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Camino francés
  • Rhonda Gerber
  • Rhonda Gerber

Camino francés

Camino de Santiago de Compostela Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 6, 2024
  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler

    La Grande plage

    July 8, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    à la plage - I'm having a perrier and Sangria at Café de la grande plage

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    Bye Bye! Biarritz train station
    St. Jean Pied de portUp the hill to the pilgrim welcome centerThe pilgrim welcome centerThe church in St. Jean Pied de portMy bed in the hostelMy first stamp on my "Credenciel" I got from the welcome centerVery nummy!!! It tasted somewhat sweetQuite an opposite message of the way of the Camino which is all about kindnessThe old castle from the 1600'sThe moatGoing back down to the town from les remparts1Some cute sheep nestled in the grass below the castle

    St. Jean Pied de port

    Jul 9–10, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Took the train from Biarritz to Bayonne. Transferred and took another train to St. Jean Pied de port. Went to the pilgrim welcome centre where I met a wonderful family that gave me a coquille. Went to my hostel to find out that my reservation was for tomorrow!! Duh!! The concierge was so helpful and phoned his friend and got me a bed at 29 rue de la Citadelle. Now, I'm enjoying a Kanterbräu beer at a creperie. Afterwards, walked around les remparts of the town. What an amazing view of the town amidst the mountains!! In the evening, at the hostel, met Ferdinand's 2 sons from England.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    leaving St. Jean Pied de port
    2Taking a short break after making it up the incline. very hot weather, so it was nice to stand in thOn the way...The view of St. Jean Pied de port in the distanceRocky roadThe countrysideTortilla aux patatesBye bye Orisson1This is where I took the wrong turnGoogle map directions for tomorrow because it is going to be 16 kms to hike and I cannot afford to t

    Borda Albergue

    Jul 10–11, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    From St. Jean Pied de port, I took a break at Orisson to eat. It was a very hot and sunny day. I felt like I was getting heat exhaustion. I arrived at the Borda Hostel after I took a wrong path which added an extra 2 hours. They were completely booked, but Lorenzo accommodated me as did the other pilgrims. They made room for me. The view was beautiful. In the evening, we had a wonderful dinner together after everyone introduced themselves.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    The beginning of the incline
    Flock of sheep at the top rightmore sheep, more incline1wild horses1Looking behind to appreciate the path that I came upThe path behind me1The incline l came up onoverlooking the mountain range2Food truckmore sheep and horsesLooking behind meThe hard part is yet to begin. The camino veers off to the right, through the mountain divide.1Made it to col de Lepoeder at elevation of 1450 metres. Woohoo!Arriving at the albergue (monastery) in RoncesvallesMy bunk #2194 bunks in the pod

    RONCESVALLES

    Jul 10–11, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Left Borda at 7:10 am. 16 km of walking through mountains, very windy the higher up I got. Stunning views overlooking the valleys while walking through many animal droppings. Arrived at the Albergue at 2:10 pm.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    1started out at 8:10am and leaving Roncesvalles
    Rocky pathnormal path, with Ievel terrain...Hallelujah!Small rocks, not very good for the feet... or the anklea glimpse of the surrounding range because most of the day has been spent in the forest!!!@!! XXX!@$#@%&^**** I thought I was done with rocks....OMG!! This can't be happening! More rocky terrain!This must be a nightmare! More rock!This is the path from hell ...This is a really mean trick! More rock (shale) .1My poor left foot2my left ankle1my right ankle1supper time made by the wonderful Italian pilgrims2Marcella, woman in red at the stove, is cooking best carbonera pasta I've ever had in my life

