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Indeed there are lilacs on the Camino

Gadflyparexcellence

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Walked in "2016," "2018," "2022."
While writing a piece on lilacs recently (see below), I had an uncanny feeling that I had seen them somewhere on Camino Francis during one of my walks. But I couldn't recall exactly where I had seen them. I posed a question on a thread on flowers on this forum asking if anyone have seen lilacs on the Camino. Since I didn't receive any answer, I took it for granted that perhaps they don't exist on the Camino and that all this must have been the result of an illusory memory.

But the thought of having seem them kept nagging me, and I recently went through tons of pictures that I took during all my trips. Lo and behold, to my utter relief, I found a couple of photos on lilacs that I had come across on the Camino.

Enclosed are three lilac snaps that I took on May 15, 2016. Since the location feature on my i-phone was turned off, I can not tell the name of the exact location where I took it. But following the sequence of my photos, I could say that I came across the lilac bushes shortly after a brief stop-over at Bar Azketako for coffee and other refreshments. I'm enclosing a snap of the building I saw next to the lilac bushes that might give you an idea of the exact location.

 

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St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Hello @Gadflyparexcellence
The church in your photo is La Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol, Villamayor de Monjardín...

Cheers
Lovingkindness

How to make Lilac flower syrup
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of lilac flowers
blueberries for colour

1 Heat 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until sugar is disolved.
2 Add 1 cup of lilac flowers and allow to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. If desired, add a few blueberries for color or use food coloring.
3 Drain syrup into a sealable glass jar - through a filter in order to remove the flowers. Let it cool, and then put in the fridge.
4 Add syrup to tea, cocktails, or use as a syrup.

IMG_3238r.JPG
*17 April, 2021 near Sembas, Le Lot-et-Garonne, France. Sembas is situated on le Chemin de Saint Jacques/GR 652.
 
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Indeed there are lilacs, Gladfly! I recall quite a few encounters during my May 2016 Camino Frances, and maybe in 2018 as well. I can’t pinpoint where, but I think maybe in Rabanal. Their scent took me back to childhood.

On the Norte in 2019, I can’t recall see lilacs, but the hydrangeas were amazing.
 

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Hello @Gadflyparexcellence
The church in your photo is La Iglesia de San Andrés Apóstol, Villamayor de Monjardín...

Cheers
Lovingkindness

How to make Lilac flower syrup
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of lilac flowers
blueberries for colour

1 Heat 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until sugar is disolved.
2 Add 1 cup of lilac flowers and allow to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. If desired, add a few blueberries for color or use food coloring.
3 Drain syrup into a sealable glass jar - through a filter in order to remove the flowers. Let it cool, and then put in the fridge.
4 Add syrup to tea, cocktails, or use as a syrup.

View attachment 101941
*17 April, 2021 near Sembas, Le Lot-et-Garonne, France. Sembas is situated on le Chemin de Saint Jacques/GR 652.
Many thanks. Much appreciated.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Indeed there are lilacs, Gladfly! I recall quite a few encounters during my May 2016 Camino Frances, and maybe in 2018 as well. I can’t pinpoint where, but I think maybe in Rabanal. Their scent took me back to childhood.

On the Norte in 2019, I can’t recall see lilacs, but the hydrangeas were amazing.
Great to know. Many thanks.
 
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