(This blog post is later than usual as uploading photos became traumatic! – I also needed a rest but unfortunately became bedridden for a few days in finisterre with a cold and fever but don’t worry im ok now and will try and catch you all up) I had bid farewell to most people from…
Category: Camino De Santiago
Day 13 Areal to Santiago – Our last day and the day with No coffee!! Breaking 2000 km 17.43kms 4hrs 23mins 234.78km
To those who have yet to walk a camino, you may find it difficult to grasp a real understanding of my enthusiasm for walking hundreds of kilometres in less than ideal conditions. But you might at least be able to share my joy in completing these mammoth tasks given my complete lack of sporting prowess….
Day 12 Padrón to Areal – A visit to cure dropsy and a warning for solo pilgrims 10 km 2.51hrs 217.35 kms
Today was an interesting day for a number of reasons. The Young Danes were making a bold dash to Santiago, I was going to visit the church that cures dropsy(I didnt know this at the time) and then i had booked a quiet room in a rural pension 17kms out from Santiago in order to…
Day 11 Calas del Reis to Padrón 21.75km 7 hrs (207.35km)
I woke in my disappointing hotel room early and heard the swish of tyres against water outside on the street. I knew it might be a little wet again. I popped downstairs and grabbed my packed lunch. It was impressive to say the least! A ham and cheese triple decker sandwich an orange a banana…
Day 10 Pontevedra to Caldas del Reis – A spa hotel or not? 24kms (185.6km)
I know you think I’m travelling solo but really you get to know so many people on the camino and I have been travelling with my old German friends actually. Well at least I told them they were the old Germans. But they’re not the only Germans in the village you know. Don’t forget I…
Day 9 Redondela to Pontevedra Another Dark Start 23 km 7hrs 43 (161.6km)
Leaving Redondela saw me go up up up until I landed at a picnic area high above the city. There was still a street light but the camino headed off into the dark of a forest. I sat on a picnic table for a couple of minutes and i called my beloved to keep me…
Day 8 O Porriño to Redondela A Short Cut in the Evening 17kms (total Portuguese 138.6km)
(Yet again i have been tardy in my blog uploads and internet upload speeds have been uninspiring! I shall quickly update you on some of the days). The Old young one waited for me and we left together this morning but first I asked Helena for a photo so I could remember one of the…
Day 7 Tui to O Porriño 17.1kms 5hrs 16 mins (121.6kms)
I headed down the cobblestone streets in front of the convent first. I woke too early and couldn’t go back to sleep so I ate the nice breakfast that was waiting and juiced my own oranges. I was too slow for the Fräulein and the young one and felt I was holding them back when…
Day 6 Crossing the Border and nun so grand Rubais to Tui 23 km 7hrs 20mins (104.5kms)
Rubais to Tui was actually a lovely day. Sure, there was a dash of rain at the beginning but not too much really. Just enough to get us hot and sweaty putting raincoats on and then taking them off. The big event for today of course was going to be walking back into Spain. Not…
Day 5 Ponte do Lima to Rubiães – when I say wet I mean wet! 22.5kms 7.5hrs (81.5kms)
Today started at the youth hostel in ponte do limas like any other day – well any other camino day! We picked up our prepackaged breakfast from reception at 6 (because they don’t open the in-house breakfast until 8:30!) We buttered our bread rolls with sporks and drank our juice tetra pack and I bought…
Day 4 15km 4.5 hours Casa Fernanda to Ponte do Lima (59kms)
This morning started with a breakfast of bread bread and more bread. It was a communal breakfast and, although Fernanda wasn’t herself up, her husband was up feeding the masses and washing dishes before heading off to work. They certainly went out of their way to make people feel comfortable but it also seemed like…
Day 3 Barcelos to Casa Fernanda 12kms and a cat nap!
So yesterday I took the opportunity to try out some public transport options in Portugal. First I bought myself a coffee at the nice corner cafe, I also bought myself a Nata (custard tart) and a spinach and cheese pastry to tuck away in my pack. So off I went to the tram station. The…
Day 1 and 2 Portuguese Coastal Camino Reconnaissance Mission -Porto to Matosinhos to Vila do Conde 32 Kms over two days.
