Spain
Zamora

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Travelers at this place
    • Day 6

      Visigothic marvel and El Cid church

      October 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      Today we took a quick trip out of Zamora to visit San Pedro de la Nave. It’s a Visigothic church, moved piece by piece to escape being submerged by construction of a dam. I had been here once before —when the hospitalero in the Zamora albergue offered to drive me out (and I walked back) but this time it was car all the way. Just as beautiful as I remembered it. It’s always awe-inspiring to be in a building from the 7C.

      From there we went back to Zamora to two Romanesque churches right outside the cathedral walls. My favorite church in Zamora—Santiago de los Caballeros, where El Cid is reported to have spent the night in prayer before being knighted. It’s extremely simple and beautiful with capitals choc full of figures and pictoral lectures about sinning, which makes for some explicit capitals.

      Yesterday in the Zamora museum I had seen a capital recovered fromn the ruined Monasterio de Moreruela. I remembered the (luckily in tact) apse of the church as the most stunning I had ever seen. I walked there on my third (?) Vdlp from Granja de Moreruela, where today we stopped for a coffee right outside the albergue. On to the monastery in car. Joe enjoyed it a lot and I think he understands my addiction to walking Caminos a little better.

      On the way back to Zamora it occurred to me to stop in a town where Dana and I had stayed on my second Vdlp. We had had a great meal in Rosamari, where the owner had regaled us with stories about how hard it had been for two women to start a business in Franco years. Banks wouldn’t lend without the husband’s signature, etc. Today the restaurant is run by the third generation, and she assured me that her mom and grandma had taught her to be strong and independent. I was shocked that I was able to find a picture of one of the owners outside in 2010 and was happy to send it on to the current owner. The food is still excellent, btw! Joe had a cocido (too heavy for my taste, though I had a few bites), and I just had an ensalada mixta. I am very sad to report, though, that despite my very clear 2010 memory of the first salad since Cáceres without iceberg lettuce, even the Rosamari has succumbed!
      Read more

    • Day 35

      Day 35 - Montemarte - 20.2 km

      October 25, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

      Weather report - cool with a couple of bits of light rain
      Clothes - short sleeved merino, light wind fleece, rain jacket and trekking pants.

      Well - what a difference a day makes. And I think the difference might be a combo of food and more people.
      So let’s back up a little. Last night’s pilgrim dinner was a delight in terms of companionship but maybe not so beneficial in terms of food. We didn’t eat until about 8 or even a bit later- pasta and salad. Now I have to say the pasta was fabulous, but ….
      I didn’t have a very happy day today. In fact this day has been the most distressing so far. And nothing bad really happened.
      I had a 7.15 am start and I got to my destination around 11.45 am. The road was basically flat and the weather was good with only occasional light rain. I was really impressed with my time. I stopped a few times as my foot did give me some pain. There were a couple of guys ahead of me and the young French man, Jerome, from a week ago, behind me.
      Seemingly all good.
      Then … I couldn’t find the albergue - and took another 30 mins, asking for directions, not really understanding them, and walking around in circles. I felt tears threaten. I thought Jerome would already be there, wondering what had happened to me.
      Eventually I tracked down the albergue and as I arrived I saw Jerome coming from the other direction. We had both got lost.
      Then within the next 30 mins another 4 or 5 others arrived, all male, all choosing this stopping point. I felt a bit shocked and quite unnerved. I hadn’t expected so many people. People showered, put on washing, one man went shopping and started cooking lunch, some lay down for a rest. And I didn’t know what to do with myself
      After a while I realised I needed food so I returned to my usual routine: find a bar, eat and have a glass of wine. As I walked to town over the bridge I just wanted to cry - and I did - a bit.
      I have really enjoyed my solo Camino experience. Now that there are more people around I notice I get side tracked by others. I forget my own needs and lose concentration on my own agenda.
      Last night I left one of my good pairs of socks behind. Aagghh. So now in the last few days it’s the tiny towel, scarf and socks all left behind.
      Maybe I am getting tired? Walking a Camino actually takes a lot of focus and concentration - working out where to stop next, checking on the weather, where to get food, how much food to carry, organising your stuff.
      I think now my practice needs to be - stay focused on me, on what I need and what I am doing, not on those around me.
      I am wondering if things will get busier, with more people. I hope not. I might become the anti social pilgrim.
      Anyway I have just finished lunch. I don’t really want to go back to the albergue so I will finish this blog, and then go back and stick my nose in my online book.
      And see what tomorrow brings.

