LIVE from the Camino Wonderful CF!

[domigee]

Thought I would send a quick update since I have wifi
Spent night in Bayonne (12/7) and night in Orrisson (13/7). Lovely albergue, great welcome. Then walked to Espinal. It was cold and windy on the Pyrenees, rained on and off, no visibility whatsoever. Eerie, Iloved it. You could only see the animals if they were actually on the road, the rest of the time you guessed by the sound of the bells.
Stopped in Larrasoaña, Zariquiegui, Cirauqui (WONDERFUL albergue btw), vilamayor de Monjardin and tonight in Viana.
The weather's turned very hot (for me anyway around 37 deg I'm told) and this morning I left at 5pm (I was the last one left in the albergue) to avoid the heat.
I have been walking for 6 days on my own, so much for a crowded Camino, I met fewer pilgrims (walking) than on the VdlP in June!
Having a won-der-ful time so far, will update later.
Dominique

 

[SabsP]

Hi Dominique,

So happy to read your report. Blimey those temperatures....keep going!
Good to know it is not that crowded. Take care.

 

[Waka]

Looks to me like you're enjoying yourself too much, jolly hot over here in the UK at the moment, although not getting the temps you are.
Keep the updates coming.

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino, Dominique...wishing you cooler weather across the Meseta!
I'm so glad to know you're out there having a fine time...and to see your beautiful photos.
Thank you for taking the time to share them with us all.

 

[NualaOC]

Buen Camino Dominique! Glad it's all going so well and that things aren't too crowded. I wonder if that's because you're staying in the wonderful 'in-between' places?

Walking in those temperatures must be quite a challenge - I can't even imagine it. Hope things cool down a little in the coming days.

 

[GettingThere]

Fantastic, @domigee - sounds wonderful indeed! Love your choice of stopping places too - staying in the (mostly) little villages and in-between places. Phew to the temperatures though!

 

[Castilian]

Keep enjoying! ¡Buen Camino!

 

[Mike Savage]

Buen Camino Dominique! It sounds like a wonderful time.

 

[domigee]

Hi all! Just to say hello again and a quick update, hope you're all well and either on the Camino or preparing for one.
Tonight staying not far before León, in Puente Villarente, love the albergue here!
After Viana, where it was 38 deg, stopped in Navarette. The weather turned, there was a thunderstorm and even some hailstones. Chilly in the mornings and at night but so much easier for walking .
Then Azofra (has to be one of my favourite albergues ), Redecilla del Camino, villafranca, Burgos. Stayed in fab hotel with view on the Cathedral
Then Hontanas, Boadilla, Carrión, Terradillos and Burgo Ranero last night.
The weather warmed up on the Meseta and the umbrella went up when walking in early afternoon. Pleased to report that even in rather strong wind (esp. walking to Boadilla), it held up. Lovely German gear, worth every penny!

You may have gathered I'm having a wonderful time, it is a very peaceful, very special, very quiet Camino. (I am especially grateful for it as I am still stunned by all the dreadful recent news .)

Tomorrow a short walk to León where I'll stay and after that... no plans.

My love and best wishes to all of you pilgrims and pilgrims-to-be.
Dominique

 

[Waka]

You may have gathered I'm having a wonderful time, it is a very peaceful, very special, very quiet Camino.

Looks to me like you're having too much fun, am I jealous, you better believe it.

 

[domigee]

Looks to me like you're having too much fun, am I jealous, you better believe it.

I hope you can soon be on the camino too, Waka.

 

[Waka]

I hope you can soon be on the camino too, Waka.

I can only dream at the moment and follow everyone else's journeys, but my time will come.

 

[domigee]

Hi all, walked from Astorga to Foncebadon today. Weather has again turned, it's much cooler, even rained on and off after Rabanal.
It's been a lovely walk, I just love the change of scenery. Must be (at last) getting fitter as going uphill was easy(Ish)!Walked all alone, again, at times it feels like I'm a parallel camino You see pilgrims whilst arriving in big cities then...they seem to disappear!
After León, stayed in Villar de Mazarife. I once took that route by accident a few yrs ago, on my way to Hospidal de Orbigo and stayed there for a drink. It's much changed I think, more people, road newly surfaced, didn't see any deer this time...
Yesterday walked to Astorga, it was very hot and again the path has changed, they made it wider and 'softer' I think. I didn't like it at all but other pilgrims told me they loved it, easier on the feet ... For the first time walked in the company of another pilgrim for 3 hours, a young seminarist from Philadelphia. Walking together helped us both as we were both flagging in the sun. We talked and talked, he was just so interesting!
Foncebadon has changed too, it's now a 'rocking' place .
I stopped at Denise's tree of course, what a beautiful setting, it was very moving.

 

[domigee]

Well this Camino is truly over, arrived in Santiago on 14/08 and walked on to Fisterra and Muxía. Now in Santander visiting friends, back in the UK tonight.
It has been a wonderful, stress-free experience. None of the crowds so talked about, no rush for beds... Only twice in 30+ days were albergues full (to my knowledge): once in Zariquiegui (only one albergue open, 18 beds, 10 of which taken by 2 families with cars...) and in O'Cebreiro, on a Sunday and the pilgrims arrived at 19.30...
Once in Sarria yes, suddenly there were files of pilgrims ahead of me (I started late every morning ). Not a problem, the fastest walkers overtook me and soon disappeared and I in turn passed slower ones and ...disappeared.

It leaves me with beautiful memories. I did say to myself several times it was my last Camino francés as it was so perfect....
Mmmmm.... Never say never!

Buen camino my friends.

 

[NualaOC]

Congratulations @domigee, sounds like you had an absolutely perfect experience. Thanks for sharing your experience and wishing you a safe journey home. I

 

[SabsP]

Cheers and Hurray Domigee! Was wonderful to read about your progress.
Buen Camino home....

 

[AcrossTheWater3008]

Hi Dominique

Well done and many congratulations on another great camino!! Soooo glad to hv met you at Biarritz... and, I started my walk on 14/7 and, got into Santiago on 18/8/16 .... quite a memorable event! I even get to see the awesome botafumeiro in action as well as cuddle the statue of St James. Tbh, I dont know how I got to Santiago, but am sure, he was there to encourage me!

Am currently doing the Camino tours of Finisterra and Muxia in easy pace as I don't get back to England until 31/8/16.

Take care and Buen Camino, Dominique

Ginette x

 

[Mike Savage]

Congratulations Domigee!

Safe travel home.

 

[domigee]

Hi Dominique

Soooo glad to hv met you at Biarritz...

Ginette x

Me too Ginette, it was lovely to meet you.
Congratulations on getting to Santiago and enjoy Finisterre and Muxía.

Dominique