Going away for 3+ weeks

[MichaelB]

Heading to Spain to walk a large portion of the camino de santiago pilgrimage based on the 2010 movie Called The way.

This has been on my wishlist to do since I saw the movie in 2011 after randomly clicking on it when I still actually watched Netflix.


This is a causal post regarding my preparation and pre trip tank conditions.

The main 40gallon Sps Tank.

210gallon Tank

 

[MichaelB]

Part 2

The biocube 32 Nem tank. With the favorite fish my largest pair of maroons.

The fish from the 210 in observation tank following qt treatment a few weeks back.

1.) The first of my going away preparations. A brute filled with saltwater heates and circulating. There will also be 55 gallons of rodi, plus a addtional 15 gallons of rodi set aside for a water change on main tank after my return.

2.) I have wyze cameras aimmed at all of the tanks.

3.)Showed kids how to feed fish and refill the ato.

4.) Left a fellow members number in the event something happens and I'm unavailable at the time.

5.) The main sps tank is fully integrated with hydros, and the 210gallon also has a hydros controller. So I have very limited ability to alter things and check that basic things are functioning with tbe cameras and controllers.

I expect and hope things will be well on my return. The longest I ever left the tanks was two days. So this will be pretty extreme for me.

There is also video calls and inspections I plan to have kids give me a tank tour lol.

I head to the airport in a few hours first flight takes off at 145pm today.

I'm hopeful I can visit a reef store in the return trip in Madrid who knows maybe I can even score a leather coral or mushroom to bring back as a talking peice.

I plan to take plenty of videos and pictures, if I'm able maybe I'll be sure to share them.

 

[MichaelB]

My first ever attempt at making a legitimate video. This was also my first time ever attempting to edit any type of video.

I was Playing and testing out my first ever drone Dji Neo 2. (A early birthday gift to myself May 15th that's not reef related, lmao though I'll admit after this tripnis over drone shots of frags swaps/ club events being cool did enter my mind)

There are so many firsts in this short clip.
Hopefully I'm able to really figure this thing out and make some solid video and share this adventure with everyone in a few levels above my cell phone.


I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I've been out the country many times but this will also be my first ever solo trip without a preset agenda or timeline other than reaching the end point and not missing my flight back to the US on the 27th.

I haven't planned anything other than starting in burgos spain and ending in Santiago de compostela the traditional end of the Camino. So beyond the hotel I booked for the first night, Every day will be left to fate, chance, and full on in the moment decisions.

Yes I love country music and of course James Taylor so expect similar tunes on future videos.

 

[spuri87]

Have a wonderful trip @MichaelB, make memories for yourself and your kids.. I am not too far from you, so please don't hesitate to reach out in case you want me to check on how things are chugging along!

 

[Krak256]

hey I'm also nearby if you need any help

 

[MichaelB]

hey I'm also nearby if you need any help

Have a wonderful trip @MichaelB, make memories for yourself and your kids.. I am not too far from you, so please don't hesitate to reach out in case you want me to check on how things are chugging along!

Thanks guys, further proof of a great group. I don't expect any issues. This is only as a in case crap happens. Feels good knowing there are multiple fellow reefers willing to look things over in the event of a issue. Some things that are obvious to reefers are going to be overlooked by a fish feeding volunteer.

 

[PjFish]

Have a great journey Michael. My neighbor just did the camino de santiago pilgrimage by herself a few months ago..She met some amazing people along the way. Make sure to use rubber feet instead of the metal tips on your trekking poles and have extra tips.. Good luck have fun!

 

[MichaelB]

Have a great journey Michael. My neighbor just did the camino de santiago pilgrimage by herself a few months ago..She met some amazing people along the way. Make sure to use rubber feet instead of the metal tips on your trekking poles and have extra tips.. Good luck have fun!

Definitely seeing you mention it I'm not even sure my poles have the metal tips under the rubber feet never attempted to take then off. I'll have to check later when I get to madrid. Currently having a layover at LAX.

 

[PjFish]

Definitely seeing you mention it I'm not even sure my poles have the metal tips under the rubber feet never attempted to take then off. I'll have to check later when I get to madrid. Currently having a layover at LAX.