      Buen Camino

      Evening update
      I didn’t have my giant Menu del Dia lunch today - they didn’t offer it at the cafe -so I only had one course. Then later in the afternoon I got really cold and angry and sad.
      I went to the shop but it was closed for siesta. Grrrrr. So I went later. For dinner I made pasta with tomato and tuna and had two delicious Spanish pears and some yogurt. I ate around 7 pm and now I am warm and feel pretty fine - relaxed and ready to wind down.
      It would seem that what I eat and when I eat is critical to my success. I can’t afford to let myself run on empty- particularly in a cold albergue with no heating.
      The other guys are just eating now at 8,00 pm - definitely too late for me.
      The other thing I noticed is that one of the guys seemed really loud, often on the phone and speaking in a loud voice to others. I think that was one of the things that got to me earlier.
      However all’s well that ends well.
      This was a psychologically difficult day.
      I think tomorrow will be better.

      PS.
      The weather forecast says it’s getting warmer.
      11 - 22 tomorrow with no wind warnings. 👏👏🥰🥰😀😀
      Read more

    • Zamora und Nationalpark Lagunas de Villa

      October 1, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Zwei Tage in León sind genug, deshalb ziehe ich heute weiter nach Süden. Mein Ziel ist Zamora, aber nicht direkt. Ich steuere vorher den Nationalpark Lagunas de Villafáfila an. Schon auf der Karte kann man die Seen erkennen um die es hier geht. Das besondere an diesem Gebiet ist das Wasser und die Fauna, insbesondere verschiedenste Vogelarten, wie Gänse, Enten, diverse Raubvögel, Störche usw. Zum Teil machen sie hier Rast auf ihrem Zug nach Norden oder Süden, andere überwintern hier. Als ich hier ankomme sind nur wenige Besucher dort und der Ranger nimmt sich etwas Zeit mir den park zu erklären.
      Auf Grund der großen Trockenheit in diesem Jahr sind hier einige der Seen komplett ausgetrocknet. Ich mache eine große Runde durch den Park in dem es einige Observatorien gibt, von denen ich die Vögel beobachten kann. Ich nehme mir Zeit für den Park, genieße die Sonne die heute wieder kräftig scheint. Nur die Fliegen und Mücken, die ebenso das Wasser mögen werden mir langsam lästig. Nach zwei Stunden verlasse ich den Park.
      Nach Zamora sind es ca. 50 Kilometer durch komplette Einöde in der vorwiegend Ackerbau (über riesige Flächen) und Viehzucht auf trockenem Boden betrieben wird. Ich sehe viele der für diese Gegend typischen Taubenschläge, mal total zerfallen, manchmal ganz neu. Zamora soll für mich eigentlich nur ein Zwischenstopp auf dem Weg nach Salamanca sein. Aber mir gefällt es hier so gut, dass ich noch einen weiteren Tag bleibe. Die Stadt mit ihrer Burg überrascht mich. Die Stadt ist tiptop in Schuss, Gastronomie ist zahlreich vorhanden. An Tagen wie diesen, heute sind 25 °C, genieße ich die Zeit vor einem der Restaurant, genieße leckere Tapas und erfreue mich der Live Musik. ¡Que bonito!

      Und damit ich mich zukünftig noch besser in Spanien verständigen kann, buche ich heute einen zweiwöchigen Sprachkurs in Nerja. Das war für mich ohnehin ein to-do für diese Reise. Meine Eltern kommen nach Faro, wo ich sie in einigen Wochen treffen werden. Linda kommt mit den Kindern Ende Oktober nach Málaga. Sieht so aus, als hätte mein Einsiedlerleben langsam ein Ende und meine Resozialisierung einen Anfang. Schön!
      Read more

    • Day 72

      ZAMORA

      March 20 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      Wir fahren früh morgens nach der Ver und Entsorgung Richtung Zamora Stadt, es dauert 20 Minuten und wir kommen beim Carrefour Parkplatz an. Ursprünglich wollten wir Wäsche waschen aber die Wäscherei ist im Gebäude drinnen und das ist mit der Wäsche etwas umständlich. Wir gehen beim Carrefour wieder einen Großeinkauf machen um danach nach Zamora Stadt zu fahren.
      Direkt in der Stadt gibt es einen sehr schönen Stellplatz, welchen die Gemeinde für fast 40 Autos zur Verfügung stellt. Wir sind einer der letzten freien Parkplätze und verweilen dort während wir die schöne Stadt besichtigen. Das Hauptziel des Tages war, das vorhandene Paket für Amazon , die Rücksendung der Retourfahrkamera, auf einer der Rückgabestationen zu deponieren. Die erste Abgabestation war nicht auffindbar, da diese bereits aufgelassen war aber die zweite avisierte Abgabestelle, ein großes Papierwarengeschäft, übernimmt problemlos das Paket.
      Danach gehen wir noch etwas in der Stadt spazieren, leider schließen alle Kirchen und Sehenswürdigkeiten mittags und somit bleibt beim Gebäude besichtigen.
      Gemeinsam essen wir noch eine Kleinigkeit bevor wir den Stellplatz gegen 16 Uhr verlassen um uns etwas außerhalb der Stadt in Ricobayo einen schönen Übernachtungsplatz direkt am See zu suchen. Dort genießen wir die Abendstimmung bei einem Gläschen Whisky.
      Read more

