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Cal’s Camino Adventures
  • Cal Partington

Cal’s Camino Adventures

A 39-day adventure by Cal Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 24, 2022
    Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 4

    June 27, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today wasn’t quite the downhill walk advertised.. a few good climbs, but nothing major, very stony/rough downhill finish though.. I didn’t bother rushing to start before 8 as I seem to have a better pace than the guide says and only have to wait hours before I can check in.. that was today’s excuse to go for a beer anyway!!!
    It was really chilly to start with, but had reached the high 20’s /30 by the time I arrived at Zubiri .. It was a lovely walk through lots of trees and plantation type paths.. I constantly overtook people the whole way, though I hardly saw a sole for the last 4km.. the silence was unbelievable… it’s due to be a hot one tomorrow, which may slow me down 😂🥵.. chatting to my American friends Sandra ( pronounced Sondra) and Mike again today, they’ve trekked/hiked everywhere, done all the amazing ones and are very nice… a bit of boring entry today I’m afraid….    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day -1

    August 23, 2022 in Isle of Man ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    Well it’s nearly time to go..eek.. I’ve got my friendship bracelet ( thanks Mia ) my guardian angel ( thanks Han ) my name tag ( thanks Steve ) and piles of indecision….😬😬

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 1

    August 24, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Well after spending all day checking my phone in preparation for my flight to Gatwick being cancelled, here I am in my Premier Inn room …and relax.. well no, I may have stress no 1 over, but it’s 11.45 pm and I’m setting my alarm for a 4.30 am wake up 😯.. please don’t fail me alarm!!Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 2

    August 25, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Seriously.. 4.30 starts aren’t good as you don’t even sleep the 4 1/2 hours you have because you’re too scared you’ll oversleep 😂..
    No drama at the airport.. a plane, a bus and a train later to find my final train has been cancelled and I don’t speak French 😱.. managed to get on a direct bus that was put on for an earlier train, so all good..
    I have my Camino passport and so I guess I’m good to go if I can fit everything back into my bag.. why did I think I’d need so many toiletries 😬..
    Now all I have to contend with is a moderate weather warning for tomorrow and the heavy rain that’s forecast ….    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 3

    August 26, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Well… payback for saying “ I don’t care what happens on day one as long as my flight isn’t cancelled “… Mmmm.. day one.. gorgeous views crossing the Pyrenees.. I think not!! Very wet and foggy.. but .. YES.. I’m so happy, felt ace, was worried I’d started too late as I thought I ought to have breakfast on the first day so didn’t set off until 8am…passed soo many people, no idea when they must have set off!!
    Sun cream definitely was the priority.. it was damp to start, but then very wet and foggy 😶‍🌫️.. a bit cold, but too wet to add anything .. massive thank you to Hannah for my amazing jacket ❤️
    Basically, I really enjoyed the whole walk, but would love to have seen the amazing views that there must be fog free.. I overtook people the whole way which was unexpected, but getting to Ronscesvslles by lunchtime means I know I don’t need to start any earlier.. one lady asked if I’d been running.. how rude!!!
    Hotel found, shower, Kip ( I’m old ok !! ) Big girl pants on and off for a beer on my own I go…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 5

    August 28, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    A really lovely walk again today with nothing too challenging.. I was tempted to try and keep up with the First Lady in a trail running race that was happening on a part of the route as I was sure I could have done😂.. there didn’t seem to be as many people on route today, whether some had started particularly early due to the forecasted temperatures if 36 degrees, I don’t know..
    i was walking up behind a couple of girls and heard one say that her shoulders were hurting from her rucksack.. the other girl replied that they’d only hurt for two weeks because after that God would have deemed her worthy from her struggle.. I missed the reply, but it didn’t sound like she was too happy to have to wait two weeks!!
    Weather was perfect for walking at 8am but did gradually get warmer and warmer, although there was quite a bit in the shade which was very welcome.. again spent the first hour and a half passing people.. keep waiting for a judge to jump out with a red paddle and accuse me of cheating 😳.. having said that, going through a biggish town before Pamplona all rucksacks ahead seemed to vanish and I kept worrying I’d gone wrong 😑
    Made it to Pamplona in really good time, but then found out that my accommodation was 1 - 1.5 km away from the route.. big panic 😱 how do I find it.. bigger panic.. how will I find my way back to it on Monday morning 😬worked the first part out, but no idea if I will in the morning ..
    Needless to say I arrived too early to check in.. so a beer and bite to eat it was!!
    The hotel tonight is way bigger and posher than any of the others, but I definitely prefer them as they were much friendlier and Camino orientated.. I was a tad uncomfortable turning up at this one with a pack on my back!!
    Off for my evening meal now.. can’t believe I couldn’t eat here before 8, that’s nearly my bed time 🥱 hope there’s something I like as I’m starving.. buenos noches..    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1

