Camino de Santiago

ola from Spain. So Liz has been doing such an excellent job of doing a daily log of her journey on the Camino, thank you dear Liz. I am not really physically on the same journey as she is right now because of foot injuries which have grounded me for over a week. This, for awhile, made me think that I had nothing to contribute to the blog. But Frank reminded me that I am still on my own journey of the Camino. So here is my perspective. frank and I have been spending a lot of

A big day for us today, and we even bused out of the city to remove some of the industrial area. The beginning was a lovely serengeti like landscape, just imagining elephants and giraffes. Angie treated us to stories about her experiences there and it took us to a place which felt so real. This afternoon challenged us in a different way. The long straight, mostly road walking just pushed my tolerance. Looking straight down an endless road, gives you little abilities to judg

The day started in the morning sunlight as always, to our backs. After a lovely coffee we began our quick 6 km. March to Carrion de Los Contes to meet up with our travellingmates and continue onto Leon. This jump puts us 4 days ahead, this keeps us on track with our completion date and makes up for the long stay over in Burgos. It was good to be all back together again. We arrived in Leon mid afternoon, in time to find a Albergue and food, resting us a bit and a small bit of

The morning is always at ìour backs, as is the sun hangs on our left shoulder. So one must remember to stop look back and see where we have come from. Fromista being our first stop gave is time to stock up on provisions for our day. We have learnt to have things like chocolate and fruit, nuts and yogurt with us for snacks. There we said goodbye to our Aussie family Jane and Marley as they skip forward to meet up with family and continue on the last 100 km with them to Santia

From Castrojeriz we immediately dropped down into a shallow valley, signs of reforestation is all around, erosion will slowly swallow the land if they don’t. A sharp climb followed up to Alto Mostelares at 900 mt. where a monument stands for the Pilgrims and the most stunning view of the area expands in all directions. Fields of crops like grains and sunflowers lay left and right of our path, I was struck today by the contrast of the withered crop waiting for harvest and the

Leaving the city of Burgos, lost in the darkness of the early morning, Brenda and I must have over looked a guiding arrow (which we all rely on), landing us on the river not knowing which way to continue. With a bit of quick thinking we finally got the right directions from a night watchman at some out of the way factory. Which lead us back to the way and the trail of backpacks. As we moved away from the city, on a trail which guided us out and up, thru and around the city by

Late start, sun is already up and our first perc. coffee. Up up up to the Meseta and to a beautiful monument at 900+ mtr. And then down into a small and narrow valley enough for the San Bol, a sacred spot known to pilgrims for millenium for its healing waters. Travel thru and down into the village of Hontanas, set low in a valley. Again we saw ancient ruins and medieval buildings. San Anton a medieval convent now a simple resting spot for weary Pilgrims offered stunning archi

We are getting good at finding our backpack. This time all three were misplaced by 2 different couriers. The trouble is some of the Albergue don’t accept forward packs, so when you arrive and expect to pick it up….?.it is not there and there is no rhythm to reason to where it might be. We have learned to ask anyone that can manage the language, this time it was the Hostel reception, where Cheryl and Brenda were staying. This time it went quite smoothly and we located two at

On tiptoes we left our albergue, (lovely but slightly crowded), first stop the grocery/cafe 50 mtr. on the way. With croissant and coffee, supplies and provisions for the day we began our assent to the first plateau a 150 mtr. In about 2 km. There, a cross marked Sierra Atapuerca-Alto (Cruceiro) and The most amazing spiral. Much like a labyrinth with a path leading you to the centre, at least 50 mtr in width. It must have been there for years, lovingly attended by maybe pilg

After a slightly late start this morning (we and many others), headed off again into the morning darkness. Today was a cooler day, cloudy and the sun only peeked out at the end of the day. We walked mostly along the NY 20 highway, not very interesting, but a wide clear path with a gradual incline the whole 22 km. with the odd steeper rises. There were 5 sm. villages today and we enjoyed passing thru, some we stopped for coffee or just a rest. Arrived at our destination by 1

Oh, we slept in today till 7 am such a luxury. On our way to Carmen de Santiago on this windy Wedn. morning, today with backpacks secured, we begin our planned 12 km. to the foot of a range with juts twice to over 1100mt. We will begin them tomorrow morning and finish in Burgos. Hah! so we thought. The day is windy, cold and there is a threat of rain on the horizon. Many of us are struggling from feet issues, hip and a strong head wind. Coffee becends, but after the third vil

Last night after a feast of Tapas (known here as Pintos), we wandered our way back to the old city, where the Sunday night gathering of locals and pilgrims window shop, visit and wach the festivities. Tonight was traditional Spanish dancing. Wee children danced and clapped to the music, while parents and grandparents looked on. The weather was changing very quickly and most people were moving on or looking for shelter. There was a storm brewing and we headed back to our Alb

Last night after a feast of Tapas (known here as Pintos), we wandered our way back to the old city, where the Sunday night gathering of locals and pilgrims window shop, visit and wach the festivities. Tonight was traditional Spanish dancing. Wee children danced and clapped to the music, while parents and grandparents looked on. The weather was changing very quickly and most people were moving on or looking for shelter. There was a storm brewing and we headed back to our Alb

Last night we had a wonderful meal in Logrona, a very festival feel as the community celebrated. Sitting under the market umbrellas talking about our spiritual experiences on the Camino, I was struck by the reason we have all come together on a trip like this. This was such an unusual conversation to have, 6 friends/family/partners sharing their true understand of their own experiences, even the conversation was balanced and beautiful. Respect, understanding and true space f

Last night we had a wonderful meal in Logrona, a very festival feel as the community celebrated. Sitting under the market umbrellas talking about our spiritual experiences on the Camino, I was struck by the reason we have all come together on a trip like this. This was such an unusual conversation to have, 6 friends/family/partners sharing their true understand of their own experiences, even the conversation was balanced and beautiful. Respect, understanding and true space f

Today began with an early breakfast after a rather eventful evening of festivity in the village of Torres del Rio. The plan was to walk a little ore 20 km to our next destination of Lagrono. This went off as planned but some of us had sent our backpacks in ahead and when we arrived 2 of the 3 backpacks had not arrived. Language barriers became a huge issue until a Spanish speaking camino Angel came to our rescue. After spending a good deal of his free afternoon on the phone t

The beginning took us into morning darkness, but it is a the best time to get a good portion of the walk behind you. We walk mostly in silence with our head lamps on. We must look like aliens.

A story What a beautiful morning going to walk, a shove off at 7am, still in the darkeness of night. The coolness of the previous evening still lingering in the morning air. In the distance is signs of lightening, silence followed. Soon the morning revealed itself as we move through the stillness of the morning only the odd dog warns of our passing. We are in the country side and the small hamlets which we glide through show no signs of waking. The first stop is for coffee an

We have just finished our 6th day of walking the camino. A very challenging day for our group in so many different levels. Walking in the heat is a great challenged and if we aren’t off the trail by 2 at the latest I personally am very challenged by this. I am so grateful for the inspiration we receive from you and look forward to reading your posts when wifi is available. Blisters, sore hips, heavy backpacks, heat, are some of the physical challenges. Travelling in a group o

Sitting at the summit of Alton del Perdon, 790 mtr. above Pamplona. Today started out exiting thru through old city, signs of ancient bridges and other ruins from the long forgotten past. Getting out of the city was similar to getting in (with exception to the old city, one just wanted to be back in the country with less cars and sidewalks, light and round abouts. We got an early start (us girls), 700 am just enough time to have a coffee and croissant. Stopping along the way