tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73757478594377719142024-03-13T18:52:30.199-07:002009 Pilgrims in France and SpainLourdes to Somport: Somport to Pamplona:
Ferrol to Santiago:
Santiago to Finisterre:Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-86010583298335171922009-07-22T01:34:00.000-07:002009-07-22T01:35:44.881-07:00Moving Hospitalera postsAll the posts on being a hospitalera in Corcubion are being moved to:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amawalker.blogspot.com/">WWW.AMAWALKER.BLOGSPOT.COM</a>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-59496371969078291232009-06-29T11:13:00.000-07:002009-08-02T02:05:19.952-07:00FISTERRE ROUTE - Day 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQn-43FoTZdPzQRxjvBCGzubt25Y2r1PXt6us9-STvylHzK5E-QqzIEbRcAsTXTyQuj1i1Hz38Wu-IOceadXhSZkTClGO8LGyFUa_l8x2XYKEVj3Cc51NFWqONA0gMPA0kMvSpDv4GgM/s1600-h/Fistera+-+first+sight+of+the+sea.jpg"></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQn-43FoTZdPzQRxjvBCGzubt25Y2r1PXt6us9-STvylHzK5E-QqzIEbRcAsTXTyQuj1i1Hz38Wu-IOceadXhSZkTClGO8LGyFUa_l8x2XYKEVj3Cc51NFWqONA0gMPA0kMvSpDv4GgM/s1600-h/Fistera+-+first+sight+of+the+sea.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359102865943889010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQn-43FoTZdPzQRxjvBCGzubt25Y2r1PXt6us9-STvylHzK5E-QqzIEbRcAsTXTyQuj1i1Hz38Wu-IOceadXhSZkTClGO8LGyFUa_l8x2XYKEVj3Cc51NFWqONA0gMPA0kMvSpDv4GgM/s320/Fistera+-+first+sight+of+the+sea.jpg" /></a> I had planned on walking for at least 4 days to Finisterre but with the albergue at Corcubion closed I decided that I would just walk all the way to Finisterre today. </div><div>Yesterday had been a long walk - over 32km - and today would also be a long walk if I walked all the way to Carbo Finisterre, the lighthouse at the énd of the world´. - about 36km by the time I walked back down the hill from the lighthouse.</div><div>The first pilgrim got up at 5h30 and my cell phone alarm went off at 6am. Conny was getting up so we packed and walked together to one of the bars for a cup of chocolate - she a cafe on leche. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbkM7d37ZAVrTzRRwTeUDPMrhD5ecy-e8STd6py-4RhLVwhhcnvWOKzZR_pSrQNfHcoURue6d7lYPzPyroyOgl-KhHJnoMgge144Qtx9R2Sk0mtORM2fvYYQDd4jFQEH9BWKtf0uVjV4/s1600-h/Fistera+-+nearly+there.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359102873018179954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbkM7d37ZAVrTzRRwTeUDPMrhD5ecy-e8STd6py-4RhLVwhhcnvWOKzZR_pSrQNfHcoURue6d7lYPzPyroyOgl-KhHJnoMgge144Qtx9R2Sk0mtORM2fvYYQDd4jFQEH9BWKtf0uVjV4/s320/Fistera+-+nearly+there.jpg" /></a>"Are you going to walk to Finisterre or Muxia?" I asked. </div><div>"I don´t know" she said. "I´ll see when I get there!" </div><div>We walked together until we came across another open cafe bar just before <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWL3so8T9fXX9LyAC_1SOsDitkIIPFOLxxvqsK9iYbm61LKvQg3Kryxej-6g-2Cp6dNHa0u9qXLLiI2bQ6G9b-ldGCxl8bPnHT1Et8Pe8JGmmqxubp208_wtkITon7n-ZVCzew8CmG-4/s1600-h/Fistera+or+Muxia.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359104984599143794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWL3so8T9fXX9LyAC_1SOsDitkIIPFOLxxvqsK9iYbm61LKvQg3Kryxej-6g-2Cp6dNHa0u9qXLLiI2bQ6G9b-ldGCxl8bPnHT1Et8Pe8JGmmqxubp208_wtkITon7n-ZVCzew8CmG-4/s320/Fistera+or+Muxia.jpg" /></a>Hospital where the routes to Muxia and Hospital split. Conny decided to stop for a coffee, I decided to walk on, so we said goodbye and promised to email each other. As I passed the cafe bar I saw Pete, the pilgrim from Holland I'd walked with the day before. I walked ahead for quite a while and then he caught up and we walked together for a while. It started to rain so I put on my raincoat. </div><div>The route leads you onto a high platteau with wonderful views on both sides. The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tNkDhu5970uMeuLnK6SgYDqixbuqSZecEyV_ohtxMebht2WKy0Xgu7UB-NEgmGiqlcK-O2mQJmdpfLVuwjHsUleEDCWrSsE4NuSLqCdpEYCfkfOWYadNEmYjXE32M-v03ThucjvVvI8/s1600-h/Fistera+-+Steep+path+down.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359102877209489858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tNkDhu5970uMeuLnK6SgYDqixbuqSZecEyV_ohtxMebht2WKy0Xgu7UB-NEgmGiqlcK-O2mQJmdpfLVuwjHsUleEDCWrSsE4NuSLqCdpEYCfkfOWYadNEmYjXE32M-v03ThucjvVvI8/s320/Fistera+-+Steep+path+down.jpg" /></a>wind was quite strong and it was the coldest I´d felt since France. I caught up to Pete and we walked together into Cee and Corcubion at about 11am. </div><div>"I´m going to stop for a drink" I said. </div><div>"Me too" he said. But, it is fiesta in Corcubion and we walked for ages before asking someone if there was a cafe bar open anywhere. </div><div>"Only one" said a local, "it is fiesta so everything is closed". </div><div>He directed us to the only open cafe bar in Corcubion and we had a hot chocolate and a Madelena before continuing. The path took us up a rocky little trail between high, ancient stone walls. Then we were high above Corcubion and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrglnME87jAPkhQIVQj6vxKdNR-wvOqK-3bwmT0gu6_nbSZHgvygeE-dOuIzcqNYAnSD4EZsKDGOlKsH0cujUqImuKV_RVzGiZM5XY8mXlwIq9_oZZToR2XzaplkGQi4MYXDGzMtXpCWQ/s1600-h/Fistera+covered+in+mist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359102883766279666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrglnME87jAPkhQIVQj6vxKdNR-wvOqK-3bwmT0gu6_nbSZHgvygeE-dOuIzcqNYAnSD4EZsKDGOlKsH0cujUqImuKV_RVzGiZM5XY8mXlwIq9_oZZToR2XzaplkGQi4MYXDGzMtXpCWQ/s320/Fistera+covered+in+mist.jpg" /></a>after a km we came across the albergue with all the fiesta paraphanalia set up outside. We walked on in the rain. I stopped to put my raincoat again and and Pete carried on going so I walked alone for a while but caught up to a pilgrim from Switzerland (another Peter) and he and I walked together down to the beach and along a long paved promenade that strecthes for a few kms all the way to Finisterre. When I arrived at the albergue I saw Pete and he told me that it only opened at 4pm so I put my backpack in line on the pavement and joined Pete and some other pilgrims at a bar across the road. We ordered a large plate of chips with ketchup and Mayonaise <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95b-rJLTiFtU_GzODAW6rfwp90r7qu6ZMUUSPEgYwRugJWO75J1KYrCQIH_V0Jx5LnjgRfVGx6ihofiklFXoGQX4V5qKvFSX2Trt9FpfJ_MVrtvst586N8SoJNsFI69fO2RPUJ49BCYE/s1600-h/Fistera+beach.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359102881910777442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95b-rJLTiFtU_GzODAW6rfwp90r7qu6ZMUUSPEgYwRugJWO75J1KYrCQIH_V0Jx5LnjgRfVGx6ihofiklFXoGQX4V5qKvFSX2Trt9FpfJ_MVrtvst586N8SoJNsFI69fO2RPUJ49BCYE/s320/Fistera+beach.jpg" /></a>and sat eating hot chips and drinking Coke for an hour.<br />The albergue opened at 4pm and it was Ana and Begona who were the hospitaleras. I was shown up to the dormitory, had a shower and washed my undies. </div><div>"Hello Sylvia" I heard. It was Bernice, a RSA pilgrim from Johannesburg who walked the camino from St Jean to Santiago and had got the bus to Finisterre today. We made arrangements to see each other later and I left to walk up to the lighthouse with an Australian girl I´d met a few days ago. On the way down I bumped into Bernice again and we are hoping to meet up again tomorrow for breakfast.<br />I spoke to Begona about tomorrow and she said I must leave my backpack in the room and come back at 4pm. Then, on Wednesday I can go to Corcubion and start at the albergue.<br />When I cleared my didgi-walker this afternoon, it read 36.5kms. I don´t really feel as though I´ve walked that distance - about 68km in two days. I´m almost tempted to walk to Muxia tomorrow with a smaller backpack, but I´ll wait and see how I feel in the morning - and what the weather does.<br />Finisterre is a lovely little fishing village and I´m going to stop and watch the gulls fighting over fish on the beach before I go to bed!</div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-39618339541953884382009-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:002009-08-02T02:00:56.983-07:00FINISTERRA ROUTE - Day 2<div><div><strong><em>Leaving Negreira</em></strong><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gPXj0EqSlKjRLhpyQPjFAdtMKLR3BWfNxtPNLRYkZNq14KqQy3biAV8gDLmdT7hgDsvh-h5GZ5600TtWOcR2yr8aPlQSlTDH0qANNeNCL7FvjUCbJpTW_nzhe5pDq398PxS0aM5RwZM/s1600-h/Fistera+-+leaving+Negreira.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359094217641215410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gPXj0EqSlKjRLhpyQPjFAdtMKLR3BWfNxtPNLRYkZNq14KqQy3biAV8gDLmdT7hgDsvh-h5GZ5600TtWOcR2yr8aPlQSlTDH0qANNeNCL7FvjUCbJpTW_nzhe5pDq398PxS0aM5RwZM/s320/Fistera+-+leaving+Negreira.jpg" /></a> When I left the hotel rain was threatening but fortunately I didn´t need my raincoat for the first hour. From Negreia you pass through many forests, open land and small hamlets that seemed to tumble into each other. </div><div>At one time I was walking along a little lane when a heard of cows started coming down towards me. I went back to where there was a small cross roads. The cows continued to come down, dozens of them. I started to take a video of them and gave a running commentary. "OK" I said to the lead cow "You just go on your way, I don´t want you to come any further in my direction." She stopped and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e3OGKHYeIIXeo7VzdGUJN-dUS1XIkycgLQslXjpmGPZYNp69GaeYvqBcqrR8y3CeqzoffK-DS8FtFVSXNR6NXYOvlS4_rD0tcQh1-o0N1wnGFpLiI6CMBXMhnf4eDnE0QzhMzvONzs8/s1600-h/Fistera+-+Negreira.jpg"></a>looked at me with her head down so I moved over to the other side of the lane. I was standing in her way and as soon as I moved she started walking up the lane with all the other cows following. I started walking up the lane and another flipping herd started coming down. I was too far up to go back down again so I stood aside, pressed against <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLPfUn9YiPjWsvlCHY54Md8Swmwl3BhoRjGT1ccCgmDZ5TOQwQ1VIpSAVqjoYwuDZqe_faeHGlJmjTHbchqr4HPLOX3XrXePGBnhmAYwWdobJGCFULkW43UOpRNfsCHn9UWqiaQ78gV4/s1600-h/Day+2+164.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365287354185288018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLPfUn9YiPjWsvlCHY54Md8Swmwl3BhoRjGT1ccCgmDZ5TOQwQ1VIpSAVqjoYwuDZqe_faeHGlJmjTHbchqr4HPLOX3XrXePGBnhmAYwWdobJGCFULkW43UOpRNfsCHn9UWqiaQ78gV4/s320/Day+2+164.jpg" /></a>a stone wall with fat cows ambling past me, turning their heads to give a beady eyed stare at this stranger standing on their lane. There was a woman herding them down the lane and she shouted at them as they passed me. For the next few hundred metres I was stepping around cow dung patties all hot and steamy!</div><div>At Vilaserio I pass the vacant schoolhouse where pilgrims can sleep the night and have a shower - no electricity.<br />I passed 2 pilgrims along the route, then a lone female, then a couple. I had planned on stopping <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSZEPN3N68v1Fm0huP_bnztnlslLso6eOamG_xQRIidoQ4h0pUxrZ9dOoS6TADoPePwlvPyMDn8PVfSmjEV7WeyAmolRghhn-Q-37O80oAW0buKzPEwyJvqpOAiwpysXNfrvENNLLTZk/s1600-h/Fistera+sign.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359094208315003442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSZEPN3N68v1Fm0huP_bnztnlslLso6eOamG_xQRIidoQ4h0pUxrZ9dOoS6TADoPePwlvPyMDn8PVfSmjEV7WeyAmolRghhn-Q-37O80oAW0buKzPEwyJvqpOAiwpysXNfrvENNLLTZk/s320/Fistera+sign.jpg" /></a>at Santa Marina (19.5km) but I got there at 12 o´clock and the place that reportedly had rooms was right on the highway with a busy bar next door. I didn´t know what I would have done with myself from mid-day to 8pm so I just carried on walking. </div><div><div>Peter, a pilgrim from Holland caught up to me and started chatting about South Africa, the Dutch history, Afrikaans etc so we walked together to Oliveiroa about 12.5km further on. We got there at about 2pm. A sign on the door said that the hospitalero would only arrive at 4pm so please choose a bed and make yourself comfortable. It is a good albergue, the sitting area <img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359096713473906866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP3FxdJxk0yfODUFmLf_Yo_uc25wXZ_MG-BwcZaDOAx6Gs3RNnBZJvI1oQ5H19rUrNg3bXxZAMZgBLFWGA2QoDygcXHfx2Jv9aNDoCD8x_3hCetB2pd9xxkCJ043I5yJA3ZpqDA-ind4/s320/Fistera+-+Santa+Marina.jpg" />and registration room is a building on the left side of the path. There is also a stable with beds upstairs and a few mattresses downstairs. Across the narrow, stone path is a stone building with a dormitory and bathroom downstairs and upstairs. Next to that is a small stone building with beds for 4 people and next to that is a stone Horrero that is lit up at night.<br />While I was doing my washing I met Conny, a woman from Holland (there were about 6 Hollanders staying there) and we just hit it off right away. </div><div><br /><div>"Are you English?" she asked. "No, South African" I said "but I speak English. </div><div>"So what do you do in South Africa then? Are you in business?" </div><div>"No" I said "I´m just a housewife, mother, grandmother." </div><div>"How boring" she said. I just burst out laughing! "And you?" I asked her. "You are a rocket scientist?" She burst out laughing. We went to one of the bars - in another stone building right next to the Horrero, and had lunch and a drink. At 4pm the hospitalero arrived and when it was my turn to register I told him that I was a volunteer hospitalera for Corcubion and could he tell me when it would reopen. 1 Julio - he told me. There was a fiesta in the town and the stalls, b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlQIG8iWhVMX6tGB2TMCCZnNc_SSXEN7ouSM_a6bitgiKwPzauJD5Kz0oxouXRZX1vi-_2sawrjUl71bXWz2wVdV4Tp6y9S89fxR_vxjYICI32Y7dSY7k5lPk3Bu4NFd-R9rXF5ETt3w/s1600-h/Fistera+-+Oliveroa+at+night.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365288460962284098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlQIG8iWhVMX6tGB2TMCCZnNc_SSXEN7ouSM_a6bitgiKwPzauJD5Kz0oxouXRZX1vi-_2sawrjUl71bXWz2wVdV4Tp6y9S89fxR_vxjYICI32Y7dSY7k5lPk3Bu4NFd-R9rXF5ETt3w/s320/Fistera+-+Oliveroa+at+night.jpg" /></a>andstand etc had all been set up right outside the building that housed the albergue. I decided that I would walk to Muxia - about 28kms away - and walk to Finsiterre the day after.<br />At about 6pm a woman arrived in a car and a woman asked for Sylvia. This was Begona from Finisterre. "If you walk to Finisterre tomorrow you can stay for 2 days" she said. So, I changed my mind and decided to walk to Finisterre and not to Muxia after all.<br />It had been a long day so I went to bed at about 8:30pm. There was one snorer in the room who had the most incredible range or snorts, rumbles, chain-saw growls. I finally fell asleep and only heard him intermitantly.</div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-86738272201435669792009-06-27T08:28:00.000-07:002009-08-02T01:46:06.306-07:00FINSITERRA ROUTE - DAY 1<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeE1VNmkTcJcFB9-Ct7FcUhgrzz5QlgEUZxYlU7sK85vBKe5H4HQq5Creb9pLXvQhjOuuM5smutKXTc6h5Rs-geq79LBZUphgF0R2gDiI17aKMr7EZJ8FuZgxXSag9OQNut2kSuTwlZw/s1600-h/Fistera+Route+out+of+Santiago.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359091842564290930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqeE1VNmkTcJcFB9-Ct7FcUhgrzz5QlgEUZxYlU7sK85vBKe5H4HQq5Creb9pLXvQhjOuuM5smutKXTc6h5Rs-geq79LBZUphgF0R2gDiI17aKMr7EZJ8FuZgxXSag9OQNut2kSuTwlZw/s320/Fistera+Route+out+of+Santiago.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">The way out of Santiago to Finisterre</span><br /></strong><div><div><div><div><br /><div>We got up at about 7am and did our final packing. </div><div>"I am SO envious of you walking on" said Marion. </div><div>"I wish you were walking with me" I told her. </div><div>I checked my cell phone and there was a message from Javier Martin suggesting I send an sms reply so that he culd phone me. When he called he said that the albergue in Corcubion was closed due to a 4 day Fiesta happening right outside the the building. He hopes that it will be open on the 30th when I am suposed to start there. He suggested I ask the hospitalera at Oliveiroa to call Bego at Finisterre to ask when it will open. If it doesn´t open until the 1st July, I might just walk up to Muxia and back. Will play it by ear.<br />We left the hotel at about 8am and Marion walked with me to the cathedral. The route out of Santiago is past the Parador, down the ramp and stairs and then down the little road out of the city. We had a good bye hug, kiss, kiss, wave, wave and off I went. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkgigIbEYhMZSvI0kMqt7rZ-wfeYZXituqZrPdyMwv1thbJ2bVVia_2JXF7AsMOtYuSzy1QP65JrWbaBCyuWDzz1CvzBsVMMYFAhSSEp5xy71NpcPOCOf_oTHCL9lw4bmsUrjwXX7_98/s1600-h/Fistera+-+last+look+back.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 316px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359098151140701314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkgigIbEYhMZSvI0kMqt7rZ-wfeYZXituqZrPdyMwv1thbJ2bVVia_2JXF7AsMOtYuSzy1QP65JrWbaBCyuWDzz1CvzBsVMMYFAhSSEp5xy71NpcPOCOf_oTHCL9lw4bmsUrjwXX7_98/s320/Fistera+-+last+look+back.jpg" /></a>I came to a 4-Way cross. No arrows, no signs. I opened my pouch for the CSJ notes - nothing there. Bugger!! I remembered clearing out the bag and had left the notes in the room. So, back I went into the city and along the little streets to the hotel. Marion wasn´t there so I asked Fernando´s father to open the room for me. As I waited for him on the 2nd floor, up came Marion, so surprised to see me there.! I collected the notes and out we went again. Second attempt - kiss, kiss, hug, hug, wave, wave and on I went.<br />I turned to take a last photograph of the towers of the cathedral. </div><div>It was a lovely walk, very much ike the CtoC in England. Lots of little hamlets, between houses and backyards, a bit of walking on pavements between villages. About 12kms from Santiago there is a hill just like <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Hill</span> on the Camino Ingles, a winding, straight up the mountainside, puff, puff and sweat, sweat hill but only about 2km <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvrHhznJtUq4xDGydkT-H9udhk-OIhsONQb5sf9hjmkhqpzccTi8XMmAf3TC5qQ9tdiKOvd5QOg6XQUGJlUIS5Oy2i9jLOqUAQ9f8ursu7tabsUR6RpaRahtehBTcHj28z7eVBLRRlU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+157.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365283446880600418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tvrHhznJtUq4xDGydkT-H9udhk-OIhsONQb5sf9hjmkhqpzccTi8XMmAf3TC5qQ9tdiKOvd5QOg6XQUGJlUIS5Oy2i9jLOqUAQ9f8ursu7tabsUR6RpaRahtehBTcHj28z7eVBLRRlU/s320/Camino+2009+2+157.jpg" /></a>long - a la Polly Shorts on the Comrades route. I flew up it but was tempted to sit at one of the strategicaly placed benches spaced out on the way up.<br />As I walked along I imagined that Marion was behind me. At first I pictured her in her blue raincoat, head down and hunchback slogging along. "She must be so hot in that raincoat" I thought and hey presto! the picture changed her into her orange top and bandana hat! There were a few places where I wasn´t sure which direction to take. On one stretch I was about to turn back when a rabbit (hare?) hopped along the path in front of me! "That´s Bunny" I thought "I must be <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCB745Bu206wQ51orTgfZkjeB7UJl5skFB5e3k9t4MJvkKAox9uX29Bu9uvMYK6GkTvq03wOTCGApY2qMOjpJvrlfPVy-YknD-XPY6gviGbrriaidG_FyrRM1U2nFTt96o2Jw_thXfhQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+148.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359091100883761506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCB745Bu206wQ51orTgfZkjeB7UJl5skFB5e3k9t4MJvkKAox9uX29Bu9uvMYK6GkTvq03wOTCGApY2qMOjpJvrlfPVy-YknD-XPY6gviGbrriaidG_FyrRM1U2nFTt96o2Jw_thXfhQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+148.jpg" /></a>on the right path" and just then there was a concrete marker! So, thanks Bunny! (Bunny is what Marion´s grandchildren call her.)<br />It is strange how your mind plays tricks on you when you walk alone. If you haven´t seen a yellow arrow for a while you start to imagine them in a pile of yellowed leaves on the ground, or willing them in the yellow moss on the sides of stone barns. Sometimes you are convinced that you have seen an arrow ahead only to find that it was a manifestation of your need to see one but not a painted arrow at all. When you finally do see one, you relax and you increase your walking pace. Thank heaven for D Elias Valeno Sampedro who painted the first yellow arrows way back in the early 1970´s with paint begged from the road department!<br />I stopped after 2 hours at a little concrete picnic table next to a bridge and had half of a soft Portuguese Roll with Happy Cow spreading cheese and half an apple. A pilgrim passed by. "Parles voux Francais?" he asked. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt1HKpIWDrTEZNCso6Ludca95obKCdeRZibY8tKc_Aua7U8K38mZdIzEfSABPupF5E09yMKvEdBIRHWUTa-PfkZRk8HkYAAifU-a2doNWi1oy6QecKdcoSNez_-z2hCSz1TZvt6n2w4M/s1600-h/Fistera+-+area+route+board.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359089081710760802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt1HKpIWDrTEZNCso6Ludca95obKCdeRZibY8tKc_Aua7U8K38mZdIzEfSABPupF5E09yMKvEdBIRHWUTa-PfkZRk8HkYAAifU-a2doNWi1oy6QecKdcoSNez_-z2hCSz1TZvt6n2w4M/s320/Fistera+-+area+route+board.jpg" /></a> <div>"No," I said, "English, or un poco Espanol".<br />"Not many pigrims here" he said. I agreed. He told me that he had left Santiago before 8am but had got lost three times! </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Then a bit further on two cyclist pilgrims passed me. I saw the French pilgrim again about an hour later walking up the right hand side of the road past the concrete marker on the opposite side pointing to a lane on the left. I called out and pointed. He threw his hands up in the air and turned back. I bought a cold coke at Casa Pancho <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnclWbFwX9z5KGu1muc13Y6LnSBwuyarHgxq70W_YyyvEnK2sf2cWVxAcyXR4P0aFVr6mNEoA6uO3yLXFMHQTFnYOJKaS8W3EiepakMeQGeNRr3Wre3nB9lerO-tgZ2sAGrshHYdqR-7U/s1600-h/Fistera+Puente+Maceira.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359091086671250514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnclWbFwX9z5KGu1muc13Y6LnSBwuyarHgxq70W_YyyvEnK2sf2cWVxAcyXR4P0aFVr6mNEoA6uO3yLXFMHQTFnYOJKaS8W3EiepakMeQGeNRr3Wre3nB9lerO-tgZ2sAGrshHYdqR-7U/s320/Fistera+Puente+Maceira.jpg" /></a>cafe-bar in Trasmonte and got a sello there. </div><div>I also popped into the Casa at Ponte Maceria for a sello, a beautiful place about 4kms from Nergeira next to a river with a waterfall and a long bridge. The woman told me that they have rooms so I took her leaflet and will let the CSJ know.<br />The rest of the walk was easy and I arrived at the hotel at about 13h45. I was tempted to go on to the albergue but they have a strict policy of only taking 20 people and it was a bit late to walk another 1km out of town so I just booked into the hotel which is very nice with a special discount for pilgrims.<br />I passed a supermecado, went inside and bought a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJyhunVzVuh4o4v9-vxgxcXbHNK42-tWze33z56PhlFBgWNwMj_JpXsHtn7wfSwCCJ1V0aXMeL0n0DrHv-pP-LmV_SZAEHtAptfMjcrA9VQDQtGpmwptMK9rGwMSKQW3opS_5ZfteuLo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+158.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 167px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365283442923730290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJyhunVzVuh4o4v9-vxgxcXbHNK42-tWze33z56PhlFBgWNwMj_JpXsHtn7wfSwCCJ1V0aXMeL0n0DrHv-pP-LmV_SZAEHtAptfMjcrA9VQDQtGpmwptMK9rGwMSKQW3opS_5ZfteuLo/s320/Camino+2009+2+158.jpg" /></a>small box of creamed veg soup, another roll, 2 bananas, a yoghurt and a coke for tomorrow. I´ve already had half of the soup and poured the other half into the small water bottle to carry onto the next place.<br />I watched a bit of news on the television and caught the weather forecast which is for rain for the next two days. The views from here to Olveiroa are supposed to be beautiful but there might not be much to see if it is raining and misty. Oh well, whatever will be will be.<br />I´m now off to try to find <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPHXCo-5-DYKduNauwT1bcK-S64t_G7sIhzvy6DyyZF58JvHkOAILTrDkWVJfzwhK8H3o13RoI6rlM3SOE4zX0kAOLyOtlEEuseAQHTTo-moLuN1-MeXOWNeQ1msFArq_8OI1GvOf1Mk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+160.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365283437244201826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPHXCo-5-DYKduNauwT1bcK-S64t_G7sIhzvy6DyyZF58JvHkOAILTrDkWVJfzwhK8H3o13RoI6rlM3SOE4zX0kAOLyOtlEEuseAQHTTo-moLuN1-MeXOWNeQ1msFArq_8OI1GvOf1Mk/s320/Camino+2009+2+160.jpg" /></a>a telephone box - the one in the hotel chews euros and doesn´t work with any of my cards. Tomorrow I will walk as far as Santa Marina - 19.5km - and hopefuly stay at the albergue run by the Bar Antelo. Might not be an Internet there so will post again when I can. Adios for now.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-9569542904816692462009-06-26T08:12:00.000-07:002009-08-02T01:28:36.536-07:00Friday in Santiago<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"> Marion</span></strong><br />Everyday we started off with the sound of an alarm clock to wak us up, and then it was a rush around to get ready to start our day of walking, so as we had a free day we did not need to get up early so we never set the alarm. It felt so strange to wake up without hearing the alarn and no need to rush out of bed to get ready. I found it difficult to lie in bed so got up anyway. Most of the day we spent looking at shops and I bought a few souvenirs to take home. The highlight of the day for me was going to the pilgrim service at the cathedral. The cathedral was packed with mostly pilgrims and quite a lot of tourists. The botefumeira was hanging down so Syl said that they must be going to swing it - that sent a tremble through me as when we were here in Santiago 2 years ago I was so looking forward to seeing the botefumeira being swung and they did not swing it. I found the whole service very emotional especially the nun singing and the atmosphere in the cathedral, it was electrifying.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNMNAyAQm8JR5Y4e6wsc1Fc_ok429vT_bJXamoRe20zIubOinMM385MRm10616C_K_skr1C0J3O7PkH1cXUOH9uimkfTWMEgSclNdTIer2NCZ3QOVc2y7BGcMk3oFmrtOfIBTqK-kBUA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+144.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365271925812416658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNMNAyAQm8JR5Y4e6wsc1Fc_ok429vT_bJXamoRe20zIubOinMM385MRm10616C_K_skr1C0J3O7PkH1cXUOH9uimkfTWMEgSclNdTIer2NCZ3QOVc2y7BGcMk3oFmrtOfIBTqK-kBUA/s320/Camino+2009+2+144.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwncN3bMKQHWJdCKjBhGoOK6w5M75ozLZXGdC1QjmepCUZslOG1dzZfOa94vICKxTTzcRYBf-DZG1bif97mwz2sjFNmWufOvDdnwA4TgJyHRZOYdpXwLyqsoV9AfIZLLLkiI1-PMWa3k/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+145.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365271927418623682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwncN3bMKQHWJdCKjBhGoOK6w5M75ozLZXGdC1QjmepCUZslOG1dzZfOa94vICKxTTzcRYBf-DZG1bif97mwz2sjFNmWufOvDdnwA4TgJyHRZOYdpXwLyqsoV9AfIZLLLkiI1-PMWa3k/s320/Camino+2009+2+145.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmJXQC3fvu5nOOJcF21Uw9XPhBZh9uJE1j3IT0T8XdHsLPT9M1G4Tvyhxo-Emt54BPm2OZXDC1wr6gYsUwzIs8v8Qbmv2OmXZCztwW7F3vH0p0b94HXGd14ydBWr0iEKRUHdfrP992pg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+146.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365271917873679858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmJXQC3fvu5nOOJcF21Uw9XPhBZh9uJE1j3IT0T8XdHsLPT9M1G4Tvyhxo-Emt54BPm2OZXDC1wr6gYsUwzIs8v8Qbmv2OmXZCztwW7F3vH0p0b94HXGd14ydBWr0iEKRUHdfrP992pg/s320/Camino+2009+2+146.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2uwIGw6-3t2f0t1s7QrT4x985ovS7KNdpVt5dVHMjYMPMG26amSRY0Q788qBHqOCbLvRUMgDmlC6KuuEQzx8U2v_kbCya2p3NYzkGg4m4ID028L70arBF3SpFG8NNhdt7mIXU2gu9UA/s1600-h/307.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUikmFNYOduOuQG5lauHgH8WLbGFalWjg2OFXFytOHv_YOgI3ys3wkkdQoSjT_DslIuFpqLATs2RMPaK5yRhw5JZB7OKea6dMZFY1WIzpwRJ6dMg3jDR0KAB8PZFb3MRsXhJGmQaDNwg/s1600-h/312.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365269361915799794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUikmFNYOduOuQG5lauHgH8WLbGFalWjg2OFXFytOHv_YOgI3ys3wkkdQoSjT_DslIuFpqLATs2RMPaK5yRhw5JZB7OKea6dMZFY1WIzpwRJ6dMg3jDR0KAB8PZFb3MRsXhJGmQaDNwg/s320/312.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong>Sil</strong> </span></div><div>We went to bed quite early and watched Bafana-bafana play Brazil on television. Neither of us could stay awake but I got up to switch the TV off at 1.5 mins to go and saw that Brazil had scored. It was raining this morning and we kept ducking into the arcades to escape the drizzle.<br />We went to the morning market and Marion bought souvenirs and a t-shirt. How Val would have loved this market with its fish section, meat section, fresh fruits and vegetables. She would also have loved the restaurant windows in Santiago with their live lobsters, octopus and other regional food displays. Next time Val!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UJUWWCKEqVRexArlP4J8NPvoVOU2t0lB5Pc5SpO-SdEBUCj3ClhIuxpyXi9hNGucsUiwzJUuQBI_fDavNJ1AAymkefxlsZdUdBu4bJ6d67PPEe-xaRYN9NO3FkNbdDw841xtN4JKSrM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+106.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268922174976738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UJUWWCKEqVRexArlP4J8NPvoVOU2t0lB5Pc5SpO-SdEBUCj3ClhIuxpyXi9hNGucsUiwzJUuQBI_fDavNJ1AAymkefxlsZdUdBu4bJ6d67PPEe-xaRYN9NO3FkNbdDw841xtN4JKSrM/s320/Camino+2009+2+106.jpg" /></a>We went for coffee, chocolate and churros at a little coffee shop nearby. Then we went to the cathedral and found seats in the cross section. It was packed with pilgrims sitting on the floor on the sides. The nun sang, the priests trooped in and the mass began. The Botafumeiro was hanging from the vault but nobody was sure that it would be swung at mass so there was an air of expectation. I looked around me at the man faces there, mostly pilgrims. Some were dozing - many can´t understand the Spanish and the elderly priest mumbled like the Godfather so we couldn´t even make out the names of the countries that pilgrims had arrived from the day before. I thought of the medieval pilgrims and stories of running battles in the cathedral between pilgrims from different nations. On some occaisons the battles were so great that the cathedral had to be scrubbed clean of the bloodshed and re-consecrated before it could be used again. There were a few grumbles from people who blocked other´s views but no blood was shed! I thought about this cathedral being declared <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDVQiTpA_IMOJNnkuVev3Kp6WSX5E4PM-n2XTn4Uc9PpR_gqWihImmHX5md-k3FnbD2yrkAXL_JMJBb9bMCsbsbdKttoCeVs4U2QjQcz8KrFH8mB0DdxEyYuIUsUDMm9cr1wjseKYKxg/s1600-h/308.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365269362434659106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDVQiTpA_IMOJNnkuVev3Kp6WSX5E4PM-n2XTn4Uc9PpR_gqWihImmHX5md-k3FnbD2yrkAXL_JMJBb9bMCsbsbdKttoCeVs4U2QjQcz8KrFH8mB0DdxEyYuIUsUDMm9cr1wjseKYKxg/s320/308.JPG" /></a>a Patrimony of Human kind. It belongs to all the people of the world and the people of Satiago are the custodians. A pilgrim told us that she had walked to Rome and was revolted by the the cold, hard, lavish grandeur of St Peter´s compared to the bustling, éveryman´atmosphere in Sant Iago´s cathedral. I know what she meant. People here arrived in shorts, boots, walking sticks, packs still on their backs and nobody was turned away. At St Peter´s they scruitinze the length of your skirt, whether or not your arms are covered, and woe betide anyone who doesn´t meet the criteria!<br />When communion started and the 8 priests in scarlet robes were summonsed, there was a stirring in the congregation, most eyes on the Botafumeiro - was this it? Were they going to see the Holy Smoke burner swinging across the nave? No. Not yet, first communion and then the maroon robed tiraboleiros arrived and the large silver thurible was lowered to a stirring of the congregation. Cameras starting clicking and people jostled for a better position to take videos. Soon it <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcB8ZPO5pB2QlClKsC-RJwh3lsZvSitITUmOqxprJE-_E-rafDzwfNhYKdRRbMpTfQSd4ZmdSSBDYiVZ4WdCffgfgKvTiQEfqg5bbZZhTa8g9SLsKtXVSAjgB7lS1fTxdeAuz0HpzSAyw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+133.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268904724885554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcB8ZPO5pB2QlClKsC-RJwh3lsZvSitITUmOqxprJE-_E-rafDzwfNhYKdRRbMpTfQSd4ZmdSSBDYiVZ4WdCffgfgKvTiQEfqg5bbZZhTa8g9SLsKtXVSAjgB7lS1fTxdeAuz0HpzSAyw/s320/Camino+2009+2+133.jpg" /></a>started to swing, first away from where we were sitting and then higher and higher above our heads with large gasps, oohs! and Aaaahs! with each swing. Then it was over and people clapped. In 2002 when I walked to Santiago we saw the Botafumeiro swinging in the cathedral. Later, at a meeting with Don Jaime (priest in charge of the pilgrim´s office and the mass) he asked if we had enjoyed the mass. Ýes,´we said, ánd we saw the Botafumeriro.´ He was not pleased. ¨No importante´he said. But I don´t agree. Every pilgrim who visits the cathedral wants to see the Botafumeiro and those that don´t are usually disappointed. </div><div>After mass we window shopped and then went to a special lunch at the ´Cafe Casino´- I had a vegetarian canneloni with crispy cheese topping - very tasty. We then walked down to where Marion will get her bus, looking for a shoemaker to cut and restitch my new waist bag that I bought yesterday. The Info centre told us that there was one in San Pedro - the road that pilgrims walk in from the Camino Frances - so off we went to the other side of town. The shop was closed until 4pm so we had an icecream and strolled up and down San Pedro greeting tired pilgrims as they trudged through the Porto Camino on their way to the cathedral. We took a trip on the little tourist train on a scenic tour around Santiago. Neither of us is hungry so we sit in the square, Marion with wine and me with a Kas orange drink, a packet of Dortios, olives and some cheese and watch the people in the square. On the way back to the hostal we meander through all the little alleys and we are offered morsels of Tarta de Santiago and Carprichos - little almond meringues. Marion tastes the regional goat's cheese and decides to buy one to take home. Tomorrow Marion leaves for home and I start off on the Fistera route. I´m not nervous to be walking on my own as I know that many pilgrims walk this route. So, until the next internet machine, this is Sil, over and out from Santiago.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i7Ivaz3bwrtsyP1ZwQDbPEPIaApsQBsdTd6sy_uqn8baL3-Vp9LcJiwvCFY6NlI4O83D1JnijLc2624KdDAMlOr0AzXaZpAR_X7G7hkDBifwq75jR1NrZPkv7pHoja3jiChBM1h8Bms/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+147.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268425829347362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_i7Ivaz3bwrtsyP1ZwQDbPEPIaApsQBsdTd6sy_uqn8baL3-Vp9LcJiwvCFY6NlI4O83D1JnijLc2624KdDAMlOr0AzXaZpAR_X7G7hkDBifwq75jR1NrZPkv7pHoja3jiChBM1h8Bms/s320/Camino+2009+2+147.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_NuINI93V_9THu4bfpAJsGdwyOkxeXu5BLDkrzGEmg6oMyD8ceqC9XRAQRwjI7F9a6BmH7xc7g8PsZ5-Qegtz2Ur3KMHbFgwW4NaGn2tCCUU_mOX526radKoVTUa74BUBsYFxZKKv58/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+109.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268919647924930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_NuINI93V_9THu4bfpAJsGdwyOkxeXu5BLDkrzGEmg6oMyD8ceqC9XRAQRwjI7F9a6BmH7xc7g8PsZ5-Qegtz2Ur3KMHbFgwW4NaGn2tCCUU_mOX526radKoVTUa74BUBsYFxZKKv58/s320/Camino+2009+2+109.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGXrvVRVtfRe3YB0R2ix3lHttYrDNnl8jAND6hsINa5m9nr1_mlCC7qfdWbuKNhoJE_K0ihdeUHBy20_y0L6br1j_g1Qa536unACqMK1_gnJd1Q75wtMrbEacIYlfVdBpG8D4A2lDQH8/s1600-h/317.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365269347377217586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGXrvVRVtfRe3YB0R2ix3lHttYrDNnl8jAND6hsINa5m9nr1_mlCC7qfdWbuKNhoJE_K0ihdeUHBy20_y0L6br1j_g1Qa536unACqMK1_gnJd1Q75wtMrbEacIYlfVdBpG8D4A2lDQH8/s320/317.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCqdxbnzxvl0mjw3U2vmpOPNG2VEeLVziBKIqn3iS3lXlzrJmyBqfMZHNm-Fw9eKjR8HvIR_BMz4J1GyhW54nXML08XrmmEUDVcoLP6OVe7Q0IBqTxgLJOEPoVlEacfl1fGKj2-XgrbQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+132.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268910591694466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCqdxbnzxvl0mjw3U2vmpOPNG2VEeLVziBKIqn3iS3lXlzrJmyBqfMZHNm-Fw9eKjR8HvIR_BMz4J1GyhW54nXML08XrmmEUDVcoLP6OVe7Q0IBqTxgLJOEPoVlEacfl1fGKj2-XgrbQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+132.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gQZLAgv9-OOj6uilvxCzxBbDK1-kRce0jiJ9R1n-dyElCU718Wwh4aIFqKSNUXcvEV8MSD9IrnOKMN_JZZivXh1lHO6pKYxVJK85aQNpJRMV5UvToaIKBeTC-DraTbxXEq32gqvQoao/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+130.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268912713226882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gQZLAgv9-OOj6uilvxCzxBbDK1-kRce0jiJ9R1n-dyElCU718Wwh4aIFqKSNUXcvEV8MSD9IrnOKMN_JZZivXh1lHO6pKYxVJK85aQNpJRMV5UvToaIKBeTC-DraTbxXEq32gqvQoao/s320/Camino+2009+2+130.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBkPfE4LFwQMQjyc1_xF9HOP58NjIGl0UUygSz8Ol-sXg3j8W7dpxPoLh_LEYqxefxe7Q08-iftrvxwb34UFgaT0P9l15IHNAsHR-4PcEbnrfgb4WU0CnsFMwBojSisDbGOBK-sXwHxI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+138.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268442554807234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBkPfE4LFwQMQjyc1_xF9HOP58NjIGl0UUygSz8Ol-sXg3j8W7dpxPoLh_LEYqxefxe7Q08-iftrvxwb34UFgaT0P9l15IHNAsHR-4PcEbnrfgb4WU0CnsFMwBojSisDbGOBK-sXwHxI/s320/Camino+2009+2+138.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLe6OZp88tq1Jksd84Op3bjiUuE-A2gwKBDBOE8zdk2V2kzoSig2fh-Uje8N1U9fLRtQKAjtPogf9Hkb0lDrhqlBXTUwMGRxQhNzGPfWs-zmfnllUpRvHDqaMQakslcDXBzTy0KO0mBE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+139.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268436283961986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLe6OZp88tq1Jksd84Op3bjiUuE-A2gwKBDBOE8zdk2V2kzoSig2fh-Uje8N1U9fLRtQKAjtPogf9Hkb0lDrhqlBXTUwMGRxQhNzGPfWs-zmfnllUpRvHDqaMQakslcDXBzTy0KO0mBE/s320/Camino+2009+2+139.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZvmTHLoGtGZAVvdqXksSSeRv96J28FDrdXCY08KuvPbFCOLFXGtyFQJ38RILCPT48l04ZG0g9AI0_DgBwivtGHTnXI5QKbbaNVZDaqxXa6ZWEJsuqZmU3Aeew5INPLT0O0ntwtWnGig/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+142.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268427824187458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZvmTHLoGtGZAVvdqXksSSeRv96J28FDrdXCY08KuvPbFCOLFXGtyFQJ38RILCPT48l04ZG0g9AI0_DgBwivtGHTnXI5QKbbaNVZDaqxXa6ZWEJsuqZmU3Aeew5INPLT0O0ntwtWnGig/s320/Camino+2009+2+142.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Marion Saturday.</span></strong> </div><br /><div>I walked with Syl to the square, it was awful saying goodbye as I would have loved to have walked the extra few days, just a pity that I had booked my flight before we knew that Syl was going to walk to Finisterra instead of catching the bus. After leaving Syl I decided to go and have a coffee <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqLPk40aqMO6ZGU3MpvquyRwSs3yQWFmodzSxxzyaFa6C2u3Ao4LH8TKpHLmeHk3ISYYneOkV8GUhA2UQrP1dn0xBXnv1St3gA0pbUcV5AAOS7IDymSiHPuheh6HbSgznwj9Ts-LvbAQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+140.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365268432919120450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqLPk40aqMO6ZGU3MpvquyRwSs3yQWFmodzSxxzyaFa6C2u3Ao4LH8TKpHLmeHk3ISYYneOkV8GUhA2UQrP1dn0xBXnv1St3gA0pbUcV5AAOS7IDymSiHPuheh6HbSgznwj9Ts-LvbAQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+140.jpg" /></a>in one of the cafe bars before going back to the hotel to pack . When I arrived back at the hotel going up the stairs ahead of me I could see someone bending over with a backpack on with a South African flag. My mind was concertrating on what I was going to do for the rest of the day so at first did not register that it was Syl. It went through my mind "must be another South African in the hotel" all of a sudden the figure straightened up and I realised that it was Syl. I said " what on earth are you doing here", she told me that she had left her directions behind for the day and had come back for them and was busy writing me a note. So back to the square we went and another goodbye was said. Most of the day I wondered around the shops. I did go back to the cathedral to the pilgrim service at 12.00 and was ever so fortunate as again theyswung the botefumeira. I arrived at the airport early and they would not let me book in as the plane that was leaving from Madrid to South Africa had been overbooked by 10 people, they needed to wait to seeif I was going to be given a seat on that flight before they would book me from Santiago to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPi7bgNNHpnH0ME_AoDLrIu-xlgMdHeuz3zcC9D1ZJu2MP8V-yNhasP6A0x7LrtxAwvwmGEBC_8koMvZyldWQ4zIgZvPGuud69Fsny_KdoN-5xZj-fZFwNV62FueKSWK_hjHAZcePmMw/s1600-h/313.