    Day 6

    August 29, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Well I found my way back to the route.. Google maps you rock!!! Who didn’t know the flashlight thing was the direction you were going.. probably only me 😳
    Great views, varied terrain..again!! .There don’t seem to be as many people on route as the first two days, I guess everyone is starting at the same point on the same day, but after that you can decide ( if you haven’t pre booked like me 🙄 ) to stop wherever you want as there are Auberge’s at reasonably regular intervals.
    I admit to not being religious, but do feel it would be disrespectful to put my headphones in and not truly see and absorb the amazing beauty of my surroundings ( can’t believe I’ve said that, but it’s true 😳 ) the journey today took me through fields of sunflowers that probably looked absolutely amazing 2 or 3 weeks ago, but we’re dry and dead now, wheat fields, long mountain trails and a kilometre or more of descent that can only be described as walking down the stones on Laxey beach .. for a km !!! Was far more tiring than the long climb had been and would have been awful if wet! The weather started off warm and sunny, moved to hot and hazy, to boiling, thunder and heavy rain, the latter after I’d finished!!
    I got to my finish point earlier than I’d expected, so felt it was more prudent to have alcohol free beer today!! Don’t worry though, I did enjoy the lovely Spanish red they provided at tea time 🤪
    Once again I had a Nana nap after my shower 😂 but felt so much better afterwards..
    I was halfway through my salad starter at dinner this evening when a Canadian lady came over and asked me to join her and her husband for the meal.. although very uncomfortable about it initially, I’m so glad I did, they were so lovely and told me all about their Camino so far and their hopes for the following weeks.. It would be nice to think I’d meet up with them again, but it’s probably unlikely as they seem to take about 8 hours to do the same distance as me and are booking accommodation as they go so they can shorten their days when necessary.
    Best meal so far tonight…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 7

    August 30, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    This morning seems such a long time ago… I left at my usual time yet it was already much warmer than it had been in previous days at the same time.. it was another easy walk today as regards the terrain, undulating with a few long easy climbs and thankfully no steep or dodgy downhill sections.. my two tender toes were doing a celebratory dance as they needed a downhill break 😂
    Once again I spent the first hour or so passing people, lots have become regulars and I’m greeted with ( from the English speaking ones.. I’ve no idea what curses may be coming my way in other languages 😳 ) “hey, here she comes “, “was wondering when we’d see you” to “ oh, it’s you again!!” I could start developing a complex!!
    Again the scenery on route was spectacular, it’s seriously stunning and I feel so lucky to be a part of something so special..
    There were a couple of dodgy bits today where the signs seemed to disappear and I’d panic I’d gone wrong, especially if there were no other rucksacks in sight.. some of the towns are especially lacking.. there was one today that seemed totally deserted and I half expected to see rifles out of barn windows and for Zorro to come riding through!!!
    Anyway.. I made good time again which was great as it has been seriously hot today and the place I was staying was a further 2km off the route.
    After a shower, and trip to the laundry I decided to have a wander round town… and of course have a beer!
    Going down to dinner tonight I was invited to join another party, two couples from the UK and two ladies ( I think they were sisters ) from Canada who had all become friends a few days earlier. I’m not great with company I don’t know, but, I had a lovely evening with them, with us all being desperate for bed before 9pm.. ( that’s actually pretty late for me at the moment 🙄 )
    Now it’s definitely way past my bedtime 🥱 so goodnight 😴    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 8

    August 31, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today once again started off with a 15 - 20 min walk back to the trail before starting.. the weather is fabulous for walking at 8 am..still really warm but not sunny, probably why so many people start before that…My first climb out of Estella took me past a blacksmith’s workshop, I couldn’t resist a quick look around as he had some amazing and intricate things as well as larger stuff.. bought a tiny Camino shell to add to my rucksack.. next up was the “wine fountain “ I mean, who doesn’t want red wine at 8.30 in the morning 😳.. that said, I did decide it would be rude to pass without a taste 😂
    There was a slight variation on route choices just after here, I chose to go “up and over”rather than the slightly longer “around “ route. Glad I did as it went along some fabulous forest tracks and it was nice to be in the trees for a while as I knew there was an 11km stretch coming up that would have no shade.
    Once again I passed through wheat fields, olive groves and vineyards. The last couple of hours was walking on a really loose gravelly surface, which did become a bit uncomfortable..
    i arrived in Los Arcos in good time, so decided to chill out in the square for a bit eating my nectarines .
    A couple of Aussie guys I’d passed earlier invited me to join them a bit later when they arrived. They told me all about their Camino journey and how they were really struggling, but starting to feel like they’re getting fitter. They’re not doing the whole thing as they’re off to Tuscany in 10 days ( I’m only a lot jealous!! ) as I was leaving, they invited me to join them for dinner this evening… as nice as it would have been, I’m not prepared to walk an extra 4km to do so.. I’m actually really looking forward to eating alone tonight….    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1

