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  • Bruce Stanley
  • Bruce Stanley

SDC

A 3718-day adventure by Bruce Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 29, 2025
    Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    Caminos in Spain and Portugal

    April 8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Hi ALL
    Just to let you know it is only 15 sleeps until Lucky Brucee takes off to Spain. The sketched in pencil plan is for parts of the Camino Frances (hopefully as far as Casa Susie) then bus up to Lugo for the last 100Ks to Santiago de Compostella via the Camino Primtivo).
    All being well I'll be in SdC 1June.
    Then Camino Portuguese.
    NOTE: I do intend to use Spain Bus/Rail service where it suits.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    Biarritz France

    April 26, 2025 in France ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Enjoying French food and atmosphere in Biarritz. Arrived yesterday, but not after tripping on AirFrance's boarding steps. Left knee hates me
    And yes, an attractive Italian lady was there to rescue me.
    Life is good 🤣
    Two Votlarins with an enjoyable dinner last night have reduced swelling. Funny the best wine I enjoyed was from Rioja, Spain. Will try a French one tonight.
    And yes, an attractive Italian lady was there to rescue me.
    Tomorrow Saint Jean Pied de Port 🥂
    Photos:
    1. The lady to my rescue
    2. The Rioja Spainish wine
    3. Muesli breakfast (no vino yet)

    Weather too cool and light
    Showers    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    Roncesvalles and ...

    April 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Apologies for the lack of postings ...
    My setting up my Orange eSIM got mixed up and my phone stubbornly blocked.
    St Saint Jean Pied de Port, Orange dealer was not helpful.
    Now, 2 days later, if I use WiFi all is good.
    Thanks for the knee wishes. Today all good and I walked 15+Kms up 700+ mtrs to Roncesvalles. The Pyrenees is said to be the hardest part of the Camino Frances... we will see.
    Albergues: you love some, as I did in Saint Jean. Tonight I'm in the Peregrine Roncesvalles. Holds well over 200 Pilgrims. 2 different dinner times. I had agreed to enjoy dinner with 2 Scandinavian ladies, but lucked out, 7pm, mine 8:30.
    Lights out at 10pm and all lights on at 6am with Churchly voices singing.
    The accommodation is new and run by Ditch Volunteers. Very clean and efficient. Please note the above doesn't sound positive. I'm a happy Brucee and am meeting great pilgrimages 🤣
    Tomorrow a short walk and a smaller Albergue.
    Photos today show yours truly leaving my wonderful Saint Jean Pied de Port Albergue)2 night🤗) and starting the Camino Frances.
    spring time in the Pyrenees.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    352

    Day 5 Casa Batit Viscarret

    May 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    I left Roncesvalles this morning and walked throughout undulating beautiful spring weather. Took many photos and chatted to pilgrimages from many countries.
    Of note were Canadians, Americans and of special note were 2 Queensland ladies. In both the Ozzie and Americans, our conversations pointedly got to why the Camino. Before parting they and I took photos of the 3 of us. Today is a national holiday. Some restaurants are closed. Luckily a Spanish couple found one opening at 6 pm.Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    8:30 am May 2

    May 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Further to last night's post, I'm wanting to share a joyful but difficult experience.
    The Brisbane young ladies.
    As I left Roncesvalles I saw and commented on the Australian Friends of The Camino crests on their Backpacks. Somehow in the short chat and as I started to walk away, they asked me how old I was. I told them, but then they politely asked about me and why the Camino. This may sound like a Jehovah witness searching question, but it was just an innocent genuine question. My response was that June was up there and with that I couldn't help myself show some emotion. Then a remarkable gesture happened. The young lady said "would I like a hug". Well it was gratefully received.
    Yes Lucky Brucee    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    22

    Pamplona today, Puente la Reina tomorrow

    May 2–5, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    My apologies for not posting more often. Truth is I intended to, however, the Camino fun times and challenges have stolen the time away.
    Currently in Pamplona. I missed Zuburi because of a booking error.
    Yesterday 2 of the Camino ladies, I met in St. John Pied de Port, recognized me and suggested I join them for a Pamplona walking tour. I did and am very grateful. The Guide (Mexican) spoke excellent English has lived (and married) here. Also ran with the Bulls. The walking tour took 3+ hours and included Hemingway's Pub, Pamplona's Cathedral, a Museum dedicated to the Running of the Bulls (started in the 1800s). Also Pamplona's and Spain's history.
    The photos start with Cathedral Pamplona where we wiitnessed and, heard the Nuns and Priest's Choir. Then the photos are from Hemingway's Pub followed by scenic ones.
    Weather 9⁰C this morning, 12⁰ C tomorrow 🤞    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    4 May last night in Pamplona