Some poles come with the rubber feet but then have metal tips that are flush with the rubber which probably help the rubber last longer and grip on frozen ground . Using them on soft dirt all good.. But on roads and rocky trails you feel every tap tap vibration each time they touch rocks/ pavement etc which is annoying and uncomfortable after long hikes lol. Or on rocky terrain the tips may pop through the rubber feet so just good to have extra. But your not going to be in the back country which probably can acquire anything on ur walking.. Just giving you a heads up in case your poles have them..

 

[clownvan]

have a wonderful Camino!!!

 

[Alexander1312]

Well, 80%+ of the club lives nearby, so enough reefing competence to help out if needed.

I do not recommend bringing livestock across the border. I was thinking of bringing lab grown and typically highly sensitive SPS from Germany this time or in July when I go again, but this is not legal unless you go through massive paperwork.

Have a great trip!

 

[MolaMola]

Have a wonderful journey of a lifetime! I have been very interested in the pilgrimage but focused on traveling through France first. I will have to check out that film you mentioned.

 

[Slingfox]

Good luck on your trip @MichaelB
If an emergency occurs and you need another person to help come by to debug or do emergency maintenance I am happy to volunteer.

 

[MichaelB]

A few shots of the sole reef tank at a mom and pop size pet shop near where I stayed in burgos. I'll definitely keep Google maps open for something more interesting.

Today I toured the burgos cathedral. It was overwhelming to say the least. I've seen cathedrals in both Germany and Africa those didn't even come close to comparing.

Pictures don't donit justice the one above shows main spires of the cathedral. It's skyscraper tall.

the one below fails even worse at showing height. That's like 8-10 stories high best guess. Neck hurts looking straight up.

This is the first fellow pilgrim I met on the camino so far. While waiting in line to tour the cathedral. She's from South Korea and to my relief actually spoke English.

I have tons of pictures from the cathedral if someone is actually intrested let me know. At somepoint I need to figure out what to do with all the Pics and videos.

Unfortunately it's illegal to fly a drone anywhere in this city so drone shots have to wait till I leave this larger city. I offically start walking tomorrow.

 

[Alexander1312]

View attachment 79459View attachment 79460
A few shots of the sole reef tank at a mom and pop size pet shop near where I stayed in burgos. I'll definitely keep Google maps open for something more interesting.

Today I toured the burgos cathedral. It was overwhelming to say the least. I've seen cathedrals in both Germany and Africa those didn't even come close to comparing.

View attachment 79461
Pictures don't donit justice the one above shows main spires of the cathedral. It's skyscraper tall.

the one below fails even worse at showing height. That's like 8-10 stories high best guess. Neck hurts looking straight up.
View attachment 79462View attachment 79463
This is the first fellow pilgrim I met on the camino so far. While waiting in line to tour the cathedral. She's from South Korea and to my relief actually spoke English.

I have tons of pictures from the cathedral if someone is actually intrested let me know. At somepoint I need to figure out what to do with all the Pics and videos.

Unfortunately it's illegal to fly a drone anywhere in this city so drone shots have to wait till I leave this larger city. I offically start walking tomorrow.

Looks like you are having a lot of fun. I am not a church expert and there are reasons I am not living in Germany anymore, but Germany has several world heritage level churches and was home to the largest church in the world until this year when the Sagrada familia construction finished which made this the largest church.

Fun fact - all German tax payers are automatically ‘enrolled’ to pay 8-9% of the income tax amount to the either of the two main churches, hence they have a lot of money to keep their buildings impressive .

 

[PjFish]

Germany dog owners
Paying a yearly tax for each dog which are different amounts depending on breeds but we pay dog licensing here guess similar but doesn’t differentiate breeds.
Cats are exempt!! Yay
Having liability insurance for your dog required in Germany wonder if enforced?
Dog permit test to make sure you know how to handle your dog before you walk it in public. Think this is a good one not sure if it’s dependent on owning certain breeds but have come across some napoleon chihuahuas!

 

[Alexander1312]

Germany dog owners
Paying a yearly tax for each dog which are different amounts depending on breeds but we pay dog licensing here guess similar but doesn’t differentiate breeds.
Cats are exempt!! Yay
Having liability insurance for your dog required in Germany wonder if enforced?
Dog permit test to make sure you know how to handle your dog before you walk it in public. Think this is a good one not sure if it’s dependent on owning certain breeds but have come across some napoleon chihuahuas!

I love how we never go off topic….haha.