Camino de Madrid 2019

I walked my first Camino Frances/Finisterra/Muxia in 2013, and have since walked the Via De La Plata and the Sanabres in 2016/17. This journal will cover my 2019 Camino de Madrid and Invierno routes to Santiago.
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Terry’s 2019 Camino

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Spain
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Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct14
The Final Walk!
October 14, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
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The Final Walk.

The rain was pouring down on us early this morning, as we made the final walk into Santiago. It was imperative that we obtain a number early, to ensure that we could get our compestelas today. Once one gets a number, you can track it’s progress on your phone. This way, you don’t have to stand in line.

I have received a hat trick of compestelas on this trip. The first for the Camino de Madrid, the second for the Camino San Salvador, and the third for the Camino Frances for walking Sahagun to Leon, and Sarria to Santiago. I also have an official distance certificate siting a total distance walked of 798 kilometers.

So ends my camino blog for this trip. If you have had a bit of fun following along, please consider a donation to my charity, the “YMCA STRONG KIDS
CAMPAIGN”. Simply follow this link;

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=4540082&langPref=en-CA#&panel1-2

Tell your friends and share the link!

Happy trails!

Terentium (my new latin name)

.Read more
Sylvia Thomas
I have really enjoyed following you on this journey. See you soon
10/14/19Reply
Debra Burgess
YEAH! You did it! Congrats Terry
10/14/19Reply
Debra Burgess
What a great accomplishment Terry! Kudos on 3 more pilgrim walks completed. WOW. 🍾🍾
10/14/19Reply
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Oct 14, 2019, 7:46pm · ⛅ 10 °C · Altitude: 288 m · 42°52'54" N 8°32'12" W
Spain Santiago de Compostela Parque de Bonaval
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct13
Salceda To San Lazaro
October 13, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
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Heavy rains were predicted for today, but we lucked out a little. It drizzled lightly most of the day, but nothing too serious. The walk was made slightly easier, due to the number of places that we could stop at. We walked a long 24 kilometers to the San Lazaro albergue, which is in a suburb of Santiago. About a 30 minute walk to the cathederal. It is the same albergue that I always stop at here. Tomorrow morning we can take our time getting to the cathederal to figure out the process to get our compestela.

Just a few pics from today.Read more
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Congratulations,Terry on this inspiring journey including the rugged San Salvador! Paul is fortunate to have you as a Camino wingman. Go well tomorrow and please offer a prayer of gratitude from the home fronts.
10/13/19Reply
Sylvia Thomas
This is beautiful, fairyland like.
10/14/19Reply
Sylvia Thomas
You have had quite an adventure. Congratulations Terry on another Camino walk
10/14/19Reply
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Oct 13, 2019, 9:40am · 🌧 13 °C · Altitude: 269 m · 42°52'39" N 8°32'33" W
Spain Santiago de Compostela Praza do Obradoiro
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct12
Boente To Salceda
October 12, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
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Only 28 kms to Santiago now. Unfortunately it looks like rain all day tomorrow. Will try to get as close to Santiago as possible.

Just a few pics from the trail today.
You and s razor have a standing date on November 3rd! Lol
10/12/19Reply
Susan Taylor
How unique just great for a rest.
10/12/19Reply
Susan Taylor
Wow almost there.Congratulations
10/12/19Reply
Debra Burgess
getting closer!
10/14/19Reply
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Oct 12, 2019, 2:50am · ⛅ 12 °C · Altitude: 345 m · 42°55'19" N 8°16'32" W
Spain Pino, O A Salceda
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct11
Mato To Boente
October 11, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
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Another walking day to Boente. Amazingly we have had another day of great weather. Rain forecast for allday Sunday tho. Not much to report, so I will just add some pics.
Rob Lassche
Spanish bath for 2 ?
10/11/19Reply
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
A pilgrim cross.
10/12/19Reply
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Doubles as a water trough for cattle maybe.
10/12/19Reply
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Oct 11, 2019, 2:40am · ☁️ 12 °C · Altitude: 391 m · 42°54'58" N 8°4'39" W
Spain Arzúa Boente
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct10
Gonzar To Mato
October 10, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
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A straight forward 22 km walk today. We ended up at the albergue Casa Domingo, which I was at in 2013. Was a bit disappointed that my old manger bed was not there anymore. The have a great communal meal here at night.

Only 62 more kilometers to Santiago. We don’t want to arrive until Monday, as this weekend is the Spanish national holiday. Santiago would be a real zoo then.

Anyway a few pics.Read more
Chantal Vinet
Veeeery nice!!
10/10/19Reply
Sylvia Thomas
Time seems to have gone by quickly - easy for us to say!
10/11/19Reply
Debra Burgess
This picture could be anywhere!
10/14/19Reply
2 more comments
6 likes

Map Share
Oct 10, 2019, 3:11am · 🌙 8 °C · Altitude: 417 m · 42°52'41" N 7°54'52" W
Spain Palas de Rei Orosa
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct6
Update - Onto Santiago!
October 6, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
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After finishing in Oviedo, I decided that my next course of action would be to go back to the Frances. I could meet up with aussie Paul, and continue from Sarria which is just a little more than 100 kms from Santiago.

I took a bus to Astorga, and stayed overnight. Next day I went by train to Sarria.
I started walking from there only a few kilometers per day, until Paul and I met up again in Portomarin. We should both be entering Santiago by Monday.

Just 85 more broootal kilometers. Here are some camino frances pics.Read more
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Great photo !
10/10/19Reply
Sylvia Thomas
This is a great picture!
10/11/19Reply
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Pilgrim brothers.
10/12/19Reply
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Oct 6, 2019, 7:23am · ☁️ 12 °C · Altitude: 544 m · 42°49'31" N 7°41'36" W
Spain Portomarín Gonzar
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct5
Day In Oviedo
October 5, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 6 °C
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Today I used to just rest up and go to the cathedral to collect my compestela. It felt great to complete the San Salvador to receive this. No line ups or anything. In the old days, it was considered a must ahead of the one in Santiago.