Actually I told my family and friends I was going to head down to Portugal and spend some time somewhere on the coast and reclaim some energy and let my toes recover before meeting my German friends and walking to Finisterre. I also thought I might walk a shortened version of the Portuguese camino and…
Day 5 Sigueiro to Santiago de Compostela – 5.5 hrs 17.8 kms – Finally arriving in One Piece
(I apologise for the delay in posting – at first I was busy catching up with old and new friends and then I was busy planning my next adventure!) So this morning was actually quite cold again but we warmed up quickly. Short cut Sally and I ate breakfast in our albergue – you know…
Day 4 Hospital to Seigura An Honorary German 9hrs 36 mins – 32 kms (34kms on my Garmin)!
The wind was still a little cold this morning and my roommate Shortcut Sally and I had a quick breakfast in the bar at the front of the Pension. It was supposed to be relatively flat but a little long today. The camarera very kindly walked us out to that dreadful highway and pointed us…
Day 3 Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma 25 kms 9 hours 40mins
Today I started walking with my new German room mate. I knew I would be too slow for her so I encouraged her to go on ahead as I enjoyed the view and the walk up up up. I know you probably thought yesterday was a complaint about up up up but it was really…
Day 2 Pontedeume to Betanzos 23km 6hrs 50mins All on a chocolate churro and a coffee
Let’s get to the point with this one. Rumour had it this was the easiest day of the Ingles. Rumour was wrong. Definitely wrong. I started the day with a chocolate churro and a coffee exactly where I had finished last night. After I had finished the churro I tipped the hot chocolate in my…
Day 1 Ferrol to Pontedeume – A grandiose Hypotenuse and the Albergue of nightmares 19km 6.15hours
Well I started my day in the dark with head lamp around my neck. There were plenty of street lights to start with. The breakfast the old lady had prepared for 5 euros looked pretty grim so i passed on it and headed down the long street towards the port area as advised by the…
Arrival – The English Way
I was heading to A Coruña to decide whether I would start the Camino Ingles from there because it is said to be the original starting point for pilgrims arriving from Ireland and England. The trouble was it was only 75 kms and if I hadn’t already walked 25 in my home country (even though…
The Irish Spy and the Reconnaissance Mission
So anyway after three days the Irish spy arrived in Burgos to undertake her reconnaissance mission for future caminos. She also planned to soak up some sun as it had apparently already left Ireland for the year. Of course with daily weather changes in burgos at this time of year her visit for some sunshine…
Resting in Burgos
So what have I been doing since Nájera? Well you may recall that I headed to Burgos for a few days rest and recuperation before the Irish Spy’s planned arrival. During this time I managed to take a tour on the Disney train seeing some important sites that I may have missed on foot. I…
Day 17 Exit stage right! Salir a la derecha!
It was dark and warm outside this morning. It had been warm all night. Our room had the two windows but with no breeze it was better to get some circulation from the dormitory. In the morning a French lady said it was a nice sleep because she felt lovely and cool and it didn’t…
Day 16 In memory of dumpster diving
I delayed going to the salon until 5.45 this morning. I had had a difficult nights sleep and was awake much earlier than this. I kept imagining Chinchas! Thank heavens I was just imagining! Our sheet washing and Mavis’s vacuuming had taken care of that! (Or had it – how old was the bag, did…
Day 15 A frenzy of cleaning
This morning I stood outside and watched a bit of the chaos in the salon. I am the first one up each day. I put the washing on, then I give the pilgrims biscuits. I open the salon door and let them escape. But I dont turn the lights on until closer to 6.30am. Everyone…
Day 14 That’s not a ham! This is a ham!
