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Camino 2023
  • Linda Marieskind

Camino 2023

I committed to doing a second Camino as soon as I came to the end of my journey six years ago. At that time I was still working, my time was limited so I only completed about 300 ks. This time I'm walking the whole Camino, 780 kms. Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 22, 2023
    Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler

    Vancouver

    April 23, 2023 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    Unfortunate to be allocated top bunk at Samesun hostel where I stay for 3 nights, ...after climb of 3 flights of stairs up to the room, so I'm getting the workout I needed for the day.

    Reflection - gain deeper information before booking hostels!

    That was after getting through customs at the airport, easily and rapidly compared to Auckland airport. It was then a 1.2 kilometre hike from the train station to get to the hostel The train went right from the airport to the centre of Vancouver city. While walking up I passed a closer station, if only had I known! Everyone I asked told me different getting off points, I ought to have asked the hostel!

    Reflection - I need to ask more specific questions at information points to get clearer instructions. No vaccine pass required for entry to Vancouver and no visa asked for either...what a scam!    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    Entrance to Granville Island
    Walking into the "Island"1124141

    Granville Island & Stanley Park

    April 24, 2023 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    A huge Vancouver market, on what they call "Granville Island" ( a bit like riverside in Chch, but on more massive scale) by ferry terminal and marina. Then Stanley Park, massive park even bigger than central park in New York, the guide told us.Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Leaving Vancouver

    April 25, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌙 2 °C

    Flying over the Rockies between Vancouver and Calgary

    Breakfast of today I met a cohort of young folk who had partied hard the night before and had had to call an ambulance for one of their number who had drunk 18 shots (and goodness knows what else) before passing out, vomiting and unable to move. He was kept in overnight suffering alcohol poisoning. The conversation was around how much they could drink, when they could start drinking again today, just a question said I " I'm sure you all know the units of standard drinks that are safe" .. No they said, is there such a thing?? hehe!!

    One of the young people, Kaitlin, is from Rotorua, well not originally, she is Scottish first, went to NZ as an 8 year old with her parents. and now travels between NZ and other places in the world for summer all year. She works on the Zip line and I promised to take my grandchildren there when she's back in October for a free ride. (right tui)....what a coincidence!! I also met Valerie who thought she'd like to be a psychologist, I think I may have talked her into a second choice, along with the other young folk of course...to think about being a flight attendant as she said she just wanted to travel??

    You just have to laugh, honestly. The other thing about Vancouver is that marijuana is legal and is smoked out in the open, on the streets, and I'm sure I got a bit dizzy walking to the station (maybe psychological but still a strong feeling), I was appalled, children exposed to the smoke, it is a different world entirely. I was also shocked at the amount of street people encountered all along the main street, hands in rubbish bins filling black bags with cans to sell. One guy I met on the bus had a huge garden bag full and as we chatted I asked him how much he might get for this bag, $30 possibly was the reply. "It will buy me some cigarettes and a beer for the day." He said he was too old to stop smoking.
    Ah well, I left for my 5 o'clock flight at 1 p.m. only to find when I arrived that I was to travel domestically to Calgary first before getting another flight to London. The flight was only an hour, but the sight of those Rocky mountains was something else to behold, just stunning then Calgary came into view in a flat flat foothill square city, sandy sandy and brown from the air, not much green at all, I had another two hours before my flight to London. Sat in the bar/restaurant and had some dinner - no meat burger and chips....that'll keep me going for sure.    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    Saintsbury s Hammersmith

    Wake up in London

    April 27, 2023 in England

    Walk to Hammersmith Library and shopping precinct

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    1111121

    Isle of Wight

    April 29, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Exploring the Island
    Awake again in the early hours, awaiting the house to wake up around 10 a.m. I busied myself on emails, photos and eventually going down to make breakfast around 8 a.m. Family still not up so I went back to my room to shower and dress to get ready for the day. Feeling a bit tired again, i lay down and promptly fell asleep to wake up around 10.30 a.m.
    By this time everyone was awake and ready to go walk! We set off down hill, then uphill to see the stunning views along Isle of Wight coast line. I was glad of my walking poles making life so much easier. We came across thatched houses and lovely beach huts seen in the distance. Eventually we came across a wee cafe where we met some friends of Ros's, Rosemary, Angela and David (Ros is Margaret and Colin's friend who has the house on the island).
    A very cute cafe where we all chatted and ate amicably and were invited back to have coffee with Ros's friends.

    We walked further along the coast road then up to the street with David, a chap from Barbados who happily followed his wife, Rosemary back to England. He is a keen photographer and we were privileged to see his work at their home.

    Back to Ros's home, a quick change and off to explore another area called Ventnor where we walked down a very steep path to the beach front, although rocky it was definitely worth the effort. We had hoped to get to an icecream shop but unfortunately it was closed so we settled for a cold drink at the Royal Hotel where it is said Queen Victoria took tea! The houses on the beach front were an eclectic mix of everything from thatched roof cottages to shacks to modern day homes, and very quaint! How anyone got supplies down there is amazing!

