Sarria-Santiago via Souel 2018

Northern Spain, camino from Sarria to Santiago, walk from Collioure to Cadaques Read more

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May 26, 2018
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Day 1
Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 9:20 AM
29 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Singapore Queen Elizabeth Walk 1.2931, 103.8557971°17’35” N 103°51’21” E
26 May - Luxury Singapore Stop
May 26, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 29 °C
Easy trip to airport in the Jag, followed by comfortable A380 8 hour flight. Cab to Hotel Fort Canning arriving in time for Nobilis Sauvignon Blanc happy hour with fellow guests.
Lau Pa Sat for chicken satays and pork dumplings.
Relaxing bath and a good nights sleep.Read more
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Day 2
Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 6:12 PM
29 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Singapore Queen Elizabeth Walk 1.2931, 103.8557971°17’35” N 103°51’21” E
27May Singapore
May 27, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 29 °C
Luscious full breakfast at HFC after nespresso in bed to wake up. Had morning swim till the forecast rain arrived. Checked out at noon then walked down to Smith St Chinatown having late lunch of soya chicken at the very professional (and air conditioned) Michellan Star Hawker Stall, weirdly followed by a great portugese tart. Back for late afternoon pool relaxation time before the next flight.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 11:44 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Spain Plaça del Rei 41.383904, 2.1793841°23’2” N 2°10’46” E
28 May Singapore to Barcelona
May 28, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Overnight flight landed at 7:30am. Staying in El Born again in Hotel Mercer Boria. Love this area with its eclectic mix of shops - boutiques, handbags, jewellery mixed in with bars, cafes, indian mini markets. No chain stores here.
Took metro to Montjuic with views over the city, visited 1992 Olympic Stadium.
Home dinner of empanadas with tomato and avacado.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 8:20 AM
19 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Spain el Born 41.385988, 2.18235641°23’10” N 2°10’56” E
29 May Barcelona Montserrat Visit
May 29, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 19 °C
Slept well and enjoyed substantial included breakfast complete with custom scrambled eggs. Spent a wonderful day at Montserrat which is the second most important catholic pilgrimage site in Spain but also has incredible rock formations and walks.
Back to Barcelona and hunted down the Dow Jones Bar in Carrer de Bruc. Temporary issue for a capiroska with shortage of limes but order was filled at EUR5.95, then the price was up to 6.45. Barman said its all “run by the software”.
Other interesting fashion shops in the same street catering to wholesale trade but also allows retail.
Tapas for dinner at Santa Caterina including octopus, pesto and white beans.Read more
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Day 5
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at 5:38 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Spain MUHBA Temple d'August 41.383453, 2.17720141°23’0” N 2°10’38” E
30 May Hospital St Pau
May 30, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Hospital St Pau was incredible modernisme architecture with views down to Sagrada Familia.
Met Jacky and Michelle for lunch at Zed and enjoyed tapas and white sangria.
Metroed back for quick look at cathedral, then home dinner of empanadas and pumpkin salad.Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 10:12 PM
20 °C
Altitude: 208 m
Spain Plaza deNtra Senora del Pilar 41.656101, -0.877341°39’22” N 0°52’38” W
31 May Barcelona to Zaragoza
May 31, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 20 °C
An easy 2 hour high speed train to a new city. Zaragoza feels quite authentic and relatively untouristed. Hotel Pilar Plaza is nice and right across from the basilica. Pablo Gargallo museum and several sculptures in the vicinity showcase this Zaragoza natives work - he was clearly influenced by Picasso and Rodin. Dinner of six lamb chops and potatoes and vino blanco at Los Xarmientos was good, then rain sent me home at 10pm.Read more
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Day 7
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 7:09 PM
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 208 m
Spain Plaza deNtra Senora del Pilar 41.656101, -0.877341°39’22” N 0°52’38” W
1 June Zaragoza
June 1, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Warm day and full of activities. Walked to the Aljufiera (twice as they decided to close it as parliament was sitting), crossed the roman bridge and visited the Goya museum. Food wise started the day with churros con chocolat, then later sipped a granizada limon in the main plaza under the shade of the magnolia trees in the middle of the day. Lunch was a rustica roll with jamon purchased from the supermarket and dinner was tapas of bacalhao, albondigos and verdeljo.Read more
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Day 8
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 9:42 PM
15 °C
Altitude: 866 m
Spain San Lesmes 42.343096, -3.69589942°20’35” N 3°41’45” W
2 June Zaragoza to Burgos
June 2, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 15 °C
4 hour fast train in first class through lush green scenery to Burgos. Big city but gorgeous centre. Hotel room overlooking plane trees and fast flowing river. Cathedral chapels were amazing.
