I'll be talking about the Cistercian Way and pilgrimage this Sunday at Penrhys in South Wales. Would love to see you there
https://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/cistercian-way-talk-2/
and I'll be doing another talk on the Cistercian Way at Penrhys in South Wales on the evening of Sunday 24th September. Details here:
https://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/cistercian-way-talk/
so sorry Grace - sounds like a good call though.
I wrote this little reflection when I had to go home with injury last year:
https://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2016/12/01/walking-the-cistercian-way-on-becoming-a-more-broken-pilgrim-part-2/
as I look back - that was the most significant part of...
with the homeless shelters - I had a conversation with the police about them when I walked in 2009. Both they and I were of the opinion that staying in them might take a bed from someone who needed it more than me. Plenty of hostals in these pueblos - or sleeping under the stars
Does the albergue in Algemesi still contain a school in part of it? I almost had an embarrassing situation when I set off for the shower wrapped in a towel
I walked it starting at the beginning of September 2009. It wasn't as hot as that - usually mid to high 30's. It is important to carry a lot of water. And use the Guide to predict where it is possible to get water on the stages. Drink as much as you can before you start walking in the...
Good to catch up with all this - and Buen Camino to those walking. I walked in 2009 and met no pilgrims until Zamora. A great Camino.
Could I respectfully suggest people buy and carry the Guide? As well as supporting the Amigos, it has lots of useful information on accomodation.
Andy
Yes. Unfortunately the steepness of the path meant I couldn't strim and mow the vegetation that made it impossible to see where I was putting my feet / poles before I started my descent.
A number of people who walk 'professionally' like Chris Townsend and Sectionhiker either cut the straps...
I got a pole stuck in a hole once when going down a very steep hill. very painful shoulder as a result - the strap was round my wrist and I couldn't let go. Have always removed the straps from my poles since
It was September, and I couldn't go beyond the town limits before first light if I wanted to find the way, so I must have been starting as the bars opened.
I think there were people harvesting on quite a few sections, I guess the bars opened for them too
But coffee stops would have been very...
The Stages I walked are here:
https://pilgrimpace.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/stages/
but this is old history now compared to other accounts on the Forum.
Just bear in mind about the water - there are long stages with none available on route. The Guide was good in warning about this.
There was one in Mota del Cueva too in 2009. The Guidebook listed it as an albergue. I got a bit lost that day and walked to a road to reorientate. The Guarda appeared and ID'd me. When they asked where I was headed, they said I was not to stay there as I would be depriving a homeless person...
It's a long time now since I walked it. There are a few more options for accommodation - the two 40km I walked (into Higeruela and into Toledo can now be split). There are a number of days though where you start in one pueblo and finish in the next one, which can be 25 - 30km. No bars...
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