LIVE from the Camino Cycling for Pieta

[Corned Beef]

It's striking to see the impact of our wish for fresh vegetable all year round whether in season or not. From a distance it looks like a large lake, but it's all growing tents covered in white plastic meshing.

Migrant workers from North Africa live in those tents at low (poverty?) wages (based on a documentary)

No wish to comment on the rights and wrongs as I've seen the same in the orange groves in Greece but Caminos give you the opportunity to see other lives up close. And it does contribute to understanding how your life is related to others.

 

[Xali1970]

17/10 Carboneras to Puerto de Mazarrón.

Longest ride to date.
Good weather was there, but the climbing was something else: two series mountains to crest with lots of switchbacks. The views, and the downhills were worth it. Good thing I got the brake pads changed.

First, and hopefully last time we arrived at our accommodation after sunset.

The bikes shared our room...

 

[Xali1970]

18/10 Puerto de Mazarrón to Cartagena

Shorter ride today to recover a bit from the prevoliouse days and do a bit of sightseeing.
Greeting with quite the climb to start the day it was easy-going afterwards. As a bonus the EV8 was signposted...

Cartagena is this odd port city that tries to have something to show for tourists but makes it frustrating to find things... we tried to get into the roman theatre but not a single sign where to get tickets...
All old buildings, churches, cathedrals are hard to see because tall houses were built within a few meters of them

 

[Xali1970]

19/10 Cartagena to Alicante

We trusted google on this one as we needed to make time to Alicante. We're running late on the schedule and need to be in Barcelona Friday.
The road was mostly uneventful, aside from google sending us down a dual carriage way, a very busy national road and then some single track through a park...

 

[Xali1970]

20/10
So we're on our way to Barcelona using an ALSA bus, Angie having a plane to catch and we need to make up for some distance we were not able to cover.
The driver was surprised/annoyed at the size of the bikes...

 

[Skinnybiker]

20/10
So we're on our way to Barcelona using an ALSA bus, Angie having a plane to catch and we need to make up for some distance we were not able to cover.
The driver was surprised/annoyed at the size of the bikes...

Surprised ebikes were allowed on the bus, did you have to remove wheels, pedals etc and pack in an "Alsa" bag? No wonder the driver was surprised, I've had similar difficulties with a regular bike and minimal baggage. Well done.

Richard

 

[Xali1970]

Surprised ebikes were allowed on the bus, did you have to remove wheels, pedals etc and pack in an "Alsa" bag? No wonder the driver was surprised, I've had similar difficulties with a regular bike and minimal baggage. Well done.

Richard

Only removed the front wheel, as specified on their website. Everything else was left on, including batteries. They were wrapped in our bike parkas, as no alsa bags were available.
The bus was late, and there was no time for an inspection. The bikes took up a full luggage bay...

 

[Xali1970]

23/10 Barcelona to Platja d'Aro

Early start in Barcelona. All goes well though it's a bit of a maze. I'm trying to follow the EV8, but I can't find any signs for it. Only saw 2 the whole day, so I relied on the Navigation app... what a road to go.
It did its very best to keep me away from traffic. It succeded, but dear me.

Steep mountain bike trails, crossing streams, old disappeared dirtracks, ... they were all there. The trails were so steep at points the front wheel had not enough weight on it to actually steer the bike.

Finally arrived at 18h30 with batteries depleted to 15%... (cold sweat)

 

[Xali1970]

24/10 Platja de Aro to Argéles sur Mer

Very pleasant ant diverse cycle with good weather and bit of headwind. A mix of good roads and good durttrack with another stream to cross for good measure.
Climbed the Col des Banyuls to reach France. Stunning views. Somehow it was a bit of an anticlimax, I expected crossing the Pyrenées would be harder
Then googlemaps guided me away from the long windy road onto a dirttrack for 8km or so, and then it went to Hell in a handbasket... It sent me on a mountain hiking trail for 3km of heaving ang ho-ing that monster bike of mine... I'll admit it was a poor decision. It turned out to be quite dangerous: crossing the Pyrenées close to dusk and going on a hiking trail I didn't know. The other option was turning around to the road and cycling down the mountain in the dark.

