Bad Pilgrim
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Yes
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That is my kind of start to a Camino!
Well I can see them "as is", I just can't enjoy them yet...no rush!Ok, I still need to make them smaller... I will do that when I have hunted down a stamp for my credencial...!
Well... if you follow the arrow in your 2nd arrow photo, you'll be on the wild Camino BarZoneI went to the Cathedral to see if I could spot any arrows and sure enough I caught 2 of them on camera (see below). I have no idea if they belong to the Levante or the Requena...! Who knows where I will end up tomorrow.
The pictures now work well. You are having lovely weather with blue skies and no clouds.I think you can see the pictures properly now, but they are just bad pictures from my cellphone...
I hope your room has aircon then.But is so hot...!
I hope your room has aircon then.
How hot is it outside?
Tks for the detail and the pics.
I agree! Juan Jose (Juanjo) was an amazing support when I contacted him recently to help a pilgrim we met on the Lana who had an accident resulting in a fractured foot. He organised local people to provide all the help needed to get the pilgrim back to UK. Can’t thank him enough.Got his phone number. Now, I am one sturdy pilgrim who can fend for himself. But it feels safe to have a lifeline should something unexpected occur...!
I am glad it all ended well for this pilgrim! Actually there are quite a few of us who have had problems on the Lana, it is almost a recurring theme. I hurt my foot in 2017 and had to stop for a week.I agree! Juan Jose (Juanjo) was an amazing support when I contacted him recently to help a pilgrim we met on the Lana who had an accident resulting in a fractured foot. He organised local people to provide all the help needed to get the pilgrim back to UK. Can’t thank him enough.
I have been talking to señor Juan José from the Asociación del Camino de la Lana. It is always nice to get in contact with helpful people right from the get-go!
I used this phone number to contact him The incident happened in AtienzaBP, do you have the contact info? Is it via this website:
Inicio | Caminolanavalencia
El Camino de Santiago desde Valencia por el Camino de la Lana. La ruta jacobea más corta para llegar a Compostela desde la capital del Turiawww.caminolanavalencia.es
Their contact page lists a lot of options, but I’m assuming you were in touch with the first one on the list — via email?
I’m asking because I am now going to suspend my judgment about whether my next camino will be the Lana from Alicante/Villajoyosa or the Lana from Valencia. You are injecting way too much doubt with these early posts. And I do love Valencia!
BP, do you have the contact info? Is it via this website:
Inicio | Caminolanavalencia
El Camino de Santiago desde Valencia por el Camino de la Lana. La ruta jacobea más corta para llegar a Compostela desde la capital del Turiawww.caminolanavalencia.es
Their contact page lists a lot of options, but I’m assuming you were in touch with the first one on the list — via email?
I’m asking because I am now going to suspend my judgment about whether my next camino will be the Lana from Alicante/Villajoyosa or the Lana from Valencia. You are injecting way too much doubt with these early posts. And I do love Valencia!
The incident happened in Atienza
The new(ish) church is interesting because of its ultra-modern bell tower, complete with a small viewing platform. I wonder if it is open to the public for a bird's eye view. Did you try to get in to climb, @Bad Pilgrim? I never pass a bell tower without at least trying to go up.
So my humble itinerary for the first 2 days are:
Valencia - Manises (8 kms)
Manises - Loriguilla (13 kms)
Tomorrow I plan to stay in Chiva, 17 kms from here. Trying to add a few kms from day to day, slowly getting used to longer stages. And there are heatwaves coming up, according to the news..
Hope you keep well, these temps are unreal. I'm in Andalusia in the mountains and the sun is like a hammer, a maximum of 15 minutes outside for me at the moment. I have been in hotter but these rays seem to have extra oomph.What a day. I am not used to 28 kms. To make a long story short: last part of it was hell. When I got to the first bar in Siete Aguas I felt sick, to the point of throwing up. But now I think it is ok.
Hope you keep well, these temps are unreal. I'm in Andalusia in the mountains and the sun is like a hammer, a maximum of 15 minutes outside for me at the moment. I have been in hotter but these rays seem to have extra oomph.
I'm about 25 km inland from Malaga, it's cooler than the rest of Andulicia but it still feels extreme.Oh,
Where in Andalucia are you? Yes it was ok when I was close to the sea, but now temperature rises as I move towards Castilla - La Mancha... I heard it was even worse in Extremadura so I wonder if people on the Vía dlPlata are ok.
