Blogs from Castrojeriz, Castile & León, Spain, Europe - page 2

So we made it, the last 20km to Castrojerez and the end of our first half of the Camino. I have entrusted my staff to a publican at the entrance to town who has promised me he will keep it until 2016 when we return. It felt really strange walking the last km to the hotel without it. Mixed emotions today, hard to believe it is all over. We would dearly love to carry on but also very excited about seeing the kids, Suzzie and Scott, their children and Pat/John in Chicago and Cleveland. Have been walking with a guy from Canada, Jonathan. He is 30 and very nearly gave up on day one. He owns a very successful business building trailers for truck and trailer units in Canada. He employs 230 staff and is a ... read more

Hello again everybody! This time I am writing on a very hot Tueday evening in Casterojeriz at a municpal albergue. Yesterday I left Burgos in the early afternoon but had a cool)ish) walk with a breeze and some cloud cover. I went as far as the beginning for the Messetta at Rabe de las Calzada which was only about 15 km after the previous day´s 35 km ! Today has been about 25 km. My feet are well and recover quickly from each day of walking. Despite all that is said about the Messette it is not that bleak. Especially when as with today I left the albergue 45 mins before sunrise. In some ways the sunrises are the rationale for this walk. It is amazing to see the colours change from black to purples to ... read more

There are many ways you can tell that the night before crossed some kind of line in terms of decency. People may glance at you with newfound suspicion. An earthy, vaguely unnatural smell may fill the air. Or, in my case, you may be awoken half an hour after the official check out time by an old Spanish man repeatedly smacking you in the face with a walking stick. If you ever experience this particular reintroduction to real life, you should definitly assume the worst. I'm not sure exactly which of my or my accomplices crimes warranted such viscious action by this bastard of a Spaniard, but it can't have been good. The night started innocently enough. A simple meal with a few fellow pilgrims oiled with quality red wine. Then a move to another bar ... read more