u/PresentNo1694

Hi all, i’ll start this by saying that i’ve read a few threads on different sleeping set ups already, and I’m specifically looking for advice from those who have walked the Camino Portugues in October (i’ll be blending the coastal and inland routes and plan to do a mix of private and public albuergues - whatever is available and convenient).

Which out of these options below seems like the best option for weight, pack space, and affordability? I already have the liner and am deciding whether to buy anything new. I hope to take a 26L pack, as my 40L seems quite large.

Option A) taking only a silk sleeping bag liner, and warm clothing layers to sleep in if necessary.

Option B) taking the silk sleeping bag liner plus purchasing an ultralight down quilt. (i have seen some used for $120 cad, would prefer not to spend $3-400 cad if possible)

Option C) purchasing this $99 light sleeping bag from MEC (aptly named the Camino) instead of the liner or the liner/quilt combo.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6036-653/mec-camino-traveller-1522c-sleeping-bag-unisex?colour=Forest+Haze%2FBalsam

I am willing to do 1-2 colder albergue nights if they do not provide a blanket, but would prefer to bring option B or C if people think I would have more than a night or two feeling chilly.

Thanks all for your feedback!

Hi all,

I am walking the Camino Portugues solo in October, and am wondering how necessary it is to book albergues ahead of time in the shoulder season such as Oct? I will be doing a mix of coastal and central.

Currently I have a reservation for my first night in Porto, and Casa Fernanda as it is so highly recommended. Otherwise, my preference would be to not book ahead but if this is shortsighted or naive, please let me know!

Hi all!

I fly into Porto, and ideally would love to have a small carry-on suitcase sent up to Santiago for the end of my walk (roughly Sept 28-Oct 21, Porto to Santiago, Santiago to Finisterre/Muxia). I have done a bit of research online and a few quotes seem quite high. I am comparing to Japanese prices though, so perhaps it is just more expensive in Europe.

Does anyone have a company for luggage transfer and storage in Santiago that they’ve worked with and would highly recommend?

Alternatively, I would consider storing a bag in Porto for the month as I will likely return there after the Finisterre portion before my flight home at the end of Oct.

thanks!

On the off chance anyone out there sees this, we are looking for two tent pads at Floe Lake as part of our Rockwall trail! We were able to secure all other campgrounds but this one (not a massive surprise, but hey!)

Let me know if you happen to have this date and want to cancel/sell!

Hi there,

I will be walking from Porto to Santiago on the Camino at the end of September through October 15 or so. My partner and I will then add on the Santiago to Finisterre section together.

Route:

I would like to (loosely) plan where I would like to change routes.

Which sections did people find the
most scenic and enjoyable of the Central and Coastal routes? I am open to stating from either in Porto and switching at some point. I am interested in the spiritual variant as well!

Finisterre section: Are there more opportunities for private rooms on this section? (as this is the portion my husband and I are walking together)

Packing:

I also would like some feedback on clothing to pack for October - are shorts and a skirt worth packing or might it be too cold overall?

Is bringing a light sleeping bag or down quilt recommended for albuergues or just a sleeping bag liner?

Thank you!

Hi there,

I will be walking from Porto to Santiago at the end of September through October 15 or so. My partner and I will then add on the Santiago to Finisterre section together.

Route:

I would like to (loosely) plan where I would like to change routes.

Which sections did people find the
most scenic and enjoyable of the Central and Coastal routes? I am open to stating from either in Porto and switching at some point. I am interested in the spiritual variant as well!

Finisterre section: Are there more opportunities for private rooms on this section? (as this is the portion my husband and I are walking together)

Packing:

I also would like some feedback on clothing to pack for October - are shorts and a skirt worth packing or might it be too cold overall?

Is bringing a light sleeping bag or down quilt recommended or just a sleeping bag liner?

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Unfortunately I didn’t get the medication to stop milk coming in for about 3 days after our surgery. I took it, but I’m having some leakage and very tender nipples. I’m wearing a tight sports bra, is there anything else that helps?

hello all!

I am considering my first Camino in late Sept/early to mid October this year. I have hiked the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, but Camino is new to me!

I am interested in the Camino Portugues for the mix of culture and landscape. I would like to connect both Central and Coastal routes as this seems like a popular option!

I am wondering about a start point. Porto seems like the obvious choice, but I am hoping for a slightly longer journey than 230-260km for mental health and enjoyment. Has anyone started from Coimbra and adding on about another 100km? This would make my walk approximately 14-18 days rather than 11-13, which appeals to me.

I see some mixed takes online about the landscape and beauty of this section, as well as it being much quieter. Has anyone here completed that section and enjoyed it, or would recommend just starting from Porto?

Thanks so much!
Hannah

Hi everyone,

I posted about a week ago about a very grey diagnosis we received (Agenesis of the corpus callosum). Thank you to everyone who has responded or messaged with me.

My husband and I are leaning towards termination regardless of the amnio findings. Part of this has to do with the statistical likelihood of a near-neurotypical child (best case scenario is approximately 65% of near normal development, if no other abnormalities present during pregnancy. If our amnio is normal, there is still a 20-25% risk of additional abnormal findings).

For us at this moment, 35% risk of mild to severe cognitive issues just feels like too much of a gamble.

But then I have moments where I think, we could really do this, we could choose to hope and pray and make our decision based on the most hopeful scenario. But I think about all the ultrasounds and appointments I’ll need to have over the next four months and the anxiety feels excruciating. We also live an eight hour drive from the major hospital where this can happen, so it’s also a matter of considering our finances, staying in hotels, etc. This feels selfish, but it also makes me consider how far we live from specialized medical support and how that might affect a future child with special needs.

When I think about making our decision based on the worst possible scenario (35% risk of ACC related traits like low cognitive ability, emotional and social issues, difficulty making friends or living independently), it breaks my heart to think about that outcome for our child. It also breaks my heart to think about everything we will miss with them.

How do people decide in these incredibly gray scenarios with such varied outcomes? I’ve been trying to think of all the questions to ask myself, hoping I finally land on the right question, but I’m just not there. If you were ever in my scenario (and I’m so sorry if you were), was there a question you asked yourself or someone asked you that helped you decide?

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hi everyone,

this is so sad. we have our second wanted child on the way. we had to terminate our first at 23 weeks due to a severe heart condition. we just learned at our 20 week scan that this baby has a brain abnormality called agenesis of the corpus callosum, which means there is no bridge connecting the left and right sides of the baby’s brain.

If it stays isolated, as it currently is, outcomes could be anything from neurotypical development with some behavioural or social challenges, to more challenging outcomes like moderate impairment, the child not being able to live independently, etc.

I’m totally at a loss of what to do. Last time, I knew in my gut so clearly that we loved our baby so much but they weren’t meant for the world. This time, I just don’t know.

We’ve done an amniocentesis and will await genetic results. We’ve been told there’s a chance that this is a genetic syndrome showing itself in different ways in two pregnancies. If that’s the case, the outcomes would be more severe and the decision to TFMR would be clearer for us.

If it’s not connected to genetic conditions and is truly isolated, outcomes could be better (closer to neurotypical development with some autism like traits). I go back and forth daily as to whether we can grapple with this choice. I’m 34 and the option to try again is there, but my husband struggles with whether he is up for trying again.

I know that only we can make this decision, but I genuinely want advice or honest takes because I feel so alone and confused. Our friends and families are amazing and supportive no matter what we choose but they don’t even know what to say because it’s so tragic it’s happening again.

Any help is welcome ❤️