Encounters – Somewhere Slowly

Zen top-up: O Cebreiro to Triacastela

03/01/2023

The next morning we had breakfast in the Venta Celta, which is under new management, though still serves very good café con leche. It was a gorgeous morning, perfect for a lovely long walk down a hillside, and it would be getting warm so we had our coffee and got on our way. From the … More Zen top-up: O Cebreiro to Triacastela

Zen top-up: Villafranca to O Cebreiro

02/01/2023

Another late start; I was in no hurry, I had booked a room in O Cebreiro, and as luck or camino magic would have it, they only had a twin so I had a spare bed for a sudden camino companion. It’s only about a 10 km walk, but most of it is very much … More Zen top-up: Villafranca to O Cebreiro

Zen top-up: Ponferrada to Villafranca

30/12/2022

The next morning I went downstairs for my first café con leche and whatever baked goods came with it. There was only one other person there, clearly of a pilgrim persuasion, so naturally a conversation ensued. The Breakfast Man, as I would call him, was from the USA and was having a gentle breakfast while … More Zen top-up: Ponferrada to Villafranca

CF21 Day 11 – León to Hospital de Órbigo

14/09/2021

The distance between León and Astorga is a very clunky 54 kms or so, with Hospital de Orbigo placed at the far end, making it awkward to plan a fabulous and not too strenuous itinerary. As I am principally here to enjoy post-pandemic life, I decided to transport myself past some of the kms of … More CF21 Day 11 – León to Hospital de Órbigo

CF21 Day 1 – Pilgrims at their best (but no kilt)

03/09/2021

Sorry about the delay, but this camino decided to start with a bit of drama. The rain that was forecast seemed to arrive with thunder and lightning in the middle of the night, so I put on my poncho mainly against the wind and set off from Burgos (reluctantly). The first thing I saw and … More CF21 Day 1 – Pilgrims at their best (but no kilt)

3 ways: Going in a guided group

22/03/2021

There are as many ways of walking the camino as there are pilgrims, but these days they fall into roughly three categories: The self-guided package, the guided group, and going it alone. The pilgrims of old had to make their own way towards Santiago de Compostela, walking from home, following local advice and directions as … More 3 ways: Going in a guided group

Pre-camino visit in France

19/09/2019

One of the great joys of walking a camino is meeting its people; the young and the old, from all nations and walks of life. Usually you end up with someone’s contact details and stay in touch for a while or for good, taking the camino friendship into the ‘real’ world. And sometimes it happens … More Pre-camino visit in France

CF Day 2 – Los Arcos to Viana

24/11/2018

We had decided to start as early as possible on Day 2, after the shock of how hot it got in the afternoon. Still, I refuse to walk in the dark – that way madness and injured ankles lie – so we ended up setting a permanent alarm on our Fitbits for 08.00 every morning. … More CF Day 2 – Los Arcos to Viana

CF Day 0 – Estella revisited

24/11/2018

In September last year my Scouse Spouse left St Jean for his own solo camino. He got as far as Estella where he had an accident and ended up in hospital with a fractured pelvis and a badly broken upper arm and damaged shoulder. I immediately jumped the first flight to Madrid, then got a … More CF Day 0 – Estella revisited

The lady who laughed (but didn’t get the last laugh)

23/07/2015

In September 2014, on a brilliant walking day – warm, not too hot, the odd cloud giving a little shade – L and I were walking, as usual, side by side, laughing and talking. A few days earlier I had suggested to L that she empty her heavy pack and really have a look at … More The lady who laughed (but didn’t get the last laugh)