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I am on the Camino de Sagunto (see my live thread…)
Third day in, have yet to meet a single peregrino. Fab food and accommodation and waymarking is good.
I highly recommend a little adventurousness - there are great alternatives to the Francès but you need resilience and not necessarily require...
It already seems like ancient history... but I took ‘advantage’ of the Covid crisis to hike from Vézelay to Santiago in September/October 2020. We were few... and most Albergues were firmly closed or running a half capacity, including that at Burgos.
I had stayed previously at the pilgrim...
I was interested to see on their website that there is actually an association of Camino hotels...
Check out via the hotel’s website.
Camino de Santiago
The Hotel Norte y Londres founded in 1904 is the oldest hotel in all of the Camino de Santiago. We are very proud of the fact that the Camino...
Los Tres Abetos in Arzúa. I stayed last October, all alone, in this new, tasteful super-clean establishment. Just across the road when you hit the main road. Run by a delightful Swiss couple. Fab-u-lous! Restaurant recommendation was also tops...
With regards to the Burgos route..... when I first walked the Francès, I had been warned about the grim access to Burgos and I ‘discovered’ the riverside, green alternative.
I walked the Francès again last October and noted that it was signposted (confusingly) and indicated in guidebooks...
As It56ny mentioned Paseo de Saraste, I recall that I went into a municipal building where on the first floor in stately surroundings are numerous wonderful effects, posters, scores, walking canes, instruments etc. Left to the city by one of its famous ‘sons’, namely, the world celebrated...
I am always amazed in London to be given vacated bus seats due to my greying, thinning ‘barnet’, and never reveal that I still hike thousands of kilometres a year... and likewise always accept, when offered, the increasingly common, wheelchair accessible ground floor ‘suite’ with private shower...
I made my own way with compass to Santa Cruz de la Seròs from Jaca. There were some markings but they petered out so it became a challenge. I stayed in the lovely little hotel in Santa Cruz and hiked up the mountain to San Juan after lunch.
My hike began in Arles on the Via Tolosana. If you...
Pamplona... I spent two nights in 2020. I walked to to University Campus and was delighted by the fabulous art gallery and Museum of Navarre. The Campus is a delight with superb views.
When I hiked the Norte, I started from the airport at Biarritz. I subsequently spent time in Bayonne and...
Quite delightful! I especially appreciated the brief daily commentary and shots of selective lodging signs. I will look at dogs in a different way henceforth. Your quotation from the Codex was so apt. Gracias!
Lastly some shots of the interior of the cathedral. Ikea—esque new confessionals. St James on telly in a beleagured state!
An Arab film festival in SdC - well, full marks!
Heading to London where I have never seen ‘Lion of Porches’.
And lastly, the lovely thirties Correos. Now I know why the...
The 30’s house is part of an enclave in the new town on the way to the station. This is where it all happens! Including a chart topping 9 Euro meal inc. bottle of tinto with no foreigner in sight, bar me.
I am not great on these phones...
Anyway the yellow arrows show which side of the street you should walk on!
Laundromat with a feature period washing machine!
Christmas market being set up.
So... soon to Lavacolla. Still, a highlight has been to meet our glorious leader, Ivar himself. Upright at his computer, surrounded by shelving, boxes and a fresh pile of Brierley’s Sanabres/Invierno guide.
The queue at 10.30 opening time to apply for my Compostella was 5. Be warned: one is...
Breakfast service. Nothing is too much trouble. The Parador solution to Covid is individual portions in glass jars and little bamboo tongs. Perfection
A wonderful late ‘50s tiled wall on the staircase to the restaurant
I would urge all pilgrims to treat themselves to a drink and thus have...
Paradores - Desde 1928 - Calidad - Amabilidad - Leyenda = heavenly!!
So when did you last have your rain-soaked mochilla carried by a uniformed bellboy to your room in a separate lift...
Deep-pile carpets along endless wall-sconce lit corridors, all shaded, cossetted, gentle, deep cushioned...
Made it! Cold and grim weather.
Parador made an offer price I could not refuse! Seemed the ultimate treat to stay in the original hospital.
More tomorrrow...
In Arzua at Los Tres Abetos albergue right opposite as you hit the ‘high street’. Best value Euro 12 to date. Swiss ship-shape and great host to boot. Looks too snazzy and designery from the outside to consider... but stay HERE and go to the recommended hostelry to eat ‘parrillada’.
Raining...
Mass, then visit to the Museu da Terra de Melide. Then Sunday lunch at the Pulperia one hits on the way in. Had a coffee and left my mochilla, having discarded my capa.
Sunday market. Lady at museum clarified that the cute round construction seen this morning was a less usual (and less durable)...
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