Eventually got to town, where I share the room with a lovely black lady: my trusty ebike. This is becoming a habit...

 

[Corned Beef]

Is that a dual battery system? How many watts?

Edit: No wonder it's heavy.

 

[Xali1970]

Is that a dual battery system? How many watts?

Yes, 1125Wh

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Very surprised by your comment that the front wheel doesn’t have enough load on it!
Bienvenu á France, or whatever!

 

[Xali1970]

Very surprised by your comment that the front wheel doesn’t have enough load on it!
Bienvenu á France, or whatever!

The gradient was 23%, on sandy ground and tyres with little profile. There's not a lot in the front bag at this stage

 

[Peregrinopaul]

23%. Shades of the road up to Huntto.

 

[Xali1970]

24/10 Argelès sur Mer to Port-La-Nouvelle
Later than usual start: had to take care of the laundry.

Even though the terrain wasn't challenging I found it quite hard going. I guess I need some rest

The scenery is beautiful, the vineyards are turning gold

 

[Xali1970]

To Seville day 49 Port-la-Nouvelle to Carcassonne.

Trying to leave early, but the rear tyre isn't cooperating: it needs a good bit of air.
The way to Narbonne is lovely, if unpaved., after that it's a mix of surfaces.
The most difficult part was getting across the canal, where after getting lost the only option was a disused railway bridge.
Beyond that plain sailing to Carcassonne, where for some reason a Départemantale road turned into a dual carriage way... that was fun.

 

[Xali1970]

Pics to previous post

View attachment 135873

View attachment 135874View attachment 135875

 

[Xali1970]

Carcassonne...
A city worth staying in

 

[Xali1970]

Oct 28th Carcassonne to Toulouse

Early start, after a coffee and a pain au chocolat.
The start is on the main road of the town, quite busy for 3-4 km before I find the "Canal du Midi" navigation is fairly easy after that: keep the canal to the left and I'm good.
Again fairly mixed surfaces, but at least there's a choice between a fairly smooth single-track or a quite bumpy dirt road in places. They're busy with upgrading the trail to a fairly wide blue way, though the choice of surface (fairly large loose gravel) is not my favourite for cycling.

At some point the gravel makes way for engineered road, smooth as a billiard table.
To make my day the wind is in the back and I crested the water divide: it's all downhill to Toulouse...

It's so windy I take shelter in a building housing a water fountain. Surprisingly clean all told so might as well have lunch there, away from the howling wind

Evening meal is a local Specialty: Cassoulet

 

[Xali1970]

Oct 29th

Toulouse to Agen

Beautiful day.
After a light breakfast I set off from the hotel, or rather I wanted to. The rear tyre was partially deflated, again. I'll need to do something about it eventually Finding the cycleway was easy: fond the canal and go west.

The sun was there to keep me company throughout the day, and the way was tarmacadam all the way, in good condition.

After lunch (bread, Manchego cheese, dried sausage and dried tomatoes) I replaced the inner tube of the rear wheel... getting better at it. That belt drive is great for riding, but finicky to get back on. Tube repair chalked down this evening... this is the third puncture of the trip

Made it to Agen just before sundown. Took my time

Repair of the inner tube took some time: couldn't get a proper seal with the 1st 2 patches, 3rd one was good. Note to self: bring some waterproof white chalk to mark the spot...

 

[Xali1970]

Day 52 : to La Réole

Took a bit to get going after a fine breakfast.
It's 14°C After so long under the sun I feel chilled.
It does take a few hours to warm up to an unseasonably warm 21°C.
The day is turning out to be beautiful, with quiet relaxing scenery.
I arrive just around 16h at the hostel.

