Category Archives: Back on the Camino

It started badly with Eva’s bag missing. No sign of it at the airport luggage pick up! So tired, hungry and frustrated we have the challenge of manipulating the luggage claim department with a language barrier. Eva stayed calm and got everything filled out and away we went hopeful that all would go well andContinueContinue reading “Paris….”

We have had a busy two and a half days in Porto. It is a beautiful old town area full of so much history from all the influence from so many invasions over the centuries. The tile is so unique on the buildings and the cuisine is a refreshing change from so many pilgrim’s meals.ContinueContinue reading “Post Camino -Porto”

It is good to be back in Santiago. The friends are gathering and it feels like the Camino is ending. We are sharing stories, words of wisdom and cherished memories. Dotty leaves for Finisterre tomorrow morning. She is a woman warrior. My heart filled when my “Danish sister” walked up! We all started together andContinueContinue reading “Santiago Goodbyes”

I just cannot get this last day on the Camino’s post done. I sit down to write it and find a dozen things to distract me from having to come to terms with it is really over. I don’t thing that I am ready to stop emotionally; maybe physically 😳though. Here goes. https://videopress.com/v/c3PVi4Tr?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Our lastContinueContinue reading “Day 33 – A Rùa to Santiago”

https://videopress.com/v/mXRbTne1?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Today was a difficult day. I felt a heaviness in my heart that my final Camino was coming to a close. I have such mixed emotions because this has been such a different journey than I pictured. That is what the Camino is about, I think. Letting it guide you. I am not usedContinueContinue reading “Day 32 – Castaneda to A Rúa”

https://videopress.com/v/cMADEVFE?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Can you tell we start each day with a climb? I am always out of breath This is a corn crib that all houses have. Today I thought I felt a fly on my leg and realized that the hairs on my legs were so long they were flying like flags in the wind.ContinueContinue reading “Day 31 – Palas de Rei to Castaneda”

https://videopress.com/v/VmjhV1ow?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Today there wasn’t as much excitement about getting up and out the door If was a beautiful foggy morning. Perfect for the long climbs ahead. This was at the top of a very long climb. We got above the fog. The small villages we walk through are amazingly beautiful with their rustic exteriors. ThisContinueContinue reading “Day 30 Portomarín to Palas de Rei”

https://videopress.com/v/MXXoPGzU?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true The walk out of Sarria for the third time was as exciting as ever. https://videopress.com/v/GdC4qUSl?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true https://videopress.com/v/nzGWmXmE?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true We share the Camino with the cows The terrain in Galicia is brutal. They say rolling hills but today was a great deal of climbing. It is a hard start for Heather and Rebecca, but they did aContinueContinue reading “Day 29 – Sarria to Portomarín”

We had to catch a very early train to Sarria this am. Once the sun came up I have discovered that I was correct; a weather change. It is completely overcast and is threatening rain as we travel west. I find It difficult to have a segmented Camino. When you walk continually, it becomes aContinueContinue reading “Day 28 – Ponferrada to Sarria”

It was a beautiful morning. Eva, Willa, Cecillia, and I walked together for the entire day. Our friend Jeremy joined us later. Today we saw so many people from our time on the Camino. It was magical. We hugged goodbye, until Santiago, with many of them. The Camino is getting very busy. At Astorga threeContinueContinue reading “Day 27 – Astorga to Rabanal del Camino on foot and then on to Ponferrada by Taxi.”

I am getting excited about meeting Heather and Rebecca in Sarria. I honestly didn’t think we would ever share even a part of the Camino. To share the wine and food together in Santiago and Porto will be so much fun. Some of our Camino family road the bus With us partway to start CaminoContinueContinue reading “Day 26- Leon to Astorga via Bus”

Let’s see. I woke up at 8:30.. I got ready for my thermal spa at 9:30. Started working on my blog (which is taken me all day). In between I took a little stroll down the side streets of Leon. Had a glass of wine and some Leon’s specialty meats and bread. Then I workedContinueContinue reading “Day 25 Leon”