    Day 9

    September 1, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    VEGETABLES!!!! How I long for some veg!.. to be fair I’ve been having some really nice meals, way better than I’d anticipated, but you don’t get any veg.. I have a mixed salad each evening as a starter and got quite excited last night as it included some sweet corn and asparagus 😀.. the main course, mine is obviously fish, is literally some fish! No accompanying veg or potatoes etc., …
    I’m not a big bread eater, but have found myself eating quite a bit of it so that I’m getting some carbohydrates.. I’ll probably end up twice the size and come rolling home 😳
    I started a bit earlier today due to my accommodation being 2km off the route. It was a lovely morning, considerably cooler ( I started in a long sleeved top !! ) although that didn’t last for long as it heated up really quickly.
    Once again I was walking through wheat fields and vineyards, no olive groves today though… but again, beautiful countryside and scenery.
    Usually when I first start, I pass / see quite a lot of people, but today I think I only saw about 6 in the first hour.. it was a longer walk today, so possibly some were keen to get going early to avoid being in the heat for quite so long.
    I passed the Aussie guy’s after about 90mins or so and they said they’d missed me last night ( they obviously don’t know me 😳 ) and didn’t blame me for not wanting to go back into town, but that I’d missed quite a good night..
    The terrain was a little bit uncomfortable underfoot for large parts today with large gravel sections which I decided I wasn’t a big fan of.
    Went through a lovely village about 12km from Logroño, but i didn’t stop for long as
    I’d bought a couple of nectarines not long before and had them to munch on.
    I get quite a few hello’s now from the same people.. thinking maybe I should take my three legs of man off my rucksack and see if I can get past unnoticed!
    A few short, but steep climbs today and fortunately the downhills weren’t too difficult.
    Logroño is really lovely, so after a refuel and a shower I went for a wander around the old town.
    Whilst out wandering I met, and had a chat with a few people I regularly see, but haven’t spoken to before.. umbrella man, it turns out has hurt his knee and so got a bus today to see if a rest day will sort it out enough for him to continue.. Another older man I see regularly that always says hello was finishing his Camino today feeling very disappointed as his wife had been supposed to join him for the last 100 miles, instead she’s coming to get him to take him home as after a fall the other day he has concussion and keeps getting a bit confused 😕

    Another long day tomorrow, but at least I’m staying really close to the trail tonight which is brilliant.
    Off for dinner in a bit… please please let there be some vegetables……    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1

    Day 10

    September 2, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Well the excitement rose when I saw “mixed vegetables “ on the menu last night… what tasted like the veg out of tinned scotch broth soup with a fried egg on top is seriously stretching the title 🫤, but it was the closest I’d had in about 8 days, so, yes! I ate it 😬
    I started today by popping a blister and deciding against putting anything on my rubbed heel… the first 5 minutes were really sore, but then all was good.. heading off the wrong way within the first couple of Km’s very quickly took my mind off it.. fortunately a guy who had done it previously spotted me and started shouting for me to come back!!
    To be honest, there were a few sections today that weren’t quite so clear in which way to go. I had a bit of a wobble on the last 4km as I kept going for ages without seeing any signage or any other walkers. Only saw a fraction of the people today on route.
    The route today, was again through wheat fields and lots of vineyards, a bit of a nondescript day really as not much climbing or descending, good to have a bit of a breeze though..
    As today was a longer day I didn’t arrive too early and was able to ( locate 😳 ) book in at my accommodation.. added bonus being laundry facilities 🥳..
    After a shower and a stolen from breakfast bread roll, I went off on search of some fruit.. the nectarines here are amazing.. and ended up in a bar watching the Vuelta with a LOW alcohol beer!!!
    Couldn’t enjoy too much of a good thing as I had laundry waiting to be done..
    Whilst sitting on the steps waiting for my cycle to finish, a guy that I’d passed today and had been speaking to when I first put my washing on, came down and invited me to join him for a glass of wine in the comon area.. I did dither a bit but decided to put my big girl pants on and go 😳.. He was actually a really interesting guy, lives in Geneva, his partner is flying out to join him in a couple of days and he’s hiked and done ultra’s all over the world.

    Menu appears good tonight , though what I end up with may not be as it was all in Spanish. Happy days…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1

