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Via de la Plata - Spain
  • Robert Buesching
  • Robert Buesching

Via de la Plata - Spain

A 65-day adventure by Robert Read more
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  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D18 Cáceras rest day

    March 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Spent 1/2 the day doing laundry and watching it dry 😊 (good to relax and do a little planning) and the other 1/2 exploring and enjoying food and beverages.
    Had a bit of an annoying experience last night, had several things brought to my table that I did t order (I specifically said I wanted one thing and not this others they pointed to) and was charged for them… maybe not how I should have handled it but I threw my money on the ground (€40) called them bad people and thieves and walked out. (I knew I wasen’t skilled enough in Spanish to try and argue) It is def. a ‘tourist town’ and not like much of what I have enjoyed
    Is to bad that, at least for a bit, I will consider this a town of shisters…. and I hate that but there it’s.
    …. Adventures in shister-ville 🤣    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D20 to Cañaveral

    March 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Long day, 33.6 km, but really enjoyable. Pretty country! (Started at 5:45a because I wasen’t sure how I would do, finished by 2:30p)
    I’m a bit worried as the crowds are picking up. Where I wanted to stop tomorrow is looking rather full. Probably need to stop moving slow, which sucks! One of my fellow pilgrims said that they read that 30 people started yesterday.
    The 3 older Austrians lovingly said I had a Forest Gump accent 🤣 the only think I could pull off from memory was shouting ‘Lieutenant Dan!’ while waving    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D21 to Galisteo, the walled city

    March 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Well my plans for a long and leisurely camino seem to have come to a screeching halt. Had planned for some very short days today and for the next few but all of the sudden inundated with people. Feeling the pressure for ‘space’ not sure if I’m just in a bubble or but did here that there is a lot of folks following.
    That’s not exactly what I had hoped for, I can do the fast thing but it involve mentally shifting it to a ‘physical endurance challenge’ (covered almost 40 miles the last 2 days) and not just a mind-freeing trek.
    I went ahead and booked the next 8 days or so including the last 3 as rest days in the large UNESCO town of Salamanca. I’ll reevaluate then and see if it’s worth it for me to fight the people or just call it quits and come back another time when it’s off peak.
    Still a good days trek today, and that will never change!
    …. Just all those damn other people 😏🤣
    (Ps. Salamanca is also just past 1/2 way)    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D22 to Olivea de Plasencia

    March 16, 2023 in Spain

    28ish km, the first 10k pretty boring pavement walking. Went through a couple of small villages, had coffee and a tortilla, and tried the pork belly thing the locals were eating. Was about as fatty an eh as I was expecting… but now I know 🤣 After that entered some high meadowlands and it was a like walking through a fairyland! Just beautiful with little streams (and some wetish feet) with white flowers growing on them, took a couple of nice rest stops. Followed by a long stretch of more boring pavement. Not a bad day!!Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D23 to Aldeaneueva del Camino

    March 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Some rain today, and frankly not feeling it so took the shorter more direct route, some road walking but not much traffic, for 5km then hit the verde de la plata route right to town. It was more of a gravel bike trail but nice walking. I know I missed the famous Roman arch but I can’t work up the energy to care 🤷‍♂️🤣. Was also happy my route today allows my to stop for a nice easy sit down brunch/lunch along the way…. With a small beer for desertRead more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D27 to Salamanca

    March 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    23k today. Glad to get into Salamanca and stay for 3 nights. Been pretty exhausted and picked up some chest congestion… and an
    aggravating start to the day: Agreed with the lady at the hotel that we would meet at 8:00a for breakfast and settle the bill for food and a couple of drinks from last night. She didn’t show up by 9:00, messaged/called… and couldn’t get the front door key to work so was trapped. A longer term guest came down and helped me get out the back door and I left too much money on the bed to
    cover it. Anyway, had trouble shaking it off. Just tired and grumpy but glad to be here. Missed my morning coffee but the glass of Tinto de Verano I got as soon as I got into town was heaven!! Got a great free upgrade from booking with a great balcony just off of the plaza mayor. Great for hanging out and people watching. Will post more of this amazing city in the next few days.
    AND NOW PAST 1/2 WAY TO SANTIAGO!    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D30 to Calzada de Valdunciel

    March 24, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    15k - Always a little long and boring in on out of big towns. Not feeling as good as I hoped I would. Got hotel room and crashed for a few hours. A med center across the street but apparently they are short staffed and elsewhere. Got some more meds from drug store so🤞Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D31 to El Cubo de Vino

    March 25, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    20 km. Feeling much better after the meds I got yesterday. Not much of not in the town, stopped by the local bar. (which in Spain is always also a coffee shop) Packed with local life playing cards and hanging out. Def the heart of the city!
    Nice Albergue, group dinner at 8:00
    Will try the 32km tomorrow so I can hopefully get into the castle. Read it’s not much but you can walk the walls and it’s closed, like everything else, on Monday (tomorrow is Sunday)… as long as I get a good nights sleep 🤞
    I think tomorrow is time change, meaning I will loose an hour of sun in the am?!??    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D32 to Zamora

