatment on feet with a liner sock under a heavier walking sock. Also, a changeout on lacing style to lock ankles to the back of the boots for downhills is a nice trick. (Not that the descent into Acebo from Cruz de Ferro didn’t tax even that.) Finally, I am a fan of the mid-height style because I favor ankle support for downhills.

      Sorry for running on – – apparently I am a bit passionate about this…

      B

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      • Spectacular post Brendan, thank you!

        Can I suggest you go over to the forum I’ve set up – because there is a footwear topic thread going there, and you cut and paste it onto that? I think a lot of people would be interested.

        Very good advice and info!

        The link to the forum is: http://www.pgsthewayforum.com/forum

        Go to the Camino forum and you’ll find the Footwear thread –

        Bill

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  8. Lynda – my big toenail became redundant.

    It got to a point where it couldn’t make up its mind, whether to continue its intimate relationship with my toe, or leave. So I helped it make the hard choice.

    I yanked it off, and then had to hobble downstairs to find a mop to clean up the blood.

    Bill

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    • Bill,

      You are a lot braver than I am. I waited for both of mine to fall off by themselves, which by the way was 3 months after my return to the States.

      Arlene

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      • Yes Arlene,

        I got bigger boots than usual also, because I knew my feet would get larger, which they did (a full size) – but still the big toe-nails got hammered pretty hard.

        I took a macro shot of the toe after I’d pulled the nail off. i would post it here, but it’s around dinner time there now, isn’t it?

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  9. I saw that picture, Bill, it was gross! My husband won’t have that problem on one foot. He had an accident with a lawn mower going downhill and no longer has a big toe. His tennis shoe is now open toe/air conditioned as well. Got some red coloring to the shoe as well. Tee Hee.

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    • Great photos Bill and what a cute daughter. Seems to have your eyes………..What is her book about? Didn’t you say that she biked the Camino also are am I dreaming?

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      • Hi Steve – her book is called ONLY IN SPAIN. She left home shortly after finishing school – even though she got into Law School in the top Uni here in Australia – and went to Spain to learn flamenco.

        She realised that the real flamenco was best learnt from the gypsies, so she got adopted by the gypsies in the slums of Seville, and fell in love with a flamenco guitarist, this is until a Basque chef came along… That’s what the book is about.

        It’s very smart and clever writing, in the style of David Sedaris, and will be released in Nth America next summer.

        Yes she did bike the Camino, with her Basque restaurateur boyfriend, and also while we were working in India she ran the Bombay Marathon.

        Bill

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        • Bill,

          Definitely remind us when the book is released in North America. I am an avid reader and to read something from someone I kind of know is the best.

          I have a friend who is an author of young adult literature, he writes of Pirates and the likes with life lessons weaved in – I’m usually the first to buy his books upon release (I’m holding them safely for my Grandson but I must confess I enjoy reading them).

          I guess writing and Camino walking runs in your family!! 🙂

          Arlene

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          • Well, I probably wouldn’t have known about the Camino if it hadn’t been for Nellie.

            Before I left, I kept saying to her how worried I was about it all, and she kept saying: “Eh, it’s just a long walk. It’s no big deal.”

            And then when I came back, knee shot and numb foot, she said: “What do you expect? The Camino’s brutal.”

            Ha!

            Bill

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          • Thanks Steve –

            Yes, it’s only been released in Australia so far I believe, but it’s been reviewed well.

            she’s a clever young thung.

            bb

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        • Reminds me the real way to learn Spanish is to immerse in Spain. I will check that out. Spain seems it might have some place in my future. Any thoughts? Anyone? Steve

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      • Steve, you mention Spain might have a place in your future. I’ve been invited to go teach over there for 6-8 months, and will
        be needing someone to share a house if I decide to go.

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  12. Bill, your daughter is a natural beauty.
    You and Steve could get a job doing standup comedy!
    Thanks for all the advice on the trekking poles!!

    Debbie

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    • I really wouldn’t consider a walk now without taking the poles. I would though spend a little extra and get a good pair that won’t break. You will find there are times when you’re putting your full weight on them, and if one of the poles broke you’d end up in a nasty situation.

      I bought the Leki poles, and they cost about US$150, which was a bit stiff at the time, but it ended up being one of the best investments in gear I made – my Osprey backpack being one of the others.

