• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

On the Camino: One Day at a Time, one Photo at a Time 8.0

Status
Not open for further replies.
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
I wish I hadn’t missed the top of the arch, though. The street must have been very narrow. Or I was careless!
1641150490522.jpeg
2 Oct, 2016

Same. If I remember correctly, the narrow street went downhill rather precipitously, which would have affected angle. To the left of where I was standing when I took the photo was either a cafe/bar or small market to get snacks. It was a nice spot to take a break.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Camino Frances
towards Hornillos del Camino

photo taken November 10, 2013

towards Hornillos del Camino.jpg

Whenever I crossed the meseta, this immense wind-swept Castillian plateau which rises west of Burgos, I found it impressive.
Cold in late autumn with thick clinging mud which dragged my boots, frigid in winter with a wicked wind from the west; neither easy, nor impossible all 10 times I walked here were indeed memorable.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Golega, the 'Horse Capital of Portugal', famous for its national and international horse fair Feira Nacional do Cavalo held during the first 2 weeks in November when accommodation for miles around is booked out a year in advance. We stayed in Lusitanus , which is part of the equestrian centre. The photo is from the restaurant where we had dinner, overlooking the main arena, Largo Marques de Pombal. CP, April, 2016. ( May have posted this previously ;))
P4283520.JPG
 
Castromonte, on the Madrid, 17 Sept 2018. It is a converted school, a sign of the depopulation of the Spanish countryside. It can accommodate groups, which was just as well because one of them had been there shortly before and left the makings of some kind of meal in the fridge (did you know you can grill onions?) - there was nothing in the village bar to eat, but they were very solicitous and assured us Ivan would be along soon to open up the albergue. Some hours later an effusively apologetic Ivan turned up on his tractor explaining that he hadn't been able to hear his phone because of the noise of said tractor. Anyway, you'll notice the panel on the wall by the door. It has this poem on it:

Cuando el ocaso del sol
te muestre
el camino hacia la mañana,
cuando tus huesos cansados,
se hallan en este, tu hogar;
lava tus heridos
calma tu hambre,
sacia tu sed,
y recuerda
la promesa que te trajó aqui

Rapper 2016 y Fran Soto

When the beating down of the sun
shows you
the way to the morning,
when your tired bones
find themselves here, at home;
wash your wounds
satisfy your hunger,
quench your thirst,
and remember
the promise that brought you here.

(My translation). I can find no trace of the poem or Rapper 2016 y Fran Soto, so I assume it is original.DSC04439.JPG
 
Rabe de las Calzadas.jpg

I occasionally will post one I already shared.
Sunday afternoon in Rabé le las Calzadas.The gentle Hijas de la Caridad walking .

I walked a part of the CF in 2013. It was not an easy Camino ( for different reasons ) but this welcoming village was very comforting.
Was a short etapa seeing I only walked from Burgos that day.

When I arrived in the village at noon I was warmly greeted by the local choir ( one of the Sisters was also a member ) that was practicing in the church.

 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
.The gentle Hijas de la Caridad walking .
I love staying in Rabe just because they are there. Going to Vespers with them is such a treat.

My photo today is in honour of the wonderful Albergue El Refugio in La Faba that was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve. A sad loss for the community and for the camino.
What sad news.
Same, 2014:
El Refugio.JPG
And I assume I took this photo there? I loved the whimsy of it.
IMG_8349.JPG
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Join our full-service guided tour of the Basque Country and let us pamper you!
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!
Camino Frances
A Salceda
memorial

photo taken March 20, 2009

A Salceda, memorial.jpg

At A Salceda, 26km east of Santiago, 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.
Elsewhere along the camino there are many markers to pilgrims who died while walking or biking on route to Santiago.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
November 8, 2021, Betanzos (Camino Ingles)
 

Attachments

  • The Clear and Convincing Warning.jpg
    The Clear and Convincing Warning.jpg
    206.1 KB · Views: 17
  • The Clear and Convincing Evidence.jpg
    The Clear and Convincing Evidence.jpg
    209.4 KB · Views: 18
  • The Pilgrim Who Ignored the Warning Sign.jpg
    The Pilgrim Who Ignored the Warning Sign.jpg
    61 KB · Views: 22
Last edited:
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
this one is probably a repeat.
Since some of us have short memories, repeats are fine.
And that shot is superb. A classic Camino Frances view.