We had been murdering Chinchas and their families for two weeks now. We had stopped them in there tracks on arrival, we had drowned them, cooked them, asphyxiated them, and last but not least, Mavis had squashed them! It sounds creepy I know but they can arrive in the Hilton as well! It seems like…
Day 13 The Sun is Shining, the birds are singing!
After the rain last night it was interesting to see the river all chocolate and fast. I helped an old lady out with her bag transfer and also asked our Jacotrans friend to take some sandals a Frenchman had left behind and leave them in belorado! An old local man had been over catching yabbies…
Day 12 The Calm before the Storm
So this morning I actually slept in until 6.15! Can you believe it. It’s not because anyone has been waking me. In fact apart from the first couple of days where we had a baptism of fire because of the lack of handover, for the most part the early risers have been very quiet. Maybe…
Day 11 Monestario Delicio
Today was Sunday which meant chica de limpiar was here again. There had been a bit of ruckus last night when the Belg drinker arrived back and annoyed a few people. Of course then there was a lot of snoring which has the potential to annoy anyone and everyone. You may recall my comment yesterday…
Day 10 I’m off on the road again I’m on the road again
Wish I could sound like canned heat! My cousin Paul can! And don’t worry, I was on the road again but only for a short time – I didn’t run away from the Albergue! We all thoroughly enjoyed our morning! So this morning was like a dream. It was Saturday and the Chica de limpia…
Day 9 A break in the chaos!
Yep – even the Italians were quiet out in the salon this morning; barely a whisper before 6am. But then I’m afraid to say, a great challenger for the international snoring title had moved himself to the emergency bed beside Mavis last night. These people preparing to leave early were likely all absolutely shattered! Perhaps…
Day 8 A feast to remember
The latecomers 🥴 were looking contright this morning I thought – well not all of them actually. One or two were a little frantic. Starting to get hungover frantic that their washing was missing. Of course they didnt think to politely ask the nice hospitaleras where it was! Don’t worry we didnt throw it out!…
Day 7 – Ground hog day ? Or not?
Gotta say it’s starting to feel a bit like ground hog day in the morning! Except today we bid farewell to Hans and the Blue Mountaineer so it was nice to speak “strayan” for a minute or two! There was a lovely Taiwanese girl also who impressed me with her morning ritual. We had not…
Day 6 Biscuit Perfection!
Well the few Italians here were – you know – not exactly early to bed but certainly early to rise! I don’t understand actually. When my beloved and i left early to beat the heat last year we barely spoke if we were in a dormitory and were paranoid of waking others. The Italians thus…
Day 5 – Sheet rolling perfection!
First let me apologise for the poor grammar and spelling errors. This Blog is stream of consciousness typed on a fold up keyboard with an iPhone. Editing is not a priority but will come with time! Meanwhile take heed that I too am disturbed by the numerous truncations, incorrect autocorrects and missing words! Eventually all…
Day 4 The case of the missing bragas!
Last night, after retrieving their washing from outside, we chased the Italians who had returned late from a bar crawl to bed at 10. There were still 2 older Italian couples , who had arrived late, still out eating as they were desperate for food. Out of the kindness of my heart I had agreed…
Day 3 A scandalous breach of Vegemite and Tim Tam Rights!
Today the hospitaleros were supposed to have a day off as a cleaner comes on the weekends. But day off doesn’t really mean day off when Mavis is in control. I actually slept in and didnt get up until 6! That’s not entirely true I was awake through the night because it was particularly hot…
Day 2 Speak More slowly please! Mas dispacio
Well I said I wake early – and after heading to bed at ten last night I didn’t disappoint. I was up at 5 and was able to farewell the early walkers – which was about 60 percent of the dormitory. There are 90 beds but we only had 38 pilgrims last night. Which means…
Day 1 Auspitalero Duties Begin!