    Home again and tired after the wonderful sea breeze I fell fast asleep at 5.30 after struggling to keep my eyes open and slept a good 3 hours. Possibly also making up for the hours I lost last night or early this morning. As it is now almost 1 a.m. I'm about to close the lap top and sleep..... again! Love always, xxxxooo    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2Beginning of Chine
    1850s bridge in Chine1Colin standing on Old bridge within Chine probably built in mid 1900s1View in ChineInfo about WW2 pipeline to francePart of original pipeline carrying oil to France for the WW2 effort3Meggie tried the stocks, very uncomfortable indeed2Happy coupleThe English Channel3Meggie went for a swim in the English Channel2At the other end of the Chine2We drove down here to the restaurant Pavarotti

    Last bit of touring on Isle o Wight

    May 1, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The Chine and chippy

    Today we head back to London and the big city after the relative serenity of the Isle of Wight. I took myself off to walk down Hope Road to the beach, phew!! A massive down to the shore front was amazing really gave my knees a good work out... I had thought that Megs n Colin would come down to meet me, but about two hours later I wandered back up to the house after trying to reach them on the phone.
    I couldn't work the key in the door so sat on the swing summer seat in the front yard. A few minutes later Colin called to say they were down at the beach front. Off I went again to meet Megs n Col and wander down the other end of the beach to a lovely cafe where we watched Megs get into the freezing cold water of the English Channel for a swim. She did it, got her whole body under!! Even the locals were amazed!
    We wandered back up the very steep hill home where Ros was just getting organised for her day. I went through her mail with her and then we went to do a little more exploring of Isle of Wight to what they call the Chine, a gorge found in the 1870s and cleaned up by the locals to make a great walk, inlcuding rare plants. The following are photos of our day.
    It takes around three and a half hours (like Rotorua to Auckland for me) to take the subway, a train, a bus, a hovercraft and then another bus to get to and from Isle of Wight. We were glad to get home and relax on the couch after our adventures. Thanks to Ros for her hospitality.    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    1
    Baron's Keep going for a walk2Mr Tumbler TV for half an hourMr Tumbler on TV for Lachie teaching deaf languageWe walked down to Hammersmith Station and beyondHammersmith at Xmas2St Pauls garden where planning for DDay WW2 took placeFulham Palace Road

    Lachie day in Barons keep

    May 2, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Lachie for the day

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    on westminster bridge selling coronation paraphernalia
    2312

    Southbank today

    May 3, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Trip into Westminster to walk to Southbank

    Today I took the train to Southbank as per Colin's suggestion. Teaming with folk coming in all directions across the bridge from Westminster station, there was a lot to see including the lowlander playing the bagpipes in his full regalia. When I learn how to crop a video I will post. I got him to play his favourite tune and then Highland Cathedral. ( guess who I was thinking about there?)

    The other photos of course are of the Lion, a wonderful statue on top of a window in the old council buildings, the London eye..oh dear no way was I going to get on that monstrosity, Westminster Palace and big ben, which chimed just as I was videoing the piper!! The place seems to become more and more like Blackpool. There was sea world, london dungeon themed experience, and Shrek all next door to each other along with a merry go round, various food carts, restaurants galore along the way.

    It was a slow walk down the southbank pier into the centre a lot of which is closed off and walked down a narrow roadway which used to be the council buildings I believe to see the wee garden below with the crown atop it, and the sentry standing very still.

    I found a wee shop and bought a few wee coronation things and took the photo of the mini inside the shop...bless! Watched the tourist boats going up and down the Thames before walking across the next bridge to Charing Cross station to be on my way home again. A beautiful sunny sunny day, the weather is changing! Woohoo!!

    Today I have also been in touch with our cousin, Jean, after finding out she lives next door to Portsmouth where we just were at the weekend. We have organised to meet when I return from Spain. I am so excited to meet our kith and kin for the first time on Dad's closest family members.    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    1
    121

    Streatham Hill visit

    May 5, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    After sleeping in this morning Megs and I made for the train station going on our way to Streatham Hill where Sara, Owen and Lachie live. Again another couple of modes of transport to get there, and we arrived at the lovely town of Streatham, lovely wide main street and an oasis of calm in the middle of the block of apartments where Sarah and Owen live. Under renovation the flat is beginning to take the shape they want and it is very pleasant indeed.

    After a lovely lunch we wandered down to the main street again to enjoy coffee and cake at the 'vegan' cafe! Yay! Deeelicious, I allowed myself to have a sugary 'treat'. Wee lachie was delighted to be out and about and walking holding Grannie's hand. A walk in the park at the back of their house, and playing with the blossoms, Lachie was delighted, climbing, playing, running, tiring himself out. He got to play with the blossoms and a lovely wee video is herein of Sara and Lachie playing 'its snowing blossoms', so sweet.