Tomorrow off to Bordeaux.

 

[Xali1970]

Oct 31st La Réole to Bordeaux

Surprisingly good day.
A bit cool to start with and the forecasted rain didn't show up.
I met an English and an Australian couple at the hostel and we shared tall tales and that strech of road.

The first 16km weren't particularly well signposted along a busy local road.

After that we were on dedicated cycleways pretty much all the way to Bordeaux

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 1st

I stay put in Bordeaux as there's a storm warning. I also need a bit of a rest. Laundromat ate one of my riding gloves... silly me.

Nov 2nd

Bordeaux to Blaye

I spent the first few hours of the day trying to replace my riding gloves. The laundrette ate 1 of 2... . No quality gloves to be found.
I set out for Blaye shortly after 12. I have 2 options 1 going through the vineyards but requiring a ferry crossing, and one longer along the northern shore of the river. I pick the latter.
The day is quite beautiful and there's a soft light bathing the scenery.
I make my way through the vineyards of the Côte de Blaye, surprised to still see grapes on the vine.

Not really in the mood for photos today..., it's getting time for a longer break as I'm feeling really weary. Between the riding and the emotional rollercoaster of the last 2 months I need some rest.

I make to Blaye just before dusk. I'll need to hunker down for a day or two waiting for a storm to pass

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 3rd and 4th
No riding... taking some rest, and another storm is on it's way according to weather forecasts.

The Vauban citadel is definitely worth a look, though the weather is not inviting

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 5th

Blaye to Royan.

After sheltering from a storms for 2 days I'm back on the road. I set my sights on Royan, mostly because there's little to no available accommodation before then. In Royan I reach the end of the "Canal du Midi" and will continue on the Vélodyssée for a bit.

The day is cool, sunny with a mild breeze.
The vineyards make way for pastures, forest and wetlands, before vineyards reappear. The air is salty.

The cycleway is pleasant, but does throw in a surprise with a short trail, with a request to dismount and push the bike up a 20% unpaved slope. I ignored it.

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 5th

Day 56 Royan to Rochefort

An early start. It's quite cool and I feel chilled. Weather forecast is for rain all day, windy and gusts of strong winds in the afternoon. I aim to be as close to Rochefort as possible by then

The EV1 is well marked on this stage and relatively easy to follow, except one section blocked by an angling competition requiring a bit of a detour.

I'm guided along the coast and through wetlands, a few vineyards, pastures, where I got to see buzzards, kites, and even a flight of storks. Herons are quite a common sight. Wish I could photograph them

It was drizzly part of the morning, and I got a real shower only once. The wind was a bit of a challenge in the afternoon.

I was a bit worried about the bridge crossing before Marennes, it's long, relatively narrow and reports of it being dangerous to cross. Luckily there was little traffic

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Amazing progress! I have fond memories of Rochefort 2019, when I stayed on a boat in the marina (Airbnb!)

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 7th Rochefort to La Rochelle

Half day today. After an interview I set out from the hotel to find the EV1 again and follow it along the coast.

On leaving Rochefort I get to see the last functional ferry bridge of France. Had never seen one of those.

It's funny how I couldn't remember large sections of this ride I did in the opposite direction

Overall a pleasant easy ride. In La Rochelle I've been invited to stay at a friend's where I get a warm welcome. Thank you Severine

 

[Xali1970]

Amazing progress! I have fond memories of Rochefort 2019, when I stayed on a boat in the marina (Airbnb!)

Silly question re airBnB, how long ahead do these things need to be booked?

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Silly question re airBnB, how long ahead do these things need to be booked?

It depends on the host. They have to respond to (and see) your request before an actual booking. In some cases can be done 24hrs in advance, or maybe less. I used airbnb extensively. A problem with it is that sometimes you have to coordinate with the host to get into the place, but sometimes the accommodation has coded locks.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

One which I really liked was right on the canal Nantes á Brest, near Carhaix. Not cheap, but lovely place.