I slept well last night. Boy did I sleep well! My luggage had arrived! I had my swimmers! I could use the most magnificent pool on the camino. By now, if you know me, you must be thinking every pool on the camino is the most magnificent. Well if you’ve just lugged a pack 30…
Day 3 Onward to Najera
This morning I swear I heard something I thought may have resembled gregorian chanting a little after 6am. I’m no talent scout, and I don’t want to sound too judgemental, but it sounded like a someone had forgotten to change the batteries in the record player! It wasn’t long until the team of hospitaleros came…
Day 2 Bienvenido a España
So I slept reasonably well again last night with my fleecy liner instead of my sleeping bag. They do provide a light blanket at Orisson so I definitely used it. I must also say it did get a little nippy during the night so, even though I’d requested the window to stay open, I closed…
Day 1 Sparking joy on the camino
I was awake before they turned the music on at beillari this time. The Dutch girl was also up early and we both tiptoed around getting ourselves ready while the two young spanish men who had arrived late slept soundly. I became their worst nightmare once the lights in the hall came on. I was…
Ultreia Ultreia – Onwards and Upwards!
“I absolutely have no idea what day it is. At least I have no idea how long I’ve been travelling. How long I’ve been in transit. How long since I’ve seen my beautiful backpack and my shock absorbing, folding, micro variable leki hiking poles!” That’s how the day started yesterday. My flight out of Dublin…
Lighters lighters – two for a pound!
Yep that’s how I remembered Dublin from my youth. “Loiters loiters two por a pound!” Peddlers shouting their wares and teaching me a whole new way of speaking. But not this time! Nope this time no peddling in Dublin’s fine city, only high end fashion and expensive second hand shops. But I had my own…
Welcome to Ireland
So my next flight saw me crossing the great European continent to my final leg of the long haul before transiting to the Camino. As the plane drew closer to Ireland, I realised that I was filled with eager anticipation. Was it because my trip years ago was cut short when Dad had a massive…
Going solo and lightening my load !
Yep you read it right! I’m on my own, I’m off! I’m taking it to the next level! Finally managed to shake free of my beloved who will sit gripping his chair by the fire at home, reading my blog with eager anticipation and quite possibly sipping beer, as I conquer mountains and forge through…
Day 40 Santiago a Santiago 4.65 kms – When the Going Gets Tough!
Well, actually, yesterday was tough. Today was a beautiful day – again! We had enjoyed the company of the young ones for a while at the lovely hotel the Choirmaster had booked for us. We had slept in the most comfortable bed we had seen since leaving home. And, ironically, I couldn’t use it but…
Day 38 Azure to oPedrouzo – the Penultimate day – Scallops and Swollen limbs! 21.56kms 9.38hrs
Scallops beers and swollen limbs sound like a strange mixture. But they were all integral parts of the day. Firstly my beloved was in pain. This was the first time in two Caminos I had seen him hobbling and we were only two days out from Santiago! Clearly speeding up had not been to his…
Day 37 Palas del Rey to Arzua 30.52km 11hrs 47mins Not too bad for an injured warrior!
Only 2 days out from Santiago people. I headed off early again so that I could make some headway. Once my beloved caught up I encouraged him to go on ahead. I was slow but I could then take my time without feeling pushed to keep walking when I was in pain. Not that he…
Day 36 Portomarin to Palas del Ray 9hrs 55mins 21km – Slow and steady wins the race
I’ve got to be quick here. I am trying to catch up these last few posts before we head into Santiago. I apologise for my tardiness. I have been busy with friends and physiotherapists during my off time. But here is how the day went. Our dear Camino friend had come all the way to…
Day 35 Barbadelo to Portomarin – 20kms 8 hrs 15mins – Back in the game
What a wonderful day! I could walk again! And there was hope we could still make Santiago together. The fisio yesterday obviously helped but I woke early and also stretched and exercised for about an hour. I used my mini tens and rolled on the spikey ball. It’s hard to explain how stiff one gets…
Day 34 Fiobal to Barbadelo – 11.05 km 5hrs 24mins – Reaching the end of the Road
I told you I was ready for a taxi yesterday when the oasis of Fiobal appeared. I had gone to sleep with great hopes that the rest would cure the problem and in the morning I would be fine. That’s how it usually happens isn’t it? Desafortunatemente not today! I was unable to walk without…
Day 33 O’Cebreiro to Fillobol 17.95 9hrs 10mins – Every Dog has its Day
I wanted to get to Triacastela. I wanted to walk there. But I was in pain and I thought it was all downhill. Thankfully I was wrong. Well kind of wrong. And I’m not sure I should be thankful about that. There were a significant number of uphills to begin with but nothing like the…
Day 32 Vega de Valcarce to O’Cebreiro 12km 5.4 hours – Up into the clouds
What a wonderful way to start the day! Serenaded by the singing Germans as we wandered off into the dark again. The first few km’s were flat and easy but I had a reasonably good recollection of the walk (or should I say climb) for the next 8 kilometres or so. As soon as I…
Day 31 Cacabelos to Vega del Varce 26.69km 8hours 45 mins Ultreia Ultreia Onwards and Upwards!