    Day 11

    September 3, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I’m going to briefly start backwards just incase I forget to mention that I had an absolutely gorgeous meal tonight.. the guy, and his wife, who was the cook/chef, both gave me a hug when I left.. maybe I was a bit too effusive in my thanks … but… YES!!! They gave me VEGETABLES ..😂
    Today was a good walk, well signed after my wobble day of yesterday.. nothing difficult, and lots of it looking like I’m on the road to nowhere, but, with lovely views to the side..
    Nothing major happened, but as opposed to yesterday, it was the last 5 km I met and passed lots of people..it was almost like a handicap race finish, which led to a great atmosphere in the square where everyone seemed to stop for a chat /food or drinks.
    Whilst debating whether or not it was too early to have my 2%lemon Amstel I’ve become rather fond, an Irish guy… I have actually remembered his name.. Jerry!! An Irish runner that’s represented Ireland ( about 20 odd years ago.. bit like me with GB ) and spoke when I passed him the other day, ( recognised the Manx flag ).. started chatting about TT, running, fell running ( both done a few of the same races in UK /Ireland many moons ago) he was doing the Camino to get some fitness back after falling off a ladder in March and breaking two ribs!! Think we sat there chatting like two old ladies for nearly an hour.. hopefully we’ll catch up again somewhere along the way..
    My accommodation was found relatively easily.. phew.. it’s clean, near to the route for the morning and do breakfast before I need to leave!! Who knew I’d get to start loving breakfast, liking olives, Spanish red wine and olive oil on my salad 😳…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 12

    September 4, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Once again I’m going to have to start backwards .. I’ve just come back from my evening meal… well!! I was sat on a table with a man from Australia, a guy from Germany ..Ben and Deneese from Brazil.. hilarious how we all managed to converse, but we did!! And Denisee ( I’ve no idea how you spell it but it sounded like a cross between the two above )
    Insisted on us sharing the whole bottle of wine as the guys were on beer!!
    They all commented that they saw me everyday.. as I went past 😬😬
    Ben from Germany had packed up his job and apartment, decided to do this and then travel around Europe for 6 months or so…The Australian man was doing it with his son and Denisee was actually just bonkers in a lovely way and I’ve no idea why she was doing it..
    Well, back to this morning.. I set off about 8 ish and it was actually really cold feeling and I thought maybe I should have put my tights on!.. silly girl!! By 8.45 it was really warm, and very soon after boiling hot 🥵
    It seemed to be rolling up and down today, probably a fair bit more up than down, but it was long and gradual.. no vineyards!! not a single one!! But, lots of wheat and loads and loads of fields of sunflowers, which a few weeks ago would have been absolutely amazing, but were now dry and dying. Once again the views and the sky were stunning, apologies if today’s pictures are a bit “ same ie “
    Nothing of interest happened on route, once again in a good rhythm and feeling pretty comfortable and passing people 😬
    Today was a bit like yesterday with lots of people arriving in Belorado at a similar time and stopping at the first cafe / bar for a beer.. I sat chatting to Phil, who comments every day when I go passed and “slow “ Irish Jerry.. they’re hilarious and seem to be having a fabulous time going how they feel and stopping when they want.
    My accommodation today is a room in an apartment. It’s great, really clean, hot shower and close to the route for tomorrow.
    Although I wasn’t particularly tired after my walk this morning, I just couldn’t be bothered going out to wander around this afternoon, so I had a lazy one and lay and watched todays stage of the Vuelta guilt free!!!    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1
    11

    Day 13

    September 5, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Day 13, but day 12 actually walking… with it being a slightly longer section today, and because breakfast was at a different location ( can’t not have breakfast now that I’ve discovered it 😂 ) I left my accommodation a bit earlier than usual… I also had to find my way back on to the trail from breakfast 😬..
    So, setting off walking soon after 7.30 ( it’s pretty dark until then anyway ) it was absolutely freezing, my hands were so cold and I felt as though I had an ear infection 😱🥶.. I really should have stopped and put more layers on, but was convinced it would soon be really warm and so I should just walk a bit quicker to start with 😂
    About an hour later it was really pleasant, the sun had come up and my layers came off..
    Although it was quite a long one today, I preferred it to the last couple of days as there was a good bit of uphill and it was back into the trees and plantations for parts of it…. Going along one of the fire tracks there was a pop up stall selling drinks, snacks etc., and it was blasting out “ highway to hell” it did look a bit like that and made me chuckle. The downside being I had the song stuck in my head for the next hour!!!
    I passed a lot of my regular’s, a Polish guy I pass each day said today that he was fast, but I was faster, and the only person who ever overtook him.. it’s not a competition though!!!!
    Once again, must be the fourth or fifth time now, I was asked if I was from Sicily, and if it was the Sicilian flag on my rucksack! Time to check out the Sicilian flag! Wow.. who knew it was so similar to ours? I certainly didn’t!!
    At about 26 km I was just thinking about how some of the towns you go through have fantastic signs and directions, where as others you really have to concentrate, as it may just be the odd yellow mark on a curb stone or bin.. unfortunately, this brought to mind “each peach pear plum” it must beat least 15 years since I last read that to one of the boys… and i spent the next 4 Km trying to work my way through it!!! Maybe it’s time I put my headphones in!!😂😂
    I arrived in Atapuerca earlier than I thought I would, so a pint of my 2% lemon larger ( and a bottle of water ) was definitely on the cards before finding my accommodation..
    The meal tonight was again really nice ( I’m not too sure where my appetite has come from, I’m feeling a bit like Oliver and clearing my plate at most meals 😳 ) the hosts too are are a really lovely couple and the room is great. I’m really tired tonight, probably the food and red wine.. it’s rude not to have a glass, especially when they give me a whole bottle!!!
    Well I’m afraid it’s bedtime for me, I’m shattered, so it’s goodnight from me 😴.    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 14

