wales and the camino

August – September 2016
  • Nancy Hutt
A 26-day adventure by Nancy Read more
  • Nancy Hutt

List of countries

  • Spain Spain
  • Wales Wales
  • Ireland Ireland
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  • 1.4kmiles traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight640kilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
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  • Horse-kilometers
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  • 21footprints
  • 26days
  • 45photos
  • 14likes
  • Uterga to Villatuerta

    August 27, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Most of today's hike was on paths next to fields. We walked through several small villages and tried to take breaks in each one. There was little or no shade today and it's still in the 90s so lots of water and rest stops. We passed golden fields of either cut hay or wheat, lots of grape vines with bunches of purple grapes, but they looked like they needed a few weeks to mature. Olive trees were often the borders for the grapes, and they were loaded with green olives, but I don't know if they were ripe. We passed several fig trees with tiny figs, and bushes with orange balls that looked like tiny persimmons. Jerry thought they were rose hips but we're still unsure. The best part of today was both sides of the trail had blackberries that just ripened in this heat so everyone along the way was eating handfuls of them. So I'm thinking this area of Navarra is like the San Joaquin or central valley in Calif., the breadbasket for Spain. Pictures show churches in the villages, Puente La Reina bridge, and the countryside. The last picture is out of focus but gives an idea of our camino walk today.Read more

  • Villatuerta to Los Arcos

    August 28, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today I got a ride to Los Arcos and Jerry and Dennis walked here. Yesterday I got overheated and was covered in a heat rash so we decided I would take a taxi here, partly because the Villatuerta to Los Arcos stretch is through farmlands with no shade and also because it was going to be a 16 mile day. But I have the best trail angel story for my experience today. Jerry and Dennis left at 6:00 am and I sat downstairs to wait for the owner to come so I could have him call a taxi for me. Well at 8:00 am I was still waiting. Then I hear noise upstairs and down comes a woman obviously not a peregrina carrying 2 shopping bags. Then her husband follows down the stairs dressed for hiking. He speaks English so I explain what I'm doing and he says, "Not a problem, my wife will drive you to Los Arcos." He explained that he walks the camino while his wife drives to the next town and shops. Then they meet and stay in an albergue and do the same thing the next day. His name is Angel and he certainly was one. We drove to Estella and they bought me breakfast. Then Angel started walking and Rosie and I drove to Los Arcos. When we got here she walked me ro the church, told me how beautiful it was, checked when it opened, and wished me buen camino. Then while I was having coffee in the plaza waiting for the church to open 2 peregrinos sat down near me and we got to talking. It was a mom and her son, both from Philadelphia. Well turns out he is a triple crown guy, PCT, CDT, and AT. He has films of all of these and gave me his business card so I could share it with Jerry and Dennis. Then on top of all that he is moving to Ashland when he finishes the Camino. So what started out to be a tearful day for me turned out to be a delightful one. Jerry and Dennis got in at 1:30, hot and tired. I booked a private room in our albergue for Jerry and I, we actually have regular towels and sheets, it's those little things you appreciate, all for 35 euros.Read more

  • Los Arcos to Viana

    August 29, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We woke up to much cooler weather - yea - and it stayed cloudy all the way here. We walked almost exclusively on earthen paths through farmland. We had a short day, just 10 miles, because the next place is Logrono, a huge city that takes almost 2 hours to walk through. We are staying at a municipal albergue that we stayed in last time, but I forgot there is only one women's toilet and one men's toilet for the 46 people staying here. Tomorrow I booked an albergue where Dennis gets his own room and Jerry and I get a double, we're all looking forward to that.Read more

  • Viana to Navarette

    August 30, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today's camino was mostly on asphalt through Logrono, 155,000, then a huge park at the edge of the city, around a lake and across 3 freeways. The camino has bridges that cross the freeways but it feels a little odd to have a backpack on, carry your sticks, and watch 4 lanes of traffic whiz by underneath. In Navarette we climbed to the center of town where the church overlooks the town square. Today we passed so many vineyards full of dark purple grapes. Logrono is the capital of the Rioja region, which is famous for its wine. There are over 400 wineries in this area.Read more

  • Navarette to Azofra

    August 31, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    We walked about 13 miles today, again through vineyards. We are staying at the same albergue we stayed at last time. It is purpose built and it's divided into cubicles of 2, which gives us a little privacy, except both sexes share the showers (I had forgotten). When we got here none of the rooms on the second floor had been assigned so I bolted up the stairs and used their showers. There's also a hot tub, with cold water, outside and everyone is soaking sore feet.Read more

  • Azofra to Granon

    September 1, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    A beautiful day with lots of wheat and hay fields. We traveled mostly on farm roads with lots of rolling hills. We stopped in Santo Domingo to visit the cathedral. The hens are still housed there. It's a wonderful legend about the hens and the church. We walked another 4 miles to Granon. Once again the church is in the center of town. While we were walking around town the bells began to ring and people walking from the town and others driving in began to arrive for a funeral.Read more

  • Granon to Villamayor Montes de Oca

    September 2, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today's camino was on dirt roads through farm fields with several small villages along the way. The down side was it was right next to a major highway, think walking alongside Interstate 5. We are staying at an albergue that is attached to a hotel. The pictures of the mounts are in the bar. There are assorted mounts above on all 4 walls. I'm going to find out the details later. I thought Daryl might get a kick out of them.Read more

  • Villamayor to Ciruena Delrio

    September 3, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Today we were only walking to Ages, then on to Burgos tomorrow, but we reached Ages about 11:30 am and our albergue wasn't even open so we decided to continue for another 5 miles. So we are in a small town about 8 miles out of Burgos. We are staying at a lovely albergue, only about 6 other peregrinos here, and Jer and I got a habitacion doble (a double bed by ourselves) with our own bathroom AND air conditioning. I don't think Jerry is leaving. Today we climbed several low mountains and even walked through oak and pine forests, quite different from previous days. Dennis said it was the first time he's felt at home. Now it's all downhill to Burgos and a rest day. The first picture is a church about a mile from here, second picture shows a typical bar/ retaurant where we stop for breakfast or lunch, third pic is just a cool cow munching along the way.Read more

  • Ciruena Delrio to Burgos

    September 4, 2016 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We had an easy walk into Burgos. This time we walked along the Rio Arlanzon. It's Sunday so the closer we got to Burgos the more walkers, runners and bicyclists we passed. We are staying at Meson El Cid, where we stayed last time, and have a beautiful view of the cathedral.Read more