We had a bit of a sleep in today because we thought there was a communal breakfast at 6:30. We were wrong! All of our friends left early nevertheless we still started our day in the dark. And I still had a problem with my hip and lower back but so far this only bothered…
Day 30 Molinaseca to Cacabelos 8hrs 50mins 22.8kms Over 4 weeks and 637km down (according to Brierley guide book)!
The descent yesterday had given me more than just memories. As soon as I strapped my pack on it hit me. I now had the privilege of back and hip pain! It was extreme. As soon as we left the albergue I felt the stabbing pain in my lower back and hip. This is not…
Day 29 Rabanal to Molinaseca 9hrs 27mins 21.94km A Rose amongst Thorns
The distance wasn’t huge today but I had a slight recollection of a high level of difficulty. We had stopped at El Acebo last time so I could use the biggest pool on the Camino (always too cold for my beloved unless its Queensland in the middle of summer!). This time we would descend to…
Day 28 Astorga to Rabanal 6hrs 54mins 21.22km – The Fräulein with the package!
Well after a great sleep in a real bed it was destined to be another good day wasn’t it? We left a little later than usual, a shorter day, it was a bit cooler, and we wanted our E75 euros worth at the nice hotel so we headed out past the Cathedral at 8am! It…
Day 27 San Martin to Astorga 26.28km 9hrs 40mins – Compleanos felice!
I’m sure you realise by now that the time given above is a door to door time and includes all breaks and everything in between. So a long day can either indicate a day of struggle, a lot of rest stops or a bit of site seeing and/or socialising. Every day is different but one…
Day 26 León to San Martin 27km 9hrs 30mins
Before I get to our travels today I must point out that the albergue Globetrotter was the worst sleep we never had! The bar opposite was open until 5.30am and the noise was literally at our bedroom window. There was also someone allowing patrons of the bar in and out so they could use our…
Day 25 León rest day
I’m not sure it is possible to convey the sheer joy of sleeping in. My only dilemma was that I was starving and had to go down to eat in the dining room. Of course this effort woke me and meant I couldn’t get back to sleep. My beloved snoozed away until 10am – just…
Day 24 Mansilla de Las Mulas to León 20.32 km 8hrs 20mins – “Only” 20 kilometres!
Everyone was saying it. It must be an easy day. “Only 20kms today”. Since when is a 20km walk to be preceded by the word “only”? The truth is though that 20km is “only” after walking 25kms plus. Besides I think it is the breaking point for many people. Beyond 20 the pain and exhaustion…
Day 23 Bercianos del Real Camino to Mansilla de las Mulas 27.65km 9hrs 40mins
Yep you guessed it – another early start after a pleasant night in a cupboard listening to the Brazilian snoring champions! Life is good! The positive of our albergue was that the hospitalario was up making coffee and breakfasts (read bread!) at 5. Also to cheer me up, while I was sipping coffee in the…
Day 22 Terradillos del los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino 24.48 km 9hrs – A challenge to the end!
