eobennett4
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- September (2021) Rome to Santiago
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So sorry about your mother's fall and prayers for her recovery.Day 5 - L'Espluga to Vallbona del Monges
I awake in L'Espluga de Francoli to some unnerving news from home. Mom fell and broke the ball of her femur in her hip. They did surgery to set a pin. She will be transferred to a skilled nursing facility to begin her recuperation. The doctors and head nurse think she will have to go into a long term skilled memory care facility. The situation is stable and my brothers have it handled. I am greatly concerned but will continue my pilgrimage.
While this might be a brownish Camino in the fall, it absolutely lush here in the spring. Fields of grain, the rivers are full, olive tree groves abound, and VINES, Vines,, vines are everywhere. The old Roman walls can barely keep it all in.
First stop today, the monastery at Poblet. It is the second of three sacred places on this Ruta del Cister. The Romanesque portal door is astonishing. King Peter IV the Ceremonious had these monastic walls built. They are in reference to the 12 walls of Jerusalem.
Afterwards make your way back down in to L'Espluga and find the impressive caves (cova) exhibit. Prehistoric petroglyphs line the walls and tell an interesting story.
Then over the mountains to the last of three monastery at Vallbona del Monges. The trails are clearly marked, washed out gorges from all the rain, and the views were impressive although the hum of massive windmills invaded the tranquility of it all as I made the pass.
At the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona the Sisters will take you in and give you a refugio. The towns people will welcome you at the nearby Cafe. A visit to their local winery isn't a bad stop either. The workers are young adults with handicaps and they will take international volunteers.
Inside of the conclave, you will hear the traditional story of the Kings of Aragon, Alfonse the Chaste and Jaume I the conquerer seeking shelter while on this route. You will also find a 13th century church holding the tomb of Violet of Hungary, wife of Jaume I and the sarcophagus of their daughter Sanca. The shield of Aragon is proudly displayed. It is a very special piece of Catalonian history.
I will rest now.
Cigüeña — stork."Sequina!" (I THINK?)
Thank you @peregrina2000. I do enjoy the solitude. As you will read tomorrow. I'm not far from companionship when I dine with the Catalonian. But I do need time to "sort things out".Thanks, I think I’ve found you, pretty close to Lleida already! I think you are a forum traillblazer — some of us have walked the ebro and the Catalán, but I can’t remember anyone walking the Ruta del Cister and then swinging over to the Catalán at Lleida. Sounds like a very nice route.
Ah, the decision in Gallur — I had walked the Ebro from the ocean and went up to Zaragoza. I went on the Castellano-Aragonés at Gallur, but maybe BP went more easterly to Logroño? I absolutely loved the Castellano-Aragonés through Soria — it comes out on the Francés in Burgos. So it really depends on whether you want to have more time or less time on the Francés, at least in part. Either way you are unlikely to see anyone, at least that was my experience.
And on a somber note, I am very sorry to hear about your mother’s fall. You are in a good place to sort things out and I’m sure you will do what’s right for you. My mom died about a month before I walked the Ebro, and it was exactly what I needed. Your situation is very different of course, but it sounds like you are very lucky to have siblings at home who are taking care. These solitary caminos give plenty of time to think and reflect while you walk. They really help strip away all the unnecessary noise and help you get to what matters. Wishing you a buen camino, @eobennett4, Laurie
@peregrina2000 you're correct. They are pigs! Not cattle. I took a look inside one of the pens/sty. Must be because I was in the wet lowlands. But I'm out of it now. Smells good now.Cigüeña — stork.
I remember that the first time I heard about the Ruta del Cister — it was in the Negreira municipal albergue (the one that has/had a pig sty next door). Several catalán pilgrims were telling a bunch of us about the route. They told us that most people walk it in a circle. It looks like a really nice short walk. I have periodically dreamed about it, but never made it there. Good website here. I have been lucky enough to visit Poblet and Santes Creus, but there would be something oh so much more wonderful about walking there. Your pictures are wonderful.
I also remember eating calçots, a leek-like vegetable grilled and dipped in a special sauce, and I think it was April so maybe you found them still on the menu.
I don’t exactly understand where you will connect with the Catalán —maybe someplace near Igualada? Or are you going to head to Montserrat and start the Catalán from there? In any event, it looks glorious! So good to have another great starting point.
Looking forward to more, thanks so much for posting this. Buen camino, Laurie
Enjoy Zaragoza, it’s such a beautiful place. Forum member @Pingüigrino lives in Zaragoza and likes to get together with forum members. I was all set to do so until I got bed bugs the day before coming into Zaragoza. I had to spend most of my free time doing things like going to a laundromat and buying some spray for the pack. Next time I hope to meet @Pingüigrino.Zaragoza tommorrow. Very excited. Planning a two day layover.
I'll reach out if I have a phone number and I'll try to meet up using your lead as well.Enjoy Zaragoza, it’s such a beautiful place. Forum member @Pingüigrino lives in Zaragoza and likes to get together with forum members. I was all set to do so until I got bed bugs the day before coming into Zaragoza. I had to spend most of my free time doing things like going to a laundromat and buying some spray for the pack. Next time I hope to meet @Pingüigrino.
Hoping he may see this thread before you have left Zaragoza! Buen camino, Laurie
Unfortunately, like every other good Spaniard, @Pingüigrino is traveling over the May 1 puente (long weekend).I'll reach out if I have a phone number and I'll try to meet up using your lead as well.
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