Had fun tapas dinner at Los Herrores meeting some english speakers for a change.Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 7:54 AM
12 °C
Altitude: 843 m
Spain Parque Del Cid Campeador 42.599998, -5.570342°35’60” N 5°34’13” W
3 June Burgos to Leon
June 3, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 12 °C
Had a lovely breakfast in cafe by the river, walked up to the castle, then stumbled on the Corpus Christi celebration parade. Over to the Monestary de Los Huelgos with its ornate interior where guided tour is mandatory and extremely detailed but only espanol. 2 hour train to Leon which has a completely different feel - less relaxed, more hustle. Dinner with hikerpie and nova scotia girls.Read more
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Day 10
Monday, June 4, 2018 at 8:00 AM
9 °C
Altitude: 843 m
Spain Parque Del Cid Campeador 42.599998, -5.570342°35’60” N 5°34’13” W
4 June Leon
June 4, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 9 °C
Cold, rainy day 8-13 degrees but spent fairly leisurely. Had a real breakast at Hotel Via Leon, then met the Joshua Tree and Nova Scotians from yesterday for the tour of San Isidoro monastry where we looked down into the church from above. Enjoyed sangria and tapas lunch with them. In Leon every drink (2eur) comes with a tapas.
The stained glass in Leon Cathedral was amazing. Built in 13th century in 50 years.
Had a home dinner of tuna, rocket and tomatoes from Casino supermarket.Read more
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Day 11
Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 9:50 PM
11 °C
Altitude: 857 m
Spain Sopeña de Carneros 42.479751, -6.05177442°28’47” N 6°3’6” W
5 June Leon to Astorga
June 5, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 11 °C
Easy 40 minute bus trip meeting the mother and son Kims from Korea and Mario from Sardinia. Excellent coffee and 6 churros for 2 euros for a late breakfast.
Then to Astorga cathedral, Gaudis building and the choclate museum.
Pre dinner vehdeljo with jamon cheese bocadillo then menu del dia at Hotel Astur Plaza ( not the best choice).Read more
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Day 12
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 6:54 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 568 m
Spain Valdecañada 42.507207, -6.61022242°30’26” N 6°36’37” W
6 Jun Astorga to Orellan Las Medulas
June 6, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Favourite breakfast of churros, cafe con leche and OJ, got buses to Ponferrada and Carucedo and flagged a lift down to Orellan. Fascinating scenery from ancient roman gold mines and even went through one with hard hat and two torches.
Authentic Spanish dinner at the B&B.Read more
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Day 13
Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 7:47 AM
15 °C
Altitude: 525 m
Spain Campo 42.536746, -6.56585942°32’12” N 6°33’57” W
7 Jun Orellan to Ponferrada
June 7, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 15 °C
French style coffee in a bowl for breakfast , walk down into the valley to see the roman caves then onto Ponferrada - the friendliest town in Spain. Met Carlos and Soledad in a cafe, then Isabel at her hairdresser shop Twister. Had authentic dinner of botido with her in new town area.Read more
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Day 14
Friday, June 8, 2018 at 4:05 PM
16 °C
Altitude: 521 m
Spain Bóveda 43.017878, -7.51064543°1’4” N 7°30’38” W
8 Jun Ponferrada to Lugo
June 8, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 16 °C
Rainy day for 1.5hour bus to the ancient roman town of Lugo. Even in the rain it was a classy old town with pale grey stone and white frames. Walked the old roman walls round the town, enjoyed the shops and made a poor dinner choice of pilgrims menu. But my 5th floor hotel room was lovely so had a good sleep in preparation for the coming camino.Read more
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Day 15
Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 4:17 PM
19 °C
Altitude: 437 m
Spain Sarria 42.782518, -7.41235142°46’57” N 7°24’44” W
9 Jun Lugo to Sarria
June 9, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 19 °C
Decided to break the “no breakfast” tradition and took the 4 star hotel breakfast. Meet Mandy from Perth whose camino I had been following who was now travelling with her husband so I put them onto Las Medulas. Enjoyed the fine morning in Lugo with the excellent free Municipal Museum - Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Velasque, whole corridor of sundials, mosaics and paintings by modern spanish artists ( many from Pontevedra).
