Well, I'm Back!

[scruffy1]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Welcome back Scruffy!
Hope you're feeling better.

 

[VNwalking]

Welcome back! I think I have to take a leaf out of your play-book, Scruff...It sounds like it was wonderful, except for the illness. It's always some surprise or another, isn't it?....

 

[peregrina2000]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

Hi, Scruffy,
Sounds like you made it to most if not all of the places that were highest on your list. Time to start planning the next camino, perhaps?

 

[Dennis D]

Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff.

Lookout John Brierley, there is a possibility of a new route on the Camino. I like the title a lot.

Welcome Home and see you next year on the CdlS.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

It was really delightful to meet you, Scruffy! I have several photos of you, and also took several of our mutual friend, delightful Marilyn! I recounted your description of the local market to her, and she and I were smiling about your knowledge of all things related to travel in Spain. Honestly, when first I met you, I was so exhausted, and there you sat in all your coughing scruffiness, rattling off--gently and in your fashion---where you had been, and asking a few questions of me. I was so dumbstruck at your geographical knowledge that I remember just listening and looking for a moment, and when Marilyn offhandedly mentioned that you would be going back to Jerusalem, that is when I recognized your eyes and beard, and wow, THAT HAT.....

Meeting you and several other friends was quite a wonderful bit of serendipity. Honestly, I greeted Marilyn when she first arrived in front of the cathedral, and it was devoid of most people except ourselves, so I struck up some serious fanfare and photographed her. Then, I led her to the credential office, and showed her my hotel, where she ended up staying and relaxing, entirely to my benefit. What a charming woman, and we had a breakfast together before I departed.

 

[movinmaggie]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

Sounds wonderful Scruffy. I too walked with bronchitis; not an easy thing to shake. Looking back on my stops, I do wish now I had taken the route to Samos to experience the Benedictine Monastery. Next time?? Welcome back.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Sounds wonderful Scruffy. I too walked with bronchitis; not an easy thing to shake. Looking back on my stops, I do wish now I had taken the route to Samos to experience the Benedictine Monastery. Next time?? Welcome back.

Be positive, you will be back.And than you will visit the Monastery, it's a lovely place you can see this on the pictures below.
I wish you well, Peter.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

Welcome back Scruffy.
I wish you well, and mabe more Camino's to come, Peter.

 

[ivar]

It was a fine and lovely Camino, in true Scruff style. Started in Bilbao but no, didn't go the Camino del Norte. Went south of Pamplona to Sangüesa (Zangoza in the Basque) but no, didn't follow the Camino Aragonés. Back to Pamplona where yes I did actually begin the Camino Francés – for a while. Walked until Logroño but turned north for Haro t-h-e center for Rioja despite the misleading claims from Logroño. Back to the Camino Francés until Burgos, then south to Santo Domingo de los Silos and the wonderful Gregorian chants-the Romanesque cloister. Burgos to León and the clock is ticking. León to Zamora for the Romanesque which I love but no, I didn't continue on the Via de Plata, the cold I had been nursing turning into bronchitis –"No Camino for You"! Three days flat on my back and the clock is ticking, loudly. On to Astorga – Sarria - Samos but then does one walk as far as possible, then bus it to the airport or spend three days enjoying Santiago? Not visit the cathedral or the amazing and bizarre Church of Santa Maria la Real del Sar or the litle church dedicated to Santiago's mother Santa María Salomé? Bus it is. So it wasn't a real pilgrimage however considering the number of churches I visited and the masses I attended, it wasn't tourigrino either. Let's just call it Camino del le Scruff. Happily home again, the grandbabies came to see me and all is well. PS If you see this Ivar, I so enjoyed our conversation, thank you again!

Yay! It was nice to finally meet you!

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Scruffy, You got to Silos. Rejoice. One can't have everything.

 

[scruffy1]

I am quite overwhelmed by these wonderful responses. Many possibly feel as I do, that so many good friends at home even family have no idea why I walk, the importence and personal meanings of walking, of anything which we all have experienced. All are very happy to see us back but few see the significance of what we have done. Thank you one and all, I am very moved.

 

[VNwalking]

Scruffy, how could we not rejoice with you about such an amazing journey!?
So I am in planning mode, and would appreciate your advice. Silos sounds just my 'thing'. If one takes a bus in one direction is there a way to walk back without being next to roads all the time? (looks ~60 km, right?)

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Viranai,
Santo Domingo de Silos is actually on the Ruta de la Lana, which joins up with the Frances in Burgos. Look at mundicamino. http://mundicamino.com/rutas.cfm?id=45 So you will find markings.

Alansykes has walked this recently. From Santo Domingo, he walked on the Lana to Mecerreyes, where there is a very nice albergue, he tells us. On the way you pass through another pretty town, Covarrubias. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/covarrubias.36955/
I'm pretty sure this is all on the side of lightly traveled roads, nothing major, but no mountain paths either.

Then rather than going straight to Burgos from Mecerreyes, he took a detour to a visigothic church, and he describes it here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...thic-jewel-south-of-burgos.36974/#post-352219

If you take the detour to visit the visigothic church, it's three days back to Burgos. Otherwise it's two. Alan has some wikiloc GPS tracks online.

Stages:
Santo Domingo to Mecerreyes
Mecerreyes to Mondubar: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=11249029
Mondubar to Burgos

Sounds like you're starting to focus in on some possibilities for your two week walk!

 

[peregrina2000]

Found another track of Alan's -- Mondubar to Burgos: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=11262303

 

[cecelia]

Scruffy , peregrina2000 and others,
Thanks very much. This information is really interesting and helpful. I'll be making use of it for sure.

Scrufffy - do you mind sharing roughly how long it took, and how many km. per day you walked? I would use that as a guide for planning planes. Any kind of a reasonable guess is appreciated.

Thank you,
Cecelia

 

[Deleted member 50230]

Welcome back! Sound like you had a good run after all.

 

[Kanga]

Scruffy, so good to read this. Enjoy the grandbabies - aren't we lucky?

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi Scruffy
What a great thread. Thank you to everyone for the interesting route ideas and places to visit.

You sound like a very relaxed walker Scruffy (even with Bronchitis ) and you know how to 'do it your way' - enjoy !

Buen Camino
Annie

 

[VNwalking]

http://mundicamino.com/rutas.cfm?id=45 So you will find markings.

Alansykes has walked this recently. From Santo Domingo, he walked on the Lana to Mecerreyes, where there is a very nice albergue, he tells us. On the way you pass through another pretty town, Covarrubias. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/covarrubias.36955/
I'm pretty sure this is all on the side of lightly traveled roads, nothing major, but no mountain paths either.

Then rather than going straight to Burgos from Mecerreyes, he took a detour to a visigothic church, and he describes it here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...thic-jewel-south-of-burgos.36974/#post-352219

If you take the detour to visit the visigothic church, it's three days back to Burgos. Otherwise it's two. Alan has some wikiloc GPS tracks online.

Stages:
Santo Domingo to Mecerreyes
Mecerreyes to Mondubar: http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=11249029
Mondubar to Burgos

Laurie, don't know how I missed this when you posted it. Perfect--thanks! Just what I'm looking for.