• Ourtravels
  • Kat Domingues
  • Javier Domingues
  • Ourtravels
  • Kat Domingues
  • Javier Domingues

El Camino de Santiago

St. Jean Pied de Port France to Fisterre spain. Planning for 830 kilometers. On foot. Leia mais
  • Logroño Spain

    8 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    After a 17 mile day, our longest yet, we are taking a zero, or rest, day.
    While I hit the wall and imploded the other day after 15 miles, it probably prepared me for the 17. I actually felt pretty good. We all are accommodating the distances differently and by the end of the week we should all be ready for the long haul.

    We walked through two beautiful hill towns and more vinyards. The vinyards all have what look to be generations old vines. They are short and gnarled with new growth sprouting from the top.
    We also continue to have great weather. Our photos dont do the scenery justice.

    Today, the 9th, we are hanging out and relaxing in Logroño. Perhaps a walk to Decathlon, the local version of Dicks and REI, to pick up a few things.
    We walked to coffee this morning and stopped at a little cafe called "Ohana" where the two women, refreshingly, treated us like family. They made our day.

    Tomorrow we are off to Navarette for an easy 6 mile day.

    Posted by Jim
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  • Logroño a day off

    9 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    We woke up at our leisure today and enjoyed coffee, croissants and a beautiful apple pastry. The four of us took off for a nice walk to find Melanie a podiatrist to look at her poor baby toe. Success, she got an appointment for later in the day. We then strolled to a lovely little coffee shop and we enjoyed our second breakfast 💜
    Off to Decathlon (think REI) and then we went to Aldi and bought cheese, salami, olives, bread, wine and so many yummy snacks. It started raining and we caught a taxi home and then Jav and Melanie continued on to her appointment. What a blessing my husband has been throughout this trip with his Spanish. It’s made the difference so many times already and I know that he’ll continue to be my knight in shining armor.
    Thankfully Melanie will only have to take it easy tomorrow, I’m praying daily for all of us to have good health and strength.
    Melanie and I also spent the afternoon booking ahead, it’s really getting tough finding accommodations especially on the weekends. We didn’t want to have to book too many days out but we really have no alternative. Right now we’re homeless on Sunday the 14th, so we’re praying that something will open up for us 🙏🏼
    Jav and I took a late afternoon stroll to corner store so we still ended up walking over five miles. Today was just right, yes I have to keep pinching myself we’re walking across Spain how fortunate we are.
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  • Zero day in Logroño

    9 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    We enjoyed a wonderful day off today. We still walked a little bit but it was just around the beautiful city of Logroño. Unfortunately, my big news for the day is that I have a flat tire. I've been dealing with a bad blister for a few days and it became infected. We walked to a nearby podiatrist and Javier persuaded her to see me. (Thank you my friend ❤️) Dra. Laura was absolutely wonderful and I now have a bandage half the size of my foot 😭 This means that I will be taking a taxi for our 6 mile walk tomorrow and will meet Jim, Kat and Jav in Navarrete. I should be able to continue walking the next day 🤞🙏 Please send positive thoughts.Leia mais

  • Navarrete I’m so grateful

    10 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    I feel each day is the best ever and then we get to experience a special moment, or a great conversation with someone new, a delicious meal or a peaceful moment alone on the Camino.
    Today was all of these, a short 7.5 mile walk, a man walking his dog and serenading pilgrims and peaceful moments walking.
    We then enjoyed a fantastic lunch and got settled into our room for the night.
    The doctor that treated Melanie told her and Javier about a master potter Antonio Naharro. Jav, Melanie and I walked out of town and found his shop. What a magical afternoon, he explained that he learned his craft at 12 years old and he is now 82. He personally showed us around and showed us his skills (enjoy the video) My friend Tracy a master potter herself made us the Caminó amulets we’re wearing and giving out along “ The Way” so we gave one to Antonio, Javier said he was very touched. On our way back into town we actually found a restaurant with a Pilgrim menu where we can eat early, so I’ll report later about dinner.
    I know we’ll have challenging days ahead, but today I’m grateful. 💜
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  • Navarrete

    10 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    The view from the window of our hostel ❣️
    We walked to a famous Spanish pottery shop and met the master potter who generously offered to show us how he works.
    Feeling blessed.
    Oh my goodness! We just got back from dinner. I'm sure Kathy will post pictures. Jim expressed it perfectly. ❤️
    M.
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  • Logroño to Navarrete day # 10

    10 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Coming off our rest day in Logroño we were rested and relaxed as we made our journey to the city of Navarrete today’s walk was only 7.5 miles and the terrain was pretty much flat. My knee again started to ache a bit but by now everyday is a new ache and discomfort but we keep grinding it out,Our day finished with an excellent “Peregrinó dinner “prepared by Tati and served by Adrian at their restaurant called Sala, What a treat👍
    One of the best meals I’ve ever had accompanied by excellent Navarrete vino tinto.
    Today was a good day,buenas noches 😴
    Javier
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  • A bullboard in Navarrete

    10 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Post dinner update:
    I feel compelled to express the inexpressible joy of a good meal well served. Little experiences along the way at the hands of kind, loving folks just trying to express their love through their craft. We had the *best* dinner ever. Prepared by Tati, served by Adrian. Served with local wine, laughter and hugs. I just cant say enough. Resturante Sala here in Navarrete. The Camino provides.