“Whoever goes to Santiago and doesn't go to Salvador visits the servant but forgets the Lord.”

Here is a link for some background.
https://www.turismoasturias.es/en/camino-de-santiago/camino-san-salvador

The relics here are amazing. Much more so than in Santiago many say. These include, THE ARC OF THE COVENANT, (yes that one), the head burial shroud of Jesus, and the vessel were water was turned to wine.
All very fascinating.

Have a look at the pics.Read more
Sylvia Thomas
This would be so interesting, what a great experience
10/5/19Reply
Wow!!!!
10/6/19Reply
Debra Burgess
Terry these are great pictures.. The cathedral creates Awe - wow - and the Ark... very cool. Wonderful achievement for you - congrats! 👍👍👏👏 Time for well deserved R & R 🥩🍷🍎
10/6/19Reply
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Oct 5, 2019, 6:19am · 🌙 6 °C · Altitude: 879 m · 42°27'17" N 6°3'19" W
Spain Astorga
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct4
Pola de Lena To Oviedo
October 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
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San Salvador Camino Completed!

The last day of the Camino, and one of the most broootal.

We were eager to finish off today, so we decided to walk the 34 kilometres to Oviedo. Juan was so eager he woke at 5:00am to get going. I did’t leave until 7:00.

The first stretch to the town of Mieres, was pretty easy going along pedestrian walkways. I arrived there at 10:00. I thought the rest of the day would be a breeze.

There are two hills to go up and down to Oviedo. The first is not well marked. I ended up going down a muddy trail into the middle of a forest. Totally lost, and because it was also a misty rainy day, I could not see the sun. I ended up using my phone to navigate out. About 5 to 8 wasted kilometers.

After surviving this, I found flechas again. Now the only thing between me and Oviedo was one more mountain.

I arrived in Oviedo at around 5:00 that evening. Juan had arrived only 1 hour sooner.

After finding a hostel, we went out to drink the local cider to celebrate the end of the San Salvador Camino.

Tomorrow I will receive my compestela document!Read more
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Congratulations, Terry! Thank God you found your way out of that forest before nightfall.
10/5/19Reply
Chalks Camino del Norte
Congratulations on finishing!
10/5/19Reply
Debra Burgess
glad all those 'puppies' were leashed! This looks like a broooootal part of your trek
10/5/19Reply
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Oct 4, 2019, 3:21am · ☁️ 15 °C · Altitude: 247 m · 43°21'53" N 5°50'43" W
Spain Oviedo Arcos La Foncalada
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct3
Bendeunos To Pola de Lena
October 3, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
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It was a great little albergue last night in the mountains, and I had a good breakfast of cereal and coffee that was put there by Sara the great hospitalerio.

It was an extra 1.5 kilometres to get back to the trail signs from the albergue. Our trail friend Nicholas is pushing on an e tea amount today, since he is anxious to continue onto the Primitivo way. Nicholas has been a great fellow perigrino. Buen Camino Nicholas!

Juan and I have taken a shorter day stopping in Pola de Lena. A nice town with all the services. Juan found a great menu del did place. It started with oxtail lentil soup that was to die for, followed by pork cutlets, and for poster a fantastic cheese cake! Of course a bottle of wine with it all for less than a Big Mac and fries at home.

It is a lovely municipal albergue here. Juan found a game of chess here and has challenged me tonight!

After we went out for cider which is famous here. The have a particular way of pouring it. (See video)

Anyway getting closer to Oviedo.Read more
Chalks Camino del Norte
Loving these posts Terry! Makes us want to be on the Camino again!
10/3/19Reply
Wow, looks amazing!
10/3/19Reply
Talented airation 💖🥂
10/3/19Reply
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Oct 3, 2019, 4:24am · ☁️ 11 °C · Altitude: 335 m · 43°9'36" N 5°49'49" W
Spain Lena Pola de Lena
Camino de Madrid 2019 Terry’s 2019 Camino
Oct2
Pajares To Bendeunos
October 2, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
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What a day. Today the trail didn’t seem to know if it wanted to go up or down. There were long stretches of both. The scenery was great as usual. This section was rated 5/5 for difficulty and I now see why. It was like 4 hours straight on the stepper at the YMCA. Even tho it was only 15 kilometres today, it seemed like 40.

When I arrived at the town where I thought the albergue was, all I found was a sign directing me to a road saying it was another 1.5 Kms away. Of course after going down hill into the town, this road was all uphill at a 30 degree angle.

I came across another group of houses, and still did not see it. I then stopped and took off my pack, and consulted my iPad guide. Just as I was looking up the albergue phone number, a car came down the road and stopped by me. A very sweet woman asked if I was Terry! My fellow perigrinos Juan and Nicholas had arrived before me, and told her that I should arrive shortly. She came out looking for me. The albergue was just another 500 meters away! There she had prepared a fantastic Asturias style soup for us. This is one of the best albergues that I have every been in, and I would suggest that anyone doing this Camino stop over here.

Anyway here are some pics.Read more
Mary-Anne McLaughlin
Thank goodness for angels along the Way. Go well, Terry.
10/2/19Reply
Rob Lassche
Those beans should power you up for the next leg of the journey !
10/2/19Reply
Debra Burgess
Definitely, he has the right of way!
10/3/19Reply
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Oct 2, 2019, 4:56am · ⛅ 10 °C · Altitude: 713 m · 41°39'19" N 4°43'25" W
Spain Valladolid

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