    May 4, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Just a short post to let you know the Camino rewards. Yes Brucee finished his evening with Camino chats with Earesto (an a Mexican_American). Earesto is walking the Camino Francés a 2nd time (proving its a healthy addiction) .
    I must also add, a Canadian chap was pontificating on Canadian affairs with 2 Sth Korean pilgrimages. What he had to say got me off my chair to ask many questions. Enough almost said.... lastly my dear friends the Hospitelo Ceaser popped in the Albergue. Ceaser, like his brother are very efficient and always cheerful.. Hence the photos attached 🤣    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    1

    11 pm in way out Abàigar

    May 7, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Well to my surprise and gratefulness I happened to be with a group of French mountain climbers. (both genders).
    Long story short they pour a tasty cognac into me..Did I resist. Well you know the Truth 🤗
    Then they invited me to dinner and, you know what I
    tried/pretended to say 🤔 Result is I had one of my best nights I could of ever hope for on my solo pilgrimage :-))) Lucky Brucee 🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    1
    2222

    Abalgar. 7 May

    May 7, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Hi ALL
    I'm enjoying the Camino Frances
    The scenic walking and evening friendships. So much so I've missed posting.
    Landscape photos always get my attention, but even with cropping their magic fades away.
    Here are a few photos.
    The first 2 photos are the Alto del Perdón which is at the top of a windy peek (Wind generators for kilometers). A place I never thought I'd get to. Camino pilgrimages kindly take your photos, and the 3rd photo is the Italian "Antonio" who took the photo of me at those iconic steel Camino sculptures (2nd photo).
    The landscape photo is Cirauqui and lucky me it's view popped up unexpectedly, as I rounded a bend. Cirauqui is a photo that appears in the guide books. The last two photos (taken in Estella) are examples of the many large churches one sees in most villages.
    Tonight I'm staying at a small apartment in Abáigar. I booked Abáigar in Sydney and, while good and management is excellent, it's off the Camino Frances track, which means no fellow Pilgrims to chat to.
    I liked to finish how unexpectedly a Spanish Lady or Man will wish you a "Buen Camino" as you walk by. It a great feeling. 🙏🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler

    May 9, Navarrete

    May 8, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Hi ALL
    I was thinking as I walked 12+Ks to my Albergue in Navarrete. Not quite the 200K mark, but ok by me.
    For me times during the day I experience challenges, such as another blooming hill or will those rain clouds hit me with light or buckets of rain... and aren't they a lovely couple ... Oh I miss my Chop-Chop.
    But Lucky Brucee does have his Camino moments, of that I'm very grateful.
    Here are a few pic from today. I should add French and Spanish and English conversations were following during the Pilgrim dinner... the last photo shows the Camino spirit 🤣
    BTW I'm having a rest day tomorrow (rain) so I'll enjoy the village of Navarrete 🤣    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    11314

    11 May Najera 🤗

    May 9, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Hi ALL Dear friends
    Today was to be a 20+K walk (wrong it ended at 15Km).
    Navarrete to Najera.
    My last night in Navarrete was special. Earlier I'd visited the awesome Navarrete Cathedral.
    As my BMCS friend (Jill Hil) recommended, I enjoyed Navarrete, particularly their Cathedral. More than once!🤣
    The 2nd time was when a Camino British lady and I were walking past the Cathedral and I asked her if she had been in?
    Long story short, she appreciated it to the point Brucee got a Hug.
    See Lucky Brucee is Lucky ,.. HaHÀA
    Photos of the Navarrete Cathedral attached. Again I've tried to share the amazing landscapes via photos.
    The last photo is the lovely BMCS PAM. Pam has organized for her, son, DAN and I to stay at Casa Susi's Albergue together 🥳
    And somewhere in these treasured pix you'll see a landmark feature of the FIOJA landscape, a Stork on its next 🤗
    30331 Steps
    15+ K walked
    Weather coolosh .. jacket on,/,off
    Pilgrims met : many 🤣    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    121