      Bill

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      • We have the same Osprey pack. I agree. it was great and more than enough. Particularly when you taught me to carry a water bottle in the front pocket.

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        • hi Arlene –

          I knew nothing about poles before I had to get a pair in Pamplona. I went to the big department store with a bloke from Hungary – he swore by poles, and he directed me towards the Lekis, and they were fantastic.

          We have a big hiking store in Sydney called Paddy Palins – and they carry only the best stuff, and they sold me the Osprey pack. I’d done some research beforehand, and it came up with good reviews. So too the Deuter. But the Osprey seemed right for me. I got a 38L pack though, and probably would have preferred a 48L pack

          Bill

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          • Bill,

            I resisted buying poles here before I left for the Camino. They simply were too expensive, or so I thought. The fellow at my outdoor store (Summit Hut, btw locally owned) recommended them highly, but I resisted. I thought I had already spent quite a bit on Camino gear and could pick up a staff in St. Jean.

            As is said, “hindsight is 20/20”, which couldn’t be any truer. It turned out I spent probably double for the same poles in Spain.

            As for the Osprey, I love it, it fits like a glove. Mine is also 38 L which has more than enough room for the necessities. The Deuter didn’t feel as comfortable when I tried it. Mmmmm, just got an idea for a new topic. See you on the Forum!

            Arlene

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          • haha – ok!

            The good thing about the 38L pack, which held everything by the way, was that it didn’t allow me to bulk my pack up with food, which would have made it much heavier.

            I think if I had bought my Lekis in a Spanish hiking store, rather than a price controlled department store, then they would have been much more expensive.

            Good luck on the forum!

            Bill

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          • Bill, with the 48L pack, aren’t you tempted to bring more than a good weight allowance?

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          • Yes, I think so Sister.

            Each day with there 38L pack, I was always jamming stuff in – and everything fitted fine – but as well though I’d mailed ahead some things from Pamplona that i didn’t think I’d need – thermals, gaiters, beanie etc. If I’d had those things with me, it would have made the bag even tighter.

            Bill

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      • Dear Bill, VERY hard sometimes to find a space to break back into one of these conversations … but anyho’ … 2 days a week I volunteer at a Cancer Council office in Crows Nest just down the street from a Constant Reader bookstore, and just as I thought they had a copy of Nellie’s book – it sounds and looks wonderful and I can’t wait to get into it. Did send Nellie a message via her book company and she’ll probably be totally non-plussed to hear that you’re plugging her book on your blog – go dads!!! So as she doesn’t get to be too tall a poppy, I always state that our kids are only a reflection of us and the upbringing we gave them 🙂

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        • Dear Britta –

          I know the Constant Reader really well! It’s one of Sydney’s great bookstores. When I lived on the north shore, I used to go there all the time. The bloke who owned the place was a fellow named Peter Kirby, I swear he’d read every book on his shelves. He was amazing.

          Thanks for buying Nellie’s book! I hope you enjoy it. Apart from it being a good read, it gives you another aspect of spain, from the flamenco/gypsy perspective.

          And yes, Jennifer and I are very proud of her. She’s now almost got her university degree in Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency. Plus she can speak five languages. She’s a clever thing.

          Bill

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    • Bill,

      Don’t know what I was thinking my Osprey is 47 L. We Americans have such a problem with kilometers, meters, liters, grams, centigrade etc.

      Still can’t figure out why we have to be different than the rest of the civilized world – probably something that goes all the way back to our Independence from England.

      Arlene

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          • Bill,

            There is so much activity here, that sometimes the comments don’t end up where I want them to go.
            The belly laugh comment was for your comments to Steve.
            Another comment was about getting pulled over by the police – I’ll use that excuse when I get stopped next time.

            Arlene

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          • Now, Bill might get away with that excuse being a foreigner and all, but if you are doing 85 mph and get pulled over are you going to explain that you thought it was kilometers which equates to 140 kph. Somehow, I don’t get the logic in that. But then I was never very good in math.

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          • Yes, I guess so

            I think it also helps when you say you’re leaving the country next week.

            Actually, I never speed in the US. I don’t wish to be pulled over by highway patrol. I’ve seen too many movies.