    • Day 46

      Cafe Bar La Pureza

      October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Auf dem Rückweg von Carglass, keine Lust mehr zu kochen. Abendessen, wir versuchen es hier. 2 Bierchen🍻 und 3 Tapas. "Albondigas. Mejiilons, Croquetas mit Brot. Sehr sehr lecker und alles zusammen für 8,80€ sehr preiswert.Read more

    • Day 26

      El Cubo - Zamora 32 km

      May 25, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

      I was up early for breakfast at the main albergue building and then Anita and I went along to the square to get the bus which was on time and ridiculously cheap. We were in Zamora within 30 mins, and the first thing we did was walk 40 mins to the Decathlon store as Anita was needing some supplies, whilst there I bought another long sleeved top and a warmer fleece. It turned out that the long walk uphill was the camino route we would be following the next day, so that was helpful, at least I now knew where I was going in the morning.

      It was way too early for the albergue to be open so Anita and I toured the old part of town, and visited a museum. We had a great time, and great chat, once again I was struck by how easy she was to be with, with her nothing felt forced or strained, whilst there were silences, none of them were awkward, we were just enjoying one another's company. After our tour round the old part of the city we went to the albergue and sat and had refreshments at a very beautiful spot with amazing views just next to the albergue. I was so glad we had decided to do this, I don't know if I will ever be in Zamora again but I am glad we had this opportunity, and very happy to have spent the day with Anita.

      The albergue was donativo and very nice, the hospitaleros were super friendly and helpful, and funny. The guy booking us in made a big show of being sorry for not realising I was Scottish, the wording on the cover of new UK passport ends with the word Ireland, and almost every hospitalero thought I was Irish. It got to the point when booking in I would start off by saying - "no Irlanda del Norte, no Inglaterra, soy Escocés!" The albergue is very clean and tidy with good facilities, including excellent toilets and showers and a centrifuge for the washing.

      We had heard bad reports about the municipal albergue in our next destination so Anita was going to try and book us into a private albergue, unfortunately they were all full. Mirjam arrived safely, I was still trying to find a way of getting to know her better, so far it's not been easy, she is quite shy, but every minute I spend with her convinces me i should try. I already know that she loves coffee because she was carrying her own coffee maker, a woman after my own heart!

      The 10pm lights out rule is enforced here so we all went to bed at a reasonable time, I plan to be up early and away as the temperatures for tomorrow are high from early morning.
      Read more

    • Day 46

      Zamora

      October 16, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      Das Städtchen lässt uns Bummeln und das erste spanische Frühstück, Café Con leche ☕☕ Toast "Queso de Cobra (Ziegenkäse & und Schinken) und Sandwich"Mixto Huevo" (Käse, Kartoffel, Spiegelei). Sehr schmackhaft und der Kaffee super gut. Ein wenig shoppen und die Altstadt beschauen, hier gibt es wieder viel Kultur 🕍 zu sehen.Read more

    • Day 36

      D32 to Zamora

      March 26, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 57 °F

      Exhausted but a good day, made it here and only really struggled the last 5k or so. (32k total) 6:15 start, but as European daylight savings time started today had a bit more dark than normal, it was a misty drizzle. But it clears up quickly to a beautiful day.
      Got to see everything I wanted to see, and booked the next 3 nights at my 2 coffee stops on the way. Tomorrow night I will do some serious planning into
      Easter.
      Read more

    • Day 45

      Stellplatz Zamora

      October 15, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

      Einreise in Spanien 🇪🇦 💃 und ein prima kostenloser Stellplatz mit Ver-& Entsorgung in fussläufiger Stadtnähe. In der Stadt ein Waschsalon, da unser Wäschefach randvoll anzeigte und auch die Bettwäsche es nötig hatte. 1 Stunde⏰und es war alles gewaschen und getrocknet. Am Abend gab es Spagetti Bolognese und ein gutes Nächtle 💫😴Read more

    • Day 37

      Richtung Süden

      September 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

      Bevor wir Galizien verlassen, besichtigen wir einen Dolmen, baden nochmals ausgiebig bei den Dünen von Corrubedo und bestaunen in Padrón die Säule an der das Boot mit dem Leichnam Jakobs festgemacht wurde, nachdem es von Engeln geleitet den weiten Weg von Palästina an die galizische Küste zurücklegte. Weiter geht die Fahrt an Santiago de Compostela vorbei nach Puebla de Sanabria. Leider hat dort der Campingplatz bereits geschlossen und so düsen wir weiter nach Zamora. Hier finden wir ein Plätzchen auf dem kostenlosen Stellplatz, gehen noch in die Bar an der Ecke und beschließen den Tag.Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Zamora, زامورا, থামোরা, Zamoro, ZOB, サモラ, 49001, Самора

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android