Good doggie, good doggie...
😰🤭
We love your photos and stories and hope you are on this thread for the long haul, Mera! So please pace yourself. It's called 'one day at a time one photo at a time,' to summarize the game. One photo each day, to keep our spirits up through the pandemic. Maybe I should have started with 'one day at a time, 1/4 photo at a time...' o_O

Mine today is dawn, climbing out of Hornillos on a chilly March day with frost crunching underfoot.
IMG_7619.JPG
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
The legendary Sinin from Elvis Bar. What a laugh we had with him; here he is in full flow tapping the bar to an old tune. Glad to hear recently on the forum that he is still running the show.
Elvis bar.jpg
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Enroute down from Alto del Perdón. I had read that the path was stony, but what is this, at the start, a lovely smooth graded path. Sadly it only lasted 4 minutes. But they were a nice 4 minutes. CF May 2016.

View attachment 115906View attachment 115907
I took a shortcut, too. A few of these pebbles decided to roll under my boots and I fell backward. I ended up on my bottom, then the weight of my backpack started pushing me downward. I had a spectacular, high-speed unplanned sliding to the next bend. Once I determined that none of my bones were broken, I sprung up remarkably fast and started walking with my maximum speed hoping that no one would remember my face. Thanks to my everyday look and many other Koreans on the CF, people didn't remember my face that is until they saw my hiking umbrella. Because I was one of the only two who were carrying hiking umbrellas, whenever I opened my umbrella, some people started asking "...uh, were you the one who..." or "Did you by any chance (...all kind of adjectives describing a fall here...)?" I must admit that "graceful, beautiful, good and efficient way to get down from Alto del Perdón or I will try that next time" was not used to describe my fall.
 
I once stayed at a place called Pencion/Restaurant Iribar in Getaria on the Norte. Last October, I also went there but found out that lovely lady (Klaudia) who ran the impeccable pencion passed away in 2020. Klaudia's daughter is now running the place. Upon returning home, I sent the daughter a condolence card. I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her mother's kindness toward a stranger like me. I received a response and sharing it here. Death is a sure thing for everyone, more so in this time of COVID. In the end, we all live on only in someones' memory. I believe that knowing our loved ones are being remembered kindly by others gives some solace to the grieving family. This was my way of returning Klaudia's kindness. By being a lovely person, I believe Klaudia's life was rich and full, and now she rests in peace. Please remember Klaudia in your thoughts. I know you have not actually met Kaludia but she is the one and the same as all those kind people we met on the Camino who lifted up our pilgrim spirits.

I appreciate this thread because seeing others' photos and imaging their memories gives me a chance to relive the Camino and makes me happy in looking forward to the next one.
 

Attachments

  • Pencion Iribar.jpg
    Pencion Iribar.jpg
    70.2 KB · Views: 41
Last edited:
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
del Norte July 17, 2019. Taking a dip at Islares.

I came upon three young Italian ladies on my way in to Islares and we started a conversation. Next thing I knew we were all walking together, none of us knew exactly where we were going to sleep that night but we were headed to the campground. Upon arrival the hostess informed us she only had two bungalows available with two beds each. That’s it.
I felt bad for the young lady who said she would bunk with me only because I snore. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep because I was so worried I would disturb her and those bungalow walls were paper thin. But I was ever so grateful their three became my four and I was able to get a bed. ☺️ The Camino does provide.

3FD828DC-ABBC-428B-B451-6C77E2C49372.jpeg034AE62C-E35C-41CF-9A44-3FD70A27B356.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Mansilla de las Mulas
municipal albergue
boots

photo taken November 18, 2012

Mansilla de Las Mulas.jpg

Camino life might be described as akin to boot camp! As rookies we gain endurance plus tenacity while trusting personal gear and motivation. Most importantly we re-connect with others sharing both philosophic and geographic ways. Battered but proud of what has been accomplished we then belong to a very special group, our fellow pilgrims.
 
Join our full-service guided tour of the Basque Country and let us pamper you!
Castrojeriz.jpg

Albergue Casa Nostra in Castrojeriz.
I was there on the 26th of April 2011. Still so quiet in April and May when I walked. No big groups, no loudness and not much cellphones either. Almost every albergue or bar still had a regular deskcomputer ( operated with coins ) to get onto the internet.

 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
A selection of Camino Jewellery
The legendary Sinin from Elvis Bar. What a laugh we had with him; here he is in full flow tapping the bar to an old tune. Glad to hear recently on the forum that he is still running the show.
View attachment 115908
Is this the same Elvis Bar indicated here?
 

Attachments

  • Elvis 200 meter Arrow.jpg
    Elvis 200 meter Arrow.jpg
    5.4 MB · Views: 29
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Looking back at Las Medulas. Invierno June 10, 2019. At some point I took a wrong turn and visited the lovely little village of Yeres (not on the camino), where I met some wonderful people who directed me 4 km along a beautiful quiet road by way of Las Vegas which brought me back to the camino and into Puente de Domingo Flórez. A spectacular day.

