This blogging gig is a funny old thing. It started off as a bit of fun, to share some travel stories and to give my ol’ brain a bit of a creative workout, but it has turned out to be so much more than that.
I have made some wonderful friends (you know who you are) all around the World, even though we have never met face-to-face. What an amazing thing to happen in this modern day of isolation, insecurity and bloody scammers.
So, when a complete stranger contacted me to share my experiences on the Camino Primitivo in Spain, my natural naïve inclination was to immediately say ‘Yes’. Little did I know that I was going to be talking to Camino Royalty!
In his email, Dave came across as a very friendly chap and he wasn’t pretending to be a Nigerian prince, and offering me $10million from an unexpected inheritance. I thought it would be fun to compare notes with Dave about the Camino Primitivo for his regular podcast series and our chat was to cover part four of the Primitivo – from O Cadavo to Melide.
Firstly, I have to say how impressed I am with anyone that has set up a podcast and regularly shares content. That technology is completely foreign to me and sounds very complex with all the editing required, the same goes for vlogging. So, I was impressed with Dave’s initiative from the get-go.
We tick-tacked on email for a little bit to set up a suitable time that worked for both Portland Oregon, USA and East Coast Australia. Yep, one very long-distance conversation.
When interview day/time finally arrived, I am not afraid to say that I was a little nervous. It had been quite a few months since I was in Spain and I felt rusty recalling names, places and impressions. Luckily my daily journalling and photos brought it all flooding back – especially the endless hills and daily hunt for coffee! 😊
Dave quickly allayed my nerves and we chatted along merrily – completely blowing out his initial 45-minute time allocation. Yes, when it comes to caminos I can talk underwater with a mouthful of marbles…or maybe that is just normal for me?
Dave really knew his stuff and had a well-prepared list of questions, and format, he was following. Maybe I should have realised from his professional approach that Dave was no amateur podcaster, but the conversation was so enjoyable and free-flowing that I really didn’t pay too much attention. A fleeting thought made me wonder why he wanted or needed to talk with a pretty ordinary pilgrim like me as he was so knowledgeable, but who am I to question?
It was only after we said our goodbyes that I thought I should really find out who this Dave Whiston guy is. Any normal person would have done this beforehand!
Yep, Dave is a camino expert.
He has published a string of guidebooks:
- Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo
- Camino Ingles and Ruta do Mar, and
- Camino Santiago – Via Podiensis. (I discovered I even had this one on my bookshelf in preparation for next year’s adventure)
And has a comprehensive list of camino-related podcasts:
- The Camino Primitivo – in four parts
- The Via Podiensis – in ten parts
- Camino connections in England
- The Camino Ingles, and
- Various other pilgrimage stories.
He is also a passionate long-distance walker in his own country and is currently walking right across the USA. Now that is a serious walk! I wonder how many pairs of shoes he has worn out and will wear out on that adventure? Maybe I need to interview him? 😊
So, my advice to you is that if you are thinking of going for a stroll in Spain or France, check out what Dave Whitson has got to say. Like any professional travel guru, you can find him at:
If you are interested in the last few stages of my Primitivo experience, you can read about them here:
Or listen to it HERE.
Buen camino to you and happy chatting.
#travelinspo #CaminodeSantiago #CaminoPrimitivo #travelguides #guidebooks #podcasts #longdistancewalking #walkinginSpain #pilgrimage #Lugo #Melide #CaminoFrances
Life...one big adventure 
Great to hear that the rest of the world will be hearing about your amazing accomplishments and perspective Mel! Wonderful to see you being recognized and yes you probably could talk underwater but thats a great thing! Ha xo geo
Georgia Mansur
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I doubt my dulcet tones are going to win any awards! 🙂 I just hope, in my own small way, I have encouraged someone to grab their backpack and hit the trail… Melx
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Loved reading this post about your first foray into podcasting. Now you’re famous too Mel.
Cheers, Mark
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Now, that’s a scary thing! Although is it better to be infamous?? 🙂 Have a great day, Mark
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Wonderful Mel, you’re a fair dinkum Aussie (big grin on my face). Inspiring, mate 😉
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🙂 Oh you are funny! Thanks for your kind words.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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PS I’m listening to the podcast now. Enjoying your sense of humour and knowledge.
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Oh dear, I’m cringing now!
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Mel, you spoke clearly and thoughtfully. Well done.
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Many thanks.
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Hats off to you, Mel! I have completely avoided vlogs and all that, partly because I’m inept myself and partly because the couple I’ve seen on YouTube have been completely irritating. I should be on my way out the door right now, but Dave sounds like a good guy so I’ll come back and have a listen this evening.
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He is a good guy and a true inspiration! He is walking across the US at the moment. I am gobsmacked!
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How fun! I’ll have to give the podcast a listen sometime soon (though not right now, because I really need to get to work). Sounds like a fun experience!
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Yes, finding a quiet time to have a listen is always a struggle…that’s why I don’t do podcasts…my brain is always somewhere else. 🙂
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Congrats Mel! You are an inspiration for many of us❤️
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Nah, just a daggy walker who puts one foot in front of the other! 🙂
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🤗❤️
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Oh how funny! You were chatting to a superstar and didn’t know it! That’s a cautionary tale for the rest of us: always research your interviewer first. Congrats to you – I will definitely give it a listen!
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Yes, I really should focus on my homework a little more. 🙂
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That’s so funny that you didn’t look him up until after you’d spoken to him! Definitely a great decision to go on that podcast – and I reckon Dave thought he was speaking to Camino Royalty too 🙂
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You are too kind, not that I will ever brush shoulders with royalty! 🙂
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Haha 🙂, why does one always remember the hills and coffee the best of the Camino? Well done on getting to chat to Camino Royalty Mel … I can’t think of any other person as passionate as you about the Camino!
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Thank you for your kind words. The chat with Dave was a lot of fun and brought back many happy memories including the daily coffee hunt! 🙂
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