    It seems funny to do a 7 mile day and feel as though it was less-than, after all, we walked 4 miles yesterday on our day off just to go to the store! But some days need to be short, some days need to be long.

    The miles keep rushing at us. We are all doing our best to deal with our bodies. Aging joints, sore and blistered feet and all the rest that comes with travelling halfway across the world to walk. Having said all that, every day I see around me happy, joyful people struggling the same struggles, listening to the music of putting one foot in front of another, one mile after another. A journey of a lifetime.

    Melanie had a blister go bad and had a podiatric appointment yesterday. This short "nero" day will give her needed time to rest.

    We are in a beautiful old hill fort town called Navarrete and our room looks out onto the central plaza and church.
    There is so much history here, I have enough to study for a lifetime.

    Tomorrow on to Najeera!

    Posted by Jim
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  • A cold day on the way to Nájera

    11 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F

    We had another easy day but it was quite chilly out with a constant wind. The trail itself was relatively flat as we made our way through vineyards. Javier and I took the Caminó that took us to Ventosa there’s an alternative route that many pilgrims now take. We enjoyed a croissant, bocadillo and coffee con leche there.
    The miles clicked off easily, we are Pension San Lorenzo II it’s a great place Melanie booked for all of us.
    We enjoyed a good meal together and then Javier and I went exploring.
    We went to the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real is was quite extraordinary dating back to 1594 and the church was built in 1422.
    Each day the routine seems to get easier the biggest struggle is adjusting to trying to find places serving food before everything shuts down 🤦🏻‍♀️ I think we’re really only eating one solid meal each day. We just end up snacking or having a piece of fruit.
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  • Navarrete to Nájera day #11

    11 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Today’s 11 mile was was very comfortable and the terrain fairly flat
    but it was a bit cold and windy compared to our balmy PV, Interesting that we are at the point that an 11 mile walk is an easy day.
    Our whole 11 mile walk consisted of walking through vineyards.
    Later in the afternoon Kathy and I went to the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real, truly amazing and a lot of restoration work being done on the church that was built in 1422!!
    Today was a great day🙏
    Javier
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  • Navarrete to Najera

    11 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Well, we're at the point where 10 miles is a short day😁 Jim and I started our day with coffee and a chocolate croissant at the Monkey Cafe. The coffee and pastries are wonderful in Spain. It was a very chilly walk, mostly through vineyards, to Najera. This town backs up to a red hillside filled with caves. I've been looking forward to seeing it in person and it doesn't disappoint. Kathy found a great place for our main meal of the day and we enjoyed the local wine while we waited for the kitchen to open. Another lovely day on the Camino with my wonderful husband and dear friends❤️
    M.
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  • Najera Spain

    11 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Today was the second half of the walk we split up to give Melanie's foot some healing time. It was a chilly, quick 10 miles through wine country, we were finished and checked into our pension around noon. Not much else to report. Melanie's foot is fine and receiving plenty of care.

    The wine here is plentiful, delicious and cheaper than any other liquid you can purchase, so, that.

    We'll set out for the next town bright and early tomorrow as our daily mileage works its way to 18 by weeks end. 13 mi tomorrow.
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  • A rainy day on the way to Santo Domingo

    12 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    Jav and I were up with the chickens this morning, we went to bed too early last night so we headed out. We had a light drizzle most of the way, at one point it started coming down pretty hard.
    We had a great breakfast in Azofra. Nothing was going to dampen our spirits, I entertained my hubby by singing “Raindrops keep falling on my head” and the the sun would peek out and I’d sing “I can see clearly now” even though I couldn’t remember all the lyrics 🤣
    We got to town just in time to see the procession for Día de Santo Domingo. We walked in the procession with the locals it was a special moment.
    We enjoyed another fantastic pilgrim meal and then toured the cathedral. Javier and I climbed to the roof, the view was spectacular.
    Javier and I volunteered to do everyone’s laundry so we sat at the laundromat for about an hour. Thankfully it was warm inside since it’s been chilly all day. Once again a magical day on the Caminó, so blessed and fortunate to be making these memories.
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  • Drizzle with a chance of sunny side up.

    12 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    13.5 miles from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
    We left Najera in a breeze driven drizzle. It was chilly so we were all layered up. The walk was gently rolling hills with only two moderate climbs of around a mile. The lack of heat really made a difference and I enjoyed it. There was a line of rainbow colored pilgrims snaking along up and down the trail as they all got to try out their rain gear and pack covers, most likely for the first time. We walked through patches of mist, drizzle and even sun.