DSC06099 (1).jpeg
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
I loved these types of art along the way, I took this shot too. In my mind I thought it St James charging forward. 🤷🏻‍♀️😊
FourSeasons,
Perhaps that is so. After I wrote the post I, too, thought that it may be St James on his white horse riding into battle.
 
View attachment 115936

Albergue Casa Nostra in Castrojeriz.
I was there on the 26th of April 2011. Still so quiet in April and May when I walked. No big groups, no loudness and not much cellphones either. Almost every albergue or bar still had a regular deskcomputer ( operated with coins ) to get onto the internet.

Ah, yes I recall the desktop computers that cost 1 euro to access the internet which I did on my first in 2013 as I didn't have a cell phone with me. It was a great gathering and a fantastic time to catch up with fellow pilgrims while waiting your turn.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
near Irache
photo taken February 3, 2009

near Irache.JPG

These three young Spanish guys and I had companionably shared near empty cold dorms in both Puente La Reina and Estella on the CF. Before leaving they sang/danced "adios" raising their hiking poles in a salute.
 
Santiago de Compostela August 15, 2019
Camino July 5 - August 15
Up Mountains,
Out to the Sea.
Unplanned train ride,
Is what del Norte gave to me.

Back in Fromista.
The Frances I will repeat.
Only a few days later,
Could an injury defeat?

Three days hold up here,
Another seven over there.
With new kicks and a healed leg,
I'll press on take good care.

Getting closer by the kilometer.
Feeling the push and the pull.
Reaching St. James again,
Now I am full.

HALLELUJAH & EUPHORIA 🥰
236B0297-6BDF-4E20-B28E-BA9C1C2C74CD.jpeg
 
Last edited:
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Graduation Day, Tomar, CP, May, 2016. We experienced two very sleepless nights in Tomar, the night before Graduation and the night of Graduation! Unfortunately this was repeated when we got to Coimbra five days later!
View attachment 115979
It's known as 'As queima das fitas', burning the rags - traditionally Portuguese students would burn their student cloaks on attaining their degrees. There was also a tradition that the students (all male, we re going back a while), would make a rip in their cloaks every time they made a 'conquest', hence the ragged condition of their cloaks. Portugal has moved on a bit since then, I am happy to say, but it is still a joyful celebration for all genders.
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
View attachment 115981

Another albergue. USDA Obanos.
CF 2011.
Simplicity : how I like it.
Although some reviewers seem to expect a five star hotel.

A nice little Albergue that one. Coming off the Aragonés we decided to stop there instead of pushing on to Puente la Reina. Good decision. Óbanos doesn't have much going for it though
 
14 Sept 2019.
'Is not a rat, Mr Fawlty'. Alright then, so it's not a rat. What is it then? We stopped to look inside a tiny ermita on the Salvador. We could hear noises of unspecified origin inside, so I got out my torch and found this little guy, cowering in a window alcove. Maybe it is a rat, but I don't think so. Can anyone identify the species?

P1000379.JPG
 
'Is not a rat, Mr Fawlty'. Alright then, so it's not a rat. What is it then?
It looks like a chinchilla to me. There is a town in Spain named Chinchilla de Monte-Aragón but chinchilla are native to the Andes. Your guy could be related to an escaped pet or prisoner. Cute.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
A nice little Albergue that one. Coming off the Aragonés we decided to stop there instead of pushing on to Puente la Reina. Good decision. Óbanos doesn't have much going for it though
It does have the most gorgeous lavender bushes, though. Perfect camouflage in hot weather, carefully picked and inserted in hats and button holes...
 
This is a repost but it is one of my favorites. I picked it for today's post because of snow. It's in my picture and my future. The first big snow of the season has started. We have had a few dustings though, somewhat like the snow (and rain) that fell on me in the picture.

Alto de Pedrón, November 10, 2019
IMG_20191110_113526-01.jpeg
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
May 12, 2019, El Norte (somewhere after Comillas)
Are there a biologist on this forum who can tell me what this white spider is doing here? Please see the photo closely. There is a white spider right in the middle, I suspect that s/he is waiting for an unsuspecting and unfortunate victim. I have never seen a spider hunting this way. Or am I accusing an innocent flower-loving poetic spider?
 

Attachments

  • Sneaky Spider  1.jpg
    Sneaky Spider 1.jpg
    509.5 KB · Views: 31
The legendary Sinin from Elvis Bar. What a laugh we had with him; here he is in full flow tapping the bar to an old tune. Glad to hear recently on the forum that he is still running the show.
View attachment 115908
Here is another Elvis I saw on Primitivo in 2019.
 

