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Thanks so much for the detailed information! We go through Madrid in September. Which terminal did you land in? Did you check bags? Also, did you carry on your trekking sticks or check them? Much thanks!! Buen Camino!!Our Camino 2022
We arrived at the airport in Madrid Monday Mar 14, around 10:30 a.m. Took about an hour to get through passport control because there were a lot of people. Several passengers in line were worried about missing their connecting flights. Once through the passport control we boarded the connector train to T4 and before picking up our baggage we went through the “ health check” where they scanned our QR code and looked at our vaccination cards - very efficient. Went to a Vodafone store in Zaragoza, got a SIM card with 4 weeks worth of service for 15 euros.
Hi @Clover. We landed in terminal T4S. We pack our 2 backpacks into a large duffle along with our trekking sticks and umbrellas (something new this Camino - so much rain in the forecastThanks so much for the detailed information! We go through Madrid in September. Which terminal did you land in? Did you check bags? Also, did you carry on your trekking sticks or check them? Much thanks!! Buen Camino!!
palmah,March 16. Walked from the hotel (Hotel Paris) in Zaragoza to the Train station. Took the train from Zaragoza to Pamplona and the bus, the only bus, to Roncesvalles departed at 2:00. We arrived Roncesvalles around 3:30, checked into the albergue and looking forward to dinner at Casa Sabina and then mass at 8:00.
Most pilgrims quite rightly focus on the Day 1 climb on the Frances, its a tough walk. Few talk about the descent into Zubiri. For me, it is the second worst downhill on the trail, and particularly hazardous when wet. You have a comparatively easy and pleasant day tomorrow.The walk to Zubiri should be renamed “knee crusher”. It was really a tiring walk. There may be an alternate road route and if there is then take it! It is a very rocky trail and very slippery when wet and it rained most of the day beginning in Roncesvalles actually quite dangerous. Cullen fell twice and once.
Unfortunately, both albergues in Cizur Menor are currently closed.Two ideas- if you can bear 5km more, go on to Cizur Menor,
Thank you for the suggestions. I’ll write later to say where we end up. We are both feeling good after our first day of walkingSafe Camino. Wish I could suggest lodgings in Pamplona, but I can't as I stay with friends there. Two ideas- if you can bear 5km more, go on to Cizur Menor, the private albergue there is well regarded; if you have not got better suggestions by the time you reach Zabaldika, perhaps one of the sisters can recommend something. Or, five km before Pamplona, in Trinidad de Arre there is a very fine and traditionally welcoming albergue at the other end of the bridge, if you took the high path after Zabaldika.
Well done. Soon after the first church, on the Main Street, there is a cafe that does wonderful freshly squeezed orange juice...if it is open in the morning...March 19. Pamplona to Puente La ReinaWe were the only ones in our room last night! Had a good sleep and had breakfast at Paderborn which opened March 1 for the season. There were only six pilgrims here last night. It is a long walk out of Pamplona. There was a bar open in Cizur Menor - best cafe con levhe so far this trip. The small town of Zariquiegui before the climb To Alto de Perdon had a small tienda selling drinks and snacks. No bar though. There seemed to be an Albergue right next door but I didn’t catch the name. We thought we might stay in Uterga this night but the Albergue de Perdon was not open. The Casa Baztam (BnB) across the was was open but we didn’t want stay there. We did buy a couple of bocadillos and left. We saw nothing open nor a single person the rest of the way to Puente la Reina. Most of the way today was rough. We had to share the way up to Alto with bicycles. It was narrow, rocky and in some parts muddy. We din not have to contend with bikes on the way down but it looked like “improvements” were made dumping truckloads of rocks and parts were quite dangerous. You’d step on a rock and a small avalanche of stones would begin. Finally got to Puente la Reina and stopped at Jakue. Albergue rooms unavailable so we got a hotel room with a tub for 59 euros. We need this luxury tonight! Unfortunately the restaurant is closed for an event tonight, but the bar is open! Yippee! Until
Are you telling you were at Zaragoza five days ago, and didn´t contacted me? I just arrived from Grañon that day, and would be a real pleasure for me to share one or two glasses of red, guide you in MY city, etc.March 16. Walked from the hotel (Hotel Paris) in Zaragoza to the Train station. Took the train from Zaragoza to Pamplona and the bus, the only bus, to Roncesvalles departed at 2:00. We arrived Roncesvalles around 3:30, checked into the albergue and looking forward to dinner at Casa Sabina and then mass at 8:00.
Ok, message taken. Do not incur the wrath of a @Pingüigrino. I remember I had hoped/planned to get together a few years ago when I walked through Zaragoza on the Ebro, but bed bugs from a few stages earlier made that impossible. Instead of enjoying the historic core with @Pingüigrino, I was washing and drying my clothes, spraying my pack, etc.Are you telling you were at Zaragoza five days ago, and didn´t contact me? I just arrived from Grañon that day, and would be a real pleasure for me to share one or two glasses of red, guide you in MY city, etc.
I´m really sad and ungry now knowing whe could share a good talk and many other things, and had lost that oportunity.
Grrrrr!
Anyway, Buen Camino my friends!