    Roncesvalles to Zubiri

    Jul 12–14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    At 8:10, after breakfast, and answering Glen's (Perth, Australia) difficult question of why I'm doing the camino, I headed out on the 22 km in the rain, on the rocky-road trek to Albergue Rio de Arga, in Zubiri. I arrived at 6:10 pm (stopped for about 1.5 hours sporadically on the way). Each time I saw more rocks and steep slopes downward, I took a moment to strategize which way would cause the least threat to fall, twist the ankle, and leave me to the wild dogs. In Zubiri, the first albergue I went to, was very welcoming and the host carried my backpack up to the room. I met Yong (SK- Sports psychologist) and Pierre (Limoges) who I shared the room with. Then, I was invited to eat with kind Italians who later partied on the balcony, under my open window, til about 1:00 am to the background music of the Arga river. No worries because I could barely sleep anyway-my back and legs were killing.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    my first coffee of the day... long overdue at 1:00pm
    Hamburger medium rare, cheese, lettuce, tomato, egg over-easy, almost raw bacon, cheese ring top3Caramel cake for dessert2my bunk on the bottomview from the room windowThe top left 2 windows are my room. Can hear the river gurgleOverlooking the Arga river from the medieval bridgepretty flowers and what seems to be lavenderThe charming street that the alberque is onthe name of the street where I'm stayingThe albergue is the building on the far right, on the river, by the medieval bridgeThe street where I had lunch1The medieval bridge, Puente del RabiaLassie, 11 years old, playing in the river with Papa

    Albergue Rio Arga Ibaia, Zubiri

    Jul 13–15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Today,Saturday, July 13, is a rest day. My sleep was restless and the other pilgrims left at 6am. I later woke up at 9:50am when Sabine entered the room to clean. I tried getting the technological authentification process figured out between credit card and my European phone number: called twice to Canada but their help did not help. Finally, figured it out with Sabine's suggestion of switching the SIM card. Went for lunch at 1:00 pm (My tummy was growling...no breakfast). Found a small restaurant just around the corner, and had a lovely lunch. Later, did laundry, looked after my blister, strolled through town, and ate the other half of my burger for supper.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    MAGNA : a magnesite mine
    a narrow path and very tall grassThe other end of MAGNA'S mining siteThe path / steps I just came downThe path ahead1hmmm... am I entering the world of the Hobbits??I think these might be wild plums??The hamlet of Illaratz : population of 94Bye-bye Illaratz !The Illarratz abbey, a 12th century Romanesque churchA tunnel of trees2This sign gave me a chuckle, not a poop ...Walking along the riverCafé la Parada on the Arga river1lunch: sausage omelette and coffeeMr G! You should be here! This is where you could show off :)see the sign on the right side? Gotta walk on the side of the road for a bit...Phew... fortunately there was this path beside the roadOn the road again. Where is Willy Nelson when you need him?Going to cross over the Arga river

    Zubiri to Arre (part 1)

    Jul 14–15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Started walking at 7:30 am. It started off well, with beautiful, cool weather and decent paths. After brunch 11:30am, the weather was hot at 33 degrees and not much shade. Throughout the walk, I consistently met up with some nice young Germans and a Quebecoise (Chrissy), and American from Utah (Peter).Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    The Arga river
    a good sign : Irotz 1 km (means I'm going the right way)follow the shell signs ...building built right into the rocknarrow path ahead...Irotz: population of 35Irotz continuedYay! A fountain...I think this is the hamlet of OpciónDavidia involucrata, the dove-tree, handkerchief tree, pocket handkerchief tree, or ghost tree,next pathIn Zabaldika. Only 3.5 km to ArreBye-bye beautiful wheat fields of ZabaldikaRed poppies sprinkled in the wheatPublic bathroom and a sign that was confusingWC sign : go straight; another sign referred to place not in my guide bookUp the hill we go. A local woman driver said to go up the hill...overlooking the landscape at 500m.A beautiful path and building ahead

    Zubiri to Arre (part 2)

    July 14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    This part of the day was beautiful and hot

