We have heard many stories about pilgrims having problem finding accommodation on the Camino. We are now in the last two-hundred kilometers( the minimum distance required for cyclists to receive the Compostela). The number of pilgrims has swelled considerably and in addition we are at a very popular town, O Cebreiro . After a climb of over 800 meters, many pilgrims have arrived here to ... Read More
The door of Pardon at Villa Franca Tunde, a friend from Hungary asked me today what the deepest or best moment was for me on the Camino. It's a difficult question and I don't have my answer yet but here are a few gems:1. Laughter with people I have just met who open their heart to us.2. Morning silence and sounds3. The community of pilgrims4. ... Read More
Yesterday we left the plains of the Meseta and are now climbing slowly up into the mountains. We passed through Astorga where we visited the Cathedral and Gaudi's bishop's Palace. He really was a complete genius. Now we are in a mountainous area with picturesque stone villages. I took a detour yesterday to see Castrillo de Los Polvazares one of the best preserved towns in ... Read More
Well it took twenty one years to see any signs, but it seems Gordon is human after all. What... he broke his leg you ask? A sprained ankle ? Perhaps sunstroke and dehydration? No a muscle in his leg cramped. He actually took an ibuprofen, after limping the last 15 kilometers of a 38 kilometer day. He even momentarily considered riding my bike if I ... Read More
We entered Leon early so that we could have a full day exploring all the sights. This is a place of Godly things. The Cathedral is a stunning 13th century one with more glass than stone. Another church, San Isidoro, is a 12th century Romanesque marvel. Our troubadour, Gildas from France, joined us in both places with his violin- playing Bach. It was so lovely ... Read More
It is 6:30 in the morning and Gord is off. I have the luxury of waiting for my 7:30 breakfast here at the Pension. We took an alternate route to this town, billed as the friendliest town on the Camino by our guidebook. It certainly is and the food here has been some of the best. Here is Saint James in Le Puy en Velay ... Read More
San Martin FromistaOk, as the queen of justification it's time for a word about las habitationes. There are several levels of accommodation along the Camino and the ones in highest demand are the refugios and albergues. These are generally bunk beds in dormitories that are either donativos, where you pay what you can, or albergues charging between 3 to 8€. At the higher end of ... Read More
If words could describe how I am feeling this morning I would say I am in a state of grace.Mornings are just stunning on the meseta and riding slowly through this spectacular landscape is such a gift. The weather is sunny but unusually cool- perfect. I can't believe that this is the area most commonly bypassed by pilgrims on train. I think it is so ... Read More
Pension Acacia, BurgosRuth-We had another wonderful day on the Camino today. I wanted to avoid the N 120 into Burgos so Gord and I headed off together even though I knew the first 4 km would be a rough track over a pass. I walked pushing my bike over the rutted and stoney track until at the very top we had to detach the trailer ... Read More
Ruth-We were warned that we would tire of the pilgrim dinners, but so far they are working well for us. The choices always challenge the bounds of our Spanish vocabulary so it is usually somewhat of a surprise to see what we have actually ordered. Who knew that merguez is actually fish not sausage? The first course is usually a complete meal in itself with ... Read More