On the Camino: One Day at a Time, one Photo at a Time 11.0

[casanova]

Sarria

 

[Theatregal]

Walking the perimeter of the Alameda Park in Santiago de Compostela. October 5, 2023

 

[Stivandrer]

Leaving safe ground for a harrowing crossing from La Peña Estacion to Santa Cilia, November 19, 2023

 

[davejsy]

Day 11- ok so I am lingering on day 11, but day 11 was the day of Najera, and of a wonderful spontaneous evening spent in the company of an amazing lady who proclaimed she was a witch who had been burned at the stake in a former life (yes, my Camino was basically this crazy and beautiful the whole way through). And we ate Dorada at some cute little restaurant which had some upscale pilgrim menu that topped out at €18 for 3 courses and wine - yes it was the height of exuberance.

 

[Rowena]

September 30, 2015 Camino Frances

Fromista

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Melide
Xunta albergue
rear window view

photo taken December 4, 2014



Glimpsing this horreo/granary through the rear window of the municipal albergue was quite unexpected.

 

[FourSeasons]

Camino Frances - August 4, 2019
Villares de Orbigo to Astorga. (3 hours) Then on to Rabanal. It was a long day that started at 4:37a. The Knight at the albergue bid me a Buen Camino. I set out to catch up with my friend in Astorga. I was a little nervous as I watched the lights from the village behind me get smaller and smaller. I heard critters running past me and winged creatures flying above. I felt my heart beating out of my chest while my mind was saying, don’t panic. I came upon a familiar friend before I conquered the green monster. Astorga in my sights. Mission accomplished. Forgive me for breaking the one photo rule. I won't post for a few days.

 

[Anne&Pat]

5th July 2022. Ferrol, the day before we started the Camino Ingles.

 

[VNwalking]

Somewhere between Miranda de Ebro and Pancorbo, Via de Bayona 2019.

 

[davejsy]

Day 12 - ill thought out even more badly executed minor detour to Yuso Monastery from Najera to Santa D. But it was beautiful and magnificent and I blended in seamlessly to a tour group of Italians to get a free guided tour

 

[markie6]

Day 12 - ill thought out even more badly executed minor detour to Yuso Monastery from Najera to Santa D. But it was beautiful and magnificent and I blended in seamlessly to a tour group of Italians to get a free guided tour
View attachment 164341

Any witch way ...

 

[markie6]

End of Day 14 ( Sept '22 ) Reliegos to Oncina.... not brave enough to try and get into the hammock. Was sure there was somebody else there with a camera ...waiting for me to fall out

 

[kaesler]

Palacio Episcopal de Astorga, by Gaudí, 2022-10-11.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Melide
rúa Codeseira, 43

photo taken December 5, 2013



In Melide the Hospedaje/ Restaurante Sony had good food, friendly service, low prices and much macho atmosphere. Road workers, police, and lorry drivers ate here as did I during many caminos.

 

[Anne&Pat]

A few minutes after crossing the AP-9 on an overpass, we were back into the forest on a quiet path, between Vilar de Colo and Cabanas Playa before reaching Pontedeume, Camino Ingles, 6th July 2022.

 

[kaesler]

Viñas del Bierzo in Camponaraya, 2022-10-14.

 

[davejsy]

End of Day 14 ( Sept '22 ) Reliegos to Oncina.... not brave enough to try and get into the hammock. Was sure there was somebody else there with a camera ...waiting for me to fall out

Oh I stayed there and it was wonderful!

 

[davejsy]

Day 13 - sat in that cool churchy thing built into the rocks at Tosantos trying to be sophisticated and writing in my journal.

Btw the Albergue Los Arancones was magnificent

 

[SabsP]

Corcubion in the morning. Epilogue to Finisterre 2016.

 

[Kirkie]

Really? this was in the middle of nowhere!

 

[Rowena]

April 21, 2022 Camino Invierno
On the first day, leaving Ponferrada and climbing out of the valley into vineyards with magnificent views.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
west of Melide/east of Arzúa
food stall

photo taken December 5, 2014



On a frosty morning this tiny self-service oasis provided a welcome thermos of hot coffee and snacks.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Shortly after leaving the very welcome coffee stop Ultreia y Suseia we again encounter the AP-9 but this time we are underneath! Between Pontedeume and Mino on our way to Betanzos.
Camino Ingles, 7th, July 2022.

