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

[mspath]

Camino Frances
nearing Mezkiritz

photo taken October 17, 2014



"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
Marcus Aurelius,
The Emperor's Handbook, II,IV

 

[SabsP]

Today. Thirteen years ago. Burgos.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Zubiri
Calle Puente de la Rabia

photo taken October 19, 2013



When walking towards the famous bridge I always admired the handsome side facade of this building.

 

[VNwalking]

Somewhere after Amenal, home stretch of the Francés, Primitivo, and Norte. April 2024.

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago. Hornillos del Camino.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Conques to Livinhac Le Haut, 24th April, 2024, Day 12, Via Podiensis.
Very steep, rocky path from Conques to Chapelle Sainte-Foy, where you can ring the bell!

 

[Anne&Pat]

Livinhac Le Haut to Figeac, 25th, April, 2024, Day 13, Via Podiensis.
A smaller ascent leaving Livinhac this morning and a calmer walk to Figeac, with some rain along the way, as well as some donkey’s..

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Trinidad de Arre

photo taken January 11, 2010



Crossing this bridge would be slick and slippery. Arriving here had been difficult since the CF path from Zubiri was covered with ice and snow; I had mainly walked on the verges of route N-135.

 

[VNwalking]

Getting closer. And last long shadow of the walk. Near Santiago Airport, April 2024.

 

[Theatregal]

A niche, Convento de San Anton. September 20, 2023

 

[Anne&Pat]

Figeac to Grealou, 26th, April, 2024, Day 14, Via Podiensis.
Rainy morning today, sun eventually came out mid afternoon just before we arrived at our very welcome Gite for the night.
Shepherd’s hut near Grealou

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago. Bar in Castrojeriz.
Foreign currency.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Trinidad de Arre
Marist monastery garden

photo taken October 19, 2014



As the shadows lengthened I was thankful to be once again in this pleasant, almost timeless, place.

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago. Alto de Mostalares. CF.

 

[Anne&Pat]

A welcome shorter day today from Grealou to Andressac on the other side of Cajarc, where we had a longer stop, to look at this lovely small town.
27th, April, 2024, Day 15, Via Podiensis.
Photo taken before the long stony descent into Cajarc, with the Lot River in the distance.

 

[Theatregal]

Moratinos. Camino Frances. September 26, 2023

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Trinidad de Arre

photo taken October 15, 2011



Boots airing in the autumn sunshine outside the Marist monastery albergue....Now I wonder what has changed over the years.

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago.
Albergue Espiritu Santo.

Albergue Espíritu Santo | Albergue de Peregrinos en Carrión de los Condes | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue Espíritu Santo, en Carrión de los Condes: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

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Carrion de los Condes.
Former school , now a nice albergue with single beds.
Friendly Sisters! And luckily no singing in group.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Andressac to Limogne de Quercy, 28th, April, 2024, Day 16, Via Podiensis. Pleasant rocky paths through oak woodlands were the highlight of today’s walk.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Pamplona

January 29, 2009


After revisiting the cathedral this rainy/cold day in the wet cloister courtyard the sole fell off my hiking boot! Luckily an elderly priest holding an open umbrella beckoned saying "Senora please come with me". We walked to an old-fashioned sports store nearby where the priest and matronly owner together slowly/carefully fitted me with new affordable boots!

... I still recall the kindness of these two special souls, who were true camino angels.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Pamplona
Cathedral cloister

photo taken October 21, 2013



Above the open loggia space on the 2nd storey of this Gothic cloister can be seen an uppermost smaller loggia which may have been part of a dormitory. Open on one side these loggias would have been/still are airy covered places for private strolling.

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago.
Sahagun.

 

[VNwalking]

Poppies in the early morning sun. Somewhere past Puente la Reina, 2017.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Cizur Menor
Roncal albergue

photo taken October 1, 2004



After trying to cross bustling Pamplona on crowded sidewalks with a full backpack the informal Roncal albergue atmosphere was especially relaxing.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Limogne en Quercy to Mas de Vers, 29th April, 2024, Via Podiensis, Day 17.
A very welcome shelter from the constant rain, which allowed us to eat our pique-nique in the dry!

 

[Anne&Pat]

Mas de Vers to Cahors, 30th, April, 2024, Via Podiensis, Day 18.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Cahors, rest day, 1st, May, 2024. Heavy rain all day! Thank goodness they have a Le Petite Train!

, so we could do some sightseeing!

 

[SabsP]

Adobe houses in El Burgo Ranero. Today, thirteen years ago.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Cizur Menor
albergue Roncal

photo taken 0ctober 1, 2004



Seeing this scallop shell hung at the open doorway during my first CF I immediately sensed that pilgrims were welcome to just walk in.
...Camino life in 2004 was very relaxed!