    September 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Today started off with a nose bleed.. not ideal, but definitely preferable to it happening once I’d got going.
    Breakfast, I have to admit was a little bit disappointing this morning, or maybe I’m just becoming a bit fussy 😬 the orange juice was amazing, but the toast, a couple of bits of toasted baguette was so unbelievably hard that I couldn’t cut it and was terrified i might break a tooth.. that is my biggest fear of happening away from home 😱
    Breakfast challenge accomplished and nosebleed stemmed, it was once again time for the off!!!
    The first 4 or 5km were fab, with an amazing sunrise, which is always behind me and I often miss!
    After that though, it was a really boring walk, the majority of which was alongside the main road, with none of the fabulous scenery I’ve come to expect.
    Due to this, it was actually a much quicker walk over the distance today and I arrived in Burgos relatively early..due to my struggles at breakfast, first stop was a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. This accomplished, I set off for a wander around for a couple of hours.
    The weather today was decidedly chillier, probably due to it being pretty cloudy and windy, I didn’t get warm enough to take my long sleeve top off, and so had to put my coat on too whilst wandering.
    Then the inevitable happened.. beer time!!! Only one little one today as they didn’t have my 2% daytime option 😬
    Before settling off wandering, I had checked out where I was staying, so that i knew where to end up when I was done..
    Time to go check in.. I could feel the desire for a “Nana nap” coming on…. An hour and a half later..,,😳..must have been due to the church bells ringing every hour throughout the night ( I woke up every hour!!! ) .. well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!
    Opening up my bag to find a leakage from my shampoo wasn’t ideal, but, anything that can leak is in a ziplock bag.. ( I’ve even brought spares! ) so crisis avoided!
    Some things I learned today… if you’ve already packed up and forgotten to put your glide stuff on your rubbed heel, toes etc., then lipsol will do the trick.. just make sure you keep that one as emergency foot glide and have a fresh one for your lips!! ( fortunately I have loads of them! )
    Hairdryers in the hotel ( yep! It’s a posh stop tonight ) are fab for drying your socks and removing the creases from your cardi..,
    Let’s go see if the posh hotel will have vegetable with dinner!!!    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 15

    September 7, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Well, an update on what I was expecting to be a disappointing meal last night.. WRONG!!! It was seriously fabulous!!
    Today didn’t really start off ideally ( though breakfast was good ). I set off and missed my turn off to the route… mmm.. 1 km later…. I’ve gone wrong!!… 2km later, I’m back on track 👍🏼
    The route today was way better than I expected, everything I’d read had said, your body is now strong enough to embrace the soul searching of the next few days!!!..this has to have been said by somebody that doesn’t suddenly get “Farmyard Tales “ in their head and a need to remember the names of all the characters and animals involved before they end the day!! I got all except the name of the naughty pony… Joe????
    Today’s accommodation is lovely, pretty small and friendly.
    Where I was eating this evening started serving earlier..YAY!!!! Off I trott at 6 o’clock…
    Tonight I ate with Ben from Singapore and Chloe from Taiwan.. food was good and the company excellent, they were a really lovely couple and we shared an extra bottle of red wine.. Chloe’s decision 🤪.. I felt really guilty that I wasn’t walking further today ( again ) but it is what it is and I’ve just got to go with it now..
    My swollen thumb.. who knew you could strain your thumb trying to get shower gel out of the dispenser!! Is still swollen, but a lot less painful, hopefully that means it’s on the mend!
    Anyway.. all that red wine later ( and I had lentils and carrots tonight 🤩 ) means I’m ready for bed…😴    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 16