Quick bus trip to Sarria where i met Lynn and Sabine from Brisbane. I was staying on the edge of the modern town but once going up the steep steps to the main street, it was a surprisingly nice place. Met the Brisbane girls for dinner up there and enjoyed grilled veges and pollo a la plancha.Read more
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Day 16
Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 5:52 PM
19 °C
Altitude: 392 m
Spain Portomarín 42.81205, -7.61002742°48’43” N 7°36’36” W
10 Jun Walk Sarria to Portomarin
June 10, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 19 °C
Set off before 8am back up through the old town. Scenery was really pretty through lush green forests. Stopped for coffee, then a queso cheese and honey pancake from a woman who had set up a donation box at her front gate. When she opened the honey pot there was a live bee swimming round in it. Walked most of day with surfing couple from Phillip Island before i stopped a couple of kms out of Portomarin for a spinch, cheese mountain bread. Casa do Maestro was lovely, so sat round, looked at the two churches, then nice Pilgrims Menu dinner of squid stew, beef stew with salad and Santiago Pie for dessert.Read more
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Day 17
Monday, June 11, 2018 at 5:56 PM
18 °C
Altitude: 663 m
Spain Parco del Buen Retiro 40.417198, -3.68440°25’2” N 3°41’2” W
11 June Portomarin to Casa Calixtino
June 11, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 18 °C
Enjoyed plentiful included breakfast, left bag at reception and hit the road just after 8am. Again lush chestnut forests with the highlight being the little visited roman ruins at Castromaior. Drizzle started round noon so not ideal but plodded on stopping for a potato tortilla and arriving at Casa Calixtino which has since been invaded by a horde of spaniards so i fear disturbed sleep. Menu dinner was tuna salad, big chunk of merluza and flan.Read more
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Day 18
Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 9:39 PM
13 °C
Altitude: 457 m
Spain Melide 42.9138, -8.01542°54’50” N 8°0’54” W
12 June Casa Calixtino to Casa Blanca
June 12, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 13 °C
Happy to leave the spanish groups behind and walk with 3 irish and one english woman stopping for food/beer every 3kms till my turnoff at Casa Nova ( or we’re looking for casanova as it became). No one else out, no rain and lush green forests, cute tiny villages and tavernas. Parted ways at sign to Casa Blanca which was 1.3 kms off the camino. Walked a further 4kms return to Castle Pambre alongside a river, through oak and chestnut forests.
Dinner was much more upmarket - salad of greens, bacon, blue cheese, walnuts, then beef cheek and quince paste with cheese ice cream. Anticipate a quiet nights sleep.Read more
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Day 19
Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 8:27 AM
11 °C
Altitude: 457 m
Spain Melide 42.913799, -8.01542°54’50” N 8°0’54” W
13 June To Melide
June 13, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 11 °C
Casa Blanca breakfast was very upmarket then i retraced my steps the 1.3km back to the camino. There were some nice forest stretches and little village churches but some next to busy highway and through light industry.
Final approach to Melide through Founelos and its old stone bridge over a bubbling river was beautiful. My pension looked rather ordinary outside but was new and quiet inside. Lunched on octopus at the famous Ezequiel Restaurant and was not disappointed. Long communal benches in a big space were packed. Sat with Argentinian spanish couple. Waiter said they go through 200 kilos of octopus per day.