    On the outskirts of Santo Domingo we walked through a light industrial area and an 18 wheeler egg delivery truck pulled up to us and asked us if we wanted coffee! He stopped the truck and made us espresso on his machine. Yeah, he had an espresso machine in his truck🤯. He was just doing a good deed for a pilgrim. On our van ride from Pamplona, our driver told us to pay attention to the little things and to try to do good for other pilgrims, and we try daily, but we have also benefitted from the good nature of locals who are also practicing the same kindness. We were dumbfounded and more grateful than we could express that he would stop and make coffee for us.
    The camino provides.

    We finished the day with a wonderful pilgrims meal--I got to try fried anchovies, and they were delicious--at a local restaurant and then toured the local cathedral.

    Thank you Javier for the heart to heart (and the clean socks)

    Posted by jim
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  • Nájera to Santo Domingo day #12

    12 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Today’s 13.5 mile walk was windy and rainy a little to cold for someone like me that loves to walk in the heat of day during the hot months in PV,but oh well!! We enjoyed a great early dinner at restaurant Piedra and everyone was delighted with their meal,afterwards we all went and toured the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, such beautiful architecture 🙏
    By the way today is Santo Domingo day,patron Saint of this city named in his honor
    Es todo por hoy
    Javier
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  • Belorado a special walk

    13 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    Today we walked in memory of Nana, she went to be with the Lord a year ago today! We know that she’s watching over us, especially today. Along our walk all day we’re cement markers with MF on them. I told Javier that they stand for Maria Fernandez ❤️🙏🏼
    We pass through towns every day and look at all the churches and the one in town where we’re staying is Santa Maria, it’s the only Santa Maria we’ve seen in our trip.
    We enjoyed our pilgrim meal, spent some time getting accommodations set and then we all went to the grocery store for a few supplies since we’re walking over 18 miles tomorrow.
    Melanie and I walked to El Obrador del Convento for some delicious chocolate made by nuns. All in all we had beautiful weather, time on the trail with José and ended up at a cute Hostal in another wonderful town.
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  • Santo Domingo to Belorado

    13 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    I think Jim summed up today's journey nicely. I've been noting the towns I'd like to come back to and Belorado is definitely one of them. We're really too tired to do much exploring when we get to town but today Kathy and I walked to the Santa Clara monastery where the nuns make chocolate❣️Needless to say, it was well worth the short walk😋
    Oh, and did we mention the wine? 😊
    M.
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  • Santo Domingo to Belorado day # 13

    13 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today was a bittersweet 14 mile walk
    Today is the 1 year anniversary of my blessed mother Maria Domingues Fernandez passing and this Camino journey for my part is dedicated in her memory, I was blessed to have such a loving and caring mother and I miss her so. I felt her presence with me today with every step I took.
    Next door to our hotel is the local church it’s name is Santa Maria!!
    Coincidence? I don’t think so🙏
    Gracias Madre por todo, Te quiero mucho nunca te olvidaré.
    Tu hijo Javier
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  • Belorado Spain

    13 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    A 14 mile day that was very pleasant. The terrain was rolling with only one minor climb.
    We started the day at a nice little cafe for our--what has become a ritual--morning coffee and pastry.
    It was chilly today, we were all layered up, and we walked through many small villages. I know that, at this point, my posts seem repetitive, but it is far from boring. Its just hard to keep using the same hyperbole to describe our walks. This is real, everyday, foot by foot we are experiencing something special.
    We are spending the night in Belorado with an 18 miler planned for tomorrow.

    Posted by jim
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  • Olmos de Atapuerca

    14 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    We knew we had a long day ahead because we had to book two towns farther than we had originally planned on walking. We left Belorado early and stopped on the way for a quick breakfast. The climbing started and just kept going for several miles, but we all did it. Javier I stopped in San Juan de Ortega and had a sandwich and I enjoyed a cold Estrella 🍻from here we all just powered through. We had a wonderful host Rosa and where we stayed had one bar, she made us a reservation and the meal was outstanding. We had no WiFi so we’re all making a double post today.Leia mais

  • Belorado to Olmos de Atapuerca

    14 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    This was a hard day for me. The distance (19.5 miles), the hills, the mud, the wind and the cold all contributed. The Camino is not meant to be easy. It's meant to make you reach deep inside and draw on reserves you might not have known you had. I truly appreciate that and the feeling of satisfaction after doing something I wasn't sure I could do was so gratifying. We really enjoyed our delicious dinner and well earned rest.
    M.
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  • Burgos

    15 de maio de 2023, Espanha ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F

    We had a short climb right out the door this morning. It was quite chilly but no rain in the forecast. We stopped for breakfast and Melanie was quite happy with her selection (see photo). The walk was just over 12 miles and for me it’s been my least favorite day. I just enjoy walking through the smaller towns and not on sidewalks dodging the crowds. We booked a nice hotel for our rest day, had a pizza with some 🌶️ on it, I’m missing my spicy food from Vallarta.
    After we checked in to our room we went and did laundry, found a market and enjoyed a beer at the laundromat. My hubby and I make a good team and I’m so blessed to be doing life with him.
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