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Carl & Hollie's Camino
  • Carl Perkins
  • Hollie Perkins
  • Carl Perkins
  • Hollie Perkins

Carl & Hollie's Camino

Burgos to Santiago, with a few days in Barcelona to start. Read more
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  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Our lovely host last night
    Our "clandestine" albergue"post-it note" tree to message other pilgrimsKiru and friendsStunning viewsWe have now crossed into GalaciaAt the topMaking way for oncoming traffic

    Camino Day 19 (part 1) - Linares

    September 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    After a lovely breakfast, and sending our packs ahead, we headed off to tackle the big climb.
    The day would be broken into four sections, the first three to reach the top and the last to reach out albergue.
    The first section was steep and tested the legs, but without our packs it felt like we were flying!!
    The track was amazing and the views were stunning. The first section done and we stopped in the town for a coffee.
    The second section was a little easier but still straight up. Once we reached the next town, we stopped for a juice :)
    The third section was when we reached the summit town of O' Cebreiro, which we did by 11am. We stopped here for a long break, lunch and a couple of well earned beverages.
    The last section was only another 3km into Linares and albergue. A quick shower then off to get supplies to cook our own dinner tonight, and a beverage or two.
    Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches, not very Spanish but a unanimous decision, along with two bottles of a great local red.
    All illness and blisters on my part are fully recovered, Hollie is still nursing a blister it two, but we are both in excellent shape and felt great!    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 19 (part 2) - O'Cebreiro

    September 12, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    We tackled "the big hill" today, an almost vertical climb to the town of O'Cebreiro. Along we way up we passed a group of Korean students who were on a 12 month trip around the world (another story, another time). One 16 year old in particular, Kiru, started chatting with us. He asked to interview us. He then asked the one question that I still find difficult to answer...
    Why do you walk the Camino?
    I have the usual answer.... for the challenge, for the experience.... I'm not religious.
    It was not until we reached the town and I entered the church and saw the Pilgrims Pray on the wall, I realised, this is why I love the Camino.
    Take out the God stuff, those who know me know I'm not religious, but each time I do this it does have an impact on my life, I hope for the positive.
    I love the way people interact on the Camino, the selfishness and openness, the caring, and gratitude for the smallest of things is heart warming, and is what keeps drawing me back.
    I'm not sure when or if I will be back for another, but will endeavour to bring the Camino back home with me.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Grain storageMorning ritual

    Camino Day 20 - Triacastela

    September 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    We left early just before sunrise, only because we were all up and ready. Today was another spectacular walk through the mountains and small villages, again.
    We were a little slower today, which could have been the two bottles of wine last night..
    As we passed through one village the views were being herded down the street, and out popped an old father's wife with freshly made crepes for us. I swear it was the same lady from six years ago in the same village.
    We shared a lot of the path today with big cows with big horns, really quite nice, slow but nice, until they poop.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 21 - Samos

    September 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    An easy day today, as we have decided not to do rest days but short days instead.
    So today was just 10kms but through the most peaceful and beautiful countryside I've seen.
    This is an alternate route, so most of the pilgrims turn right from Triacastela, we turned left to Samos.
    This town is home to a 1500 year old monastery that is still in use today and has been serving pilgrims for over 1000 years. The albergue is by donation and sleeps about 70. I stayed here last time but this time we went for a bit more upmarket digs :)
    We did a tour of the monastery, and was given the history and walked through the internals. Amazing.
    Beck for a pilgrims meal and an early night!    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Couple of steep climbsCamino Support CentreThose bloody steps at SarriaHome for tonight

    Camino Day 22 - Sarria

    September 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    About a 9am start out of Samos as we only had 15kms to go today.
    The walk was through the same magnificent countryside from the previous day.
    No stops on the way for 2nd breakfast or a cold drink, but then we came across a private house in the middle of the trail that had set up a "Camino Support Centre".
    Coffee, tea, cold water, cake, biscuits, fruit, and wine!!! Just make a donation of whatever you can afford.
    It even has a full bathroom and a couple of beds available if you need them .
    Amazing hospitality.
    We entered Sarria around 12ish as it started to get warm and also the threat of rain.
    Found out albergue, I've stayed before, and then off for a nice burger for lunch and a walk around town.
    Bumped into our new American friends again, and we chatted for a while.
    Beck to the albergue to get the washing in before the rain and a rest before dinner.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Finally got a hot one!