            Not long ago Jen and I drove from Santa Fe through Arizona to LA – beautiful drive. I had booked a standard rental car and the only thing Avis had when I arrived at the Albuquerque airport at midnight, after flying all the way from Australia, was a brand new snow white Lincoln town car. A gangster car.

            So that’s what we drove in to LA. I stuck the cruise control on 5mp above the speed limit on the highways, and it was a dream. passed I don’t know how many cop cars, and it was fine.

            Bill

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          • That is a great drive. Made it many times back and forth between Santa Fe and Palm Springs. Surely you had to stop in LA before Albuquerque. Jill and I lived in Santa Fe before moving to Palm Springs.

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          • Steve,

            Here’s a funny story. I was born and raised in New York and lived in the tri-state area till I moved to Arizona.

            When I first moved to Tucson, I was having furniture delivered by a local store. The delivery man asked me what country I came from when he heard my accent. When I told him NY he said “Oh, I thought you were from South Africa”.

            So, just maybe, if I put the accent on real thick the police may think I am a foreigner also. Well actually I am a foreigner, not being a native Arizonan! So, the excuse may work.

            Arlene

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        • I guess that is a possibility, Steve. But I thought majority rules pretty much everywhere.

          No, I think we just have to be different. Living here in southern Arizona being close to Mexico, the south bound freeways are marked in km rather than miles. It drives me batty. Now I know one kilometer is .62 miles, but I ask you – who wants to spend so much time while driving calculating distances? Truth be told I would prefer listening to music!

          Arlene

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      • Yes, when I go to the US I always forget just how long a mile is!

        It’s a long way.

        The 47/48L packs aren’t that much larger than the 38L pack, but there were times when I needed to carry food when I hankered for some extra space.

        Bill

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  13. I bought myself nice Goretex Wolverine Fortis boots for the Camino, the best I could afford. They were extremely comfortable, and totally waterproof. I only made one mistake, I did not buy them one size bigger. And I had huge problems with blisters all the way, my toes kept rubbing against the front of the boot. So buy your boots a little bigger. I only used one trekking pole, which I bought very cheap in a local supermarket for about $10. I saw exactly the same kind of poles all along the Camino. Mine worked extremely well, and is still going strong 2 years later.

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    • Hi Rider –

      thanks for the comment.

      Yes, getting the boots a bit bigger is the go, isn’t it. It feels weird at first, but I’m so pleased I did it for my walk.

      And the $10 pole – fantastic. Good on you.

      there were a couple of times when I had to throw my pole around to stop from falling, and I was glad it held up and didn’t break.

      Welcome to the blog by the way! check out our forum –

      http://www.pgsthewayforum.com/forum

      Be great to see you over there too!

      Bill

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  14. Dear Steve, Arlene & Jill, I’m intrigued to hear that others have issues with hands swelling, when NOT engaged whilst walking! I’ve had that problem for some years, but I thought that was a recurring problem from the time – a few years ago – I got Sudden Onrush Rheumatoid Arthritis (notice the caps!), which started in my palms and eventually spread through many parts of body … and before you ask, I was one of the very few people (apparently, at least according to my specialist) who was lucky enough to be able to control it with medications (horrible stuff, I tell you!!) and then after about 8 months to only have to have one tablet daily to keep it under control, which is where I’m still at.
    I noticed, when I was better and able to walk again, that my hands would swell, heat up and become uncomfortable if they were not ‘engaged’ whilst walking, so since I used walking as an almost daily as a means of therapy, I started carrying hand-weights – only 1 kg (sorry, would that be about how many pounds?!) – which also helped bulking up my upper arm muscles the better to do butterfly in the pool … and I guess, yes, possibly, I could be called a masochist, but I digress!! Then when I started training for the Camino and started using poles, I found that they had the same beneficial effect on my hands, and from that I was a total convert 🙂 Incidentally, I bought most of my stuff from a Sydney company called Trek & Travel, where all the staff are not only highly trained, but all do various sorts of trekking regularly, so they can personally discuss use of all sorts of equipment; and yes, I too use Leki poles; expensive (A$125 EACH!), but from my viewpoint, so very worth every cent!!

    Bill, I concur with everyone else, that your daughter is stunning and I’d definitely be interested in purchasing her book. Will Google her title and hope to be able to go from there.