 

[VNwalking]

For me, this captures the feeling of the first days of the Vasco. It was wet, off and on. It was next to the railway, off and on. It was a lot of asphalt, but also surprisingly peaceful.

 

[Theatregal]

In Melide the Hospedaje/ Restaurante Sony had good food, friendly service, low prices and much macho atmosphere. Road workers, police, and lorry drivers ate here as did I during many caminos.

I have good memories of the Hospedaje Restaurante Sony, the good food and their kindness after staying there for two days in 2012, resting with shin splints!

 

[Theatregal]

Cathedral roof top tour. October 5, 2023

 

[VNwalking]

Road workers, police, and lorry drivers ate here as did I during many caminos.

Look for where the truckers stop. Guaranteed good food.

 

[Rowena]

April 21, 2022 Camino Invierno
Priaranza del Bierzo



Early afternoon on the first day of this Camino, searching for some lunch in this last village before beginning the climb up to Villavieja. Everything had been closed so far. Finally found a bar open at the side of the highway for cafe con leche and a bocadillo stuffed with an enormous omelet.

 

[kaesler]

Memorable meal in Sahagun: roasted leeks in a sweet sauce with ham, 2022-10-5.

 

[SabsP]

Vitoria/ Gasteiz obviously
Camino Vasco Interior 2019.




Luckily I could follow @VNwalking when walking out of this town. Not many arrows but luckily VN knows how to read maps .

 

[davejsy]

Vitoria/ Gasteiz obviously
Camino Vasco Interior 2019.

View attachment 164522


Luckily I could follow @VNwalking when walking out of this town. Not many arrows but luckily VN knows how to read maps .

I love Vitoria

 

[davejsy]

Day 14 - in the beautiful woods of Montes de Oca, shortly after the stall of the guy who smokes big reefas, paints your flag on a scallop shell and plays cool music the Camino was brought back down to earth in the most sobering and humbling way possible as I came upon a memorial at the site where 300 people were massacred by Franco's henchmen. It brought me to tears to think that something so wicked could happen in a place so beautiful.

 

[FourSeasons]

Sangria!! Keep Walking.
CF - Barbadelo August 10, 2019
Salud!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Ribadaso

photo taken December 6, 2012



This small painted horreo was on the stretch between the river Iso and Arzúa.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Between Encorro de Beche and As Travesas, on our way to Hospital de Bruma from Betanzos. A long and hot day’s walking! We were very relieved to reach Cafe Casa Avelina in As Travesas and its owner Maria Carmen, who spoils all her customers, with free nibbles and amazing hospitality. She even gave me a stool to put my feet on!! 8th July 2022. Camino Ingles.

 

[Corned Beef]

Sometimes you see something that is so odd that you wonder why it's made this way. Under the Dom Luís I Bridge in Porto you can see a spiral ladder illuminated on the underside. There must be some reason for the rather unconventional way it has been made.

 

[VNwalking]

When it rains, pilgrims walk.
I often think wistfully of locals who just have to go to the shops or to work. Not that I want to do that as opposed to walking a camino, but I don't much like being wet all day.......

Vasco 2019, I think this was Andoain but am not sure.

 

[Theatregal]

A peak through the door to the site of the old Pilgrim's Office. Santiago de Compostela. October 7, 2023

 

[davejsy]

Day 15 - so I have a tattoo of Flora on my arm, and it's one of my most precious things. Infact going back to day 14 the reefa smoking donativo snack store/table guy in the woods at Montes de Oca declared he wanted to cut my arm off so he could hang the picture of my Flora on his wall!! Anyway it is a very beautiful tattoo of my beautiful girl, and I take care of it as best I can. This involves putting this tattoo balm on it, and day 15 I stopped for a coffee (always cortado) on my way into the center of Burgos and took out the small pot of the balm to put it on, and I know the Camino can do strange things to people but I am positive there was what looked like a paw print in there

 

[SabsP]

The first of many bocadillos on my first Camino in 2011.
Pechuga de pollo con lechuga y pimiento rojo.
Bar la Boteria in Pamplona.

