Page 20 of sherrys Travel Blog Posts


Europe » Spain » La Rioja » Santo Domingo de la Calzada September 28th 2016

Today I walked the 21 kms to Santo Domingo in sandals to take the pressure from my feet. It seems to have worked; well, they're no worse ! We walked 7kms to Azofra before stopping for breakfast , tortilla and coffee, and rested for a while before starting again. I am now changing socks 3 times a day to keep my feet dry. We constantly passed through vineyards and tomorrow leave the La Rioja province and enter the Burgos region. Our second break was at Cirueña , a town with expensive housing estates and a first class golf course, with very few residents. I didn't see any; just 'For Sale' signs. This is a prime example of the declining Spanish economy and nothing has changed since 2 years ago. We had a snack at Bar Jacobi ... read more
Entering Azofra
The Way
The Constant View

Europe » Spain » La Rioja » Nájera September 27th 2016

We set off from Logrono at 7.10 this morning, intending to walk about 20 kilometres but our pace suggested we could do more. The walk through Logrono was lovely, through gardens, around a lake and finally through a spruce forest where squirrels chased each other up and down trees in some sort of game. The only problem was we walked on concrete and asphalt for 5 kilometers before reaching an earth path. This tough surface was pretty constant all the way to Navarette and is very hard on your legs and feet. It's always advisable to walk on the edge of a path to avoid concrete, and small paths indicate that this is a widely held view. Navarette was going to be the highlight of the day as we were going to eat tapas at the ... read more
Sunrise over the Logrono Lake
Caught in the shadow
John and Me

Europe » Spain » La Rioja » Logroño September 26th 2016

After a delicious breakfast in Los Arcos, we walked out at 6.15am. I had only walked for about 2kms and I switched from sandals to boots. My feet were sore but seemed to improve throughout the day, in spite of the many hills that had to be crossed. The scenery was amazing but the villages were rare. We passed through a gypsy settlement about a kilometre past Viana. There was about 20 or so vans and cars covered with blue tarps that completed the 'we're ready to pack up fast' look. We lost Masa today. He has a bad fever and was staying on at Los Arcos. last night we had a meal and a lot of laughs, often at my expense, with a multinational table; we had japanese, Croation, dutch and a guy from Norway ... read more
Approaching Sansol
Take your pick !

Europe » Spain » Navarre » Estella September 25th 2016

We were ready by 6am for our walk to Los Arcos and walked out of the sleeping town of Estella towards the Monestario de Irache, where there is wine for free on tap at a decorative barrel on the wall. On learning that the hole in the wall was empty we ventured into the dark towards Los Arcos and about 400 meters from the monastery, Arena asked me where were my sticks. Great! I ran the distance back by torch light and recovered the sticks and recommenced the walk. In the dark we somehow missed a turn and ended up off course. This deviation added about 2 kilometres to the day so it was OK. The climb to Luquín was quite steep as this was the alternative route over the mountain, rather than around it to ... read more
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Europe » Spain » Navarre » Estella September 24th 2016

Today we started a little later at about 7.15. Wearing sandels, I am enjoying more freedom in my feet than yesterday and may continue in them tomorrow . We ate breakfast at the alburgue and it was yoghurt , toast with jam and coffee; pretty good. Today we walked with a Japanese language teacher, Masa and Irena, a self described 'crazy Croation' . However, she is really quite nice. Masa has become our ninja and John is his intern ninja. While Masa bestows us with insightful wisdom, the best Irana had to offer was ' never stay at the Jesus and Mary Alburgue at Pamplona and never accept advice from an elderly English couple who have done the Camino 7 times. The last bit of advice relates directly to the alburgue advice. The walk out of ... read more
Dawn
Crosses on the cyclone fence.
Ciraquei

Europe » Spain » Navarre » Puente La Reina September 23rd 2016

Yesterday afternoon was spent relaxing and exploring Cizur Menor. Not much to see but a small park with soft, lush grass became my bed for about 40 minutes. I sat and chatted to 2 Americans and a young Korean guy for a while and was amazed to fear he had walked 49 kilometres that day. He had pressure bandages on both knees and feet full of blisters; not bad for day 2! Dinner was eaten at the local pub and we shared a table with two German women. It was a very quiet session as they knew no English and our German is nicht up to scratch. They do about 25 kilometres of the Camino every year but by the look of them, I don't think they will ever see Santiago; they're as young as me. ... read more
Is it a bird, is it a plane...
The breakfast stop
This reflects how you feel on the Camino at times!

Europe » Spain » Navarre » Pamplona September 22nd 2016

Started the day off well and walked 4 kms before stopping at Zuriáin for breakfast. We started early and didn't see many other pilgrims ( travellers/walkers) until we approached Pamplona. On the way we visited the church of Saint Stephen, yes there's more than one of us, and climbed the bell tower to give them a ring. These bells are the oldest in Navarre and it was an honour to be allowed. A kind nun encouraged us to do it and the chimes would have been heard throughout the hills. I did a quick SIM card purchase at an Orange outlet, had an Iberian jamon bocadillo for lunch, visited the Cathedral, and set off to Cizur Menor. My feet are hurting for a few reasons but swelling is the main one. The walk from Pamplona was ... read more
Breakfast at Zuriáin
San Esteban's Church
The bell tower at S. Esteban's

Europe » Spain » Navarre » Larrasoaña September 21st 2016

Well, this is the first internet I've had since arriving in Paris. Paris was lovely in the few hours we were there; the food is great and the coffee is not. Fast forward to the train on the 19th that was meant to leave at 6.26 am. We had to be there 20 minutes early so that the train could leave 40 minutes late, apparently. The trains are very comfortable ( 2nd class) but I'm inclined to think the system is modelled on Melbourne Metro for reliability. Various announcements are delivered, after an introductory tune that we could not understand ( I just nodded knowingly so as not to look stupid to fellow travellers ), but one concerned me due to the unhappy look on the man sitting across from me. Drawing deep into my French ... read more
Eiffel Tower
Parisians at Play
Lovely building, lovely gardens

Europe » France » Île-de-France September 18th 2016

I'd like to start with a big heads up to flight attendants. Does anyone work as hard as them, with 14 hr shifts and their clientele being over demanding and wingeing all the time ( I did apologize for that). I think they should be applauded! ...just joking about the apology bit.....I didn't complain. . I love 'em all! Just a quick bit on the trip. It was a long and tedious flight and the seats are old, tired and felt like concrete. Caught the early train into Paris, bought train tickets and we head off to SJPP tomorrow. Just a few pics of Parisians having fun. I'm off to sleep with a 5am wake up alarm. Au Revoir!... read more
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Oceania » Australia » Victoria » Bacchus Marsh September 11th 2016

With barely a week until we leave, planning is complete, if not comprehensive. Due to the unreliability of flight arrival times, locking in times and purchasing train tickets to St Jean Pied de Port could be costly and a waste of time. We will wing it. We will now arrive in Paris at 7.55am on the 18th, hopefully , and stay overnight near the Montparnasse Station. Tickets will be bought for the trip south the next day. The afternoon will hopefully be spent sampling the local cuisine, wth a bit of sightseeing along the banks of the Seine to round it off. John arrives Friday morning and we will finalise our plans and packing so that Saturday is trouble free. An issue with plantar fasciitis on the left foot reared its ugly head two weeks ago ... read more
The starting line.
The Camino
The Cathedral , Santiago.




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