• Bruce Stanley
Current
  • Bruce Stanley

6th time and laughing

Thanks r your encouragement Read more
  • Currently in
    🇪🇸 Sahagún, Spain

    Ledigos to Sahagun

    May 5 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Reubber legs Brucee has made it to Sahagun.
    Be sure that this happy Pilgrim has now reaped the benefits of the Meseta.
    The Meseta has a reputation of being loved and a reputation of being hated. Lucky Bruce is on the positive side with only 3 days left before I hit Leon.*** Well not quite because after doing a lot of searching all The significant places between here and Leon are fully booked. Regrettably after a 2-day stay here in Sahagun I'm going to take the bus to Leon and spend three nights there. 
    Tonight I shared dinner with my favourite Irish friends Eileen and Peter. 

    Reports from the guru Ivar Rekve (Santiago de Compostela) the 2026 number of pilgrims has increased in numbers. Higher than they expected.
    I'm experiencing this because all suitable bookings from Sahagun to Leon are full.  This does not apply to those younger, stronger people who are winging it.
    For instance, in the last 2 days I've walked part of the day with two different 23-year-old ladies, neither pre-book and always are successful. Naturally they carry their bags and if it's full  on arrival they just walk on 5: or 10 mor. And get success there.. Next life I might do this.
    I Hope you enjoyed the photos 🥰
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  • Boadilla - Frómista

    May 3 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Hi ALL
    My START was in Boadilla 10 Km before Fromista .

    My trek yesterday was from the beautiful Albergue En El Camino, Boadilla del Camino, Palencia, Spain to Monestario del San Zoilo
    It was 25 Km mostly flat terrain. Only one bar along the way was a welcome stop for Brucie. 
    Intermittent showers with poncho on poncho off scenario. Lucky Brucie met and talked for some time with a Danish lady called Charlotte (60Yo) and a 23-year-old Lass called Alyssa

    Attached is a photograph of the day (WELL NOT QUITE) is my Melbourne friend. (for only an hour or so) Bronwyn (67) who is a unhappy Pilgrim. Her major problem was the app that came from RAW TRAVEL. It would seem to be cutting out on her iPhone The stunning tattoo that she had on her leg attracted me. Not in the usual fashion, but a good design well execute.
    Privately. I wouldn't want to see it on any of the ladies that I know it's more a tattoo (with her mini skirt) for a Lady of the nights !
    Picture attached..

    Apologies for not posting for too many days but they have been filled and sometimes tiring like yesterday's 25 km. That 25 km felt like 37 km of walking on concrete. I needed a long hot bath to relax my calves and my right knee. All good now except for my accommodation. Pilgrims don't complain. But the Albergue that I had for 2 days before. THIS place I'm in now zis something like Old World First class Hotel. It's a monastery. 

    The last place I stayed is called En El Camino Boadilla. Stacked with pilgrims. Totally enjoying themselves. Good Pilgrim meals and a lovely atmosphere.
    This Camino I to spend two nights at each village. This gives me a chance to get the Sketchbook out. Also to enjoy the culture and relax my sore legs. Where is roughly 4-5 days (with breaks) before I reach Leon.
    NOTE:, The second last photograph is of two ladies and me hugging both of them. When I told the questioning and welcoming owner of the Bar that Yes I was a Pilgrim and to his second question I said yes I was 89. BOOM he told his wife, his daughter and the whole place. Lucky Brucie was. then surrounded by his wife and his daughter who wanted the the owner to take a photograph of the three of us. It was a happy situation.

    PPS. Oops I gave myself a ❤️ Like
    Blame my fumbling fingers

    Enjoy the photos🙏
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  • Boadilla del Camino

    May 2 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 16 °C

    Hi AL
    My lay day gave me the chance to enjoy the local area and do some sketches.
    The number of pilgrims this year is large ymuch larger than I expected. Accommodation has been quite challenging, however I've been lucky and I've got accommodation book to almost when I get to Leon.
    At dinner tonight, I was surprised to meet a Taiwanese lady that knew me from a previous Camino. That's her in the picture that I've posted where we're enjoying a nice glass of wine. Poor thing. has got blisters already that's due to poor hiking boots.
    The next hike is going to be 20Ks plus which was not my calendar. But again it's due to getting accommodation. I make things complicated for myself because I like to say two nights in a place that gives me time to enjoy the culture and do some sketchy.
    I've been advised to take it easy and have listened to that advice and so far no blisters only sore calf muscles.
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  • 28 April Burgos

    April 27 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Museum of Human Evolution

    Dear Family+
    Friends+Magic (my BC)
    This Lucky Pilgrim just spent nearly 4 hours at Burgos' Museum of Human Evolution. If ever you are fortunate to be in Burgos this is a top of the list to do. It is everything I imagine, but my imagination wasn't big enough or educated enough to be ready it. Simply I loved it every step I took.
    You'll enjoy, as I did, their Videos, active exhibits and extensive descriptions (English) posted. 
    I almost giggled when I was told it was FREE to this old lucky Pilgrim.
    I hope you will enjoy today's photos 🤞
    PS The sequence of these photos is mostly Back to front. For interest the last photo is the one I wanted FIRST 🤣
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  • Burgos

    April 27 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    27 April 2026
    Slow day in Burgos but managed to buy a new Sketchbook*. Went and was overwhelmed at BURGOS CATHEDRAL.
    BUT BEST NEWS ORISSON FOIND MY SKETCHBOOK.
    I've asked them to send it to Leōn
    FINGERS CROSSED.
    * See photos today+2 photos Orisson sent 💞🤣❤️
    PS. I was sketching near the bronze sculpture of TORO de BURGOS when a couple (my vintage) and asked me if I was a Pilgrim. ... eventually they told me the street the Bronze sculpture is in IS WHERE BURGOS RUNS THE BULLS ... I believe them but just looked it and I didn't see Burgos mentioned in 2026.
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  • Pamplona now BURGOS tonight

