Arrived SDC on October 20

[ConnachtRambler]

Pauline and I arrived in Santiago on October 20 after 51 days of walking and three days of sightseeing - Merida, Salamanca and Ourense. We should also have allowed a day for Zamora.

It has been a wonderful experience. We met many more people than we expected to, saw fascinating places we never knew existed and now feel great both mentally and physically.

My advice to anyone attempting this or any other Camino - if you have the time take it easy. There is so much to see. We averaged 19km per day. We did have to do up to 30km a couple of times.

I should gave said we started at Almaden de la Plata as we didn't believe we could do stage three in 36C.

Finally, I don't know if this has been mentioned before but there is s brand new albergue in Campobecerros. It looked as if it would be ready to open within days.

Liam

 

[isabelle304]

Day 3 (Castilblanco de los Arroyos-Almaden de la Plata) is really demanding, what with starting with 16km of road walking with nowhere to hide from the sun! When I walked the VdlP in 2009, 3 other pilgrims and myself actually shared a taxi from Castilblanco to the entrance of El Berrocal. All was left to walk then were the 13 km of beautiful off-road paths to Almaden. This is the only time ever in all of my 4 caminos that I actually used motorised transport to get me through a stage!

ps: I agree with you about Zamora - definitely warrants a day there. My rest days were exactly the same as yours. I also agree about taking it slow if you can. I took 54 days to do my VdlP, starting in Sevilla, so it sounds like you and I walked our VdlPs in very similar fashion

 

[peregrina2000]

Congratulations Liam, am so glad you made it safely and happily! Oh, the Vdlp, I want to go again! Hard to beat a Camino that passes through so many beautiful cities. In addition to Zamora, Caceres is another well worth a longer visit.

Maybe the powers that be feel so bad about ruining the countryside around Campobecerros with the train construction that they've decided to atone for their sins by putting back an albergue in Campobecerros. Is this one in town (there was one years ago in the train station, but it had closed when I walked through)?

Would love to hear more about your impressions -- did you stay in Lubian, for instance? Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Mike Savage]

Well done and congratulations! I like that pace too.

 

[natefaith]

Congratulations, Liam and Pauline! A huge accomplishment. Maybe we'll see you here in Santiago - there's some summer weather to welcome you!