• Terry's Camino Trips
  • Terry's Camino Trips

Terry’s 2019 Camino

This year, I will be walking the Camino de Madrid/Camino Frances/Camino Invierno combination. Read more
  • Trip start
    August 21, 2019

    We’re off!

    September 3, 2019 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    The journey starts now! Leaving Toronto at 11:30 tonight, and arriving in Lisbon 11:30 am tomorrow morning. After a 2 hour layover, off to Madrid arriving at 4:15 pm local.

  • Madrid!

    September 4, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Arrived in Madrid after a long day travelling. Slept very well last night. Currently staying in a fellow pilgrims apartment here. Spent today seeing the sites of Madrid. We start out walking Sept 07. Here are today’s pics.Read more

  • Madrid to Tres Cantos

    September 7, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    First day on the trail out of Madrid. Being a Saturday, the streets where very busy. A pilgrim from New Zealand was also starting out today and was glad to join us. The first couple of days are always tough. It was very dry, but luckily it was cool in the morning and only reached 29 in the afternoon. Made it to our first stop. The city of Tres Cantos. (The city of three songs). Have a look at the pics. TerryRead more

  • Manzanares

    September 9, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Left Early this morning for a place called Manzanares el Real. Another clear blue sky day. Again we walked down cow paths and rocky trails into a lovely town. Tonight we are staying at a donation albergue, run by a family that has a shed on their lot that they run for pilgrims. They even served us a fantastic meal! Anyway more pics of today.Read more

  • Manzanares el Real To Cercedilla

    September 10, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We started early today,. The first stage was 7 Kim’s to a village named Mataelpino. Here we stopped for a break. Most of the morning was on cowpath, with the imposing mountains on our right. It was another 7 Kim’s to a town called Navacerrada. Here we met a couple of other pilgrims, a Canadian and an Irishman. We stopped and had a coffee with them. Getting out of town was broooodle! It was a steady climb out of town. We finished off walking thru nice pine forest into Cercedilla.Read more

  • Cercedilla to Segovia - Broooodal!

    September 11, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Cercedilla to Segovia

    Today was a long hard day. The first part was a long upward climb on an old Roman road over the mountain pass between Cercedilla and Segovia. The large rocks were a real problem to navigate. Climbing further to the summit, the temperature dropped drastically. Was near freezing at the top. This was followed by a nice descent thru a pine forest, but the last 15 Klms were thru a long and boring dry grazing fields. Left Cercedilla at 7:15 this morning, and staggered into Segovia at around 4:30.Read more

  • Rest Day In Segovia

    September 12, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Needed a rest day after the mountain crossing yesterday. Segovia was a great city for site seeing. This town is famous for it’s incredible intact Roman aquaduct. Also an incredible cathedral, and the Alcasar castle.Read more

  • Segovia to Zamarramala

    September 13, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Just a short walk to Zamarramala today. It was the only way to split up the next 2 days without having to walk over 30 Klm’s. Segovia now in the distance. Just a few old churches on the way, and also a very interesting museum of old puppets! They were very intricate. The public albergue here is very nice.Read more

  • Zamarramala To Santa María la Real

    September 14, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    It was a long hot 30 km day. Walked thru 4 small agricultural towns, that had nothing except maybe a fountain. Came across a flock of sheep, and also thought that the pine trees being tapped for sap was interesting. Meeting up with us tonight, is Petya Ninova from Bulgaria. She wants to walk for 1 week with us. We first met Petra on the Via de la Plata.Read more

  • This Is No Bull!

    September 15, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Santa María la Real de Nieva To Nava de la Asunción

    The promised rain of the last 2 days held off again for us. Walking was easy in a cloudy cool day. We walked thru a lot of pine forest. In certain areas, all the trees were tapped for their sap. I could not resist dipping my finger in and just trying a taste. It tasted like turpentine! The large round bull fighting arena made out of stone was also expressive.

    It was our lucky day entering Nava at just the right time. Part of the Camino route thru town was barricaded off and the town was starting some type of festival. Just starting, was their running of the bulls festival. It was a great laugh. Have a look!
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  • Nava de la Asunción To Villeguillo

    September 16, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    A vary nice walk today thru pine forest again. Our first stop was the city of Coca, which had a very nice castle. The castle was built by Moors on the orders of Bishop Alonso de Fonseca who had been given permission to build by Juan II.