    After a sad goodbye, Megs and I made our way home via Buckingham Palace, the place was beginning to pack up and unfortunately the mall was closed with police people moving people on, while people were excited there, the people who had been camped on the mall had been moved out and a rather sombre police presence taking away from the excitement being felt. Oddly too, there was a rather poor showing of 'Coronation Tatt' around the place as seen by some of the photos.

    Megs bought some of the tatt to bring home and we now have a flag display out of the veranda and tomorrow we will all gather to watch the Coronation here, eating scones and jam and cream! We will take a walk down to the street party as well, although it's expected it will be very full and crowded not the best for two wee toddlers..we'll see.    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    3
    1

    The Coronation

    May 6, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Woohoo, its the coronation, what excitement, Meggie went out first thing to get some coronation paraphernalia to put around the house, and some food stuff for our coronation tea! The day is grey, raining, but not cold, and it didn't deter people from gathering around the mall toward Buckingham Palace.

    I took a walk to the supermarket to get some milk, bread, other food stuffs and to see any other coronation tatt around the place, not much to see, but back in time to watch the coronation itself with Megs, Sara, Lachie, Penny and myself, food prepared, strawberry lemonade or cocktail for those drinking a bit of the hot stuff...and then Joff, Rosalia and Simon arrived to add to the celebratory tone of the day. It has been so lovely to see everyone again and many thanks to oor Megs and Colin for their hospitality and putting up with this vegan!!    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    311128

    Last day wi Megs, Colin & family for now

    May 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Begin my walk tonight by bus to Paris

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    Bus going into train to go through Chunnel??1Surreal feeling going inside a container basically then inside a tunnel under the sea!At the other end coming out of the chunnelParis metroGoing wrong way in Paris to Montparnasse gard2St Jean Piede de Porte

    Middle of the night to Paris

    May 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Travelling to Paris on Flix bus, then train to St Jean Pied de Porte

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    525125

    St jean pied de port

    May 10, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    At the beginning Camino

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2
    41312

    I did it..up and over Pyranees

    May 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    I climbed a mountain today, Buen Camino

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2231911237

    I'm now in a wee village called Espinal

    May 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Albergue Haizea

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
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    Saturday 13th May

    May 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Espinal to Zubiri to Larrasoana

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
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    Larrasoana to Pamplona

    May 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Rest at Zabaldika

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2Leaving Larrasosna
    Sign post to PamplonaAlbergue municipal Larrasoana42 men fishing they'd only caught one small one ..I asked!The road to Pamplona3Rest stop at Zabaldika decided to keep going to Pamplona2Wee video3

    Pamplona

    May 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    A long walking day

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
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    Day in Pamplona

    May 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Rest day today when I met Christian from Germany

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    4
    The Italian restaurant last nightPamplona town square1

    Leaving Pamplona

    May 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Getting packed now for my walk to Cezur Menor. I had a nice evening with Sue, Christian, Alan and Kira. We met at the Italian restaurant in the big square here and enjoyed a vegan spaghetti and loads of good chat, shared pics of our families, except Christian who was adopted and not sure his adoptive parents really knew how to care for him.
    Today is an easy walk not going far I'll see how the road takes me. I've booked a bed as the hostels are getting packed up quickly. Some more stories to tell later💖    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler
    2

    Pamplona to Cezur Menor

    May 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Short walk to Cezur Manor today, and a lone one after leaving the city of Pamplona. It took a few kms to get into the countryside again, today was mostly on hard pavement so I have decided to send my bag on by transport to give my hip, knees and toes a rest as the road up the mountain is up up up!

    Again, people stop me and point me in the right direction when getting a bit lost and I am particularly grateful to a young secondary school teacher who cycles along the path I'm taking. He has suggested after I reach the top of the mountain on Thursday, that I take the cycle route down as the mountain route is full of loose stones. So I'm going to head his advice. He taught me the way to eat my pan, olive oil and tomato this morning, such a lovely breakfast.

    I am sharing the bunk room here with only two other pilgrims, one Iris from Austria and a gentleman from Germany. Iris and I walked into the village further to see if any restaurant was open and found Jean Michelle and Guy in the bar so we sat with them to wait for the restaurant to open at 7pm.

    The albergue here is so clean and ordered with free food spaghetti and fried tomato paste garlic, dried bread, biscuits, coffee, milk. Basic but enough. It is next door to the cathedral where I sat for an hour. It is under restoration.    Read more

  • Linda MarieskindCamino 2023Traveler

    Up ànd up to Zariquiegui

    May 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Cold morning àgain 7 degrees, at least it's not freezing!! Hehe!! The albergue here is not heated as it's in a very old house next door to the temple of su primer Iglesia de la Encomienda de la Soberana Order Militar de Malta. Built in 1150 Approx... No wonder it's very cold inside...

    It's called Sanjuanista..so I'm about to head off after a huge breakfast of spaghetti and toasted bread with some lovely marmalade ..have to make the most of it ..apparently no shops now on the way I go. More later...    Read more

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