    September 8, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    I was awake pretty early this morning, I admit I was a little worried that I may have had a bit of a headache as two glasses of red wine is usually my limit 😬… no headache.. result!!
    Breakfast eaten.. It was time to head off…
    There were no worries this morning regarding the route as my accommodation was literally on it.
    It was lovely for walking first thing, no wind today meant it wasn’t quite so chilly.. it was a really enjoyable walk today which surprised me as I wasn’t expecting it to be with not much in the way of hills.. a few long gradual climbs saving the day 😂
    I went passed a guy really tramping on with his sticks ( very popular, can’t believe how many people use them ), when he suddenly came running up along side me to check if I was doing the marathon!! I assured him I wasn’t, he seemed relieved as he just said “very good, very good “.. I think it was a couple of Km’s and my taking a few photos before he believed me and settled back down to his own rhythm.. I also passed Ben and Chloe from last night and after a few words I got a hug from Chloe, discussing the difficulties of being a girl and needing a wee on route last night obviously brought us closer 😀
    One thing I have found amazing so far are the clouds.. I keep finding myself taking numerous pictures of them, they’re fantastic.
    I finished today in Castrojeriz, which is absolutely beautiful, but is like a ghost town, there are no people!!!! AND everywhere was closed, I think one bar and a shop were all that seemed to be open, and even the bar shut at lunchtime… by the time I had my evening meal, breakfast seemed like an age ago and I was seriously hungry!
    With everywhere closed and nothing much to do this afternoon I really wanted to sit down with a book! A proper paper book! No room in the bag, ..I hadn’t brought one .. then i remembered slipping my iPad mini down the side of my bag.. not paper, but it did have my kindle app on it, which was definitely better than nothing.
    Much to Steve’s irritation, I have absolutely no problem reading and re reading books I enjoy.. so what was it to be.. Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights??… toss of a coin decided and Wuthering Heights it was. So I had a really relaxing and guilt free afternoon reading….
    Dinner this evening was fabulous.. but i was VERY hungry…they’d gone out of their way to make an alternative for me as everything that was on this evening’s menu contained meat.. so appreciated.
    I’m feeling pretty sleepy this evening, which is bizarre, as it was a shorter walk today and my spare time was spent lying on the bed reading!!
    Despite my fab meal, I’m already looking forward to breakfast!!!!😂    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 17..

    September 9, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Well.. I know I seem to have developed an appetite I haven’t had since I was about 15… but .. croissants 🥐.. Eeww!!! Panic at breakfast thinking that was possibly all I was going to get before a longer walk today, I held my breath and struggled through half of one!! … It wasn’t 🙄.. toast followed 😀and a dodgy cold omelette like cake 😬… but the Orange juice was amazing and I’m warming to coffee…
    Time to go… a really lovely morning with a strange low hanging mist in the distance, but much warmer than it’s been for a few days.. found my way out of town ok as I was once again staying on the route.. I hadn’t bothered looking at the route for today as I assumed it was another flat one!! Well, imagine my joy to discover after the first couple of km’s I had “Bob’s hill” only for about 2km!! 😀 Totally made my day!! I love the hills!!!
    The low hanging mist I mentioned.. mmm .. it suddenly went freezing once I was down the other side and had to walk through it.. all good and part of what turned out to be a really enjoyable stage with a bit of everything.. though I apologise if my pictures are all a bit “cloudy “ again 😬.. but seriously, the clouds ARE amazing!!
    Met the gorgeous Chloe on route again today.. I think the two ladies ( sisters ) from Vancouver must be with the same company as me, as we seem to be staying in more or less the same places .. we both love it when dinner is before 8.. imagine our giddiness to discover it was from 6.30 this evening!!!
    On my arrival here today, I was a bit too early to check in, so obviously it was an opportunity to go for a beer ( lemon 2% I might add!!! )
    Anyway, a guy that I didn’t realise I passed every day said to me when he walked in “ you drink beer and still walk straight past me!! I’m not too sure why I apologised, but I did 😬..
    Shower and Nana nap later, i went for a wander round and to check my way back to the route for the morning, it was by then seriously hot and required another ( 2%, for those thinking I may be developing a drink problem ) beer 😳😂🍻
    The meal tonight was really good, they let me have both bits off the first section which was great and what I wish I could do more often..
    Another day in the bag and I’m still ok, do all good 😊…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1

    Day 18

    September 10, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Fair to say I woke up feeling a bit tired this morning.. I’m no party popper and I love a good band!… but!.. 3am really is kind of late to finish playing… especially when I’m getting up soon after 6.. but hey ho…
    Waiting to go into breakfast .. it’s always a busy one.. a guy that had said hello last night at dinner, asked if I was going the whole distance… I said I was, asked if he was, he asked where I’d started, I said St John, asked where he had… he said Germany!! I sort of blurted / squeaked out WHAT 😮.. he then asked if he could join me for breakfast!! Feeling a tad rude about my response, I said yes of course!!😬
    Turns out, Norbert, from Bavaria, set off walking from Germany, to do the Camino!! He’s a bit tired ( really??!! ) and had lots if blisters.. but hoping to finish by the end of September as he’s flying back on 2nd October.. what a guy!!! I imagine I’ll catch up with him again ( he’s said he’s stayed in a few of the same places as me up to now??!.. who knew?! ) .. he’s staying in a monastery tonight and I’d love to hear about it.
    He must have seen my three legs on my rucksack as he seemed to know I was from the Isle of Man, and said it had always been a dream of his to have raced the TT, but it just hadn’t worked out.. what a small world we live in..
    The walk today wasn’t actually all that interesting, but it was just a fabulous morning to be out walking and appreciating how lucky I am to have the health and fitness to be able to do, and enjoy this walk. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and it was just a feel good morning!
    If I’m totally honest, I had very low expectations of where I was to finish today, but, it’s a really lovely place, small, but absolutely vibrant and just so different from the last two places.
    It’s a little bit sad, but I got seriously excited that I count do laundry here too!! Showered, changed, laundry sorted, I went off for a wander around.. yep!! I ended up in a bar with a beer watching the last 59km of the penultimate stage if the Vuelta!
    My dinner this evening was at a different location to where I was staying…. VEGETABLES!! YES!!i had the most amazing plate of vegetables…I’m so hy.. it really is the small things…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    2

