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Misc. / Travel

Grandma goes to Ethiopia

This title reflects a slightly different perspective. No Camino discussion today, and I’m writing mainly to give an outline to family and friends who are curious. I think I hear someone ask “Why is Grandma working? I thought she was supposed to be retired.” Well, the short answer would be “Because she can, and because…

Misc.

Invierno 7 – A Pobra do Brollón to Monforte de Lemos (13 km)

The idea was to have a short day into Monforte, so we could do sightseeing in the town. The walk was pastoral and pleasant. Laurie had some errands to do and I had to figure out my travel plans. She was in a fancy hotel while I was at the Santa Clara, which was entirely…

Misc.

Invierno 6 – Quiroga to A Pobra do Brollón (23 km by taxi, 5 km wandering)

Today was a day of reckoning. I have not been enjoying the walking very much in the last few days, which rather defeats the purpose. I think I am coming down with a cold (my first in 4 years), and find myself out of breath on minor hills. I feel chilled. My shin splints are…

Misc.

Invierno 5 – A Rua to Montefurado (10 km by train) to Quiroga (18 km)

I was hoping to walk this whole stage since last time (2022) I took the train for the first 10 km. However, it seems that I am not more energetic this year than last. So, 7:09 train it was, arriving a few minutes later at the atmospheric and largely abandoned (although I saw at least…

Invierno 4 – O Barco to A Rua de Valdeorras (14 km)

I was a bit concerned about my feet, so chose to walk the shortest route for this stage, forgoing the more scenic waterfalls that Laurie checked out on the other side of the river. Yesterday my problematic foot began to feel quite bruised on the bottom, so I switched to my newer shoes halfway through…

Invierno 3 – Puente de Domingo Flores to O Barco de Valdeorras (20 km)

Invierno 2 – Villavieja to Puente de Domingo Flores (25 km)

Just some photos now

Invierno 1 – Ponferrada to Villavieja (17 km)

Sorry, but no time to write much, or search through photos. I had lots of thoughts while walking and should probably learn to dictate them, but I haven’t, so you are spared. It was a very pleasant walk to the luxurious albergue in Villavieja. Five of us – from Canada, Australia and Spain – spent…

In transit – Transfer to the Camino del Invierno

As Laurie described it, today we are repositioning to Ponferrada. There, we will separate for a few days at least. She will zip around to explore some new sidetrips and monasteries, and I will attempt to walk the standard Invierno route. I did it in 2022, but found it a bit unsatisfying, maybe partly because…

Serrana 11 – Dos Hermanas to Sevilla (16 km)

This is a fairly short stage. We are already into the greater Seville area, so had to navigate the commuter transportation networks out of town. At one point, we found ourselves wandering among some uncertain paths. But our first view of Sevilla made it clear that we couldn’t really go wrong. With a population of…

Serrana 10 – El Coronil to Utrera (20 km) + 15 km by train

We left at 7:00 am since Laurie had a long day ahead. Saw the moon go down, and the sun come up. The track for the morning was a bit like walking across Saskatchewan, not that I’ve ever done that. A lot of wheat fields, some oat (maybe – my guess), sunflowers at various stages.…

Serrana 9 – Coripe to Montellano (16 km), bus 13 km to El Coronil

Today’s walk was extremely scenic. I find that anything over 25 km is too long for me. There isn’t time to rest or dawdle en route, which I like to do. I can’t get to the destination in time for a decent mid-day meal. Furthermore, I am exhausted. Laurie and I start out together but…