Before arriving at Bercianos I vlogged to myself – I told myself to watch this if I ever want to do camino again. I shall mark it “In case of Camino Calling” and save it to my favourites! I have to admit this day was a struggle. We started early and headed out of town…
Day 21 Carrión to terrillos de templariars 28.13 km 10hrs 15 mins – A walk in the country
There was a great deal of excitement leaving the nunnery today. I don’t think I have ever seen so many people up so early. The Italians were up, the girls in the end two beds left at 4am, the Ukrainian James Bond look alike and his wife were up and so too were the singing…
Day 20 Fromista to Carrión de Los Condes- Get thee to the Nunnery! 21.8km 6.5hrs
Apologies for delays in posting. The wifi has been dreadful. Oh dear me! This ended up being one of the funniest nights ever. But let me start at the very beginning. After dinner last night we arrived back into the albergue before lockup time ready for a decent sleep given we were only in a…
Day 19 Castrojeriz to Frómista 26.77km 9hrs 9mins – A magical welcome to the Meseta
I want to be prophetic and share with everyone some words of wisdom that might help you on your way. But I am mere mortal. Anything I could share would be overshadowed by the wonder that greeted us to the plains of The Meseta! We started early again, we are champions! Actually we are frightened…
Day 18 Hornillos to Castrojeriz 21.18km 7hrs 10mins
We were up early today and out the door first in the albergue again. I had had my first breakfast in the albergue. They even had a toaster! So much for not eating bread – the choice was bread or no bread. I also had a cup of tea. I was ready and waiting patiently…
Day 17 Burgos to Hornillos de Camino 23.05km 6hrs 50mins – In search of a tree
Don’t forget to open this in WordPress and put a comment or click like so we know if you like keeping up with our journey ! We were in a nice hotel room last night – La Puebla – nice room nice staff and nice breakfast. Also up a bit late due to a farewell….
Day 16 Cardeñuela Riopico to Burgos 14.25km 4hrs 10mins – a rest day in Burgos
Rather than spend two nights in Burgos or somewhere else for a rest day, we had planned another short day which meant we needn’t arrive early because nothing would be opened anyway. We planned to have breakfast for a change and would still be there by lunch time. We had organised an American breakfast the…
Day 15 Villafranca monte de Oca to Cardeñuela Riopico 24.89km – 9hrs11mins -into the void!
This morning we left in the dark and we were the first to leave in the whole albergue. No wonder really, last night the choirmaster and I observed the comings and goings of everyone in the dormitory. There was not a person who walked past our beds at the entry door that wasn’t limping! Except…
Day 14 Belorado to Villafranca Montes de Oca 13.18 – 4hrs – Farewell Speedy
Today was going to be an easy day. Together with the Choirmaster we planned to reach the foot of another pass over a mountain range into Burgos. Last time we walked from Belorado to San Juan de Ortega and then to Burgos my feet were very angry with me. This time I at least wanted…
Day 13 Granon to Belorado 15.86km 5 hrs 9mins – Our rest day
There was breakfast from 5am in our albergue today which sounded perfect. Our hospitalario Josu was even up to prepare it for us. In reality it was bread and jam with a couple of cereals and coffee or tea. It wasn’t much but we weren’t going far and we could have second breakfast an hour…
Day 12 Azofra to granon – 23.17km 8hrs 5mins – The vegan who loved cheeses
This morning I woke very early with sore knees; what’s new you may ask – well the left one was quite swollen so I woke during the night and rubbed voltaren in it and put the mini beuren tens machine on it for a while. It actually worked and the swelling had gone by the…
Day 11 Navarette to Azofra 8 hrs 11mins 23.34kms – Rioja wine country – let the blisters begin!
Don’t worry! It’s a tiny little blister on my left big toe. It’s the sore knees that are more of a concern! We bought injinji toe socks for my beloved when we were in Pamplona and they seem to be working for him but my feet are different. You remember don’t you? I inherited my…
Day 10 Viana to Navarette 23.9km 9hrs 16mins – Farewell to our yoga guru!