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365269357517379826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPi7bgNNHpnH0ME_AoDLrIu-xlgMdHeuz3zcC9D1ZJu2MP8V-yNhasP6A0x7LrtxAwvwmGEBC_8koMvZyldWQ4zIgZvPGuud69Fsny_KdoN-5xZj-fZFwNV62FueKSWK_hjHAZcePmMw/s320/313.JPG" /></a>Madrid. I was rather upset as I had confirmed my flight a few times. So I went and sat in the resturant and had something to ear and drink. The lady from the Iberia counter came to look for me and said that it had been confirmed that I would be on the flight so could now book in but the flight was delayed. So when I reached Madrid I had to hot foot it to my connecting flight. Can you imagine my relief when I sat down on the plane. Unfortunately when I arrived in Johannesburg my luggage had gone missing from the plane to the conveyer belt!! Luckily they found it and delivered to that night to my daughters in Joburg where I stayed for a couple of days before coming home to Durban. I am really sad that my journey is now over, will have to start planning another. I often look for my sticks when getting up from a chair and miss the backpack on my back. Cannot wait for a get together with Val & Syl to go over our times together. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-4196434597854631882009-06-25T06:29:00.001-07:002009-08-01T13:09:59.836-07:00Day 5: Sigueiro to Santiago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-VDP2ywWmMsD3XcrbMPJOUR0YND42ecHBAKAAHeV_uLKtZI7oG_uFabHsFv-lExILRWSQ6U9YWncmuYU5ZjEQbtGykaN8q8Jp4Wh8iznnu_gIJKrgIp7igQ4TyHI-vKb-D1pY5i6Euw/s1600-h/277.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087964815880178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-VDP2ywWmMsD3XcrbMPJOUR0YND42ecHBAKAAHeV_uLKtZI7oG_uFabHsFv-lExILRWSQ6U9YWncmuYU5ZjEQbtGykaN8q8Jp4Wh8iznnu_gIJKrgIp7igQ4TyHI-vKb-D1pY5i6Euw/s320/277.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tfl4DWGX6RMlrPKbAtgg0hLoFvi256_aTH0YU0Ln-Yl4Y3z6hvXaSSA94opUS9WtD39Zw00BgK-1kSN2ozxhaXOqgSNE4mNCt5vJKOb6-sZMLqEEa_UrEHVD7X9616GZPnyzTd3v0hg/s1600-h/279.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087962399634594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Tfl4DWGX6RMlrPKbAtgg0hLoFvi256_aTH0YU0Ln-Yl4Y3z6hvXaSSA94opUS9WtD39Zw00BgK-1kSN2ozxhaXOqgSNE4mNCt5vJKOb6-sZMLqEEa_UrEHVD7X9616GZPnyzTd3v0hg/s320/279.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1xLPAUWtU6U4YmQG0ibUVO0tQAbdQGvUtvv8hvtw5vA4dMZnPTykrySiwnIHkn1AcWm-zQkwxlgqdQSz8z6FjtkoaFai3rl8eq0RvU7QPMHuti5wd1WuZ7EZUq7HgiDblrJ590gp_II/s1600-h/282.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087955218513698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1xLPAUWtU6U4YmQG0ibUVO0tQAbdQGvUtvv8hvtw5vA4dMZnPTykrySiwnIHkn1AcWm-zQkwxlgqdQSz8z6FjtkoaFai3rl8eq0RvU7QPMHuti5wd1WuZ7EZUq7HgiDblrJ590gp_II/s320/282.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjgbPcz0z4_hHS3-byeBfG9fdaPnwAjx283Er0ZY_niekrt00c2DsY7rE32qlnXehfcc5l9DJEEoqgKW7iAAZiIVsof5FafX5QAqy9OCpCb2f1KV3seFo40qOnvVdpDtbUOOtEzQZvlw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+092.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087693108173826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjgbPcz0z4_hHS3-byeBfG9fdaPnwAjx283Er0ZY_niekrt00c2DsY7rE32qlnXehfcc5l9DJEEoqgKW7iAAZiIVsof5FafX5QAqy9OCpCb2f1KV3seFo40qOnvVdpDtbUOOtEzQZvlw/s320/Camino+2009+2+092.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZlK70VB15ar0XbjIsBJ7Y8dLW7L2_t6BRDkX_QDsggBZPNtWjYBm9aPzF-7DRqJ8iIb3r643ZQ9DQ0c_1ePiOG5K6OltE742QptsEZoc8JxS7bwLYkPeaNo4KiGRrgfwQkjRlbxWc4I/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+093.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087690224092018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZlK70VB15ar0XbjIsBJ7Y8dLW7L2_t6BRDkX_QDsggBZPNtWjYBm9aPzF-7DRqJ8iIb3r643ZQ9DQ0c_1ePiOG5K6OltE742QptsEZoc8JxS7bwLYkPeaNo4KiGRrgfwQkjRlbxWc4I/s320/Camino+2009+2+093.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5y1LjAkqU29Do4jC2Dr5lSQkI2PeStPj1kGtWE7yf7wxdOtCLoGT2YDzUN9TR6iV4kB3SS_gWJFCwwcMLKKJwALa-r23XPTXF_URdQ3LpDLLSUe_JcAH6PGMLNcu_-SzQdCx-tLdo4I/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+094.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 295px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087686468038738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN5y1LjAkqU29Do4jC2Dr5lSQkI2PeStPj1kGtWE7yf7wxdOtCLoGT2YDzUN9TR6iV4kB3SS_gWJFCwwcMLKKJwALa-r23XPTXF_URdQ3LpDLLSUe_JcAH6PGMLNcu_-SzQdCx-tLdo4I/s320/Camino+2009+2+094.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> Marion When we started our walk the very first day it was raining. When Val was doing her last day we had some rain. Well guess what - my last day of walking and it rained most of the way on and off. Really enjoyed the walk this morning as most of the way we were back through forests and farmlands, up and down, twisting and turning so much better that the day before on the long flat path. It felt quite emotional to arrive in the square at Santiago, we felt so proud of ourselves of our achievement. I am looking forward to the service in the cathedral tomorrow at 12.00.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd_RA1g5EP0Iu8xl4LJpV_qk_w2WaNEWmIbnISNUI-ng5Mxv4IR0hhZ6zE6Xe4IqyDRhErh6zCSqV1-4e3KlRuAfrg0ukyrtPXIlzSsl3b5yRLzP54FwwfyzC2pP5oYQkZv_hYFMD1cE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087681382423058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd_RA1g5EP0Iu8xl4LJpV_qk_w2WaNEWmIbnISNUI-ng5Mxv4IR0hhZ6zE6Xe4IqyDRhErh6zCSqV1-4e3KlRuAfrg0ukyrtPXIlzSsl3b5yRLzP54FwwfyzC2pP5oYQkZv_hYFMD1cE/s320/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACFgT2lpzhS2MqtVblKBM7H4PWvgqeoCavLRp0iFCv4y0eUU6Brmdz1SdRjybZhfOYDmAWTFpZSZJaJWQtGiRr6rmsmHmNf5jgpaUya4x8fsstMSEM8DwGtKes9NR277jL9i2PmJUtb0/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+103.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087678602921474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACFgT2lpzhS2MqtVblKBM7H4PWvgqeoCavLRp0iFCv4y0eUU6Brmdz1SdRjybZhfOYDmAWTFpZSZJaJWQtGiRr6rmsmHmNf5jgpaUya4x8fsstMSEM8DwGtKes9NR277jL9i2PmJUtb0/s320/Camino+2009+2+103.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAJ4hXocTx4l2CEcgiDcl-sjhP7wEQekLRv_yujoHHYhK9sv9XpcYBOiYJXq88uToOSeaHh17FlUW8FVyHhqm2itDyie8vqdx-Gl5JjupyP46l5usv8XLbBnyJA5TCX7CT_LomBMy6TY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+097.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087216695954562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAJ4hXocTx4l2CEcgiDcl-sjhP7wEQekLRv_yujoHHYhK9sv9XpcYBOiYJXq88uToOSeaHh17FlUW8FVyHhqm2itDyie8vqdx-Gl5JjupyP46l5usv8XLbBnyJA5TCX7CT_LomBMy6TY/s320/Camino+2009+2+097.jpg" /></a><strong>Sil</strong><br />After the hot bath, alcohol Romero rub and 2 massages with Arnica, my feet felt really good this morning. I put sheeps wool under the toes and a thick Dr Scholl´s blister pad around the spots that stung yesterday. I could feel right away that they would be better today and even though we did 16kms in 4 hours I didn´t have any problems.<br />We arrived in Santiago this morning after a fairly quick walk from Sigueiro, most of it in the rain. The path was mainly through forest and farmlands and straightforward and besides the odd encounter with a highway, we both enjoyed it. After passing an industrial centre we stopped at a cafeteria for coffee and found that we were the only women in the place. Seems to be a morning meeting place for the local workers.<br />The camino Ingles comes in to Santiago from a different direction to the Camino Frances but we still had to go under the arch with the cathedral on the left. There were no arrows after we walked through a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC3KYVI1F177p0PGanN-2Dfv888YMFIwHYSBvtxfHFu-7TwqsAASAmcT5XuGOGOLvk3FyLM-IuEhoNOJn-zgYIX0iFs_mmyBnqWtDf3-2X3Lseyw6pBzWToySckTHtx2FzaHO9G6aYOU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+099.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087218081912754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC3KYVI1F177p0PGanN-2Dfv888YMFIwHYSBvtxfHFu-7TwqsAASAmcT5XuGOGOLvk3FyLM-IuEhoNOJn-zgYIX0iFs_mmyBnqWtDf3-2X3Lseyw6pBzWToySckTHtx2FzaHO9G6aYOU/s320/Camino+2009+2+099.jpg" /></a>park on the outskirts so we had to follow John Walker´s CSJ guide into the city. There were no changes to the route although John thought there might have been a change. The square was crowded with people (mid-day) and we gawked at the cathedral, hugged each other and asked someone to take our photograph. It is quite strange to see so many pilgrims and know that there isn´t one you have met along the way. We did not see one other pilgrim on the Camino Ingles, not even a cycling pilgrim. Marion commented that it didn't really feel like a pilgrimage because of the lack of other pilgrims to interact with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRl6_ciGqM37c-Vb2guctD9ACNgJC2TqoD2q9s9Z6yyqpl4GFAvvlrJ2erkGXC9Y9LIzcU-A3tpknoMcZLLXUDCRf0Prp16CMFLhiu6lAyXk12vIkyQVj1pG2cXE1d4inn_JuLFr0bIE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087225366151090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRl6_ciGqM37c-Vb2guctD9ACNgJC2TqoD2q9s9Z6yyqpl4GFAvvlrJ2erkGXC9Y9LIzcU-A3tpknoMcZLLXUDCRf0Prp16CMFLhiu6lAyXk12vIkyQVj1pG2cXE1d4inn_JuLFr0bIE/s320/Camino+2009+2+100.jpg" /></a>When we got to the Hostal Pazo de Agra Fernando gave us a cheery welcome and took us straight upstairs to our room - pay tomorrow he said. We walked back out of the old city to Ivar´s Camino Travel Centre to collect my parcel. Whilst there I recognized a voice and there was Joy Anderson from the south coast (the lady who let me know the day before she was leaving that her pack weighed over 10kg). She started crying and screaming when she saw me and hugged me and kissed me like I was her long lost sister! Ivar and Marion and one of Ivar´s friends, Frank, looked on in amazement. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Then another woman walked in and I said, ´Hello Sue¨. It was Sue Kenny, a Canadian pilgrim who has written a book on the camino and a video called Las Peregrinas. Sue looked a bit baffled and then Ivar said, ´This is Sillydoll from South Africa!´ Then there were more hugs and more exclamations of surprise and amazement. She and I hugged and kissed and we all had photos taken together.<br />We queued at the Pilgrim´s Office for Marion to get her <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bf5z4-j6Rp_TnISU3elUQ9FG5p1P1wV_NNEPdLyrPXrTnUagSpNSRvOyHtmkpINMXeqSNQyZaeVK-TQBaYw-5ITXF9_r37nWj-tuURaWC38U36dP1UqsZUPP62ymG4h1J4MtFox0n9g/s1600-h/298.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087211315622226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bf5z4-j6Rp_TnISU3elUQ9FG5p1P1wV_NNEPdLyrPXrTnUagSpNSRvOyHtmkpINMXeqSNQyZaeVK-TQBaYw-5ITXF9_r37nWj-tuURaWC38U36dP1UqsZUPP62ymG4h1J4MtFox0n9g/s320/298.JPG" /></a>Compostela (I asked for the tourist certificate) and I had a chat to Maria who I met in 2002, 2004 and in 2007. </div><div>M and I have just been to lunch and to the Info centre next to Hostal Suso. I collected some papers on the Fistera route and then we went to lunch. I sorted the stuff in my parcel and posted most of it to the Correos in Corcubion so that I don´t have to carry extra stuff while I walk to Finisterre. I think I´m going to leave a little earlier than originally planned so that I don´t get to the first place too late.<br />We haven´t decided <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIqroGPm03piRiG4h7tZKfi91q3yPefjAC4gsqVTAZNBYwECApWXTJskvSI3Dq3vg1AQsVReHUUvFJEXj9DplE8ZCgoBu5QDkePpexeC3b7SgMwvabg5oSYZozT8G5ZhFbmlSjiBophA/s1600-h/303.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365087207025313954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIqroGPm03piRiG4h7tZKfi91q3yPefjAC4gsqVTAZNBYwECApWXTJskvSI3Dq3vg1AQsVReHUUvFJEXj9DplE8ZCgoBu5QDkePpexeC3b7SgMwvabg5oSYZozT8G5ZhFbmlSjiBophA/s320/303.JPG" /></a>what to do tomorrow besides go to mid-day mass. Will wait and see.<br />It is great to be back here (the 4th time I´ve walked into the square) and it was quite an emotional moment.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-16595410409754837172009-06-24T06:45:00.000-07:002009-08-01T12:42:46.212-07:00Day 4: Bruma to Sigueiro<div><div><div><strong>Marion</strong><br />Very misty this morning lovely to walk whilst it was so cool. For the first 6k´s it was a long straight road, I thought it would never come to an end. At long last we entered a forest it had a few ups and downs then through farm lands, almost <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNQyPTlCC6bm_prnGXc35mpt4tvO99uviPXVCTm8_ziHc2JGfNA8ewuiqc0nxppTBr_pV9auWUg7ABUhm0haVeveJvn-xk5DeCLCUipTEqWDVPq4A-J1VpsbLQVtpLADgcAhrlYy5tsc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+086.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365081624433486354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNQyPTlCC6bm_prnGXc35mpt4tvO99uviPXVCTm8_ziHc2JGfNA8ewuiqc0nxppTBr_pV9auWUg7ABUhm0haVeveJvn-xk5DeCLCUipTEqWDVPq4A-J1VpsbLQVtpLADgcAhrlYy5tsc/s320/Camino+2009+2+086.JPG" /></a>like small holdings. The farms in this area are very basic and simple.<br />We did walk through a couple of very small villages, everything was closed - so no morning coffee to be had anywhere. The last few k´s before reaching Sigueiro were again on a long straight road. Although it was a shorter walk than yesterday it seemed a lot longer, I suppose because it was mostly flat not much variation.<br />I look to find the good things whilst we were walking to take my mind off the long flat road, like the quietness, the birds singing etc. as I have to make the most of it as my walk is nearly over, only tomorrow for the last 17k to Santaigo.<br />Whatever village we have walked through in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbmLOHW3MFs6-K4OnvsUyauFaKuz9dtf1qUIdSfQMOgTvQ36_G7YYObrCROGBUJvNjXEYZzBJu0_osf8YJ-dR8mRi8Ci-89owOLD8wH1a2-NLttTVgdJaa_4TV5NTb9szM9NfsI41uxY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+088.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365081626334200306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbmLOHW3MFs6-K4OnvsUyauFaKuz9dtf1qUIdSfQMOgTvQ36_G7YYObrCROGBUJvNjXEYZzBJu0_osf8YJ-dR8mRi8Ci-89owOLD8wH1a2-NLttTVgdJaa_4TV5NTb9szM9NfsI41uxY/s320/Camino+2009+2+088.JPG" /></a>Spain is very noticeable that everyone has a vegetable patch - but what is amazing is that the amount of cabbages that everyone grows, I wonder who can ever eat that amount of cabbages! They also grow a lot of potatoes besides other vegetables.<br />In Galicia most of the dogs are all on a chain. So sad!!!<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />It was so quiet in the albergue that we both had a wonderful sleep. Hospital de Bruma is one of those tiny hamlets where you first come across a couple of animal barns, then a few houses on either side of the road, most that have their own barns as well, then a small stream, a tiny church and then you walk out the other side. 20 buildings all-in-all, if that.<br />We had a breakfast and then started walking to Sigueiro. We saw a woman cutting down cabbages. Almost every farmer grows tall, spindly cabbages which Marion thinks are used to make walking sticks. </div><div>One map said 22km to Sigueiro, the CSJ Guide says ±24km and Benino said 26km. No importante, we have to walk there no matter what the distance. The CSJ guide says, á pretty straightforward day´and they are not kidding. It was really heavy going with long, straight, tarred or gravelled roads through endless forests. It reminded me of walking through les Landes on the Via Turonensis route.</div><div>There were a few hamlets to pass through but nothing opens until around mid-day so we didn´t have a coffee opportunity. By the 15km mark my feet were starting to hurt underneath, something I´ve not had before. We stopped at a bus shelter at the 18km mark and I took off my boots to air my feet. I had red, hot spots under a few toes as well as the insteps and heels. This is a problem when walking on flat, tarred or gravel roads with boots. I added a bit of sheep wool and a small foam padding to the worst spot and hobbled on for another 8km. Long, long, flat, straight roads <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTzhKc0SYsBEc1GaW98Inexyts1a1BLMOBZtegErY8luvFgU43_nxDP5XFiOCGA4StD58K1aETbujSrH60BbGDqALqSfafTZ9YxGjZveqr9C9gBNEAawB-2GcASFDC45fjKdvA0eOR8Q/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+087.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365081627429766354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTzhKc0SYsBEc1GaW98Inexyts1a1BLMOBZtegErY8luvFgU43_nxDP5XFiOCGA4StD58K1aETbujSrH60BbGDqALqSfafTZ9YxGjZveqr9C9gBNEAawB-2GcASFDC45fjKdvA0eOR8Q/s320/Camino+2009+2+087.JPG" /></a>through endless forests with hardly a bird to be seen or heard and no other living thing for miles. At one time it started raining and we put on our raincoats but half an hour later it got hot again and we stopped to take them off. </div><div>At the approach to Siguerio the guide takes you down a waymarked path to the local swimming pool. ´´Turn left around the swimming pool, see the final marker pointing the way over waste ground´it says. We battled to find a marker as the whole area is under construction and had been graded and cleared with construction fences and the beginnings of buildings under way. </div><div>We found our way to the Hostal Miras, Downstairs was a cheerful bar which seemed to be run by a family of women: mother, daughters and grandchildren – a 15 month little girl who was well at home with the customers, and a new 6 day old baby, who may have been a boy, judging by the blue blanket. Upstairs the rooms are basic but adequate.an old but graceful hostal above a bar, and were taken upstairs to a room. I cooled my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoKe-5pKITaWrSfwIxeJrD_QWJMiEjEpiEGhxsTNVvbXXvyt8DeJbWooOUH6ZhaXAYZBGdcymy6sZivl4lodErF40Vu51Veq9qb2P6r591zGvKECbVPgAusAB2BP3f__s86pMeDwHNNw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+089.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365081632929564962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoKe-5pKITaWrSfwIxeJrD_QWJMiEjEpiEGhxsTNVvbXXvyt8DeJbWooOUH6ZhaXAYZBGdcymy6sZivl4lodErF40Vu51Veq9qb2P6r591zGvKECbVPgAusAB2BP3f__s86pMeDwHNNw/s320/Camino+2009+2+089.JPG" /></a>poor feet down with Alcohol Romeo and massaged them with Arnica. Then I hobbled to the bathroom and hey presto! there actually was a bath! I scuttled back to the room, collected my universal plug, and was soon soaking in a hot-tub with Arnica and the last of my shampoo. Bliss. We had a coffee at the Hostal Bar and found this internet Cafe in a bar down the road.<br />We will arrive in Santiago a day early and will have 2 nights there instead of one. I will be checking out the route into the city as it might have changed.</div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-70827119151454659532009-06-24T05:41:00.000-07:002009-08-01T12:18:59.214-07:00Camino Ingles Day 3:Betanzos to Bar Julia (and beyond....!)<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ivNlM2-1qDEVTSSPsYdgfZn02atGXS5xbtUh6Vw397XCvutFGL3T9ljKK9Pal5XBvwTOmIVnEOBus3ij_kI2Jx4ojoLjGTae-8xMDAAxwU2njk65pkBnbu_c-MY-KM46J4ptA9XTUw4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365073378430787874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ivNlM2-1qDEVTSSPsYdgfZn02atGXS5xbtUh6Vw397XCvutFGL3T9ljKK9Pal5XBvwTOmIVnEOBus3ij_kI2Jx4ojoLjGTae-8xMDAAxwU2njk65pkBnbu_c-MY-KM46J4ptA9XTUw4/s320/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkxGrQUU7ADOnZN5kQ6yQtLfHTY2CB-BLcdCHdpq8Zm0cC3NOmkLDJZJGlppbfRrJ0FUgltnUbppcKUQSnKjv_il7ogJAgbUyrggEHjczQ_tJ2pe527RzTnh4NXUy96MuQX2lqEPmgSE/s1600-h/264.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365073372128882466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkxGrQUU7ADOnZN5kQ6yQtLfHTY2CB-BLcdCHdpq8Zm0cC3NOmkLDJZJGlppbfRrJ0FUgltnUbppcKUQSnKjv_il7ogJAgbUyrggEHjczQ_tJ2pe527RzTnh4NXUy96MuQX2lqEPmgSE/s320/264.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><strong></strong></div><div> </div><div><strong>Marion </strong><br />A bit of a mishap this morning. We started off bright and early overcast and misty, following the yellow arrows, somehow we missed a turning and were on a main road. We stopped and asked h<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcOoYaB7BpzEDjkE02af_Rs8Nfeibrrog5mMWA4SZK8_aFnu-I6bapd6UBXkyidJ_8imRcTjJqowiY-7qz0HpmV_N8pHTJQspQnGQ2qhsQaQdc2JBBj98wC0pem_Sg9A3gKNlbNsqgsQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg"></a>ow to get back to the camino path and were told to carry on and eventually we would come to it. Unfortunately it was a very busy and ever so noisy road. Eventually we got back on track, I was so grateful to be at long last off the road and back into a forest. Our little mishap added an extra <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIivYVnHX1jr-C1W4HlW0aOMeBPArCvQ2iV2m43wg11Ap7xfz6XTvoJg-0GM9uhy8Td6iBLij_tb2tDre3SFaUevzn_8Dq93iMaaR0qbtKsLKx-VynSfNWF4fo08Z86bqtHQjKOkoRLLE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+078.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365067152180569602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIivYVnHX1jr-C1W4HlW0aOMeBPArCvQ2iV2m43wg11Ap7xfz6XTvoJg-0GM9uhy8Td6iBLij_tb2tDre3SFaUevzn_8Dq93iMaaR0qbtKsLKx-VynSfNWF4fo08Z86bqtHQjKOkoRLLE/s320/Camino+2009+2+078.jpg" /></a>6k to our walk. Once we were back on track it started raining so on came the raincoats - must say they are wonderful as they keep and our backpacks dry. It did not rain hard just a steady drizzle. We walked through some wooded forests, sometimes past farming areas on small tar roads. We stopped at Leiro at a large covered seated recreation area next to a church for a backpack rest, toilet and a snack which we were carrying. When we reached Bar Julia Syl tried to phone Antonio to fetch us to take us to Mason de Venta where we were going to spend the night. He was supposed to bring us back again in the morning so that we could walk from that point. Unfortunately Syl´s phone did not have coverage for that area so the bar lady kindly said we could use her phone.<br />We had a coffee and hot choclate and waited for Antonio well!!! 1 1/2 hrs later we were still waiting and started to wonder what had happended to our lift. The bar lady very kindly phoned <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QO0z8w47TWKcRUf-Pg4wInVWEkOB7TCD0zfkc11lIkdC77V2HdgkfUKhbIKnD97B6VqTAFYdOfu-8GaIGOdrW01fA86As4pn8LGhuYuVfUdxEwNDkc1ouidKSfoxRfwCsAumoMW9YlU/s1600-h/267.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365067168847218594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QO0z8w47TWKcRUf-Pg4wInVWEkOB7TCD0zfkc11lIkdC77V2HdgkfUKhbIKnD97B6VqTAFYdOfu-8GaIGOdrW01fA86As4pn8LGhuYuVfUdxEwNDkc1ouidKSfoxRfwCsAumoMW9YlU/s320/267.JPG" /></a>and at first Antonio´s Mom said that he had gone to the wrong bar, another 1/2 passed and he still had not arrived, so the bar lady again phoned and we received the message that he was not going to fetch us. So we had to pick up our feet and start walking again. We had been walking the whole morning uphill and now we had to begin again by walking up a very steep hill first a short way on tar and then through a wooded forest. Every time you looked up you thought you were at the top but when you turned the bend so it went up again. After 4k we had a short spell of walking on a flat surface and then it was up and down mostly uphill until we reached the albergue Hospital de Bruma. Instead of walking 18k today we ended up doing 34k which puts us a day ahead of shedule. The albergue we are staying in has 14 bunk beds downstairs and more upstairs. It has a large diningroom kitchen area. We were the only people in the albergue last night, The Camino Ingles does not have a lot of pilgrims walking, so far have never seen any others. The hospitalario showed us a menu 3 courses that <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHQYOp_pBhMwBmZ2erFbyWOub8FMzsEUU34229ZRizsrFytwSAY3z7Rep2PONzZCEfZBuPuPJ5ALWtl1H4aocVGvxsUzXeCeyaRrGhRRpmo7Klo4yISU-8IY1wEuzirDfPybm-xinwHM/s1600-h/268.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365074418750822082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHQYOp_pBhMwBmZ2erFbyWOub8FMzsEUU34229ZRizsrFytwSAY3z7Rep2PONzZCEfZBuPuPJ5ALWtl1H4aocVGvxsUzXeCeyaRrGhRRpmo7Klo4yISU-8IY1wEuzirDfPybm-xinwHM/s320/268.JPG" /></a>we ordered from and it was delivered to us at 8.30pm. A delicious meal. Around 8.00pm Antonio arrived looking for us, appologised for not collecting us. Another wonderful day, I am so lucky I have no aches or pains feel full of engery and still rearing to go.<br /></div><div><strong>Sil </strong></div><div>It was cold when we left Betanzos. The temperatures in northern Galica are very different to the east, especially Aragon and Navarra which was really hot. We knew the way out from having done a little recce the day before so followed the road until we came up against a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlM4ZTLB3XBNLFMxHwXjPW-MxXa8aP7-lkaJSEqkPIsEVSdrQnartDIa015VFFnmpK420YKNf03hDlgAGWtmHVKolC0w68froRMkFDtGIKmmGmoysSx2pFLkCfGPl7_gNgJV-xEkA76A/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+081.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 304px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365072672926412690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlM4ZTLB3XBNLFMxHwXjPW-MxXa8aP7-lkaJSEqkPIsEVSdrQnartDIa015VFFnmpK420YKNf03hDlgAGWtmHVKolC0w68froRMkFDtGIKmmGmoysSx2pFLkCfGPl7_gNgJV-xEkA76A/s320/Camino+2009+2+081.jpg" /></a>huge construction site. The pavement was being relaid with crazy paving - no arrows - and fencing cut off the road. </div><div>I read the CSJ Guide but could´nt find the markers mentioned. Í asked an early worker if the way through the buildings was él camino de Santiago´. ´Si´he assured us, rolling his hands like a fish swimming upstream. ´Todos directo´. We found ourselves on a road and climbed steeply out of Bestanzos for about 15 minutes, but we knew we were on the wrong road. No arrows, no shell markers - de nada. What to do. Double back and start again or carry on and hope to pick up the camino along the way. A road sign pointed our direction - Meson do Vento 23km, Santiago 60 something kms. "At least we´re going in the right direction" I say to Marion and we continue walking until we reach a huge round-about with about 5 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjhnuZR4Kr253VmomdKc0FNjQW9HLVSdpCj28CBvkSHfT6t6tHtCt3gXBEqKU1xXb_AWcdks1FHo83u1qTP0deWr8S_gT2Xwt3EZU4w_IWS0suK7n2e3kmcowxeiILvX6togfAdMJ32I/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+079.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365067156933758962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjhnuZR4Kr253VmomdKc0FNjQW9HLVSdpCj28CBvkSHfT6t6tHtCt3gXBEqKU1xXb_AWcdks1FHo83u1qTP0deWr8S_gT2Xwt3EZU4w_IWS0suK7n2e3kmcowxeiILvX6togfAdMJ32I/s320/Camino+2009+2+079.jpg" /></a>options. I stop another worker who tells us to follow the middle exit under the highway and carry on all the way to Santiago. </div><div>When we have walked about 8km we reach Abagonde. We see an open cafe bar and ask a man there how we can get to COS which is a place on the camino trail. </div><div>´Turn right at the church,´ he tells us - it is about 5km further on. We walk up the hill to the church. A road sign says that COS is 4km away and a local info board says 3.2km to COS. We have to get there whether it is 3.2km, 4km or 5km so we start walking.<br />´Ít could be worse,´I say, Ít could be raining´. With that big drops start to fall and we have to bring out our raincoats. Finally we arrive at COS which is 6km from Betanzos on the camino trail. We have walked 12km already so have done an extra 6km on the detour. We walk through forests, around fields, past little hamlets and settlements and finally we come out of the woods, down a steep path at the 18km (24km for <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT1309sN4FCxwOM95uok79IOz64CtNbg7sx-gES6DaWWDhINiPgzluUs3NC6Ji6soTRXGGa5sD0szeqlZAYPJL-JCXBUq67lGCmiS7igjPBMxpCyf0ADJFoGkuoNVcacBK-bbiNQBsGA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+082.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365068680484945682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT1309sN4FCxwOM95uok79IOz64CtNbg7sx-gES6DaWWDhINiPgzluUs3NC6Ji6soTRXGGa5sD0szeqlZAYPJL-JCXBUq67lGCmiS7igjPBMxpCyf0ADJFoGkuoNVcacBK-bbiNQBsGA/s320/Camino+2009+2+082.jpg" /></a>us) mark on the camino guide - the Bar Julia - where we will phone Antonio at the Ó´Meson Novo Bar and Pension to come and fetch us.<br />Now, this little bar is in the middle of cow country. This is a new arrangment organised by Johnnie Walker who has compiled the online Guide to the Camino Ingles. I don´t think anyone has used the offer of a lift and overnight stay so we will be testing it. I emailed Antoinio from home and he sent me a telephone number. ´Call me when you get to Bar Julia and I will fetch you´he said. There is nothing else there - just a few farmhouses and this bar which is right on the road. It is 12 o´clock and we have been walking for over 5 hours. I take out my cell phone to make my first call in Spain but there is no signal for Vodophone. The woman in Bar Julia offers to use her phone and she calls the number for me. A woman answers.<br />´I´m looking for Antoinio´I say. She talks rapidly and then I tell her we have reserved a room for 2 people for tonight and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Csh0VLNqBGSCdv-VOvcqWbmhh8LEORXjDHXqp0iLV1_7h8MTCEwRbIHf_tZnLBjLelTJUAHa1O1pz9w1IzcQDYZ0jbU2cy0H8G5MqfdHnEo7-2WZiSzo-KuymADVKrsv_H_5W8YJRTI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+085.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365072675735261442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Csh0VLNqBGSCdv-VOvcqWbmhh8LEORXjDHXqp0iLV1_7h8MTCEwRbIHf_tZnLBjLelTJUAHa1O1pz9w1IzcQDYZ0jbU2cy0H8G5MqfdHnEo7-2WZiSzo-KuymADVKrsv_H_5W8YJRTI/s320/Camino+2009+2+085.jpg" /></a>Antonio can collect us at the Bar Julia.<br />´Did we reserve?´she asks. Ýes´I tell her ´I reserved by email.´<br />OK. Antoinio will fetch us. We order a drink from Bar Julia and sit down to wait. And wait, And wait. After an hour we are pacing up and down and senora offers to phone again on our behalf. She has a heated arguement on the phone and then tells us that Antonio went to a Bar Julia but it was closed and there was no body there! Not possible we say.<br />The woman from O´Meson Novo says we must just wait. It is lunch time now and they are busy. 15 minutes later senora has a light bulb moment. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSxVAE3S8A5Iuknc7BhiUEgr-IchFUQLlpIw3hMKtQgtE-UvBYYZjb15QmoRM2brp47jH9kdyIxzhif8Lu3QzBc5wUWccNtss0adBI0jWBECX5WvRd8ID168nADInpVHklTAEKtHvW9s/s1600-h/270.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365074423188224194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSxVAE3S8A5Iuknc7BhiUEgr-IchFUQLlpIw3hMKtQgtE-UvBYYZjb15QmoRM2brp47jH9kdyIxzhif8Lu3QzBc5wUWccNtss0adBI0jWBECX5WvRd8ID168nADInpVHklTAEKtHvW9s/s320/270.JPG" /></a>Her Bar Julia is not the only one in the district, perhaps Antonio went to the wrong one? She phones the woman at O´Meson Novo and they have another, longer argument on the phone. Yes, Antonio has been to another Bar ´Hoolia´and we were not there. Eventually senora tells us that Antonio cannot fetch us from this Bar Julia. We can walk or we can get a taxi Meson Novo. Marion and I consult. It is 11km to Bruma - we will walk. At 2pm we hoist our packs back on our backs and start walking. </div><div>We now have to tackle ´THE HILL´- a 3km bugger of a hill that winds its way up 400m in 3km. It starts off straight up on tarmac, then becomes gravel, then becomes a forect track. Up and up and up it goes. When we finally reach the top we are not sure that it has ended because we have done it so quickly.<br />Ít can´t be 3km´I say to Marion. ´We couldn´t have walked up that hill in just over half an hour.´ But we have. Over 2 weeks of walking, climbing in Aragon and France has made <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLX_pVUnO7g37WVI-PcG1KdytSRkFOcg299qtZDWi19az5Pr9lwIqmfnOwRrZz7WkftCGZKcDsD3RFwtrZZWOH5Xv7yTti1hvzxWfL-tkwYkc5JIHYlioDvlMTvNcRtiZW0pAJLc7xNQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+084.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365074422398978770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLX_pVUnO7g37WVI-PcG1KdytSRkFOcg299qtZDWi19az5Pr9lwIqmfnOwRrZz7WkftCGZKcDsD3RFwtrZZWOH5Xv7yTti1hvzxWfL-tkwYkc5JIHYlioDvlMTvNcRtiZW0pAJLc7xNQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+084.jpg" /></a>us fitter than we think. We walk to Hospital de Bruma and find the albergue open. Benino is trimming the shrubs outside and looks quite pleased to see peregrinos arrive even if it is 5pm.<br />We have walked 35km and feel OK. We are the only pilgrims at the albergue and Benino tells us that there were 2 South Africans two days ago as well. We think that it could be Gwenda who was planning to walk the Ingles around the same time as us. There were only 3 pilgrims here yesterday but a group of 12 the day before. We are starving and Benino tells us that a restuarant in Meson de Vento will deliver a Menu del Peregrino to us if we order at about 7h30pm. He writes down the options and we choose what we want and he telephones for us. While we are sitting waiting for the delivery, a car pulls us and a young man comes to the albergue. </div><div>´Silvia y Marion?´he asks. It is Antonio. He doesn´t speak English but we work out that there was a misunderstanding. There are 4 different Bar Julia´s in this area and he didn´t know which one we were at. (I think there is only one on the camino trail and try to tell him that but he insists that his mother thought we were at the other bars waiting for him.) </div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Áre you staying here´he asks. Ýes´we tell him, we have booked in and are waiting for dinner to be delivered. ´What about tomorrow night?´he asks. </div><div>´No´we tell him ´we will walk to Siguerio tomorrow.´ He seems disappointed that the arrangement didn´t work and assures us that it will in future. He leaves and then our delivery arrives. Ensalada rusa, salmon and chips for Marion with a carafe of Vinto tinto: ensalada pasta for me (with the ever present tuna which I scratch off), a Tortilla Espanol and a Coke, and Tarta de Santiago for both of us. In the crate is a table cloth, knives and forks, two small plastic cups for the drinks and tuppaware containing the other food. It is a feast and we scoff the lot! </div><div>We are now a day ahead and will have to spend an extra night in Santiago. I find the telephone number for Fernando at Hostal Pazo de Agra and I send him an sms asking if we can spend Thursday night at the hostal as well. </div><div>Benino arrives with blankets for both of us and makes sure that we are comfortable and tells us to just pull the door shut behind us when we leave in the morning. We get into bed exhausted from our very long day. Just as we are falling asleep, Benino comes to see that we are all OK. What kind people these Spanish hospitaleros are. My phone beeps. It is Fernando. No problem to stay an extra night. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-19656153223641552582009-06-22T12:04:00.000-07:002009-08-01T11:12:54.220-07:00Camino Ingles Day 2: 22nd June to Bestanzos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNR8fwUVwqdTNm33OL7j7AUPq1sFdHr4SomPVmxU8F7uSar8xtjiyJlZ7RvdA84I2e6TuS5ktdvQE7SIFwRWZwMQD1eqbWpm3oclS5CtR6m0X-DjKqPbzSRvN3n0SrxZdGXIMV4rnOaU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055377630517938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNR8fwUVwqdTNm33OL7j7AUPq1sFdHr4SomPVmxU8F7uSar8xtjiyJlZ7RvdA84I2e6TuS5ktdvQE7SIFwRWZwMQD1eqbWpm3oclS5CtR6m0X-DjKqPbzSRvN3n0SrxZdGXIMV4rnOaU/s320/Camino+2009+2+070.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mMRD9BQxd6s_eEDCLNDWWWHyggtZoZ41ITAg1n25IPEXzDBDex-4Kr6wPdrkw45uZVP39bK3KAGIki5AXCnZR6Bk7Nx2-ZtPjL6CXwDZFTwUvdPSYQzQ-0tRFzVUHwt_mjjwJjkx7Cs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+067.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055369961311970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mMRD9BQxd6s_eEDCLNDWWWHyggtZoZ41ITAg1n25IPEXzDBDex-4Kr6wPdrkw45uZVP39bK3KAGIki5AXCnZR6Bk7Nx2-ZtPjL6CXwDZFTwUvdPSYQzQ-0tRFzVUHwt_mjjwJjkx7Cs/s320/Camino+2009+2+067.JPG" /></a><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Marion </strong><br />We started today off with a bang!! Straight up through the village to the top a very steep climb, then through a wooded forest also climbing. I must definitely be getting fitter as although I am quite slow going up steep hills I am no longer tired when we reach the top.<br />Today we walked through forests, sometimes through grassy fields, on sand paths, narrow tar roads passing small farms and again mostly uphill. After a couple of hours we walked down a steep <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWkA30LkAdwHwD50PMZbQLwVTb3sqqpo4953FO2CYEIWoDUmBcd1PK9huTZ2SRjcmityO-sx5KbthNYlBSZyeBWkKYVgzLCh1XCFC4jww2QBVDbOiUWhQ0o-raHzIdkPBCY3TtW2uRMg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+074.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055394824637922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWkA30LkAdwHwD50PMZbQLwVTb3sqqpo4953FO2CYEIWoDUmBcd1PK9huTZ2SRjcmityO-sx5KbthNYlBSZyeBWkKYVgzLCh1XCFC4jww2QBVDbOiUWhQ0o-raHzIdkPBCY3TtW2uRMg/s320/Camino+2009+2+074.JPG" /></a>hill into Mina where we stopped at a cafe bar for coffee and hot choclate and a baguette with jam, we did not eat the whole baguette so took the rest with us. The rest of our walk today was again on the same terrain. We were again fortunate to walk mostly in shade. We have a very comfortable room above a cafe bar. When we arrived at our accomodation we did the usual ,bathed and did our washing. We had a late lunch in our room, I had the rest of my baguette and the last tin or paté that I had been carrying for days and a orange for desseert - delicious! Syl had her baguette, cheese and a nectarine.<br /><div><div>We had a walk around and as usual mostly everything is closed. We were lucky and found a supermarket open so bought a few provisions for the road tomorrow and a salad which we can have for dinner in our room. I bought myself a pack of wine (3 little boxes each 200ml) I will have one tonight and carry the other two for another time. A lovely end to a fabulous day. </div></div><div></div><br /><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHHuSTmIEVQwnEzeWbawdQyQUFn3gJMF5QfdeO-4rFny8PUCoFj5N_u2wBoeNnTNDqgsYFyprZY0QNmhZ2m02S1e7YOkQBFO0nx6lPnl_sHMpb6_h9fXYT5aFtnyTuoqJ_PaqQ29g72U/s1600-h/261.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365057829601011378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHHuSTmIEVQwnEzeWbawdQyQUFn3gJMF5QfdeO-4rFny8PUCoFj5N_u2wBoeNnTNDqgsYFyprZY0QNmhZ2m02S1e7YOkQBFO0nx6lPnl_sHMpb6_h9fXYT5aFtnyTuoqJ_PaqQ29g72U/s320/261.JPG" /></a>Sil</strong> </div><div>I woke before the alarm. My fingers looked like sausages but they weren´t throbbing anymore. I had to put Band-Aids on three cuts on my left hand and strap the two middle fingers on my right hand. I´ve found it really difficult to pack the backpack and tie shoe laces using just a thumb and a forefinger! </div><div>The path out of Pontedeume goes straight up, and up, and up for about 15 minutes. Once we left the confines of the town some of the paths were very overgrown and my trousers and spats were soon quite wet with morning dew. It was a lovely walk today. This is walking as opposed to hiking. The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRJ_IaahHGwUxLtghrt5x0WX8_7KTXk-xu-Ux7KVJTnNVKjzlHHJAlNatphYiXNxGNJ-wDncAmVnC4kE9MMZackX8L08bYdcPUPcq2qdD6RFB_hZNTtc7NlYblYqtkH3bfcvVhDqtjwI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+065.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365056226882994802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRJ_IaahHGwUxLtghrt5x0WX8_7KTXk-xu-Ux7KVJTnNVKjzlHHJAlNatphYiXNxGNJ-wDncAmVnC4kE9MMZackX8L08bYdcPUPcq2qdD6RFB_hZNTtc7NlYblYqtkH3bfcvVhDqtjwI/s320/Camino+2009+2+065.jpg" /></a>paths are either gravel, small tarred village roads, double tracks through fields or leafy trails through the forests. There are many up hill sections so it is more strenuous than I expected it to be but no mountains, just steep short climbs and some equally steep descents. The landscape is similar to walking from Sarria to Santiago with eucalyptus gums, fir trees, small plots of vegetables and many different fruit trees - figs, apples, pears, cherries and nuts. None ready for picking but should be a bumper crop this year. We stopped at Mino for a coffee and bread and jam. Everynow and then we got glimpses of the river estuary.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW89jzKENqTG5qkinFA_K6QVWjsemXXBxYMvUy8RBaX3IGdO6PZYriA3jZP-fAa3vEoBQtQoM-VitH5_fdkYccfAb6LR5tSzmR_YYQkq2c9O8vSLNPwyneZJc_cZ2vJgnQuYg2F453_ho/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055385620830418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW89jzKENqTG5qkinFA_K6QVWjsemXXBxYMvUy8RBaX3IGdO6PZYriA3jZP-fAa3vEoBQtQoM-VitH5_fdkYccfAb6LR5tSzmR_YYQkq2c9O8vSLNPwyneZJc_cZ2vJgnQuYg2F453_ho/s320/Camino+2009+2+072.JPG" /></a>When we reached Betanzos at about 1:30pm most of the bars in the square were closing. We visited the tourist office for a sello and directions to the Cheino Bar for a room. On Johnnie´s guide it is 15€ each but she charged us 20€ each for a small room with a bathroom down at the end of the passage. We found an internet cafe <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiqfhRldM69wsv7KHzglT3ak1k3KjOIGszIDRLD9YQ-IyL8Am_Ewt2JXcgizCoDog3lvgWXa8Nz-KIwaO1zumjvYr4kZP-u385xxHGSPY22Jhn0L9IYRWVuVmCM5WaO07y6_VcVfyXj0/s1600-h/Imagen+082.jpg"></a>but had to wait until 4:30pm for it to open. We found a supermecado and bought a made salad, some olives, cheese and a bottle of wine for Marion and had a feast in our room. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBv4c7k8gnLZkbQ6C_-ERGW0w36Xi-Cfd5J1gwec4omKwOP2EkVESSZVUdvgfBJ8_zYEttRiRslUzGGP-N2QnLA2oo76NntLAwYIpJR-BHOcTBxKxt2M12A6FWj-H-ubo73d-2Dptiw/s1600-h/263.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365053782074338466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBv4c7k8gnLZkbQ6C_-ERGW0w36Xi-Cfd5J1gwec4omKwOP2EkVESSZVUdvgfBJ8_zYEttRiRslUzGGP-N2QnLA2oo76NntLAwYIpJR-BHOcTBxKxt2M12A6FWj-H-ubo73d-2Dptiw/s320/263.JPG" /></a></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBv4c7k8gnLZkbQ6C_-ERGW0w36Xi-Cfd5J1gwec4omKwOP2EkVESSZVUdvgfBJ8_zYEttRiRslUzGGP-N2QnLA2oo76NntLAwYIpJR-BHOcTBxKxt2M12A6FWj-H-ubo73d-2Dptiw/s1600-h/263.JPG"></a></strong></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-71017623279472206002009-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:002010-09-05T12:00:49.275-07:00Camino Ingles - Day 1: 21st June Ferrol to Pontedeume<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeTMGwzUg1xiav_jeD76WdNKMtfktRMQntvzzS8fDggSd_L-KyjXD8WnHsPkFv2lxwK1nUjD4qeh6svI5oVMWbcdASob6xWLU27KAehSEjCLLezcY_XacfVoUk_1ysyCsqAlbmKyvuEI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+059.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365030546008126642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeTMGwzUg1xiav_jeD76WdNKMtfktRMQntvzzS8fDggSd_L-KyjXD8WnHsPkFv2lxwK1nUjD4qeh6svI5oVMWbcdASob6xWLU27KAehSEjCLLezcY_XacfVoUk_1ysyCsqAlbmKyvuEI/s320/Camino+2009+2+059.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Marion</strong>I missed Val´s alarm clock this morning - Syl had set hers but for some reason it did not go off, we didn't really oversleep, were up at 6.15 and at the bus stop long before our bus was due. We went into the cafe to get something to eat and drink.<br />