    March 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 57 °F

    Exhausted but a good day, made it here and only really struggled the last 5k or so. (32k total) 6:15 start, but as European daylight savings time started today had a bit more dark than normal, it was a misty drizzle. But it clears up quickly to a beautiful day.
    Got to see everything I wanted to see, and booked the next 3 nights at my 2 coffee stops on the way. Tomorrow night I will do some serious planning into
    Easter.    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D35 to Tábara

    March 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 68 °F

    25k … Well, even after stating it a few days ago, and still agonizing the last 48 hrs, it’s time to talk a break. (See earlier post)
    It’s not easy to stop and no reason is 💯 accurate but it’s a good choice and a good place to stop. I’m heading to Toledo for a few days and then down to Cádiz (beach!!) for 6 nights for the crazy week of Semana Santa (Easter, and one of my fears being on the trail. Crazy unpredictable closures)
    Mostly, mentally I’m not accomplishing anything more, in a grind and feeling pressure to get to the next spot and not stopping to enjoy things… I will very probably be back to finish, possibly ever just after Easter (🤷‍♂️ probably not, but you never know) but sometime!! I think 2-3 weeks earlier than right now?!? Or Fall?!?
    Also I’m still battling this stupid chest cold, been on meds for almost 1 week and it’s not interfering with anything, but but need to get it cleared up.
    Sooo, the adventure continues, and as many pilgrims will say: so does the Camino, just in a different form ❤️
    ✌️    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D36 to Camarzana de Tera

    March 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 64 °F

    Ok, forget all that from yesterday 🤦‍♂️(but not editing it)

    …. Just had lunch, was given my shell today!!
    🤣🥹❤️ That’s some kind of sign right?!?

    The Camino, Path, Way, is about figuring things out. The same can be said for ANY long trek. They are both physically and mentally demanding and involve testing and stretching your capabilities in both areas

    The thing is, I am here, now. It’s never going to be as easy as just continuing. The forecast looks good for the next 10 days.

    Sat down and chatted over coffee with 2 brothers and sister from Puerto Rico and a Guy from New Orleans this morning (also agonized overnight) and realized many of my fears are overblown, mostly fear about Semana Santa (Easter) shutdown craziness and then trying to plan to far ahead and being overwhelmed. That all helped a ton! Also got a better take on the #’s of pilgrims and it’s not as overwhelming I had feared. I don’t have to feel like I need to rush to claim the next bed… (But there is a bit of “the Camino will provide” attitude, which is great until your curled up on some doorstep with no food or roof 😬)

    The mental part -relaxing, just being aware of the state I was working into helps… I could really dig on an edible right now as well, that would REALLY Help. But alas, have not tried hard, but haven’t found anything 😭 (and my lungs can’t handle smoking)

    So I’m moving ever happy forward on ‘The Way’ wherever it takes me.

    Deep Breath! 🕉️

    I got time 😊    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D37 to Rionegro del Puente

    March 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Good Day, a bit shorter than I started off planning but a good choice.

    Last night with the couple from Sardinia and Puerto Rican brothers and sister. They all planned out the next 2 days, but the Puerto Ricans were shuttling their backpacks via taxi all the way and themselves part of the way both days. (Because you can only shuttle packs to private lodgings, not to the more numerous municipal ones) and the Sardinians are young and more of a gluten for punishment than me. I had to back down today from the plan and break the 2 days into 3.

    It was def the right thing to do, but a little sad because the Puerto Ricans were the ones who helped me get over my funk and helped with some planning and communication issues. I do have there number and can reach out if I need help. Also there is a very good chance I will catch them again. It’s the way it goes.

    Great meal and a really nice modern Alberque: me, 2 German bicyclers and 2 French walkers staying here.    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D38 to Asturianos

    April 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    25k- Nice but tiring walk through 4 small villages. Def getting into hill country (with the killers coming in a couple of days) Only the 2 German bicyclers from last night in the albergue.

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D40 to Padornelo

    April 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Got an early start, knew it was the highest point and could be long. - 22km
    Very cold my water tube froze in 15 min and didn’t thaw 2 1/2 hrs late.
    Was able to stop after the first 11k as I had hoped for a coffee and tortilla and stretch before the real climb
    There were many trail branches as there were many detour s during the high speed rail construction through the mountains. At on point my trail turned into a stream, followed a small side trail, got my feet wet crossing a largish stream and bushwhacked a short bit end the end to another trail. Had 4 maps, 2 were showing different trails but a couple showed all the connections even if they were not whatever the official trail was. A small amount of stress but expected a chance of problems.
    Even with all that and the ups it was still a good day!! Time to stop and few times, put on dry socks, stretch and toot, my harmonica a bit 😊    Read more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D41 to Vilavella

    April 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Yesterday may have been higher and longer but today was def harder. Down, up, down, but a lot of their trail was mud and flowing
    stream. Not a terribly long day, the next few are shorter, stayed in a hotel tonight but the rest of the week wanted to make sure I get in early to deal with any possible Semana Santa problemsRead more

  • Robert BueschingVia de la Plata - SpainTraveler

    D42 to Gudina

    April 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Every thing just hit right today!
    Short, lots of time to stop, stretch, toot on my harmonica a bit and take it all.
    Wouldn’t change a single thing.
    Life is good 🥰

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