 

[Anne&Pat]

Cahors to Lascabanes, Day 20, Via Podiensis, 2nd May 2024. Dave Whitson in his Cicerone guide to the Via Podiensis assures us that today, after our initial climb out of Cahors, that the most strenuous terrain on the GR65 is behind us!! Thank goodness!! We still had some rocky, wet and muddy paths to navigate, as the rain continues to fall. We did see a few short glimpses of the sun on our walk today.

 

[SabsP]

Today , thirteen years ago. Mansilla de la Mulas.
The albergue municipal. No reservations possible.
Gorgeous patio. I shared a small dorm with a pensioned footpilgim from Montpellier and a cyclist from the Netherlands.
Laura, the hospi was very helpful and caring for those with blisters.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Cizur Menor
dawn

photo taken October 21, 2012



This view caught the magical moment just before sunrise on a cool October morning.

 

[Rowena]

Today in Santiago

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago. Leon. Albergue del convento de las Carbajalas.
Not for those who like personal space.

Albergue del convento de las Carbajalas | Albergue de Peregrinos en León | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue del convento de las Carbajalas, en León: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[mspath]

back road
near Campanas
haystack

photo taken January 22, 2008



These 2 pilgrims and I were on a back road "walk around" to avoid climbing up/down the Alto de Perdon yet eventually arrive at Eunate.

After following route NA 6000 southeast from Cizur Menor near the haystack we continued on NA121 and NA601 to Ucar and Enériz where the calle San Juan led west to Santa María de Eunate.

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago.
Leaving Leon.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Alto de Perdon
near Zariquiegui

photo taken October 22, 2012



Unfortunately this verdant path was deceptive; it led to churning mud!

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago. San Justo de la Vega. View from my hostalroom ( Hostal Juli ). The ayuntamiento.
Library is in the town hall. I used one of their public computers that day.
Very friendly people, as were the owners of the hostal.

Hostal Juli - San Justo de la Vega | Hostal | Gronze.com

Información del Hostal Hostal Juli, en San Justo de la Vega: precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Zariquiegui
calle Camino de Santiago

photo taken October 17, 2011



This antique nailed wooden door is located on the narrow calle Camino de Santiago/CF as it traverses Zariquiegui en route to the Alto de Perdon.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Lascabanes to Lauzerte, Day 21, Via Podiensis, 3rd May 2024. Montcuq.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Lauzerte to Moissac, Day 22, Via Podiensis, 4th May 2024.
Well this was a very long hard, rainy, muddy day. We left Lauzerte at 07.15hrs and arrived in Moissac at 17.57hrs. Miraculously neither of us fell in the seas of mud we had to wade through!!

A nice greeting on the outskirts of Moissac.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Moissac to Auvillar, Day 23, Via Podiensis, 5th May 2024.
What a great days walk! The sun shone and we walked by the Garonne Canal for about 15 kms, it was great. We had a relaxing days walk to Auvillar and even had time to enjoy this beautiful hilltop town. This photo was taken from the view point in Auvillar looking back across the Garonne river to where we had walked during the day.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Auvillar to Miradoux, Day 24, Via Podiensis, 6th May 2024. Shorter day today but we had rain and mud again, unfortunately but we walked through some beautiful agricultural land with great views and poppies!

 

[SabsP]

Today. Thirteen years ago.
Rabanal del Camino.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Alto de Perdon

photo taken October 17, 2011



This shaded pathside marker near Zariquiegui memorialises a Belgian pilgrim who died here.

 

[VNwalking]

I generally really really dislike graffiti.
But this was worth stopping for, photographing, and reflecting about.
Primitivo April 2014.
Very true.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Miradoux to Marsolan, Day 25, Via Podiensis, 7th May 2024. We saw this beautiful letter box this morning as we were leaving Miradoux. Dry morning today but lots of rain this afternoon and more mud! The sun is forecast to appear tomorrow and stay around until the beginning of next week, thank goodness.

 

[SabsP]

Today. Thirteen years ago.
Molinaseca.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Alto de Perdon

photo taken October 13, 2010



Beneath clear skies in autumn sunshine I again crossed the Alto del Perdon. Climbing up was no worse than Valcarlos to Roncesvalles, but descending would be pure hell across scree.