Bar La Botería en Pamplona - Donde el pintxo es arte y el vino es pasión

Bar La Botería de Pamplona, situado junto a la Plaza de Toros de Pamplona, ofrecemos una variada carta de vinos, pinchos, raciones y tostadas

www.barlaboteria.com

 

[Rowena]

April 21, 2022 Camino Invierno
Almost there, an arduous climb, made more so by the bag of food I had to carry with me. No food of any description at Villavieja, but the albergue is wonderful!

 

[SabsP]

When it rains, pilgrims walk.
I often think wistfully of locals who just have to go to the shops or to work. Not that I want to do that as opposed to walking a camino, but I don't much like being wet all day.......
View attachment 164598
Vasco 2019, I think this was Andoain but am not sure.

Seems so. I believe we had breakfast in the town just before, Urnieta, close to the church? Though now I'm not so sure about the places and timeframe. Anyway , the breakfast was in the town with the escalators.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Arzúa

photo taken December 1, 2011



The CF from Melide west to Arzúa crossed many villages, several rivers and much woodland; tucked into the wayside greenery mementos such as this small cross could be seen.

 

[FourSeasons]

A peak through the door to the site of the old Pilgrim's Office. Santiago de Compostela. October 7, 2023

View attachment 164614

Exactly 10 years earlier I was there on the other side of that door getting my final stamp for my first Camino. It was so small compared to the current location but held huge amounts of history. If those walls could talk.

 

[VNwalking]

town with the escalators.

Wasn't that a trip?

I was there on the other side of that door getting my final stamp for my first Camino

Me too. 2014. It was raining, of course.

 

[SabsP]

Got my Compostela. Also old office in 2011.
My boyfriend drove over from Belgium to pick me up. He brought my jeans and a shirt .

 

[Rowena]

April 22, 2022 Camino Invierno
After leaving Villavieja the path continued upwards towards Castillo de Corantel, although too early for the castle to be open.

 

[davejsy]

Day 16, and the best evening of the whole Camino - St Anton. No words can really do it justice, we ate, we drank, we laughed, we cried and we looked at endless stars through the telescope before falling asleep beneath them. In the morning we woke up to my birthday and ate breakfast by candle-light.

 

[FourSeasons]

the town with the escalators.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the moving sidewalks in Portugalete on del Norte. I was impressed.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Arzúa
Xunta albergue

photo taken March 19, 2009



In this repurposed/renovated historic school many original details had been kept. However, best of all, in the then new ground floor showers, hot water sprayed me and not the walls! ...Bliss.

 

[FourSeasons]

Camino Frances - Sept 2013
After Carrion de los Condos
Trees in the mist.

 

[markie6]

Sept '22 End of day 4 Villlamajor de Monjardin IIRC

Think this pilgrim should quit smoking

 

[davejsy]

Camino Frances
Arzúa
Xunta albergue

photo taken March 19, 2009

View attachment 164704

In this repurposed/renovated historic school many original details had been kept. However, best of all, in the then new ground floor showers, hot water sprayed me and not the walls! ...Bliss.

I stayed here, and it still looks very much the same, and the showers were

 

[davejsy]

Day 17 - Boadilla del Camino. So as you can probably tell, I'm a dog person. After I'd showered and sorted my bed etc in the Albergue. I wandered across to the connected bar/restaurant(I think also a hotel)I found this young guy sitting outside the church in Boadilla del Camino with his dog, with a sign asking for money. At first I just walked past and into the bar to get a beer (bar was not in the church but to the left of). The dog then gave me a guilt trip so I went back out and asked why he was there, and it turns out he was walking from I think Barcelona to Santiago and then back to France, anyway it was crazy and you could see he was quite genuine, had zero money and loved his dog (which for me is a sign of a decent person). So I gave him some money (I think 10 euro's) but made him promise it was to be spent on food for the dog - at this point he started crying (and tbf given the emotional wreck I was on the Camino I nearly started too). Anyway, I then asked him if he wanted a drink, and he asked for a coke, so that reassured me that he wasn't going to spend the money on beer which for some reason I always worry about. Anyway, I am rambling now so I will try and finish this story. Later on we were having our pilgrim meal, and the chap and his dog wandered in. The hospitelero had offered him a meal, and a spare bed for the night, all for no cost. This was a hugely humbling lesson for me about the spirit of the Camino and of human nature.

