Second Camino, del Norte

August - October 2023
A 42-day adventure by Jzionna's Read more

List of countries

  • Spain
  • United States
Categories
Backpacking, Hiking
  • -kilometers traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight-kilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Car-kilometers
  • Train-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
  • Motorboat-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Ferry-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Horse-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Cable car-kilometers
  • Helicopter-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 71footprints
  • 42days
  • 783photos
  • 488likes
  • Blanca, mi angel de la dia.

    September 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    I decided to leave Comillas late in the afternoon, for the reason that the only alberque in that town was full, the other one was closed, and any other options were not reasonable. So I thought that I would trek for an hour and a half more to get to San Vicente before the rain heads in.
    I walked past the small town bar when a woman with white hair in barely lavendar shade, wearing a beatiful pink woven hat, stepped off her stool and said how she just saw me down in the town square of Comillas. She's a local, has a house here, but also lives in Bilboa. She spoke perfect english with a brittish accent. I told her my situation, why I was leaving. So she began talking to some of the locals inquiring about available places. In the meantime, I marbled mouthed some spanish with her friend at the table, who didn't speak a bit of english.
    When Blanca returned, she said, "Come stay at my house, I have an extra room." Well, the rain did begin to fall, and I was relieved to take her up on her offer.
    The three of us had a lovely meal together. She made blue cheese croquettes, broiled peppers, and a cold zuccini soup. We finished off a bottle of regional vino blanco and chatted till midnight before crawling into bed.
    Again, gratitude whelms me.💗
    In the morning, we went across the street to her neighbor Jesusa Gonzalez, who has pet turtles. The turtles sleep in a well maintained horse trailer at night, then in the morning, she opens the gate, and the turtles wander out into a gated field with a pond. There, they eat and roam all day long. It's a wonderful life for these turtles! The largest is 50 pounds, the smallest is 3 pounds. I really enjoyed seeing them.
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  • SERDIO

    September 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    Smooth walking today. Did not over push. Went at an even pace and landed just at the right time of day.
    Lately, Judy and Sandra from Australia have been in synch with my rythm of walk, for we are meeting along the way and stopping in the same places. We dined together on a pilgrim's meal tonight of pasta salad, lentil soup, bread , vino tinto, and ice cream. For 11, eur. each💗. A clean room with sheets on beds and a bath!
    I am very content tonight.
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  • Pendueles

    September 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    In a few days, I will be halfway to Santiago. The walk is getting easier, as my strength builds up. I've packed away my shoes for the past three days, preferring to wear my sandles. My feet can air out, allowing my blisters to heal. It's such a relief to walk with open toes in sandles. On the edge of the road were rocks of beautiful, green jasper scattered in the open.
    More walkers begin to show up every day, Finding available beds in the albergues are more of a challenge, the closer we walk towards Galicia. The rains fall hard at night, but the days are cool and clear for walking.
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  • Casa Flor Albergue y Restaurante

    September 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    It's nice to eat Mexican food tonight, well, somewhat like. The owner is Peruvian. Corn tortilla chips and cheese were a treat. In a tiny room with 5 women, we have to do-si-do around each other in preparing for bed. It's a lot of patience and tolerance in sleeping in such close quarters. All part of the camino experience.
    Even when the lights go off, the phones are glowing.
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  • Celorio, Asturias

    September 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    What if people woke up like roosters and shouted at the top of their lungs," GOOD MORNING!!"?
    As we walk through a hill side early morning the neighboring cocks are greeting the day.
    Some campsites are pretty fancy here. These are glamping sights. Electricity, laundry, and showers. Maybe I'll have a chance to book one.
    We walked through Poo today and decided to go elsewhere to sleep. The seaman's lodging was a good find for only 25, eur. We wild 4 old women through ourselves in the ocean topless for a swim because tops are optional on the beach in Spain.
    Some mornings I wake and loading a pack on my back is what I least want to do, then once I'm up and saddled, and the encouragement of hearing everybody else getting ready, I push myself onward. And it's always worth it.
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  • Fiesta de Santo Christo del Nueva

    September 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We entered Nueva just in time for its festival! Wonderful costumes and marching band!
    On the way, we found a batch of kittens, waiting for their mother to return from hunting, no doubt.
    One came crying through the bobwire, and Maddison couldn't resist having a cuddle before returning her to her brood.
    Amusing pot art in the windows of a home.
    I'm exhausted by the end of a day's walk. Too tiered to even write most often.
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  • On the way to Rabidesilla

    September 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Some days of walking are pushing it to my extreme limits. After 7 hours, I think I can't go on, but there are still 3 miles to go. Feet in agony, toes swallon with blisters. I just want to lay on a beach somewhere!
    There have been harder days than today, but this one topped it, finding my bed full of bed bugs. I swiftly packed up and moved to another room ( Beware of COVADONGA HOTEL!).
    Victori, from Vienna, reads us her daily inspiration quote ( a friend from home sent her off with a traveling gift of daily inspirations).
    A tiny library hut on the side of a trail. Filled with books and old encyclopedias.
    Had to walk uphill through a field of cows again. And bully with a ring through his nose just watched us walk by.
    Found these growing beside the trail (Boletes fungi and stinkhorn mushroom)!
    The small city of Ribadesella.
    And good- bye!
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  • Pablo, on the way to La Isla.

    September 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Pablo rode his bicycle with 3 other amigos for 4 caminos in past years. So he supports the camino walkers by putting up signs of painted names of the different cities of walkers from all around the world. He asked me to come in and see his studio. There were paintings and engraving projects, a wood burner stove that made it cozy on this rainy day. He gave me an etching, and I asked him to sign it. Our communication was limited, but I can tell he had a lot of stories to share.
    We passed a house where someone had painted scenes in the windows. Delightful work!
    The fish in the wall is above a restaurant.
    Tonight, there is a rainbow over La Isla!✨️
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  • Leaving La Isla to Toren

    September 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Early morning walkers are preparing to leave from la Isla to begin another day. We cluster like grapes at every albergue, then break apart at every walk. We follow our own paces. We pass pretty towns and valleys through too many ups and steep downs. A cat follows us part way up the hill.
    Leaves are taking on the changes of season, speckled with autumn colors.
    A lion head letter drop is on the outside wall of the post office.
    We ( other walkers and myself) made it to a sweet Albergue with dinner included.
    Laura made a delicious meal of pasta, pumpernickle bread, and a gorgeous salad. We drank vino tinto and played a question and answer board game. I had so much fun with this group.
    Ben and Tori( 4 mo. Pregnant) married and both young doctors from the UK and traveling with his brother Luke. Victoria from Vienna, Sandra and Judy from Australia, and Maddy ( just passed her bar, now an attorney) from Wisconson.
    There are wonderful people walking through the camino every day. ✨️💕🥾🌄
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  • To Peón

    September 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Resting in the cool grass after a steep and difficult climb today. Under a canopy, all is well again.
    Passing amusing views on our way to the next albergue to Peón. At a church, a van came and picked us up to take us to the albergue, and then she will deliver us back down tomorrow morning at the trail head. A sweet classical spanish style with modern fixtures. The showers are the finest I've seen yet. A large,pleasant place to stay.
    The woman in charge of this place does the driving, the laundry, the cooking, and serving. For only 24, eur., this was a deal. I saw that she has a son who is also helping her. But she is the most busiest woman! This place is immaculate. After such an extremely hard day, this was the most welcoming place to eat and rest.
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