Thursday 31 August 2023

Camino packing tips 2007-2023

Ok there are loads of videos and many valuable pieces of information so feel free to ignore mine.


You've heard about the pinkie test. Yes lift your bag with your little finger.

Second up have you heard of shops? Whatever Camino you take there is usually a big city like Pamplona or San Sebastian within your first few days. If you really worry that you'll need nail clippers on arrival you probably need to get a taxi.

Simon Stu Scott and I found ourselves in the north lakes recently in Ousby. Notice how Simon carries his water. Plastic bottles we don't normally buy - but buy on Camino we do. Carry and drink, don't carry from town to town. Camel up at a tap.

The airlines have done us a favour by saying one small bag free. It's light and carries what you need. You will be carrying additional items like bread or water so handy poly or onion string bags, pegs etc are worthy. Some people use the laundry string bag. Smart people. Light, attachable and long enough for a loaf.


I took a picture of nail clippings before going on the Camino finisterre Muxia in April or was it September and fellow Pellegrino Simon thought, aha, yes, I'll do that. Another good trim worth considering is your hair.

Seriously though, you can buy nail clippers like sun screen, umbrellas and even walking poles so don't panic purchase before you leave. Spain is probably the same price or less. There are shops, hairdressers and it's nice to spend local. Talking of spending, I've moved over to phone cash, so whether you're Google or apple pay it's normal and I think much more equitable. I used to carry a pre paid card but now it's just cash and or phone cash when I want to buy coffee or Crocs.

Crocs are universally worn and sold so if you have a pair you want to bring please do but you might not need them for a few days. Yesterday's socks are my crocs and on old stone floors, just as cosy.


I like olives and I frequently buy things I need to put in boxes. I've seen myself carrying boxes of poly bags squirted with bite cream, sun cream, after sun, foot cream. I really was a tad precious on 2013, but I was keeping room for my lap top and charger! I don't want to advocate too many plastics but whenever you stay in an albergue or a flat you buy things that you leave and some you want to take. Cheese needs a box, just like olives and slices of tomato.


Electrics are funny. We can't have enough technology to capture the moments but I'm back to minimalist now. I live vicariously through others you tube films and can admire their work while still feeling the moments in this albergue or that cafe iruna in Bilbao or pamplona, Cardenuela Rio Pico or Ponferrade and how about the rain on the north coast or in Galicia. I've great memories of Camino pals from the 20+ times I've joined the pellegrino gang. When I scope the route briefly and see a hill I immediately recoil to my smoking days pre 2005. I cough, splitter and generally think, time for a taxi, but most of all, I smile and say bye bye lap top.