 

[mspath]

Camino Norte
Sobrado dos Monxes monastery
March 24, 2007



Fourteen years ago I detoured to Sobrado from Arzua; the round trip walk was roughly 50 km.

Within the Cistercian/Trappist complex when the door porter saw my American passport he delightedly and silently pointed to several shelves filled with the works of Thomas Merton, the renowned American Trappist as he stamped my Credential.
...

 

[FourSeasons]

Camino Frances - Sept 2013
Just a few days from SJPdP not sure of where exactly. This is what happens when you ignore your intuition and go with those who say they know the way. I knew we were in trouble when the sun was in front of us on this early morning departure. Another reason why I enjoy walking solo.

SMH

 

[VNwalking]

Another reason why I enjoy walking solo.

Haha until losing one's own way.


About to take the wrong turn on the San Olav for the second time in the day, having already missed the Lana exit from Santo Domingo de Silos and the pueblo of Covarrubias. It all added a bunch of extra kms, and boy was I hungry at the day's end. But totally worth it.

 

[davejsy]

Camino Norte
Sobrado dos Monxes monastery
March 24, 2007

View attachment 164773

Fourteen years ago I detoured to Sobrado from Arzua; the round trip walk was roughly 50 km.

Within the Cistercian/Trappist complex when the door porter saw my American passport he delightedly and silently pointed to several shelves filled with the works of Thomas Merton, the renowned American Trappist as he stamped my Credential.
...

I hope to get to stay here when we do the Primitivo (via verde) this July

 

[mspath]

I hope to get to stay here when we do the Primitivo (via verde) this July

I hope that you will be able to attend their evening vespers service.
In 2007 it was held in a splendid circular contemporary space. Walls were either painted white or natural wood. All was lit by thick, sputtering candles. The monks wearing their white robes responded in unison.

It was a true privilege to share such a timeless ambiance;

 

[markie6]

Camino Frances
Arzúa
Xunta albergue

photo taken March 19, 2009

View attachment 164704

In this repurposed/renovated historic school many original details had been kept. However, best of all, in the then new ground floor showers, hot water sprayed me and not the walls! ...Bliss.

Not much changed..not the biggest fan of the showers though.. little bit of a free for all (sept 22)

 

[davejsy]

Not much changed..not the biggest fan of the showers though.. little bit of a free for all (sept 22)

Oct 2023! No issues with showers, but it was very busy and lots of unhappy pilgrims in the morning due to the noise some of the others were making, I think some were there for a party. My dorm was ok though, so maybe I was lucky.

 

[Rowena]

April 22, 2022 Camino Invierno, day 2
Walking the trails at Las Medulas. Some of the ancient chestnut trees resembled bizarre beasts.

 

[Theatregal]

View from the balcony - Refugio Gaucelmo, Rabanal del Camino. After breakfast, wonderful hospitalero Stefano wishing departing pilgrims well on their way. Camino Frances. October 1, 2023

 

[SabsP]

2016. Leaving Santiago. To Finisterre. Obviously .

 

[FourSeasons]

CF - Sept 2013
I was soooooo confused. I still am. I believe this was after the long straight 17k no services stretch. Where after the stretch I stopped at the first cafe for a Coca Cola. I moved on with a few pilgrims behind me. I stood at this spot scratching my brain waiting for the others to catch up. We decided to the right, straight ahead. Good call.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Arzúa

photo taken December 6, 2014



All was cold but glorious in the golden early morning light leaving Arzùa going towards Arca on the penultimate day of my 10th CF.