    Our final destination, is the village of Villeguillo. Here is a tiny bar, run by the famous keekay. When we arrived, he asked what we wanted for supper, we all said fish. At 7:00 we went there, and he brought out a fish dinner that would feed 10! There was also a huge salad that we could not finish. It all was huge but marvellous. We were also joined tonight by Gerard from Ireland.

    Tomorrow 18 Kms to Alcazarén.
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  • Villeguillo To Alcazarén

    September 17, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Another day of pine forest paths. The day after having a feast put on by the local bar owner last night, Paul was having a hard day walking, suffering from last nights feast. Most of us are not too hungry today.

    Having a bit of a rest at our new albergue tonight. Tomorrow a 24 km day.

    Rob Lassche, there are a few pics of listings that you have to move fast on!
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  • Alcazarén To Puente Duero

    September 18, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    How much more pine forest and farm track can I take!

    We broke into the 400’s today!!

    It was an early start to a 24 km day. With only one town as a rest stop in between. Paul has recovered from his over indulgence the other day, and we all made good time. Well except for one small deviation that I made when only a few kilometres from our destination. I was ahead, and the trail seemed to head off into the hills. After not seeing an arrow for a while, I arrived at the top of a hill overlooking a valley. A little further on, the trail ended at a farmers field. So, it was back up the hill and back to the spot in question. I phoned Petya on whatsapp, and she told me to follow the path parallel to the road. When the truth later came out, it seems that Petya had CHEATED by using her phone GPS. Anyway we all arrived at a nice little albergue run by a very interesting man named Yurgen from Germany.

    Also with us, is Marie from Lourdes France. Marie is 72, and has done 2 Camino’s per year for the last 20 YEARS!!!

    There was no where to eat in this town, so we all got some food at the local tiende, and conjured up a great meal. I was chastised by Marie, for putting butter on my bread! Simply not done in France!

    Time for bed!
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  • Puente Duero To Penaflor de Hornija

    September 19, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    .An early start this morning led us onto more farm track into a meseta like landscape for 24 kilometres. At least there were 3 towns with cafe bars to break up the day and to top up our waters.

    The sun was very strong this afternoon, and necessitated a smothering of sunscreen.

    The final approach to town was extra broooootal, as there was a final long uphill stretch to get into town.

    Our group of 5 consisting of Paul (Australia), Petya (Bulgarian), Marie (France), Gerard (Ireland), and myself are now resting in a great albergue. Tomorrow another 24 kilometres.
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  • Penaflor de Hornija to Medina de Rioseco

    September 20, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    A long 24 kilometres stretch today, with about 10 kms of road walking. The scenery is getting more Meseta like. Very dry with large open spaces.

    We are relaxing in an albergue here, the used to be a convent.

    A very nice town here. Have a look at today’s pics!
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  • Medina de Rioseco To Cuenca de Campos

    September 21, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We left Medina a little late (9:30) this morning, since Petya had to take a bus back home to Alicante. After a breakfast of coffee and some crappy toastados, we headed off.

    The first 11 kilometres were very picturesque, walking along a canal. Along the way there was many historic pictures of boats on the canal from the past.

    The last part of the day was the toughest. There was 9 kilometres of road walking to our final destination.

    We arrived in Cuenca de Campos, and found the municipal albergue.

    All day long, none of the towns had anywhere to buy food, so we were starving at the albergue. We lived off of some nuts and a chocolate bar all day. There is a local diner here, but the have nothing to eat until 9:00 pm !! Anyway waiting for that now.

    This area seems to be famous for breeding championship greyhounds. Many pics of the dogs in the pub.
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  • Cuenca de Campos To Villalón de Campos

    September 22, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    After the last few hard days, we decided to do just a short walk to the next town. We still broke thru the 400’s into the 300’s. Most of the way was along an old railway track bed.

    A nice albergue here, but it did not open until 3:00.

    Again finding food in this town has not been easy, as we are arriving one day after a festival. That combined with being a Sunday, means that many things are closed.

    A few more days to Sahagun!
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  • Villalón de Campos To Santervás de Campo

    September 23, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today we started off with a great breakfast for a change. At the albergue, they had some milk, eggs, and bread. I cooked us up some French toast with this. The hospitalerio also gave us some melon. We hit the road full for a change.

    Most of the walk was thru farm track today. It seemed to go on forever. Fortunately, the weather is cooler.