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    • Hi Britta,
      So sorry to hear of your of your diagnosis but delighted to hear that you can control it with one tab a day now! YAH! I just wanted to add that for me the swelling was due to the strain/weight of the backpack compressing my lymph nodes under my arms that caused my hands to swell. I say that because when I take my regular walks be it on the street or on a treadmill, I do not have any swelling. The poles seemed to provide a constant pumping under my armpits that helped recirculate the lymph and therefore prevented my hands from swelling. My last day in Spain while waiting for my plane I tried mixing a capsule of Turmeric (an Indian spice) into hot water to assist my body and help rid it of inflammation. It was so successful that I now drink one turmeric tea each morning on an empty stomach and another right before bed, and for the first time in my life am seeing amazing results. No swelling anywhere on my body! I don’t know if you’ve ever considered it, but I will swear by its properties and I am not one to recommend anything unless I have personally had over the top results. I might add that I have suffered from facial, ankle and breast swelling many times in my life, much to my disappointment, all forms of inflammation. Just and FYI. xoxo

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      • Wow, Jill,

        You open a capsule of turmeric and put it in boiling water. I take turmeric capsules and haven’t seen reduction in inflammation – I’m just now developing arthritis in the fingers on the left hand. Do you think the tea would help better than just swallowing the capsule? And is there a specific mg amount you use?

        Arlene

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        • Hi Arlene,
          FIrst off, congrats to you on being our Moderator! Yah!! Secondly, thank you for following my blog, I need to get back to it by the way! Now on to your question, Yes, I have seen a drastic and dramatic change from switching from capsules, to tea via adding the contents of one 400 mg capsule to boiling water and drinking it as I had mentioned. While taking it the other way, I saw no results at all. One thing I truly believe is that idea that it takes 21 days to start or stop a habit, good or bad, so I followed my own advice and Wow, has it been effective. All the weight that I gained on my trip ( due to swelling from sugar, etc ) is gone and even more has come off of me and that my friend is nothing short of a miracle! So, please check it out and let me know your experience. I have been telling all my clients about it and I think that the caps were not being broken down so the power of the turmeric couldn’t really work. Would love to hear how it goes for you……….xooxo

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          • Jill,
            The capsules of turmeric I have are 1.44 grams, I think that is 1440 mg. Is that too much to make a tea? I’m anxious to try the tea thing, but I can break down if you think it’s too much.
            Arlene

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          • Hi again,
            I think we should leave that mathematical computation to Steve!! But seriously, I’d say use 1/3 of a capsule each time just to be safe. I don’t have time at this moment to google safe doses of it but perhaps Sister knows. I’m just so grateful for it. I have used it on my food for about a year now but again never noticed any changes. :-))

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          • Thanks Jill, I’m starting this evening. I’ll let you know how it goes after a while.
            Arlene

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      • Jill, I can endorse the use of turmeric for swelling. I like to use it cooking, as well. What amazes me is the way it works for muscular swelling as well as the kind I get around my kneecaps from inflammation. Its great stuff!

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        • Hi Sister,
          You are so right. It has so many uses!! My brother suffers from Crohn’s disease. And uses it regularly. As I mentioned I’ve used it in cooking for the last year but never really saw any significant results. I think it must be the Camino that made it work!! At Least that’s what I’d like to believe!! You sure know how to take care of yourself chronic disease and all!! Kudos!! Good for you. Xoxo

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    • Britta, Since I am expert on conversions to and from metric, I think the 1 kg weights would be a little more than 1/2 pound, and that is all that you should be using in hand weights. More can be hard on elbow joints when walking, I believe. Walking with the hand weights, your arms are most likely bent 90 degrees at the elbow, and they are moving back and forth with your stride. This is exactly the same arm movement that occurs with the poles. Whereas, when you hands are empty, they are likely down at your side and the fluid runs into your hands by gravity and centrifugal force and does not get pumped back up the arm, and thus the swelling. So, keep the elbows bent and the arms moving back and forth with the stride and you should have minimal swelling in the hands from walking. Steve

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      • I don’t agree. Centrifugal force! Whens the last time any of us used that term outside of a lab rat or a carnie!! LOL, no for real, I’m impressed!! oxox

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      • Thanks, Steve, you’re so right about bending the arms whilst walking and to be perfectly frank, I feel much less of an idiot when I walk with the weights and pump my arms in all directions, than doing it without weights like you see with ‘power walkers’. Dorky to the Nth degree, I know, but there it is!!