    Day 19

    September 11, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today has been the first day that I’ve felt a bit out of it.. a bit flat and a bit lonely.. i guess there was always going to be that one day..
    i had intended to start a bit later today, as it was a shorter day and a flatter one.. it didn’t really happen as everyone else banging their doors and clomping down the corridor, had me so awake that I thought I may as well get going…
    Today’s stage was a bit boring, nothing wrong with it, just long straight flat tracks through wheat fields for miles and miles, with no villages or stops for those that needed it.
    Some days it feels a little bit like a handicapped stage race and I’m always off scratch!!
    Before getting to the wheat fields, I went along a stretch that took me straight back to sitting on the wheel arch of the tractor ( no health and safety in those days 😬 ) with my Dad, cutting the grass and rowing it up for hay.. I wasn’t sure if the memory made me feel really happy or really sad.. but it did make me long for my Dad… amazing how smells and songs ( no songs involved on this occasion ) can evoke such strong emotions and memories…
    Although the stage was a bit monotonous, the weather was again absolutely fabulous, with not a cloud in the sky… it’s supposed to rain for the next 4!!!! Yes 4! day’s!!
    The village I finished in today was incredibly tiny.. another excuse for a guilt free reading session!!
    Dinner was early this evening..6.30.. Yes!!! Don’t know where my appetite has come from, but I was more than ready for dinner… tonight it was chickpea stew ( soup ) and then mackerel… just the mackerel.. no veg 😢 and I had to share my wine with Norbert.. yes, Norbert is staying at the same place and asked to join me !!!
    A bit of a down day ended on the up.. thanks Han, you made my day, and your support is so much appreciated 🥰    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    211

    Day 20

    September 12, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Monday again… breakfast obviously started earlier today, as I could hear lots of banging of doors and smell bacon from about 6am.. I still didn’t go down until my usual time as there was no point, I didn’t need to leave until 8.
    The forecast had changed slightly and the rain wasn’t due until this afternoon!! Result!!
    Although a bit cloudy to start today, it was actually really really warm.. it was a bit more of the same today, except it wasn’t long straight tracks and it passed through a few small villages .. amazing the difference it made.
    Just on the outskirts of Sahagún, I met a group of walker’s laughing as they wandered along, as I passed them they were all drinking from a bottle of red wine!! .. they even offered me a swig!! I politely declined, but definitely decided it was ok for me to have a beer when i got there!!
    Having had my beer ( not my first 😬 ) and my first paella snack since arriving in Spain ( I was expecting it to be every other meal!! ) I set off to find my accommodation..
    My room is lovely, super clean and bright after yesterday’s dark and gloomy one.. I put my bag down, lay down for a minute ( today was the first time my legs felt really tired ) .. and woke up 2 hours later!!!!
    Showered and sorted, I decided to go in search of a cash machine.. I got as far as the door, it was absolutely hammering down, so I joined Hazel and Yvonne for a beer.. would have been rude not to do so I thought.. it was a lovely hour talking about how we were feeling, finding it, and how quickly you loose your pride about wearing the same few outfits, hanging socks that haven’t dried on your rucksack and the joy of doing your laundry!!
    Then… In walks Rocky!! Real big trucker guy from Wisconsin, really outgoing and friendly … he’d arrived here yesterday, got a halfway certificate, then felt so guilty because he’d actually got a taxi for that stage due to blisters or something, that he’d got a taxi back this morning and hiked it today!!
    For a change ( not! ) I’m really hungry again and counting down till it’s time to eat.. 7 minutes!! I hope it’s not a disappointment 😂😂…    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 21