Had a siesta, then sangrias in a bar in the sun at the major intersection where I met Scot and Jota. Dinner was a Caldo Gallego (cabbage soup) and another octopus at the same restaurant.Read more
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Day 20
Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 7:09 PM
21 °C
Altitude: 370 m
Spain Arzúa 42.928668, -8.16555642°55’43” N 8°9’56” W
14 June Melide to Arzua
June 14, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 21 °C
Yummy churros and coffee from local cafe to fuel the lovely16km walk through forests of oak, chestnut and gum trees and rolling hills. Stopped at the No Camino cafe for a tostada and french practice. The sun was shining and there were few walkers out. Had an afternoon albarino and siesta and dinner at Teodora Restaurant with Scot from Scotland and Jota from Madrid, both fun characters. Jota was suffering from blisters as he trained by running 5 kms at a time, so got blisters as soon as he exceeded the 5km mark.Read more
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Day 21
Friday, June 15, 2018 at 6:09 PM
16 °C
Altitude: 266 m
Spain Castrofeito 42.910516, -8.39327842°54’38” N 8°23’36” W
15 June Arzua to Salceda
June 15, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 16 °C
Stretched out the very good included breakfast (complete with scrambled eggs) to leave late as it was only a short walking day. Met Linda and Michael from Washington DC who were well equipped Christians who had walked from SJPDP. The sun was gone so the forest, hills and little cafe bars didn't look quite as appealing today. The Pension Alborada was very comfortable for an easy afternoon but as it was reasonably isolated there was only one real place for dinner. Surprisingly it was a good and simple place which enabled me to have a decent dinner and then a good nights rest.Read more
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Day 22
Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 9:25 AM
14 °C
Altitude: 176 m
Spain Portor 42.911255, -8.69236742°54’41” N 8°41’33” W
16 June 27km into Santiago
June 16, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 14 °C
This was a big 27 km walk to the finish line. I was very focussed and set off without much delay and just plodded. I had heard reports that this last leg was ugly as it skirts Santiago Airport, but it was actually very pleasant - some road and traffic sections but also some forests. Made it in to the main square reasonably easily, then met up with Scott, Helen, Jota for a drink and dinner.Read more
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Day 23
Sunday, June 17, 2018 at 8:03 AM
13 °C
Altitude: 143 m
Spain Portor 42.907297, -8.69071742°54’26” N 8°41’27” W
17 June Santiago
June 17, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 13 °C
Had a pleasant breakfast in the lovely garden of Costa Vella, then noon mass at the Cathedral where I was lucky enough for the Botafumiero to fly - amazing. It was worth 1.5 hours of standing through a catholic mass!
Lunched at Gato Negro on the recommendation of Roberto of Costa Vella with Scot (Scotland) and Helen (Adelaide who had walked from Paris to Santiago) . Very authentic with better pulpo than Melide and excellent mussels. Walked round this beautiful town, through the cathedral before pre dinner sangrias and guitarists in one square (born to be wild) and then an orchestra in the next one.
Dinner at Maria Castana (also recommended) and again fantastic. Mussels with boiled potatoes, chorizo with ‘turnips’ (spinach to me), lightly fried baby octopus.
Slept well in courtyard facing room in the new hotel.Read more
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Day 24
Monday, June 18, 2018 at 10:41 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Spain Finisterra 42.898753, -9.26095642°53’56” N 9°15’39” W
18 June Daytrip to Finisterre
June 18, 2018 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Bus tour to windy Murcia, Finisterre lighthouse and village, Ezaro waterfalls and Candota ( biggest horreo). Gorgeous coastline with white sandy beaches and aqua water. Lunch for 12 euro was seafood soup, paella, tarta de santiago, bottle of wine, bread and water. Freshest seafood, also included a razor clam!
Fruit for dinner!Read more
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Day 25
Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 4:53 PM
29 °C
Altitude: 237 m
Spain Villestro 42.884448, -8.59833742°53’4” N 8°35’54” W
19 June Santiago
June 19, 2018 in Spain ⋅ 29 °C
Spent the day sightseeing in this gorgeous town - impressive food market, churches, parador and piazzas. Quince paste and cheese on bread for lunch in the park which provided some shade from the searing 32 degree heat.Read more
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