Ugh, another awful sleep and early morning start - 6:30am... before sunrise. We booted it to Leon as it is a long long drag of a walk and the only way to get it done is fast. Now we´re here and all in a hotel tonight to SLEEP!

Twas a fitful sleep last night for most of the pilgrims in the albergue.  As atmospheric as it was sleeping in a converted church, the acoustics meant that every snore, every tossle, the sound of everyone getting up to use the facilities was amplified.  I slept okay till about 4am...then was fully awake by 5:30am as … Continue reading Day 16: A Long 32kms

statue outside Sahagun albergue We left Melgar at 7:15am under threatening skies. There was a brief thunder shower last night that cooled the air, but left several dark clouds behind. The signing was poor again, and we almost went on a accidental 13.5kms ornithological tour, but caught ourselves in time and only had to backtrack … Continue reading Day 15: Meeting Friends

Pasquale (center) walking us out in the morning Estefan called for an early start this morning: 6:30am, and we kinda do what Estefan wants. It was his dream to walk the Camino and Mike felt honored that he was asked to go with him, so he's happy to accede to E's wishes. Me? Although I'm … Continue reading Day 14: A Pilgrim’s Day

Medina de Rioseco canal Well, as nice as the rooms were at the convent were, the soundproofing left a lot to be desired! I could here every mattress squeak and cough or snore in both M&E and Gunter's rooms (he's a German walker who showed up around 6pm). I probably only got about 5 hrs … Continue reading Day 13: Water, Wind and Earth

I wandered down to the train station last night to check out what time I needed to leave in the morning to get back to the Camino. I had planned to continue walking with the guys so I wanted to take a bus to Castromonte, then walk the same stage as them to Medina de … Continue reading Day 12: Valladolid to Medina de Rioseco

I'm Valladolid now, wandering around doing the tourist bit.  This morning I walked with Estefan & Michael as far as Simancas (6kms), then took a local bus to the 'big' city.  It's lovely; full of 19th C. neo-classical architecture and mostly 16th C. churches and former palaces.  It's quite fashionable - I feel a bit … Continue reading Day 11: Playing Tourist

It was a grrreat walk today.  Wonderful scenery, billions of poppies and sunny and warm.  I had lots of energy for some reason; perhaps it was the double dose of sugar in my morning cafe con leche, or maybe because I sang along with the "Evita" soundtrack all afternoon (this iPhone sure is the bomb!)  … Continue reading Day 10: 25 Clicks to Puente Duero

Once again, I was the first to leave the albergue. Up at 7am and out by 7:30. It's a cold crisp morning and I can see my breath, but it's pure sun above. In the beginning the Walk is along a cliff with a pine forest on the left and a river valley far below … Continue reading Day 9: Pining Away

Castillo in Coca Well, not really. I woke up at 7am and was ready to go. Thru the skylight I could see that it was light and still dry so I thought I'd better make tracks while the going was good. Not wanting to waken the boys, I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my pack … Continue reading Day 8: Away in the Night