It was a 2hr bus ride to A Coruna and then another 1 1/2hrs bus ride to Ferrol, by the time we reached Ferrol it was already 12.30 so we dicided it was already quite late to begin walking 25k´s so caught a taxi 1ok´s to Neda. Although the train and bus ride were very scenic it was great to get back on the road, was a bit tired of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBkr0VFpUa9kCi_oHShUtJ9LxwRxTTZDeVvqM4-afxb9ElE1NKtfwjHiQQr5lTbOxoMywPeDlBntpgcUtVoHTf0hUOg1Nnv8MAWHzGAkDUEbsiuJ6FUuJYCtaNAJkkkRZywYqLJwEBcQ/s1600-h/259.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365030538225902386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBkr0VFpUa9kCi_oHShUtJ9LxwRxTTZDeVvqM4-afxb9ElE1NKtfwjHiQQr5lTbOxoMywPeDlBntpgcUtVoHTf0hUOg1Nnv8MAWHzGAkDUEbsiuJ6FUuJYCtaNAJkkkRZywYqLJwEBcQ/s320/259.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a>sitting for so long. The secenery is very different here in Galicia, today we will be walking on the coast. We started off walking at 1.30pm and very soon we were on a secondary road climbing up and down (mostly up) with splendid views of the River Estuary. We walked through a few villages as one ended so another started. We walked through a couple of wooded forests, sometimes on grassy paths with grass almost as tall as us, some sand and rocky paths and some gravel and tar roads. All our walking today has been mostly in shade and it seemed mostly uphill. Always with pretty flowers alsonside of us and lots of wild cherry trees.<br />
All of a sudden coming down a slope we could see a large beach full of people. The beach is in the village Cabanes 1k from Pontedenme where we stayed the night. We walked down to the beach and then along the promenade to our village. The guide book suggested that we go to Bar Louis as they have rooms to let, we found Bar Louis quite easily and have a very comfortable room.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvVYZKnhiXBrJQOm_xWR-8VTsIcvmfypFlWl6Egw6MrLY5nrEQplpT_rJNVn6TQilff2FcsagQQDHGgd78dpcRiVAVVBEAHgofJBrkY0sSMWfTF2r5mOm4W5gSyNtoStYQIgCLy_W7dw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365033868180832914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvVYZKnhiXBrJQOm_xWR-8VTsIcvmfypFlWl6Egw6MrLY5nrEQplpT_rJNVn6TQilff2FcsagQQDHGgd78dpcRiVAVVBEAHgofJBrkY0sSMWfTF2r5mOm4W5gSyNtoStYQIgCLy_W7dw/s320/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 279px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeTMGwzUg1xiav_jeD76WdNKMtfktRMQntvzzS8fDggSd_L-KyjXD8WnHsPkFv2lxwK1nUjD4qeh6svI5oVMWbcdASob6xWLU27KAehSEjCLLezcY_XacfVoUk_1ysyCsqAlbmKyvuEI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+059.jpg"></a><br />
This part of the camino doesn´t have many albergues so we will mostly stay in rooms or hostals. We settled in and both of us were hungry so went out to find something to eat. As usual most places were closed and would only open for dinner at 9.00pm far to late for us. It was 6.00pm and we really did not want to wait until 9.00pm. We walked around for a bit and luckily found a cafeteria adjoined to a hotel that was open and had a delicious salad and large plate of chips.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Sil</strong>We left the Hotel early and made our way around the ancient Lugo wall to the bus station. Two years ago, Marion, Finn, Anneliese and I walked the circumference of the wall along the walk way at the top and I still have a certificate on my wall at home that I received in 2004 after giving a donation to help preserve the wall. This time we kept to the lower <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ANwCzi2E9-_e9hV4ssgmmOqFed9QwBwJl7iDh1PNrqJeltlnyKZr9GP2Mucvc3uzE2GrlfzjPQuTKpnP3kBbWhhpld7EtLYXAJfym_zgrqyGd64ZOu1CcoavzF6vTAMkbgiaqOszh0A/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+061.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365035007634934082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ANwCzi2E9-_e9hV4ssgmmOqFed9QwBwJl7iDh1PNrqJeltlnyKZr9GP2Mucvc3uzE2GrlfzjPQuTKpnP3kBbWhhpld7EtLYXAJfym_zgrqyGd64ZOu1CcoavzF6vTAMkbgiaqOszh0A/s320/Camino+2009+2+061.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 224px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>pavements on our way to the station.<br />
Depressing places stations. Especially over a weekend when there are few people and nothing is open. We discovered that there were no buses to Ferrol until 4pm so we opted on taking a bus to A Coruna and another from there to Ferrol.<br />
<br />
We got the 8h10 bus to A Coruna, a 2 hour trip north to Betanzos and then veering west to A Coruna. We just missed the 10am bus to Ferrol and to wait an hour for the next one which was a slow bus and would take 1.45 hour to get there. We headed south to Betanzos again and then veered east towards Ferrol arriving there at about<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL05cw3q85CfLTxm2ejvz_G09EgJMIirYTa0Tw1pXTZO1Wvp0x-kD7B0V0zSVSpDlzxsEoPoHkYUlEmJuPIgXRhLEd6q3dm4g81vsoqx6DpVaWhW83oRGTeCkfy8xX9d132_bcYa-DGvs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+063.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365033861186936834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL05cw3q85CfLTxm2ejvz_G09EgJMIirYTa0Tw1pXTZO1Wvp0x-kD7B0V0zSVSpDlzxsEoPoHkYUlEmJuPIgXRhLEd6q3dm4g81vsoqx6DpVaWhW83oRGTeCkfy8xX9d132_bcYa-DGvs/s320/Camino+2009+2+063.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 242px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
12h40.<br />
When we got there we had to decide what to do. Start walking to Neda 10 kms away and spend a night there: start walking the 25kms to Pontedeume (our original plan) which could take us ± 7 hours depending on the terrain. That would mean getting there at 8pm - too late for us.<br />
Third option was to get a taxi 10km to Neda and start walking the rest of the 15km from there. We opted for plan 3 and took a taxi to the church of Santa Maria in Neda and started walking at about 1h30pm. The distance would still qualify Marion for a Compostela .<br />
At first it was confusing following the arrows - <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAbV81xKU7cezQPMjnyhl_uG0Um1gURlpNEZi9_LvBTEMJEhCn0uw2iajo_HO4kQ5pnaIHAF_IL1Z4x7BVnYaQsv5F4amGU8Qya2m-V2zv8KnoXuPREw-5mQtEv3b80uV9-QLCAYzHF4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+066.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365033852172761410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAbV81xKU7cezQPMjnyhl_uG0Um1gURlpNEZi9_LvBTEMJEhCn0uw2iajo_HO4kQ5pnaIHAF_IL1Z4x7BVnYaQsv5F4amGU8Qya2m-V2zv8KnoXuPREw-5mQtEv3b80uV9-QLCAYzHF4/s320/Camino+2009+2+066.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>some psychedelic yellow or green, others blue, some road paint yellow. Once we got used to the different signs we were fine.<br />
The camino Ingles is very well marked with arrows and stele with shells. We hardly ever had to check Johnnie Walker´s notes but did so whenever there were confusing signs. It must´ve been a nightmare planning this route through forests, away from main roads, around little hamlets, industrial estates, across fields and through small hamlets past subsistence farms and alleys behind people´s houses.<br />
Eventually we arrived at Cabanas at about 4:30pm to find thousands of people crammed <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wy6PhebL-7Y_JNBA9kuzcWGEONrxLeunFc8JgVb_8DmTfzflfBi8x0y8aMbVi4_9ucNGGeYb4jN4foF-u8-3aHmB3z9gP-ifK9PnSB_CyXogeOWn9Sj2Cvnltdl_XUU45SlDoOej7qQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365033856468970690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wy6PhebL-7Y_JNBA9kuzcWGEONrxLeunFc8JgVb_8DmTfzflfBi8x0y8aMbVi4_9ucNGGeYb4jN4foF-u8-3aHmB3z9gP-ifK9PnSB_CyXogeOWn9Sj2Cvnltdl_XUU45SlDoOej7qQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>onto the beaches and under the trees with cars jamming the little road we had to walk on to cross the river Eume into Pontedeume. We followed Johnnie´s directions, found the road San Augustin and Bar Louis (with the help of a kindly gentleman at a nearby bar) and were soon ensconced in a comfortable room with a modern en suite bathroom, all for 24€ for the room. Excellent value. Once washed and sorted we went out looking for food. Nearly every bar was closed to diners but we found the cafeteria at the Hotel across the road and a woman took pity on us starving pilgrims and made us a large salad and plate of chips with bread and vino. We scoffed the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeohaaT6-T78fOap0Lcr3WMZakcu2MUxAFX8hFF_fuUwhLcZMmZ6yBAb05979UzXBqV-04F3iFj_2kPXZ-HXmRE8n0J1gAC2pBTXSsDVtD2nSYh8ZlXXI6_ab99q38u86D1bwi0Moi7M/s1600-h/258.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365030532725271458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeohaaT6-T78fOap0Lcr3WMZakcu2MUxAFX8hFF_fuUwhLcZMmZ6yBAb05979UzXBqV-04F3iFj_2kPXZ-HXmRE8n0J1gAC2pBTXSsDVtD2nSYh8ZlXXI6_ab99q38u86D1bwi0Moi7M/s320/258.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 272px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>lot and returned to our room.<br />
It was hot in the room so I tried to lift the metal, sliding window. It slipped and fell straight down, jamming the fingers on both hands between the bottom frame and the window. EEEEish!! It was like a guillotine and I lost my breath before shouting at Marion to open the window. The middle three fingers on my left hand were bleeding on top with deep purple blood blisters on the soft fleshy underneath parts. The right hand was more painful as they had been caught on the knuckles and were swelling fast. I ran to the bathroom and put them under a running tap. Marion went across the road to the cafeteria and told them she needed ice by pointing at <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C5K4txSx9PFKD-V8HoxI3xCyebwSnd54ts2zEvyN5pkHMV2vS4Hj5sZYaoGRZzi4woObKUfFReBpQ0eXrk17MR0OCBbLpMPAkTWyDaHiGUk6ibXgys1twV_aQY4AIRobw_Ndk3O3wRE/s1600-h/256.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365030531638758818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C5K4txSx9PFKD-V8HoxI3xCyebwSnd54ts2zEvyN5pkHMV2vS4Hj5sZYaoGRZzi4woObKUfFReBpQ0eXrk17MR0OCBbLpMPAkTWyDaHiGUk6ibXgys1twV_aQY4AIRobw_Ndk3O3wRE/s320/256.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>someone´s drink. We put the ice in my facecloth glove and I held the cloth in both hands. If the window had been any wider open it might have chopped my fingers off! All I could think of was "How am I going to work at the albergue in Corcubion with broken fingers??"<br />
I took two anti-inflamatories and, unused to drugs, they knocked me out. I was fast asleep, hands on my chest like a mummy in pose for the rest of the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div><div><br />
<div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-67977353189513032992009-06-22T11:32:00.000-07:002009-08-01T08:57:19.873-07:00Travelling Day<strong>Marion</strong><br />This morning we had breakfast together and then had to say goodbye to Val. I am so sorry she is not walking the rest of the way with us. I will miss my drinking partner!!<br />Syl and I spent nearly 2 hrs walking around Pampolona looking for an internet cafe but without success.<br />We caught a bus to the station and thought we would have something to eat at the station resturant before catching the train. Well one look at the food and decided against it and to rather just have a coffee and Syl a coke and we both had a packet of crisps.<br />We are now on the train almost a 10hr journey. Lovely scenery but a long and tiring journey. The train has a cafetaria so we have had somthing to eat and drink to pass the time. We change trains at Monforte at 8.oopm and will arrive in Lugo at 21.55. Luckily we are staying in a hotel tonight very close to the station and tomorrow catch our bus at 8.00am.<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />After a sad hug and a goodbye to Val, Marion and I walked around Pamplona before getting a bus to the train station in Pamplona and the train at 13h10 to Lugo. It was a long, looooooong... journey. Pamplona to Monforte Lemos, 8 hours - a 50 minute wait and then another hour to Lugo.<br />It was strange to pass ´camino´places along the way. Most looked very tired passing through the backsides of the towns! Burgos, Sahagun, Leon, Astorga, Sarria ... all with unkept yards, graffitti covered station walls and large, dirty blocks with washing hanging from every floor.<br />Passing through the meseta at breakneck speed was weird. Rolling brown fields for as far as the eye could see and the occasional stork swooping down from a church tower.<br />At 18h45 at Ponferrada the temperature was 32oC. When we arrived at Lugo at 10pm the sun was just setting and it was quite cool. We found the Hotel Muralla across the road from the train station - 40€ for a large triple room with en suite. Good value. We were exhausted (from doing nothing all day) and went straight to bed.<br /><br /><strong>Val - (sacked Minister of Nutrition)</strong><br />I am writing this again 3rd time...first time Tombi chewed it up, second time I deleted it instead of publishing it! Here we go again.....this morning we had breakfast together and then parted company. But we went to a wonderful food market and I took pictures of the fish counter which was amazing, I bought some walnuts and they had bags of snails hanging and they were still alive and their little heads were coming out between the netting...it was horrid.<br />I worry about Syl on her own but know that she is the most capable person and will be fine. I am also glad that I will soon be back in my own bed! I couldn't imagine anything worse that working at an Alburgue for 2 weeks and cleaning it...but Syl will do this with absolute aplomb.<br />I head for the department store which is huge and lovely and I love Pamplona....there is something exciting about being in a city for the first time...and with a credit card! (or two).<br />I go straight to the cooks' floor and buy a real Spanish Tortilla pan, the sort with two pans which hinge together so you can flip it over (I cooked one when I got home and was really pleased with it!).<br />I bought two espresso stove top coffee makers, that makes about 4 we own now! But these are stainless steel and good looking. I buy a pair of shoes and some luggage but now my feet are really hurting and swelling up so I have to give in and go back to the hotel.<br />I call a taxi, sort out my luggage and then he arrives. Any Spanish that I possessed deserts me and between flapping my arms and looking up at the sky the taxi driver says "Aerporto" and we are on our way. He attempts to ask me where I am from and I think he is asking where am I FROM, so I say South Africa, and he says "oh Blanco" yep white. But what he meant was where have I walked from, so eventually I click and say Lourdes. We travel the remainder of the journey in silence. Conversation has been limited this trip to "where have you walked from, where are you walking to and where are you from...South Africa...oh Blanco"<br /><br />I fly to Barcelona and hit the duty free... Martin sms's me to say the card is beeping away and I assure him that the shops are about to close. I finish shopping and go to a bar have a couple of glasses of wine and write my blog... which Tombi chews up, I retype and delete it and type it again.....I love people watching and next to me are two 'oaks' from Melrose...well they have that on their t shirts...looks like some bar in Melrose. They see some young girls (American) and begin to swap the usual macho remarks and I think you 'oakes' don't stand a chance...they really are not great looking but I like them 'cause they are South African and I am homesick. Then the flight is ready and we board. I take out my contact lenses and settle down for the long trip to JHB. However, we then learn that we are only flying to Madrid where the passengers will split to catch connecting flights to Montevideo, Mexico and JHB. I must say I thought it strange that so many Spanish people would be flying to JHB. Problem, I have taken my contacts out and now have to run to catch the connecting flight. I cannot see and do not have time to put the lenses in so a young couple from Port Elizabeth take pity on me and I follow them up and down escalators and on the train. I also look out for my Melrose 'oakes' so I shouldn't get lost...really don't fancy Mexico tonight. Finally on the plane and my feet are huge and swollen and shooting with pain.<br />I have a couple of glasses of tinto and have a really good sleep. However, the changing of planes has left my itineary really tight and I have barely 10 minutes to spare to get to the boarding gates. I go to the baggage carousel and don't for one moment expect my case to be there given all of the plane changes. And even if it is, I couldn't get it wrapped at Pamplona so they have probably had their pickings at the notorious JHB airport.<br />I don't find it straightaway so do the usual recce to find out where Baggage Services are...have you noticed how it used to be called Lost Baggage, then Baggage Enquiries and now most are Baggage Services...you can just imagine.<br />" Hello baggage, and what can we do for you? She what, sat on you to get your zip done up and then called you a 'cheap and nasty little suitcase'...well that's physical and mental abuse. Well we can offer you a week in Dubai...oh, had enough of shopping with her have you...well what about a week in the sun with the bronze Samsonite over there and his friend who is real leather? Ok, well just a week because we have to return you within 10 days, have our reputation to protect you know."<br />And along comes my case, in perfect condition...I race through Nothing to Declare but get the eye and am called out of the queue. Then the custom officer says to unlock and undo my back pack and the first thing to come our is the lovely and very expensive Chorizo that I bought at the airport. He takes out his penknife and cuts it through and then chucks it into the dustbin...ouch!<br />Anymore he says, I tell a porkie and say no. Then he takes out the bag of walnuts and cuts it open so they fall on the floor, what are they he says...nuts I say, ok. Then I scramble and pick them up not sure if I am allowed to have them and escape when he then moves to the next person. I race to the boarding gate realising that my cell is flat and I have to quickly phone Martin. I buy some sweets with a R10 note and get change which I duly put into the wrong slot and it doesn't refund. Buy another sweet and get change and this time get through to Martin.<br />Then race to the gates and board the plane to Durban...I want to be home now.<br />I arrive, get my suitcase and see Martin immediately, what a lovely sight. He takes me home, opens a bottle of champagne and presents me with a beautiful basket of my favourite flowers of roses and lilies. My feet are huge but the Champagne works as a pain killer but Martin has anti-inflammatories ready and by the morning they are beginning to go down.<br />I had a lovely nights sleep after one of my favourite meals cooked by Martin...seafood pasta with the mussels which Martin had gathered. Next morning off for an overhaul, hair and nails and to feel human again and then finally to the biokinecist to sort out my feet.<br />I have torn the ligaments and my achilles and have some therapy and then sent off strapped up and told to stop wearing high heels and start stretching...the reason is that my calves are too tight and the stoney terrain and not doing my boots up to the ankles has probably been the cause. But he said it was going to happen because my calves are just too tight and I am upset, because it has really knocked my confidence of a long walk again. I am cross because I did 700km in Italy without so much as a blister and this trip has only been around 300kms.<br />And so Bon Camino my two friends, go well and return safely......Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-28706671918745459942009-06-20T02:32:00.001-07:002009-08-01T08:34:05.191-07:00Day 14: Eunate to Pamplona<strong>Marion</strong><br />Jean had told us last night that breakfast would be at 7.ooam. When we went down to the kitchen he had laid out such a spread. I cou<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qKIO04Kx99wiaJysD3N9v-HkY5gAgWcOkZ7PLvzn3IwFkewlSUin95cqmXfagJSQs6dayhB5gNDR5Mp9Xz-6xKunH3JzbE4HaiNAPJ2TM0AnDl4f9oAugYEgYgERDT5nO14cvXupr90/s1600-h/Imagen+057.jpg"></a>ld not do justice to the breakfast as I was still so full from the night before. The generosity of Jean was amazing as our accomodation and food was not a set price but by donation.<br />We started off walking between 7.30 and 8.ooam a lot cooler again. We had not gone very far when it started raining, at first spitting and then a bit harder so we stopped and put on our raincoats. We had a long climb up on river boulders, rocks and stones, we were walking against a very strong wind. We passed a lot of pilgrims who were walking the opposite way. Often stopped and chattered to them. When we reached the top Alto del Perdon the wind was howling and lots of mist. Their was a combi parked at the top selling drinks and snacks, so we had a coffee took some photos of the splendid views and the metal peregrinas and started our steep decent again on, boulders, rocks and stones. By 1/2 way down it had become quite hot so we stopped and took off our raincoats.<br />Coming down we had splendid views of Pamplona and took a few photos. In Pamplona we are staying in a super hotel we have a large room for the three of us and of course our own toilet and bathroom. It is amazing how excited we were to discover in our bathroom, large fluffy towls, shampoo, soap, we could have a shower or a bath even a bidet and ,can you believe it a hair dryer. After bathing an<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vcRj3l-cQ9J6Kar8kglCopNjZSH6XmMk9xg5EZJnCzMi8mVfh685XHG7BTgeeetpkEKgjmG8JqNvs7YSwg0IundO3AvslnQlbntsFjYDuo3RG8XnketxIB3roDQd2EcSOPskAg8EKJs/s1600-h/249.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365007595969951218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vcRj3l-cQ9J6Kar8kglCopNjZSH6XmMk9xg5EZJnCzMi8mVfh685XHG7BTgeeetpkEKgjmG8JqNvs7YSwg0IundO3AvslnQlbntsFjYDuo3RG8XnketxIB3roDQd2EcSOPskAg8EKJs/s320/249.JPG" /></a>d doing our washing which we hung all over the bathroom and the room we spent a couple of hours wandering around the city. Unfortunately we never found an internet cafe to post on the blog. One thing I could not get over is that every car in Pamplona has a dent or or two on their car. I think the roads are so narrow that they bump into each other all the time or take the corners too sharply. Val very kindly took us out for dinner for her last night in Spain.<br /><br /><strong>Sil </strong><br />Everyone in our room is up just after 6am. Breakfast is all ready for us when we get downstairs. Jams, marmelades, madelena cakes, toast, cheese, salami - coffee, various teas and hot <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL0JyoZBZ0XLqTAScAeXwu2eXcrlEQZ2evcvtspRwtFNDGH6zYkSx3wKfiN8dK94bhwwtifgev3DPiD0i-at4JnLqQBVhYjMwvZMTIgD1Sk5cmjhrtqPiJDomqwfLv1Y8Tkru_Hq-K08/s1600-h/250.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365007593598396946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL0JyoZBZ0XLqTAScAeXwu2eXcrlEQZ2evcvtspRwtFNDGH6zYkSx3wKfiN8dK94bhwwtifgev3DPiD0i-at4JnLqQBVhYjMwvZMTIgD1Sk5cmjhrtqPiJDomqwfLv1Y8Tkru_Hq-K08/s320/250.JPG" /></a>chocolate for me.<br />Today the clouds are heavy and there is a thick mist. Jean points out our road to Muruzabal. We will be waking against the 'camino tide' all the way to Pamplona.<br />´The sun will burn it off´I say. ´That´s what Martin always says´comments Val, ánd it never does!´ She is right. By the time we are on the path to Muruzabal the wind has strengthened and it is starting to rain. We take out our ALTUS raincoats for the first time since France. Everyone we meet is walking from east to west and we are walking to eastwards to Pamplona. We pass through Uterga and many pilgrims stop to ask us why we are <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVToHDl-fGQ7P3Qp_ocrsFfts_ANIFVfxE-KFx3sU7KP1JjB2ZMNruhQ3gl2zF8_XC7vdlvsZ96npPUnmoNdTW2PZ8GpphrXpIszydNrmy1aoSG0xoM8pPgdBnLfgO1VRsiJHEYefDVoQ/s1600-h/251.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365007588955134802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVToHDl-fGQ7P3Qp_ocrsFfts_ANIFVfxE-KFx3sU7KP1JjB2ZMNruhQ3gl2zF8_XC7vdlvsZ96npPUnmoNdTW2PZ8GpphrXpIszydNrmy1aoSG0xoM8pPgdBnLfgO1VRsiJHEYefDVoQ/s320/251.JPG" /></a>going in the opposite direction. Most have pale complexions, showing that they have just started walking (we look like walnuts). By the time we reach the rocky path up to the Alto del Perdon the wind is howling and we are being buffeted so strongly that even our sticks are swaying in the wind.<br />"So, you have had a nice easy camino, along sundrenched paths, no rain for two weeks and very little wind? ´Hmmmm??´ponder the Gods of the Winds. Let´s end this camino with a flourish." And so they do. The wind nearly blows us off the mountain. The rain is lashing down. It is a gruelling climb up the slipery river boulder <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9gHAonGDi-wrIeP2jT43N3sA7BCfIpj5PZ5PNyPbaDrFu-ivzp5LDULjX8luCKIfQStJQ7Zl-ICHHJTYyMi4m1vMTyTLt-hrwAYTrIj6mvfS1UkEax4jAkq5_K2iki6JMHbCsplAAVc/s1600-h/253.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006972661146754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9gHAonGDi-wrIeP2jT43N3sA7BCfIpj5PZ5PNyPbaDrFu-ivzp5LDULjX8luCKIfQStJQ7Zl-ICHHJTYyMi4m1vMTyTLt-hrwAYTrIj6mvfS1UkEax4jAkq5_K2iki6JMHbCsplAAVc/s320/253.JPG" /></a>strewn path to the top of the Alto. There is a van parked there with a fellow offering coffee and food. We buy a cup of coffee but delcine the food. We take photos of the metal sculptures and then start our descent. It is muddy and narrow and we jostle on the path with pilgrims coming up.<br />´Where are you coming from?´asks a couple. ´We started in Lourdes we say, and have walked the Aragones. We are now going to Pamnplona.´ They look impressed. ´<br />We have just started´they say, ánd already we are exhausted. Will they make it to Santiago? I hope so. The sun comes out and we walk uphill to Cizur Menor. Val thinks that we are in Pamplona. She <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZmveSVDj6IFRbgFFKj5Gaec_9s6kGozc5dzSCdyWKp-j0H-Ied01ZIk8XR7pnQHhymZ9C2f2jwb0dSVHuXxIdS2VLB28qcMOwkmwmeFDb4v8i4ZeUQPAaOT5U_uRpk-Qh2O6b41z-L0/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+044.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006968522166370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZmveSVDj6IFRbgFFKj5Gaec_9s6kGozc5dzSCdyWKp-j0H-Ied01ZIk8XR7pnQHhymZ9C2f2jwb0dSVHuXxIdS2VLB28qcMOwkmwmeFDb4v8i4ZeUQPAaOT5U_uRpk-Qh2O6b41z-L0/s320/Camino+2009+2+044.jpg" /></a>takes off her boots and puts on her Crocs. She has already given her sticks away. ¨We are at 45th Cutting¨I say ¨we still have about 5kms to go to the centre of Pamplona.<br />I feel bad for her. We could have a got a bus to Pamplona but I wanted her to walk to the final city so that she would feel the same sense of achievement as when we walked into Rome. This walk is turning into a long, hard slog for her instead. sWe stop at a cafe-bar where three women are eating huge plates of eggs, sausage and chips. We are told that the kitchen is now closed so we just have something to drink. We continue onto Pamplona which we can see ahead of us all <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfcAFX9C5oUgskuloiP1dlMsTctTvFx_NCSf0MWooSt_dk1El3T7VIrUkaRwEqk59rFo0FihaH6gYEPU1WWgeqxIaG5svMYBEYhqWsg5LHX_PQmz6w6yNeDid6LOsHX7faw6Cj1ARgSo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+045.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006957510524082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfcAFX9C5oUgskuloiP1dlMsTctTvFx_NCSf0MWooSt_dk1El3T7VIrUkaRwEqk59rFo0FihaH6gYEPU1WWgeqxIaG5svMYBEYhqWsg5LHX_PQmz6w6yNeDid6LOsHX7faw6Cj1ARgSo/s320/Camino+2009+2+045.jpg" /></a>the way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG10QCQvSm7nYTjAsRdmGEvBjgUovHaaONX11JQiO2gB6WtVv6qPhcFk_B386BeWoKnuIf1uoVRVRCBM6HKjpH19I91tAnP5aznlFt_ewiY1zmQVCzPFqrVX2WbEAthGIMrwDWCu9jtA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+049.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006422040914706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG10QCQvSm7nYTjAsRdmGEvBjgUovHaaONX11JQiO2gB6WtVv6qPhcFk_B386BeWoKnuIf1uoVRVRCBM6HKjpH19I91tAnP5aznlFt_ewiY1zmQVCzPFqrVX2WbEAthGIMrwDWCu9jtA/s320/Camino+2009+2+049.jpg" /></a>We follow a rather boring, route through the outskirts along the camino signs in the cyclist´s lane all the way to the Plaza del Castillo. We find our hotel and check in.<br />This is the end of the Aragones for us three and the end of the camino for Val. After a lovely looooong... hot soak in the bath, Marion and I walk to the Plaza del Castillo to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMNIRVPh4sDkyKZ4QCTZkR2H3Bk88B9JaXHLaVqlPvNX9rdga5KD5hR_3yI4ZUpzYeCOWvkda1Cg6nFcNrz22T9np82GFWrtn8iJc0EvoAP9yC_TnBRSkdYd7IaKKEPaoJYRRQ81giHA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+050.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 220px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006421195030194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMNIRVPh4sDkyKZ4QCTZkR2H3Bk88B9JaXHLaVqlPvNX9rdga5KD5hR_3yI4ZUpzYeCOWvkda1Cg6nFcNrz22T9np82GFWrtn8iJc0EvoAP9yC_TnBRSkdYd7IaKKEPaoJYRRQ81giHA/s320/Camino+2009+2+050.jpg" /></a>find the internet cafe up the side street but it is closed. We go back to the hotel and the three of us wander around the old city looking at the exhibits in the square. We take Val to Cortes Ingles and I buy a Spanish Sim Card for my cell phone. I buy our train tickets at the Renfe office across the road.<br />We ask for a referral for the best restaurant to have tapas. "Iruna" we are told is the most popular. We have a drink next door at the Hemingway bar and Val stands us to our last <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoku6K03BpcgJp-3g2vLwShBHo2N2yXw7tkhRzB7CLoFiUsP7fxICpAFpd3iLMGhsu1_xf7tVw0ZB6MQSOuplAOz4SjM7Axyrip3Vb8xLAQDHG_i-NfqeUdZdOphKhl8HRXN4wm70ndMk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+053.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005871706384658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoku6K03BpcgJp-3g2vLwShBHo2N2yXw7tkhRzB7CLoFiUsP7fxICpAFpd3iLMGhsu1_xf7tVw0ZB6MQSOuplAOz4SjM7Axyrip3Vb8xLAQDHG_i-NfqeUdZdOphKhl8HRXN4wm70ndMk/s320/Camino+2009+2+053.jpg" /></a>supper at the Iruna.<br />Back at the hotel we sort through all our stuff and I give Val a few items to take back to South Africa - tights, fleece, chill-cheater pants which I doubt I will need again on this trip. She lays out her medical supplies and Marion and I decide what we need to replenish our stocks. My pack seems much lighter and I am even able to fit my boots into it. Tomorrow I will wear the Crocs on the train.<br /><br /><strong>Sil - 20th June: Morning in Pamplona<br /></strong>We decide to have a last breakfast together and I take Val and M to the little cafe-bar off the Plaza <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pz4Kc49bDq_F8AahBUESvh8lwxRMh1bGOzLc_XKs5-oTgsrmTsIgPGLIfrT6fgE5aEe4tPi6_vTavaJbPS4qQn_xVnfvGxGnHlLodz5iIhVtpVn55-U8wRyEY2QZiSN1hrMqLPjHHcg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+054.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005872721123746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pz4Kc49bDq_F8AahBUESvh8lwxRMh1bGOzLc_XKs5-oTgsrmTsIgPGLIfrT6fgE5aEe4tPi6_vTavaJbPS4qQn_xVnfvGxGnHlLodz5iIhVtpVn55-U8wRyEY2QZiSN1hrMqLPjHHcg/s320/Camino+2009+2+054.jpg" /></a>del Castillo where they serve delicious churros con chocolate. We then meander down the 'calle antica' to the St Jacques Puerta, meeting a few pilgrims coming up the hill into the old city.<br />Val wants to do shopping so we say goodbye and Marion and I collect our things from the hotel and walk down to the bus stop where we get a bus to the train station.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition<br /></strong>Well we bid our farewells to Jean and other Pilgrims and start to walk, Jean calls out "wrong way" but Syl points out that we are indeed going the right way, to Pamplona where they will catch transport to commence their next walk. and I will fly home.</div><div>As such we are walking "against" the pilgrims, the most I have seen on this trip. We walk up as they walk down! When we get to the top it is like being on the English Moors, it is thick mist but beautiful. A man has a campervan where he is offering hot coffee and chocolate, and yes Spanish Tortilla (By the way, I am writing this after my return - I have had to start from scratch because Tombi, my puppy Great Dane ate all the notes that I sat and wrote in the airport waiting room) anyway....one of my purchases was a Tortilla pan and I made Martin a rather good Tortilla that Sebastien would have been impressed with.... anyway...we stop and have a coffee and take pictures of "The Pilgrims Monument on El Perdon mountain pass"...they are life size statues which represents a group of pilgrims guided by the Milky Way and in just a few years has, become one of the most famous landmarks on the Jacobean Route.... I am absolutely captivated by it. We would have like to have had a photo with us inbetween the individuals, but the wind was blowing so hard, I fear we would have disappeared over the edge!<br />I start off ok as far as the feet go but very soon with the uneven terrain of stones, stones and more stones they give up. I can feel that they are very swollen now inside by boots. As we come down and out of the hills we begin to walk on tar roads and I completely misunderstand Syl because I think she says we are on the outskirts of Pamplona. I give my sticks away at the earliest opportunity... many pilgrims are setting out without sticks and have no idea what is awaiting them, climbing up in that wind.<br />Then off come the boots and on go the crocs and although my feet are feeling dreadful, I know I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiO6InMaD7bFv-fDR-du4W300P7NS7HjntyOb4-LGmco32q_G3P_MTt1tvvNZ9vj0u54f9vyjgjzFy1NBDaGHal8gjpOrNMU1agA5gPL3S-kzYXjw6ZcFbz8LgabtL8Np19MUFoIU8hs/s1600-h/368859.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006968493673250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiO6InMaD7bFv-fDR-du4W300P7NS7HjntyOb4-LGmco32q_G3P_MTt1tvvNZ9vj0u54f9vyjgjzFy1NBDaGHal8gjpOrNMU1agA5gPL3S-kzYXjw6ZcFbz8LgabtL8Np19MUFoIU8hs/s320/368859.jpg" /></a>am almost there.... we come to a bar and this time I say, girls I'm having a glass of tinto... I never drink wine during the walking day but hey...I 'm almost there!<br />Then I find out that we have to go through this small town and then walk on to Pamplona!! Hell, I am in agony now...I have no idea what is wrong with my feet although Syl has been saying that it is my Achilles and the pain is searing up through the back of the ankles.<br />Well we make it to Pamplona and I love its atmosphere immediately, it is buzzing and alive and very attractive. Our hotel is wonderful... Syl you are amazing! We have a "suite" with our room and a corridor and a bath with real soap, towels, hot water and a BATH! I cannot describe the feeling of lying in a bath with my throbbing feet being allowed to float.<br />I clear out my back pack - what a feeling...I set up a "shop" on the end of my bed for Syl and Marion to pick from...pegs, bandages, sheeps wool, etc. After they have had their pickings I dump the rest in the bin.<br />In the evening, we find a shop and I buy a small suitcase as I plan on shopping and will take a few small things home for the girls save them carrying them now. I empty my back pack into the suitcase...I need that for duty free.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRl5QXgpwPXaT6SxSt2xYQCunf3O5Whz3lkZcfMdyUYmQA-tIIiXdYQ56EEX8Gh36bNdmzQSPFp2my4PkgAojhVXz3VJ-ehMB99parL_YKBa_JkDxTEHcXowdC9tEcnrKifz8o7xiuHA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+055.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005870192648338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRl5QXgpwPXaT6SxSt2xYQCunf3O5Whz3lkZcfMdyUYmQA-tIIiXdYQ56EEX8Gh36bNdmzQSPFp2my4PkgAojhVXz3VJ-ehMB99parL_YKBa_JkDxTEHcXowdC9tEcnrKifz8o7xiuHA/s320/Camino+2009+2+055.jpg" /></a>I am taking the girls for supper to thank them for all they have done to make my trip so easy...Marion has made us rain suits, chill cheaters, bags and all sorts of things. Syl has made us wonderful spats..even with a SA flag(!) and has planned and booked the entire trip...also been shopping with us both....hilarious sometimes...in a shop Marion and I will pick up something and then behind us will come Syl "too heavy, don't need it, put it back!!"<br />We have asked advice as to which restaurant we should visit. Before supper we go into Ernest Hemingway's bar - it is beautiful...a life sized bronze statue of him leaning against the bar and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgEkl3BpusBExPDKhetOeqeGH625Is9m7MZtiVQymqbNH8tRlxdh9ID_3V6Zcd-_3MUXG23ae7PAY3c6Od_65vNddfHoLvdRYJ85Tuo5iofz0mmHehcRHkvak4s04tou6VyHfchbbgDU/s1600-h/Cafeteria03.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006419921313138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgEkl3BpusBExPDKhetOeqeGH625Is9m7MZtiVQymqbNH8tRlxdh9ID_3V6Zcd-_3MUXG23ae7PAY3c6Od_65vNddfHoLvdRYJ85Tuo5iofz0mmHehcRHkvak4s04tou6VyHfchbbgDU/s320/Cafeteria03.jpg" /></a>pictures and architecture. The barman has been here for something like 20 years. I have my first glass of Cava (excellent quality sparkling wine closest to Champagne) and it goes straight to my head! Then we move onto the restaurant (I think it was called Iruna - avoid it at all costs). Inside is stunning, it looks like an old railway station tea room, it has beautiful tiled floors, huge mirrors and lighting, gleaming bar. We looked at the menu at lunchtime and know exactly what we want. We have <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e1PjEz-77OXwTkx3ifsYKNMfBXN_17rj71wAnfVYN2d96c2yAP4aIOsge-KR0094FHCkTymjB-u9qMlONZBOuc4QqJ05HEwvFq8zn2aw5NUv7nQv68QNqkJKCYflaiQlEwjh8PXFQmE/s1600-h/comedor01.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365006417891599202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e1PjEz-77OXwTkx3ifsYKNMfBXN_17rj71wAnfVYN2d96c2yAP4aIOsge-KR0094FHCkTymjB-u9qMlONZBOuc4QqJ05HEwvFq8zn2aw5NUv7nQv68QNqkJKCYflaiQlEwjh8PXFQmE/s320/comedor01.jpg" /></a>another drink there and then move to our table. As is usual, we are brought wine and bread which we tuck into...it is around 930pm and we as usual are starving. Then finally we are given the menu...but it is different to the one we looked at lunchtime and missing much of the dishes we had chosen. However, we have drunk half the wine and all of the bread so we decide to stay.<br />Once again, there is not much for Syl to choose from..s o she has a salad to start (once again having to say no Tuna). Marion and I have seafood in a scallop shell which we thought was most appropriate...I refuse to call it by its correct name as it would be an insult to the real dish. It is a grey thick congealed sauce, which when prodded with a fork, comes away from the dish in one whole piece. It is disgusting.<br />Next course, none of us can have our desired dish so Syl has what is described as a potato bake but it comes with two fried eggs on top...poor Syl she never complains. Marion and I have 'confit <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3mXhIUGZN1fhSExWvW_nUbULnPBeOpS1mETeuaoJnRXffUF-Txo_MDiw4dfLG-EjGMBUVjc1T3q2cX7KmV_UlcXPYSVo5MaLNhVtdA8Is4pytlELEfO8UwoqUKdFWj-iZ0bJ30W39t8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+057.