Another beautiful sunrise. We stopped for breakfast at the albergue where Debby and I stayed on my last Camino. Eva and her “second breakfast” of eggs every day. Walked today with a four young people today. Oliver is German, Rebecca is from New York, Angel is from China, and our Camino family member from EnglandContinueContinue reading “Day 24 Reliegos to Leon”

https://videopress.com/v/lqYmdn0c?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true https://videopress.com/v/recnSjtD?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true The relief of a sign pointing the way. Yesterday was an odd day I was feeling a little bit down because I was walking by myself and was not a day to walk by myself. As I started reached the intersection of where two trails were going to go in different directions IContinueContinue reading “Day 23 Calzada del Coto to Reliegos”

https://videopress.com/v/jJfnfn52?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Today I am walking alone and we are going to take different paths to meet up two days from now. I am getting a bit lonely on some days. The Camino is thinning out and it is rare that I have someone in front or behind me. Some days that is fine, but otherContinueContinue reading “Day 22. Terradillosto Calzada del Coto”

https://videopress.com/v/puCKvS4Z?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Willa’s Aunt and uncle are walking this section of the Camino today with the girls. I am walking alone today. The mesetta is a time of silence for me, except for a buen Camino for passing pilgrims. I enjoy just letting my mind wander. Plus my feet are still tender and I tend toContinueContinue reading “Day 21 – Carron de los Condes – Terradillos”

We left s bit late this am. The albergue was very quiet and I slept well. The girls and I walked together for quite a while in the am. A forest! The girls lost me and I finished the walk alone. I had decided to stay in the church albergue to hear the singing nuns.ContinueContinue reading “Day 20 – Frómista to Carrión de Los Condes”

https://videopress.com/v/gYTSvnfM?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true https://videopress.com/v/W0q45XUH?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Made it to the top of a 4 km climb! https://videopress.com/v/EvHtdqQq?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true A great sign on the mesetta….a breeze Sometimes you are very alone. Moving through the Provence’s is northern Spain. It is always a little bittersweet to know you are leaving one Provence and into another. I walked into Frómista with a womanContinueContinue reading “Day 19 -Castrojeriz – Fromista”

I will update this when I get better WiFi The mornings never disappoint. The mesetta is not revealing anything to me yet. Sometimes lessons come later and are not a revelation Eva and my shadows today. I love our time together; even in silence. We started the day to a beautiful sunrise and ended inContinueContinue reading “Day 18 Hornillo de Santiago to Castrojeriz”

The mesetta…. The wonder of the these next few days! My feet are feeling great and I am able to walk at my normal speed. Today was hot, low 90’s. I need a slimmer looking shadow! There are several ways to do the Camino. Biking across the mesetta is a go idea. You get toContinueContinue reading “Day 17 – Burgos to Hornillo de Santiago”

Today I went with my friend Dotty to search for new boots. No Keens but found some that might work. I got “cold feet” and decided just to stick with my sandals since we are entering the mesetta. Fingers crossed. Lunch was delicious. A cheese tray of three Spanish and two European cheese. Paired withContinueContinue reading “Day 16 – Burgos again”

I have been very lazy. I changed my bandages on my feet which is a struggle as inflexible as I am. NOTE TO SELF:I should have gone to yoga regularly. Trying to use folding scissors for surgery with my iPhone camera as my guide was a two-hour job. I had to take a break andContinueContinue reading “Day 15 Burgos-Healing Day”

By taxi, bus and a short walk…. As I am flying by three days of walking in the matter of an 1 ½ hours. I am longing to be on the Camino but happy to have barely searing feet. Note to Self: when I quit being flexible then it is time not to travel. AtContinueContinue reading “Day 14 – Azofra to Burgos”

Early start with a spectacular sunrise. My feet started out feeling great. I made the girls climb up this extra hill for a picture and you can barely see them. 😂 A cat cannot peak it’s head out without these two scrambling after it. 🥰 Our albergue was a municipal (state run, so very inexpensive.ContinueContinue reading “Day 13 – Ventoza to Azofra”

Leaving a large city is always a long walk on sidewalks. I broke up the am with art and watching Spaniards on the morning walks, bike rides and runs. and a delightful bakery I could smell two blocks away. The mini croissants were cream filled and delightful! There was a hint of possible citrus inContinueContinue reading “Day 12 – Logrono to Ventosa”

Totally off my feet today. Just laying around in bed letting my feet heel. My right foot is worse than left because the blister cap came off with bandage. Eva brought me food and wine, so I am set. Sheets, real towels and private bath. I couldn’t ask for more. I am ½ block forContinueContinue reading “Day 11 – Logrono Rest Day”

Beautiful day. Easy walk through vineyards plus some payments today. I definitely feel my blisters. I walked from the Navarre to Rioja today. Notice the difference in the terroir of the vineyards. Logrono was very busy. By the time I got around to checking into a hostile they were full. I made a reservation onContinueContinue reading “Day 10 – Viana to Logrono”

Because of the heat and distance we decided to start early today. It was a beautiful sunrise. I love the quiet and solitude of starting before dawn. We are out without coffee or food. I am walking slowly because of my feet. Willa and Eva are ahead somewhere in the far distance. This day wasContinueContinue reading “Day 9 Los Argos to Viana”

What the heck? Karma! Ms. know it all…. now I have two bottom feet with blisters. But with Dr. Johnson’s help, they are threaded and feeling better. Twelve miles on blisters is not fun. Just spent $30 at the pharmacy on foot care and ibuprofen cream ($$$$$ in states with prescription and is $10 here).ContinueContinue reading “Day 8 Blisters!!!! Estella to Los Argos.”

