Pension Toni, Belorado, SpainRuth:When a Pilgrim from Bulgaria heard that my name was Ruth she dug out her camera to show me a picture of my name made in stones surrounded by a heart. The work of Gord earlier in the day you ask???? Well... no, but I like to imagine that I have admirers out there. The next day Gord heard the full story ... Read More
Casa de AbuelaGordon-Today our route took us past a legendary point on the Camino - the Fuente del Vino. The monastery of Irache constructed a hospital for pilgrims in 1050, one of the earliest on the Camino. The monastery now operates a major winery and as their gift to the pilgrims they have placed a tap in a wall where free wine is available. Of ... Read More
Auberge de Lorca, Lorca, SpainRuth-Anyone who has made the pilgrimage to Santiago will tell you about their own Camino moments. These are the moments when just as adversity strikes things are magically resolved. Whether or not one attributes this to the workings of Santiago, magic or luck, Camino moments are truly an important part of this Pilgrimage. Before leaving this morning our host invited us ... Read More
Ruth-I am sitting just outside the Cathedral in Pamplona on the second last day of the San Fermin festival. During the festival the city bursts with about 1 million tourists and dare devils here for the running of the bulls. I rode into Pamplona with a great guy from New Zealand. It was nice to have a companion for the ride into the city. We ... Read More
Hotel RoncesvallesRuth-It was a tough first day but I made it up the 900 meter climb over the Pyrenees and it is a wonderful feeling to be here. Gord and I took different routes this morning; he on the much higher Route Napoleon and me on the Valcarlos route. Every trip there is usually one thing I get really anxious about and today's climb was ... Read More
Gite Ultreia, St.Jean Pied de PortThe last time we were here was a much sadder time because we had to leave the camino. This time it is a starting point rather than an end. Tomorrow we cross the Pyrenees into Spain!!!!! The Gite I pre booked in Roncesvalles for tomorrow night lost our reservation but they are giving us a room at their four star ... Read More
Hotel des Arceaux , Bayonne Bayonne is a beautiful place to recover from a long series of flights. Unfortunately, my synapses are firing in slow motion so I won't try to write much today. After a brief period of lost baggage we are now all reunited with our stuff. Cycling without pedals and wheels for the trailer might have been tricky; not to mention the ... Read More
Rule # 1 Never start looking on the used websites unless you have money to spend. Yesterday I bought a used folding bike that I have been wanting for years. It is an older version of the New-World Tourist pictured here, but it has been lovingly cared for by it's previous owner Jim. It comes with a trailer/suitcase that the bike fits into too! I ... Read More
Gord and I will be returning to the Camino de Santiago in July 2011 to pick up where we left off at St. Jean Pied de Port (kilometer 760 of our journey). This time I will be on bike and he will be on foot. I am done grieving that walking is not in my plans and ready to cycle over the Pyrenees for the second time ... Read More
There is so much information out there on the Camino Frances, but I would recommend you start with the The Confraternity of Saint James. Their overview of the route can be found at: http://www.csj.org.uk/route-camino-frances.htm.