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005863322293330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3mXhIUGZN1fhSExWvW_nUbULnPBeOpS1mETeuaoJnRXffUF-Txo_MDiw4dfLG-EjGMBUVjc1T3q2cX7KmV_UlcXPYSVo5MaLNhVtdA8Is4pytlELEfO8UwoqUKdFWj-iZ0bJ30W39t8/s320/Camino+2009+2+057.jpg" /></a>of duck' and pork. Both dishes look exactly the same...some meat and chips with a brown gravy over... this again has been plated some hours ago and shoved in a microwave and has congealed around the edges.<br />Pudding was the best... a commercial icecream in a pastic tub which thankfully the "Chef" has not been able to get his hands on. It is one of the worst meals I have ever had and my last chance of eating something wonderful in Spain.<br />We are exhausted and go back to the hotel. I curl up in my bed and my feet are pulsing and shooting with pain but I know I will not have to walk tomorrow.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD7DzK1ZNhHaynl0dOGYsVDrvjVjgu-7_TmKaInxk7tGEc7EuX5i3xC3cS1xSwj8s6jRhskTVzn3favX343gDfD61SPPstNLJhRsJq-Apl-Odih1sXlDEPfTMDITzU-wUMy3u5LKeM-g/s1600-h/HPIM1206.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365005865904926322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD7DzK1ZNhHaynl0dOGYsVDrvjVjgu-7_TmKaInxk7tGEc7EuX5i3xC3cS1xSwj8s6jRhskTVzn3favX343gDfD61SPPstNLJhRsJq-Apl-Odih1sXlDEPfTMDITzU-wUMy3u5LKeM-g/s320/HPIM1206.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-59905368339110665232009-06-20T02:31:00.001-07:002009-08-01T07:09:52.752-07:00Day 13: Tiebas to Eunate<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqhTFumghxZtsFlQP0DNTTxqEKJeHtYvyfdCleXH-IEXys1QKx69j7OnGb4cwJVCZIUSwE7KWeUmhX7rmKzGe4gPSKasaAi0spyV096c93vub17HQ8J7CfNDY4c0vuOaE3IJ_P6GNKzk/s1600-h/243.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986916121580882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqhTFumghxZtsFlQP0DNTTxqEKJeHtYvyfdCleXH-IEXys1QKx69j7OnGb4cwJVCZIUSwE7KWeUmhX7rmKzGe4gPSKasaAi0spyV096c93vub17HQ8J7CfNDY4c0vuOaE3IJ_P6GNKzk/s320/243.JPG" /></a> <strong>Marion </strong><br />Had a bit of a lie in this morning until 6.30am as we only had a short walk to do today. There had been a storm during the night but was over by the morning. When we started walking it was very misty especialy over the mountains, so you could not see the tops of the windmills. It did not take long for the sun to begin burning off the mist and the tips of the windmills came peeping through and in no time at all we had sunshine and wonderful views. We mostly walked on very muddy slippery paths to Eunate. Eunate consists of a beautiful church very simple and a albergue. On the way we passed wheat fields, grape vines, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjwK0z9bblSLEN0drI9L_BqasY8_Ssz1oyQkYGvyrkBWRz47tZfxjsGtZ2AISrYj9Y3w5BAnIkgMT3M7xiyveU1SrjJhdIgqKoNi8zOGJKPNeVgh-uYDNqaw3efGilNeBHbRdoIKo1yM/s1600-h/236.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364987140594095010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjwK0z9bblSLEN0drI9L_BqasY8_Ssz1oyQkYGvyrkBWRz47tZfxjsGtZ2AISrYj9Y3w5BAnIkgMT3M7xiyveU1SrjJhdIgqKoNi8zOGJKPNeVgh-uYDNqaw3efGilNeBHbRdoIKo1yM/s320/236.JPG" /></a>olive groves and fields of sunflowers. Only saw one sunflower in bloom, it looked so yellow against all the green. We passed a cherry tree full of delicious cherries - stood drooling and Sylvia said No! No! No! The owner is probably relying on the fruit to make jam or to sell.<br />On the way we stopped at a village called Enériz, saw a local bakery and Val and I had a coffee and a tasty brown roll with cheese. Syl had some fruit, cheese with a hot choclate.<br />We arrived at Eunate at 11.00am and our albergue was only going to open at 4.oopm. Our <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmadwZgfGcCMiOhKYhs5mmBZXhT9X9fi9XCWid0IADKgI3kCqRUOby9RlpweM_bZlfWNaThNcz24gOlu_NC2d66s9_QDJIaPA-CeexB9pCs8xDYAAV-4WgCYebbDv03lSw-Ai0khlhh8/s1600-h/235.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 246px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364987148440902306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmadwZgfGcCMiOhKYhs5mmBZXhT9X9fi9XCWid0IADKgI3kCqRUOby9RlpweM_bZlfWNaThNcz24gOlu_NC2d66s9_QDJIaPA-CeexB9pCs8xDYAAV-4WgCYebbDv03lSw-Ai0khlhh8/s320/235.JPG" /></a>boots were so full of mud and had become so heavy because of the muddy paths so the first thing we did was to wash our boots under the tap and put on our sandals. There was a lovely grass area so we put down our bed bug sheets and rested on the grass in the shade. It was extremely hot and the time dragged a bit, eventually at 3:45pm the albergue opened.<br />Jean our hospitalero was French - such a friendly chap. He <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJTXQsFTjVs4yGDPR5UL8MoktdaIqINZ_gzv_8vt-VhPtxxidmB_JUrpyaj6-e226SJikofvvswYC_L7MeSH4rTqdTuyD_927X2kmXZR9mvWuoVjFHpmmNznTUFx487H9XnXsAhPMNSQ/s1600-h/233.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364987152578412866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJTXQsFTjVs4yGDPR5UL8MoktdaIqINZ_gzv_8vt-VhPtxxidmB_JUrpyaj6-e226SJikofvvswYC_L7MeSH4rTqdTuyD_927X2kmXZR9mvWuoVjFHpmmNznTUFx487H9XnXsAhPMNSQ/s320/233.JPG" /></a>showed us around his house and gave us all a glass of cool drink. He said that he had beenr unning the albergue and looking after the church for the last 3 years. We <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfEgyUEY6HISp3HvVj-M4pjlWjideAQOZSrgW3yvCUg5SOtQk9d5kCVRoDw-PcrfBYjp3Xyne3Txeduqdd20ijOuuH36P8epZqOzl_MKmZ5Ay7-h30OcaNPO47hC92ZcZaIdU3BmKMg4/s1600-h/241.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986918385350226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfEgyUEY6HISp3HvVj-M4pjlWjideAQOZSrgW3yvCUg5SOtQk9d5kCVRoDw-PcrfBYjp3Xyne3Txeduqdd20ijOuuH36P8epZqOzl_MKmZ5Ay7-h30OcaNPO47hC92ZcZaIdU3BmKMg4/s320/241.JPG" /></a>slept in a large room on mattresses on the floor (it was very comfortable). Jean said that he would be cooking supper for the pilgrims and we were to wash the dishes. After dinner he would take us into the church for a blessing.<br />At 8.oopm we sat down to a delicious 4 course meal - us 3 and another pilgrim. Just after we had finished washing the dishes another 2 French lady pilgrims arrived. So Jean took us all into the church, no lights were turned on, and we had our service with candle lights. We all had to read a verse and at the end he sang Ava Marie. It was all very beautiful. The 4 of us then went off to bed and Jean fed the other two pilgrims. Did not even <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZrT8e_7jT-2rf8KaO4FK5E-0AzEMgfBOvcDKE_CPW3qjve3X_lj3bvp5n5F1c7WyVP0qk19_lrtJrcwwGSfZbGER23gtcu2Ibkb5lTDA_v3y47U-0Gf_TbjodRi8oYXnqiy-dnA65_M/s1600-h/239.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 281px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364987135458706578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZrT8e_7jT-2rf8KaO4FK5E-0AzEMgfBOvcDKE_CPW3qjve3X_lj3bvp5n5F1c7WyVP0qk19_lrtJrcwwGSfZbGER23gtcu2Ibkb5lTDA_v3y47U-0Gf_TbjodRi8oYXnqiy-dnA65_M/s320/239.JPG" /></a>hear them come into the room.<br /><br /><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />An easy and short walk this morning although muddy - just as well for Marion and me. At the second village we managed to get coffee and Marion and I had a big cheese roll to try and make us feel human...egg and bacon would have been better. As you have gathered we are walking and staying in remote areas. The upside is that we are getting lots of clean, pure air, a suntan, very fit (hopefully losing weight) and very relaxed. As such upon my return, I expect you to say how <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndb4BiJ-xoAsltIgBWfhDdSdylpKuXyisPWma7uYDwfg_2puodiM9QNsidxhjgTq48B-jXbXIik3xOmM9wsJ1DLwbJMtSalYgWPgpTxU-eE_NmfZ-BBwv2JKXy7OHw4WqIB0NF-HpoQE/s1600-h/240.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986917825924306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndb4BiJ-xoAsltIgBWfhDdSdylpKuXyisPWma7uYDwfg_2puodiM9QNsidxhjgTq48B-jXbXIik3xOmM9wsJ1DLwbJMtSalYgWPgpTxU-eE_NmfZ-BBwv2JKXy7OHw4WqIB0NF-HpoQE/s320/240.JPG" /></a>wonderful I am looking and then whisper to each other "no way has she walked the Camino, she's had a nip and tuck!"<br />To give you an idea of just how remote some of the places are that we stay at, imagine after walking all day you come off the path to what was once a village, but all that is left are the ruins of a small castle and chapel. The houses are crumbling. The sign for the Alburgue points to the next corner and takes you through this 'ghost town' and then you find just one small building has been renovated. Here they have some beds, serve coffee and food and you have no option but to stay <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT8zkCxjKnPkN-UYkpRm1BdQwMpEh5eLWGLg5nmGh1C0RG8zfRiPYX0CuTj8TDiS6K51ABD_Y-Cnk6lGA6DfaW0C9Qvo3TlLsffxwNXLK-so5_4xr6qbGK1lrAr_dRukZFQvz7nkD5BI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+038.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364982442286519970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisT8zkCxjKnPkN-UYkpRm1BdQwMpEh5eLWGLg5nmGh1C0RG8zfRiPYX0CuTj8TDiS6K51ABD_Y-Cnk6lGA6DfaW0C9Qvo3TlLsffxwNXLK-so5_4xr6qbGK1lrAr_dRukZFQvz7nkD5BI/s320/Camino+2009+2+038.jpg" /></a>there...talk about a monopoly.<br />Then of course there is the delicate subject of bowel movements. It comes close to the English obsession with the weather. One says "I'm going to the bathroom they say"..we look knowingly and our looks say "go well", "good luck". When they return, the door opens and "yes, yes yes!"they say punching the air with their fist..."great" we say, green with envy. Walking along "How's it going?" "Been 3 days now" "Agh, Shame, perhaps tomorrow" For more on this subject we highly recommend the following reading "How to Shit in the Woods" by Katherine Spinks. Of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD3OxpoeinRVpkvAhyOnblid-UAaR2iabMrbSRWacXA_HaRUkeR9TwncB0Vxc1J44IsMkb-i-eboG_w0ciEyPjEbgXWlts2f2v3xztqQxZoEn72vc6tv3Qgfn5tJH9XgK87CDPZI1d18/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+039.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 94px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364982444803732178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnD3OxpoeinRVpkvAhyOnblid-UAaR2iabMrbSRWacXA_HaRUkeR9TwncB0Vxc1J44IsMkb-i-eboG_w0ciEyPjEbgXWlts2f2v3xztqQxZoEn72vc6tv3Qgfn5tJH9XgK87CDPZI1d18/s320/Camino+2009+2+039.jpg" /></a>course it doesn't help when you realise, as I did today that I have for the past 4 days been taking Immodium instead of my daily tablet!!!<br />As we climb the next path, there in the middle of fields is a tiny church "Ermita De Santa Maria de Eunate". There is little known about this Church <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4joGdAzChBWF7DH4YXaqgbxcTQ60IXdnCuRuQtpluqkxoAZNxpeZLJ5AFZPnkU07gMuYWC6Oe3MTsOxn8DZFck065I0l-RettGtcOtxR9RcSXwY-eIMe-FmAY0ylVnv_UqmjHRFztQjw/s1600-h/242.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986913973770354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4joGdAzChBWF7DH4YXaqgbxcTQ60IXdnCuRuQtpluqkxoAZNxpeZLJ5AFZPnkU07gMuYWC6Oe3MTsOxn8DZFck065I0l-RettGtcOtxR9RcSXwY-eIMe-FmAY0ylVnv_UqmjHRFztQjw/s320/242.JPG" /></a>and they have built an Albergue next door where we are hoping to stay. It doesn't open until later and we have 5 hours to wait. There is nothing to do but lie in the sweltering sun. Syl and Marion came here last time but it was closed so we are going to wait and see and if not we will have to walk to the next place.<br />A lovely man arrives and lets us in early, he is off loading lots of food which he has collected from Pamplona and he is going to cook for us tonight. For the next few hours he works hard in the kitchen but will not allow us to help him. He provides us with a superb meal of vegetable soup, decorated with cream <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAeSjPLbMAniQK0X3QGD7Kt_VNGs1trAaf27RwsuauJO_b2Rw1U8TC_xqis9IzXDDwL0yDbwMtqXbT8qsO7I09b8JmO1e3vP67meeQSOT-vE1oEoseh0zZPsdUgpKh8xcd0xCxh6h9XA/s1600-h/238.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 183px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364987135997133250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAeSjPLbMAniQK0X3QGD7Kt_VNGs1trAaf27RwsuauJO_b2Rw1U8TC_xqis9IzXDDwL0yDbwMtqXbT8qsO7I09b8JmO1e3vP67meeQSOT-vE1oEoseh0zZPsdUgpKh8xcd0xCxh6h9XA/s320/238.JPG" /></a>and crouton, then a salad served with a "Croque Monsieur"(a french toasted cheese and ham sandwich - Jean is French). Then a vegetable risotto and finally a fresh fruit salad with a biscuit...on the biscuit he had cut a yellow 'Camino' arrow out of lemon peel. Only the pictures can really capture this lovely meal. We wash up and then he takes us over to see the Church. The next morning we come down to the best breakfast since we started. A beautifully laid table with cereal (first ever) real milk (first ever), herbal teas (first ever), coffee, breads, jams etc. etc. fresh walnuts and cherries. The walnuts are amazing and I managed to buy some to take home.<br /><br /><strong>Sil </strong><br />We left Tiebas with happy memories of kind and hospitable people. What we will remember of the paths to Eunate is mud, mud, and more mud. There are few places to stop and even those mentioned in the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLVL3Iz1kF0uIyMuokNbhS3Vif-f5dsRs73iE4Zqw9LkKhbZpVOO4qVzQff3i3xwPT2OhXJWY529Eq8YEAbPC_l2fi7ZQLewzfyPMpU-z9WvvoEcP6h4A1_MzLPprI2qanx6Lu3IQEBc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+032.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986532568248946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLVL3Iz1kF0uIyMuokNbhS3Vif-f5dsRs73iE4Zqw9LkKhbZpVOO4qVzQff3i3xwPT2OhXJWY529Eq8YEAbPC_l2fi7ZQLewzfyPMpU-z9WvvoEcP6h4A1_MzLPprI2qanx6Lu3IQEBc/s320/Camino+2009+2+032.jpg" /></a>CSJ guide are merely hamlets with no facilities other than an occasional fountain. We stop at Eneriz for a breakfast - I have a nectarine, cheese and hot chocolate - delicious.<br />We are in Navarre and pass through more and more vineyards. Marion and I recall walking to Eunate from Pamplona along a treelined road. This time we approach through a woods along a very muddy track that hugs a hedge on one side. Finally we come upon the church basking in the sunshine. It is hot. Really, really hot.<br />I walk around the outside cloisters looking for signs in the stones to photograph. There are many - some familiar, some new ones. Eventually we put our heads under the tap, lay our bed bug sheets on the ground in the shade of cherry trees and doze off. People come and go. A few pilgrims look at the sign on the door ´Today we open at 16h00´and move on up the hill to Obanos 2km away. Tour buses arrive with smartly dressed groups all trying to get out of the sun. They sing inside the church and we enjoy the free concert.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEXHMcUF-5eNOVM9EVIyxhkwPvjO7dogY9JKMCMLseXOGyvqfpSMu4pDmxI1YRX3g7x7NOdDKO7rdfZwuO_-9KnPsRnYnKT81KoxEpv62xmx-CWH8TdWPuAMTHR_hHpvtNhrw-VTOZBw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+028.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986534482811154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEXHMcUF-5eNOVM9EVIyxhkwPvjO7dogY9JKMCMLseXOGyvqfpSMu4pDmxI1YRX3g7x7NOdDKO7rdfZwuO_-9KnPsRnYnKT81KoxEpv62xmx-CWH8TdWPuAMTHR_hHpvtNhrw-VTOZBw/s320/Camino+2009+2+028.jpg" /></a>I doze off but am awakened by someone singing Ave Maria in the church so beautifully that it sounds like an angel. I don´t want to disturb her so I just stay on the grass and listen. Eventually Jean, the resident hospitalero arrives, walks over to us to ask if we are staying , how many od us, and then disappears into the house. He will only let us in at 3:45 or 4pm he tells us. At 3:45 he beckons for us to come in.<br />¨My name is Jean´he tells us, ánd I have lived in this house since 2006. I live here and look after the church. I came here the first time in 2004 as a pilgrim and then took over the albergue in 2006.´<br />It is blissfully cool inside and he offers us a glass of fresh lemon juice which he has made himself. He shows us the bathroom and showers downstairs and then leads us upstairs to the bedroom. There is a pile of vynyl covered mattresses and softer mattresses which he starts laying out on the floor. In the cupboard are blankets and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1hSClwshzLclLdbL5sLAxwLTvNpAOlv73I0F78R68kXQEjyEzq8f7lOhvef9L-5upnhc8JhZCmUXYGinmpTQG7WmyCWsEd-9Z6KWkJNsppAe6ilZ27mUxKr8vmn4SoNY1qK0FQmV0wY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+027.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986906467630674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1hSClwshzLclLdbL5sLAxwLTvNpAOlv73I0F78R68kXQEjyEzq8f7lOhvef9L-5upnhc8JhZCmUXYGinmpTQG7WmyCWsEd-9Z6KWkJNsppAe6ilZ27mUxKr8vmn4SoNY1qK0FQmV0wY/s320/Camino+2009+2+027.jpg" /></a>pillows. Christiane (a French pilgrims from Normandy) Val, Marion and I setlle down to showering, washing clothes and sorting out backpacks. I offer Val a massage to ease her Achilles and Marion offers Christiane a foot massage. ´I will miss you South Africans tomorrow´she says.<br />After a wonderful supper we all help to wash the dishes and then Jean invites us to an Oracion (blessing) in the church. We are each given a little glass holder with a candle and a sheet of paper with a reading for each person. He says a prayer and sings beautifully after which each pilgrim reads from the prayer sheets. It is a lovely way to end the day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvJUbjJ8c8KAbRThRDtKOwouRKHqxEREDiUc_Gtrfp7kzWeeskI4SXNBJX_eQNDTRylf_NtueTNf9O8sso9O5-ticVd_z4q727oKkSoMYMyOy4kIVciJla6eVJisGip6Z3kbGggOUe78/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+030.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986537379145506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvJUbjJ8c8KAbRThRDtKOwouRKHqxEREDiUc_Gtrfp7kzWeeskI4SXNBJX_eQNDTRylf_NtueTNf9O8sso9O5-ticVd_z4q727oKkSoMYMyOy4kIVciJla6eVJisGip6Z3kbGggOUe78/s320/Camino+2009+2+030.jpg" /></a>I take a few photos of the church in the sunset. "Who built it?" I wonder. "It is octangonal, like the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. That is why some think that it was a Templar Church. Others think that it was a funery church. Sitting inside, looking at the simple but beautiful stonework, everything in miniature compared with larger churches of the same design, I fancy that it might have been built by a wealthy family for a beloved but lovesick daughter whose betrothed has gone off with the Crusaders to Jerusalem. It looks and feels like a church for a young woman.<br /> <br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRHDpECOBVcr2QpiVe-ZisacbOoK3H7aZ2GoGvksPBWTEQCbrJCERa3jA9QwOcY55gDOPGnXigMhvlCDgO1YNevJs4k8ylR0-MeE3BPAV9Nfabj8Cqr4dlfT2Aiq6w9Rb-ZjCKP4rkIk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364986529551975922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRHDpECOBVcr2QpiVe-ZisacbOoK3H7aZ2GoGvksPBWTEQCbrJCERa3jA9QwOcY55gDOPGnXigMhvlCDgO1YNevJs4k8ylR0-MeE3BPAV9Nfabj8Cqr4dlfT2Aiq6w9Rb-ZjCKP4rkIk/s320/Camino+2009+2+033.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0806wubEFlWpgNG4yT208zfhOc28oumOFv4TAnGn_lxHkaQ-87YPM5Y7DwO12Bnj-pSqgg7okKjUioM10sHM5IPzL0CmmgBTxpHtoHgbi-2ZrB-78-nJcB8WhITlwiUZ0Evtz2AkiJA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+040.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364982438980447250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0806wubEFlWpgNG4yT208zfhOc28oumOFv4TAnGn_lxHkaQ-87YPM5Y7DwO12Bnj-pSqgg7okKjUioM10sHM5IPzL0CmmgBTxpHtoHgbi-2ZrB-78-nJcB8WhITlwiUZ0Evtz2AkiJA/s320/Camino+2009+2+040.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgvA3ftiDDVkaTd5hsI6uiutZd1gqTZ-bh4BvpDR2F9A_MT7uS9hnb65VS5lokueDN1i6OsZ3dw7LUSB7p3zQJNaoZ1zjL0XOsYTD1Xfik2rkYuEsF6nBhjcInmCTs5QLwfXd7IQT1OE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+041.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364982433818045106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgvA3ftiDDVkaTd5hsI6uiutZd1gqTZ-bh4BvpDR2F9A_MT7uS9hnb65VS5lokueDN1i6OsZ3dw7LUSB7p3zQJNaoZ1zjL0XOsYTD1Xfik2rkYuEsF6nBhjcInmCTs5QLwfXd7IQT1OE/s320/Camino+2009+2+041.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYcwBFYRCwvfu9_BoUDAodAgn18qiBQQfZ3UGHzx1f5tTf8voEJ-_CCDjgI9Q_zesC0HlEWEIBerqQeNs0NllKUlNCK5gRzsLcCXxZKp3xJvPCJGN9Nj3K33_j5zkqHYOpJEyN5Dpj4A/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+042.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364982436793067714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYcwBFYRCwvfu9_BoUDAodAgn18qiBQQfZ3UGHzx1f5tTf8voEJ-_CCDjgI9Q_zesC0HlEWEIBerqQeNs0NllKUlNCK5gRzsLcCXxZKp3xJvPCJGN9Nj3K33_j5zkqHYOpJEyN5Dpj4A/s320/Camino+2009+2+042.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2Ss95Zpgo1_jdDpaKd9eJcTa0MWNtZGXQLVfzvNjSN9_P1_2DnG0a24g8vthMFHEtsr5ucIoFEsYv6plt4jOPbptad9Mt3acU8bAW-OnI4cMbkYgwiqrcfY9DqYu5lnCrNDe06JTKTc/s1600-h/Imagen+038.jpg"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl5GbKX51dxq_W0IUoOfGgejVON3I8qnvq-AioH4PKJRNWtuIcAJ4EdArtm6VDrDADqPr74fhEH52yhmd8RMm6mu4XqdhnIZPisg_G7zJOu7uQq5iqzNAS-wr6UvsXAMWA_YBDBzS7O0/s1600-h/Imagen+033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351317799013556082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEl5GbKX51dxq_W0IUoOfGgejVON3I8qnvq-AioH4PKJRNWtuIcAJ4EdArtm6VDrDADqPr74fhEH52yhmd8RMm6mu4XqdhnIZPisg_G7zJOu7uQq5iqzNAS-wr6UvsXAMWA_YBDBzS7O0/s320/Imagen+033.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-6878215529795334912009-06-20T02:30:00.000-07:002009-08-01T03:27:39.509-07:00Day 12: Izco to Tiebas<div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPaXvVWJ3vHm0pz5YCbu9gnjlT27ewRgUJ7Ct5d09jr02nnXz5hJjaYeMR8EepyY5-GlqausAIJvgKEFH2yin-vZ_6rKonrDWmKm74wznBaiR3CNzb7eFhMXqbiql4HkLXT6QzhS-Wrc/s1600-h/223.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364927150190938450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPaXvVWJ3vHm0pz5YCbu9gnjlT27ewRgUJ7Ct5d09jr02nnXz5hJjaYeMR8EepyY5-GlqausAIJvgKEFH2yin-vZ_6rKonrDWmKm74wznBaiR3CNzb7eFhMXqbiql4HkLXT6QzhS-Wrc/s320/223.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><strong>Marion </strong></div><div>We had such an enjoyable stay at Izco,Val will tell all about it. This morning we again started off in cool weather which makes walking comfortable and easy. By 11.00am the sun had burnt away all the clouds and it became quite hot. Shortly after starting today we walked through a wooded forest and then through a small village that came to a dead end as there was a pond where we should have been walking, there was no way of us getting around it so we had to retrace our steps back through the village and take a detour across the road <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiuZgk21XRNjgXfI6Q_4EnHRHSFECFaXrSD89EhtsLyj_vuw0wSfyhqOaP-CYpzcYvfGQTS_was3tuwgqpNBcbOvZd6sn8HSW8blyjgoc4h_4NuWuzdsMqxpx7ab_XoBLU1ZYlLF-kHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+016.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 318px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364928216053154498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiuZgk21XRNjgXfI6Q_4EnHRHSFECFaXrSD89EhtsLyj_vuw0wSfyhqOaP-CYpzcYvfGQTS_was3tuwgqpNBcbOvZd6sn8HSW8blyjgoc4h_4NuWuzdsMqxpx7ab_XoBLU1ZYlLF-kHo/s320/Camino+2009+2+016.jpg" /></a>onto a sunken path beside the river. We soon joined up with our orginal path. We walked through and between a lot of wheat fields and then through a forest path with trees ever so high the lower branches creating an archway for us to walk through. It had rained during the night and droplets of water were still dripping down from the branches and one could smell the earth. It was wonderful, I could have carried on walking that way the whole day!! </div><div>We then carried walking on a very narrow path up and down (mostly up) some places ever so slippery, in the steep slippery sections one had to go ever so slow. Sometimes when you put <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ6HBVTK7HoH_MUdQA63rVLJBm7mB3KEFGR3xj7ykl7vvtORtLOXW33QHJWVuly49I9BQSxurXox4016ULiJ16C8StvW8dTXrKVMPgpSQZOV-AUsVwiyMQdTBTyPQGYBHn2OFl7x-vdw/s1600-h/226.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926825756711090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZ6HBVTK7HoH_MUdQA63rVLJBm7mB3KEFGR3xj7ykl7vvtORtLOXW33QHJWVuly49I9BQSxurXox4016ULiJ16C8StvW8dTXrKVMPgpSQZOV-AUsVwiyMQdTBTyPQGYBHn2OFl7x-vdw/s320/226.JPG" /></a>your stick down their was no ground you just had fresh air that was how close we were to the edge. You could see the road far below us and also the new canal that has been built close to the road. The canal stretches for miles. Lunch time we found a platform of cement under a chestnut tree outside a deserted village so decided to stop and have our lunch. Well!! we had hardly sat down and we were covered in tiny insects. We all jumped up so quickly - luckily we had not taken out any food yet. The insects had falled out of the tree, we quickly moved out of the way of the tree and settled on the grass to enjoy our lunch and have a rest. </div><div>After lunch we were back on narrow sometimes slippery path mostly climbing up, we walked through a village that the guide book described as an arty village. It did have a lot of arty fixtures round but unfortunately no facalities and all the houses seemed to be locked up so we carried on up and up and then a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzP6TDmzYvAmopLiLKNPsPgpoLREWHRvUUJBg8TTlmmLYKSVxEiD3Bbzri6Vgot788z1onD-Y4_0xupsT2z0rYkVI1KUI4L0vl7URzTZHggi-xb2gtM_KHVgtyEGpx4d4bG3i-wn1PDY/s1600-h/227.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926822578690050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzP6TDmzYvAmopLiLKNPsPgpoLREWHRvUUJBg8TTlmmLYKSVxEiD3Bbzri6Vgot788z1onD-Y4_0xupsT2z0rYkVI1KUI4L0vl7URzTZHggi-xb2gtM_KHVgtyEGpx4d4bG3i-wn1PDY/s320/227.JPG" /></a>short way down to Tiebas were we stayed the night. A tough day but ever so enjoyable. </div><div>It is quite amazing, whatever village we come to we hardly ever see any locals in the streets during the day. Cannot undertand where they are. Sometimes you see a few old men, very smartly dressed sitting on a bench in the street. It seems the children go to school away from the villages and only come home at 5.00pm. </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong> </div><div>A tougher walk today, lots of climbing on stoney paths but beautiful views from high up. Then we come down steeply only to have to go <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIZEsAsaP14JfrH69u_9AkiFk34NMoNTII4NPH7zC-eiM3MoZQizeKzLpZAT6tC25APQtB1m33l97x9twwfJj90a3WzIdjjogcukhbGtqcQoxxTv6doAMqegeXMerFpwzpLqwcXZlHI0/s1600-h/229.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926817325944946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIZEsAsaP14JfrH69u_9AkiFk34NMoNTII4NPH7zC-eiM3MoZQizeKzLpZAT6tC25APQtB1m33l97x9twwfJj90a3WzIdjjogcukhbGtqcQoxxTv6doAMqegeXMerFpwzpLqwcXZlHI0/s320/229.JPG" /></a>up again to the village. As we walk to the Albergue we pass a bar and the owner is just arriving so I ask when he opens and he says 4pm. They advertise that they serve a Pilgrim menu...once again there is no supermarket, absolutely nothing. Today however, Marion and I had a delicious boiled egg with salt and bread...we managed to buy two eggs from the lady's supermarcado cupboard and Marion managed to cook them before the electricity blew so we ate them on the steps in a small village enroute today. The Alburgue is tiny, 3 bunks and two men are already there so there is just room for us. The kitchen and bunks are all in the one room. There is a shower cubicle with room to change in private and one toilet. Later we discover there is another room with mattresses on the floor where a gorup of young cyclists are bedding down for the night. There is no set charge for the accommodation - you just make a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bPMUe5wSQZNCiER0YfAzEbFbopFxzzioCcBT0S658efCLgqOKOuL4XACONAgNUD60eW-_LkzD8lvD4_6NgphwcznlXUwMd1tnAw6vLn6tQbj8gOXuhO8CC9AybJLIXlObAUV0LJ_hFQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+025.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364919431233959346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bPMUe5wSQZNCiER0YfAzEbFbopFxzzioCcBT0S658efCLgqOKOuL4XACONAgNUD60eW-_LkzD8lvD4_6NgphwcznlXUwMd1tnAw6vLn6tQbj8gOXuhO8CC9AybJLIXlObAUV0LJ_hFQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+025.jpg" /></a>donation. We all have a lie down and then the German gets up to leave. The young Spanish guy George, is staying over. He says he is a Chef and will cook for us...there is no food in this place so we can only imagine that he was hoping we had brought some with us and he would be fed in return for cooking! </div><div>At 5.30pm we head for the bar. The lady here is Brazilian and is so friendly and kind to us. We have a glass of wine and coffee and ask what time we can eat. She says around 7.30pm which is fine. She shows us the pilgrim menu and then offers Paella...yes please! Marion and I will share it as Syl is a vegetarian. Neither <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUn8xksBvY_yzq8wdo6cn9ba6F9a8JnLK-f67Cb70hPgcSrNiZ4vPf3c-9YG3z7eCPcwJBje0YaUUrInriWOQ9LcMdiUrRHchCvNGavd_EIW4wkyC6DkpMrwnx4kDorTxeXX_cS3Cxx8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926465372625170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUn8xksBvY_yzq8wdo6cn9ba6F9a8JnLK-f67Cb70hPgcSrNiZ4vPf3c-9YG3z7eCPcwJBje0YaUUrInriWOQ9LcMdiUrRHchCvNGavd_EIW4wkyC6DkpMrwnx4kDorTxeXX_cS3Cxx8/s320/Camino+2009+2+019.jpg" /></a>Spain nor France cater well for vegetarians and Syl inevitably ends up with a salad and fills up on potato tortilla or biscuits, cakes and chocolate poor thing. Two hours later Marion and I have polished off quite a few glasses of vino tinto and are starving. The Paella arrives and is easily enough for 4 - it is superb, with calamari, clams and prawns. Perfect rice and obviously a lovely stock has been used. George is at the bar and doesn't have any money for food so we invite him to join us and share our Paella. The meal comes with another bottle of wine! This lovely meal and our wine and coffees cost just E13 each. The meal also comes <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVfF4YDIEJfRgfi4I_7ZrhDUFCt7U5sIIPLmh8P31SL9WBQnIBfbxikfHAjc7im3ptLieo6OSCc_QdJ-w1QVXvPJuzHddaC1R9gmCAF-MY80tcstEgLB3QUR2meZRMlg0Tb6LCk8LhyQ/s1600-h/224.JPG"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrqRu3bwEt2fcjuiAzQtSWBlePL_KB1SAdWMqltLYDYqj0RrbV0oeGsqZg8-ijriw0z2jtECOqdnrg1uBfww-Wvpr3XZRAGhAjnPMJFO7hp8dl_LmqfuEboc3DV2oQBvkoVfSM-pMnis/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+020.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364919458862332562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrqRu3bwEt2fcjuiAzQtSWBlePL_KB1SAdWMqltLYDYqj0RrbV0oeGsqZg8-ijriw0z2jtECOqdnrg1uBfww-Wvpr3XZRAGhAjnPMJFO7hp8dl_LmqfuEboc3DV2oQBvkoVfSM-pMnis/s320/Camino+2009+2+020.jpg" /></a></div>with fresh fruit which we save for breakfast the next day. During the night there is a terrible storm overhead and a huge amount of rain. In the morning we had our melon for breakfast and Myprodyl for the hang-over...Marion reminds me that she and I together (and we think with Gorge) ..pretended to be the bulls in the "running of the bulls"!! </div><br /><div><strong>Sil</strong> </div><div>We weren´t planning on staying at Tiebas. I had copied the diary of a pilgrim who walked the route last year and she said that the albergue in Tiebas was dirty and uncared for. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBQfs6r4tTssBKPlI4jVaJLkqmsYYG8dRiWhqHYH0KbQPzLL-RrTAW_yX42p_gUiTXk5ixxL_DCoZws3UhK_n9kK5kLmZZHVr5PYk-Yhh39CEKlrRp2IlS9We1FhbK_9IMUVFMJ_-1hY/s1600-h/225.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364927143229010066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBQfs6r4tTssBKPlI4jVaJLkqmsYYG8dRiWhqHYH0KbQPzLL-RrTAW_yX42p_gUiTXk5ixxL_DCoZws3UhK_n9kK5kLmZZHVr5PYk-Yhh39CEKlrRp2IlS9We1FhbK_9IMUVFMJ_-1hY/s320/225.JPG" /></a>However, we were on track for a stay at Eunate so decided to walk further than Monreal and head for Tiebas. </div><div>Sometimes the camino lulls you into a sense of false camino bliss. ¨I love these kind of paths´I said to M and Val as we walked along wide gravel paths through fields and farms from Izco . No sooner had I said that, when the path became a forest path, then a double track on stones and clay, then this disintergrated into a single rocky path no wider than one boot. We started climbing up the side of the mountain and down the other, through a stony gulley, then up and down rocky gullies all the way <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIVrFSYR_z_vjOGP6rtZM5N0pUjavtZ1W3ycyfhu0atbtqW60axjLdupPZOVvAWA2omBUNnHsVwZeoMciuFoblgaQBACU4AMYwPrs5G80hM3VXflzTJtkL4Lp9XaYdKUoCLyDhPM0RHg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+022.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364919450679678386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIVrFSYR_z_vjOGP6rtZM5N0pUjavtZ1W3ycyfhu0atbtqW60axjLdupPZOVvAWA2omBUNnHsVwZeoMciuFoblgaQBACU4AMYwPrs5G80hM3VXflzTJtkL4Lp9XaYdKUoCLyDhPM0RHg/s320/Camino+2009+2+022.jpg" /></a>from Monreal to Tiebas. It looked the Sierra Nevada with steep, pitted sheep tracks hugging the side of the mountain, taking you halfway up the hill and dropping you down, down down on the other side. There is a village on a hill across the valley and we keep thinking that it might be our refuge for the night but we keep skirting it, hiding from it, then it appears again. </div><div>Eventually we see Tiebas - also on a hill but on our side of the valley. As we approached Tiebas we could see the ruined castle of Teobaldo 1 of Navarra. If we´d had more energy we might have explored it but we were too hot, too dehydrated, too weary to do more <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h7-6xHzV-Ql-X4kHEZNWU-caTLDCtFl_BilySrdIExGaGuqorZ3CmDBEJK4OQdW4YT4kFWPAT6ywQuDh_PlkkaLclFE3fzwuNh2j_8BOBWf0s8xj3s8dVExHPY3ZJNhoqeIryJfdvmU/s1600-h/230.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926812922086962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_h7-6xHzV-Ql-X4kHEZNWU-caTLDCtFl_BilySrdIExGaGuqorZ3CmDBEJK4OQdW4YT4kFWPAT6ywQuDh_PlkkaLclFE3fzwuNh2j_8BOBWf0s8xj3s8dVExHPY3ZJNhoqeIryJfdvmU/s320/230.JPG" /></a>than follow the flechas amrailla to the hostel which was way over at the other end of the village. Once again, this room forms part of the Community Centre and besides our small room with just 4 bunk beds, it also has a large room with matresses on the floor for groups. A German pilgrim who we had come across earlier was lying on one of the beds and Jorge from Barcelona was eating at the table. The shower room was swamped with water but I found a mop and pail and mopped the floor in the shower, toilet and entrance hall and it looked spick and span. I found flowers in the garden outside and put them in a plastic cup on <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2u0OWXgk-crk-dWsHnvgWeNGXQSJEAGQerPEzBhwTG6OVneWEUJF1xI-toXIELTSqvoPc5EY05eVirQeyPR5VXwyrRJh3ICMin_g_AVoNNzyQCjr8l1NZn8flyIjPpZA-IddIyN_P4I/s1600-h/231.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364926811606616882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2u0OWXgk-crk-dWsHnvgWeNGXQSJEAGQerPEzBhwTG6OVneWEUJF1xI-toXIELTSqvoPc5EY05eVirQeyPR5VXwyrRJh3ICMin_g_AVoNNzyQCjr8l1NZn8flyIjPpZA-IddIyN_P4I/s320/231.JPG" /></a>the table. The little room suddenly looked very welcoming! Considering that there is no hospitalero and that payment is donativo - into a metal box on the wall- one can´t complain about the accommodation. We had a lovely meal at the local bar and I gave a South African pin badge to a young boy who was prepared to reply to me English when I spoke to him. Tiebas is a clean, attractive village and we found the locals helpful and friendly. Val and Marion livened the place up on the way home - giggling and playing matadors! I'm not sure who was the bull!<br /></div><div> </div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-76666151896284222502009-06-20T02:29:00.000-07:002009-08-01T01:49:06.381-07:00Day 11: Sanguesa to Izco<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovX-2Ex7WTAvMTIh6xlF3QJdKTk79kn0n48coCdtm3HIyqdKb2xArQ96Bt2zkYLVVe9hyphenhyphencCUY4M5ZIhdjTXFOgd4licCta_9AxQ7Mdh-PbWAbwNTX0MawxTWUTRaUTuL_AtPeipmr4Go/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+002.jpg"></a><strong>Marion</strong><br />We were on the road very early today 6.45am, again a lot cooler, great for walking. We had stayed close to the river in Sanguesa and everytime we crossed the river there was a strange smell, could not work out what the smell was. Well we had hardly left our hostal and we passed the water treatment tanks and realised that was what we had been smelling. We <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pdIoF8x59LGLQ8bAOga2Na5vd8H_7MtRjA12Y9mV7r5aCwFpVtzo6WHDJZr7a8WWwS7Fn2BQfpMhQvuGtlgI8au9to95Ko8TGuGraVTfmvJU-eamkb5Bg2Ptzyre89z6ZlcQjVciSgA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+018.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364707141688104706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pdIoF8x59LGLQ8bAOga2Na5vd8H_7MtRjA12Y9mV7r5aCwFpVtzo6WHDJZr7a8WWwS7Fn2BQfpMhQvuGtlgI8au9to95Ko8TGuGraVTfmvJU-eamkb5Bg2Ptzyre89z6ZlcQjVciSgA/s320/Camino+2009+2+018.jpg" /></a>walked on a grassy path uphill through almond trees for 1.5k´s to Rocaforte. Then on to a concrete path which became gravel. All along the hills were topped with a line of windmills. Our path was undulating sometimes gravel, rocks, sand or grass. Sometimes through a wooded forest and sometimes in the open with majestic views of mountains in the back ground, still could see a bit of snow on the tips. We also walked through fields of wheat. It was a very easy walk today.<br />Izco the village that we are staying in tonight is again up on a hill, so was a climb to get to it. The village is very small. Our albergue only sleeps 8 so luckily we arrived early to get a bed. Our albergue has the only bar in the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmCQNKwnkfjuy5tQMwtviOMWR2FwiJsHme4a5q3mh-75rkJvXZPyZG__zAFVVDaGhUwOq9FJMvJZLLOFPtCMN9PoL9KtPaLKeYgbxFhQb18DPw4QAjdJQWOuWu2LysK7AvpJmX-vM3gg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+006.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364914296122736450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmCQNKwnkfjuy5tQMwtviOMWR2FwiJsHme4a5q3mh-75rkJvXZPyZG__zAFVVDaGhUwOq9FJMvJZLLOFPtCMN9PoL9KtPaLKeYgbxFhQb18DPw4QAjdJQWOuWu2LysK7AvpJmX-vM3gg/s320/Camino+2009+2+006.jpg" /></a>village so if we have a glass of wine or two it won´t be far from our beds!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pdIoF8x59LGLQ8bAOga2Na5vd8H_7MtRjA12Y9mV7r5aCwFpVtzo6WHDJZr7a8WWwS7Fn2BQfpMhQvuGtlgI8au9to95Ko8TGuGraVTfmvJU-eamkb5Bg2Ptzyre89z6ZlcQjVciSgA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+018.jpg"></a><br /><strong>Val = Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />Up early and on the road by 06.35am - no coffee or breakfast so eat a banana on the way. Arrive at a lovely little village in the middle of nowhere and find our way to the Albergue. It turns out to be the village community centre but they provide 8 beds for Pilgrims. The local handyman is repairing the ladies ablutions and is very kind to us. There is nowhere to buy food (as usual!) and he offers us coffee..from a cupboard in the community kitchen he takes out a stove top espresso pot and disappears and returns 5 minutes later with coffee in the holder..he brews it on the stove top..no cups so we pour it into glasses..heaven. He shows us with pride, the outdoor braai .. it can roast ast least a couple of whole animals together with washing up facilities and a huge hall with tables and chairs and a bar. He says they have big gatherings here....strange because we are yet to see anyone in these villages...no children, no old people...they are deserted. He says the lady will be here in a couple of hours.<br />Time for a rare relax. I lay on my bed with my ipod and Syl and Marion go to visit the local church..the flies drive me mad so I pull the blanket provided over my head and disappear for a couple of hours. Eventually Paul Simon finishes his 17th track and I unplug. There is a lot of noise coming from the passage and I walk into a bar with lots of pilgrims who are passing through..there is not enough room for them all to sleep here...Syl and Marion had <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERLw22Envu4FqYz88oPr8uC6BaZrjFAqnmB44jHkyKGjCkRVB36-_UqU0ioVONY4k8qpT90k90NytGntDoSRI9JVbH9MBcxpVICbDe_0mbg0lvGc1TRUJ3P9LDSQ_szK_sKW4u-iqc0o/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364707852499901042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERLw22Envu4FqYz88oPr8uC6BaZrjFAqnmB44jHkyKGjCkRVB36-_UqU0ioVONY4k8qpT90k90NytGntDoSRI9JVbH9MBcxpVICbDe_0mbg0lvGc1TRUJ3P9LDSQ_szK_sKW4u-iqc0o/s320/Camino+2009+2+011.jpg" /></a>managed to get bread and ham and saved me one. Marion says"good now you've arrived, we can have a glass of wine". We have a glass of Vino Tinto each. Then Mr Fix It explains that the place must close so we get up to leave. He asks if we want more vino? Yes we say, he goes to the bar and puts a bottle under my arm..it is a Castillo Irache - Cabernet Sauvignon Y Merlot, Crianza 2004 Navarra region - GOLD MEDAL MADRID! He is proud of this wine which is from his region Navarra. We ask if we can buy food for tonight and eventually find out that they will send the "Supermercado" to us at 6pm. There is nothing to do until then. An Italian couple arrive, we have stayed at the same places with them off and on. She has terrible blisters and has walked on a sprained ankle for almost 2 days..it is swollen and black and blue and she cannot go any further. We all have a lie down for a while and set the alarm in fear of missing the Supermarcardo! By 5.30pm we are all awake and gather outside and we share our wine with the poor lady with the swollen ankle. We all talk about the supermercado and very soon it has become this wonderful refrigerated unit selling everything from fruit and vegetables to "real milk". At 6pm the lady and Mr Fix It returns. A moment later she says, Supermarcardo? Si we say and remain seated. We hear a truck and get excited but it turns out to be "garden services". Then the village dog arrives and we say it must be coming soon, the dog has come for his bone! He takes one look at us and runs..Syl s<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSiUkAn0jDGZ_GrAQYYc3Y36UOOqlBtcDOL-BKsqhpt8gl73YFVxXSwiMgyodfzyyXID6Vd-5cn3pAfQd8vYistBr_CfcjpKU2VmDTFPxpiL00JlJ_8k0Jk3taRroIhUYRqJ4IG2IQvk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+015.jpg"></a>ays we must look very very hungry and he's scared we'll eat him. The lady again comes out "Supermercado" she yells and beckons us in. The Supermercado turns out to be a cupboard with a few cans and packets! We take pasta, a tin of toms, a jar of chargrilled peppers. She <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7lBLu6Uka4FINUxlpfe4XD0MhT2zO72ykzBcUPoXraTn4Raq2c9iHRY058V1jByNe6-_-uHOwqROuS_4nqmrsaQT1AF1UMqJuXlxp_q0pCv9O1pxlVNPsJ3cos5UPxhMsP9rZtCwqDE/s1600-h/Imagen+008.