    13 May 6:50 am

    May 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Hi All
    Just a quick update.
    Camino life's good and I managed 24+Ks yesterday to arrive in Santo Domingo.... Festivals are a big thing in Spain. Yesterday I was amazed to walk among thick crowds of mostly standing well dressed locals with drinks in their hands. Evening's the street next to me was alight with happy children on the street long, lit up rotating children's ferry wheels. Today and the next days look like Poncho wet weather. I might catch a bus. One photo is my new Camino hat
    Look closely and you'll spot the Canadian Pin in the middle. Gift of a Canadian lady. Lucky Brucee.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    1

    25 May 20k from BURGOS

    May 15, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Hi All
    Old Rubber Legs arrived in Atapuerca, 20Ks tomorrow to BURGOS.
    Today's hike was 15+K. But it was first up a never, never ending muddy climb Weather cool and showers. The first photo shows a Brazilian lady and I in the fog and showers. If you look close you might see the sloppy track. That's her husband and I in the 4th photo.
    The 2nd photo is the track down to the village Atapuerca. BTW my Albergue tonight was difficult to get because the owner only spoke Spanish. A fellow Spanish Camino Lady took the phone and Lucky Brucee has a bed for €15.
    My 20Ks tomorrow will not be as hard as the muddy hike today. 🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    5

    17 May Burgos, tomorrow ..

    May 17, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Hi All
    I've enjoyed a wonderful rest day in the amazing city of Burgos.
    Met many international pilgrimages, some of them special Camino pilgrimages.
    I've caught up with my Days washing, enjoyed their excellent food (and local wine), took a tour of their historical Catedral and now I have to prepared for the 22km walk into the Meseta .
    First photo is the Catedral Santa Maria. Date's back to the 12th Century and is regarded as one of Europe's best.
    2nd photo is the locals enjoying social conversations over a drink
    Last 4 photos are a tiny number of the sculptures everywhere in central Brugos.
    There is much to see and experience here and on the Camino Frances. Lucky Brucee 🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    1

    18 May. Lucky Brucee

    May 18, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Well I'm hesitant to speak of the wonderful Camino time I've had today. Yes there were unexpected problems, but the Camino Provides and it did.
    First photo is Carla and I. Carla is a pilgrim I met days ago.
    Because the Camino brings out the v best in us, Carla helped me sort out how I could efficently get myself from rural country Leon, to the city of Leon.
    Note : I hit the wall with 10k+ to go to my Accommodation. The path was flat and the sun was burning and hot. Enough said.
    Today walking from Burgos (2nd + photo) I first was overwhelmed with the Cathedral (which I toured) followed by seeing Stork nests.
    I'll finish admitting that this is the hot/flat section of the Camino and it maybe not for me.
    So I'm planning to do shorter daily walks (3 days). Then take a train to Leon. BUT it's in pencil. I'll post as it develops. 🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    1112

    22 May LEŌN

    May 21, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Yesterday I went to the Leon Tourist office to find info for a walking tour. Unfortunately there is only one in English and we couldn't get them to answer the phone. However the lovely Tourist office Lady said the Catedral and Museum had Audio tours in English. I enjoyed them, particularly the Catedral. The 8th photo shows the 5 stages of the Catedral audio tour. Again historical information I appreciated. Photos 9, 10 and 11 are from the Museum. It has wealth of beautiful and ancient paintings, books etc. Last photo speaks for itself.
    Lucky Brucee later phoned the Tour Guide and will be enjoying his tour shortly. Included is a statue I'm a local park. Tomorrow I leave Leōn, back on the Camino Francés 🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    31

    21 May LEON

    May 21, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Hi ALL
    Thanks for your encouragement.
    The Maseta is behind me and I'm now in Leon.
    Big news for me is I've got a Physio appointment and had a had a hair cut 🤗
    Better news is I'll take Michelle R's advice and do a Walking tour (via Leon's Tourist office) today (weather is good).
    Other good news is I'll be at Casa Susi with Pam and her son and plans set for SdC on 9-11 June.
    If all this works out I'll also be at SdC Celebrating with the Lass who gave me that Hug at Roncesvalles 🤗
    First 4 photos are from memorable Burgos and the last 4 of Pilgrims boarding the bus as it crossed the Maseta.
    Again thanks for your advice and encouragement. Lucky Brucee sends Hugs (and for the ladies) Kisses 🙏🥰    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    4

