Category Archives: Camino De Santiago 2015

Pelligrinos Countries of Origin Of People We Have Met on the Camino South Africa                                   Switzerland                                     Germany Bulgaria           ContinueContinue reading “Pelligrinos/Pelligrinis”

We decided to leave a little later this morning since we only had 10 km to walk. As I heard other pilgrims getting up and leaving I could feel my body pulling me to join them. It is partly a genetic thing. In my family if someone was going somewhere we all went happily. MaybeContinueContinue reading “Day 43 Lavacola to Santiago “

Today was quite a last long hike. We walked past the next “official” stop and moved into the woods sans hundreds of pilgrims. The alternate route took us into deep forests that were cool and quiet; so we had our last day of reflection. Tomorrow we have a 10k hike into Santiago de Compostela; alongContinueContinue reading “Day 41 Arzua to Lavacolla”

This is our last night in an albergue. Tomorrow we will be in a hotel outside of Santiago.   It was the only place available with the influx on new pilgrims.                                          Albergue life comes toContinueContinue reading “Day 40-Casanova to Azura”

When we entered the Galacian area I was very excited to relive old memories of my hike with the “girls” five years ago. It is strange to anticipate a feeling of comfort and familiarity and to be met with only one or two places that bring back a memory. Most of what were trails areContinueContinue reading “Day 39 – Gonzar to Casinova”

We are in Galicia.  It is not just the beautiful countryside or the Celtic shapes but the smell of cows and dodging cow pies all day. The odor is not a complaint just an observation that assaults the nose in hot weather. The dogs barked and scared this cow and I was almost gored.  And IContinueContinue reading “Day 38-  Barbadelo to Gonzar”

I just finished The Alchemist and I could have stayed at the albergue of a real one!   It was strangle hiking into Sarria.  Five years ago, four of us were delivered to the hotel to start our 115 Kms walk into Santiago.  I walked by the hotel we stayed in, had a beer atContinueContinue reading “Day 37- A Balsa to Barbadelo”

I am sitting in the forest, in a chair swing, in my pj top and towel as a skirt, drinking 1.5€ a glass Vino Tinto, waiting for my clothes to dry and for dinner to be served.  Chilling…  We are at an Ecologically Albergue that is certified organic. It is rustic and charming.  Our hostContinueContinue reading “Day 36 – O Cebrerio to A Balsa”

You know the old saying, “Watch what you ask for”?   Today was an amazing climbing day.  We started out in pouring down rain, thunder and lightning.  Then we meandered through the valley floor for about 12 km until the climbing started.  I believe we climbed from 700 meters to 1350 meters in 7 km.ContinueContinue reading “Day 35 – Trabadelo to O’Cebreiro”

We spent a major portion on our day on pavement. As I was complaining to myself about it, Uncle Charles came to mind. For those of you whom never had the pleasure of meeting him, he was the least complaining guy in the world. My son, Josh and I had the pleasure of spending timeContinueContinue reading “Day 34 – Camponaraya to Trabadelo”

I was walking through a city for two hours or more today, complaining to myself constantly; wondering why the Camino had to be so much on pavement when I detest that type of walking….blah blah blah.  Then I laughed and reminded myself that this isn’t the Camino according to Candi!  I am a guest hereContinueContinue reading “Day 33 Acebo to Campanaraya”

Am I homesick? No. If surprises me. I miss my family and friends so much, but not in a sad way.  I am truly grateful for each and everyone of you. You are in my thoughts throughout the day. Your words of encouragement have made me brave and strong, but most of all thankful. AtContinueContinue reading “Day 32 – Santa Catalina to El Acebo”

Today was a perfect day on the Camino. My feet were settled into my boots. The morning was glorious as we strolled through the farmland hills. We were up before the cows. The rolling hills brought one surprise after another. The mornings afford long moments of solitude and reflection that I haven’t taken time forContinueContinue reading “Day 31 Santibanez to Santa Cantalina”

One thing I really like about walking before sunrise is the beautiful pink hue that colors everything.  I started the day really in a funk. It was my first day of feeling unsettled. After about a half hour of walking in the quiet of pre-dawn darkness, my mind settled in.  There is something so soothingContinueContinue reading “Day 30 Vallar de Mazarife to Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias”