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    1Tunnel under the highway
    overlooking the highwaygetting closerSign for the albergue . Over the bridge we go...The sign says to stamp our own credenciel, which is unusual. This is the "wrong " entrance.1Doing my laundryThe side of the building and the bridge I came overThat's the "real" entrance to the albergue1The street is empty1supper: chili and lime chips and lemon beer. Very nummy!1another view of the bridgeThe info panel on the streetThe places on the "Via Charlemagne" - his route while trying to conquer EuropeCharlemagne's Route which aligns with the Camino de SantiagoThe courtyard of the alberguethe kitchenthe kitchenthe "other" sleeping quarters where the young folks slept1The women's areaThe cat sitting on the ledge caught my eye as I left the next morning

    Trinidad de Arre, Albergue

    Jul 14–15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Arrived at the albergue, Trinidad de Arre, at 3:30pm. The signage for the entrance pointed to the door that had the "open" sign, but in actuality, the entrance was around the corner. Another sign instructed to stamp our own credenciel. Fortunately, after I rang the bell at the "entrance", a nice young man, Xavier from Spain, came to find me. The same confusion happened to him. The host, José, was nice enough, but no information was given about the facilities, and the wifi didn't work in the rooms. It only worked near the office which outside of the sleeping quarters and was untidy & rustic: like a caved entrance. The accomodations were sparse. In town, everything was closed because of San Fermin. I found an open shop which had mostly candy but I found some chips and beer for supper. I sat in the park to eat and the one other man there might have thought I was a hobo, but I ate my spicy chips with gusto lol. 9:00pm, the boys at the other end of the floor watched the EURO Soccer match between Spain and UK (2-1).Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    Bathroom at the albergue Citadel
    my bunk, bottom left, in middleThe albergue was right next to the CatedralThe al bergue entranceLa Granja restaurant where I saw lots of people1The restaurant was full. The waiter set up a table for me at the entrance. 1st course: meat paellaSteak, frites, jalapenosThe street that the restaurant (on left) was onSan Fermin 2024 posters on the streetI do not know11The store for pilgrims2my new sandalsleaving the Caminoteca store

    Pamplona

    Jul 15–16, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Day of Rest: Ignacio, the shoe store owner, told me to take a day of rest. Spent 3 hours with him. He made sure to get good fitting shoes and sandals for me. He also explained the importance of magnesium and complex sports vitamin for the hiking. I bought the recommended items from him. Then, I listened to the "doctor's" orders, I went to find an albergue instead of continuing to walk.Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    Marching onwards
    down we gounderneath and throughbeside the road and under the viaduct1Hang a left at the fig tree1The bridge I just came overNext...Yay! Some shade.1Huh! A snack table for pilgrims.1Are we there yet?I see some buildingsUp the hillnow where?I made it! Gazpacho for appetizer1Beef and potatoes by chef and most of the albergue!

    Puenta la Reina to Lorca (Part 2)

    July 17, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Finishing up the
    walk of the day and arrived at Lorca around 3:30pm. It was 32°C and I walked 15.5 km. Host José Ramon was very kind and thoughtful. He offered water when I arrived, and said to take a shower and get comfortable before checking in. He then offered the use of a VOIP program to call Canada. While I was doing that he was mopping the dining area. Later, he made dinner for us all. Amazing host!!!Read more

  • Rhonda GerberCamino francésTraveler
    Oasis Trails entrance
    1The room was up the stairsBoot rack and bathroom1Have to make my bed as usual2Bed is made1Time to take a shower2Wow! A footbath!! With ice cubes!the terrace1The view from the terraceThe " instruction" boards for pilgrims1The plaza in front of the terrace

    Oasis Trails, Villamayor Monjardín

    Jul 19–20, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Very nice people here. Footbath with ice cubes, water refills, and a very nummy supper : mixed salad, beet salad vegetarian lasagna, gooey brownie with ice cream. We all sat together with chef from Switzerland. She explained the very democratic process of the Swiss government. Unfortunately, I have forgotten named and didnt take pictures of our meal together.Read more

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