It was going to be a sad day today as our Irish yoga guru was leaving us at Logrono. Nevertheless we were entering Rioja wine country and we were still in good company with Speedy Gonzalez (also known as the Brazilian diplomat) and the Irish Choirmaster. We did our usual early wake up and tried…
Day 9 Los Arcos to Viana 19 kms 6hrs 19mins – And then there were six!
My legs were on fire! But it was my knees that were going to feel it today. More of that later. We were coming closer to the day we would lose our Irish yoga guru because study and work back in Ireland were calling. We were all in high spirits though after having such a…
DAY 8 Estella to Los Arcos 8hrs 10mins 22.3 kms – the early bird and catching the worm 🐛
Even though we’d lost our Irish spy we were thrilled to be heading out in the dark to have a picnic with the Brazilian diplomat at the free wine fountain at Irachi. Trouble is, none of us bothered to check if it had a specific opening time. The assumption was that the monks had provided…
Day 7 Puente La Reina to Estella 7.45hrs 23.3km
Buenes Dias! Yay -we did it again. Up and out the door before sunrise – all three of us (or tree if your Irish). My beloved was unaware that we were on a time frame and had a secret rendezvous on the bridge at 5.45am. As many of the good albergues do, we found cereal…
Day 6 Pamplona to Puente la Reina 9hrs 26.7km
Before I start with todays post I want to let you know about a couple of other items I am pleased to have packed. I’m pretty sure I mentioned the sheeps wool the other day (fresh from the Nyngan farm I might add) but not sure that I praised the Leki hiking poles – they…
Day 5 Pamplona rest day
Just to keep you in the loop I thought I’d include this brief post. We ended up having a rest day in Pamplona as the cold or flu symptoms seemed to be hanging around me with aches and pains and fever and a bit of a runny nose. I decided to stay in bed until…
Day 4 Zubiri a Pamplona 22.41km 7hrs 41mins – Sweet memories to replace the painful ones
Today was interesting for a number of reasons – the people we would meet, the physical challenge and the distance we would cover yet again. Last night I had difficulty sleeping due to the not too distant fiesta music gently floating in through the window, combined with the general feeling of malaise associated with a…
Day 3 Hola Navarre Espana -Roncesvalles to Zubiri 8hrs 40 24.56km
8hrs 40mins 24.56km Eu15 each bed Eu12 dinner – Total Eu54 It was exciting leaving Roncesvalles this morning. It was dark, cool, there was a buzz in the air because many pilgrims actually start the journey here – In addition I was pain free! We passed our friends in hallways and bathrooms and visited the…
Day 2 One Perfect day we’ll go out walking 18.6 km 6.5hrs
Day 2 Orisson to Roncesvalles I will admit to warming up quite quickly after leaving Orisson but once we reached 1100m it is fair to say that the weather was pleasant. Cloud cover and altitude meant that the walk today was a vast improvement on yesterday. Both times I had walked this path previously the…
The End of the Transit
Just a quick post this time to catch you up on our arrival in Spain. We had a one night stop over in San Sebastián and another transit the next day to St Jean pied de port. A delayed flight meant we didn’t arrive in our hotel in San Sebastián until 7pm. We showered changed…
Up up and away
D day arrived and we were even escorted into the airport this time by James and Lydia-. Remember how late we were last time? I think the boys turfed us out on the kerb and sped off into the sunset. Liam and Bruce bid us farewell at home this time – I’m sure Bruce was…
Preparaciones para el camino
Buenos Dias amigos, after a growing interest from friends I thought I would provide you with a rough idea of how we are preparing for our second Camino Frances. Or more specifically, how “I” am preparing given my history of pain when walking. As most of you will recall (from reading the earlier posts) I…
Camino Calling!
Aargh! How on earth could they be thinking about walking another 800km? Will he again accompany her on this slow walk across Spain? Will they finally learn to flamenco? Will the feet hold up? Isn’t one ruptured plantar fascia, a stress fracture or two and a moon boot enough? What on earth draws people back…
Hablar espanol o no hablar espanol? Este es la pregunta!