 

[markie6]

Arzua Sep 22 Relaxing in the town readying for the next days arrival in Santiago

Blessed are the cheesemakers

 

[davejsy]

Day 18 - a magical sunrise along that cool canal thingy on the way towards Fromista

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Salceda

November 15, 2004



This poignant memorial replicates/preserves(?) in bronze the shoes/boots(?) of a Swiss pilgrim, Guillermo Watts, aged 69 who died just one day before arriving at Santiago de Compostela

 

[Anne&Pat]

06.26hrs, 9th July, 2022. Leaving Hospital de Bruma early to try and beat the heat that was forecast. We reached Sigueiro by midday, thank goodness.


Visiting family, so unable to post the last few days, but have enjoyed everyone’s photos.

 

[Anne&Pat]

I hope that you will be able to attend their evening vespers service.
In 2007 it was held in a splendid circular contemporary space. Walls were either painted white or natural wood. All was lit by thick, sputtering candles. The monks wearing their white robes responded in unison.

It was a true privilege to share such a timeless ambiance;

We also experienced evening vespers at Sobrado in 2018, at the end of our Camino del Norte, which was a wonderful experience and we would definitely recommend. There was also a concert being held there with three Galician choirs, one was a children’s choir, they were all very good.

 

[VNwalking]

On the Vasco/Via de Bayona, each pueblo has a wonderfully informative map that is often more impressive than the number of residents (though not in this case).

 

[SabsP]

On the Vasco/Via de Bayona, each pueblo has a wonderfully informative map that is often more impressive than the number of residents (though not in this case).
View attachment 164949

Burgueta. On the Vasco/Via de Bayona. Number of residents in 2020 was 42.

La Puebla de Arganzón - Miranda de Ebro | Camino Vasco del Interior | Gronze.com

Hoy, a la salida de Estavillo, encontramos la gran bifurcación del Camino Vasco del Interior: recto, hacia Santo Domingo de la Calzada en dos etapas; a la derecha, hacia Burgos en cinco etapas. Ambas opciones son igual de buenas. La etapa es muy corta y con escasos desniveles; aunque Miranda de...

www.gronze.com

 

[Phoenix]

26 Sept 2023, CF - Leaving Hospital de Órbigo at sunrise.

In the fall of 2016, I walked the CF with my adult son. Per his wishes, we skipped the Meseta so he could keep up with a new friend. We had a great Camino and European travel afterward. But... missing the Meseta was a regret I wanted to rectify someday.

Over the following years, I underwent five surgeries (four surgeries to rebuild my legs plus another surgery in an attempt to reduce the probability of cancer on the horizon). Finally, after the Sisyphean odyssey of surgery/recovery/rehab/repeat multiple times, I returned to the Camino last year to complete every step of the CF I missed in 2016 plus the Camino Finisterre.

I know now that the Meseta had been postponed to a time in my life when I truly needed it (amid a second go through college more than three decades after completing the first go, many times feeling like the ancient Gandalf among the Hobbits). I needed to be reminded of/relearn what Bill Bennett described in his book, The Way, My Way, as the power of many incremental, small steps.

 

[Theatregal]

The hospitelero had offered him a meal, and a spare bed for the night, all for no cost. This was a hugely humbling lesson for me about the spirit of the Camino and of human nature.

Probably the very kind, welcoming and hard working Eduardo?

 

[davejsy]

Probably the very kind, welcoming and hard working Eduardo?

View attachment 164971

Yes it was!

 

[Theatregal]

Santiago de Compostela. October 6, 2023. A visit and a rest in that comfy red chair by the window at the always welcoming Pilgrim House on Rúa Nova.

 

[davejsy]

Day 19 - day 19 was the day the Meseta chewed me up and spat me out. It was the worst day and the best day. The Camino will do things to you that you don't understand at the time. For me, the Meseta was like a rollercoaster and I was but a passenger.

 

[MilenaS]

Some of my favourite scenery - after Cruz de Ferro, May 19th 2022

 

[Rowena]

April 23, 2022 Camino Invierno, day 3
Passing through Puente de Domingo Flores after the descent from
Las Medulas, on a search for some lunch and a supermercado. I seem to remember the Camino crossing the river three times here before entering Galicia.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
A Rua
Restaurante O Acivro

photo taken December 6, 2014



By happy chance I enjoyed this celebratory meal in a sophisticated setting on the penultimate day of my last camino.

