Nancy and Doug Trips
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
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🇨🇦British Columbia
    • Day 6: O Pino to Santiago de Compostela

      Jun 15–16 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

      The lively conversation with the high mileage pilgrims the evening before included speculation on how to outrun the anticipated crowds in the final stage of 13 miles. I had not found the crowds an issue as I had a mental framework going in that true pilgrimages around the worlds are often crowded at the end; it isn’t necessarily a more solitary walk which those folks had definitely had a chance to embrace more than I. Thus I would let things flow and try to savour my last day as it almost seemed short yet physically I felt ready to say “done!” As it turned out a rattle of a door in the hallway woke me at 5:15 am. Even though my body said it could use more rest my mind said might as well get going. At least I’d be ahead of the huge youth group staying at the Albergue. Therefore at 0630 am I was very surprised to see them all packed and ready to go. Don’t assume anything! Quick bite at the cafeteria CHE of fresh orange juice and toast with olive oil and the fresh tomato spread that is usually served here at breakfast that I had not yet tried. Then off walking savouring all the usual sensory inputs which gradually faded as civilization crept closer. All my spontaneous stops have worked out along The Way and I decided without checking Google reviews to sit down at a spot on the main road where they offered pulpo galego ie cut up boiled octopus sprinkled with paprika… as a tapa. This is likely the last time I will eat octopus due to a moving show I saw called My Octopus Teacher…..but like trying the escargot in Paris there is a time to just do it. As I settled in, a very pleasant woman asked if I was Camino-ing solo and Sandy from Washington state and I had a very pleasant lunch together. I had about 4 miles left and it ended up seeming quite long as gone were the trees and shade when I entered the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. Gradually the spires of the church came into view and I walked through the historical core to the sound of a piper but it was hot and I was rather desperate to find my hotel. Once there and tidied up I had to push myself out to take in the 7:30 pm mass which was conducted mostly in Spanish. The bishop said a prayer in English at the end that all the pilgrims make it home safely. I again ducked into a doorway as I walked back to the hotel finding inside a delightful restaurant where I had battered hake with hand cut fries and salad and decided I d drop in again tomorrow.Read more

    • Day 5: Arzua to O Pino 18km

      Jun 14–15 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

      The weather was perfect today: temperature, breeze and the sun dotting in and out periodically. Everything along The Way was beautiful from flowers…vegetable gardens…oaks…eucalyptus…birdsongs…babbling brooks and the randomness of Galicia’s gardens. There is no doubt that in trying to organize gardens too neatly, something is lost. It was a bit confusing to find my accommodation and it is the closest thing to an albergue I have stayed in. I was very pleasantly surprised. Not only a decent kitchen and laundry but a spa was available. My luggage had gone to another pension by mistake but was quickly retrieved once Doug had advised me where the Samsung SmartTag was. I was bubbling away and quite enjoyed it. The hunt for dinner proved harder than in other spots but I ended up in a cozy communal café called The Way …chatting with three Americans. Ken and Andre had done the whole Camino Frances and advised me as a solo woman I’d be fine… how did they know??…they were part of a group of 10. The other woman Doddie had just finished her 2nd Camino at age 70, Thirty-five days solo on the Camino Norte which has a reputation of one of the most difficult. I certainly felt the baby in the group but quite alright with it…feeling I had met my personal goals and having no need to stretch further or add on to my 'Essence of the Camino' experience.Read more

    • OK here it is!
      No extra room here!Scallops were wonderful but expensive

      Arzua

      June 13 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      Pension Boutique Nene was in some ways the least satisfactory accommodation as the room was very small and there was no place to put anything except the other bed. For some reason the sounds of anything in the building echoed through loudly. The receptionist also gave me inaccurate information about the menu del dia at their restaurant by the same name. It had good reviews so I went there. No such thing. The scallops were good but expensive given nothing else along with them. However this was redeemed by a very nicely served breakfast the next morning.Read more

    • National Heritage Monument:
      Baptismal RoomRear view, seems these small Romanesque churches have an upper balconyThe mother and child with crowns as is typical in SpainThis fountain area is quite largeOne wonders if the slope was so that pilgrims could sit and bathe their feetMy three plant amigos along this journey: ivy, climbing roses and the fernDon't slip!Memorabilia along The Way. I have not seen any scattered garbage...very few collecting tins thoughBeautiful oak and eucalyptus treesEucalyptus; I didn't notice a social smell thoughBreak for anise cake at Taberna de ParabispaFresh EmpanadaMy third friend: ferns are cheerful companions that seem to make a home most placesDon't you love this awning; common in this areaPicture just after a reminder about how fate can change the best laid plans...Making empanadasA very pretty spotThe previous pilgrim's hospital, now an albergue

      Day 4: Melide to Arzua 14km

      June 13 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      Another 9 mile day, so started on the late side taking in the main sights. Of note was the large church just as I was leaving Melide. I took note of the water streams which are plentiful, the trees, flowers and especially the lovely birds a twitter in all the trees. Eventually caught up with some people but did not really have any noteworthy conversations today.Read more

    • Dessert, Americano and a very good red wine at the attached restaurant.
      Melide is known for its octopus which is boiled in large vats and the tentacles snipped and served wOn the way out...the spot I might have eaten at had I not been so tired!Pilgrim Angel sculpture by a Canadian sculptorSaid to be the oldest cross in GaliciaMain town square is quite nice

