More el Pajar de Oncina

Mona the dog got excited to see her friend come to the neighborhood
The host made dinner for little old me. I’m the only one here. All my Camino pals are also miles away. Dinner was excellent.Lue lisää
Leaving Oncina - blisters!!

Oh no - blisters! And ‘only’ 300km to go!
So I have off-the-shelf orthotics from my podiatrist. It seems after a few hundred km on these, there is a circle at the heal that loses its structure.Lue lisää
Into Hospital de Órbigo

Walked next to the train tracks for a bit. So 🚂
Lots of storks on the way into town.
Hospital de Órbigo

15 mile day. Made it to my albergue. They are making a vegan diner. Nice big yard. Big pretty bridge into downtown. Resting my feet.
San Justa de la Vega

Last night’s host, Pablo, told me about this place in the middle of nowhere that was very cool. It had a hippie vibe and you just leave however much money you wanted to, and they had a huge spreadLue lisää
Astorga

Apparently the chocolate capital of Spain. Also home of some more Gaudi architecture.
Leaving Órbigo - end of Meseta?

Leaving Hospital de Órbigo Albergue Verde, we soon came to small town of Villares de Órbigo which apparently has its own garlic festival in the summer. Friendly owner. Got a stamp sello for myLue lisää
Astorga rest day

Chilled in Astorga today. Didn’t do much. Moved from a hotel to an albergue. Toured the Gaudi designed Bishops Palace. It was fancy. Saw some 2000 year old ruins too. Had greasy churros with coffeeLue lisää
Astorga to Rabanal

12.5 miles uphill in the rain today. i’m actually pretty happy my feet and legs and heart and lungs didn’t seem to complain too much for this walk. The weather report called for a chance of rainLue lisää
One Month! - Leaving Rabanal

Can’t believe I’ve been doing this a whole month!
Very cold breeze leaving Rabanal this morning. D’oh! I misplaced my gloves!!! 🧤 grabbed some toe socks and plasticLue lisää
Snow!

300 meter gain up to Foncebadón, it rained much of that. I stopped for a bit for a coffee and date energy ball, they had a fire going. By the time I left, it had changed to snow. ❄️. For the nextLue lisää
Relive vid - Rabanal to Molinaseca

I wanted to add my Relive video from today today
Molinaseca

Longest walk yet for me. 17mi. Steep uphills and downhills the whole time. But my legs survived. After visiting the Cruz de Farrow which is at the top almost 5000 feet elevation, I tried to take theLue lisää
Short walk to Ponferada

Today was a very short walk only about 8 km. I wore my poncho because it was misting, never rained real hard.
I have a hotel room to myself, it’s not in the best part of town, so I don’t think ILue lisää
Cacabelos

That’s fun to say! Check out this room! Siglo XIX is an awesome spot. Unfortunately their kitchen isn’t open, but I made do. Nice comfy bed. The church bell rings often and is right outside myLue lisää
To Villafranca del Bierzo

On my way to Trabadelo tonight. Just stopping here for a coffee con leche sin lactosa y bocadillo chorizo. The landscape has changed to pretty vineyards in rolling hills. Very nice. Perfect coolLue lisää
Trabadelo

Made it to Casa Susi’s In Trabadelo. 300+ yr old house / stable converted to albergue by ausie pilgrim Susi several years ago. And Spanish architect husband helps run it. Reviews say she serves someLue lisää
Herrerías

Short day of about 7mi today. In fact, arrived too early to check-in. So stalling with a bocadillo y cerveza. Their sandwiches are huge! But all bread. This is an extremely small village along a smallLue lisää
Preview of tomorrow’s horsies

My ride for tomorrow. I hear it’s 2 hours to get to top of this mountain. I am hoping to walk another 12 miles after the horses drop me off.
Check out how one of the horses is allowed to snack onLue lisää
Herrerìas part2 - first rainbow!

Several days of rain and sun and this is the first rainbow I’ve seen in Spain!
Horse ride up to O Cebreiro

The day called for an 1800’ elevation gain right off the bat. I don’t think I would have enjoyed that even if healthy. With my chest cold though, I needed help.
Luckily, Victor is famous for hisLue lisää
To Triacastela

After my ~8km horse rides, I had another ~21k to walk. Thankfully, no saddle soreness or leg issues. But this was a tough walk for me anyway. A few short very steep inclines. Then a descent thatLue lisää
Pintin

About 7miles today, so shorter than normal. But my legs were very tired. Seemed to have many many steep descents. Some of the prettiest little valleys though. Also paths that were in shaded troughsLue lisää
Through Saria

Saria is where most people start the Camino Frances. I had heard things would really change here as it get much more crowded. That was very true! My unscientific analysis is there are 20 times (!)Lue lisää
100km to go!!! - Leaving Morgade

Pretty walk today. I left at about 8:30, so the only Saria crowds I saw were a few of the very fastest walkers. It was nice. And a pretty walk! Met a nice lady from Columbia. But then didn’t see herLue lisää