I remember that day. Your message "sounds" like you where mad, fighting those creepy bugs.But I´ll have my revenge, next time we´ll meet , double round of beberages will be taken.Ok, message taken. Do not incur the wrath of a @Pingüigrino. I remember I had hoped/planned to get together a few years ago when I walked through Zaragoza on the Ebro, but bed bugs from a few stages earlier made that impossible. Instead of enjoying the historic core with @Pingüigrino, I was washing and drying my clothes, spraying my pack, etc.
Sorry I didn’t know you were from ZaragozaAre you telling you were at Zaragoza five days ago, and didn´t contacted me? I just arrived from Grañon that day, and would be a real pleasure for me to share one or two glasses of red, guide you in MY city, etc.
I´m really sad and ungry now knowing whe could share a good talk and many other things, and had lost that oportunity.
Grrrrr!
Anyway, Buen Camino my friends!
That was not the fault of anybody, you dind´t know I live in Zaragoza, nor I knew you were passing by.Sorry I didn’t know you were from ZaragozaI’m angry also that we missed an opportunity to meet again and share a glass of wine or two. How was your time as Hospitalero? Did you go to Bar Teo? And the baker Jesus and Susana? We are looking forward to stopping there!
That was not the fault of anybody, you dind´t know I live in Zaragoza, nor I knew you were passing by.
My time like hospi was, as always, invigorating and exhausting, because the double task of cleaning, exhaustively desinfect the facilities etc.
Fortunetely I have had a bunch of good collaborating pilgrims.
About Susana and Jesus ...what can I say of them that you dont know? Good and caring persons always ready to help pilgrims and hospis.
The bad news are bar Teo closed its doors two years ago. The good ones are Pili and her family are safe and well, although she has knee problems.
If you pass by "our" albergue before the 30th of March, say hi in my name to Valero and Trini, a couple or lovely hospis that relieved me.
Buen Camino my friends, hope we can meet soon again.
Ildefonso.
Do you recall the name of the bus company? I’m going to be there the first week of April, starting from Roncevalles, and wasn’t able to find the bus info. When I looked at the ALSA site, nothing came up.….Pamplona and the bus, the only bus, to Roncesvalles departed at 2:00. We arrived Roncesvalles around 3:30, checked into the albergue and looking forward to dinner at Casa Sabina and then mass at 8:00.
Your link is live, but here it is:Do you recall the name of the bus company? I’m going to be there the first week of April, starting from Roncevalles, and wasn’t able to find the bus info. When I looked at the ALSA site, nothing came up.
Reading your post thread with great interest!
EDIT: I guess I found it Rome to Rio, https://www.autocaresartieda.com/ , Although I can’t get the website to come up for some reason so I don’t know if It’s the right one….
We took the Autocares Artieda bus which departed from the Pamplona bus station. That have a website autocaresartieda.com. You buy the tickets on the bus.Do you recall the name of the bus company? I’m going to be there the first week of April, starting from Roncevalles, and wasn’t able to find the bus info. When I looked at the ALSA site, nothing came up.
Reading your post thread with great interest!
EDIT: I guess I found it Rome to Rio, https://www.autocaresartieda.com/ , Although I can’t get the website to come up for some reason so I don’t know if It’s the right one….
Ref my post above: That's the company, but what time did it leave from Pamplona?We took the Autocares Artieda bus which departed from the Pamplona bus station. That have a website autocaresartieda.com. You buy the tickets on the bus.
2:00Ref my post above: That's the company, but what time did it leave from Pamplona?
Thanks. Their website mus be out of date...2:00
Palma, how are you choosing your pensions? Do you have a list of good ones or ask around - and do you call ahead to make a reservation with your credit card? When you get to town, how do you find the bars and restaurants? Do you text with others?March 22 Los Arcos to Viana. Our stay in the Casa Abuela was great. Pilgrim meal - our first on this Camino was a great way to spend some time with pilgrims we had seen over the last few days. Only one bar was open in the evening and only one (Bar Buen Camino) that we saw in the morning for a bit of breakfast before our start to Viana. No bars were open in Sansol. One bar/ Albergue was open in Torres del Rio - 6 pilgrims spent the night. Another rainy day. I realize it has been 12 years since we walked this way but we had no recollection of how difficult this stage was on the knees. I think in Wise Pilgrim’s app it’s called the”knee breaker”. In 2010 a couple of young Spaniards urged us to continue to Logrono which we did. Not this trip. Spending the night here in Viana at the San Pedro Pension. Clean but very small rooms.
When we look for places to spend the night we either choose from what is listed in one of the apps (for example Wise Pilgrim) or a list of places I gathered off the forum. There are plenty of threads to sift through which members have commented about a variety of places. Or we just go into a town and look to see what is around. We haven’t booked ahead. We haven’t texted with others. Most towns are small enough for you to walk around and find open bars or restaurants or you can ask a local if you see one out and about.Palma, how are you choosing your pensions? Do you have a list of good ones or ask around - and do you call ahead to make a reservation with your credit card? When you get to town, how do you find the bars and restaurants? Do you text with others?