What can I say? I apologise. I was supposed to keep blogging as I kept travelling. Forgive me – I became immersed in the travel experience and failed in my promise to blog. I am back now. No te preocupa! Have I learned how to speak Spanish? Well if I keep practising I’m…
The Long Way Home – Paris and Beccles and London
In ten minutes we commence our descent into Sydney Airport. We have travelled a long way since leaving home in May. Not just in distance but in personal achievement. In doing things together. In celebrating being alive. I commenced this blog entry in London and wrote some more in Dubai then some more somewhere over…
Barcelona, Malta and back to London
Gaudie everywhere! It seems forever since we finished our camino. We (I) thought if we had spent all the money to get over here (Europe) we may as well make the most of it as the chances of heading back in the near future are pretty slim. Anyway budget required we continue for the…
Marrakech express back to Spain
Marrakesh Train Station I bought some Moroccan pastries to take with us – may have overdone it! In order to ensure the adventure continued we decided to catch the Marrakech express backwards to Tangier rather than waiting around airports for delayed flights. Whilst waiting at the train station we eventually figured out it too was…
Still Wandering – Onward to Portugal Morocco
It would be easy to assume that an 800km Camino can fit within the 30 or 40 days that some of the guidebooks suggest. After all – some people do it in 20 or even less and quite a number of our friends certainly did it in those time limits. But, after…
After the party…. from Santiago to Finisterre
Well the first day after we arrived in Santiago started with a fantastic buffet breakfast at the Hotel and a quick trip up the hill to visit Morgan Morgan Chris and Tim. You remember the American students who we adopted after bumping into them in so many albergues and bars don’t you? I think we…
Day 48 Villamaior to Santiago de Compostela – 9.47 km to Saint James in the Field of Stars – At last!
Before reading this post it is important that you know how truly grateful we are to have had so many wishing us well and cheering us on – especially over the last few days. We are sure that there are many times when we could have pulled the plug and hopped on a bus and…
Day 47 Salceda to Vilamaior – 19.26km – 482 ascent 472 descent – A completely unnecessary day of heat and hills – what happened to the cool?
Just a few days ago I indicated to you that we were limiting our distances so we could enjoy the last few days and arrive in Santiago in one piece. I also indicated it was much easier now that the weather was cooler, the paths were easier, there was more shade. And then we left…
Day 46 Arzua to Salceda 12.2km – Finally – a walk in the park!
We are aiming to arrive Santiago this Friday. That means we don’t have to kill ourselves walking to get there. Finally we can actually enjoy the journey. We can leave late, stop for lunch, I can even drink wine on the way and still arrive in time to relax at the albergue. I have to…
Day 45 Melide to Arzua – 14.88 km 405 ascent 422 descent – Playing Spanish Roulette and learning Flamenco!
What a day! Just when we thought all the fun was over and our Camino was coming to an end we decided to do a short day and to send our packs again to ensure we arrive in Santiago in one piece (14.88km). Well at least to ensure my heel arrives in one piece! Things…
Day 44 Eirexe to Melide – 22km – A walk in the mist
“I am sitting in the mist listening to the cock crow. A few early morning hikers have left already. I can hardly see ahead. The mist has engulfed the village. It’s 7am and we have a long day ahead of us. Twenty two kilometres to our next stop at Melide. People from the town before…
Day 43 Portomarin to Eirexe 18.07km – All quiet on the Western Front
A late start meant we missed the crowds – it also meant we could meet a few stragglers like ourselves. People who were clearly not in a rush and happy to stop and have a coffee or a cold drink in between meals. I am sitting outside another albergue listening to Bonnie Tyler would you…
Day 42 Barbedelo to Portomarin – 19.65 km – 100km to go and the Hordes begin!
A quiet day. Not! We left Barbedelo at around 8:45 and missed saying goodbye to Shirley and Steve. We were at the 108km mark so in only 8km we would pass the 100km to go mark – yee ha! My feet were so happy to hear this that they sped up and we killed the…
Wandering Aussies 