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351315741634939714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7lBLu6Uka4FINUxlpfe4XD0MhT2zO72ykzBcUPoXraTn4Raq2c9iHRY058V1jByNe6-_-uHOwqROuS_4nqmrsaQT1AF1UMqJuXlxp_q0pCv9O1pxlVNPsJ3cos5UPxhMsP9rZtCwqDE/s320/Imagen+008.jpg" /></a>gives us free salt and fresh garlic and shows that the last pilgrims left 4 sticks of asparagus so we will add that in as well. She also has some bread left from lunchtime so we buy that as well. Sil buys a cold custard and a tin of fruit salad for her supper. The pot for the pasta is taking ages to boil and I have fried off the garlic and Marion and I will finish our 3 day old piece of Chorizo. Then the lights blow...the lady says it is a serious fault because even Pamplona has no electricity. The tom sauce is warm but we cannot cook the pasta. It is light outside but too many flies so we have to eat inside regardless of the fact that there are no candles or other lighting. We eat with the Italian couple and share another Gold Medal bottle of wine. We all put on our headlamps so we can see. The wine is E5.60 per bottle which is good value given that we pay E1.60 per glass of table wine. Our accommodation tonight is E8.00. The Italian couple are lovely and the universal language of music makes it possible for us to communicate. She sings beautifully and he plays the drums in a group..he demonstrates with knives on the table. "Phil Collins?" I say, "Queen?" "Bruce Springstein " he says and becomes more and more animated. Eventually they are talking so fast to Marion andme that we have absolutely no idea what they are saying, Marion looks at me with raised eyebrows, pleading with me to say something...I return the look..eventually Marion says "Agh Shame!!"<br />Now 'Agh Shame' is a wonderful versatile South African expression. It is appropriate for just about any situation..for instance: Meeting a neighbour or friend in the Supermarket "My <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppJOw8CaBmewl0aQj09q5NUxg9345wGbu9WUNiTViMOyz5QqcACuDwDYmjywnFe-9w0apiGf0Eq94uDIHFvSoJOJ-YICm-6wJghmueJZt7KL1YUlrM4P2bKRcRIF2s8_CSnOIQGA1QjM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364707849854690034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppJOw8CaBmewl0aQj09q5NUxg9345wGbu9WUNiTViMOyz5QqcACuDwDYmjywnFe-9w0apiGf0Eq94uDIHFvSoJOJ-YICm-6wJghmueJZt7KL1YUlrM4P2bKRcRIF2s8_CSnOIQGA1QjM/s320/Camino+2009+2+012.jpg" /></a>Great Aunt Betty died yesterday" "Agh Shame"<br />A friend "Do you know Woolies has run out of fresh asparagus?" "Agh Shame".<br /><br /><strong>Sil </strong><br />We left at sunrise along straight, wide gravel paths with our shadows strecthed out before us. It is a good way to warm up. Then it was upill to Rocaforte to the Alto de Albar and Alto de Olaz with a stunning view over a wide valley that looks as though a gargantum glacier gouged out this valley millenia ago. From there the path narrowed to a single clay track, becoming a narrow clay and rock animal track which must be lethal when wet.<br />Having climbed to the Altos it was time to go down again along a very steeply downward trail through the woods. The last 6km were an uphill climb to Izco. Many of the pilgrim ´rooms´on the Aragones (not strictly pilgrim albergues) are a part of the local community ´Sociedad´or social club. It appears that the community are happy to provide a room in <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr2sh9U1LJbfQHbkRUcaKyMK43_xrg7DagcRn15Cok-RY0-ap98Li6geQ_ot_y3D-SCEFY2PZ9-r0gIhroDPz44F_PACdEoMxxgHm_sDSFD5AZE3lt52kYh_TSwKoE812NmJB41fTLlE/s1600-h/Imagen+010.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351315747873160706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBr2sh9U1LJbfQHbkRUcaKyMK43_xrg7DagcRn15Cok-RY0-ap98Li6geQ_ot_y3D-SCEFY2PZ9-r0gIhroDPz44F_PACdEoMxxgHm_sDSFD5AZE3lt52kYh_TSwKoE812NmJB41fTLlE/s320/Imagen+010.jpg" /></a>their club property with a few double bunks and offer them to pilgrims. At 8€ per pilgrim it doesn´t bring in much revenue but if the pilgrims buy lunch in the social club diningroom and have no option but to buy food stuff to prepare in the kitchen, it must be worth their while.<br />We find Mark and Chris - the Swiss and Beglian pilgrims we´ve been meeting all along the route - sitting outside having a beer. Some pilgrims arrive at an albergue, have a beer and food, lie down on the beds for a snooze and then pack up and continue walking. I don´t know <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD5owusbjI0PZII9QLZS4O_OIIW-snWImFXc5t5N3h7_wQDh4pqgQ0EHl7VpDX7OEr_IgUKaBYpBDqRXVWLuukEpmmc8yC3cXFYtdiCr1cJSMbTk8oFZwltPBnbKN_BI2ohlS5y6lvt0/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364707845740769778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD5owusbjI0PZII9QLZS4O_OIIW-snWImFXc5t5N3h7_wQDh4pqgQ0EHl7VpDX7OEr_IgUKaBYpBDqRXVWLuukEpmmc8yC3cXFYtdiCr1cJSMbTk8oFZwltPBnbKN_BI2ohlS5y6lvt0/s320/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg" /></a>how anyone can walk after a heavy meal with beer or wine. We manage to have a bocadillo and a Coke before the place is locked up at 3pm. Marion and I visit the local church, walk about the village - it takes all of 10 minutes to walk from one end to the other - admire a woman´s garden and then stroll back to the albergue. It starts raining, ´Not good for the paths´we agree. Val has told you about our supermecado purchase and dinner by headlamp light! I opened my tin of ruit salad and shared it, together with one small sub of custard, between the five of us. Loaves and fishes! Quite a night.<br />We had just finished eating when a cyclist pilgrim arrived in the rain. As we got into bed the electricity came back on but we were too tired and pleasantly full by then to get up and cook the pasta.<br />Buenas noches todos.</div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-13645836402001871712009-06-15T11:23:00.000-07:002009-08-01T08:33:15.591-07:00Day 10 - Artieda to Sanguesa<strong>Sil</strong><br /><div>You´ll remember that we lost 8 kms by walking down from San Juan de la Pena to Santa Cruz (which is not on the actual camino) and then to Santa Cilia. So, after breakfast we loaded our <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFXd7RVpkbidxq4wHCyJDEoa_9tocvTtLnmTGV8WQa6YpUUATgCEDPfyCEstEU5QOe97DR3Xf8sqEG8cS8QQMBtH8hUrfOmbAiSDzLOxWDy-WBvxA4xHhPPC3ijRIVIYJp7sxF-mP0w8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+137.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364652878284925314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFXd7RVpkbidxq4wHCyJDEoa_9tocvTtLnmTGV8WQa6YpUUATgCEDPfyCEstEU5QOe97DR3Xf8sqEG8cS8QQMBtH8hUrfOmbAiSDzLOxWDy-WBvxA4xHhPPC3ijRIVIYJp7sxF-mP0w8/s320/Camino+2009+2+137.jpg" /></a>gear into the minibus taxi and the owner of the hostal drove us down the winding road with magnificent views of the Yesa dam to Ruesta. We passed a number of the pilgrims who we had dinner with last night and caught up with a couple who had continued to Ruesta yesterday. The few stone buildings in Ruesta were abandoned due to the planning of Yesa but now one or two of the derelict buildings are occupied and there is a very modern albergue in amongst the ruins -and nothing else that we could see. The path today was very easy - mostly along gravel or dirt. The first 7km went straight uphill all the way to the wide <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfhDwtXTXopxTP0CKBXhZbLqE0TJcTYX5telfNJuzsmzQgkXAZmpr7Hn_T3i4t4m2e54YjfHX-mjVmYfpF2X85hKxSiPIpnhVryMth5WQQ7db3lmkrJUpOO-RHmhqS93Y2A19_ymdIlQ/s1600-h/209.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364654865295287714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfhDwtXTXopxTP0CKBXhZbLqE0TJcTYX5telfNJuzsmzQgkXAZmpr7Hn_T3i4t4m2e54YjfHX-mjVmYfpF2X85hKxSiPIpnhVryMth5WQQ7db3lmkrJUpOO-RHmhqS93Y2A19_ymdIlQ/s320/209.JPG" /></a>´meseta´at the top. It was then a long, winding road through scrub land,similarto the moors in England with scrubby vegetation and very few trees. We stopped at the only village between Ruesta and Sanguesa - Undues de Leida - for a coffee and coke. From there the path dropped quite sharply and soon we were in the valley walking between wheat and barley fields. A few kms from Sanguesa we passed a large stone marker that marked our entrance into Navarre. The terrain softened, with no more stark, stony hills and weird gravel formations. As we entered Sanguesa we saw our first European stork and followed his flight as he-she swooped onto a next, one of many, on top of the church. We were led to the pilgrim albergue by a wizzened little man but when we climbed the stairs to the dormitory we found it fully occupied by old men! We think that it is a group that is starting from here as we have not seen them <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_hsuKmEkxnfYaEEf3mXqLpvOliZHUgV1M4pCnxT-cyDP0zQeyhaLZPldkYoa23O0iKGUoc2gym5aRwMaagPz-pZHVn4CT1Id0ihWc3arAH6caPwbWApb0DLzqprutAs7CXwHX5J9j2A/s1600-h/213.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364654550466269682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_hsuKmEkxnfYaEEf3mXqLpvOliZHUgV1M4pCnxT-cyDP0zQeyhaLZPldkYoa23O0iKGUoc2gym5aRwMaagPz-pZHVn4CT1Id0ihWc3arAH6caPwbWApb0DLzqprutAs7CXwHX5J9j2A/s320/213.JPG" /></a>before and none of them had sunburn! We, on the other hand, look positively burnished with brown legs and arms and sunburned noses! We walked all the way through the long town and visited the information centre. There is a hostal across the river or the camping further down. We crossed the bridge to the hostal - the young man tells us it is 82 euro for a tree bed room. Val's feet are giving her hell and we were not prepared to cross the river bridge again to try to find beds on the other side of town so we took the room. At least we have our own bathroom and best of all a nice fluffy towel! Marion and I went back into town to look for Internet and a camera shop where <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cmjHsE3pQi8yd_ySdIMGFafXnHleF1EjRB0Ofi-FS_HK4yyk7yWQ2-MJeKNYfsC7A1qaoqWN0VSrtO0aGMCGUdGiOZw926xcvV9vq5iKWhi0Wgf_4NG-8VrXRFSLvUZtZNSh0EB-SEk/s1600-h/215.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364654540161194642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cmjHsE3pQi8yd_ySdIMGFafXnHleF1EjRB0Ofi-FS_HK4yyk7yWQ2-MJeKNYfsC7A1qaoqWN0VSrtO0aGMCGUdGiOZw926xcvV9vq5iKWhi0Wgf_4NG-8VrXRFSLvUZtZNSh0EB-SEk/s320/215.JPG" /></a>I had my memory cards downloaded onto 2 CD´s. Later on we return to the calle Mayor and have a tapas dinner in the local bar. On the way back to the hostal we stop at an internet cafe and catch up with the blog and me with a few emails. The next two days will be shorter walks to Izco and to Monreal. We just hope we make it before the senior citizens´club get there!<br /></div><div><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong> </div><br /><div>I am now resigned to the fact that I will not satisfy my culinary obsession on this trip and that's fine - there is much to enjoy and I've probably been a bit of a pain about food - the wine has been no problem at all, its certainly easier to get than coffee and food. In every village you can normally find a drinking fountain, Syl and Marion say in some they offer both water and wine on tap! And so I will perhaps expand on more of the basics of our trip to prepare any of you who might consider such a trip as walking the Camino. </div><br /><div>WARNING: some readers may find parts offensive! If you are going to consider walking a Pilgrimage walk then I highly recommend you attend one of Syl's workshops which she holds in Durban. She is also a guest speaker at the Gauteng workshops. Syl is the convenor for the KZN branch of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gsSTMfS1VcFpNYyROr36jzgtFMiMLkzvBYzm8DUOHIrCB6zFXfEed5GdAW3vTpHIA2VAVY3oalOQymHVjyIOCvPEkrdgx3FzktfZsp7hRGcM0XxTB3JjiW-vK8qKOTdEsu9yYDgofoc/s1600-h/210.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364654552822821282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gsSTMfS1VcFpNYyROr36jzgtFMiMLkzvBYzm8DUOHIrCB6zFXfEed5GdAW3vTpHIA2VAVY3oalOQymHVjyIOCvPEkrdgx3FzktfZsp7hRGcM0XxTB3JjiW-vK8qKOTdEsu9yYDgofoc/s320/210.JPG" /></a>Confraternity of St James of South Africa - the website is <a href="http://www.csjsa.co.za/">http://www.csjsa.co.za/</a>. </div><br /><div>Properly research your route so it meets your cultural, historical and culinary(!) expectations. You can walk many pilgrim routes in France, Portugal and Italy as well as Spain and other countries. Some are remote like this one and offer something equally unique. Some, like the Via Francegenia in Italy, you will have the opportunity on many occasions to end the day in a established village - usually a walled city, high on the hill where you can eat fine Italian food. Be be prepared because there are many days where you will walk without coming across any inhabitants throughout the day. The workshops equip you in many ways including a back packlist and equipment recommendations. I am walking (and have walked for up to 5 weeks) on the exact list Syl gave me, no more and no less and have not wanted for a thing. However, I am proud to say that I have influenced Syl's list - I insist on one little evening number just to get away from the trousers and t shirts and this can be a dress or top and skirt, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70l88HfI7c-m_Xj3QzS0AgCBxUflFZT_fNwt2GhbFJCm0IG9UHjrfpTuaHIOlOj0ejJkQursW6DGMSlZfpB80kCwBq0aEvxCaDWRXa2_4RRKAM7L691E73Ohb360oRlKMvbj4tAS6200/s1600-h/Bridge+sanguesa.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 254px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364652878200769330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70l88HfI7c-m_Xj3QzS0AgCBxUflFZT_fNwt2GhbFJCm0IG9UHjrfpTuaHIOlOj0ejJkQursW6DGMSlZfpB80kCwBq0aEvxCaDWRXa2_4RRKAM7L691E73Ohb360oRlKMvbj4tAS6200/s320/Bridge+sanguesa.jpg" /></a>one of those that can be rolled up tightly and must weigh next to nothing and of course can be worn with the current fashion statement footwear..."La Crocs". Be prepared to share dorms and ablutions with the opposite sex - the Germans in particular are at ease with nudity. Take dear Bernd for instance in Italy, we had just reached th4e top of the Great St Bernard Pass and it was indeed worthy of celebration so I decided to go to the local tavern and have a glass of wine and a local palte and phone Martin. By the time I got back to the Monastery where we were spending the night, the girls were fast asleep in the dorm. I grabbed my toiletries and went to the (unisex) ablution block. I have dreadful eyesight in the dark even though I wear contact lenses and the room was dimly lit. A man was standing at the basin and we acknowledged each other. I cleaned my teeth, took out my contacts (I have 20/20 vision close up without them) and immediately realise that he is stark naked! He is tatoed from his neck down, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTwZ42u1hNEZAM3BsMXqFiI71LPR8UKiyKJc7vc_kt8SENM2QF7vQdaSj61tYOcjMahuwMKSLKx0yA_xlb5zbo-dGkth6D5vvBB3d9q_IB3xCoMdiTWAiSFgO2QM9aym3-XEU3tLgnnM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365018446156582434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTwZ42u1hNEZAM3BsMXqFiI71LPR8UKiyKJc7vc_kt8SENM2QF7vQdaSj61tYOcjMahuwMKSLKx0yA_xlb5zbo-dGkth6D5vvBB3d9q_IB3xCoMdiTWAiSFgO2QM9aym3-XEU3tLgnnM/s320/Camino+2009+2+001.jpg" /></a>arms, hands, bum, legs to his ankles...he lkooks like he's wearing a patterned babygro! I make a hasty retreat and jump into my bunk fully clothed. Bernard befriends us and this is a girls holiday so we really don't want him tagging along for too much longer. We decided to tell him that Martin (my husband) is a very jealous man and very upset that we have a man walking with us. Syl gets the job of telling him.."but Syl" he says "you must not worry, I am Gay!" Then dear sweet Bernd oversteps the mark - he tells us what food to buy, how to cook it and drinks our wine. We part company the next day. </div><br /><div>Lovely walk today just cross with my blisters...I walked 800km in Italy without one and instead of doing what I always do, I saw some gel heel pads and decided to buy them...they were too big and wrapped up around the base of my heels causing blisters. We have Compeed, excellent plasters so these will sort it out together with some lambs wool......we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJpPbsionT-xOJWASgnrEHsM3lKY7NEKtgeGDIL_YQZIkrxfQXqP2XhqelZ9ur1RFzxSQCllKA4q-UiYklYHWZA-Mf0xGR02SrQQoxaWSZOYX-y-_RTo04FYOhkT1elOMoGLWD6d1g3k/s1600-h/Hostal+JP.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364652869945353666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJpPbsionT-xOJWASgnrEHsM3lKY7NEKtgeGDIL_YQZIkrxfQXqP2XhqelZ9ur1RFzxSQCllKA4q-UiYklYHWZA-Mf0xGR02SrQQoxaWSZOYX-y-_RTo04FYOhkT1elOMoGLWD6d1g3k/s320/Hostal+JP.jpg" /></a>arrive in Sanguesa and Syl pointed out the European Storks on top of the Chapel where they have their nests - she has seen them all over Spain and some of their nests are huge and years old. Long walk around town to find our accommodation, we enter through the door and go upstairs, there are about 12 beds all very close to each other and full of middle plus aged men, there are 2 beds left ..we would not have stopped there anyway - we have shared dorms before but this one didn't feel right. We left and walked and walked until we came to a hostel that had room, it was more like a boutique hotel with a trendy little seating area and we had a room with OUR OWN shower AND toilet between us..but the cost per person was E27 as opposed to the usual E8 - E12..it was lovely. Whilst I tried to repair my feet (I bartered with Marion "you give me your spare lambs wool and I will carry your wine goblet!") Both Marion and Syl gave me their spare lambs wool for free!! Syl and Marion went <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCFSmu1S_5X-x-QwtbZmiADQMwyb0Dg5a2DcqSWkDvztbNraP3zBpIGa4_D4zzZa2uXp-cTOcVjLO7mYPcgH2P6wSub2t2G6LdT1EtXObPpPc-U9n_hHL1_pnP4LcRypS_0Rp_ezWsEs/s1600-h/Sanguesa+street.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364652866293535538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCFSmu1S_5X-x-QwtbZmiADQMwyb0Dg5a2DcqSWkDvztbNraP3zBpIGa4_D4zzZa2uXp-cTOcVjLO7mYPcgH2P6wSub2t2G6LdT1EtXObPpPc-U9n_hHL1_pnP4LcRypS_0Rp_ezWsEs/s320/Sanguesa+street.jpg" /></a>on a recce to find a cameral shop to copy over her photos onto a CD and somewhere to eat as there are no facilities to cook here - when we arrived this afternoon everything was closed so have walked on half a slice of bread and an apple and starving! We cannot have breakfast in the morning because the hostel will only serve something at 0830am and too late for us. We have some leftover fruit and hopefully there will be a village with a shop on our way. Syl and Marion return with a wonderful 70% cocoa chocolate bar for me..it is Roncesvalles Chocolate Artesano. They found a bar with tapas is lively with only one barman serving which is quite normal, serving beers, wine, coffees and tapas all on his own. The tapas display is nothing like we saw at the beginning of our arrival in Spain but worth trying. We have mushrooms with garlic and butter mopped up with bread, Tuna...fresh with olive oil - served cold and very good. The croquettes were filled with cheese and ham or pimentoes are quite doughy and stodgy. Then we hit the Internet cafe, a dingy place and part of an amusement arcade which appears to be the only facility for the poor local kids who have to live here. There is a foul smell throughout this "town" almost toxic. It is an Inner City Slum. The smell turns out to be the water purifying plant that we walk past in the morning.<br /></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-83498539270240018262009-06-15T10:28:00.000-07:002009-07-31T03:18:40.548-07:00Day 9 Santa Cilia to Artieda<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhq8G3TuhpcTo05o3G-MfdkRjKKryjOmxnybk6IKSdfnR2BzyDEicakIbdczPuGsSEhSWYxpj7ktuuPKnmqggz8W5Tkex76eoG2IaWPGx5qULk1YQVthQ5DilOfhQA2v36WKOdQZey_2M/s1600-h/197.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364553481370727586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhq8G3TuhpcTo05o3G-MfdkRjKKryjOmxnybk6IKSdfnR2BzyDEicakIbdczPuGsSEhSWYxpj7ktuuPKnmqggz8W5Tkex76eoG2IaWPGx5qULk1YQVthQ5DilOfhQA2v36WKOdQZey_2M/s320/197.JPG" /></a>Marion</strong><br /><br />Today we decided we needed to start a bit earlier so that we could rather walk most of our walk in the cooler part of the as as it so very hot by lunchtime. Val´s alarm went off at 6.00am this morning so we were up and out of the room to dress in the passage so that we did not disturb the others. Can you imagine all of us standing on the steps with all our belongings, folding up our sleeping bags, puting everything in our backpacks and getting ready to go and then creeping down the stairs then to the kitchen to get our breakfast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKTtqWqBO-aGWtaGJLxye9d0MmTWkDb5TJNCXPeNW9-g1-3wi9eJhFzBVutTO7NNOo_saujmsEwdDiQUS9n9_xc1LPKhy62Pqeb1-oPnSH4YDUVDFB_gWCL4QdBd6j0GqH2goD2WaOfo/s1600-h/193.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364558315045738818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKTtqWqBO-aGWtaGJLxye9d0MmTWkDb5TJNCXPeNW9-g1-3wi9eJhFzBVutTO7NNOo_saujmsEwdDiQUS9n9_xc1LPKhy62Pqeb1-oPnSH4YDUVDFB_gWCL4QdBd6j0GqH2goD2WaOfo/s320/193.JPG" /></a> We were on the road by 7.15am. Most of our walking was through farm land lots of golden wheat fields with a scattering of wild poppies every now and again. We walked on a path of sand and stone lots of wild flowers alongside us. It was quite flat and again very hot with very little shade. We stopped at a little village called Martas, unfortunately no shops at all, so no coffee. Luckily we saw three elderly men sitting on a bench and the one showed us where we could get some cold water to fill our bottles. We then walked through the Lunar valley, it was quite weird, hills that are soft rock, grey coloured and it looked like they had <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet_ZCCS5vlTVjqu9uvGrY3PeIe5tWVutrrqKVYM_qc89OY6jNTpBbIfkWGkorrKNfAx-3JlanXRgd8XYIBSg_sF7uLFkueTt0zGaIUaqdLrBMlij7eylr1tTCIW-CdQtoyyOmww6p1Gs/s1600-h/194.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364553498793851282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet_ZCCS5vlTVjqu9uvGrY3PeIe5tWVutrrqKVYM_qc89OY6jNTpBbIfkWGkorrKNfAx-3JlanXRgd8XYIBSg_sF7uLFkueTt0zGaIUaqdLrBMlij7eylr1tTCIW-CdQtoyyOmww6p1Gs/s320/194.JPG" /></a>a top layer of very fine looking gravel. The village that we were going to stop at Artieda was on a top of a hill, it was quite a climb. At the bottom of the hill was about a dozen Royal Eagles flying around and whilst I was walking up I could not help but wonder if they were watching to see if I would make it to the top and if I did not would I be good food for them. I was exhausted by the time I had reached the top, at first could not undrstand why I found the day so tiring but then realized how I had perspired in the heat and had not had enough carbs and salt, also had not had enough to drink. I straight away started drinking water <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ5bqFCrWIHtarhk1D8kWAsYaxv6_yd6W8YB8QfuCmpa9zr5J9EB9WSP1cLDJY8FRJj4mqJwfADV1Ct4m1Th7bqKwnPYukmRfCGhJNepWRqi9bAiVycZBxs3ww0nOpDJpm2Y2ZQ5ejt4/s1600-h/195.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364553493699713730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJ5bqFCrWIHtarhk1D8kWAsYaxv6_yd6W8YB8QfuCmpa9zr5J9EB9WSP1cLDJY8FRJj4mqJwfADV1Ct4m1Th7bqKwnPYukmRfCGhJNepWRqi9bAiVycZBxs3ww0nOpDJpm2Y2ZQ5ejt4/s320/195.JPG" /></a>and eating carbs and some salt. Even though it was a tiring day it was wonderful.<br /><div><div><br /><strong>Val Minister of Nutrition</strong> </div><div>We are up early today = we want to get a head start and so it is dark when we awake. The alarm has been set for 6am and my cell phone is our alarm....but the battery is running low and I have to leave it plugged in at the bottom of Marion´s bed...I am above her in the top bunk. As such I say, Marion when the alarm goes off in the morning you must quickly turn it off so it doesn´t disturb the others. It duly goes off at 6.00am, and off and off....I lean over <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliqtlMT2GKrcYHjxHOJ0FgfxOU1aecEoFzFAItpP21GWNkWC5e8CAjFg7dA25lMVk1nj-wG8gT9z5gS23b1IGipCTMXicMRb9IOsqFrCzVLrgs92yhXNNjJWmouhODSLjJeKkGFpsPaM/s1600-h/196.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364553483824045186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliqtlMT2GKrcYHjxHOJ0FgfxOU1aecEoFzFAItpP21GWNkWC5e8CAjFg7dA25lMVk1nj-wG8gT9z5gS23b1IGipCTMXicMRb9IOsqFrCzVLrgs92yhXNNjJWmouhODSLjJeKkGFpsPaM/s320/196.JPG" /></a>the bunk and whisper Marion, Marion....she cannot hear me...´the poor French girls head is next to the bench that the phone is on and in a sleepy voice says "oh Sil o plait, oh sil of plat....which interpreted comes out like the teenagers say " oh pleazeeee" finally Marion awakes and unplugs the phone and hands it up to me....my sorry´s do nothing to compensate for the intrusion....we all sneak out and then go back and back again to move our things from the Dorm to the landing to dress and sort out....I have dreadful eyesight so put on my head lamp and go back into the dorm, careful to keep my head low so as not to disturb them <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7dX0rGfXLrEqx9-6qu-9m-fVeONDLbzI6Nig24Z-QYb2xAMymXRPPXGZzdUnnMA78iP6IT0WcE0c1Ct_pnkzrq1ky1hfMGE5fgftVc6C_LOHUFrRt6Ie387ee98lc46Pngfr66lh7Yc/s1600-h/200.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364552366993333506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7dX0rGfXLrEqx9-6qu-9m-fVeONDLbzI6Nig24Z-QYb2xAMymXRPPXGZzdUnnMA78iP6IT0WcE0c1Ct_pnkzrq1ky1hfMGE5fgftVc6C_LOHUFrRt6Ie387ee98lc46Pngfr66lh7Yc/s320/200.JPG" /></a>further...but the poor French girl´s head is just where I need to be and my head lamp shines right on her head...."oh Pleazeeeee"...I think this morning I have crossed the line of Pilgrim etiquette! One does not wake up nor disturb fellow pilgrims.<br />We go downstairs and prepare our hot chocolate with hot fresh milk (actually it is longlife in a carton but by fresh I mean it is not in a packet). We have a breakfast bar and a banana so lots to eat and there are some late comers who are sleeping on the lounge furniture and ´hiss at us´to shutup. We give up and leave. There was a storm during the night <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5MLhaFJlFHZp2omrh9679CJJCLyiFOOC_iKcVTZU6Ub3rmunEo1Bn-3fpfO_SvwV9P3mviuS_HYxt4XIHaGXau30X9HS1x4P7hbPoA4LYBPtuVWneB__H1beUZJBwUdZGpxEeFWVWI8/s1600-h/204.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364550530209313938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5MLhaFJlFHZp2omrh9679CJJCLyiFOOC_iKcVTZU6Ub3rmunEo1Bn-3fpfO_SvwV9P3mviuS_HYxt4XIHaGXau30X9HS1x4P7hbPoA4LYBPtuVWneB__H1beUZJBwUdZGpxEeFWVWI8/s320/204.JPG" /></a>and it is very humid. Eventually the sun comes out and there is no escape as we are in the open...quite a slog today on hard gravel paths and not much variation so you feel every km. After about 5kms I could feel my left foot stinging. I discovered scourers/sponges last time were great for putting under your bra straps to support the back pack straps - as long as you remembered to put the sponge side on the skin and scourer part against the bra strap. I hve been using them to cushion the balls of my feet, toomany pedicures have made my feet too soft. Finally I have to stop and discover that I have put the sponge around the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgl8F7jfAWaaQ4oySTWRlkJjv3hQm3LxmTSTkfLVrvv8KNCLwAzLWkmyuKc9LAGABNiu2_KXUhOfAY3yleq8kMPf6n2XGBEByIxmJINwOSvchG6h3ejAHIagwSYL45YCwikluRxlNNOc/s1600-h/205.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364550524734914882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgl8F7jfAWaaQ4oySTWRlkJjv3hQm3LxmTSTkfLVrvv8KNCLwAzLWkmyuKc9LAGABNiu2_KXUhOfAY3yleq8kMPf6n2XGBEByIxmJINwOSvchG6h3ejAHIagwSYL45YCwikluRxlNNOc/s320/205.JPG" /></a>wrong way and had the scourer against my skin and I have literally grated the underpart of my foot. I had rubbed raw. Nurse Syl comes to the rescue and dried it off with spirit and rosemary and then applied a dressing and the rest of the journey was fine. We could see our village high on the hill and it reminded us of Tuscany. We climbed and climbed andwere greeted by a lovely woman and daughter - her Albergue was also the only bar, restaurant in the place, what luck!! There were no shops and they relied on deliveries. They showed us to our rooms and once again, spotlessly clean. Asked if we would like to eat and offered us Tortilla and Salad - <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6s13VXbsWa7HT3Tk_GJlVT43GGl5Pi1yhAZuM9H8yQG1VAZzP-B4JZTQWGdVMJi1VqSNSzwrPhRbve2_q6P-PdKpqQ0YHE1k0D6X9Iu7Omn76h92aWgulVCovUQJvBt1CEumwFjGRco/s1600-h/206.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364550520352815282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6s13VXbsWa7HT3Tk_GJlVT43GGl5Pi1yhAZuM9H8yQG1VAZzP-B4JZTQWGdVMJi1VqSNSzwrPhRbve2_q6P-PdKpqQ0YHE1k0D6X9Iu7Omn76h92aWgulVCovUQJvBt1CEumwFjGRco/s320/206.JPG" /></a>yes please...we had cool drinks and coffee and vino tinto. My first spanish meal. There is no internet so we will write our blog and publish when we can...have a shower and afternoon nap as they have offered us supper at 8pm and breakfast at 7am...more than we have eaten in days. We got caught out today and walked all day on a banana, apple and a third of an orange.We ask if we can get a taxi to drop us at the next village as we are a bit behind now and need to catch up about 8km to guarantee somewhere to sleep. yes we are the taxi also she says! The wind is up now and it is trying to rain (5pm)We get ready to go down and I go to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYbTVJBW6ZsqJeXiL6v0CZbRNv_4EKxd1_8ExvW-VP6qg5IFANDB1oTLN5RhZmrYbsSIpYavgJJPYOSdJvttdVSoOqyar3g696wH69tmOwqbhuaImkHXRRC47iIJbD_BGX39gUcQ-9Gc/s1600-h/208.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364528705871875586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYbTVJBW6ZsqJeXiL6v0CZbRNv_4EKxd1_8ExvW-VP6qg5IFANDB1oTLN5RhZmrYbsSIpYavgJJPYOSdJvttdVSoOqyar3g696wH69tmOwqbhuaImkHXRRC47iIJbD_BGX39gUcQ-9Gc/s320/208.JPG" /></a>climb off the top bunk...it is so high I can reach the ceiling without stretching...I crawl to the end and turnaround to come down and Syl shouts " the ladder is on the other side"...we nearly have spatchcock Val. Tonights meal is green beans, large runner beans cooked with potatoes and small dice of ham. Followed by Tortilla (which we have a lunchtime so gave that a miss), beef ragu or sausages. I choose sausages dreaming of a Spanish casserole of spicy sausages, Spanish onion, garlic, peppers and perhaps some smoked Spanish Paprika...no...4 chipolatas and chips!...followed by commercially packaged <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWWrXVBLyZmK4XS9HRHpxKY2KAayT1svybmHy6jdAz4p26z9RAxEcxB5i9LNpouk0D-JsS2_5dVIXInNroNB_6JtJOsl0SR6K1XeOjbBAM261dtNsB47lPKcz39HhcVEIA6PXhRkltwU/s1600-h/203.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364550531972286466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWWrXVBLyZmK4XS9HRHpxKY2KAayT1svybmHy6jdAz4p26z9RAxEcxB5i9LNpouk0D-JsS2_5dVIXInNroNB_6JtJOsl0SR6K1XeOjbBAM261dtNsB47lPKcz39HhcVEIA6PXhRkltwU/s320/203.JPG" /></a>ice cream, tinned fruit salad or flan.. I choose flan which turns out to be a prepackaged creme caramel...I woof the whole lot down! Breakfast is lovely coffe, half a slice of dry bread with preserves. Also Magdamena´s...cupcakes which taste stale. However, all of this together with our accommodation cost 28 euro....The Spanish are really lovely people...... </div><div><div></div><div><strong>Sil</strong></div><div>Today was a much better day for me. After the heat of yesterday and the challenging climb down from San Juan de la Pena, I found today´s walk a breeze - long and relentless, but </div><div>easy all the same. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWlpstOAtQdJSgfWgYe3EkDpATiq5SIQhs4oPcqXuBmsjTZnh9IqOLO5mKaOfzLMPyDvbSFaO47m7yi40T9XUusGMFKSnszz3TLzH7iiwDG6yd44ayUWUhLH5EN1WeXPx3RER5rXBnp0/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+136.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364528689534360178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWlpstOAtQdJSgfWgYe3EkDpATiq5SIQhs4oPcqXuBmsjTZnh9IqOLO5mKaOfzLMPyDvbSFaO47m7yi40T9XUusGMFKSnszz3TLzH7iiwDG6yd44ayUWUhLH5EN1WeXPx3RER5rXBnp0/s320/Camino+2009+2+136.jpg" /></a>The paths were mostly wide, open gravel or sandy paths and although it was hot we were able to stop three times for a backpack off and snack break. Val and Marion seem to find the long, flat paths more tiring than I do and it my turn to be encouraging. </div><div>We realise that we need to take in more salt and perhaps more proper carbohydrates. They eat more bread than I do but I prefer fruit and yoghurt - neither of which really replenishes salts and fluids lost by a long day´s walk. Artieda is on a hill (what´s new) and as we walk in we see a vehicle parked on a side alley with a taxi advert <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAgYGaXobQTESphUMrjHHRtKfBGiPbvn_MdZbzm2hPT1chG7VK6dAHZQNBhkT5MZhqRF4mn6coXvuU2G_BbN1XdPa9nQLH77m6y1wpajc-QQ9DVHJBZ6kNhCRKyPZjsa9zXu-q2P5Y7s/s1600-h/201.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364552358080001634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAgYGaXobQTESphUMrjHHRtKfBGiPbvn_MdZbzm2hPT1chG7VK6dAHZQNBhkT5MZhqRF4mn6coXvuU2G_BbN1XdPa9nQLH77m6y1wpajc-QQ9DVHJBZ6kNhCRKyPZjsa9zXu-q2P5Y7s/s320/201.JPG" /></a>in the wondow. Such a tiny place with a taxi service! It also has a telephone box and I try to phone home. My card works for Marion to phone Kim in JOhannesburg but doesn´t work for me to phone Finn. I´m starting to feel home sick and need to speak to my family. </div><div>The albergue is in a hostal - some private rooms and some dorm rooms. Our room has two double bunks so we are alone in the room. </div><div>After a lunch of Tortilla Espanol and salad we had a nice hot shower and sorted out our packs. Marion and I walked to the end of the village and took photos of a stunning view of the valley with rain clouds slashing the Yesa dam. Dinner is a communal one and we shared our dinner table with three German pilgrims who could all speak English. After dinner, a French pilgrim asked the owner to take a photograph of all of us so we trooped outside for a group photo. I ask the woman in the restaurant if we can contact the taxi to take us to Ruesta tomorrow. "We are the taxi" she says. "We are the hostal, the shop and the taxi - todo!" So, we arrange for the taxi to take us 8km down the road tomorrow morning so that we can get back on track to reach Pamplona in time for Val's flight and our trains.</div><div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-46532464057685638082009-06-15T10:24:00.000-07:002009-07-30T11:18:41.727-07:00Day 8: Jaca to Santa Cilia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOdqv3G2M3jfR-Za3uzMXWlHQuakbAwnQu6HI6KzdHUUcgKfxLiCIqyMSDTbKxAMrr0I5SUXx8SDu3n2fVGi7SrauGyCre4Zb9opCKE7p4mRhoTXqTCJnJBBWMir0NaOt3l0H9A22rdc/s1600-h/178.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314535315785730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOdqv3G2M3jfR-Za3uzMXWlHQuakbAwnQu6HI6KzdHUUcgKfxLiCIqyMSDTbKxAMrr0I5SUXx8SDu3n2fVGi7SrauGyCre4Zb9opCKE7p4mRhoTXqTCJnJBBWMir0NaOt3l0H9A22rdc/s320/178.JPG" /></a> <strong>Marion </strong><br />Another beautiful day, clear sky, no sign of rain at all. We started off by taking a taxi to the Monastary of San Juan de La Pena, it was such a worthwhile stop. Its amazing to see how the Monastery was built into the rock mountain. The workmanship was incredibile, and it all was so interesting. After spending approximately one hour walking through the monastary we then started walking the 7.5k´s back down to the road. At first did not understand as we started climbingfor 1k, and then the descent began, a very steep path of earth, stones and rocks. One had to be very <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1XS2CZT0T2scctqOLTPCMtqjO09tlbELsV_PDJ7cTMlAawuEieX0UBLfFfLK-xgn1CgER8kdg2waARM5r0MwVxcJNaeYnE6dpnXj63rJ2p_tDOtMW_SqQ0jy7PQ0QrMqbhV_W9lGneU/s1600-h/181.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPqViPxbg0hsWW1DM5qthFUkPkDbQ5E4FDav6eaH1JcVpra7uGTsfYnasmN1yU2gKMuOPdgCa6IiKe63j-nHTPP89ZbK0j9HLqnes5qyG8QHJjevlCc4yMxsvZfswNbI2iRg9y6-UW3k/s1600-h/182.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314518258366146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPqViPxbg0hsWW1DM5qthFUkPkDbQ5E4FDav6eaH1JcVpra7uGTsfYnasmN1yU2gKMuOPdgCa6IiKe63j-nHTPP89ZbK0j9HLqnes5qyG8QHJjevlCc4yMxsvZfswNbI2iRg9y6-UW3k/s320/182.JPG" /></a>carefull and go down quite slowly. I so enjoyed it but must admit I would not like to do it in very wet wether. At times we came across wild lavendar growing alongside of us, lots of pretty wild flowers and very colourful butterflies. At the bottom we found a cafe bar and had something to drink at Santa Cruz which was very welcome and then continued on our way up and down a another path of rocks and boulders. It was very hot and no shade. I am sure we were walking in the path that the water would come tumbling down. One could actually see where the little waterfalls would be in the wet weather or when the snow melted. I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti48jbvcbG9W_QXcY6oao6he6wDkbBdVUK5u6nz4gNhiPAZmldCWrS5xIxaagHYJAKBgTUj1BC2YGZKq1iUbUiRwcyJpahAwbHBhcYnEBZL8ImGSjq396rhtANcNTxnADgkx92NEqLv8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+108.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314517387027330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti48jbvcbG9W_QXcY6oao6he6wDkbBdVUK5u6nz4gNhiPAZmldCWrS5xIxaagHYJAKBgTUj1BC2YGZKq1iUbUiRwcyJpahAwbHBhcYnEBZL8ImGSjq396rhtANcNTxnADgkx92NEqLv8/s320/Camino+2009+2+108.jpg" /></a>love walking off the road as in the silence I am able to listen to the sounds of nature and lose myself within myself. Have to say at the end of walking today I was quite tired but contented.<br /><br /><strong>Val Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />We are chucked out at 0900am so we decide to get up early and finish off on the blog. We are now up to date with our blog...still a shame that we post almost a week in one go as we know friends and family like to get an update every few days....we are getting a taxi to the Monastery this morning so Syl goes off to scout for the taxi rank and atm whilst Marion and I get our fix of ´cafe´in a bar....I also have a roll with ham and proscuitto which is served warm...delicious. The taxi rank is full of cars which are not taxis...and we along with another woman accost every one who parks and gets out of the car..."taxi" NO comes the reply...the Spanish woman actually opens their doors <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMsWtnHHEe9uyNy48lTmtXwiof-fQybtVVvaLcneeqMEqYQipXjGFvqQW8EAxHThdvBDET_YryPzFrwOjnIRUg8iEoIDFDPguHBM2qgmXDIPINcPXXR3-redq15D-uoOA0apzjlG-Rmc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+119.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314139234613458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMsWtnHHEe9uyNy48lTmtXwiof-fQybtVVvaLcneeqMEqYQipXjGFvqQW8EAxHThdvBDET_YryPzFrwOjnIRUg8iEoIDFDPguHBM2qgmXDIPINcPXXR3-redq15D-uoOA0apzjlG-Rmc/s320/Camino+2009+2+119.jpg" /></a>and is almost in when the owner of the car has to manhandle her and say No not taxi!!<br />We got to a hotel and the kind lady calls us a taxi and we then wait at the taxi rank....we bundle in with all of our stuff and are soon speeding up a very narrow winding road to the Monastery. It is well worth the visit and the late start we have today. It doesn´t open until 1000am and we spend at least an hour. We immediately set off on the path to our next stop. I resist singing "I´m off to Sunny Spain¨and pretend that I have never been to Benidorm! But I feel like singing because it is so beautiful. For the past 5 days we have seen a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxo1bOUGtK83ADhFeJhbI7X0rcnHTN96pvdiLenkmNBmJotHFX43eKW0451l_jHDuHVpLPO0JisJtKPRGql-nL9hPjMV1d-hCcgTtEVK6YevtGId9VbUqCw1NPuYeiO0Bo70Ge43iUQg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+129.