Stayed twice, outbound and inbound.

 

[VNwalking]

Wow. You've closed the circle and are only a few weeks short of home!

Between the riding and the emotional rollercoaster of the last 2 months I need some rest.

I'm not surprised. You're making amazing progress with no shortage of hard days. I'm just catching up here and am astonished how far you've come. Bon chemin, pelerine - and thank you for sharing your long journey here. I'm thoroughly enjoying your posts!

 

[Xali1970]

Day 58 La Rochelle to La Tranche Sur Mer

I woke up very early, booked accommodation for the next night and made a lucky mistake: I thought it was further along. So instead of leaving a sunrise (8am) I decided to have my rear brake checked as it's become quite spongy. Found a bike repair shop. Somehow oil contaminated the disc and both disc and pads should be changed. The rub is the disc is a rather exotic part and we try a degreaser with limited success.

So I finally leave around 10:30 happy I only need to cycle 70 odd km and not 125km today: the weather forecast is miserable. I'm lucky enough as it initially rains ahead of me or behind me, until I'm in the middle of it. I take shelter in a hay shed for the first shower for an hour or so.

The second shower finds me on the open road...

If it weren't for the rain this is perfect cycling way. Fairly flat and pleasnt along sea walks, through wetlands and pastures.

When I finally arrived at my lodging for the night my host jokingly asks if I need a dryer. The AirBnB I got is great, and the host kindly gives me access to washing machine and dryer... yay!

Dinner is a tin of Couscous royal.

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 9th

La Tranche Sur Mer to Fromentine

I set out soon after sunrise in the hope of making good distance. The weather forecast is good but the headwind is brutal.

The ride is pretty uneventful. The scenery a mix of coastline, saltmarshes wetlands and forest. I came across 1 vineyard. I was wondering what some of the regular water features were. They're clearly artificial. A helpful sign explained they're fishing marshes, a form of pisciculture.

The last 15km stretch was in a forest. I had a good bit of fun racing up and down the small hills

 

[VNwalking]

When I finally arrived at my lodging for the night my host jokingly asks if I need a dryer

Sounds like fun, hope you got one!
And how is it you have a headwind, when it 'should' be at your back? Not fair!
May today be as forecast, instead!

 

[Xali1970]

... can't explain it, but on Wednesday morning the first 20km certainly felt like headwind, a lot of it.

 

[VNwalking]

can't explain it, but on Wednesday morning the first 20km certainly felt like headwind, a lot of it.

A local eddy, just for you!

 

[Xali1970]

Nov 10th Fromentine to St-Brévin-les-Pins

Fairly easy day.

The way meanders through saltmarshes, pastures and beaches
Very pleasant and easygoing.

Part of the way was very poorly signposted, leading me to shorten the ride by 20km by taking a wrong turn...

The brain dead sun fried tourists were missing from the call today, meaning no weaving and avoiding them.

Found my lodgings easy enough, and wondering which way to go tomorrow. To Nantes or St Nazaire...

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Are you in St Michel Chef Chef?

 

[Former member 49149]

We are Xavier and Karin, Camino Friends cycling together for a purpose.

Some of you may have seen the planning I started last year. Initially I planned on a solo ride, but invited Karin along as a retired old bat with time on her hands. (Last sentence in old bat's own words).

We are trying to raise funds for an Irish charity, Pieta, whose main focus is mental health , prevention of suicide and self harm and suicide bereavement counselling.

I've been on the way since August 17th, while Karin, an experienced road cyclist, got a crash ( yes we mean multiple crashes) in handling a powerful, heavy and loaded ebike. Road bikes and touring ebikes seem to be very different animals to tame.

My patient an long suffering wife Angie drove Karin down to the ferry on the 20th of August, where we crossed from Cork (Ireland) to Roscoff (Brittany, France) arriving on the 21st.