The first half of your day sounded a bit of a drag, so was glad to read the second half was a delight.
P.S. A very nice variety of pictures you've posted.
Thanks, I do my best to be out early in the morning. I am also prepared to walk shorter stages than planned. To think I originally calculated 10 days between Valencia and Cuenca...! I have completely abandoned those plans now. In this weather, I should be glad if I can get to Cuenca at all...Take care. For purely selfish reasons, my desire to read more about your journey, I am keen to see you take good care of yourself travelling in the heat.
Being the officious intermeddler again, I WhatsApped them and got a response in minutes. They don’t have rooms and they say there is no place in town with rooms. Looks like a short day for you tomorrow, BP!restaurante las Viñas doesn't pick up the phone.
Beautiful pictures — what are those broken arches?
Being the officious intermeddler again, I WhatsApped them and got a response in minutes. They don’t have rooms and they say there is no place in town with rooms. Looks like a short day for you tomorrow, BP!
BP, I am curious about what that tall modern looking "tower" in the first two photos is; rather strange looking. Do you have any idea?In the meantime: sightseeing in Requena in pictures below.
BP, I am curious about what that tall modern looking "tower" in the first two photos is; rather strange looking. Do you have any idea?
Beautiful photos BP. The light!Pictures, mostly of Utiel, below.
I hope you were able to enter the bomb shelter. I remember we took a tour of the shelter in Almeria and it was really fascinating. A testament to the human spirit and resilience. There was even an underground “hospital”. I’m sure there was a lot of sadness in that makeshift hospital, but it is also where a number of babies were born.I think I will check it out, and at the same time ask them how to enter the bomb shelter...!
Beautiful photos BP. The light!
So do I BP!But I have to take ten times as many of them, to single out the few who look ok...!
I hope you were able to enter the bomb shelter. I remember we took a tour of the shelter in Almeria and it was really fascinating. A testament to the human spirit and resilience. There was even an underground “hospital”. I’m sure there was a lot of sadness in that makeshift hospital, but it is also where a number of babies were born.
Looks like works to restore and open the shelter started almost 3 years ago, so hopefully they’re open!
El refugio de la Guerra Civil trasladará a los visitantes la historia de este periodo bélico en Utiel
El Ayuntamiento de Utiel continúa con los trabajos de recuperación del patrimonio histórico del municipio con el objetivo de mantener viva la historia de la ciudad y ampliar la red de recursos turísticos que atraigan visitantes a la localidad.www.utiel.es
Just curious, @dick bird — would your recommendation be to go with Movistar for the Lana?Sandra will be hard to contact unless you have Movistar, but her little house is excellent and she will show you where the shop is.
We had Vodafone and there were a couple of places where we needed coverage and didn’t have it . Monteagudo was one and Villar de Trabaque was another. Both times a local was kind enough to lend us their phone and I believe Movistar is what they had. If there is anyone reading this thread who can give better info, please let us know the best SIM to get for coverage.Just curious, @dick bird — would your recommendation be to go with Movistar for the Lana?
Oh yes, it is different. I haven't met a single pilgrim since Valencia! Maybe when I join the other branch of the Lana in Monteagudo de las Salinas in two days. But I think the heat scared away most of them!Wow, such a different experience than a “typical” Camino. It looks like you are the only pilgrim most days? Love the pictures, especially of the museum. I can never pass up a museum!
Well done. The photos are great and I admire your persistence. You’ll be passing through Monteagudo. Sandra will be hard to contact unless you have Movistar, but her little house is excellent and she will show you where the shop is. Don’t worry about the ‘blocked’ finca just after the village - the gate isn’t locked and the two large dogs who come bounding towards you are mainly interested in sniffing your nether regions. The two bed albergue in Fuentes is very basic - they are redecorating but the nice lady in the ayuntamiento will let you in. The last stretch into Cuenca is uphill and down dale so think about the road option. Luis will probably be waiting on the steps of the albergue in Cuenca having been advised of your approach by a friend or associate. He is a prince amongst Hospitaleros. We’ve just finished the Lana from Alicante so feel free to PM if you have any questions. Buen Camino.