 

[VNwalking]

Yes, I remember being so surprised the first time because the surface on the climb was fine. The rubble going is torture on delicate ankles.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Uterga
pedestrian portrait

photo taken October 22, 2012



In fog and rain the Alto de Perdon path up had become churning mud; when descending the rain never ceased on mud covered scree. Thus arriving at the friendly bar/hostal/albergue Camino del Perdon in Uterga
I took this photo for permanent proof of all that mud!

 

[Theatregal]

Camino Frances. October 2, 2023. Arriving in Molinaseca after the long descent, I happily joined the pilgrims (lower left in photo) who were preparing to soothe their feet in the waters of the Maruelo river.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Marsolan to Condom, Day 26, Via Podiensis, 8th May 2024. Sunny day, with mud but we stayed in a wonderful Gite & Chambre d’Hote in Condom, which provided everything a pilgrim might need on their journey, including facilities for washing muddy boots! Our boots are now clean for the first time in about two weeks!!
Our first good view of Condom Cathedral.

 

[Corned Beef]

Today in Bari on the Via Francigena going south. Happened upon the 3 day celebration of St Nicolas, the Patron saint of the town. They enjoy it so much it’s repeated in early December.

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa Maria de Eunate

photo taken February 10, 2007



This is a memento of my earliest glimpse of Eunate. Although the church and adjacent albergue were closed that winter day, I silently vowed to return and sleep there someday. Thus I did stay in 2008, 2009, 2011 and visited on later caminos.
... These special times at Eunate are still treasured.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Condom to Montreal du Gers, Day 27, Via Podiensis, 9th May, 2024. We visited Laressingle, a fortified village with a very long history, about 6 kms after leaving Condom.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Montreal du Gers to Eauze, Day 28, Via Podiensis, 10th May 2024. Another beautiful blue sky and sunny day, with a long walk ( voie verte) on the old railway path into Eauze which has a lot of shade.

 

[VNwalking]

Wisteria blossoms seen while coming into Santiago on the Francés, April 2024.

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa María de Eunate

photo taken October 23, 2013



Built by unknown craftsmen one thousand years ago this small circular church within an octagonal cloister is nestled in an natural bowl; the ocher stones blend with nearby fields planted with corn and fennel. Here one senses the eternal peace of paradise.

....May such perfection continue for another thousand years.

 

[Corned Beef]

Monopoli Cathedral. Via Francigena yesterday.

 

[SabsP]

Today. Thirteen years ago.
Almost in Triacastela.
Not a bedrace at all!

 

[Corned Beef]

Via Francigena again. Going through the olive groves came across this old weathered sign indicating 45km to Brindisi and 195km to S. Maria di Leuca. Generally there are lots of modern signage but this stands out as being homemade and hand painted. The modern version stands beside it

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Eunate albergue
"tea"

photo taken January 22, 2008



By chance the Eunate albergue had just opened for the season the day I stopped in January 2008.



After stamping my Credential the hospitalero graciously invited me to join him and his friends for late afternoon "tea"; we ate delicious goodies and shared much camino gossip!

 

[SabsP]

Today, thirteen years ago.
Albergue los Blasones. Sarria.

 

[Corned Beef]

Basilica Pontificia de Finibus Terrae in Leuca. This is both the beginning and the end of the Via Francigena. We finished in Brindisi but hired a car to see this and the view of the watery expanse here in Southern Italy.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Eauze, Day 29, Via Podiensis, 11th May 2024. Beautiful warm sunny weather today for our very welcome rest day! We visited the Eauze Archaeological Museum, very interesting, especially the Treasure of Eauze. No photos allowed in the Museum.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Eauze to Nogaro, Day 30, Via Podiensis, 12th May 2024. Grey skies all day but no rain and drying mud! We passed through Manciet where there’s a small bull ring.
The Course Landaise, is a traditional Gascogne Sport, which involves dodging and jumping over the animals, which are usually cows not bulls.This is a form of bullfighting that involves no bloodshed!

 

[Theatregal]

New Monastery of San Juan de la Peña. Camino Aragonés. September 1, 2023. Standing on the glass floor / ceiling where below, different rooms reflect daily life in the monastery. A very interesting exhibit!

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa María de Eunate
interior ceiling

photo taken October 18, 2011



At twilight within the darkening church four other pilgrims and I attended a simple prayer service led by the hospitalero; we all offered thanks for our caminos, our lives and our loves.
... Later we each thanked the others for sharing such transcendent moments.

 

[Rowena]

April 14, 2024
After two days of travel from Canada, I arrived in Zamora to begin the Camino Sanabres. My first photo, leaving the train station, heading towards my hostal.