 

[Anne&Pat]

10th July 2022, entering Santiago on the last day of our Camino Ingles.

 

[FourSeasons]

Santiago - Oct 7, 2013

 

[Rowena]

April 23, 2022 Camino Invierno, Las Medulas to Sobradelo
After crossing into Galicica, the path passes through the abandoned village of Nogueiras, where a rest area has been provided within the ruins. It was a peaceful place to have a snack out of the ever-present wind, and spend a few moments in solitary reflection.

 

[davejsy]

April 23, 2022 Camino Invierno, Las Medulas to Sobradelo
After crossing into Galicica, the path passes through the abandoned village of Nogueiras, where a rest area has been provided within the ruins. It was a peaceful place to have a snack out of the ever-present wind, and spend a few moments in solitary reflection.

View attachment 165031

What a wonderful place

 

[davejsy]

Santiago - Oct 7, 2013

View attachment 165017

Great photo

 

[davejsy]

Day 20 - ok so this one's a bit personal, and not actually a photo from the Camino, but it's part of my Camino story. I got sent a photo of an article that the local paper had run about my Camino whilst I was on the Camino. They'd taken select things out of my daily FB blog, the monastery they refer to they got confused with Yuso when actually it was the nunnery of Cizur Menor which I fled to from Pamplona! I keep a cut-out of the article along with my Credencial and Compostela (which was made out Vicare Pro to Flora)

 

[SabsP]

Flechas overload . 2013.
Somewhere around Hontanas.

 

[FourSeasons]

Day 20 - ok so this one's a bit personal, and not actually a photo from the Camino, but it's part of my Camino story. I got sent a photo of an article that the local paper had run about my Camino. They'd taken select things out of my daily FB blog, the monastery they refer to they got confused with Yuso when actually it was the nunnery of Cizur Menor which I fled to from Pamplona! I keep a cut-out of the article along with my Credencial and Compostela (which was made out Vicare Pro to Flora)
View attachment 165037

Lovely write up. I too ran away from Pamplona on my first Camino. Too much noise, I felt lost. Cizur Menor was a great place to stop. I liked the albergue. I believe the one I stayed at (pictured below) is now closed. I remember the turtles in the pool/pond. Sept 5, 2013

 

[davejsy]

Lovely write up. I too ran away from Pamplona on my first Camino. Too much noise, I felt lost. Cizur Menor was a great place to stop. I liked the albergue. I believe the one I stayed at (pictured below) is now closed. I remember the turtles in the pool. Sept 5, 2013

View attachment 165054

Looks beautiful The nunnery was very very basic, but it was one of my favourite stays on my Camino and exactly what I needed at the time, and it helped fix this little wobbly pilgrim. The next day was one of my best days - how quickly things can turn around.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
nearing Arca

photo taken December 7, 2012



On the penultimate day of my 8th CF I passed through groves of splendid straight Eucalyptus trees.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Starting the climb up that hill! 9th May 2022. From St Jean Pied de Port to Auberge Borda, on our second CF.

 

[FourSeasons]

CF - August 12, 2019
Mmmmmm the best gazpacho on the way in Palas de Rei. Delish!!

 

[davejsy]

Still day 20 - and while following an ancient Roman road it appeared that some of the centurians had rebelled with the road markings (Calzada del Coto I think).

 

[Rowena]

April 24, 2022 Camino Invierno, Sobradelo to A Rua
Photo taken somewhere soon after leaving Sobradelo.

 

[VNwalking]

A friendly face on the Vasco, 2019. Never mind the rain and the blackberry thorns.

I'll be offline for a month, and look forward to seeing all your photos later!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
nearing Santiago

photo taken December 8, 2013



On this frigid December morning frozen fields sparkled like crystal; the weather was perfect for walking the last kms into Santiago de Compostela .

 

[Phoenix]

28 Feb 2014
St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

The first steps of the first Camino - 10th anniversary today.

 

[FourSeasons]

Santiago de Compostela - May 5, 2016
The Holy Door is open.

 

[davejsy]

Day 21 - dipping those sweet pilgrim feet in the Rio Porma in Puenta Villarente