    September 13, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Well… dinner last night was good.. it’s all relevant.. at home it would be disappointing.. but I’m not at home!!!!
    Set off usual time.. breakfast was spent with, the German lady, who’s name I can’t remember, and a Spanish couple I meet regularly who’s name’s I don’t know, communicating somehow on what the weather was going to do.. heavy rain, thunder and lightning had been forecast…. Set off with it being too warm for a coat etc., but having everything to hand in a hurry if necessary… every hour I thought.. that’s one hour less walking in the rain!!
    Amazingly… me .. who never seems to know where I’m going, stopped to help two different lots of people on which way the route went.. thank you Camino Ninja!!
    A few hours into it.. and an hour of scary loud thunder later it absolutely hammered down.. not so bad if it hadn’t also started blowing a gale ( no idea where that came from!! ) it was soo cold and wet.. I passed Rocky about 3k before the finish, who commented on my fast legs..we both agreed it was a good day to have fast legs, buen Camino ‘d and off I went… mmm upon reaching today’s destination, I couldn’t find my accommodation.. 25 minutes of wandering around later, I bump into Rocky, who decided to find my accommodation for me before his own.. absolute star ⭐️.. it did turn out we were next door, but hey, he didn’t know that when he set out!
    Hot shower etc etc later, I pop downstairs for a beer!!! Meet up with various people and we all end up together having a couple of beers… Rocky pops his head through the window and invites me to join him, his Sioux Indian friend and Bianca for a kind of odd numbers version of scrabble.. absolutely fab afternoon.. bring on a re run tomorrow!!
    Tonight brought a coming together of about 12 of us…individuals.. ( me , Norbert, the German lady) couples .. 3 American, 1 Canadian .. who all regularly stay at the same place.. pulling tables together and all joining up for dinner… a fabulous evening and one I will always remember when I look back on my Camino… ❤️    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler
    1
    1

    Day 22

    September 14, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Well.. today I set off intending to be better prepared for the rain than I was yesterday.. I literally didn’t sleep ( nothing to do with having THE most uncomfortable bed ever ) trying to decide what would be the best thing to wear… we’re talking waterproof or not, not some glamorous going out outfit 🙄😬
    Anyway, after being caught short and ending up soaked before I’d managed to even get my coat on yesterday, I set off wearing everything, hoping I wouldn’t end up sweating (lovely 😳😬 ) underneath before the rain set in….
    It was a very poor breakfast, so I left it and decided to get going.. fortunately it was way colder than yesterday and I ended up perfectly dressed 👍🏼👍🏼
    Again, it was more of a head down and just get there day today, so not too many pictures as my phone was buried under my layers..
    On my arrival, I checked out where I was staying, before going back to the pension for a coffee and some toast ( my new found appetite was calling 😳 )
    Whilst eating I meet Eave ( from Denmark ) as you do!!! and was subsequently joined by Rocky.. he’s given me the trail name Hummingbird.. he’s done all of the major American trails, has so many stories, lived an extraordinary life and someone I’m proud to now consider a friend.. I’ve told him I’ll get a hummingbird charm that will always be a reminder of my Camino 🥰
    The rain and thunder were constant this afternoon and so showered and washing done I started reading and sleeping.. I’m such a lightweight 😬
    I had been intending to catch with Rocky, Doc and Bianca for a few Rhummy??!? games, but didn’t want to get soaked to do so..
    No beer today ( it was definitely a coffee day ) I set off 25 minutes early for dinner thinking I’d have one whilst waiting…. I just wanted an excuse to be there early enough to make sure I got a table 😂
    Whilst I didn’t catch up with “ the crew “ I did end up eating with a couple I’d stayed at the same places as a few times earlier in the trip .. ended up having a fabulous evening and we were joined by older American couple who’d been touring ( on foot ) Croatia/Bosnia and somewhere else before joining the Camino in Pamplona..they were on a tight schedule as they were really close to their visas running out 🙄
    So looking forward to sleeping tonight on a more comfortable bed without worrying about “what to wear” 🙄🙄
    Not many pictures due to the rain..    Read more

  • Cal PartingtonCal’s Camino AdventuresTraveler

    Day 23

    September 15, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Today’s biggest event.. I’ve just lost a toenail 🥴.. not sure how that will feel tomorrow, but hey ho!!
    At the beginning of this walk I did see a few people wearing sandals, or socks and sandals 😳 and it crossed my mind that maybe that was the proper pilgrim way. As the weeks have gone on, I’ve seen more and more.. mostly with feet and/ or toes taped up and big heel plasters on !!
    It seems it’s when your feet are too sore to wear your shoes / boots that’s the thing to do!
    There is one guy on the road at the moment ( I’m feeling a little bit like I’m the only one not to have bumped into him yet ) from Honduras, who’s doing it bare foot!!! He has an incredible back story as to why he’s doing it and I feel sure I’ll be reading a book or seeing a movie about it in a couple of years.. unbelievable story.
    The rain of yesterday and overnight was due to stop about 8ish this morning, so there didn’t seem too greater rush for a lot of people to get going this morning..
    Today’s walk into Leon was never going to be a great one, everything I’d read had already said so. It was fine though, and I was really looking forward to getting to Leon, with it having so much to see and visit.
    I wasn’t disappointed, I’m staying in the old town, lots of small narrow streets bustling with bars and tapas places.. definitely hit lucky with where I’m staying.. I had a fabulous afternoon, just wandering around, visiting the Cathedral etc., drinking beer and eating tapas.. for once I’m really glad dinner isn’t until 8pm.
    I had a very brief panic at 5.45 am when my phone rang, assuming something had happened at home.. nope, it was Rocky .. already 5km out of town, saying he was sorry we didn’t catch up last night, but hopefully would again in the next few days!! 😂😂    Read more

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