Ouch!! SOO sorry for you!!!!!! Almost before you had started properly!!!We will be cutting short our Camino. When I fell on the way down to Zubiri I thought I sprained my wrist. But no. An X-ray today in Logrono confirms it is broken. I was very pleased with the attention and care I received by all the medical personnel in Logrono.
Oh dear! so sorry for you...We will be cutting short our Camino. When I fell on the way down to Zubiri I thought I sprained my wrist. But no. An X-ray today in Logrono confirms it is broken. I was very pleased with the attention and care I received by all the medical personnel in Logrono.
Please take care of yourself! That hill is a bad one at Zubiri! I am sorry to know you are ending your Camino and I know that is really disappointing. Will you come home or do you have other plans?We will be cutting short our Camino. When I fell on the way down to Zubiri I thought I sprained my wrist. But no. An X-ray today in Logrono confirms it is broken. I was very pleased with the attention and care I received by all the medical personnel in Logrono.
We’ll decide tomorrow. Right now I want to go home.Please take care of yourself! That hill is a bad one at Zubiri! I am sorry to know you are ending your Camino and I know that is really disappointing. Will you come home or do you have other plans?
I am so sorry for you. I bookmarked your thread, as I was hoping to get information, walking some days behind you...We’ll decide tomorrow. Right now I want to go home.
Thanks KirkIe! Yes, we usually work in Burgos at Albergue Emaus. First year 2017, then the next 2 years. Skipped a couple of years due to Covid but they are reopening and we were scheduled to be there beginning 5 May. We’ll be leaving Logrono tomorrow. First stopping in Burgos for a couple of days and then to Madrid for our flight back to the States. I just can’t see myself walking the Camino with this cast on. Hopefully we return next year, begin in Logrono and on to Santiago via the Invierno.@palmah, now, tomorrow is today. I hope you slept after the treatment for your wrist. I also hope your decision re ending or continuing can be made without too much pain...did I see correctly that you have organised a spell as hospitaleros in Burgos?
Thanks VNwalking! I am not tempted to keep walking. I can’t even tie my shoes right nowOh, so sorry to hear this @palmah !
I might be tempted to continue, depending on pain levels and if the break was in a plaster. But whatever you choose will be right for you - and I hope it is an easy decision to make, and that you feel at ease having made it.
Buen camino either way - home or onward.
Thanks Alex and Buen Camino!I am so sorry for you. I bookmarked your thread, as I was hoping to get information, walking some days behind you...
Thanks puttster! They did put a cast on it after resetting some of the bones - ouch!Did they put a cast on it? Maybe you will see things differently in the morning. I hope so, I really liked your postings!
(But I bet you would have willing volunteers.I can’t even tie my shoes right now
Cullen wrote this using my account. Just FYI!I am so proud of my wife. The breaking the wrist bone so it could be reset was a horror to watch and really painful to Palma. But she was a real trooper. The help we got from the health system here in Logroño was outstanding.
I hope you’ll be posting so I can follow you!I am so sorry for you. I bookmarked your thread, as I was hoping to get information, walking some days behind you...
Yes, I intend to! Starting from Pamplona on March 30th (My release-date of version 6.8 of myself). Due to the time of year (several places I called were closed), I have booked my days up to Villatuarta (ETA April 1st). I intend to do slow days at least the first couple of weeks, both bc I am not in the best fit myself after 2 passive Covid-years, but also bc I want to stay in places in-between/places I earlier years just walked throuh.I hope you’ll be posting so I can follow you!
I’m on version 6.7 myself. Hopefully 6.8 starting in Logrono next year. You have a good plan! Enjoy every moment.Yes, I intend to! Starting from Pamplona on March 30th (My release-date of version 6.8 of myself). Due to the time of year (several places I called were closed), I have booked my days up to Villatuarta (ETA April 1st). I intend to do slow days at least the first couple of weeks, both bc I am not in the best fit myself after 2 passive Covid-years, but also bc I want to stay in places in-between/places I earlier years just walked throuh.
Dare I ask what the 1st?Most pilgrims quite rightly focus on the Day 1 climb on the Frances, its a tough walk. Few talk about the descent into Zubiri. For me, it is the second worst downhill on the trail, and particularly hazardous when wet. You have a comparatively easy and pleasant day tomorrow.
Buen Camino
Alto de Perdon is another dicey descent!Dare I ask what the 1st?
Alto de perdon is the most "unfriendly" descent, but its actually pretty short, and not affected by weather. The grand daddy is the descent from Cruz de Ferro into Molineseca. Beautiful views, and a hideous, relentless dragon tooth trail winding down the side of the mountain. Anyone not confident in their knees should take a taxi from Acebo.Dare I ask what the 1st?
Well... nothing like to face a new challenge of life when you just unburdened yourself from all your other troublesThe grand daddy is the descent from Cruz de Ferro into Molineseca.
are you sure? It looks like what I call "the cornfield descent", one of three possible options into Portomarin. A slippery staircase chiselled into the side of a steep farmers field. Easy as pie on a sunny day, dangerous as can be in the rain......but mercifully short.Also this doozy somewhere close to Ponferrada.
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