        Jill, thanks for the info about tumeric. I know from Ayurvedic medicine that tumeric has lots of great healing qualities, and I try to use it in my cooking as much as possible, but had not considered using capsules. Will definitely look into it now; and I’m with you, that lots of stuff that might help us, needs to be absorbed into the body for some time before you can say for sure that it’s beneficial or not for you and your body composition.

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      • Steve,

        I only bring it up because of your comments regarding maximum recommended limit for hand weights but 1 kilogram is equal to a tad over 2.2 lbs.

        B

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        • Wow, I hope you know my earlier comment about being expert in conversion was tongue in cheek after I screwed up miles and kilometers. I have proved again that I am not a conversion expert :-). And to make it more ridiculous, I know this conversion as I converted kilograms to pounds over and over when evaluating my pack load. Oh well. No more converting for me. just believe that the heavier the weight the harder it is on joints. That is not the best way to train arm muscles in my opinion, but no doubt it does aid in pumping the arms when walking. Just be alert for any joint soreness. BTW, don’t consider me an expert in anything. 🙂

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        • Brendan, thank you for posting that. I was going to make an effort to explain, but frankly, its too much information for this little box that doesn’t like me to begin with. Steve, when I’m mentally converting something from kg to lbs, I can always get a rough idea by multiplying by 2 and adding “a bit” I said it was rough! A 4kg bag is basically what used to be the 10 lb bag. 5 KM is about a mile, and a metre is slightly longer than a yard. Canada went through the switch to metric when I was in elementary school. The story then was that the US would follow, and we’d have one global system.

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  15. Steve –

    I am pretty sure that you are quite expert in several things, at least. Just for an example – – I had no idea about the information you relayed on the hand weights and their potential ill-effects if not sized correctly. Pretty important for someone to know, in my opinion.

    And the whole conversion exercise is just difficult unless it is habit from training or culture. Of course, it is not as tough as a “conversion experience” (especially if one becomes known as “St. Paul”). From your blog, I detected that you might have had one of those as well!

    Sister –

    5 km is actually about 3 miles…. but more power to you if it feels like a 1 mile walk – – you WILL fly down the Camino!

    B

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    • Well, I do know that a 10K run is 6.2 miles, or I think it is at least. I will not make certain statements any more. I used that conversion over and over when determining how far it was to something along the Camino. I seemed to always want to know in miles as that is a more familiar measure. It worked pretty good, but then there was no one there to correct me, so maybe it didn’t. 🙂 I am still thinking a lot about whether or not I had a conversion experience along the way. I had something. 🙂 Steve

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    • Jeez Brendan – I meant to say that 2.5km is close to 1 mile. I told you this box intimidates me! But thank you for pointing out my mistake!

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  16. That stick of yours looks about the right height, Bill (though a couple more inches would have been good), but it looks awfully thick and heavy !!!

    You’re right Bill, finding the right Staff is VERY hard.

    Mine was given me on the pilgrimage to Rome, by an atheist homosexual woodcutter (!!!), and an ex-friend of my sister’s, met completely by chance — he and his friend put me up for the night, filling me with atrociously poor red wine, and in the morning I was delighted, after they had spent the entire evening attacking my religion and the Pope and etc etc when he gave me a choice between three Staffs to help me along the Way to Rome (which only shows that help for Pilgrims can come from ANYWHERE), and I chose the one that I’m carrying here on the Camino some years later :

    It is VERY light, strong, and the same couple inches short of ideal as yours was.

    With my knee in its current state, BTW, I’m now actually using this daily, as getting down from this mountain into town requires the extra support.

    Finally — even when you have the right one, you need training to learn how to walk with it, so that it stops being an object that you’re carrying about with you, but an extension of your body.

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    • Julian,

      Once again you’ve given me, and us, an amazing post.

      I will go through these links tomorrow (late her in Aus now) but just to thank you.

      Your staff sounds perfect. Will you be taking it on your nest Camino?

      Bill

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      • I really hope so — but it is starting to die.

        I am REALLY hoping that I can repair it well enough for one more year of use plus one more Camino.

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