I definitely have had better days. I might even have day dreamed about flying home. There were so many highlights but my body took too much of my attention. A full day of climbing. We are in the Navarre Region of wine country. Watching the terroir change between vineyards makes me so curious about flavorContinueContinue reading “Day 7 Puenta la Reina to Estella.”

A long walk. Nearly 17 miles today. We left at 7 am and the weather wa overcast so a pleasant temperature for the day. That was good because it was open exposure almost the whole day. Lots of pilgrims on the Camino. We climbed and climbed to reach Alto del Perdon. The fields are harvestedContinueContinue reading “Day 6 – Pamplona to Puenta la Reina”

Today everyone in our Camino family moved on. It was strange not to hike today but Willa and Eva wanted a rest day. It is good to know your limits. Since we were in a hostile last night we had to be out early so that was a bit chaotic but all worked out. WeContinueContinue reading “Day 5. Rest Day in Pamplona”

Everyone was so excited last night about how this stage is flat. I knew differently. I have been dreading putting my boots on because I have a problem with my right ankle bone. I have a bruise from a small fall,maybe. So, to be able to walk I am using some walking sandals (👡 insideContinueContinue reading “Day 4- Zubiri to Pamplona”

Spectacular in all ways. Raining, grueling, mystical and more taxing than I remembered. I walked again today with my new Camino friend Cecillia and later for the descent, Sirina from Italy joined us. It was nice to share their first encounter with conquering the Pyrenees. Finally the reward. A shower, food and a bed.

Oh my! Eva jumped out of bed at 6:15am and was ready to be off. I was wide awake for most of the night and Eva was awake for quite a while. We are still trying to acclimate. A quick breakfast and goodbye to Joseph, the owner of our alberge., then off we went. BeautifulContinueContinue reading “St Jean to Orrison- Day 1”

We started the day in the South of France having espresso and breakfast along the Atlantic coast and have ended the day in the sweet village of St. Jean.. St. Jean We picked up our Camino credential, the girls got their shells; I am carrying mine for the third time. It was a gift fromContinueContinue reading “St. Jean Pied au Port”

We arrived in Biarritz at 10:00 pm; 30 hours after we started! Not one flight was on time, or didn’t sit on the tarmac for too long. But we made it. And we are in good spirits. Our hotel by the sea Willa was waiting for us when we arrived, we had dinner and aContinueContinue reading “No More Airplanes for 6 weeks….”

The best laid plans…..we left so optimistic, ready for an adventure, unflustered by a seven hour layover in Calgary (hotel “in terminal” booked for comfy rest)….all was well. Then small glitches started; Eva wasn’t checked in even though it said she was, because we were international passengers checking luggage, that was a problem mechanical problemContinueContinue reading “L-O-N-G DAY”

Crazy couple of days. It all started with a few pings from my airline with minor changes. Then they became more serious, “You have 72 hours to accept these changes….”. After two days of trying to decipher the emails, I discovered that we no longer have return tickets from Paris to Calgary. Our carrier droppedContinueContinue reading “‘Twas the Night Before the Camino..”

Where did these months go? Last week Eva, Heather and I met to finalize supplies and equipment. Eva will be a working at a youth camp until we leave so she has to be ready this week with her Camino packing. I have begun to stage my 35 days of living from my backpack. SometimesContinueContinue reading “Whoa…”

I have started training. My last Camino I decided to quit training the last two months before I left because, I guess, I wanted to really suffer the first week going over the Pyrenees.😉 This time the pressure is on because I am too competitive to be the weak link, hiking with two 20 yearContinueContinue reading “Getting closer….”

Yesterday I had a wonderful phone visit with Eva. Knowing that we are going to share my next Camino journey brings me great joy. There is such a bond that comes with having the opportunity to spend uncomplicated time together. Our days will be spend with little more than our feet, walking, eating, adding newContinueContinue reading “Count Down”

I would never say “last” Camino de Santiago; but maybe. It is not because I think I am too old for another after this one, but because I have other paths I want to follow. If this is my last, I don’t know how I could end my Camino journeys with anything better than sharingContinueContinue reading “Camino de Santiago 2019”