    24 May Albergy Verde Hospital

    May 23, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Hi ALL
    Good fortune came my way on the Camino Frances tonight because the Albergue Verde is an exceptional Albergue. Lucky Brucee was blessed when given the lower corner bunk adjacent to 2 power points (unlike my previous Albergue with 2 power points for 4 Pilgrims).
    Today's walk was on the Maseta for 19Km. 19 because I took a Maseta detour of 800 mtrs. The arrow read BAR 500 mts, it was 800 and sunny. It was closed.
    Photos: the 2nd photo of me and Lekah & George (Singaporeans). Lovely couple I enjoyed many conversation with.
    The 3rd photo is the flat Maseta.
    In the 4th and 5th photos are the Stork nests complete with the mature Storks (breeding season).
    The 6th photo with a blond German lady who sent foot was aching. Lady in the middle is a Camino Angel who gave the German Lady a 4 km (and a Blessed Brucee) to our Albergue.
    11th phone is a famous Roman bridge, still in use. Lastly shows a Roman road stones feature.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    2Albergue Verde vegetarian food and Albergue are Buddhest decor and feelings.
    Less than 300K to SdCThat's Astorga In the distance. Plus 4+Ks to my o/n accommodation

    25 May25 Ponferrada

    May 25, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Yesterday I managed a 20+K walk on the Camino Frances from Hospital Albergue Verde to Astorga. Lots of Peregrinos, scenic views, ups and ups and even some downs. Camino chats to be remembered and a few Coffee, Coke stops to keep us hiking on 🤗.
    Ponferrada today and I hope for a tour of Knight Templar castle.🤞    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    This is a statue of a dignitary who found a buried statue of Mary.Hey doesn't this remind Camino Pilgrims of St Jean Pied de Port.11This is a sign imbeded into the footpath directing Pilgrims the way to

    26 May25 Ponferrada 🥳

    May 26, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Hi ALL
    I arrived by bus from Astorga to Ponfarrada where I've always wanted to visit the world heritage KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Castle and hopefully learn more about them. The cold morning was promptly followed by a sunny hot afternoon. An evening stroll around this part of Ponferrada was very pleasant. Benches on the street and in their lovely park were occupied by ladies (young and old) quietly chatting away, dogs chasing toys and the young ladies chatting away.
    I could help myself and took many photos, even splashed out a couple of w/c. As a friend has pointed out I have a habit of visiting prime locations on a Monday, when the prime reason is to a visit sites are closed. Fortunately I'm here tomorrow when the Knights Templar Castle is opened.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    The horizons are no longer flat.The first part of leaving Ponfarrada is in a shady park with a fast flowing stream.218pm 31⁰C, No humidity 🤗2

    28May 25 CACABELOS

    May 28, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Knights Templar behind me and an 8am departure for a 2pm arrival in CACABELOS. As you can see it's less < 200 Ks to SdC.
    And yes it warmed up to the low 30s.
    Just a few photos today as I was keen to cover the 15+Km.
    Tomorrow a shorter hike, arriving at Villafranca.    Read more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    Even hotter.. say 33⁰ and sunny in Cooled down in evening
    The main of 2 Catedrals2Huge and very impressive Catedral.Love the boomerang in receptionCatedral #2Catedral #1Locals river outside my window

    29May 25 Villafranca

    May 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Not a big distance walk today. It had 2 hills and took 20,162 Steps. Arrived at accommodation early, they let me in and offered a free Americano coffee. Great room and bathroom. Love it.
    Photos and captions followRead more

  • Bruce StanleySDCTraveler
    I think he's guarding Villafranca from Australia 🤣
    Guess where 😆View looking back at VillafrancaIt's under 200 🤣Locals love their window flower boxes

    31 May CASA SUSI and ...

    May 31, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Hi ALL
    Many times on this Camino I've been blessed, but while I treasure everyone of them, the Video calls from Glenella AND the WARM welcome and shared Hugs from Susi&Fermin truly made my Camino.
    From my grateful heart, thank you all.
    Pamela and her son Dane are also at Casa Susi :-)))

    The 9K walk from Villafranca was lovely... lush green hills, I kept thinking of France, not sunny hot Spain.
    Tomorrow is a 15K walk up the first part of O'Cebreiro.
    It's 80+K to Sarria. My current plan is to walk via SAMOS. When I get to Sarria I'll bus it to SdC (son David and I walked from Sarria to SdC in 2023).
    BTW my SEVILLLE plans are cancelled. Seville's current temperatures are 38⁰ and 39⁰C.
    My Canadian body can't take that 🥰    Read more

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