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313645247257762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxo1bOUGtK83ADhFeJhbI7X0rcnHTN96pvdiLenkmNBmJotHFX43eKW0451l_jHDuHVpLPO0JisJtKPRGql-nL9hPjMV1d-hCcgTtEVK6YevtGId9VbUqCw1NPuYeiO0Bo70Ge43iUQg/s320/Camino+2009+2+129.jpg" /></a>lone bird of prey - it is as if he is following us...perhaps guiding us. Our next stop should have been Arres but we will not make it as we are so late and cannot book and as such ensure our accommodation. We walk into Santa Cilia and there are two young boys playing football. .. Syl says Albergue? and they immediately walk for us to follow. We go down a side road where the entire road is running between the buildings is dug up...another village undergoing reconstruction. Other than that, there is absolutely nothing! We have walked through villages where there is a row of say 4 houses, of which only one is habitable, the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7CRkQsc-rLnBU7qfjhvCzuHUgc8LTYzN_C74QdEa0mBmqGCpnOOfDj-xBEfI1PbTrDIwSbJwIFaM2vnTWl76TWHMFHeoHACUM359Asy8uaaMXXljd5oOge3M5VqqUvOiho_ddBIO6Zg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+115.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314149093254066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7CRkQsc-rLnBU7qfjhvCzuHUgc8LTYzN_C74QdEa0mBmqGCpnOOfDj-xBEfI1PbTrDIwSbJwIFaM2vnTWl76TWHMFHeoHACUM359Asy8uaaMXXljd5oOge3M5VqqUvOiho_ddBIO6Zg/s320/Camino+2009+2+115.jpg" /></a>ones surrounding it are ruins. They have no shops, absolutely nothing but almost always a water fountain and incredibly - recyling bins..probably more for us pilgrims than the residents. Our accommodation tonight is superb in many ways, it is bright and cheerful, the 3 storey ¨townhouse¨has colour washed walls and paintings (murals) a map and modern Male and Female Pilgrims to denote the abultions, although most often these are communal. The place is spotless and quite a few of our fellow pilgrims have all gathered here tonight and a great atmosphere exists. There is a washing machine! Marions says, "and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum5ASsb9NAYiiujAf-uJNYVF4S0jVLj70CCH6sc4HToSLiQ-SZxHsTHJh4ruB8LgM-efPbXBn3dondgx6EczoAYkeCjr-1yyE8L8e8wqeNPFg4-NH714r5GCqBjaKgRd74cvgfPhTwIw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+114.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314151690876002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgum5ASsb9NAYiiujAf-uJNYVF4S0jVLj70CCH6sc4HToSLiQ-SZxHsTHJh4ruB8LgM-efPbXBn3dondgx6EczoAYkeCjr-1yyE8L8e8wqeNPFg4-NH714r5GCqBjaKgRd74cvgfPhTwIw/s320/Camino+2009+2+114.jpg" /></a>what is this?" " a dishwasher?" I say, but it is a tumble dryer....we have not been able to wash our fleece´s as they are difficult to dry and if the weather turns we only have one, and need them in the mornings and sometimes to sleep in. They are competing with the smelly cheese now! Downstairs is a fully fitted kitchen, huge communal table and lovely open plan lounge. The next floor is a male and female dorm and lovely showers and toilets...there is liquid soap AND paper towels AND TOILET PAPER! Some places do not supply toilet paper because we pinch it. The first time I discovered this, was a bit of a shock...where the toilet rolls should <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq1s08vli34PtfpLyK395KvD-CjqrvkNS0PMwFBdcB1dAf_X6j8NvGP1rfHi2OKHbdlpic-tuYELFSsQL1EI89KYAeGvRNZnUWRgbK2fBnVUXVfjXR9jv4boiGWXY_gYEeO-lDz5kG3c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+116.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314142565194226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq1s08vli34PtfpLyK395KvD-CjqrvkNS0PMwFBdcB1dAf_X6j8NvGP1rfHi2OKHbdlpic-tuYELFSsQL1EI89KYAeGvRNZnUWRgbK2fBnVUXVfjXR9jv4boiGWXY_gYEeO-lDz5kG3c/s320/Camino+2009+2+116.jpg" /></a>have been, was a piece of cardboard with a message...I did´nt need my phrase book to know that it said something like "we no longer provide toilet paper because you nasty little Pilgrims pinch it".....In the next door cubicle is a groan and expletive - it doesn´t matter what the language, it is obvious he also forgot to check before sitting down. <br />On the 3rd floor is a huge room - almost like a classroom with free Internet and we manage to post a few photographs onto our blog. The use of the internet, washing machine, including powder and the tumble dryer in addition to all the other facilities is just 10 euro. The only <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaJEkOg8ynTit433LHvet5RI4uMf5tilur3JsDXatoRTGPqUQsEO-gbriFugXaYIgrSyrxz33RAssyEebipczA8CccYJaaTv-NdjkU64M68Q6ylnGPL8CSRL-j4S6EJ5oC9sJFdLds1I/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+117.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364314143401378146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaJEkOg8ynTit433LHvet5RI4uMf5tilur3JsDXatoRTGPqUQsEO-gbriFugXaYIgrSyrxz33RAssyEebipczA8CccYJaaTv-NdjkU64M68Q6ylnGPL8CSRL-j4S6EJ5oC9sJFdLds1I/s320/Camino+2009+2+117.jpg" /></a>problem now is where can we get food. Marion and I go looking around the village, and it is full of allotments with such wonderful produce including fruit trees and fruit bushes. As we pass down a narrow path we can just see over a wall with vegetables at our height - oh it is so tempting to pinch and onion and lettuce but we resist. We report back that the place is deserted. Eventually we learn that we have to walk around the corner and press the door bell and wait about 15 minutes and they will open - there is apparently a bar and food shop. A few of us go to the door and sure enough about 10 minutes later a lady appears and we set into <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpVVEfLP2JAblFT_MVu46EWOFVJFg3yozKpoKGQ0dz2Lbkd4SbdSeEvEkz2kjPRxPWqHXxS2DylZUyx1G91NsJU3i02xXAPfREeed9VGOrcR0yVywB2Y8fg6gnRLJ6U0VBpETp7i_QJs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+126.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313650674467698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpVVEfLP2JAblFT_MVu46EWOFVJFg3yozKpoKGQ0dz2Lbkd4SbdSeEvEkz2kjPRxPWqHXxS2DylZUyx1G91NsJU3i02xXAPfREeed9VGOrcR0yVywB2Y8fg6gnRLJ6U0VBpETp7i_QJs/s320/Camino+2009+2+126.jpg" /></a>the bar..a tiny dingy room and we are told to wait here until she is ready for us to come into the shop. The tiny bar has a shelf on the wall with grimey bottles, most without labels and I don´t ask for wine fearful that I might be given the contents of one of these bottles and so we wait for over 15 minutes for Senora to invite us into her shop behind the bar. "only two at a time!" But she allows us three in together. It is a lovely Alladins Cave- we snatch up fresh lettuce, toms, onions, peppers and garlic. A carton of milk for tomorrow with sachets of hot chocolate, apples, oranges and bananas. She doesn´t have any bread but we still have some <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TvliHkL7KXyerGTTaB3TAxg3hCLEXzqicjQUgyU2yI168gx80GZX-A7yzl4YPSkfgbf8pYoUjjXDuz8VuqlZy00CkRF4XiKQrXWkbWmT1eNBqpLkVkiAV7qRBq5DJHXkTTQgiUTpsAw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+128.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313647825339922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TvliHkL7KXyerGTTaB3TAxg3hCLEXzqicjQUgyU2yI168gx80GZX-A7yzl4YPSkfgbf8pYoUjjXDuz8VuqlZy00CkRF4XiKQrXWkbWmT1eNBqpLkVkiAV7qRBq5DJHXkTTQgiUTpsAw/s320/Camino+2009+2+128.jpg" /></a>in my backpack also some cheese. Then she says "Jamon, Chorizo?.. Chorizo I say...a huge one is taken from the fridge and she gives us a generous piece. I will lightly fry this to release the juices and add to our salad. There is a row of wine bottles, covered in dust and cobwebs...¨vino¨I say...si tinto?...si Senora..she opens another little fridge and hands me a perfectly chilled red wine. We all go back to our kitchen and start cooking...Marion and I produce our corkscrew and wine goblets and the German man, says in English ¨you do not need a man¨...then he calls everyone into the kitchen to see our goblets...they are drinking out of plastic bathroom cups. Our bread was so hard now I couldn´t cut it too well, the yellow hard cheese was desperately trying to evolve into a Stilton but tasted fine and we finished off with a piece of Lindt chocolate which had travelled for 2 days in my backpack.<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LJneYYq6ydVtuPAvIpxcLbt9W9skA-p0tzJ7TkYT6TLFgF2rKAQILu3FBPRQak3-sUwYOixeFuUffPQ04p_NYHiIP_1EI6wr5leS__gm_TdTNmAqjGrl2FET12uGkt6DbC-EGmyw8RM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+130.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313644028205394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LJneYYq6ydVtuPAvIpxcLbt9W9skA-p0tzJ7TkYT6TLFgF2rKAQILu3FBPRQak3-sUwYOixeFuUffPQ04p_NYHiIP_1EI6wr5leS__gm_TdTNmAqjGrl2FET12uGkt6DbC-EGmyw8RM/s320/Camino+2009+2+130.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />We have three options today.<br /><br />(1) This was the plan from home. Get a taxi to San Juan and ask him to wait for one hour then take us down to St Cilia - which means an 8km walk to Arres, our next intended stopover.<br /><br />(2) Get the taxi to San Juan and walk the 7.5km back to St Cilia and 8km to Arres. That'll make it 15km walking day.<br /><br />(3) Get a bus at 8h10 to St Cilia and walk up to San Juan de la Pena and back again. This will make it a very long walk so we discard this idea.<br /><br />Plan 1 means we walk 8kms today - or plan 2 and we walk about 15kms?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwTSd8ErcwP1gD8rX18vTS2czKt33esBJ_ny0jO4HmrYgXyCGlR9j8MeaOBsv0BssWNsXTnBSuMgzgIHzIUuw4vyqyD4YhiCLx8OGYfL6qeH6d3wtggcCfK1SAnwmyU9gnnmh0QWGMzY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+132.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313092751803314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwTSd8ErcwP1gD8rX18vTS2czKt33esBJ_ny0jO4HmrYgXyCGlR9j8MeaOBsv0BssWNsXTnBSuMgzgIHzIUuw4vyqyD4YhiCLx8OGYfL6qeH6d3wtggcCfK1SAnwmyU9gnnmh0QWGMzY/s320/Camino+2009+2+132.jpg" /></a>"I don´t mind to walk" says Val. "I don´t mind walking" says Marion. So, I ask the driver to take us to San Juan and we will walk back. It costs us 25€ - 35€ if he had waited. We pay 3€ (pilgrim price) to see the monastery and leave our packs behind the ticket booth. After visiting this stunning place we collect our sticks and packs. "It is not a dificult path" says the young lady in the ticket booth. "Only 7.5km". It IS a difficult path! It is rocky, narrow, VERY, Very steep and although we spent the first km going up, the rest is all down, down, down - impossible ledge paths with no hope of recovery if you wobble or stumble. At <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY2OqniLIZ_3iG-jtZBTuBW7j5_gNx_hr5fyw542hNGfpHGv86Br22IHcCSTlVMruJqp00PPyTUnk101fyKOF-IT7OrqRIffBDifr3sns6uL9TtIhtepWgO3ALUYTd8Itc9UdfAaP7rU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+131.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 314px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364313083803725778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY2OqniLIZ_3iG-jtZBTuBW7j5_gNx_hr5fyw542hNGfpHGv86Br22IHcCSTlVMruJqp00PPyTUnk101fyKOF-IT7OrqRIffBDifr3sns6uL9TtIhtepWgO3ALUYTd8Itc9UdfAaP7rU/s320/Camino+2009+2+131.jpg" /></a>one stage it looked as though the path had disappeared into an abyss but there it was when we peered over the edge, snaking its way sideways down only to disappear again into another gully.<br />I was exhausted by the time we got to the bottom and even after stopping at Santa Cruz for a cold drink, I started to feel light headed and wobbly as we walked to Santa Cilia.<br />"I think I need to lie down" I told M and Val at one stage. We found a tiny patch of shade and I lay down with my legs up on a tree and my head on my backpack. I had goosebumps even <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUCQSzS8NMo_iTrYILDwNKNc6SYY7EQEC8VbUNqsOsB40mglET-IZMBXlACjiJrEi24prZ3OCFR1Cr1LHSR1GTf8C_DtBTht1WGCV9Yh7HmFSkD-ZDuNrwhX8Pvy5mcDinPxi9BvH0wU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2a.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364312788337417330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUCQSzS8NMo_iTrYILDwNKNc6SYY7EQEC8VbUNqsOsB40mglET-IZMBXlACjiJrEi24prZ3OCFR1Cr1LHSR1GTf8C_DtBTht1WGCV9Yh7HmFSkD-ZDuNrwhX8Pvy5mcDinPxi9BvH0wU/s320/Camino+2009+2a.JPG" /></a>though it was 35oC in the shade. I think I had a touch of sunstroke. When we got to Santa Cilia I headed straight for the albergue. After a shower, something to eat and a drink I felt as <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxQQWBFvk0V5gpq670T_9o4fJ_kpLOr5gboSTizmLu3yKsvVoa0q6zem-UsnhBAxgCKrhJVR8ppvfXb7eNL4DFw-ON7G9aSHHtpwwq1BUT2spuFeYJHXA2Qcfj5ga5UOFw-ewH6bacGw/s1600-h/San+Juan+to+Santa+Cruz.JPG"></a>though I could have gone on another 5km or 8km but by then our washing was in the machine and we were very comfortable in the albergue.<br />A pilgrim gets very excited when she sees my shorts. She is an ex-pat South African living in Belgium. We talk about Cape Town, Johannesburg, the 1908o's and the new South Africa. She and her husband are cycling from their home to Santiago. It's a really Groot Trek!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5lMNGeijpE-V6aGiPdNj6C4ZCmjH8Z154SLlOESQ-AawG8j3cNM658YqQXh99nhGxsMIwI3aRsT1BM72GJRr8A-znxzWHPt9tcoU6zkdhg_juVwmRRJFbK2-BgXgG3ayEDoWKwWX5TA/s1600-h/Santa+Cilia.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364312785323026498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5lMNGeijpE-V6aGiPdNj6C4ZCmjH8Z154SLlOESQ-AawG8j3cNM658YqQXh99nhGxsMIwI3aRsT1BM72GJRr8A-znxzWHPt9tcoU6zkdhg_juVwmRRJFbK2-BgXgG3ayEDoWKwWX5TA/s320/Santa+Cilia.JPG" /></a>Val´s heels are sore and her achilles are tight so I give her another foot massage. This turned out to be one of the best albergues we´ve stayed in with a very kind hospitalera, small rooms, free internet, free washing machine and tumble drier and a wonderful atmosphere. I have a bed near the window and can hear sheep baaing in the fields. I also hear thunder during the night and worry about what the paths will be like if it rains. But, I´m too tired to care tonight and drift off to sleep. It´s been a long, hard day.Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-66201783848123637302009-06-13T10:53:00.000-07:002009-07-29T12:52:05.385-07:00FOOD PHOTO ALBUM<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB-kTVRAimyRzs38YnW04WvSyhRuTt13ZT6y5bkR90aLIUUu9fxGYSIL_Uy8xhUKrVBRFDEir9neC7PvCp_jJTq9aCi-QrQcUk2vV0B46faUYEN5a69olZXfC-vKYum0nU6eN7yxwrEQ/s1600-h/098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363971768022982690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB-kTVRAimyRzs38YnW04WvSyhRuTt13ZT6y5bkR90aLIUUu9fxGYSIL_Uy8xhUKrVBRFDEir9neC7PvCp_jJTq9aCi-QrQcUk2vV0B46faUYEN5a69olZXfC-vKYum0nU6eN7yxwrEQ/s320/098.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SfTiDux0qaMcCW8NAiC1OIx2WItV8-Ni6Xnf7dDw3e8WdhbaIL_qvpig_KbKB6kJj8HoxCPsZf5yptXMlPiGkpV9SXSPWxF8su0VL9983glAFvjrnXeRwelfU8-OsU9kC3OOqr2koX8/s1600-h/Sebastien+Asson.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F2t8Z9S-AOizqjqyP-OUaX9t3bPjOHDoDoY259Kwps0BzMAh018Evxb08rMKud1cqhZrDL1kicMB3SvK6s8zvs5NU4_VNjwOb1KJh3KitsEVIA9xdcQsumRcYl3R6IevOQdk2YjT7qM/s1600-h/DPSCamera_0085.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970803222648770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5F2t8Z9S-AOizqjqyP-OUaX9t3bPjOHDoDoY259Kwps0BzMAh018Evxb08rMKud1cqhZrDL1kicMB3SvK6s8zvs5NU4_VNjwOb1KJh3KitsEVIA9xdcQsumRcYl3R6IevOQdk2YjT7qM/s320/DPSCamera_0085.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzSMY7gdG1yHhKrh4iwQmSsYK49kMajjdBhmVVP9VMvYoGYxPWXafBLGCf0bT1OX8PCUGJLB6xoH6OKMf1BFmcKHDT1IRDRGyNU7ioF_nGRKaj8ty4ehSi6sXUReNvB0G8ef7gtQLLcU/s1600-h/DPSCamera_0084.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970796194364162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzSMY7gdG1yHhKrh4iwQmSsYK49kMajjdBhmVVP9VMvYoGYxPWXafBLGCf0bT1OX8PCUGJLB6xoH6OKMf1BFmcKHDT1IRDRGyNU7ioF_nGRKaj8ty4ehSi6sXUReNvB0G8ef7gtQLLcU/s320/DPSCamera_0084.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN3CY_zoWdbLbz6yTlQzusWwtqnnErc3xk3KFcFr0FuS_aQd2Vog9sAo0tHC_mAAnhQlpqAeLdLRTBzfA8QSs8gfaPIx4ynG1PfXGsCq80tAEgchQW1Ava3Hn-mLmgqWkhfNNyhiO1DA/s1600-h/DPSCamera_0082.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970794674472194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN3CY_zoWdbLbz6yTlQzusWwtqnnErc3xk3KFcFr0FuS_aQd2Vog9sAo0tHC_mAAnhQlpqAeLdLRTBzfA8QSs8gfaPIx4ynG1PfXGsCq80tAEgchQW1Ava3Hn-mLmgqWkhfNNyhiO1DA/s320/DPSCamera_0082.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EIP3MS-NButKP6lmbki-n65LVfPaHXD7wInMKeGaLMFqjU06h3e5-wHVJFALa-lK9ez7TjIlnZHkPQsOzP9tGOhYHZyuj4TigTqZkahxiCjmJt02vVcIeJgm_nFJljXd38jToXL0ASI/s1600-h/DPSCamera_0041.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970511373406130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EIP3MS-NButKP6lmbki-n65LVfPaHXD7wInMKeGaLMFqjU06h3e5-wHVJFALa-lK9ez7TjIlnZHkPQsOzP9tGOhYHZyuj4TigTqZkahxiCjmJt02vVcIeJgm_nFJljXd38jToXL0ASI/s320/DPSCamera_0041.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNvJ4swbbsZ2oVLDx4WHJ16npauQRko7OYfi2yQRUsD0pjh9RDga3V6DaXrENR8zHTDwl7Q8e4uut2m0oHvbmy7tsqfzg7gBtn9Lt2SeL1GKcIlFTFjezacqOzf4tvpM56alnYJsF9SE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+105.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970504298442914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNvJ4swbbsZ2oVLDx4WHJ16npauQRko7OYfi2yQRUsD0pjh9RDga3V6DaXrENR8zHTDwl7Q8e4uut2m0oHvbmy7tsqfzg7gBtn9Lt2SeL1GKcIlFTFjezacqOzf4tvpM56alnYJsF9SE/s320/Camino+2009+2+105.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-pAWPRbaXSXd2VynkyHWJuMD_SdP0bPgeYAjmffLqL6vzohLdVVJ6Lah-vK3eoRaVqzOIe_WVKDz3RuixNNGmj66_OB-4sqW9ymemZU6p9ny0XZN0kHoeC8_1pbQWOHT4jMPdQfKzg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+104.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970502147859010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG-pAWPRbaXSXd2VynkyHWJuMD_SdP0bPgeYAjmffLqL6vzohLdVVJ6Lah-vK3eoRaVqzOIe_WVKDz3RuixNNGmj66_OB-4sqW9ymemZU6p9ny0XZN0kHoeC8_1pbQWOHT4jMPdQfKzg/s320/Camino+2009+2+104.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrGpV2qv1lAiELhkac8JmuiSahE4b_Y0K4tTTMDdxg48OGjVni-X8CMojzgpLRsQWdgLAX2abgfOmounoTDAmK02V5dMXZ7BCTd7Qi8HYKygnAAJubyVwCu2hGihVLolTrYp-FqbqNQQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970495475958098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrGpV2qv1lAiELhkac8JmuiSahE4b_Y0K4tTTMDdxg48OGjVni-X8CMojzgpLRsQWdgLAX2abgfOmounoTDAmK02V5dMXZ7BCTd7Qi8HYKygnAAJubyVwCu2hGihVLolTrYp-FqbqNQQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_BHT5MoqdwTlgdwBcau0ZSclYD8prAnGZLxehh6F-IWMEnJ-neOV96yWAU0Ri181oGAr7b5Xye933HSscHsO_lCjuAm2I0zUlklMuKud01A5kdnkTlQ1sDl2In6ID6qZhBhs-0hb1R8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363970497314699842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_BHT5MoqdwTlgdwBcau0ZSclYD8prAnGZLxehh6F-IWMEnJ-neOV96yWAU0Ri181oGAr7b5Xye933HSscHsO_lCjuAm2I0zUlklMuKud01A5kdnkTlQ1sDl2In6ID6qZhBhs-0hb1R8/s320/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vUKpT1bFBq0YFeGMDvfLm8Ti5cbvJMFQWc7r0y9jWUwb_EX0mF1GqQcJn5JuBgK91en9X34rO4PKxykCuDEO2W5nWoxZJ2Oye2FmRF7UUqLTjaQhovrWNN_dT7wj3a1zRSv6p0C15mg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+025.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969972836167986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vUKpT1bFBq0YFeGMDvfLm8Ti5cbvJMFQWc7r0y9jWUwb_EX0mF1GqQcJn5JuBgK91en9X34rO4PKxykCuDEO2W5nWoxZJ2Oye2FmRF7UUqLTjaQhovrWNN_dT7wj3a1zRSv6p0C15mg/s320/Camino+2009+2+025.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PlV63n49k476nsQC2WxJbKiKA_da6Bgkw4HbNe1Wy7xpcNYO3iCamNLmJiAZrBSahGp0eC0MMW0tje47NdcMTydGCBzqPbkEk723Yp36xb59Njn1UaDLHBJPUNRqG7ROH2EYEGHk9PA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969970803130050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PlV63n49k476nsQC2WxJbKiKA_da6Bgkw4HbNe1Wy7xpcNYO3iCamNLmJiAZrBSahGp0eC0MMW0tje47NdcMTydGCBzqPbkEk723Yp36xb59Njn1UaDLHBJPUNRqG7ROH2EYEGHk9PA/s320/Camino+2009+2+019.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMNmebxyqBCVRvySmbrGZaXe8XANGTpgtydwiqyPOzg5bm2k08mePx3QsUaw5bS4p17k8tenfUpF2QRFJRRIc7HVe4iul27sMm-BHO-HgvFlveHXK7BntlTc8U2FQvRwt0lCeUKVVXaA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969970825529570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMNmebxyqBCVRvySmbrGZaXe8XANGTpgtydwiqyPOzg5bm2k08mePx3QsUaw5bS4p17k8tenfUpF2QRFJRRIc7HVe4iul27sMm-BHO-HgvFlveHXK7BntlTc8U2FQvRwt0lCeUKVVXaA/s320/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03ihaWdiynEaARQ_1TOk5JUo-UajgrIsRShueIkO-YbvkldU8XBKa3YvNtDNryHBy9LSgeUCWApqf9pqnJH_YKzfoUs3yZUJofgyWcIRyg39fqRiTYr2rIp_NcRM5VB4jReBE8ymBOrw/s1600-h/Asson+dinner.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969966997328418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03ihaWdiynEaARQ_1TOk5JUo-UajgrIsRShueIkO-YbvkldU8XBKa3YvNtDNryHBy9LSgeUCWApqf9pqnJH_YKzfoUs3yZUJofgyWcIRyg39fqRiTYr2rIp_NcRM5VB4jReBE8ymBOrw/s320/Asson+dinner.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oqZQ7nTMInW5s2KIhdd59-wHdNq2_Zq8LV26AA24crp_w1Zo5wjRRdpI9oM7LcUdy6G0Cxl-Y8YC6vtq9l3R96uePV8_oKWuJ-PsSPfn4RKFYh-R-2_B9zPrbQ8Y4b_5iLOszGbFI-I/s1600-h/242.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969962033826530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oqZQ7nTMInW5s2KIhdd59-wHdNq2_Zq8LV26AA24crp_w1Zo5wjRRdpI9oM7LcUdy6G0Cxl-Y8YC6vtq9l3R96uePV8_oKWuJ-PsSPfn4RKFYh-R-2_B9zPrbQ8Y4b_5iLOszGbFI-I/s320/242.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5eJu_TyFEZZ7EsFcL2UD5bIo0N85Z-pnFNmJ9FCu1BBNIQniWGQhgx6nCtjKHsof07f42pgwwLvRMDEhFD2NEc2FbkT1wJfu0toORFmt-OthvZngdhyphenhyphenkaR3fG8yQ7ku_c_965Q0pIss/s1600-h/117.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969484392252402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5eJu_TyFEZZ7EsFcL2UD5bIo0N85Z-pnFNmJ9FCu1BBNIQniWGQhgx6nCtjKHsof07f42pgwwLvRMDEhFD2NEc2FbkT1wJfu0toORFmt-OthvZngdhyphenhyphenkaR3fG8yQ7ku_c_965Q0pIss/s320/117.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrZYrvdWdC7co0zsA49osSNHjjrPcbT19nsAeF1qL6n2wg6MuV3AnBk-VtJINbAM6g85GSlfrlL0Ysze8LrYfcuCcqXFnmZ7TFDiFmZ4mCWk_qthqW3Y0Er5yUr4fJx2GgCMNGtn9wxM/s1600-h/116.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969477646348498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrZYrvdWdC7co0zsA49osSNHjjrPcbT19nsAeF1qL6n2wg6MuV3AnBk-VtJINbAM6g85GSlfrlL0Ysze8LrYfcuCcqXFnmZ7TFDiFmZ4mCWk_qthqW3Y0Er5yUr4fJx2GgCMNGtn9wxM/s320/116.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PpICKXpqkwmNQkCbv77hkbD-idJ_xeJXAFLubgSGLEyoQGmpKAJopu1FloBNj9KkzyFQRmU5N8yConMhICHfSADH8g2P2rxnw5y85rlADvWU9sDtsF_nr3ycm8T7QalMkLXT0yOdf5Y/s1600-h/115.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969480114212802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PpICKXpqkwmNQkCbv77hkbD-idJ_xeJXAFLubgSGLEyoQGmpKAJopu1FloBNj9KkzyFQRmU5N8yConMhICHfSADH8g2P2rxnw5y85rlADvWU9sDtsF_nr3ycm8T7QalMkLXT0yOdf5Y/s320/115.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH0kaimJcgGOjugZh9UauxEfJbavnTX8gyf4MnqGoGIZ17bT8SIWRFxBMcQCdrjcrEVJm9lJ5iUh7qMFNS4JGFbMd_vYqgg89WWXQ6xk3D5aftHvztYFdtUG_KsAuk7lWPJrs8rwlGp4/s1600-h/106.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969474284517778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH0kaimJcgGOjugZh9UauxEfJbavnTX8gyf4MnqGoGIZ17bT8SIWRFxBMcQCdrjcrEVJm9lJ5iUh7qMFNS4JGFbMd_vYqgg89WWXQ6xk3D5aftHvztYFdtUG_KsAuk7lWPJrs8rwlGp4/s320/106.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g6hbVfalMeeRGrLAlgLktCl_cc2LlxDdxMRpHsreuoAc9SVxIZ6Pr9atKfU_bru4HQetQ0S9F50T0QVu3hCrra1tpl2926Pj_kv7CbLr8qUV7F8_r6yO6-zeSFpjpo324DdlKyth28M/s1600-h/103.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968916707285698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g6hbVfalMeeRGrLAlgLktCl_cc2LlxDdxMRpHsreuoAc9SVxIZ6Pr9atKfU_bru4HQetQ0S9F50T0QVu3hCrra1tpl2926Pj_kv7CbLr8qUV7F8_r6yO6-zeSFpjpo324DdlKyth28M/s320/103.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMnRSKuLWyiHzrMyhXaBncPzFNt6tKw8Vq49K6kVYniYysyqCATQmcen3JtVRSHVrs-T-qUyq_OKDIpzryVYSa46hDaAGKDki-1Rkzo7Wvu6k0EEVqil-8FeTx506aMn4EKcgNO_C2eI/s1600-h/102.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968911585529410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMnRSKuLWyiHzrMyhXaBncPzFNt6tKw8Vq49K6kVYniYysyqCATQmcen3JtVRSHVrs-T-qUyq_OKDIpzryVYSa46hDaAGKDki-1Rkzo7Wvu6k0EEVqil-8FeTx506aMn4EKcgNO_C2eI/s320/102.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3mB_ACqplrPmjjUoiGqolf9MKQyEc04Fr9-2JE5VKPnPzoYsOeTpQmzsPIJxfD8WH3Q3MGcZt9qup1MIX-36noeWBwIYPg5g3qvNkql8Y-HjpsXAk1WSBY5jKD42OCyOL14AwxPJcW4/s1600-h/101.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968911117320258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3mB_ACqplrPmjjUoiGqolf9MKQyEc04Fr9-2JE5VKPnPzoYsOeTpQmzsPIJxfD8WH3Q3MGcZt9qup1MIX-36noeWBwIYPg5g3qvNkql8Y-HjpsXAk1WSBY5jKD42OCyOL14AwxPJcW4/s320/101.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9PrzFIBP43FCxRJHFtY81Jdf4vaC2F_RnQ9-Ab1R7uQuRcuTrWR2o5JIJdDLDi3JBZ6_T-9VqYC9wYPPATiI0-Mh0wFzwfqk6RU2n3agCThz2zscYNJhQpbxSj_J-5kHmUDkobV4nYM/s1600-h/100.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968907847552258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9PrzFIBP43FCxRJHFtY81Jdf4vaC2F_RnQ9-Ab1R7uQuRcuTrWR2o5JIJdDLDi3JBZ6_T-9VqYC9wYPPATiI0-Mh0wFzwfqk6RU2n3agCThz2zscYNJhQpbxSj_J-5kHmUDkobV4nYM/s320/100.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhoUX1Iw5rPcebR8gq-9UFEexAPFRoo1a-u1EC5c9_d_RdBuAnA41YwQss81yQPA3HSb8rTftLh2COOW-873OzS1bCs-28tk-UVrRrij78NTfTrG691ovdeK7WE2rCOGyHOLull-ketc/s1600-h/099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968903417454306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhoUX1Iw5rPcebR8gq-9UFEexAPFRoo1a-u1EC5c9_d_RdBuAnA41YwQss81yQPA3HSb8rTftLh2COOW-873OzS1bCs-28tk-UVrRrij78NTfTrG691ovdeK7WE2rCOGyHOLull-ketc/s320/099.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs6AH0sHsKvrvE2PF7kWZPJyYtrvi-wpDxmd0low1i5e6i1Hisb5HKuUSwRmXpjm20FPvnwnVfDUIhgBBpd9L_TYKciPjB36oBe1YcbUW8ZqIWUxh-rUdx2_VyOideeyNiPIWi9NfEOQ/s1600-h/073.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968610256556594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs6AH0sHsKvrvE2PF7kWZPJyYtrvi-wpDxmd0low1i5e6i1Hisb5HKuUSwRmXpjm20FPvnwnVfDUIhgBBpd9L_TYKciPjB36oBe1YcbUW8ZqIWUxh-rUdx2_VyOideeyNiPIWi9NfEOQ/s320/073.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0_N5_ODkrx2PUQNNGyaOSibljI6NpkG-BcCaNecGUAaNtDvqgG8wl8NGDiIqs0YaamZys4cvpnmlsECsaxfAuoXF4cYAeT5SOpRC8v01HcSpQ36IslzpreGTBx-s78MabyYaAWWNI8E/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968609617109298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0_N5_ODkrx2PUQNNGyaOSibljI6NpkG-BcCaNecGUAaNtDvqgG8wl8NGDiIqs0YaamZys4cvpnmlsECsaxfAuoXF4cYAeT5SOpRC8v01HcSpQ36IslzpreGTBx-s78MabyYaAWWNI8E/s320/069.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X5ASvCThVUM1M8B9ynygFDtmF9_Mnry-_0gPYL4KXDlrAXQmOyRDr7-wrULSHXS5ErnTSpncP1DldHHAdpy4D4aHOaH_kUZOn6nN5aPgGMDAb_Bcr6NwfZMPNJgmXvXPZ_5O7XXIay8/s1600-h/055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363968608264943010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X5ASvCThVUM1M8B9ynygFDtmF9_Mnry-_0gPYL4KXDlrAXQmOyRDr7-wrULSHXS5ErnTSpncP1DldHHAdpy4D4aHOaH_kUZOn6nN5aPgGMDAb_Bcr6NwfZMPNJgmXvXPZ_5O7XXIay8/s320/055.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-75418934941844347612009-06-12T22:25:00.000-07:002009-07-30T08:47:10.204-07:00Day 7: Confranc to Jaca<strong>Marion </strong><br />Another gorgeous day to wake up to, clear blue sky. We awoke early had breakfast and were on the road by 7.30am. I was so happy as we were back on the mountainside. Alongside of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lKBJCuw-MJcvjmbk04Okp8NF1jtXNxpELeYPgY6KSIN0eXsdpQvzhyphenhyphen2TJOamM9g4rqrsn5bmEuhjRS2068lz0AHkrYZCZu6XRJQ4nhV03y2yOsxUdU5bDkxr-BmVoOF12y5TVYPpMjs/s1600-h/177.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364275524551752722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lKBJCuw-MJcvjmbk04Okp8NF1jtXNxpELeYPgY6KSIN0eXsdpQvzhyphenhyphen2TJOamM9g4rqrsn5bmEuhjRS2068lz0AHkrYZCZu6XRJQ4nhV03y2yOsxUdU5bDkxr-BmVoOF12y5TVYPpMjs/s320/177.JPG" /></a>us we had the river Aragón which we crossed a few times. The first 2k´s we followed a wooded riverside path and then the next 3k´s was tree lined rocky path sometimes earth and scree and then onto very large gravel, or you could say rock. On the side of us were scree slopes which looked quite scary as one could imagine that sometimes the scree comes tumbling down. On the other side of us was often a steep drop to the river Aragón. We then walked onto a flatter area of low wooded hills and fields with stone walls. We had sunshine the whole day and beautiful blue sky. It was very hot by midday and my arms got quite sunburnt, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMxjYDlMK_4Ng1JDoifzRt2Z4n_yk0j5vRRr2lF7IIVXShLKth1w8Idy3RuihLmYFuGPKZvh0grCFYMErC6DveVuKeMRFVL5LaY4-dh7Vnwbab-ikTBcwdAdwfvsVUJxYctBXaId5E8k/s1600-h/167.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364275536274953266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMxjYDlMK_4Ng1JDoifzRt2Z4n_yk0j5vRRr2lF7IIVXShLKth1w8Idy3RuihLmYFuGPKZvh0grCFYMErC6DveVuKeMRFVL5LaY4-dh7Vnwbab-ikTBcwdAdwfvsVUJxYctBXaId5E8k/s320/167.JPG" /></a>unfortunately put on sun block a bit late, know better for tomorrow. On the way to Jaca I had pinned my socks onto my backpack to dry and somewhere on the way I must have lost one so now I am minus a sock, which leaves me with one pair of socks, until I can find a place to buy another pair. Syl has kindly offered to lend me a pair of hers if I need them. When we reached Jaca we could not get into our accomodation as they only opened at 4.00pm and it was just before 3.00 so we left our backpacks at the door and went off in search of a resturant for a meal. We had a delicious salad and then went back to book in. We are so lucky to have free interent where we are staying and have been able to catch up on our writing for the blog.<br /><br /><strong>Sil </strong>- A rocky road to Jaca<br />When we walked along the road today we realised that we hadn´t seen the main part of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMY7eLDstMcQjZqju6WQGRWSW582K4DrLdYg-6mdVz5xClxlINYZL_qJ4LvHG89bnSQMi7h9ER2xhpbfSPaZPUQYlrS90i3oaiZJ0Ux5D9lGTyNZ6fYn8NyDVTPZnXQAdHYXVysB8hPo/s1600-h/171.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364275536845072418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMY7eLDstMcQjZqju6WQGRWSW582K4DrLdYg-6mdVz5xClxlINYZL_qJ4LvHG89bnSQMi7h9ER2xhpbfSPaZPUQYlrS90i3oaiZJ0Ux5D9lGTyNZ6fYn8NyDVTPZnXQAdHYXVysB8hPo/s320/171.JPG" /></a>town of Confranc Estacion. Sometimes you arrive at your destination, shower, wash clothes, find a place to eat or shop for food and once you have seen the main attraction (this time it was the beautiful station) you don´t have much energy for further sightseeing. Today rocked! We rocked! The paths were rocks! We rocked and rolled on narrow rocky paths at the base of scree slopes on large gravel stones, crossing shored up landslides and scree beds. We kept climbing up and then going down to cross the road and walk on the other side. Then back again we go, down to the road and climb up the opposite hill. At one stage we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuPAMoihCUp7i6s_ZEBtVCXEONVIa3k8TwdEdDzSz8H-au7OK8-ntdxVa3xC1r4PCMY-9iGVb7FFMpcUFBCr5BxJxdENrBoS3-yZvmWWPjnaS5hXIIIovBBzwKGXA-s_UmFCBkiXxtIo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+093.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364239610499783874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuPAMoihCUp7i6s_ZEBtVCXEONVIa3k8TwdEdDzSz8H-au7OK8-ntdxVa3xC1r4PCMY-9iGVb7FFMpcUFBCr5BxJxdENrBoS3-yZvmWWPjnaS5hXIIIovBBzwKGXA-s_UmFCBkiXxtIo/s320/Camino+2009+2+093.jpg" /></a>had to duck to walk under the overpass of the main road above us, circle around the concrete supports and climb up the other side.<br />On one long winding rocky path we heard cowbells and kept trying to look through the hedges to see them. And then, around the corner came a shepherd and his enormous flock of sheep and goats, many of the larger animals with cowbells around their necks. We stood aside to let them pass (it was a bum to bum traffic jam!) and it seemed as though the flock was never ending. Another shepherd and his dog brought up the rear and he said that there were over 300 animals in the flock. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_a4RNb_AZBxQ_B-83_rbFZJ4SH8fNyj7H1EhvoE1crhd-6fIKJvFBPWrRcczs00yKJH6E8Owe3GFK2caX0ev1hAjl2Gwil08_4nzSZ0tSqjpEir_SLcNXbe9Y1hsZfyruL6aZFMNQAY/s1600-h/174.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 237px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364275520358284802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_a4RNb_AZBxQ_B-83_rbFZJ4SH8fNyj7H1EhvoE1crhd-6fIKJvFBPWrRcczs00yKJH6E8Owe3GFK2caX0ev1hAjl2Gwil08_4nzSZ0tSqjpEir_SLcNXbe9Y1hsZfyruL6aZFMNQAY/s320/174.JPG" /></a>After exiting the countryside we entered Castillo de Jaca on a very steep village road down to the main village and highway below. Most fortified towns were built on high ground and this one was no exception. Going down, down, down we marvelled at the locals who have to walk up and down this winding, steeply graded road every day. We stopped in a lovely shady public park for biscuits and cheese and filled up our water bottles before continuing. The signs have changed from the blue and yellow of the Amis St Jacques to a combination of those and yellow arrows. It is amazing at how much you depend on those splashes of yellow. At one stage we were walking with a Frenchman from Bordeaux and missed the arrow pointing down a steep flight of wooden stairs to the road below. We retraced our steps and went down, down, down once again to join another rocky road.<br /> There is a steep climb up to the outskirts of Jaca and then a fairly long walk into the town and to the albergue <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Xvkwe7k8weuVgYkkbIO7GidhLb8xYsECO0H4Z1FcoFGbfn_wxqnwHHeb8a5wjr6ICBag-i6I71b6oT_ory3LjklzTrl83M6F7Yy2ZscROl1uW2xyBxNYmUpchyphenhyphensfHCuuXuM-aJtDeXg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+082.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364274159372207426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Xvkwe7k8weuVgYkkbIO7GidhLb8xYsECO0H4Z1FcoFGbfn_wxqnwHHeb8a5wjr6ICBag-i6I71b6oT_ory3LjklzTrl83M6F7Yy2ZscROl1uW2xyBxNYmUpchyphenhyphensfHCuuXuM-aJtDeXg/s320/Camino+2009+2+082.jpg" /></a>following yellow arrows and brass shells in the pavement. The albergue is very modern with cubicles and beds instead of bunks. The showers are good and the kitchen well equipped. It was closed when we arrived so we left our packs in the foyer and returned to a lovely street restaurant we´d passed on the way. We were all dying for salad so gorged on delicious fresh salads before visiting the Farmacia to buy some extra padding for our feet<br /><br /><div><div><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong> Today was a lovely walk and I had to sing: </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oh8uwXOhV720TOfETNULg1unUUejLyYn4jHjj0XgxUCSoN8vgUIGYVJHus6UxoIKeNaFHBUw8UnTRo5bBWfz28Ih1LHI7UT-T72fzWqY98MnWgt0VXT7dfmJ9SXuYct1h0K43cMftmY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+083.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364274160439711794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Oh8uwXOhV720TOfETNULg1unUUejLyYn4jHjj0XgxUCSoN8vgUIGYVJHus6UxoIKeNaFHBUw8UnTRo5bBWfz28Ih1LHI7UT-T72fzWqY98MnWgt0VXT7dfmJ9SXuYct1h0K43cMftmY/s320/Camino+2009+2+083.jpg" /></a></div><div>"I am walking to Pamplona</div><div>All the way to Spain</div><div>I am walking to Pamplona</div><div>In wind and sun and rain</div><div>When I get to my albergue</div><div>I will be just fine</div><div>If I have nice hot shower</div><div>and a little glass of wine".</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_a4RNb_AZBxQ_B-83_rbFZJ4SH8fNyj7H1EhvoE1crhd-6fIKJvFBPWrRcczs00yKJH6E8Owe3GFK2caX0ev1hAjl2Gwil08_4nzSZ0tSqjpEir_SLcNXbe9Y1hsZfyruL6aZFMNQAY/s1600-h/174.JPG"></a> </div><div>On the way to Jaca I had pinned my socks onto my backpack to dry and somewhere on the way I must have lost one so now I am minus a sock, which leaves me with one pair of socks, until I can find a place to buy another pair. Syl <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZfa09S5GDmt8jl5_6Ebf87FhbVvyNZ9ZomMX4Wk7o1vFs5RaPR8nRIoFR3xvTKtN5p65yExTJ3o1hyV0S1EOfKnUcIn8KZ-TyLe8UP6gZocfTxcMaUfBb6ArGeBgzlDXaQz2QQLyffE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+084.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364274157815816994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZfa09S5GDmt8jl5_6Ebf87FhbVvyNZ9ZomMX4Wk7o1vFs5RaPR8nRIoFR3xvTKtN5p65yExTJ3o1hyV0S1EOfKnUcIn8KZ-TyLe8UP6gZocfTxcMaUfBb6ArGeBgzlDXaQz2QQLyffE/s320/Camino+2009+2+084.jpg" /></a>has kindly offered to lend me a pair of hers if I need them. There is nothing worse than catching a glimpse of yourself in a shop window...it is not a pretty sight...however, I am sure that they modelled the wonder bra on a woman carrying a back pack...it pushes you in, up and out. Unfortunately, the stirnum strap then pushes you down and makes the smallest look well endowed but hanging low. I also look for Real Estate Offices in the hope of finding an innovative way of displaying properties but as with other countries I have not found any to be better than our own. English still has the best shop fronts. We arrive <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEvl5sYSKa4wMNL3q7sOiHPkrLO-yKw8btT3Ok1FaMQx4nft0b4HlJoDOst664QoVaUnzfNIdsWRC_MaFsCuw32egswmrwSFb7R_Mncu01n_XWtgmyA7YioMMXMPJJFRON-mz1epSit4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+085.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364274151503810242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEvl5sYSKa4wMNL3q7sOiHPkrLO-yKw8btT3Ok1FaMQx4nft0b4HlJoDOst664QoVaUnzfNIdsWRC_MaFsCuw32egswmrwSFb7R_Mncu01n_XWtgmyA7YioMMXMPJJFRON-mz1epSit4/s320/Camino+2009+2+085.jpg" /></a>in Jaca, it is gorgeous the sun is shining, it is buzzing...pavement cafes and shops...but the shops other than the food ones, do not interest me because I cannot carry (until I get to Pamplona!).The restaurants open until around 4.30pm and then only open again at 9pm...our accommodation has a 10pm curfew so we will not be able to eat tonight. The service is good, but quite rightly relaxed and we would never get a meal served and eaten by 10pm. And so we decide to have a late lunch. Whilst I would like to eat my way through a 4 course meal, we are desperate for fresh vegetables and greens. Marion and I share a huge salad Ensalada <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ompv1JzEBgOpi4FGQxTurrdn_eeHQsOiil1Eb2111H5uQBcg8bWh7gDbm61CGd_jcB2QtliOyB118ouldFwT6Cr7eup32AAv81SkXCpemHlrys2jDULDR9KKIq2L6nNehh4SCBMoltc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+086.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364274150763802226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ompv1JzEBgOpi4FGQxTurrdn_eeHQsOiil1Eb2111H5uQBcg8bWh7gDbm61CGd_jcB2QtliOyB118ouldFwT6Cr7eup32AAv81SkXCpemHlrys2jDULDR9KKIq2L6nNehh4SCBMoltc/s320/Camino+2009+2+086.jpg" /></a>Especial Verno for 12euros. It has a small leaved green salad as its base, similar to watercress but I cannot remember the name...we do not get it in SA. The salad has melon balls, ham, tomatoes and feta and is absolutely delicious. A vino tinto accompanies this.Well two actually. We then go and settle into our accommodation and shower, wash the flipping clothes which you know will not dry and have to be pinned on your back again. Then we get free internet access, two computers. We have to make up for 7 days of posting, 8 if you count that we start on Day minus 1....so if you started reading on Day 1, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp7Qwnu-hpGKgfYkUQNYdJc5Km7ZxjyB6O9MRWBDmZUFeUlD358_C3SogigeiPSPvYH98mREFrHQFt4XjsadcBDMuPOcxwrpqnX4wHF_kYewKGQrDnkLp767F-u3SIviKGHfgLeTgLMY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+087.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364239623030654082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifp7Qwnu-hpGKgfYkUQNYdJc5Km7ZxjyB6O9MRWBDmZUFeUlD358_C3SogigeiPSPvYH98mREFrHQFt4XjsadcBDMuPOcxwrpqnX4wHF_kYewKGQrDnkLp767F-u3SIviKGHfgLeTgLMY/s320/Camino+2009+2+087.jpg" /></a>scroll back down because you have missed some! We type away until 9pm then discuss the plans for tomorrow - it is now 9.25pm and then Marion and I decide to sneak out for a glass of wine. We are told that the place closes up for the night at 10pm and so you must be back. We go into the village and find a lovely wine bar...barrels outside for tables, great wine list and wine cellar inside, tapas and lots of food to buy. We do not have time to study the wine list so quickly order two glasses of Chardonnay. Beautiful wine glasses and just the right temperature. We sit under the evening sky <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09pF7gFuZKzK3DEu7xtaY4DhqmP0tN1eFY_RdSHDUtgmmsmOh-RlpIeVoCn1ibvbarEP2jzD51ZINwtgsYnjCUSuPSzRc5OQne3Rai9u6C3aBJLvE1JF_CNFRbJCm54Pwe0Yq7Sr4PaU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+088.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364239622291521458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09pF7gFuZKzK3DEu7xtaY4DhqmP0tN1eFY_RdSHDUtgmmsmOh-RlpIeVoCn1ibvbarEP2jzD51ZINwtgsYnjCUSuPSzRc5OQne3Rai9u6C3aBJLvE1JF_CNFRbJCm54Pwe0Yq7Sr4PaU/s320/Camino+2009+2+088.jpg" /></a></div>watching all the locals looking happy with their children playing in the streets. Service again is very relaxed and we only get our wine at 9.40pm. We enjoy it and then realise that we still have to walk back so we call for the bill. I am struggling to find the correct word for bill and Marion simply signs to the waiter and he understands. He comes with the bill (1.60 e per glass) and I only have a 20euro note so we have to wait for change. As he moves away he stops at two tables to take their order but he is discussing the wines (quite rightly) with his customers and Marion begins to count down the time...9.52, 9.53....we are desperate, as he <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg7YugQ8UXDPPRD1mmfFN9PG87mKfEkCgB_En0Rp8vLN6rtCox38rlCp0DJj-eYvcj7mnbnwelc1_py-RXbc4j7in3mBzNGdHx_jlqObljopUVBE7ZwCEh-KMj6VlTsPi4fN29OczDhI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+090.