31 May, 2015
Day 17 on the Camino de Santiago and a momentous day because we’ve reached the halfway point of this monumental undertaking. A hot and dusty 14 miles to Caldadilla de la Cueza where the architectural highlight of the day was the impressive Monastery San Zoilo in Carrion de los Condes.
30 May, 2015
Day 16 on the Camino de Santiago and today we walked 17 miles from Itero de la Vega to the imposing templar church at Villalcazar de Sirga.
29 May, 2015
Day 15 on the Camino de Santiago and to kick off our third week walking the Way a 19 mile walk to Itero de la Vega. The long 12% climb out of Castrojeriz and onto the Meseta was well worth the effort. The Meseta is a bit of a highlight of the Camino.
28 May, 2015
Day 14 on the Camino de Santiago and a relatively short 13 miles to Hornillos del Camino to ease us back in to it. Finally the sun is shining and it’s starting to warm up.
27 May, 2015
Day 13 on the Camino de Santiago and after walking the Way for 12 straight days we’re having a day of R&R in Burgos eating nice food and drinking good wine. Oh, and watching the end of today’s Giro d’Italia stage 17 into Lugano which is actually in Switzerland.
26 May, 2015
Day 12 on the Camino de Santiago and although the 14 miles to Burgos may have felt more 24 to Kay, she made it. We’re checked in to a nice hotel tonight and have a great apartment to look forward to tomorrow. Not sure what to expect from the cathedral in Santiago but if the one in Burgos is anything to go by it’ll be pretty special.
25 May, 2015
Day 11 on the Camino de Santiago and a milestone of sorts, one third distance to Santiago. To give Kay’s feet a bit of a break I carried her rucksack loaded up with some of things today. Despite the extra weight I really enjoyed the 17 miles of undulating dirt roads to Ages. Only 14 miles and one day away from Burgos. Now that is a milestone.
24 May, 2015
Day 10 on the Camino de Santiago and I’m feeling really sorry for Kay because her feet are so sore. It was another long one today, 18 miles to Belorado. I just hope we can make it to Burgos where she can rest up for a day.
23 May, 2015
Day 9 on the Camino de Santiago and our longest walk yet with 20 miles through a lot of nothing to Ciruena. Had a strong sense of deja vu today and I think I cycled along some of today’s section back in 2013 during stage 17 of my Vuelta ride from Calahorra to Burgos.
I am little concerned I’m pushing Kay too hard and today was probably a bit too far for her. She’s beginning to suffer with her legs and feet a bit but we really didn’t have much choice in the matter. Unless we’d done two short days instead which in hindsight would have been wiser.
22 May, 2015
Day 8 on the Camino de Santiago and an easy 14 miles saw us in Navarrete by midday. A new week and a new strategy. No more dorms unless absolutely no alternative. Kay booked us in to a private room at Alburgue La Casa del Peregrino which was really nice. And lunch was off the scale too. Swordfish with waiter service. Plenty of time to visit Iglesia Santa María de la Asunción too. It was breathtaking.
21 May, 2015
Day 7 on the Camino de Santiago and after today’s 19 miles to Viana we’ve managed to cover almost 100 miles in our first week. I must confess I’m starting to love the Camino de Santiago. Well, the walking bit for sure. The accommodation can be a bit hit and miss. And the jury is still out on the food.
20 May, 2015
Day 6 on the Camino de Santiago and a 15 mile walk to Villamayor de Monjardin. We’re in Rioja wine country and Kay took full advantage of a free top up at Bodega Irachey. I was hoping the wine would help lift her spirits and get her through the day because she’s struggling a bit physically and as a result mentally too. Unfortunately the drop we tasted wouldn’t win any awards and probably did more harm than good.
19 May, 2015
Day 5 on the Camino de Santiago and after some tough early days, but mainly nights, I’m starting to embrace it. Today was a slightly longer 17 miles from Cizor Menor to Puente del Raina and on to Cirauqui with the best overnight so far at Albergue Maralotx.
18 May, 2015
Day 4 on the Camino de Santiago and another 13 mile day where we made it to the gates of Pamplona on our way to Cizur Meno. We could have caught a bus back into Pamplona but after last night’s nightmare accommodation the Albergue Maribel Roncal was a paradise in comparison. The weather is improving too although I doubt I’ll be breaking out my shorts any time soon.
17 May, 2015
Day 3 on the Camino de Santiago and after spending most of yesterday fighting the elements, and gravity, today’s 13 miles to Larrasoanna was like a stroll in the park. Unfortunately the Albergue Municipal that was waiting for us was a new low on the accommodation front. Truly, truly awful and if I could have gotten away with walking through the night instead I would have.
16 May, 2015
Day 2 on the Camino de Santiago and a wet and windy 15 mile walk over the 1,344m Col de Bentarte. The col marks the border with Spain and from that point it was all down hill to Espinal. All in all quite a challenging day and a reminder, if one was needed, that this isn’t going to be a stroll in the park.
15 May, 2015
Day 1 on the Camino de Santiago and the start of Kay’s and my epic 500 mile walk along the Way of St. James. We’re starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and expect it will take us a month to get to Santiago de Compostela. This is Kay’s idea, I’m just along for the ride so to speak. To ease us in to it just a short 5 mile walk today from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port up to Orisson. The walking I don’t mind, but the communal dining, public introductions, dormitories, bunk beds and cold showers I can do without.
