It's been a few days since I last posted, I've completed the camino and am back in Barcelona having left Santiago this afternoon. The last few days have been an emotional roller coaster in so many ways that I'm sat here now totally unsure of how I feel or what to write! Why am I … Continue reading Boente to Santiago – Camino Completed – Back to life, back to reality
'Bad Pilgrim! Bad Pilgrim!' - this is how I taunt Clarisa every time she whinges about her feet, the weather, other pilgrims, the time it's taking to get to the albergue, how knotty her hair is, the temperature of the drinking water, whatever. I say it a lot. However, I, despite my angelic looks, have … Continue reading Bad Pilgrim! Bad Pilgrim! Portomarin to Boente
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday we blew thru 38k on the camino between Alto do Poio and Sarria and, today, just 24k from Sarria to Portomarin. The two days were like chalk and cheese with today, despite the shorter distance offering the far greater challenge. Last night in the gorgeous (best so far) Albergue, … Continue reading Rain! – Alto do Poio to Portomarin
I was promised revelations on camino, I was told I would come back to Barcelona a changed person, I'm not sure the transformation will be quite so extreme but what I find the Camino does is help you make more sense of truths you (should) already know. Whilst pulling myself up the mountain today to … Continue reading Step by Step – Villafranca del Bierzo to Alto do Poio
I stink. I thought I smelt pretty bad at Valcarlos on day 2 but that level of whiff was like a mild Wensleydale comparing to the ripe Stilton of today. The ingrained stench of stale sweat has now permeated all my clothes and no matter how hard my clothes are washed (ahem) it seems all … Continue reading Pepe le Pew – Acebo to Villafranca del Bierzo
Wow. I've been drawn to North-Western (despite living in North-Eastern) Spain since University and finally I am in the Province of Bierzo, home to one of my favourite Spanish wines and the best scenery of the Camino de Santiago so far. I adore being in the mountains - Theres a peace and serenity there … Continue reading The first time – Astorga to Acebo
This morning I woke up at 5am with a sore throat! It wasn't the usual, I'm 'coming down with something' sore throat but a kind of 'fatigue' illness influenced tickle that lasted a good 10kms before fading away somewhere into the background of the gentle hills of Hospital Del Orbigo. Anyway, because of this ailment … Continue reading All the single ladies – Villavante to Astorga
I learnt nothing today! However, I did get to put into practise a lesson I learnt when I was four years old which is 'never put your fingers in a parrots cage'. My neglectful father left me alone with a parrot at this tender age and I was savaged to the point of hospitalisation. Coco, … Continue reading Who’s a pretty boy then? Leon to Villavante
It's amazing how fast your mind and body adapts to a new lifestyle. A month ago I'd have given my right arm (well, maybe tip of a toe) to stay in the Parador de Leon, the word in luxury hotels in Spain, take a massage and eat at the restaurant and now, thanks to the … Continue reading Rest Day Leon – fat and bored II
Friday's hike to Reliegos from Calzada de Coto took an olympic 11 hours and left me delirious with exhaustion. Yesterday was, by far, the most physically tired I have been after a day on the camino despite the going being flat and the mileage just sub 30k. The mammoth hike took in a couple of … Continue reading Take what you need – Calzada de Coto to Leon