Debby and I stopped for a coffee on the way out of Leon and our friend Georgi walked in behind us!  She was staying at the entrance into Leon and we stayed in the center, so the perfect timing was crazy.                            ContinueContinue reading “Day 29 Leon to Vallar de Mazarife”

A great day. We left early there was a cloud cover most of the day and hills!  I know I complained before, but it was heavenly climbing a couple of hills today. I even smiled!                                        ContinueContinue reading “Day 28 – Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon”

                                 We don’t usually get this much green space                               All for 8€ per night-home sweet home  Last nights albergue was a nice change from theContinueContinue reading “Day 27 El Burgo Rancero to Mansilla de las Muelles”

This was my least favorite part of the Camino today. It was like listening to the same song over and over and over…for 15 km the same trees on my left, same small road on my right, freeway in the background with train tracks beyond that.                  ContinueContinue reading “Day 26 – Shahgun to  El Burgo Ranera”

Today was a short day. Debby is still fighting foot problems and I needed to send some more stuff home (yippie…a lighter pack tomorrow!!!!). So we stopped in a larger town that has a post office. Most villages don’t have one so I have even carrying around stuff I haven’t used.        ContinueContinue reading “Day 25 Terradillos de los Templarios to Shahagun”

                                  24th sunrise…on the way to the long walk   For some reason I have been drawn to  the meseta. As I prepared and watched videos,  I really felt that this part of the Camino would speak to me,ContinueContinue reading “Day 24-  Carron de los Condes to Terradillos”

                             The road way…crazy drunks and full sun  We slept in a bit because 21 km seems like a short walk now. When we woke this am we looked at the floor and it was covered with little ants! We were veryContinueContinue reading “Day 23- Fromista to Carrion”

                          a 2 km , 1000 foot climb was our first order of the day we made it! the cities in background is where we started. an 1 1/2 hours ago   Today was a long hike. According to maps 26km but myContinueContinue reading “Day 22- Castrojeriz to Formista “

                                               Outstanding sunrise  Today was a great day for both of us walking; I think a first. We both felt good when we arrived into our new destination. The heat held off untilContinueContinue reading “Day 21- Hornillos de Camino to Castrojeriz “

another beautiful sunrise  So the meseta began. It took 4 km to get out of Burgos.  It is difficult watching for yellow arrows or shells with headlamps. We missed a turn at 5:30 am and a woman walking to work, stopped us and walked us back to the Camino. We did some climbing today andContinueContinue reading “Day 20- Burgos to Hornillos de Camino”

It feels like I have been here a week. I think it is time to continue. My body definitely needed a rest but I am now anxious to face the meseta.                                                ContinueContinue reading “Day 19 Rest day in Burgos”

We slept in until 6:00 today. It is odd that I cannot go to sleep at night. The heat is very hard for me at night; and the FLIES. If there is one thing I don’t like about the Camino, it is the flies!!! I cannot stand their little feet on my skin…much worse thanContinueContinue reading “Day 18 -Cardenuala to Burgos”

I L❤️VED the hiking today.  My feet are settled in, I had great energy, and I was in the moment nearly the entire day. One thing that I wanted to find in myself again is the sense of adventure and sponstaneousness. To be in the moment and soak it in. Today felt like I wasContinueContinue reading “Day 17- Villafranca Montes de La Oca to Cardenuela”

Just a few things from last night.  We dined with four young guys from Italy, England and South Korea. Dinner conversation was very insightful and engaging.  A true pilgrims’ meal. Today we slept in a bit because the weather was much cooler. At times I was a bit chilled.😊it was a bit odd not being ledContinueContinue reading “Day 16- Viloria de Rioja to Villfranco Monte de La Oca”

                                                       headlamp hiking We left earlier again today even though it wasn’t going to be in the 100’s today.  Leaving town and looking for little yellow arrows is aContinueContinue reading “Day 15 -Ciriena to Viloria de Rioja”

Last night we went the village cafe for dinner.  I loved the cook, waiter, bartender all wrapped into in person.  He was very proud of his food and rightly so.  Plus he called us chicas! all this food plus a salad for 10€……plus wine We like our albergue.  It had a great back veranda forContinueContinue reading “Day 14- Ventosa to Ciruena”