    The albergue where we ended up at in Santervás de Campos is really something. The volunteer hospitalerios Isadoro and Reyes are fantastic host. The fed us well.

    This small village in the middle of nowhere, it turns out is very noteworthy. It was the birthplace of Juan Ponce de Leon! He was in charge of the expedition following Columbus. He was the first governor of Puerto Rico, and discovered Florida while looking for the fountain of youth.

    We were asked if we would like to see the museum, and agreed to go have a look. To our amazement, the museum was in the basement of the albergue! We went down into the cavernous space, and low and behold there was a complete museum with incredible displays.

    A truly incredible day.
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  • Santervás de Campos To Grajal de Campos

    September 24, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    After a typical breakfast, we said goodbye to our great host Isadoro and Reyes.

    BTW, any town named with “de Campos” at the end of it’s name, means “of the field”.

    A pretty straight forward walk today, first a bit of road, then farm track.

    This fairly large town has an ancient castle, but nothing else. We were lucky to find the only place in town to find something to eat.

    The albergue tonight, is right next to the plaza major. It used to be the town jail! We look out thru narrow barred windows into the town square.

    Tomorrow we arrive in Sahagun, thus completing the Camino de Madrid! It will be interesting to see what the crowds are like on the Camino Frances.
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  • Grajal de Campos To Sahagun

    September 25, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    What a day. We arrived in Sahagun earlier today, completing our Camino de Madrid! We obtained a document at the end to commemorate this at an old church/ museum at the entrance to town.

    We are now on the Camino Frances. The number of pilgrims here is staggering. Since we were early to town, we obtained our beds at a very nice parochial albergue. This evening, we were invited to a pilgrim mass and blessing at the attached church. At mass, I was approached by the priest to do the first reading. After we had a great communal meal.

    Anyway, tomorrow we continue on the Frances to Ponferada, at which point we will switch to the Invierno.
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  • Sahagun To El Burgo Ranero

    September 26, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    A relatively easy day today along the Frances. What a difference it is along this trail. Many other pilgrims along the trail, and at rest stops. The trails are all well groomed, and shaded by rows of trees. The villages are much closer together, and there is always food and drink at hand.

    Staying at a hostal tonight. Many more choices of places to stay compared with 2013.

    On the downside, a pilgrim told me last night that their friend in Santiago had to wait 3 days to get their compestela. There are so many in Santiago that you have to stand in line to get a number, then follow your number on an app that you download to monitor it’s progress.

    Anyway just a few pics today.
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  • Mansilla de la Mulas To León

    September 28, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Another day of great weather. We made it to the great city of Leon. I registered at my albergue, shortly after 1:00 pm. It is another parochial one. Just 6 euro includes breakfast! We are inside the old walled city.

    León will represent a turning point for me. I have decided to leave the familiar overcrowded Camino Frances, and start the Camino San Salvador. It starts in León, and continues north to a cathedral in Oviedo where I will receive a compestella document for this Camino. It is a logical extension of the Camino de Madrid/Camino Frances combination. This made more sense for me, as I already have 3 from Santiago. My Aussie friend Paul, is going to complete the Frances, as it is flatter . He feels that the hills of the San Salvador would be too much for his knees.

    So I start the San Salvador tomorrow. It has some great mountain views, hilly terrain, and lots of brooooootal. Should be good!
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  • León To La Robla

    September 29, 2019 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    The nun’s woke the albergue up at 6:00 am sharp this morning. This was ok with me, as I wanted to get an early start. I ate a couple of yogurts that I bought the night before, and hit the trail.

    Following the arrows, I came across the point where the Camino Frances and the San Salvador split. Armed with water, a almond chocolate bar, and a spare bocadillo, I set out. Once I was out of town and into the hills, I could hardly put my camera away. It is a beautiful woodsy trail with great scenery. No crowds either.

    It was a hilly 27 kilometres, but it felt great. On the trail, I was joined by a Spanish guy who has taken holidays to do this Camino. His name is Juan, and works in Alicante for a company that does international work. By an amazing coincidence, it turns out he works at the same place as our friend Petya Ninova !

    Anyway in La Robla we have a beautiful albergue here tonight with a great group of pilgrims doing this Camino. There is Juan, a Swedish young guy named Christopher who speaks English as well as perfect Spanish, and an older Spanish women named Manuela.

    Tomorrow we climb 1.5 vertical kilometres! Should be extra brooootal.
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