A day by day tale of our travels will follow. Some me (i.e. terse and succint), some by Karin(i.e. descriptive and humorous).

Departure 17/8
17th of August. 107km My neighbours sent me off on the tour. I got my Credential del Peregrino stamped at the post office and then on the road along the Barrow way to Graiguenamanah where I arrived shortly after 20:00, a tad later than hoped, and with batteries depleted to 28%, unexpectedly low It's a beautiful ride. A bit harder than last time: the ground was softer for some reason. The kissing gates are too small for the bike; I had to unload and reload a few times to get through Lunch in Athy.

18/8
88km from Graiguenamanah to Dungarvan. Rain prevented me from going over Mount Brandon and follow a more scenic but challenging route (highly recommend that one). The alternative is worth the trip as well though. I hurt my left knee while coming off the bike. Looks like a bit of a muscle strain, meaning a forced rest day. Thank crunchy for the motor, or I wouldn't have gotten to my destination, to it was close: drained the batteries to 5%

19/9
Bit of a bummer. Somehow I managed to hurt my left knee. Nothing serious but enough to need a couple of days rest. Big thank you to my wife for driving out to Dungarvan to pick me up and drive me to the Acorn Lodge B&B in Cork, where she then proceeded with physio treatment and taping up the knee.

Departure still scheduled for 20/8

The fundraiser page is : https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tosevilleforpieta

Along with links to my Strava and photos

Finally got around to paypal, every little helps, as our good friend the supermarket guy says...
Stay safe, and you are basically on the home stretch.

 

[Xali1970]

Are you in St Michel Chef Chef?

Cycled through it.
Spent the night in St-Brévin-les-Pins. Crossed the bridge to St-Nazaire this morning. Shame it was so foggy, no views and a good fright

 

[VNwalking]

and a good fright

Gaaaaaaaa. I just looked it up.
The things we do. I take it there is no ferry or other way around it without many kms of zigging and zagging? And do people walk over it?

 

[Xali1970]

Gaaaaaaaa. I just looked it up.
The things we do. I take it there is no ferry or other way around it without many kms of zigging and zagging? And do people walk over it?

There's a walkway across too narrow for cycling. There's also a "cycling path", about 60cm wide. No ferries or shuttlrs this time of year. Next crossing is in Nantes I think.
Taking the bridge is a 100km+ shortcut to Redon...

 

[VNwalking]

Wow. Glad you made it over in one piece.
Avanti, ultreia, and may you continue to go well and safely home!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

I found the crossing of the bridge quite an exciting experience. I had been warned of the serious hazards of wind gusts up there. (Apparently 70km/hr is not uncommon). This was a photo from 2019, in benign weather.

You can see that the "verge" is very narrow, as is the pedestrian lane as Xali mentions. I was fortunate that there was little traffic early morning.
This is the Loire estuary from the top, looking inland.
Interesting, on the descent.

 

[Xali1970]

11/11 St-Brévin-les-Pins to Malestroit

I managed to leave shortly after sunrise. My AirBnB host kindly helps me with my luggage, we're on the 3rd floor and the elevator is out of order.

It's cold, 8°C, and quite foggy: I can't see more than 30m. Far from ideal for crossing over the bridge to St-Nazaire: the thing is 3km long towers over 100m high and comes with a serious hazard warning for cyclists. I feel I'm running out of time so I take it: it's a 100km+ shortcut and saves over a day.

Going over the bridge went smoothly, though I'm not particularly reassured, and because of the fog,there's nothing to be seen other than the ghostly taillights of the vehicles that overtake me

Going through St-Nazaire is easy, and the GPS guides me along a disused railway, were it quickly becomes a squishy muddy single track. It's hard slow going as the tyres struggle to get a grip and make the bike hard to control. Throw in a few pedestrian bridges with steep slippery stairs to add to the challenge... my poor bike fell a few times.

I finally get back to decent surfaces around St-Gildas-des-Bois, where I can pick up some speed, soon rejoin the Vélodyssée.