    April 26 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Hi All Amigos
    An unexpected day in Pamplona.
    Long story short, but yesterday me and my backpack decided to go different directions. Excited to get off the ALSA BUS from SJPDP and to transfer to the Train, I only thought to collect my bag in the bus's holding bins
    After a short time I remembered my Day Backpack was in the overhead shelf.
    Bus left. Thanks to the senior ALSA desk lady she contacted the driver who eventually found my BP. and would be back in the Pamplona terminal 2+ hours later. 
    I missed the last train and spent the night in a quality pamplona Hotel.
    Today we had pleasant weather in Pamplona for me to visit their,  Cathedral and the famous bronze Bulls charging the narrow street.
    But in the Spanish celebration style I was called to get that photo. However the street bands roared on and to my pleasure there was young and all doing a fun set dance. I loved it and the video captures the joy.
    I will finally in Burgos later today for 3 nights prior to starting the Meseta.
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  • Pamplona unexpectedly

    April 26 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    An unexpected day in Pamplona.
    Long story short, but yesterday me and my backpack decided to go different directions. Excited to get off the BUS from SJPDP and get to the train station, I only thought to collect my bag in the bus's holding bins
    After a short time I remembered my Day Backpack was in the overhead shelf.
    Bus left. Thanks to the senior back room lady she contacted the driver who eventually found my BP. and would be back in the Pamplona terminal 2+ hours later. 
    I missed the last Burgos train and spent the night in a quality Hotel.
    Pleasant weather in Pamplona today for me to visit their,  Cathedral etc
    I will be finally in Burgos later today for a 3 nights prior to starting the Meseta.
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  • Burgos 1st night No photos

    April 26 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    What a hoot. and what a happy First night..
    The operator of Hotel Norte y Longres did not charge me for last night (the nigh fBooking.com wanted to Because I cancelled to late).
    Then I took the local walk around parts of Burgos I rememberdenared. Finally I dropped in at a busy pub for a double Chardonnay.
    Boom the locals wanted to know if I was a Pilgrim. For me that all said Brucie you've made the right decision.
    Cheers it's time .......
    ............. for.... another Chardonnay
    What a hoot and what a great and w happy First night.
    The operator of Hotel Norte y Longres did not charge for last night. Booking.com wanted to because I cancelled too late.
    Then I took the local walk around parts of Burgos I remembered. Finally I dropped in at a busy pub for a double Chardonnay.
    Boom the locals wanted to know if I was a Pilgrim. For me that all said Brucie you've made the right decision. Tomorrow I'm buying a new sketchbook. Fingers crossed my enthusiastic arty side is inspires.
    You'll know but please don't comment if the Creative Spirit fails to inspire Brucie
    Show quoted text
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  • Orisson now in SJPdP and soon tonight in

    April 24 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    25 April 202

    Bonjour all you wonderful friends 

    Lucky me is back in a French Café in Sr Jean Pied de Port enjoying noir Coffee and a croissant like the locals do. I confess being in local France enjoying their Hospitality raises my happy place spirits even higher

    Yesterday rubber Legs made the hike up Up and UPP to ORISSON. Beautiful weather and with plenty of stops and water (electrolyte),I made it.

    Now back down to SJPDP to travel today to BURGOS. I'll spend a few days there before start my next Camino Frances hike, the Meseta.

    PS on the taxi ride down to SJPDP there was a heavy fog and I thought of Narelle Campbell's comment that the view from Orisson can be totally covered in fog it was this morning but not on my day, yesterday.

    For you yet to do the CF, please try to make the first stop at Refuge Beilari. Flor's French cuisine and Joseph personal hospitality will be remembered forever. 

    Orisson in the other hand is a must stop because of its location. However their food is average, possibly due to the fact that they  have three times as many pilgrims.

    The breakfast was sans protein (no eggs) and inadequate for the hike up/down to Roncesvalles.
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  • Saint Jean Pied de Port

    April 23 in France ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Saint Jean Pied de Port
    BTW Dear friends the heading that days MITRY+MORY was set by Find Penquins. It should read
    "Saint Jean Pied de Port"
    This is my last day before I climb up to ORISSON and I'm getting some necessary energy snack and info on my Bus (the day after Orisson) to Pamplona from SJPDP to Pamplona.
    The Weather matches my spirit and v happy experience I am having. An example is when I stopped at the Gite I stayed at for 3 days last year, I was happily surprised to hear "I know you!"
    It was the lady who operates/owns the 2025 SJPDP Gite.
    Another appreciation I had was the discovery of 2 locations each with Vending machines (2k apart). The significance of this is I don't need to load up with 250 ml of heavy water
    The 8k distance is v short, but add the continual steep climb is a good benefit.
    Orisson awaits
    Lucky Brucee
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  • Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

    April 21 in France ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Bonjour and Hola, to you all.
    I'm now in SJPdP and smiling
    This is my 6th Camino, and my Jet leg is almost over. Almost.
    Lucky me I booked into Gite Beilari.
    Lucky because they agree to give me 2 nights. Gite Beilari is directly across the street from the Pilgrims office.
    People ask "why the 6th" my answer is to finally do Orisson,
    Meseta and Sarria. Sarria l will be joined with my daughter in law Steph and my son David.
    Here are some photos for you to enjoy.
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  • Trip start
    April 10, 2026