    Camino Day 23 - Ferreiros

    September 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    After a rest (nap) in the afternoon we heard loud noise from the end of the street so we all got to to see what it was. It was our Korean friends performing with their drums. It was so great to see them in their full dress and performing a typical Korean act. They were really good.
    Headed out of Sarria early to be confronted with a scene from the walking dead.
    Sarria is typically where 90% of pilgrims start their Camino as you are only required to complete 100km to receive your Compestella.
    The last few days we were seeing a few people now the trail is well and truly packed.
    A few hills to contend with but again a short day for us with only 15kms to walk.
    Meet up again with our new Camino friends from New York State, Doug and Denise, and managed to have a drink with them at a couple of different places today.
    Arrived at our allergies by noon, after dodging a few bus loads of "Touregrinos", the opposite to Peregrino, who travel by bus and then get out just outside a town and walk in to get their Pilgrim stamp. Each to their own I guess.
    Nice modern albergue tonight with a restaurant opposite.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    1400 hundred done, 100 to go

    Camino Day 24 - Portomarin

    September 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    As we had a short day yesterday, we stayed mid stage so this morning we walked without the "walking dead". It was nice and peaceful, albeit a bit cold.
    We only had 10kms to go again today, so we arrived extremely early, and spent the day just relaxing.
    Caught up with some friends from South Africa, mum 74 walking with her daughter. An amazing lady who is finishing the Camino in stages. She will walk into Santiago this time. We hope to catch up with them when we are all in Santiago together.
    Passed the 100km mark today, so it is definitely coming to an end :(    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    They do love a big mural
    1Ancient ruins back to 1ADThe Polish group

    Camino Day 25 - Palas de Rei

    September 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    A short 25kms today so we left early to beat the rain. Turns out the rain didn't come and it was a dry day, with a few clouds.
    The "walking dead" were a bit quite so we walked in relative peace.
    Not many sights on the way today, but had a great Ox burger for lunch, along with a cold radler.
    The legs were a bit tired once we arrived at our destination, and luckily albergue was close to start of town.
    After a rest we headed in for dinner and found a great pasta place run by an Irish couple. We dined with a group from Poland and shared a few stories. Overall a great night!    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    21

    Camino Day 26 - Melide

    September 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Late start today, around 9am, as Rod and Hollie are carrying a bit of tendinitis in legs and feet. A slow day, but nice as we made our way to Melide.
    A bit of fog and mist but mostly sunny and cool.
    Had to stop for octopus at the "best pulpo me Way" according to the guys cooking it the front. It was pretty good and the place was packed..
    Our albergue was a bit out of the main town so we ordered pizza and settled down with a bottle of red and played cards till bed.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    Morning view from our albergue
    1Zoom inPlantations of gum treesScoping out dinner locations

    Camino Day 27 - Arzua

    September 20, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Getting back to normal distances with 17 today and 2 x 20km days coming up to finish.
    A little bit of rain today but not enough to be a problem, just enough to get our clothes wet but not enough to get wet under foot.
    It actually made a nice change.
    Injuries are healing and everyone is feeling great.
    The"walking dead" are dispersing a little, or we are getting used to them.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 28 - O'Pedrouzo

    September 21, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The girls started with a breakfast of champions, churros and chocolate, the boys with a more sedated tostada y jamon.
    Very busy day on the path today, with a few hills and valleys, but nice scenario all around.
    Great to see both the Red Cross patrolling (on mountain bikes) and the local police having a presence.
    A bit of rain to finish the day off, which was a little bit harder than the day before but still bearable.
    Turns out a monk from this region imported Australian Eucalyptus trees into Spain in the 19th century and they have taken off like wildfire.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Camino Day 29 - Santiago de Compostela

    September 22, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    So we made it.
    The last day was a tough one, really tough for Hollie. Unfortunately her injuries got the better of her and although it broke her heart, she had to call a taxi for part of the way.
    We meet up about 2 km's outside the city and still walked in together, as we started, just a lot slower.
    Hollie never really understood for a long time why I love the Camino, but she knew I wanted to share it with her. She exceeded not only my expectations but her own as well. I'm so proud that we did this together, still best friends.
    I'm sitting on my bunk (still in an albergue for 2 more nights!) processing a lot of thoughts and emotions.
    The main being hunger and thirst, so I'm off for both :)    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino
    1

    Santiago de Compestella

    Sep 23–26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Ok, so we had 3 days in Santiago to chill, relax and recover. Needless to say there were lots of tapas and drinks.
    We hired a car and took a road trip out to Finisterre and Muxia. Finisterre is known as the end of the world, as from the point, you can't see any other land, so it was thought there was nothing after that. It's also the ultimate end to the Camino.
    Spent a lot of time back in the square soaking up the atmosphere and watching pilgrims arrive.
    We were treated to some amazing street performers, especially the mariachi band who started playing at the back of the square late one night. They were amazing and so much fun.
    We stayed in the albergue for 2 nights then moved into a nice hotel.
    We wandered the streets and got lost in the best way. The vibe is so happy in the city, everyone seems to want to talk and share what they have just completed.
    The thought of packing to go home is a bit sad.    Read more

  • Carl & Hollie's Camino

    Home again

    September 28, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    After four flights and a total of 39 hours (26 in the air), we are home and our adventure comes to an end.

    Trip end
    September 28, 2023
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