We followed the arrows, that’s how I know. It was a hot day, nothing was open and we just felt we were being led all over the hills just for the sake of it, but if you have gas in the tank you might find it a pleasant option (until you get to the outskirts of town), it’s not a lot further but the arrows disappear on the edge of town. Otherwise, the road has a wide shoulder and I think Alan Sykes did it. Cuenca is worth a rest day. The Monteagudo bar is only open at the weekend.Yes! I remember now: my phone went on strike last time I was arriving in Monteagudo! I had phoned Sandra from Campillo de Altobuey so I knew I had a room. But when I got there I couldn't call her. The guys in the bar phoned her for me. I don't think I can change anything about my phone right now, but you reminded me I need to tell Sandra about this problem before I get there.
As for the last stretch into Cuenca: do you mean from Melgosa? Yes I have always been tempted to take the road N420-N320, but it looks so dangerous!! I imagine the cars will be mad at me. It sure would be shorter to walk there, than doing all those extra kms out in the fields before Cuenca. Did you walk on the road and how was it??
BP, your pictures are very nice and blue sky is a plus, but your day sounds like it was a living nightmare! Hopefully tomorrow will be an improvement for you as I'd think it can only go up from here!
Oh,Sounds like a good rest, BP!
When you are on one of your long stretches with big sky, no towns, and lots of time to ponder, you could think about this question — if I could only walk the Requena from Valencia to Caudete OR the Lana from Alicante to Caudete (continuing on the Lana from Caudete), which would I do? Inquiring minds would be very interested to hear your take on it.
BP, looks like you had a very good day overall except for your one wrong turn. Your photos of the rock outcroppings are interesting. An added picture of your special lodging at El Rincon, would be a nice addition.
I should have looked at a map — I just assumed that when you said you were walking to Caudete, that you were talking about the Caudete near Villena. Thanks for that clarification.First of all there are two different Caudete: Caudete on the Lana/Sureste, and Caudete de las Fuentes where I was a few days ago! Maybe that is what you mean and I am slow at understanding
If you mean that you choose between starting the Lana in Valencia or Alicante, I must say I now prefer Valencia: because of the scenery along the way and the charm of most of the towns!
Looks like the route from Valencia is about twice as long as the Alicnte option — by twice as long, I mean twice as long to theh point where they merge. I’ll have to do some more comparisons! Thanks, BP
I am a doggie-phobe as I was bit by a rottweiler in the upper arm several years ago, and would have been petrified, if not dropped dead being alone with a rambunctious dog. That said, I love and enjoy friendly dogs, especially if they are with their owners.It was all for play, but if I was a doggo-phobe I would had dropped dead.
Lazy?...I think you were just emotionally spent and tired!But running around searching for the keys, or waiting for someone to arrive with them... After more than 40 kms... I am lazy.
Ok, let’s start the guessing game. Since you say “new” that limits the choices. Maybe the Geira or the Caminho Portugues Interior? But somehow I think you are more of a “Spain guy”,so maybe the Olvidado?It is time to try something new...
Ok, let’s start the guessing game. Since you say “new” that limits the choices. Maybe the Geira or the Caminho Portugues Interior? But somehow I think you are more of a “Spain guy”,so maybe the Olvidado?
I edited *new to else - English is not my forte (I keep editing my posts all the time...) Yes it will be in Spain and I am travelling today!
Finding train tickets in this country is a mess! I think I got the ones I need now. But with my usual bad luck, who knows where I will end up this evening, or where I will sleep.
My next route is pretty well travelled so I don't know if there is a need to post on the Forum. Even I get tired of my rambling sometimes... Maybe a shorter thread restricted to practical info.
Yes, thank you, BP. I enjoyed following along as you shared the wonderful, the good, and a few not so good moments. Glad you loved it overall and it sounds like you would have no hesitation in repeating it in the future.
Oh,Post next route: Please.
I am caregiving for foreseeable future. “Live on Camino” threads keep me going.
Add pics if you are able.
Buen camino.
I hope you will find them to be safe from the covid point of view. I have visions of your wallet bleeding...no matter which way you look at it, you will make up the cost slowly. And caution in how you spend daily... water is very cheap. Keep going, your posts are very much enjoyed.My wallet has been severely traumatized by this Camino. I have decided to focus on the albergues from now on...
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