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364239611994013874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvg7YugQ8UXDPPRD1mmfFN9PG87mKfEkCgB_En0Rp8vLN6rtCox38rlCp0DJj-eYvcj7mnbnwelc1_py-RXbc4j7in3mBzNGdHx_jlqObljopUVBE7ZwCEh-KMj6VlTsPi4fN29OczDhI/s320/Camino+2009+2+090.jpg" /></a>finishes with the last customer we run inside - not time for translation and I just hope he understands some English or the desperate look of two 50 somethings who have to be in bed <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09pF7gFuZKzK3DEu7xtaY4DhqmP0tN1eFY_RdSHDUtgmmsmOh-RlpIeVoCn1ibvbarEP2jzD51ZINwtgsYnjCUSuPSzRc5OQne3Rai9u6C3aBJLvE1JF_CNFRbJCm54Pwe0Yq7Sr4PaU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+088.jpg"></a> </div>by 10pm...."Excuse me, excuse me...please the bill...we are staying at the Refugio and have a 10pm curfew"...he smiles wonderfully, and hastily gets us the change...as we are walking out I see Chirizo made from deer and wild boar...only 3.40 euros for a huge pack, I pick it up but Marion looks desperate...9.57....we are wearing crocs and quickly move into a speed walking motion and we make it inside just as the lady is zipping up her bag and walking to the door. Phew! Then to bed........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWfJfHoqFQJ6opB8YnpcB8e1wc4cXw70EP-Vea6E9ryRJJ-kSQY-LSgjp96IgihWfhweK0D6FzF5H9U9bmyHFCulQTwp2PxQ-20lsGpGUbzR_ZeHv1buu-DphMbn4KG39twGyZQmIYM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+097.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364236867245532226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wWfJfHoqFQJ6opB8YnpcB8e1wc4cXw70EP-Vea6E9ryRJJ-kSQY-LSgjp96IgihWfhweK0D6FzF5H9U9bmyHFCulQTwp2PxQ-20lsGpGUbzR_ZeHv1buu-DphMbn4KG39twGyZQmIYM/s320/Camino+2009+2+097.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBEE-RGDIPOXfqHqWYdPfMijhK-TTAmKdfSfp3IjkBZ4bSo9wWXlziD0qKryyU-IayN5IeZ2-aOUUwzOycNsnvYb9jEF3l8bVogOWDeIiFOup91qMrcjDGsC_uB9Vl7Mz8uzJlTolGAg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+099.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 313px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364236863475378034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBEE-RGDIPOXfqHqWYdPfMijhK-TTAmKdfSfp3IjkBZ4bSo9wWXlziD0qKryyU-IayN5IeZ2-aOUUwzOycNsnvYb9jEF3l8bVogOWDeIiFOup91qMrcjDGsC_uB9Vl7Mz8uzJlTolGAg/s320/Camino+2009+2+099.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDG6fki6oZuumiMFZroQk1BevBDf8knEaTVl4woTtkYwQM5pMQ4g39bmtBesn7bxhBnOetplF55tXMf8j3dXu051B75aAWr1_ISPDRF0-kD4kLwqPr-ZiSQnOpvQXr5bfINBEHpwNyHA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+100.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364236859237393602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDG6fki6oZuumiMFZroQk1BevBDf8knEaTVl4woTtkYwQM5pMQ4g39bmtBesn7bxhBnOetplF55tXMf8j3dXu051B75aAWr1_ISPDRF0-kD4kLwqPr-ZiSQnOpvQXr5bfINBEHpwNyHA/s320/Camino+2009+2+100.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI3nu-SoWfOOEVjJMsT9okmjmDDMAvg7P08w65OvB3t8qHV8vlrFVMxxnYRcDW5H59m9TcsF2dXpYur1_myExgaxhW6avGxF156VhNMV4k3e0VIuuEZWNSaBBVObWmQLvTll1kBkU-rQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+101.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364235094185374114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI3nu-SoWfOOEVjJMsT9okmjmDDMAvg7P08w65OvB3t8qHV8vlrFVMxxnYRcDW5H59m9TcsF2dXpYur1_myExgaxhW6avGxF156VhNMV4k3e0VIuuEZWNSaBBVObWmQLvTll1kBkU-rQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+101.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xrngUDxok-wZtt_hvqALCO5Ol1viwA6UCEx_c1Q5NMnSlvkh6319znu8bS8bnINpj0olv5AKHZHOuJLCtQEciEMTPGIf8yg3QdtkRigD9wsPsqLUVYQfB-4J3cu6wTMQbcfGbq-LrC0/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364235089333542338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xrngUDxok-wZtt_hvqALCO5Ol1viwA6UCEx_c1Q5NMnSlvkh6319znu8bS8bnINpj0olv5AKHZHOuJLCtQEciEMTPGIf8yg3QdtkRigD9wsPsqLUVYQfB-4J3cu6wTMQbcfGbq-LrC0/s320/Camino+2009+2+102.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfpqCxQbiunYPayRTFgbpidwId87K1jCflhtRNICYyQ5jGuOxtu4cwro6IhR29nLJy7aNlVp2Bkk32H6PYDu0-MrdW724Eo2lchsWxOFB86d_I46HL2xWCd3ISu-szwK7CNidT0AvJlA/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+106.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364235084235791330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfpqCxQbiunYPayRTFgbpidwId87K1jCflhtRNICYyQ5jGuOxtu4cwro6IhR29nLJy7aNlVp2Bkk32H6PYDu0-MrdW724Eo2lchsWxOFB86d_I46HL2xWCd3ISu-szwK7CNidT0AvJlA/s320/Camino+2009+2+106.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKokqZ1ba4OkkmuXZBouDYzLJ7Xo1d6zbqvEQFMEjZDo0XV3OetTQx5vcm85b0W06PIAC2JAsN96R6Fvo6POSG_Q3ow0bir7j7WGCtMpTgn8-Ky-8RCjZydtBFoc8YYMl4dTPJLBAe0s/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+107.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364235075178689282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKokqZ1ba4OkkmuXZBouDYzLJ7Xo1d6zbqvEQFMEjZDo0XV3OetTQx5vcm85b0W06PIAC2JAsN96R6Fvo6POSG_Q3ow0bir7j7WGCtMpTgn8-Ky-8RCjZydtBFoc8YYMl4dTPJLBAe0s/s320/Camino+2009+2+107.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-56259169336549219992009-06-12T21:47:00.000-07:002009-07-30T05:10:41.017-07:00Day 6: Borce to Confranc Estación<div><div><div><strong> Leaving Borce</strong><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGTKnKgCrli0GvIOdf_yRLkUFRw838Nib8FmDG3gPeyCKE0SwZoeRkQjXMwfDoUurmvO5uPN8FQbTdM9Fxxf0EiC1QCwtoJAS6FpzTidyUchcP9_SLTAS07IjBqaqTgwgHrceNigCAEk/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364208373363131634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGTKnKgCrli0GvIOdf_yRLkUFRw838Nib8FmDG3gPeyCKE0SwZoeRkQjXMwfDoUurmvO5uPN8FQbTdM9Fxxf0EiC1QCwtoJAS6FpzTidyUchcP9_SLTAS07IjBqaqTgwgHrceNigCAEk/s320/1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><strong>Misty hills</strong></div><div><strong></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vy87WAItLk5CamlIXW-nK8jSfKDCZK5v974ZSu1SI96t8RZt7cBeAjTGVQ6ESlbA_zJhppTWI5RFBwdnCuNssDyo4SIYF2bkX7nZDiB2zMUprSVzf1lJ37t4qylzE2sd_QmTigB_pAo/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364208373130216706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Vy87WAItLk5CamlIXW-nK8jSfKDCZK5v974ZSu1SI96t8RZt7cBeAjTGVQ6ESlbA_zJhppTWI5RFBwdnCuNssDyo4SIYF2bkX7nZDiB2zMUprSVzf1lJ37t4qylzE2sd_QmTigB_pAo/s320/2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Fort fu Portalet - an infamous prison</strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQDMvcB9rDYxTV1dqW8wKPWhMCjm_Ts13AtE_SX5B-hixfXgpUBsf7xzho41Y49UOufDAUh0npVaZYDbhu2PiH54YVG8ZzBjAtB49Zu7IjRyGKcsnluJAIQjRu3AQLW0zuLBM7oh6RqM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+3+058.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364214333449276434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQDMvcB9rDYxTV1dqW8wKPWhMCjm_Ts13AtE_SX5B-hixfXgpUBsf7xzho41Y49UOufDAUh0npVaZYDbhu2PiH54YVG8ZzBjAtB49Zu7IjRyGKcsnluJAIQjRu3AQLW0zuLBM7oh6RqM/s320/Camino+2009+3+058.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><strong>Deep, green lake</strong></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOH9X9Ro8Qr8DUTjkqwHFanbBUWbugyW4zS-9AasGOxCVbiFWkzGeuJR-d1sS-xmERchBaid73XfA9meEAsdWN0hg6UYxHeR1TjB2SpH-bsQfzyU04qY3NWpxygQPvjUoTN-MtfpDjO4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364209233424706770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOH9X9Ro8Qr8DUTjkqwHFanbBUWbugyW4zS-9AasGOxCVbiFWkzGeuJR-d1sS-xmERchBaid73XfA9meEAsdWN0hg6UYxHeR1TjB2SpH-bsQfzyU04qY3NWpxygQPvjUoTN-MtfpDjO4/s320/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOH9X9Ro8Qr8DUTjkqwHFanbBUWbugyW4zS-9AasGOxCVbiFWkzGeuJR-d1sS-xmERchBaid73XfA9meEAsdWN0hg6UYxHeR1TjB2SpH-bsQfzyU04qY3NWpxygQPvjUoTN-MtfpDjO4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Leaving the river - climbing</strong> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364209235070201618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s320/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Crossing into Spain</strong> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6NOQ89gF1lD-X8RpCtWb5HTOXEMn0HuuKqgYRPkVx1zgz4hznD-MzEPkQ_fy0FnMciCvxKXaX45OEFbS4E44B0IFLcxUXX9FGd7hmXDnvFsIBjXOdluFpUMcuh9rFX6w9yROnemhDvQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+069.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364212536312690994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6NOQ89gF1lD-X8RpCtWb5HTOXEMn0HuuKqgYRPkVx1zgz4hznD-MzEPkQ_fy0FnMciCvxKXaX45OEFbS4E44B0IFLcxUXX9FGd7hmXDnvFsIBjXOdluFpUMcuh9rFX6w9yROnemhDvQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+069.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Camino Sign in Spain</strong></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1AF2KG3gaAH7wNsmOiRLKf8dvSbS_LpltrFgFb2W4t6_Io2rmnBosVzZ3VWlIcpZcJChF1A0XyF2005aF7apTzR_vKL7pbrfjWc6_JVx7t5WC6KrJjWYRTADKuBQJS3B7fdNG52LAE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+071.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364213031415381794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1AF2KG3gaAH7wNsmOiRLKf8dvSbS_LpltrFgFb2W4t6_Io2rmnBosVzZ3VWlIcpZcJChF1A0XyF2005aF7apTzR_vKL7pbrfjWc6_JVx7t5WC6KrJjWYRTADKuBQJS3B7fdNG52LAE/s320/Camino+2009+2+071.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6NOQ89gF1lD-X8RpCtWb5HTOXEMn0HuuKqgYRPkVx1zgz4hznD-MzEPkQ_fy0FnMciCvxKXaX45OEFbS4E44B0IFLcxUXX9FGd7hmXDnvFsIBjXOdluFpUMcuh9rFX6w9yROnemhDvQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+069.jpg"></a> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><strong>Col du Somport</strong></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364208388594605762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s320/155.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDV1_mNEgIzmUGoqkmFKa_R-7vf9dXwyXwf7RNp9zLg-_wos4MaGo-SCuqbsY86MNk4ziGwyeTr4D3AwlMq1VUsa8gA1nViHECdXPIZvbhXrwMNjGdQbSvIdoSZh3IonzaDHJctS1v8M/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+073.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364213035264483762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDV1_mNEgIzmUGoqkmFKa_R-7vf9dXwyXwf7RNp9zLg-_wos4MaGo-SCuqbsY86MNk4ziGwyeTr4D3AwlMq1VUsa8gA1nViHECdXPIZvbhXrwMNjGdQbSvIdoSZh3IonzaDHJctS1v8M/s320/Camino+2009+2+073.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFkP_Yms9MdcGN7pk64sHpij4A2Z8lvKKfVvlV62RDUZYh58910T6veJdNlUXQGeRo739f2pREg4ZHhG8jYW9K73MGxlCv6BRazmxBtiokQ2iXVzoZbirIPqh06drFIX10P4k-oluZS8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+075.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1AF2KG3gaAH7wNsmOiRLKf8dvSbS_LpltrFgFb2W4t6_Io2rmnBosVzZ3VWlIcpZcJChF1A0XyF2005aF7apTzR_vKL7pbrfjWc6_JVx7t5WC6KrJjWYRTADKuBQJS3B7fdNG52LAE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+071.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9uVZqdfZLEvv0Ds8lIlWbHcqVnNY_rTRrMUCo8Lpf3w4z9-IOEHxSES9obnkyRB09coiFRDwUTvAWelMiePlGyDFuAatp5CRO_Dn9wEn7GDG-WhxZ5mpDtSQ6YBsIUsLl12vVw1j-Xs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+074.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOH9X9Ro8Qr8DUTjkqwHFanbBUWbugyW4zS-9AasGOxCVbiFWkzGeuJR-d1sS-xmERchBaid73XfA9meEAsdWN0hg6UYxHeR1TjB2SpH-bsQfzyU04qY3NWpxygQPvjUoTN-MtfpDjO4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9uVZqdfZLEvv0Ds8lIlWbHcqVnNY_rTRrMUCo8Lpf3w4z9-IOEHxSES9obnkyRB09coiFRDwUTvAWelMiePlGyDFuAatp5CRO_Dn9wEn7GDG-WhxZ5mpDtSQ6YBsIUsLl12vVw1j-Xs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+074.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364213026728980290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s320/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Somport Ski Lodges</strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2L1AF2KG3gaAH7wNsmOiRLKf8dvSbS_LpltrFgFb2W4t6_Io2rmnBosVzZ3VWlIcpZcJChF1A0XyF2005aF7apTzR_vKL7pbrfjWc6_JVx7t5WC6KrJjWYRTADKuBQJS3B7fdNG52LAE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+071.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2v6Zjpf-79gWLMi1-gufpLzpnFT0P7_gNk8SvwWZqELjzGLkcE0frVL7cjNFHApq60hlqMoqOiw_H4mrih6d3KbgtiHtQd-TKk2ZYTviGD7biyNdgz9fRHiXBgPbmCFkLXvBIviuCI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+077.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364214318186696018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2v6Zjpf-79gWLMi1-gufpLzpnFT0P7_gNk8SvwWZqELjzGLkcE0frVL7cjNFHApq60hlqMoqOiw_H4mrih6d3KbgtiHtQd-TKk2ZYTviGD7biyNdgz9fRHiXBgPbmCFkLXvBIviuCI/s320/Camino+2009+2+077.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDV1_mNEgIzmUGoqkmFKa_R-7vf9dXwyXwf7RNp9zLg-_wos4MaGo-SCuqbsY86MNk4ziGwyeTr4D3AwlMq1VUsa8gA1nViHECdXPIZvbhXrwMNjGdQbSvIdoSZh3IonzaDHJctS1v8M/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+073.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364214315155243490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s320/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Walking down the pass in Spain</strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFkP_Yms9MdcGN7pk64sHpij4A2Z8lvKKfVvlV62RDUZYh58910T6veJdNlUXQGeRo739f2pREg4ZHhG8jYW9K73MGxlCv6BRazmxBtiokQ2iXVzoZbirIPqh06drFIX10P4k-oluZS8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+075.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364213039028040530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFkP_Yms9MdcGN7pk64sHpij4A2Z8lvKKfVvlV62RDUZYh58910T6veJdNlUXQGeRo739f2pREg4ZHhG8jYW9K73MGxlCv6BRazmxBtiokQ2iXVzoZbirIPqh06drFIX10P4k-oluZS8/s320/Camino+2009+2+075.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9uVZqdfZLEvv0Ds8lIlWbHcqVnNY_rTRrMUCo8Lpf3w4z9-IOEHxSES9obnkyRB09coiFRDwUTvAWelMiePlGyDFuAatp5CRO_Dn9wEn7GDG-WhxZ5mpDtSQ6YBsIUsLl12vVw1j-Xs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+074.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOH9X9Ro8Qr8DUTjkqwHFanbBUWbugyW4zS-9AasGOxCVbiFWkzGeuJR-d1sS-xmERchBaid73XfA9meEAsdWN0hg6UYxHeR1TjB2SpH-bsQfzyU04qY3NWpxygQPvjUoTN-MtfpDjO4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+062.jpg"></a> </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDV1_mNEgIzmUGoqkmFKa_R-7vf9dXwyXwf7RNp9zLg-_wos4MaGo-SCuqbsY86MNk4ziGwyeTr4D3AwlMq1VUsa8gA1nViHECdXPIZvbhXrwMNjGdQbSvIdoSZh3IonzaDHJctS1v8M/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+073.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kDEkNcFOD2qL2wwqt8MNZpP6PT_jk08XH86wTPp6zIMXvPocTB8qwo0LiogfAs6yp6lxmiXUsqNV8OmHiIhNeIFj8AzEpU27u37ReP18E2iusKnxY1sVRU9T0FaD-Vl28voBcKQgZHo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+076.jpg"></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc2v6Zjpf-79gWLMi1-gufpLzpnFT0P7_gNk8SvwWZqELjzGLkcE0frVL7cjNFHApq60hlqMoqOiw_H4mrih6d3KbgtiHtQd-TKk2ZYTviGD7biyNdgz9fRHiXBgPbmCFkLXvBIviuCI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+077.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9uVZqdfZLEvv0Ds8lIlWbHcqVnNY_rTRrMUCo8Lpf3w4z9-IOEHxSES9obnkyRB09coiFRDwUTvAWelMiePlGyDFuAatp5CRO_Dn9wEn7GDG-WhxZ5mpDtSQ6YBsIUsLl12vVw1j-Xs/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+074.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364213037678129074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9uVZqdfZLEvv0Ds8lIlWbHcqVnNY_rTRrMUCo8Lpf3w4z9-IOEHxSES9obnkyRB09coiFRDwUTvAWelMiePlGyDFuAatp5CRO_Dn9wEn7GDG-WhxZ5mpDtSQ6YBsIUsLl12vVw1j-Xs/s320/Camino+2009+2+074.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDV1_mNEgIzmUGoqkmFKa_R-7vf9dXwyXwf7RNp9zLg-_wos4MaGo-SCuqbsY86MNk4ziGwyeTr4D3AwlMq1VUsa8gA1nViHECdXPIZvbhXrwMNjGdQbSvIdoSZh3IonzaDHJctS1v8M/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+073.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"></a> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU6xeJ6CwdD1JH9XLzcRb7O3CrRyoAZrTODQYrMWwZNnEpbMA5LNEQhRt04iIfSNolDsA_OwZ6gJ2s2sMB0cWBgPkXtzDFaNqfgK-jL3ISObQuaFndKtAkmTv-6kHZa8L0FOlQjnsahk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+067.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364212531208124898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLU6xeJ6CwdD1JH9XLzcRb7O3CrRyoAZrTODQYrMWwZNnEpbMA5LNEQhRt04iIfSNolDsA_OwZ6gJ2s2sMB0cWBgPkXtzDFaNqfgK-jL3ISObQuaFndKtAkmTv-6kHZa8L0FOlQjnsahk/s320/Camino+2009+2+067.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7Hkuhfx-4Sh1GsXPg14zPjlKJAy2CU0zJuAfSJhla4G4Bd_Etx8BGrxbrppGCSIWpAbc6CKmT7Zl6zBWM9wtRHAmgrW5exW44CHch05jeagF_f0VLTJpIAx4Wtr-ua1GhbBtVsDDR_c/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+064.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq27zV62tsfb-OcxBM9fTZU-AbuUeNmO0wh0s8ESkEf49wNLTb35q-K5OHIpFv6yqXnjWE8lVjszf7TVnM80eCKV3djcGsrzv6tc4nZ7S4dDwXloCX9v07I20oSLtvVHrgk2SUk2uNilo/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+070.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4evvMVVMogZf6aX_OE9JQy2CfLsGz1ZkSi2YTyitu3yHY5gH9-SUhYeN4ghnN5DjDGQSu5E-o1NQYyFNZ7ImWUVhaPSzXV7LjteKu0vWoHGRNqzvbDxu7t8J1bOeQpmYVu6scHQs2bQI/s1600-h/155.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD0KX6WkBJFm5kd3_YpwsZEAZLCyqTZgE_pXX5VPlNCAmZMg6_g-RNWLsc-5hKHU4Ik4m7AVYorzYb-JgtAg-99wiTOSit_Gi9BOT1fAxL2AInyhzfJX8BvtcpvC8nuXdTZha3ZI_g0k/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+066a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364212530725783570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD0KX6WkBJFm5kd3_YpwsZEAZLCyqTZgE_pXX5VPlNCAmZMg6_g-RNWLsc-5hKHU4Ik4m7AVYorzYb-JgtAg-99wiTOSit_Gi9BOT1fAxL2AInyhzfJX8BvtcpvC8nuXdTZha3ZI_g0k/s320/Camino+2009+2+066a.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong>Flowers on the route</strong></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58IBaz5d0bRW7WmYPXjfJKJsrczbxyTXihkxxqMPMzzIE53reYpRHFXLpMNIU8zjEE63OoLD2cLDSVwmoixUIWiAoSzcG7hY6GrOfAcW4NUUdY0_aZ6jvB0O0GErZkQkrzZVR7H9y4Mw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+065.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364212521650837138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58IBaz5d0bRW7WmYPXjfJKJsrczbxyTXihkxxqMPMzzIE53reYpRHFXLpMNIU8zjEE63OoLD2cLDSVwmoixUIWiAoSzcG7hY6GrOfAcW4NUUdY0_aZ6jvB0O0GErZkQkrzZVR7H9y4Mw/s320/Camino+2009+2+065.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OqU5jrOU9kC3WoEDgN1N6HmVMxUVg_xxQVUhyphenhyphenXRMPvxfqmHH-nhxsPMPPAOoPmOAMrrk8U2uNmtXpB7sqVM6pJMGe2oF0iIhq_3yO1d1s0BxE7JnXjkQYWuWcGll8t2-8g73ZPzhAvg/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+066.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCoi_CKDu5_5EuhMYwYS99l_dYZvN9rqpTeUw-2oCTP0vibfqdUTdwtpUPNP1Tac-1cUzxo7si3RHOqY0Izt6yUDfvRmBVN2KCI8WPjIRqfOjxrk88Fqy07hB1hTVaE5zalyjd1ciQ8A/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+061.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364209230385734194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCoi_CKDu5_5EuhMYwYS99l_dYZvN9rqpTeUw-2oCTP0vibfqdUTdwtpUPNP1Tac-1cUzxo7si3RHOqY0Izt6yUDfvRmBVN2KCI8WPjIRqfOjxrk88Fqy07hB1hTVaE5zalyjd1ciQ8A/s320/Camino+2009+2+061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_m2XGBftv0PZc-X7fim9S2YuqBBxtOh9iYiRIecVDvG9tDpMHmntJOs8nEPYOcMpHkmj38t4yOU1HfFIgYowa36_6iGAhZLOTunyG9oVpwdTbNAabj_2XwEp6qPePWgOeyompaUVAew/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+060.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364209222649506530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_m2XGBftv0PZc-X7fim9S2YuqBBxtOh9iYiRIecVDvG9tDpMHmntJOs8nEPYOcMpHkmj38t4yOU1HfFIgYowa36_6iGAhZLOTunyG9oVpwdTbNAabj_2XwEp6qPePWgOeyompaUVAew/s320/Camino+2009+2+060.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><br /><div><div><div><div><strong>Marion</strong><br />So far we have been so lucky with our accommodation, it has been really good and we have had super food. The weather has also been good to us, only a bit of rain in the beginning ideal walking weather not to cold or to hot. We do need to start off with a fleece and after a short time take it off, have to say our spats are wonderful as they keep all the dust and bits and pieces off our socks.<br />The scenery was magnificent mountains all around us. Could see quite a bit of snow on the mountain top.<br />Although it was a tremendous day and I thoroughly enjoyed it, at the same time I found it my most difficult day so far. It was all uphill to the Col du Somport. We walked on the road which I found very hard going and it wound round and round all the way up to the top. Lots of huge trucks coming and going to and from Spain. One had to be aware the whole time, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRKkjBN2xsA0FdkSpb9xmroplgOV9yb3MkSSBeaLuEyn8xq7KLbtiMq8_UM-7pZSkkecPi7wn8xHkZRkiomglOLoZEKud6LmK_qoTHJCc4fHOjT5oa41m9i56-Eere2xfkWuwMvUn1PU/s1600-h/150.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364208383954600050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRKkjBN2xsA0FdkSpb9xmroplgOV9yb3MkSSBeaLuEyn8xq7KLbtiMq8_UM-7pZSkkecPi7wn8xHkZRkiomglOLoZEKud6LmK_qoTHJCc4fHOjT5oa41m9i56-Eere2xfkWuwMvUn1PU/s320/150.JPG" /></a>sometimes hardly any shoulder, so when a truck came passed you had to stand as close to the side as possible.<br />What a view at the top of Col du Somport. Walla!! we were all of a sudden in Spain! We stopped at the top for a coffee and then wound our way down to Canfranc Estacion.<br />A long hard day but enjoyed every minute.<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />Was a bit stiff this morning although Borce is only about 630m. Last night we made a decision to walk on the road to Somport. The CSJ guide describes the road route as being more scenic so up the road we went - and up, and up, and up. </div><br /><div>For the first four hours we couldn't see higher than the tops of the trees due to the heavy mist but when the sun did break through we caught glimpses of snow capped mountains and craggy peaks.<br />Whereas I was feeling a bit flat and wooden yesterday on those rocky, river paths, I went up like a steam train today and it was Marion´s turn to feel like a wooden doll. We stopped more frequently, not only because of the climbing but because the sun finally came out and was burning down on us. We climbed from 636m to 1600m at the pass. What a welcome sight and a good stop at the cafeteria for a drink and a rest. </div><div>It is 7.5km down to Canfranc Estacion and once more we opted for the road rather than the steep path down to 1200m. On the road a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6PZTWvpQWL4WlMaQ0n1RwkGglZketKz0jEsAdI4WTxCU0b9uaB_UfjSq00O15cHYoUXzkGn0hKK7tfqyAlqJ4wlPPvR34mlCpo298smymdRBtY_DCxQHC3UXa1cllAdy9MrKy0KsS9M/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+078.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364214321517926994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6PZTWvpQWL4WlMaQ0n1RwkGglZketKz0jEsAdI4WTxCU0b9uaB_UfjSq00O15cHYoUXzkGn0hKK7tfqyAlqJ4wlPPvR34mlCpo298smymdRBtY_DCxQHC3UXa1cllAdy9MrKy0KsS9M/s320/Camino+2009+2+078.jpg" /></a>fellow in a 4X4 stopped us and gave us a card for a Casa Rural in Canfranc Est. I had emailed Peppito Grillo about rooms but when we got there we rang the bell a few times and nobody came, we found the La Tuca Casa Rurul and booked in there. A charming house with very comfortable rooms at 20€ person bed and breakfast. We visited the stunning station which was used in the film Dr Zivago, and then went back to our Casa and asked about dinner on the terrace of the house next door. 9pm she said. 9pm!! Oi. We went back to town and bought food for dinner which Val will tell you about.<br /><br /><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />We set off early so breakfast is not worth mentioning.<br />I was expecting it to be really tough by the description and other peoples comments but perhaps it was easier on the road. It certainly did not compare to walking over the Alps so that was a pleasant surprise.<br />We made it to the top and had coffee, two in fact..heaven! It was a lovely little cafe (and bar) and reminded me of the pub at the top of Sani Pass. We were soon on our way down and into Spain. Somport has a great Ski-ing resort, lots of new building going on. The contrast as we get into Spain is striking. The sky is suddenly blue and the people wear clothes with colour and they just look healthier with shining hair and skin. There is a huge amount of building going on we trust they have escaped the recession. Good for them.<br />As Syl says we are staying in the place where they filmed Dr Zhivago and I shall be getting the film out when I get back...the station is an extraordinary piece of architecture. Our rooms are bright and cheery and the owner has put a lot of effort into the decor. We decide that tonight we will eat out and there is a restaurant next door with tables outside. It is a lovely evening. At 4pm we have a glass of wine and I translate the menu...we all get excited and decide on our choice.<br />Now for those of you that know me well and for those of you that have followed my previous blog, you will realise that I am not eating in the restaurants, side cafes etc. And so, this trip for me is so far gastronomically speaking a disappointment.<br />But things are looking up, Confranc is full of pavement restaurants with tapas menus everywhere..and so I decide that tonight it is going to be the menu Sugerencias Hecho Para Ti - I am so excited I take a picture of the menu...I am going to have <em>Esparragos blanco con bacalao y de jamon -</em>which translates to something like Asparagus, Salt cod and ham...so worth a try. For Segundos...I chose <em>Margaret de pato en salsa frambue...</em>which I hope I have translated correctly as Duck.<br />Right, do we need to book and what time do your open? 9pm she says! Too late, we are starving and no one can wait another 5 hours. And so it is off to the supermarket once more for bread!<br />However, the evening meal turned out to be a delight...it was a lovely evening and we <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixay6WDx641IchMVm__tq92s4mZ2LO4BXNLQ8GzAQwY-YWm5RjOe40oS6sZL4CfF6z6TJ7EYL-JMOkXjDjeSnuDBIfZTKmXKKfEQk4KXX0hOMNfEFxVGeorTPjXRNHP2eQUl7ZSxYhr9g/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364214326947699346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixay6WDx641IchMVm__tq92s4mZ2LO4BXNLQ8GzAQwY-YWm5RjOe40oS6sZL4CfF6z6TJ7EYL-JMOkXjDjeSnuDBIfZTKmXKKfEQk4KXX0hOMNfEFxVGeorTPjXRNHP2eQUl7ZSxYhr9g/s320/Camino+2009+2+080.jpg" /></a>bought a carton of red (<em>vino tinto...pronounced beeno tinto and remembered to lisp when we said thankyou...grathias!!) we bought bread, pate and cheese, cocktail olives, peppers and onions (our own tapas) and finished off with Lindt chocolate orange. The pate was chunky pork with a light surround of jelly and would make any half decent pork pie feel unworthy. </em>We laid out our feast on a park bench and sat on the pavement. I had bought 2 goblets for Marion and me and we at least drunk our wine in style...a fellow walker came past and marvelled at our goblets...in his broken English <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUn0S0ZlY6R3pyZ0ReMvf95iwCI8PJ3VWOt0BPtau5KWTB6yJrmfcDtPfIDiao8xQf4jgp-vu2uQNDX2L0Edy_gyqWKDbhPqY-41VxFLwTKfkQXWFwJJ8uM8TQ6X8cS6Z6Rgp-AnM1ME/s1600-h/163.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364209226870093826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUn0S0ZlY6R3pyZ0ReMvf95iwCI8PJ3VWOt0BPtau5KWTB6yJrmfcDtPfIDiao8xQf4jgp-vu2uQNDX2L0Edy_gyqWKDbhPqY-41VxFLwTKfkQXWFwJJ8uM8TQ6X8cS6Z6Rgp-AnM1ME/s320/163.JPG" /></a>he said"well there is no compromise for some things"...so right!<br />The supermarkets are heaven and I am so tempted to buy to take home but will wait until the airport...I will smuggle as much duck as I can carry....I have however bought Martin some dried chillis as he loves cooking with these and some saffron...not sure of the quality and the price 3.8euros probably suggests that it isn´t great. The supermarkets carry a tiny selection of everything until you come to the food...anchovies 3 times the size we are used to, whole sides of hams, cheese, smoked salmon, caviar - there is not one clothes shop in the whole village...now what does that tell you?</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-7100759991916949892009-06-12T11:40:00.000-07:002009-08-14T12:04:24.179-07:00Day 5: Sarrance to BorceJim and Ann (Left) Sil, Val & Marion (right)<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUm1Io2sCwbO82xzlLUszt5l2KDqKysEpUsITG5x-BLJMzqYqTu626nzPvXNL9hrsapPddBP62bHQObwLuzQI6LCvPpVB5RTiSMoN9VUtYb5vcCDpqv0xZDR609sVrzptEivB_V1ggCI/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+029.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363853272026198914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUm1Io2sCwbO82xzlLUszt5l2KDqKysEpUsITG5x-BLJMzqYqTu626nzPvXNL9hrsapPddBP62bHQObwLuzQI6LCvPpVB5RTiSMoN9VUtYb5vcCDpqv0xZDR609sVrzptEivB_V1ggCI/s320/Camino+2009+2+029.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>The River in front of the Fontaine Complex</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOunVGiuds4end5zwLK41BVYj4cfzEJSNs2XTVmL5oBckUYm67BOO-PmSTMxyN-WpHodAvzaR5_3LnJLXrEkZ8RcGnNgurf9XMOMt8o9AK9onryRNVGP4EViu7R5GeKNdRyhBSkLcR0C4/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+026.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363853276026626562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOunVGiuds4end5zwLK41BVYj4cfzEJSNs2XTVmL5oBckUYm67BOO-PmSTMxyN-WpHodAvzaR5_3LnJLXrEkZ8RcGnNgurf9XMOMt8o9AK9onryRNVGP4EViu7R5GeKNdRyhBSkLcR0C4/s320/Camino+2009+2+026.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Sarrance</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWAZCqYMvWHkF_xSGR8TN3uJdAmENcs5t3hJMSsMdQo3Dq1ZlcN7B3j4e3Teuwj7AeYNzIqxX875FuxbdC6bG-81vjxqoKzBsniLVMAMdij3O91pVgogRui0ujpAgRatMg7XSyhrOKtQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+030.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852696768252562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWAZCqYMvWHkF_xSGR8TN3uJdAmENcs5t3hJMSsMdQo3Dq1ZlcN7B3j4e3Teuwj7AeYNzIqxX875FuxbdC6bG-81vjxqoKzBsniLVMAMdij3O91pVgogRui0ujpAgRatMg7XSyhrOKtQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+030.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Narrow paths on the edge of the river</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB3LTj4BtbMtblSmKDbgF5vNBffDtNZYPcXK8cJQr_Mt9L7qOPwgZJTInc6_wGUxUn1ESDv2Ic2rRBIZUSiWPxFWYqnOiJf484xIvgiZW6vzWJ6DomwS3vJcjhsmr6lI5Sjo7yG11PwQ/s1600-h/134.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 304px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363853280036890674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcB3LTj4BtbMtblSmKDbgF5vNBffDtNZYPcXK8cJQr_Mt9L7qOPwgZJTInc6_wGUxUn1ESDv2Ic2rRBIZUSiWPxFWYqnOiJf484xIvgiZW6vzWJ6DomwS3vJcjhsmr6lI5Sjo7yG11PwQ/s320/134.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><div>Narrow, muddy paths through the forest</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKgRxfMAKXh1XV11ljK3XNi8HGdzWsB_iDeGfur2YEL1BEi_xcKVM9aQN5HZq5tI1bIwLz0hXGOQE6B8NYovmM5S-XL77L7cGGiODWDwwAl92N3j3kn6Jis7jPEPz9aPtQAx370SNK4/s1600-h/132.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363853288240744162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKgRxfMAKXh1XV11ljK3XNi8HGdzWsB_iDeGfur2YEL1BEi_xcKVM9aQN5HZq5tI1bIwLz0hXGOQE6B8NYovmM5S-XL77L7cGGiODWDwwAl92N3j3kn6Jis7jPEPz9aPtQAx370SNK4/s320/132.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br />Negotiating a crumbling path </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4MAa3SeGzwyqVJIY2stGiOXE19QaOzAiMIVpHQM4exBTXLMBZ_K8Lg4siMPtmYjqxE1yyS9G9DYFUG8FyQe5Qq9M3kDnz4Ft60rZLe773SSJ7tr64pMS_RE0A0l5YPOnzCNC-EmC4Fk/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+034.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852687111104802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4MAa3SeGzwyqVJIY2stGiOXE19QaOzAiMIVpHQM4exBTXLMBZ_K8Lg4siMPtmYjqxE1yyS9G9DYFUG8FyQe5Qq9M3kDnz4Ft60rZLe773SSJ7tr64pMS_RE0A0l5YPOnzCNC-EmC4Fk/s320/Camino+2009+2+034.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>At last - a view!!</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfkHAUffhQqAJQmfyZRWWAoxkWc395gisNidFE-XSOA8YF8KpAk8QcqfKlqiKfvwhkY0vM2gxaEaIPG_i_QoyxT5XCHzeyiejJ_pQX3tq_zeyWneXQ2slpiBbW5hvHMqCckdVyVCasDk/s1600-h/136.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363853276257009698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfkHAUffhQqAJQmfyZRWWAoxkWc395gisNidFE-XSOA8YF8KpAk8QcqfKlqiKfvwhkY0vM2gxaEaIPG_i_QoyxT5XCHzeyiejJ_pQX3tq_zeyWneXQ2slpiBbW5hvHMqCckdVyVCasDk/s320/136.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWAZCqYMvWHkF_xSGR8TN3uJdAmENcs5t3hJMSsMdQo3Dq1ZlcN7B3j4e3Teuwj7AeYNzIqxX875FuxbdC6bG-81vjxqoKzBsniLVMAMdij3O91pVgogRui0ujpAgRatMg7XSyhrOKtQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+030.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXhEIugkzsEyIwNAy4hYL5UVppfLrKwWjiXNQE0hyccCOgxFMoWwgN1LyPWv46WV-iu8MvzR51XDl8Givu8shT4BUUjbLVVppOVwcG0wsm3MVqOcrX8UHwsJEawhnqG7kNoDdvKxXGJc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852689266309058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXhEIugkzsEyIwNAy4hYL5UVppfLrKwWjiXNQE0hyccCOgxFMoWwgN1LyPWv46WV-iu8MvzR51XDl8Givu8shT4BUUjbLVVppOVwcG0wsm3MVqOcrX8UHwsJEawhnqG7kNoDdvKxXGJc/s320/Camino+2009+2+033.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcEIF8yjbz82c9H3Wd5oujlLU7qrJFIdTfO5i3gL8X-Xfx8wTEak5YdKiWhmA88RGzckVb2D8h4h9JK2XEH-aMN-W-Nu04H9TqHU_aYLjRwwOwcffntcFwDtzqX52BuI-KktK1DFj17E/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+042.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852686094914162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcEIF8yjbz82c9H3Wd5oujlLU7qrJFIdTfO5i3gL8X-Xfx8wTEak5YdKiWhmA88RGzckVb2D8h4h9JK2XEH-aMN-W-Nu04H9TqHU_aYLjRwwOwcffntcFwDtzqX52BuI-KktK1DFj17E/s320/Camino+2009+2+042.jpg" /></a></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznhuUW6ICYM8D6B6SsbOELR17J3SyChznXfG5iX6c-2ocYMHjjd2kEabxRp4QoX6yduGP3eO3vE_dMVw8ij4k-GJB3yL_vaCl2Wd0uJvYEEfSk4jrhVYfmXQwFkFizviaiG044wxfPGc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+043.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852680373487666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznhuUW6ICYM8D6B6SsbOELR17J3SyChznXfG5iX6c-2ocYMHjjd2kEabxRp4QoX6yduGP3eO3vE_dMVw8ij4k-GJB3yL_vaCl2Wd0uJvYEEfSk4jrhVYfmXQwFkFizviaiG044wxfPGc/s320/Camino+2009+2+043.jpg" /></a></strong></div><br /><div><strong><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznhuUW6ICYM8D6B6SsbOELR17J3SyChznXfG5iX6c-2ocYMHjjd2kEabxRp4QoX6yduGP3eO3vE_dMVw8ij4k-GJB3yL_vaCl2Wd0uJvYEEfSk4jrhVYfmXQwFkFizviaiG044wxfPGc/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+043.jpg"></a></strong> </div></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Marion</strong><br />It was such an interesting stay at our accomodation last evening with Ann, Jim and Jerry. We all had a tour of the property and a delicious meal. Val and myself shared a room and Syl shared a room with Ann. After breakfast in the morning we set off and our 1st stop was in the centre of Sarrance.<br />We walked alongside the valley of IÁrrec d´Isson high above the Gave dÁspe which flows in a deep gorge. The path was very rocky and lots of mud, almost clay earth which sucked onto our boots. Most of the day was on the mountain side - it was tremendous.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2E5okoLAgwWfgg2m9LJe9tlodS0DfqWLRyo06FRCO_g8donPaYoiDzWRMzytQYvhYI5ejy3182wt6swqwCt4rtHtCAPvu83bZ7DyiRQ7G1-KUAhYaHeZbt6cvtaw0_-XxXu772BSnkE/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+044.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852188593750194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2E5okoLAgwWfgg2m9LJe9tlodS0DfqWLRyo06FRCO_g8donPaYoiDzWRMzytQYvhYI5ejy3182wt6swqwCt4rtHtCAPvu83bZ7DyiRQ7G1-KUAhYaHeZbt6cvtaw0_-XxXu772BSnkE/s320/Camino+2009+2+044.jpg" /></a>We had a mountain on our left our path then the river, then the road and then another mountain on the right. Lots of green trees and sometimes a garden of flowers. Sometimes the river was right next to us and sometimes deep down below. At times the path was very rocky, we crossed over a bridge a couple ot times to the other side. We also saw a lot of Royal eagles, such beautiful birds.<br />Although our path went up and down we were actually climbing the whole day. At times you could see the mountains on the other side with snow on top of them.<br />It was such a tremendous day.<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />When you walk along riverine paths through a forest there are long periods when there is no light, no view and nothing to do but look at your feet. Marion loves the forest paths but I prefer them to be a bit wider than they were today! At times they seemed postively dangerous, no wider that 12cm, sloping to the long drop down to the river far below. We covered the first 5km in 2hours, up one slippery slope and then down equally slippery slopes, sometimes almost next to the raging river but at other times high above. We finally came out of the river onto a small road and climbed up to Borce, a charming, spotlessly clean village with a St James refuge (that was full when we stopped) and finally to the Communal Gite in the centre of the village. We had an 8 bed room to ourselves, managed to do most of our washing and buy soup and vegetables, bread and wine for dinner which we ate in the Gite diningroom. Until now we've been spoiled with Sebastien cooking for us in Asson, Pierre and Sebastien cooking for us in Arudy, a restaurant meal in Oloron and Richie's lovely dinner last night in Sarrance. Tomorrow night we'll be sleeping in Spain!<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32viVASAqDagfGTSME2O6tSBf7uBpzt7q7172CV7zW25YTd0hUdKFi01pX-OmWY0gkPWgr2s6CvdADKsRXqrd31ssKnenpxqtWJfHgJj1smJRpaPVCkTeRPO_cFzCnVdHtLJ0F7kESKY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+045.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852188842946146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32viVASAqDagfGTSME2O6tSBf7uBpzt7q7172CV7zW25YTd0hUdKFi01pX-OmWY0gkPWgr2s6CvdADKsRXqrd31ssKnenpxqtWJfHgJj1smJRpaPVCkTeRPO_cFzCnVdHtLJ0F7kESKY/s320/Camino+2009+2+045.jpg" /></a>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />After a good nights sleep, we all met in the ´the dining room´for breakfast. Corrine had laid the table with lovely bright tablecloths and crockery and there was fresh coffee brewed. We had a breakfast of bread and brioche with jams. Too much bread now!<br />Today I felt tired, strange given the lovely sleep. We had a lovely walk through forests and there were buildings like crofts all over, Marion and I went into one and got dive bombed by bats..horrid!We had lunch in a field...checked to see if there were any bulls as I did not carry my mace spray this time...chance to layout our wet <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi7tCnxf7qrlKtIZUWun8td8ROHjYYy_0ErqakLPDLLrO_exM8IWYVZZYYQf2plpHoPXqyv9QnUDez5dtxncp3uJc0tOAQdkhzBAW7Bwt0V2nW2IC3qFoa6U5M3orZ4As8LbwM0TIQzU/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+046.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852175109006914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbi7tCnxf7qrlKtIZUWun8td8ROHjYYy_0ErqakLPDLLrO_exM8IWYVZZYYQf2plpHoPXqyv9QnUDez5dtxncp3uJc0tOAQdkhzBAW7Bwt0V2nW2IC3qFoa6U5M3orZ4As8LbwM0TIQzU/s320/Camino+2009+2+046.jpg" /></a>clothes and dry them...finally some blue sky showing through for the first day.<br />"Syl said we had to get going"<br />"We said, No! No! No!<br />During the walk today I felt really guilty-I dream of the Pilgrim Refugio being full and we have to stay in a hotel - 4 star at least! We arrive and the "Inn is indeed full" Yipee! Despite exhaustion I could dance in a manner that would make Flattery and his dance troupe envious. Syl asks if there is a hotel (a Chambre). Non, Non just a community gite in the village....now I think..please let there be a room, I just want to be able to lie horizontally. So we walk a little further and there is the Gite with its own supermarket and what is this a BAR! With tables outside on a terrace.The Gite is a brand new dormitory style accommodation with lovely kitchen and huge pine table. The village itself is spotless and looks new, we realise it is indeed an original Medival Village which the community has restored...each building has a before and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglcHuf0d40clPu56LQVCNW3HPC3CwKjIb5iWz8UMQHHSwenbjyJ3_j8Yb5piPKgWH5KD-VZ4RUzmqCxmqBpoJ__4o5zzLu2VLoiNl_n3AR9mVW6FmyPV-QLTFEOksdCVYK7ZqYi7Z7Tc/s1600-h/6th+May+flowers+073.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369896292231380978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglcHuf0d40clPu56LQVCNW3HPC3CwKjIb5iWz8UMQHHSwenbjyJ3_j8Yb5piPKgWH5KD-VZ4RUzmqCxmqBpoJ__4o5zzLu2VLoiNl_n3AR9mVW6FmyPV-QLTFEOksdCVYK7ZqYi7Z7Tc/s200/6th+May+flowers+073.jpg" /></a>after picture on it. I sit outside, order a cold glass of wine and phone Martin.<br />I go back inside and ask for another wine...another she says! They are very small glasses, average cost of a glass of wine has been 1.60 euros.<br />We shop in the supermarket and buy soup and bread and I ask for another wine to take with me...this is your last she says!<br />Everywhere the name Borce is accompanied by a picture of a Bear and we ask if Borce means Bear but it doesn´t. They have 8 bears in the National Park.<br />Tomorrow it is apparently straight up and over the Pyrenees so we buy lots of food and treats to keep us going including chocolate - and especially an orange for old time sake...In Italy we had a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzpQoVzQbP0pQoMMC-ukaGuigwDW0UxoPw9a9vxBVF_ad5YEIF9R65Nnq303UzMAsyTe9cRC82DLVzNuE0FfE0HyKuZ7OBqcEd5azzpQwBgSfFJkcCLW4T21KpjovANjZ19g3ZM7ugm8/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+049.