      Melide

      June 12 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      I had a reasonably good rest and felt energized. The breakfast area was very busy with walkers and cyclists ready to hit the road and there was a lot of luggage for transfer in the lobby. Today is about 8 miles so I gave myself permission to be at the tail of the pack. A kind man pointed The Way out of town after I had taken in Melide’s main sights. I hadn’t realized there was a pilgrim museum as well but had missed its opening yesterday evening. This was a day of Mindful walking and I didn’t mind the intermittent showers. Rolling thunder kept me moving ahead from a very pleasant spot with a restaurant offering a pilgrim’s menu for €16. I reached my destination at 2 pm so took 6 hours with a couple of breaks in which I had a cake and some chips. Although the empanadas were enticing, yesterday’s meal worked out so well I held off.Read more

    • Academe off by the pilgrim statue as Zinleave Palais de Rei
      Always interested to see what they are growing...The banks suggest that the path is compressed by many footsteps over the yearsView from first stop: San Juan Camino patron saint of the poor and pilgrimsStamp collectingSan Xiao Do Camino built 1200s reconstructed 1800sIt is openThese border the churchSometimes they are family groupsVery pleasant artisanHmm I have time to go in...Succulents on tile roofsThere is a protest of some sort... Cellulose from other sources would not be contaminated.These lads are from Cork; teachers said two are already on sick bay due to blistersComing into the cute town before Melide over a medieval bridgeViews of FurelosStopped for cherries at FurelosThe church was open. Lit a candle to remember Dad

      Day 3: Palas de Rei to Melide 14km

      June 12 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

      Today’s walk is 9 miles, so I started late and took my time, arriving before 2. Did the usual routine and decided to keep life simple and have the menú del día in the restaurant. €14 for soup, roasted chicken, an excellent local red wine and pistachio cannoli for dessert! Done just before 5. I decided since it was grey and rather windy to just stay in and relax as I was again feeling quite tired. My body appreciated it! Self care is essential in this trip.Read more

    • Palas de Rei

      June 11 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      I realized after unpacking, showering and handwashing the day’s clothes, that I was more or less “toasted”. Jackie from hike the Way had warned me that often one feels sleep needs to trip eating. I didn’t want much: found a spot close by, ordered another soup; this one similar to last nights with beans, kale and potatoes. Headed to bed thankful for my practical comfortable room and that I had divided the next stage of 18 miles over two days.Read more

    • Pilgrim March over the bridge in the rain saying adios to PORTOMARÍN
      New often made out of the oldGalician stone walls everywhereAscendingTo the summit...archaeological excavation in the areaRoman foundations from 400 BC to 100 ADHeather and ?yellow poppiesSignage is excellent including crossing highwaysCaldo Gelego....this time lentil. Grant joins me for the other jamon bocadilloI wonder what the trees are?Cruceiro de Lameiros 1670 cross, crucifixion and MaryStucco often on top of the rock or bordering Doran interesting variationMonterrei: running of the dairy cows with shepherd herdingA mixed flockWatch your step...what is this like when it rains hard?Same group of teens I saw arrive yesterday playing musicAlong the WayOne of many

      Day 2: Portomarin to Palas de Rei 26km

      Jun 11–12 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      I didn’t sleep well despite top notch accommodation as I was a bit worried about the long mileage day ahead. Surprised it was raining out and rolling thunder delayed my start; a bit disorganized finding umbrella etc. On the other side of the the bridge it rained heavily and I found walking with an umbrella in one hand and poles in the other quite effective. A lot of people seem to have left the same time so jockeying around to allow a steady pace. The rain and crowds eventually settled out. Decided to have soup for lunch as I enjoyed it so much last evening and an Asian man asked me to point it out on the menu. I offered him half my jamon sandwich as it was huge do he sat down with me after insisting he pay for half. Grant is 69 and decided to do this walk as the tour company feels 70 is too old to take the risks of the walk. He was two hours ahead of the rest of his group he says: they are the group that were at breakfast at my hotel and are from Taiwan. We had an engaging chat and he shared his canned white asparagus with me before I had to get on my way. The town of Monterey was particularly memorable with neat as a pin houses next to farm machinery and the barn; in fact the shepherd and his trusty dog herded them out to pasture as I walked through. A lovely day but I was feeling very tired and on arrival in Palas de Rei I passed the town church as I descended to find my hotel.Read more

    • Medical staircase I and many others have gone up....hoping I don t need to go down tomorrow
      Very nice and just across the bridge!!Galician Soup: beans cabbage chorizoCalle de CampostellaBalconies with geraniumsRomanesque church, quite tallMain squarePriest serving 50 yearsHuge nest atop the church?? Stork, no sign of the occupantThink of all the pilgrims the last 1000 years....View towards the bridge

      Portomarin

      Jun 10–13 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

      Portomarin is a very picturesque town with a well kept main street: Calle Compestella. Menu del dia at Supendo Casa de Comides was very good, home cooking: vino blanco, Galician soup, and grilled hake with salad. €15 including dessert and coffee. Walk around town very neat and tidy with lovely Romanesque church moved when they flooded the river to make a reservoir. Saw some teenage boys who were fairly attesting to their Celtic roots.Read more

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