Blogs from Gijón, Principality of Asturias, Spain, Europe

For a traveller, tight connections are guaranteed to cause anxiety! After leaving Toledo to travel up to Madrid Atocha Station, I had 1 hour to find my way through the maize of levels and tunnels to Cercanias and catch a train which would take me to Charmartin Station. My anxiety levels were working overtime even before I arrived at Atocha Station. Upstairs was smiling on me, because this time I only had to use my Spanish 3 times and got 1 different answer and 2 the same. So I went with '2 the same' and found Cercanias, where the connecting train was leaving from. Had to be determined to get myself and case on board, as everybody else had the same idea. Thankfully, there was just enough time to have a quick breakfast before boarding the ... read more

The remaining stages of our journey onwards to Gijon passed without major incident or impediment. Notable mentions go to three drunken locals (with megaphone) waking up the entire campsite in Ribadesella with three hours of sustained shouting starting at 5:30am and also a night where our accommodation options dried up and we had to pitch in a field on a 30 degree slope. So we have arrived. Gijon marks the end of our three month walk. Having carried our bags along Northern Spain’s Camino paths for over one thousand kilometres some interesting statistics (subject to a certain degree of guestimation) have emerged. Consumption: 46 kilos of pasta (we pilgrims needs our carbohydrate) 52 tortillas (bought vac-packed in the supermarket, a lunch time stalwart) 72 ‘café con leche and tostadas’ (the only proper breakfast) 57 nights under ... read more

My travelling companions, Sandi Heath and Lynne Rose, and I finally found an internet cafe in Spain. And, guess who we found inside it clacking away? My lovely friends, Jim and Linda Lequesne. We last saw them a few days ago in Bilbao and then went our separate ways. I wonder what the odds are of finding friends at 8:30 p.m. without having made arrangements to do so? Higher than I think? Anyway, it was good to connect and share a story or two. England for 22 hours was great. Lynne and I dashed to Wimbledon for a cup of tea with Tess, my mother in law who is ailing. We then headed to Jessie´s, the wonderful second cousin once removed to Tiana if I understand my geneology charts right. Dinner chez elle then off to ... read more