We started early and it was quite a trek through Logrona to finally hit some trails.  We walked about 45 minutes through city streets. We came upon this perigrino turned entreprenier and bought some fruit. We were then off on our 21 km hike in fairly cool weather.  It was so nice to have aContinueContinue reading “Day 13-Viana to Ventosa”

leaving at 5:30 am The walk today was pleasant and beautiful. I think we are ending our time in Navarre and move to Rioja. I have really enjoyed the wines here and will be interested to see the slight differences.   Los Argos in sight  Debby bussed here and we met up at a smallContinueContinue reading “Day 12 Longrono to Viana”

                                                      Entering Rioja Debby was back on the trail again for a 10k trial run into Logrono.  We left the region of Navarre and moved into Rioja.    ContinueContinue reading “Day 11- Los Arco to  Longrono”

We started very early and ended early today.  Debby is working through some challenges with her feet, it is still hot, and we needed to downsize our packs.  Only larger cities have a post office, and they locked the door right after we went in…we were thankful to get rid of some useless items.  GoContinueContinue reading “Day 8 – Estella “

Started early and moved into a new agricultural area.  Still grain fields but also grapes, olives, and wild fennel…It is delightful.    The weather is still in the100’s so we are making short days.  We have moved into going into many small villages throughout the day but that means lots of climbing and descending.  ContinueContinue reading “Day 7- Uterga to Cirauqui”

I was so glad to say goodbye to the city. So, of course we “climbed” our whole morning out of the city. And we did it with no coffee or breakfast because we were sure the villages would have a cafe open….not! L Finally at almost the top of the mountain, we came across Zariquiegui,ContinueContinue reading “Day 6- Pamplona to Uterga”

We decided to leave Zubiri early since the weather prediction was 105 degrees  for today. We were also glad to leave the very tight quarters of our alberge. Although we were told “don’t worry today is flat walking… We left before breakfast and ended up having brunch about 10 km into the day.  Needing coffeeContinueContinue reading “Day 5  Zubiri to Pamplona”

Day four started out with another beautiful sunrise.  We finally got some sleep with a little medication and I plugged myself into some white noise.           We stopped at a coffee shop in the first village.  It was delightful.  Fresh orange juice,  coffee, bread and delightful cheese (Heather, your love forContinueContinue reading “Day 4 – Espana to Zubiri””

Today we hiked 6.8 km into Espanal. We are taking a semi- rest day, to reorganize and catch up the blog. We had to say goodbye to some Camino friends with whom we have spent the last two days with in the evenings. They went on and have shorter time so will be finishing beforeContinueContinue reading “Day 3 Roncevalles to Espanal”

    Another strenuous day, but longer. We started out with sun and ended with sun. Absolutely beautiful views the entire way through farmland. Of course these are livestock farmers and their animals live on the sides of the Pyrenees.  I certainly had to dig down deep today to get this done. It was veryContinueContinue reading “Day 2- Orisson to Roncevalles 16.5 km”

St. Jean Pied au Port to Orrison 7.5 km The first of day of the Pyrenees.  The gentleman at the pilgrim office that told us that the fist 400 meters right out-of-town was the worst; he was obviously suffer a bit of dementia.  There were several sections that were equal to the start, if notContinueContinue reading “Day 1 – St. Jean Pied au Port to Orrison “

Today we are well nourished and hydrated, rested and on our way to St. Jean Pied a Port.  First we go by train to Bayonne and then by bus. At the train station we were treated to an impromptu concert by some students who were also traveling and a small, tasty delicacy of Bordeaux (youContinueContinue reading “Another Travel Day”

The day that never seemed like it would arrive is here.  I have to say it is bittersweet.  I know that when we get on the airplane the adventure will start, but I cannot help but feel a little sadness about leaving.  I have said my goodbyes to children, grandchildren, and friends.  There was muchContinueContinue reading “Bittersweet Goodbyes…..”

For 48 days this is my life.  Today I began to feel the realization that in 9 days I will leaving all the people I love at home and following the pull of the Camino de Santiago.  It is bittersweet.  

I cannot understand why I am not getting serious about training for my Camino.  I get started and then I stop.   Each time I go out, I walk or hike  at least five miles, love every minute of it, but then my real life gets in my way,  or I let it be anContinueContinue reading “Training? No, not much…”

In my excitement about getting our tickets, I just discovered that I missed a very important step; the submit button.  Yikes!   Something came to me last week that I had not filed my eticket;  so I went looking for it through my overloaded inbox.  Hum-m-m, nothing!  Checked my credit card for the transaction….nothing!  WentContinueContinue reading “Almost got the cart before the horse….”