Attachments

  • Elvis on Primitivo.jpg
    Elvis on Primitivo.jpg
    3.8 MB · Views: 35
Ideal pocket guides for during & after your Camino. Each weighs only 1.4 oz (40g)!
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Santa Cristina de Lena. Probably built around 850 on the orders of Ramiro, King of Asturias and possibly by the same architect as Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. One capital is carved as a derivative of a Roman Corinthian capital, the other has two animals, probably lions, facing away from each other. There are bits in the church that are reckoned to be Visigothic but were probably recycled from an earlier church. It is on the Camino del Salvador, and if you are there at the right time (there's a website) you can go round it. It is a gem, full of unique features like these, and still well-preserved. It really is worth making a special a special effort to see inside. 15 Sept 2019.

P1000404 Santa Cristina de lena(2).JPG
 
Santa Cristina de Lena. Probably built around 850 on the orders of Ramiro, King of Asturias and possibly by the same architect as Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo. One capital is carved as a derivative of a Roman Corinthian capital, the other has two animals, probably lions, facing away from each other. There are bits in the church that are reckoned to be Visigothic but were probably recycled from an earlier church. It is on the Camino del Salvador, and if you are there at the right time (there's a website) you can go round it. It is a gem, full of unique features like these, and still well-preserved. It really is worth making a special a special effort to see inside. 15 Sept 2019.

View attachment 116073
The lady with the key and a beautiful dog seems to be able to sense visitors... the day we were there she appeared and opened up the church. Not to be missed, you are so right.
 
Join our full-service guided tour of the Basque Country and let us pamper you!
I believe this is the Callejon de Entrerruas.

For those who not know it, here is some more information.
µhttps://www.elcorreogallego.es/hemeroteca/entrerruas-falso-callejon-estrecho-compostela-CCCG1091355
Yes!! I’m not sure what your artical says because I don’t read Spanish. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I discovered this passage in 2013 when looking for an Internet cafe, you remember those, don’t you? I took my friend through there past the restaurant out the other side to Rua Nova. She was quite impressed with my navigational skills. Nice little short cut near the tourist office. 😁
8403BF80-E811-4015-AA75-CE53D950A4CE.jpeg
 
If I am correct then this was a couple of minutes before I took a wrong turn
Heehee. After. As usual, I was poking along behind Sabine and in fairness, have to say I followed her for a little while. *Don't cross the railroad tracks until after you've passed Alegria!*
This is a photo taken a bit before Sabine's, looking at the way ahead. It's one of my favorite shadow photos, unintentionally.
20190522_085334.jpg
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
May 12, 2019, El Norte (somewhere after Comillas)
Are there a biologist on this forum who can tell me what this white spider is doing here? Please see the photo closely. There is a white spider right in the middle, I suspect that s/he is waiting for an unsuspecting and unfortunate victim. I have never seen a spider hunting this way. Or am I accusing an innocent flower-loving poetic spider?
She is waiting for her father to come along.
1640922300278.jpg

 
She is waiting for her father to come along.
If you have a spider phobia, DON'T open the Aussie article @Doughnut NZ just posted from his safe perch on the other side of the Tasman. It has a super creepy photo of a massive spider.
:eek::eek::eek:

Edit. It takes forever for photos to load, and now I see my warning was moot. 🤣
(Shudder...)
 
Last edited:
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
That is where I fell in love with the Camino Portugues. Even the cobblestones the next couple of days could not change that feeling.
Yes. I was a little surprised that I loved the CP (litoral/coastal) as much as i did the CF. They hold equal fondness to me. The central route (2 days then back to the coast) was good, but the coast was spectacular.
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
She is waiting for her father to come along.
View attachment 116077

Long long ago, I was trained at a place called FLETC in Glynco, Georgia, a huge complex. The first thing they told us was to shake off our clothes every morning to avoid accidently wearing the clothes with deadly brown recluse spiders that might had nestled there. Then they told us that there were alligators everywhere and we should try to run fast, not necessarily faster than the alligators but just faster than at least one person next to us.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Most read last week in this forum

Greetings all. I was scheduled to start in Porto in a few days. Went for a 20 km hike yesterday (my longest thus far) and almost didn’t make it. By the time I got home, I could hardly walk...
I have a confession. I am terrified of - and yes now feel free to laugh - the top bed in bunks with no railing/fence (something to stop you falling out). I've managed to get away with it except...
This is the latest fad for Camino stay out of the wind and woods 🤗.
One way or another, you need to see this movie! We were lucky enough this evening to attend the 'World Premiere' that was followed by a Q&A Session with: Writer / Director / Producer - Bill...
Did it make a difference in your short term, long term and lifetime? Did it change your soul..or chain it forevermore to some dusty track in Spain Are you in the ever present because of it, or...
Yes, pardon me. So I've just read this cool article about the closing of the Puerta del Perdón in the Monastery of Santo Toribio for the holy year (and it is a very beautiful peurta for sure). It...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top