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852168784902594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzpQoVzQbP0pQoMMC-ukaGuigwDW0UxoPw9a9vxBVF_ad5YEIF9R65Nnq303UzMAsyTe9cRC82DLVzNuE0FfE0HyKuZ7OBqcEd5azzpQwBgSfFJkcCLW4T21KpjovANjZ19g3ZM7ugm8/s320/Camino+2009+2+049.jpg" /></a>day where we could not cross the river because the bridge had been destroyed...we tried to do a detour but couldn´t and over an hour and half later had to go back and cross the river....we were exhausted in 40 degree heat and had already covered 45 km...Kathy had the only piece of food remaining, an orange...we each had a segment...to this day I have never eaten a sweeter tasting orange.<br />Well tomorrow is Spain and I really hope it is a lot brighter in everyway than this part of France. Thankfully the beautiful Pyrenees is not overshadowed by its grey inhabitants. The people are quite scruffy and on the whole the villages have been dirty.Even young people look as if they <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLnrXgXJ9aLPF1TLULrXYfnoOMZsQzbgFCo99qfoyUBwpotkHbw1P9b6DFVQA9H0MtXYnt9ED2PBt-C67SsKC_nNQwiSO3j35gmz92J4sxRsjOBkiAVEtUD4cqBihGjClMhOKFH-P9FM/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+052.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 215px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363852158069282786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLnrXgXJ9aLPF1TLULrXYfnoOMZsQzbgFCo99qfoyUBwpotkHbw1P9b6DFVQA9H0MtXYnt9ED2PBt-C67SsKC_nNQwiSO3j35gmz92J4sxRsjOBkiAVEtUD4cqBihGjClMhOKFH-P9FM/s320/Camino+2009+2+052.jpg" /></a>have never had a decent haircut and their clothes are just whatever they grabbed that morning. Sorry but that is my opinion...cannot really comment on the food as we only had the opportunity to eat out once.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-40313400641382466392009-06-12T11:27:00.000-07:002009-08-14T11:58:07.024-07:00Day Four : Oloron St Marie to Sarrance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL037s-fsiwWta5slMDsyKURRI3B2tvp2A7V-jxLEh2N_0LdAanEPoJh85P-gXqv1edoYO3he-EemSzzotG9W5TRhdEUUAVmfnrgn3bXqYzbKJuXcORQj4bXqXhcN-ZZaKyd-FHProyE/s1600-h/6th+May+flowers+063.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369895672260093314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhL037s-fsiwWta5slMDsyKURRI3B2tvp2A7V-jxLEh2N_0LdAanEPoJh85P-gXqv1edoYO3he-EemSzzotG9W5TRhdEUUAVmfnrgn3bXqYzbKJuXcORQj4bXqXhcN-ZZaKyd-FHProyE/s200/6th+May+flowers+063.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsotQ1NFE4kXaLACbHTWxvHUQyqNLzjZKSeXgVuBV1-E7MT4CjtzcJiOa-ij82c1rhXkFMsEfGd8GZshuCTLOwxpbsUI11Yuv3YzNT5bwIWT8FE1QXDPxHOHBxb122ZZhyphenhyphendFTv39WTfj0/s1600-h/6th+May+flowers+058.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369895664704859522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsotQ1NFE4kXaLACbHTWxvHUQyqNLzjZKSeXgVuBV1-E7MT4CjtzcJiOa-ij82c1rhXkFMsEfGd8GZshuCTLOwxpbsUI11Yuv3YzNT5bwIWT8FE1QXDPxHOHBxb122ZZhyphenhyphendFTv39WTfj0/s200/6th+May+flowers+058.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KYi3l8oCFPLSFC3Dc42-JfGof_Cq70tQ7v-J6Qn14Z5ZJKZ6m5tJaoAlT2nyRZkjq3criMez6yPNhQu0uiwk4TQFoy2w0xi0cwt8VS-51mF4CkAwlu335deSyIj0Q2323cNuk9RtuKw/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363836515274822370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KYi3l8oCFPLSFC3Dc42-JfGof_Cq70tQ7v-J6Qn14Z5ZJKZ6m5tJaoAlT2nyRZkjq3criMez6yPNhQu0uiwk4TQFoy2w0xi0cwt8VS-51mF4CkAwlu335deSyIj0Q2323cNuk9RtuKw/s320/Camino+2009+2+014.jpg" /></a>Val - Minister of Nutrition<br /></strong>A friend of Syl´s (although they had never met until this morning - they know each other from the Via Francigena association) arrived late last night with two other English people. They are not planning to walk as far as us today. We walk through bad mud today and SMS Anne and her fellow walkers to rather take the road. We keep meeting them along the way and they have changed their minds and are going to continue to Sarrance and stay at the same place as us.<br />We meet them on the road side and they say they are going to the next village to find a beer. Time to jump ship me thinks.....these are my kind <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQJ73dlRie68lxknpwJ9GmjLTmtQasLvuOvTQ6cURzSNa4bHKGb8sDr5CsFmpAihJrT3FKxymtB1jD2G_A7eZau4LIf7qc6oW0sjFitI926epUul1-n6_7JuWZXZLzR-CrkRatRDWM3w/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+011.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363833979653731010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQJ73dlRie68lxknpwJ9GmjLTmtQasLvuOvTQ6cURzSNa4bHKGb8sDr5CsFmpAihJrT3FKxymtB1jD2G_A7eZau4LIf7qc6oW0sjFitI926epUul1-n6_7JuWZXZLzR-CrkRatRDWM3w/s320/Camino+2009+2+011.jpg" /></a>of walkers!<br />It´s day four and getting into the zone...that is to say that there is no multi-tasking...sit in a field and eat an apple...that´s it...just sit in the field and eat the apple, don´t read your email as you do so, don´t empty things out of the dishwasher with every bite, don´t try and multi task. It is what I like to call ¨living in the moment¨- and it feels great.<br />Today I am carrying a box of camembert..poor Marion is grumbling on about a smell...and we soon realise it is coming from the top of my backpack. What a relief she says, I thought it was me! Marion is carrying 4 tins of pate, we bought <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mFZ1kxH_L6OD-uSS5yAs_sb3NP2p6MmNdNmT9FjyrS5NMdYxxL2Q8m1Jw03mVHxHCyigKXunmq8aOjVovmgpQHA73ADqPV-wcAJlpwfZfKPmkakKzJqUv31yDaaUJrIFnAn8a6dFMVc/s1600-h/Oloron+to+Sarrance.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363836525460330146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mFZ1kxH_L6OD-uSS5yAs_sb3NP2p6MmNdNmT9FjyrS5NMdYxxL2Q8m1Jw03mVHxHCyigKXunmq8aOjVovmgpQHA73ADqPV-wcAJlpwfZfKPmkakKzJqUv31yDaaUJrIFnAn8a6dFMVc/s320/Oloron+to+Sarrance.jpg" /></a>them in a pack, just enough for us to eat one each lunchtime. We also bought some wonderful walnut bread. We are sitting on a bench overlooking a beautiful valley, a man arrives in his car and off loads bottles for the French equivalent of a bottle bank. Syl goes over to speak to him....she speaks to him for ages, waving her hands about...poor man we think, he probably doesn´t have the faintest idea what she is saying, she doesn´t speak French but her Spanish is good. Then when she comes back, we say poor man Syl, you will be his dinner table story tonight. Oh, he speaks English, she says, he has been to Namibia and Kruger!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4JqJG3_7J-lboJcaQm8vPgc5kEUKUBa0JfYLhQBXd96M8c1RjBMAT32f_Lw6x0HrIKfH-koGaOfJQYDpB4F6RiIEPzsb6p48iPQVpKigEl1LSLldbNIDyiIIGPeugRpDykgJ5V7EFWQ/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363833981500016418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4JqJG3_7J-lboJcaQm8vPgc5kEUKUBa0JfYLhQBXd96M8c1RjBMAT32f_Lw6x0HrIKfH-koGaOfJQYDpB4F6RiIEPzsb6p48iPQVpKigEl1LSLldbNIDyiIIGPeugRpDykgJ5V7EFWQ/s320/Camino+2009+2+013.jpg" /></a>He tells us to visit the butcher in Sarrance it is the best in the Valley which we do. We buy proscuttio 8 slices for 1.80 euros. (<em>sorry about the spelling, french key boards, spanish key boards and spell check doesn´t work and we have to type fast as others are waiting for a chance on the free internet!) </em>On the way we pass a van which is converted into a travelling clothes shop...these people have no shops other than food. A lovely route but lots of stinging nettles and I keep stinging my hands...there are no dock leaves which we always used when we were kids to take the sting away, and I always thought they grew alongside stinging nettles but not here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWUug_9ekACKFQBMk9eVcfDV8OdIj-Vp_oXxlOZaEWcRCUfHN6gmpVfLrnYLlz3iTc_cGxpz_gWY5CK5blKrc6J4S5wY4ybvEaaTKNhOIH9_QeoUKfTZLMBEpZjUwJ-xxSOXqoWwh9ek/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+012.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363833950948789522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWUug_9ekACKFQBMk9eVcfDV8OdIj-Vp_oXxlOZaEWcRCUfHN6gmpVfLrnYLlz3iTc_cGxpz_gWY5CK5blKrc6J4S5wY4ybvEaaTKNhOIH9_QeoUKfTZLMBEpZjUwJ-xxSOXqoWwh9ek/s320/Camino+2009+2+012.jpg" /></a>We arrive at our accommodation. Syl booked it on the internet...it was a monastory which has been converted to a hotel but has kept some simple accommodation for Pilgrims. It looked good on the internet and we are looking forward to it. We turn the corner and there in front of us is a very tired building with a scruffy entrance, rubbish everywhere. We go inside and I am sorry, but it is a dump. And so it will sound somewhat of a contradiction when I tell you that I had the best nights sleep I have had in a long time (and I sleep well at the best of times) and the best hospitality and evening. The English people arrived, Anne, Jerry and Jim. They didn´t get their beer and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHRk65eVbIhDqqvZLQoHmDGMUu4yS7LTrV6Pv3bRthilZ0qV9eGOWOhK3gZg4uqXenSBAshV0q-DG1ZyxGgGWaKfse74GH-DixRIYVIsbxSup-gpU_PYrj8wQAcOgfhcEOyXqVJy8r_g/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+017.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363836510193234082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHRk65eVbIhDqqvZLQoHmDGMUu4yS7LTrV6Pv3bRthilZ0qV9eGOWOhK3gZg4uqXenSBAshV0q-DG1ZyxGgGWaKfse74GH-DixRIYVIsbxSup-gpU_PYrj8wQAcOgfhcEOyXqVJy8r_g/s320/Camino+2009+2+017.jpg" /></a>asked for one the moment they arrived. This was provided without hesitation.<br />The owners are Corinne and Richie. She is a teacher from Essex (but thankfully does not sound like an Essex´s girl) and he is originally from Bolivia but has lived in Italy with his family. They spent 6 months looking for somewhere to escape the rat race...he was in IT. They could not find anything in Spain or Italy and ended up in France. They are renovating this huge monastory all on their own. (<a href="http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=212&m2=1&pg=21">http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=212&m2=1&pg=21</a><a href="http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=212&m2=1&pg=21">m1=2&m2=1&pg=212&m2=1&pg=21</a><a href="http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=21">m1=2&m2=1&pg=21</a><a href="http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=212&m2=1&pg=21"><a href="http://fontaines.selfip.com/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-photos.php?m1=2&m2=1&pg=21">2&m2=1&pg=21</a></a> )<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxko8FceFTOGr8SR0jDr7Q7xA4SZwAIHMPT3Vw1Xno7p3rOFcB0rPwQ9GcYDgKGsqaBypK2ZK_qmEWYWK5ir5Ht8VyYFRQ9Rf5FgnM_zDrjZbQfrm1btdq9pjGgShYjx7tpIhjqriL36I/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363836530734372594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxko8FceFTOGr8SR0jDr7Q7xA4SZwAIHMPT3Vw1Xno7p3rOFcB0rPwQ9GcYDgKGsqaBypK2ZK_qmEWYWK5ir5Ht8VyYFRQ9Rf5FgnM_zDrjZbQfrm1btdq9pjGgShYjx7tpIhjqriL36I/s320/Camino+2009+2+024.jpg" /></a>Now Richie has definitely used his IT skills when it comes to his website and touching up the picture on his business card. In fact, I think we should invite him to our next Wakefields conference and he can teach our agents how to write adverts and touch up (what are often) terrible photos. Syl and Marion will tell you more about the premises but I will add that these two people are doing a lot right. The beds were clean and warm with generous bedding. The coffee and breakfast was great and their hospitality superb. They showed us around and they were just completing two bedrooms for the upmarket part of the hotel...they were great with ensuites and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x94qEGU_88hMdmwECUxAG1zdnk9_bZqxoASdvQVTk4yUHIv5a3k4Fmq9sM-9xP_WbSyZap5Cc2NePDgSssYrGZWD7rDZhdSSOtQC-KchapaUXNYL7nACwFcZXsO_itmQvEtUzMD-Rk4/s1600-h/121.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363833970979036402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x94qEGU_88hMdmwECUxAG1zdnk9_bZqxoASdvQVTk4yUHIv5a3k4Fmq9sM-9xP_WbSyZap5Cc2NePDgSssYrGZWD7rDZhdSSOtQC-KchapaUXNYL7nACwFcZXsO_itmQvEtUzMD-Rk4/s320/121.JPG" /></a>flat screen tv´s (which I thought unnecessary). They had bookings for these the following week...but the rest of the place looked like a bomb had hit it and it was scruffy and dirty. The dining room was huge but had two tables at one end and old furniture, and rubbish swept in the corners. They said everyone was always giving them advice and that is probably exactly what I wanted to do!<br />We wash our clothes and our boots are thick with mud. We find an old sink outside and Marion and I go to wash them. Marion cannot stand to watch me and takes over and washes my boots....that is surely a good friend who gladly washes your boots. After showering we met the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyXFZjdQUeLk5-T3UwifpCveVddchc4yk3L6eNlzE3Ji75KJDCPxFhJStPQTmr76gcczmKHZ2LwHpCb6DL7U6GM5bFSHTFUWMTb_mQzSSNJRXjyIWavcSlVdHZ4vBpQybJRyMVaE1ouY/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+022.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363836527130748434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyXFZjdQUeLk5-T3UwifpCveVddchc4yk3L6eNlzE3Ji75KJDCPxFhJStPQTmr76gcczmKHZ2LwHpCb6DL7U6GM5bFSHTFUWMTb_mQzSSNJRXjyIWavcSlVdHZ4vBpQybJRyMVaE1ouY/s320/Camino+2009+2+022.jpg" /></a>others at the outside table...I asked for White wine and it was served in a lovely wine glass and was nice and cold. Richie cooked us chicken with couscous and he did a pasta with mushrooms for Syl. He had his own porcini and morels which he had picked from his own woods...well we just hoped he knew his mushrooms! We survived and had a wonderful evening with these very special people. You could not help but just want these two to succeed.<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />Oloron Ste Marie: When we came down from our room there was Ann Milner, an Irish pilgrim who <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPUvTbY_iaa9pcApoMevTUcmQuvDXFbgJjlRAUWHdhfRsq_uQ130Tn1U_h3Gjt4h5Ok91jebypcwux_kReAyvTgBtZE-msIjphWzF34FpUcJRKdKM1gy2r17xVC3STNNKpjOiYzoqurw/s1600-h/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-bandb-gites-thermal-spa-7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363841990749830386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPUvTbY_iaa9pcApoMevTUcmQuvDXFbgJjlRAUWHdhfRsq_uQ130Tn1U_h3Gjt4h5Ok91jebypcwux_kReAyvTgBtZE-msIjphWzF34FpUcJRKdKM1gy2r17xVC3STNNKpjOiYzoqurw/s320/pyrenees-fontaines-escot-bandb-gites-thermal-spa-7.jpg" /></a>I have been conversing with via email for 3 years. When we got home from our walk to Rome in 2006, I found Ann was walking from Santiago to Rome and was somewhat lost in Italy due to no signs or waymarks. I started sending her our Cryptic Clues, a few pages at a time, and information on accommodation. We then kept in touch after the formation of the CPR (Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome). By sheer chance, just a week ago, we discovered that we would be staying atthe same place in Oloron on the same day! She was walking with Jim and Gerry as far as Somport and was not intending to walk as far as Sarrance but when I told them about the converted monastery accommodation we´d booked in for the night they called in at the tourist office who phoned ahead and booked them in too. They were staying on for breakfast in Oloron so we left a couple of hours before them.<br />The first couple of kms on the road it was dry but as soon as we turned into the forest we started the ´Slippy-slippy-shake´on mud as thick as custard. When we finally came out <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cTP3Ko-DMVxYj1nKHTi4D-AQwN3y9EnAXm7-cAEPjusb9vI6vMc3i4eyCr0T4dlK5uLJMpv4lRw7Lkshd0g7bbCJ57bWBloaTbaHCOQxdVUNumUWEe8eKJkqE4cg8V-b_HPwKPKLy_o/s1600-h/Camino+2009+2+020.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363841703132272514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cTP3Ko-DMVxYj1nKHTi4D-AQwN3y9EnAXm7-cAEPjusb9vI6vMc3i4eyCr0T4dlK5uLJMpv4lRw7Lkshd0g7bbCJ57bWBloaTbaHCOQxdVUNumUWEe8eKJkqE4cg8V-b_HPwKPKLy_o/s320/Camino+2009+2+020.jpg" /></a>onto the road we dithered about a bit trying to decide whether to continue on the path or stick to the road. ¨The rest of the way can´t be as wet as the first part´we said, but it was! Val sent an SMS to Ann warning them about the mud and they thanked us later for the warning as none of them was ready for a slippery sludge walk to Sarrance.<br />Les Fonatines deÉscot is about 1.5km before Sarrance and one has to take the road route to reach it. It is down a private road and when we turned a corner and saw it for the first time I was amazed to see an almost derelict chatteau amongst the trees. I was even more surprised to discover that there is only one couple running the whole <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcgZKUhyphenhyphenGlj9Q8o5ddwvV7eZ_LHzazfeXOX4JrYBq_61lNxYw1L49vgqB8JEt52WL7OoTJAidkX-1qQSrGbZzbsuU_oNgPiAZeqcyJXM-VZrvpq0fEnGTMZlb38eAdXb1Iw_bI7vUVFY/s1600-h/bimage1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363839911242252674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcgZKUhyphenhyphenGlj9Q8o5ddwvV7eZ_LHzazfeXOX4JrYBq_61lNxYw1L49vgqB8JEt52WL7OoTJAidkX-1qQSrGbZzbsuU_oNgPiAZeqcyJXM-VZrvpq0fEnGTMZlb38eAdXb1Iw_bI7vUVFY/s320/bimage1.jpg" /></a>place. On the website it looked like a huge complex, with smart hotel, grand salon, St Jacques suite, many indoor reception rooms and acitivities and a few ´simple´rooms for pilgrims who had use of the grounds. Well, it is a run-down but gracious old building that once housed the St James Study Centre, was a monastery of the Knights of Santiago and still contains a few books and statues from the past.<br />Corrine (the English owner) took us on a walk to the river where the remains of the thermal baths, healing spring (the Fontaines) and hot houses used to be. It was amazing to see the old stone baths in rooms below the viewing walkway. The grotoo has fertility parietal art and other symbols in the stones. The water that continually springs out into a stone basin is warm and has been tested as ´potable´. We all filled our bottles before continuing down to the pebble beach where we could see trout jumping and flopping in the pools below the rocks.<br />While having drinks on the terrace Ricky pointed out a Royal Eagle´s nest on the rocks high above the river. There are four pairs of these rare birds in the area which is a nature park. We had a wonderful dinner, cooked by Richie.<br />We had a good sleep - Annie and I sharing the Buddelia simple room with a secret toilet that we were asked not to use at night as it is electric and every noisy!</div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-26462891363714804472009-06-12T10:47:00.000-07:002009-08-14T11:53:02.447-07:00Day Three: Arudy to Oloron Ste Marie<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo2oqhHPTjv1MorxpmOcYuV3E1tew19Q7G3XLQpKi6PCwcmXdPVVEur9lczPFJTPqObRtMP5svrPP9SBkqvpMCfSlxdQOHQJU_pMCOajaYHkvyNTnEzEHl4n3r-zZNxGYYAnk3kqEM30/s1600-h/Arudy+blessing.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363813615449751314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo2oqhHPTjv1MorxpmOcYuV3E1tew19Q7G3XLQpKi6PCwcmXdPVVEur9lczPFJTPqObRtMP5svrPP9SBkqvpMCfSlxdQOHQJU_pMCOajaYHkvyNTnEzEHl4n3r-zZNxGYYAnk3kqEM30/s320/Arudy+blessing.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXNwFIrA4vvHeKJtdmsdj8K9xIRW55haf07L7PJr2NzPaQ9DrYWF2d3kI80nqHy4WGeu2cNwqQQRMJbX8wBtRZXO_umJaezTl3mjWVIFAv3cCiIkg4sUH02Wqv4APTrjVWMYOAP25zj0/s1600-h/Oloron+1a.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363812709735743314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXNwFIrA4vvHeKJtdmsdj8K9xIRW55haf07L7PJr2NzPaQ9DrYWF2d3kI80nqHy4WGeu2cNwqQQRMJbX8wBtRZXO_umJaezTl3mjWVIFAv3cCiIkg4sUH02Wqv4APTrjVWMYOAP25zj0/s320/Oloron+1a.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Q0_l-2o0pD4e4CfyplJwK4afXaV41pTPsVMjGwMEAlfBIpgWn2FWjtAOeZDoY6FXgVfZP5hND55_Wx-KAxHrmclYMhvGBvTjoLPOdsi9DncJ1cSynW6B9AEeJLukCeUPrd2yyXJexB0/s1600-h/092.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363812706178478882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Q0_l-2o0pD4e4CfyplJwK4afXaV41pTPsVMjGwMEAlfBIpgWn2FWjtAOeZDoY6FXgVfZP5hND55_Wx-KAxHrmclYMhvGBvTjoLPOdsi9DncJ1cSynW6B9AEeJLukCeUPrd2yyXJexB0/s320/092.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6kdczTMJ097SRPjJeby4kQesi6a6B1AD8Gx9dZyjNP0N99bcGHkxg-HHg-cBV7xzqTg3rbZDt5EZiWi_ML_bRF8__f0Fxe_M4XSdbFo8RduVX55JRDEsDNyAvIzGidaAqQo8F1Wx8Kg/s1600-h/Oloron+1JPG.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363812717863710434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6kdczTMJ097SRPjJeby4kQesi6a6B1AD8Gx9dZyjNP0N99bcGHkxg-HHg-cBV7xzqTg3rbZDt5EZiWi_ML_bRF8__f0Fxe_M4XSdbFo8RduVX55JRDEsDNyAvIzGidaAqQo8F1Wx8Kg/s320/Oloron+1JPG.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEzugv65at_pPg-bAVulxamS3lCCybBMGJxcLtbYy9f8AVAvWP5-pMwgEL8hfh3JVxYRU67CCOPDIs2hDP0LZaNbLr6249s_T1t2ZKkKXBPJq4-N1CRcgpESE6QvtMYWz-hMtqYySaks/s1600-h/Oloron+town0.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363813957320062610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEzugv65at_pPg-bAVulxamS3lCCybBMGJxcLtbYy9f8AVAvWP5-pMwgEL8hfh3JVxYRU67CCOPDIs2hDP0LZaNbLr6249s_T1t2ZKkKXBPJq4-N1CRcgpESE6QvtMYWz-hMtqYySaks/s320/Oloron+town0.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vmg4vTLr9W3adKNyzKpIrvUkSuC6NBvZ7V59BFUUBwFvGTcJaHYFImaDpotP6fqnj_fcSn3X9kPvdpTvCwXSe9CHBRSA1CN21s12SdvYzEuXkiJFiWAvJHH2rvta4DWmXoaMNi-HlEo/s1600-h/Oloron+3.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 293px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363812719950805426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vmg4vTLr9W3adKNyzKpIrvUkSuC6NBvZ7V59BFUUBwFvGTcJaHYFImaDpotP6fqnj_fcSn3X9kPvdpTvCwXSe9CHBRSA1CN21s12SdvYzEuXkiJFiWAvJHH2rvta4DWmXoaMNi-HlEo/s320/Oloron+3.JPG" /></a></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vmg4vTLr9W3adKNyzKpIrvUkSuC6NBvZ7V59BFUUBwFvGTcJaHYFImaDpotP6fqnj_fcSn3X9kPvdpTvCwXSe9CHBRSA1CN21s12SdvYzEuXkiJFiWAvJHH2rvta4DWmXoaMNi-HlEo/s1600-h/Oloron+3.JPG"></a></strong> </div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Sil:</strong> </div><div></div><div>Father Piere asked us if we would like to have a blessing before we left so we met in a little room downstairs and sang from sheets of hymns and prayers. He said a special blessing - used by his parish for hundreds of years - and waved us off as we meandered down the now quiet streets of Arudy. It was cloudy and cool and we walked with Marie and Sebastien through fields, farms and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPkapw_1IpuWy4W7rFNEdHaGRWrV8ZUNWCC2BdwG_ZfnNL6VcRHmN9_lhFuc36gA1UzKp8MCNR_jUTRcMyWPG_fU7F8wtoRTeHiQsvI8wDCvToXODxauQAULopMF7Ox6OkxAtqK_pTN4/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363812700050471970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPkapw_1IpuWy4W7rFNEdHaGRWrV8ZUNWCC2BdwG_ZfnNL6VcRHmN9_lhFuc36gA1UzKp8MCNR_jUTRcMyWPG_fU7F8wtoRTeHiQsvI8wDCvToXODxauQAULopMF7Ox6OkxAtqK_pTN4/s320/090.JPG" /></a>small villages. We like to stop every 2 hours or so for a ´backpack´off and sit down for about 15 minutes but Sebastien suggested we continue on until lunch time. We reluctantly agreed but Val said that she would have loved to have stopped for a coffee at the little village we by-passed. I agreed,¨´We must walk our own camino´I said, Íts no good walking someone else´s camino. So, we decided from then on to stop when we wanted to and surprisingly, Marie and Sebastien agreed, stopping for a sit down when we suggested it.<br />We told Marie and Sebastien that we would stand them to dinner at a restaurant as a thank you for his cooking and Marie´s delicious churros. By the time we got to Oloron is had just started raining again. The Relais du Bastet is a nice new albergue (not yet in the guide books - www.relaisdubastet.fr) - with beds instead of bunks, and we were in a 4-bed room with a pregrina from Argentina who got up at least 5 times during the night, started rattling plastic and zipping zips at about 5am. </div><div>I wanted to send an email home and buy a phone card so I walked in the rain about 2.5km to where the internet cafe was but, as it was a Monday (which is often a holiday in France) it was <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uvQXWhdiJybMM-ppTV8G41jeb_yxGYDAFKxhcJzNIv3jvcnfhIavyhSE9sFUmCsea1dljZdjbrAqn0WYx7Fnq1F1Z5DfWB6q8R-53HK-J8FCxhVNp4DWfdjNasvIikj8yyhkvTW1c6A/s1600-h/6th+May+flowers+054.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369892968419541938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uvQXWhdiJybMM-ppTV8G41jeb_yxGYDAFKxhcJzNIv3jvcnfhIavyhSE9sFUmCsea1dljZdjbrAqn0WYx7Fnq1F1Z5DfWB6q8R-53HK-J8FCxhVNp4DWfdjNasvIikj8yyhkvTW1c6A/s200/6th+May+flowers+054.jpg" /></a>closed. Then I walked to the Tabbac which was in the other direction to the albergue, bought a card for Afrique du Sud and then half way back along the road to the Internet Cafe where the telephone box was only to find that the wretched card didn´t work. Grrrrrrr.....<br />When I got back to the albergue Sebastien offered to let me use his card to get started and so we walked all the way back to the telelphone where he inserted his card and I then continued using the codes from my card and, hey presto! I could phone home. We walked back to the albergue and Sebastien said that Eric (the hospitalero) had recommended a really nice resaurant. We followed him to a supermecado and had a look at the restaurant and on the way back we stopped at a little shop where we bought him a small clown doll as a gift.<br />Val will tell you about our wonderful dinner in Oloron.<br /><br /><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition</strong><br />Good nights sleep and meet everyone in the kitchen where Pierre is making delicious coffee...really strong which is in a bowl...you take your mug or bowl, pour some of the coffee into it and top up with hot water and hot milk. We use mugs but Sebastian, Marie and Pierre use bowls. We have bread and preserves - they dip their bread into their coffee. Then they have hot milk and Pierre brings out slabs of chocolate.<br />There is no charge for the accommodation or indeed the supper or breakfast, just a donation. We give a generous donation because despite the fact that we are not Catholics he has welcomed us with open arms. It doesn´t matter to him why we walk this route.<br />We have a lovely walk today with Sebastian and Marie, they are great Ambassadors for France, they are so kind and generous and we would definitely have been lost many times without their help...the maps and signs are poor. Sebastian also speaks Spanish and italian and English very well so this has been a great help. We come to a village square and I tread in a huge cow turd...my boot sinks in and almost disappears. "Oh" says Marion "that is so lucky", "Not for us, we have to walk with her" says Sebastian..."You are really in the sh...t now" says Syl and so the banter continues until we all retreat into ourselves and continue walking.<br />On our way to the restaurant, I buy a new stick, a wooden one to replace my special metal one.<br />We eat at a local hotel restaurant and have the menu of the house...Menu de LAuberge 13 euros and some of us have Menu Du Terroir 18 euros, Menu of the Territory...i.e. local. We all start with a soup, vegetables with a piece of meat, which is actually bone to flavour the soup. Syl has a salad as she is vegetarian. I have local trout, which is very small and white fleshed and to be honest not that much taste. Others have cold meats or salad. Sebastian has steak, Marion duck - a shoulder piece and I have confit of chicken...which was very good. Dessert is a suprisingly very good dark chocolate mousse.<br /><br /><strong>Marion</strong><br />A wonderful evening was had by all of us (last night). First at the fun fair and then the most delicious meal with the Priest. Lots of fun and laughter.<br />This morning we had breakfast with the Priest watched his cat and kittens playing and then off we were on our way.<br />Most of our walking today was through farm land, lots of corridors <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4YcIMgjoIARUweQ7BzQGV1fw24JpgJ5Sw4L2cL5LDC5zY95rUAgjPIssqPlv10vsOcNAhkH0FNjPpXxI83bi4A0CMIzhingpAYkvRpfCvTuak7FNuIJXF6KdZgRRT4ge01n3N4tgp_4/s1600-h/6th+May+flowers+038.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 164px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369892964891099250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4YcIMgjoIARUweQ7BzQGV1fw24JpgJ5Sw4L2cL5LDC5zY95rUAgjPIssqPlv10vsOcNAhkH0FNjPpXxI83bi4A0CMIzhingpAYkvRpfCvTuak7FNuIJXF6KdZgRRT4ge01n3N4tgp_4/s200/6th+May+flowers+038.jpg" /></a>with greenery all around must have seen very shade of green their is. At times very muddy pathways and lots of cow dung, could hear lots of birds in the trees.<br />Whilst walking I heard a shriek!! Val had stepped into a huge dollop of cow dung - you should have seen her face - NOT A PRETTY PICTURE!!!<br />We saw a lot of different animals today, a woman feeding all her animals dogs, cats and chickens and a bunny rabit eating together with the chickens. Passed a pig farm and all the pigs came to the gate, ever so cute we all gave them a touch. At one stage we passed a field of work horses they were so beautiful as most of them were brown with beautiful blonde manes. They also came to the fence and Syl fed them bits of grass.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7375747859437771914.post-83858500111145951632009-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:002009-08-14T11:50:12.674-07:00Day2: Asson to Arudy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxqZ1vghJ0FkHUR8U4CkwBdHnSa9OSVljGWms1yuTDhR9fHx56fNcwe8Rz8fMo4rE-IxzzO27noT93LLIGRqQue4IXHgBytzHub-EqdKpIBXNsNVDkbrnSnQjslb9u0bqn-daEbOiSJg/s1600-h/Asson+to+Arudy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363590321896671138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxqZ1vghJ0FkHUR8U4CkwBdHnSa9OSVljGWms1yuTDhR9fHx56fNcwe8Rz8fMo4rE-IxzzO27noT93LLIGRqQue4IXHgBytzHub-EqdKpIBXNsNVDkbrnSnQjslb9u0bqn-daEbOiSJg/s320/Asson+to+Arudy.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15jmd6k7EuxfVDONJH4W0vJJ1QIPbeQuGfj3F9kekQWiGukQXwLyQIlh-fUYDkDuXsvK8Nsdr0RkJOchQ1SovCyfm3gSzLahXe81fPv666XQnWJBdYbVuXel_krT54JLLf2ByUcV0X_c/s1600-h/Asson+to+Arudy+Sebastien+Sil+%26+Marie.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589999404507970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15jmd6k7EuxfVDONJH4W0vJJ1QIPbeQuGfj3F9kekQWiGukQXwLyQIlh-fUYDkDuXsvK8Nsdr0RkJOchQ1SovCyfm3gSzLahXe81fPv666XQnWJBdYbVuXel_krT54JLLf2ByUcV0X_c/s320/Asson+to+Arudy+Sebastien+Sil+%26+Marie.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WWYB_hACJZLm7Q32-9OPfMNFF7DlC6cLO0cWF2nYeKTYfQiUV_kqeefU1xh7-eaSK-W2P7VrXFa16PFogX-1G740c_zw8zdAuI4k0jJKjNSaNsKj2jQOOWJcATPiXYf3ifbjtmeo38I/s1600-h/AssontoArudy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589992238174642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WWYB_hACJZLm7Q32-9OPfMNFF7DlC6cLO0cWF2nYeKTYfQiUV_kqeefU1xh7-eaSK-W2P7VrXFa16PFogX-1G740c_zw8zdAuI4k0jJKjNSaNsKj2jQOOWJcATPiXYf3ifbjtmeo38I/s320/AssontoArudy.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWzdd2AFuxpSqd8NDcDn8kxN6mSUjbLf1tPD_ZeRkOUMAuePYy_Q1Qjqf9OHqMoW-Ov0IdleRdEtzXqvCxrx58PAaJiGmVbeziMu2Zk1_Lh453tlf7MPQfW5769TaRrHt0-hBvI6Bjtc/s1600-h/Asson+To+Arudy+3.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589990284945250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWzdd2AFuxpSqd8NDcDn8kxN6mSUjbLf1tPD_ZeRkOUMAuePYy_Q1Qjqf9OHqMoW-Ov0IdleRdEtzXqvCxrx58PAaJiGmVbeziMu2Zk1_Lh453tlf7MPQfW5769TaRrHt0-hBvI6Bjtc/s320/Asson+To+Arudy+3.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>Marion </strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-gRlLRY38TOgOO9KSWOiVyc01LnfJSr01M00zbjHf9MfSzey_yYeLz2baUcTGGkP9D2MHgAYU2LIQJEvZXtJoc4dp2Y2D0cX3e1J0AFTD_nCbx0YlIqcP4ewv7Ve-IgznlT2jNN5dyY/s1600-h/Asson+to+Arudy+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589986821916050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-gRlLRY38TOgOO9KSWOiVyc01LnfJSr01M00zbjHf9MfSzey_yYeLz2baUcTGGkP9D2MHgAYU2LIQJEvZXtJoc4dp2Y2D0cX3e1J0AFTD_nCbx0YlIqcP4ewv7Ve-IgznlT2jNN5dyY/s320/Asson+to+Arudy+2.JPG" /></a>We had a bit of a lie in this morning - just as well as Val & I were a bit tired as we had not slept that well. Syl had slept on a mattress on the floor, Val & I had slept on canvas stretchers and the cold had come through the stretchers so we had been rather cold the whole night. Never mind all part of the fun!<br />We had breakfast upstairs with Marie and Sebastien at 8.00am and were on the road by 8.30. We walked through quite a bit of forest easy paths on our feet, a lot of up and down hill and cow dung all over. All the trees and grass and ferns are so green, we must have seen every shade of green their is.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ_5zuuu0cw6NoQLU09C9krhKEvs07mvK9d0EHnBzhWzUE0L3ZREnOpmf52t6McIkEKAZ-AzVMw4pi6tT1m1ekh2XI6EVF-ssRcPvMPrvwiVY5Mio9UL2mDBPiAg8AWIifPR29VSCu68/s1600-h/Asson+to+Arudy1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589587434657650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ_5zuuu0cw6NoQLU09C9krhKEvs07mvK9d0EHnBzhWzUE0L3ZREnOpmf52t6McIkEKAZ-AzVMw4pi6tT1m1ekh2XI6EVF-ssRcPvMPrvwiVY5Mio9UL2mDBPiAg8AWIifPR29VSCu68/s320/Asson+to+Arudy1.JPG" /></a>The day was overcast with a bit of sun coming out every now and again, no rain, not to hot and not to cold, just perfect walking weather.<br />We stopped for a picnic lunch of fruit and cheese at St. Colone - quite delicious.<br />We have enjoyed walking with Marie & Sebastain today. Our accomodation at Arudy is very comfortable, Syl, Val and myself in one section and Mary and Sebastain in another. We are staying in the priest´s house. We will all eat together this evening with the Priest.<br /><br /><strong>Val - Minister of Nutrition......<br /></strong>We have breakfast upstairs with Marie and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWztkHEelg7Xnvo0HHRW9mYB3hQzXZHBeYR8DFX-V4z74e0UaFUhHjXlZZUXXDA_IZelQ_RM7R8XMOrsJVh4XzceflX_0XWDCx94-cMNgSdsDL3pwsR0FKw_GG1dGMowc8lb8GnEvluqg/s1600-h/Arudy.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589579681149810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWztkHEelg7Xnvo0HHRW9mYB3hQzXZHBeYR8DFX-V4z74e0UaFUhHjXlZZUXXDA_IZelQ_RM7R8XMOrsJVh4XzceflX_0XWDCx94-cMNgSdsDL3pwsR0FKw_GG1dGMowc8lb8GnEvluqg/s320/Arudy.JPG" /></a>Sebastain - fruit and yoghurt - try to be good because most of what we get during the day or evening can be very heavy. But for lunch today we have fruit and brie - huge piece of brie for2.30 euro. By lunchtime, having been in the backpack for 2 hours it is just he perfect consisentcy. I think it will just be a matter of time before we start on the bread and pate and perhaps a glass of vino. On our way...oops...I´ve lost my stick - I must have left it in the cheese shop. We arrive at Arudy to crowds of people celebrating the 3rd day of their festival, we are told they have been drinking since 0900am and it shows. But lots of entertainment for the kids with a fair.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyjOKKRMBXDhp63Thi6H03LJYhUQ2HtEVxv_q7Eaf_ew8oFWJtIfdUdy2sQcSTV1ZuXElO4BJ5A00QNzhDS53TkfEKiRK9J0JBEbLGR6u0lQrMz1GSbPepZ_5Jx4AmxVD51R66xeyHB4/s1600-h/Arudy+Churros.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589233821712098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyjOKKRMBXDhp63Thi6H03LJYhUQ2HtEVxv_q7Eaf_ew8oFWJtIfdUdy2sQcSTV1ZuXElO4BJ5A00QNzhDS53TkfEKiRK9J0JBEbLGR6u0lQrMz1GSbPepZ_5Jx4AmxVD51R66xeyHB4/s320/Arudy+Churros.JPG" /></a>We get to our accommodation, wash our clothes and have some time lying on the bed with our legs elevated - heaven. No signal again on the cell phone so I relax with the ipod and Andrea Borcelli just about blocks out the noise outside.<br />After showering we decide to look around the festival, Sebastien comes bearing wine - he found it! Or so he says with a grin. The restaurants are closed so we can either snack in the streets or the Priest has left us food. We get a glass of wine from the outside bar, quite a mission because I ask for it in Spanish and then get quite irritated that he cannot understand me.<br />Mary comes bearing 2 huge bags of hot Churros - long thin hot doughnuts smothered in sugar - as we eat an elderly French woman sings to us(?!!). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qrj9bZtb9VjeRmjs4CCo7nHieQdcmA6nU3i3qGE6u5iPwTuyQ36vP41xQatUznyOK3gIIGobDLKXj9_qGoTNhAGHvpHAXZz9HS-K_i5HjcteD7iIo8kohnWgbkrAFs3pJuIXOn1XUJ0/s1600-h/Arudy+Val+M+%26+MarieJPG.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 311px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589235465550018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qrj9bZtb9VjeRmjs4CCo7nHieQdcmA6nU3i3qGE6u5iPwTuyQ36vP41xQatUznyOK3gIIGobDLKXj9_qGoTNhAGHvpHAXZz9HS-K_i5HjcteD7iIo8kohnWgbkrAFs3pJuIXOn1XUJ0/s320/Arudy+Val+M+%26+MarieJPG.JPG" /></a>We ride on the local train around the village then we come across the dodgem cars...Sebastien and Marie go in one and Marion and I in the other..I am driver. Wonderful, you get to hit the car as many times as you like with no repairs...Marion and I get hit really hard and our bottoms are bruised the next day. We all go back to the Priest´s house and find bread, cheese and chirizo, and the ingredients for a Spanish Omelette - Sebastian cooks again! The Priest says he will be home around 8pm. Looking around the kitchen it is clear that the Priest appreciates good food and loves cooking. He has every appliance you can think of but don´t get the impression this is a gourmet kitchen, it is no more than a nook without even a space to put a coffee cup.<br />Around 8.20pm the Priest arrives home and introduces himself as simply Pierre. He is just 60 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-59_E56xoIsV0bvlbDNDKvG1Q3m4Vch53uBU_N7xPDAqEbDh6qCvWdWJHGBGA-Lf98WM5JbIcqGPaqpW6kI1jwCUd5F8D77DGvbR99dw-Xx4XqyZbKDMvapOBN15DOqF4_dzaZNvqBk/s1600-h/Arudy+Dodgem+Cars.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589229974687810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-59_E56xoIsV0bvlbDNDKvG1Q3m4Vch53uBU_N7xPDAqEbDh6qCvWdWJHGBGA-Lf98WM5JbIcqGPaqpW6kI1jwCUd5F8D77DGvbR99dw-Xx4XqyZbKDMvapOBN15DOqF4_dzaZNvqBk/s320/Arudy+Dodgem+Cars.JPG" /></a>years old, a handsome man and well dressed. He immediately brings out glasses and a bottle, with a smile he points to the bottle and says "the Spirit of Christ" and pours us each a glass. It is strong but sweet and quite delicious. Then he announces that we have soup to start. A really good courgette soup - we ask him about the ingredients, because it is really good and there is a special taste we cannot quite work out. He lists the ingredients and then finally gets up to show us his Braun blender and announces that the special ingredient is cheese. I am disappointed as I know it will be a local cheese that I will not be able to get. Then from the fridge he shows us the French <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFQF75w3dHnwVT9nXhSFKnXv9Rm_D1JwsL0Ouw2GBPg188EKoB4PSz6Gn1exhC0mHB_VY3ZCdkW2E0Z-FXO8Mulwx6pX_luhpWz0CfMc6DfRKVLQTih9-4inXzal7QnPZmob7ocPWeB4/s1600-h/Arudy+Pierre.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 317px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589222849505522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFQF75w3dHnwVT9nXhSFKnXv9Rm_D1JwsL0Ouw2GBPg188EKoB4PSz6Gn1exhC0mHB_VY3ZCdkW2E0Z-FXO8Mulwx6pX_luhpWz0CfMc6DfRKVLQTih9-4inXzal7QnPZmob7ocPWeB4/s320/Arudy+Pierre.JPG" /></a>equivalent of a box of ´Happy Cow´triangles!<br />This is followed by Sebastians Spanish Omelette which he has turned out perfectly...it is browned on the outside but firm and moist inside...excellent served with salad and bread. More wine...Pierre tells Sebastian that we must try his local cheese...we must say it is good! It is indeed and he then shows us a whole one which he is maturing.<br />Pierre´s cat has had kittens but two died because the mother was unable to feed them. He has three left and has to supplement their feed with milk given from a bottle. Marie and I get the chance to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb7-2hIl89QfgskLTpKNZM92Tatz3adI2pjcA2YQM7xOOwjnk1h4wR1o1_ximgCPgoLthTI65avE-YVLrERs_D24ElbR8QjiOzDytFf9Te833Jd-NdiPc5t6vLsmmBdV9xg0n9wNQBzw/s1600-h/Arudy+Pierre+Kitten.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363589226426253298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNb7-2hIl89QfgskLTpKNZM92Tatz3adI2pjcA2YQM7xOOwjnk1h4wR1o1_ximgCPgoLthTI65avE-YVLrERs_D24ElbR8QjiOzDytFf9Te833Jd-NdiPc5t6vLsmmBdV9xg0n9wNQBzw/s320/Arudy+Pierre+Kitten.JPG" /></a>feed them, it is so special. The evening was wonderful and despite the language barrier we all seemed to communicate. What a generous man to let us into his home, into his kitchen and share the evening with us.<br /><br /><strong>Sil</strong><br />Today we got ´tampons´(stamps in our pilgrim credentials) from Bruges and St Colome where we stopped for coffee and lunch. We arrived in Arudy to find the streets full of fun-fair merry-go-rounds and stalls. Marie found the house where we could get the key for the Accueil Paroissial au Presbyterre - home of the Parish Rectory and Father Pierre Sallenave - a wonderful priest who Sebastian later described as his kind of priest - one who lives with the people. This pilgrim refuge is donativo but when asked, he said that 5€ is the norm for the bed and also for the use of the kitchen and foods. We decided to give him 15€ each as well as a little yellow beaded arrow.<br />We are not living the pilgrim life exactly. We get up late and go to bed even later than we do at home! Tonight we didnñt get to bed until 10:35pm - unheard of for this peregrina. The noise of the fair didn´t really disturb us too much we were just too tired to hear it after the first 10 minutes!</div><div>To contact Fr Pierre for accommodation you can email him at: <a href="mailto:pierrs@orange.fr">pierrs@orange.fr</a></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Silhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14206993775726151899noreply@blogger.com1