Accommodation is becoming scarce at this time of year. I find a little unassuming hotel (le Cap Horn) in Malestroit.

 

[Xali1970]

12/11 Malestroit to Evran

I leave a bit late from Malestroit, having time. It's sunny, if cool, and forecast is to remain so for the day, while it warms to 18°C. Quite warm for the season.

I first go for the EV1 for 5km until I veer north on the Greenway (Voie 3 Bretagne) heading for Evran, St-Malo being too far for the day.

I can't resist taking a photo of the Santiago de Compostela sign, having been here nearly 3 months ago

It's an easy, pleasant cycle. Steady slight uphill and rolling hills for the first 60km or so on well maintained surface.

Lunch is a salad by the wayside.

The landscape varies between relatively young forests, I'm guessing 25-30 year old oaks, fields and pastures, dotted with villages.

 

[Xali1970]

13/11 Evran to Mont Saint Michel (121km)

I leave Evran at first light. It's a cool 8°C but forecast to rise to 18°C mid afternoon.
Breakfadt is picked up along the way at a boulangerie, to be had later when it's a bit warmer.
Other than the distance I expect no real challenges today. There are moderate climbs and the cycleways are quiet.
I get to St-Malo just in time for lunch (a galette with ham, cheese and mushrooms accompanied by a 1/2l of cider). For the second time I regret not having the time to visit this walled city.
The rest of the way is through rolling hills and countryside along the coast, wondering what went throughbthe head of whoever laid the route down... it's meandering

I make to the hotel, in the medieval city. As promised there's a spot to put my bicycle, in a courtyard up a very steep flight of stairs... getting it down will be a challenge. To improve my mood the room is on the 4th floor of a narrow spiral staircase, I really wish I had fewer bags...

 

[Xali1970]

15/11 Mont Saint-Michel to Vire en Normandie. (102km)

I manage to get the bags down from the 4th floor in one go, climb the stairs up the ramparts and back down the main street before I can collect the bike, up and down another flight of stairs.
It's a good warm up: it's cold, windy and raining. Breakfast is found in the St-Michel bakeries a bit off the rock.

It's greenways most of the way from there. On the upside I'm sheltered from the wind, but not from the rain. At least the gear performs adequately in keeping me relatively dry and warm, as long as I keep moving. The weather is miserable.

Lunch is at St-Hilaire-du-Harcouêt.

I arrive at the AirBnB in Vire just after 5:00.

 

[Xali1970]

Évran to Saint-Lô (69 km)

I'm starting to see the end of this adventure, all the long 100km+ days are done.
When I wake up the wind is raging outside and it's raining cats and dogs.
I roll back over for another 2 hours, and finally get on my way around half ten.

The first half of today's ride is to Pont-Farcy is essentially on small back roads, and is surprisingly challenging with a lot of climbs. The road is slick with a thin layer of mud from the agricultural vehicles, dissuading me from going fast. I also come upon the remnants of a viaduct that was never finished. The pillars are now used for bungee jumping

After Pont-Farcy it's the cycleway follows the river all the way to Saint-Lô. The cycleway is dotted with intriguing sculptures.

It's pelting cats and dogs by then and I'm soaked by the time I get to the hotel.

 

[Xali1970]

17/11 Saint-Lô to La Haye du Puit (65km)

It's pelting rain

I choose to wait for the opening of a local bike shop before leaving Saint-Lô, where I find a pair of warm neoprene gloves and overshoes, even if they are not waterproof.

I'm on the clock: the weather forecast is for rapidly deteriorating weather, with windgusts up to 100km/h+ on the coast and heavy rains for the afternoon. The accommodation I booked needs be to be there before 15h00 or after 18h00... in the meantime it's a solid headwind all the way accompanied by rain most of the way

Aside from that, it's fairly straightforward cycling: quiet secondary roads and greenways. I encountered fallen trees across the greenway twice, and when arriving in Carenten the way was blocked off by temporary fencing because of works. Getting past that involved a bit of climbing...