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Eunate albergue

photo taken October 18, 2011



This is the exterior of the Eunate albergue the last time I had the pleasure and privilege to stay there.
One of the delights was falling asleep on a mat in the dark attic dorm while regarding above on the ceiling a phosphorescent band of stars, the Milky Way, leading westward.
...Such moments must simply be remembered in our hearts.

 

[lalaone]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Eunate albergue

photo taken October 18, 2011

View attachment 170245

This is the exterior of the Eunate albergue the last time I had the pleasure and privilege to stay there.
One of the delights was falling asleep on a mat in the dark attic dorm while regarding above on the ceiling a phosphorescent band of stars, the Milky Way, leading westward.
...Such moments must simply be remembered in our hearts.

I never knew there was an albergue there! Simply and powerfully beautiful. Thank you for sharing, from one heart to another.

 

[Theatregal]

Evening in Boadilla del Camino. Camino Frances. September 23, 2023

 

[Rowena]

April 15, 2024 Zamora
I took a day to explore this lovely city before beginning my walk.

 

[mspath]

Camino Argones
Muruzábal
Iglesia de Santa María de Eunate

photo taken October 21, 2015



My last visit at Eunate was, as always, poignant. When leaving I turned for this final glimpse of the 1000 year old structure surrounded by fields of corn and fennel.
...May peace reign here another thousand years.

 

[nycwalking]

Camino Frances
Cizur Menor
Roncal albergue

photo taken October 1, 2004

View attachment 169148

After trying to cross bustling Pamplona on crowded sidewalks with a full backpack the informal Roncal albergue atmosphere was especially relaxing.

I twice stayed there: 2002 and 2014.

February 2014, I walked all the way from Pamplona to Roncal albergue in Cizur Menor. I had just fallen and twisted my ankle on that awful rubble in pic below.

The owner opened her albergue early and let me rest all day long.

Yes, I remember being so surprised the first time because the surface on the climb was fine. The rubble going is torture on delicate ankles.
View attachment 169745

 

[Rowena]

April 15, 2024 Zamora
I didn’t have time to go into most of the beautiful Romanesque churches in Zamora, as they all closed up by 2:00. However, the walk through the old part of the city towards the cathedral and the castle revealed glorious views and striking architecture at every turn.

 

[SabsP]

Today. Thirteen years ago.
Xunta albergue Ribadiso de Baixo.

 

[mspath]

Puente La Reina-Gares
Calle del Crucifijo
night

photo taken October 23, 2013



Walking alone along the deserted Calle del Crucifijo produced a personal frisson on a cold October night.

 

[Anne&Pat]

We have had long days walking since we posted last until today!
Nogaro to Aire-sur L’Adour, Day 31, Via Podiensis, 13th May 2024.
Sunny day with more vines and corn fields in abundance.

 

[markie6]

Evening in Boadilla del Camino. Camino Frances. September 23, 2024

View attachment 170267

Time travelling again

 

[Anne&Pat]

Aire-sur-L’Adour to Pimbo, Day 32, Via Podiensis, 14th, May, 2024.
Leaving Aire-surL’Adour you walk around this beautiful lake for awhile, which was a pleasant change.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Pimbo to Geus d’Arzacq, Day 33, Via Podiensis, 15th May 2024.
We got our first view of the Pyrenees this afternoon, it has been difficult to see them clearly with all the clouds.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Geus d’Arzacq to Maslacq, Day 34, Via Podiensis, 16th, May 2024.
Good walk today and not so long, we actually reached our accommodation about 30 minutes before we could get in. It was sun and cloud most of the day but as we were waiting in the garden of our accommodation, at 14.50hrs the rain and hail started and we luckily were ushered into the house early to shelter!
More great views of the snow covered Pyrenees for most of our walk today and they are definitely getting closer!
We paused for a few minutes to visit the Eglise St Pierre in Argagnon a couple of kilometres before arriving at our destination for today. These are photos of two Chemin/Camino related stained glass windows from the church.

 

[Rowena]

April 16, 2024, 8:00 am. Via de la Plata
Leaving Zamora on the way to Montamarta. Good waymarking.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Puente La Reina - Gares
Calle del Crucifijo

photo taken February 11, 2007



After Sunday mass members of the congregation enjoyed the winter sunshine on the Calle del Crucifijo in the private/public space between the open door of the Convento del Crucifijo and the closed door of the Iglesia del Crucifijo.

 

[Theatregal]

My favourite fruteria in Santiago de Compostela. April 30, 2018

 

[SabsP]

Two today.
End of my first Camino. Today thirteen years ago. When you were still allowed into the cathdedral with your backpack.

2019. Today. First day on the Camino Vasco Interior. Irun. Thanks to the perfect orientationskills of @VNwalking I found my way out of this town.