The weather does not lend itself to picture taking.

Again I regret not having time to visit these little towns as I go through.

 

[Xali1970]

18/9 La Haye du Puits to Cherbourg en Cotentin (66km)

I dilly dally around a bit as I don't have that far to go, and am waiting for the weather to clear a bit.

The itinerary is well marked, and the Navigation app just tweets in the background. It's a greenway most of the way, with some road.

The signs of heavy rain and high winds are everywhere: the fields are waterlogged, any softer part of the greenway is a mudbath and some telephone poles and trees are are broken. The smell of wet countryside permeates the air.

I have lunch in Bricquebec, the medieval castle and the church are definitely worth a visit. Also ride past the Chateau des Ravalets a bit later. All on the bucket list to revisit.

I make it to Cherbourg en Cotentin around 3 PM. Just at the entrance of the suburbs the cycleway leads me under a culvert, I'm not reassured...

I'm now waiting to board the ferry later this evening. At least I'm indoors: it's now raining cats and dogs. Hope it stops when I board. The continental part of the trip is over.

The bike is positively covered in crud...

 

[VNwalking]

The continental part of the trip is over.

The bike is positively covered in crud...

An apt summary in just a few words.

Bon voyage on the ferry, @Xali1970.
Amazing to realize you'll be speaking English very soon.

 

[Former member 49149]

Pity I am not free, or I would have tried to find out which port you would come into - if Dublin, I would have been there to wave you on! Safe onward travels today, and such a wonderful gift you have given to Pieta, not to mention yourself, and those on the forum who have followed you and your companion.

 

[Xali1970]

Pity I am not free, or I would have tried to find out which port you would come into - if Dublin, I would have been there to wave you on! Safe onward travels today, and such a wonderful gift you have given to Pieta, not to mention yourself, and those on the forum who have followed you and your companion.

View attachment 137069View attachment 137070

The ferry is making port in Rosslare.
Thank you for the thought, it means a lot

 

[VNwalking]

Wish I were there in Rosslare to wave you on too, @Xali. Well done!

 

[Xali1970]

Ferry made port safely in Rosslare. I'm safely home home after a small detour via Dungarvan.

What a trip this has been. I can hardly believe it's over. It's been quite a challenge, from the very ambitious planning for daily distances, family events, small little dramas, sections that didn't work out as hoped to downright dangerous paths, surprising acts of kindness from strangers and more.

A big thank you to all of you who followed my journey, to you who supported (or just tried to) the fundraiser, to you who gave encouragement or were curious.

I'm taking a few days rest before regular life resumes, and keeping the Camino Blues at bay

Thank you for everything, the interest, the advice and the questions

 

[VNwalking]

I almost posted because I've so enjoyed your sharing of this journey and am sorry it's done. Can you please remind us how to support the fundraiser?

 

[Former member 49149]

It's in the first post:

To Seville For Pieta

Help Xavier Liebaert raise money to support Pieta

www.justgiving.com

 

[Xali1970]

@VNwalking The justgiving site can be a bit temperamental... some needed to clear all cache and cookies...

Thank you

 

[lovingkindness]

Ferry made port safely in Rosslare. I'm safely home home after a small detour via Dungarvan.

What a trip this has been. I can hardly believe it's over. It's been quite a challenge, from the very ambitious planning for daily distances, family events, small little dramas, sections that didn't work out as hoped to downright dangerous paths, surprising acts of kindness from strangers and more.

A big thank you to all of you who followed my journey, to you who supported (or just tried to) the fundraiser, to you who gave encouragement or were curious.

I'm taking a few days rest before regular life resumes, and keeping the Camino Blues at bay

Thank you for everything, the interest, the advice and the questions

Bravo! What a tremendous journey. All the best with what comes next.

Ultreia e suseia!
Lovingkindness