On the Camino: One Day at a Time, one Photo at a Time 10.0

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Sixth stage.
Once we have climbed the grade of Olot, the landscape opens with these green meadows.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Valencia Universidad

 

[Rowena]

October 3, 2016 Via Podiensis, town of Cahors

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Grañón
San Juan Bautista albergue
my first visit

photo taken October 15, 2004



The parish refuge withn the belfry of the church of San Juan Bautista, was special. This handsome common room had a fireplace and comfortable furnishing. Above on a large balcony were mats to place beneath your sleeping bag. One could really relax.

Early evening we pilgrims were invited to attend mass. Later the gregarious priest joined us for dinner.
..Authenticity and true caritas made Grañón unique. I’m so glad that I first stopped in 2004.

 

[SabsP]

Last week. Monday the 28th of August. Leaving Ferrol.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Grañón
San Juan Bautista albergue

February 2006



I always enjoyed entering the Grañón door and meeting/talking with everyone. Sharing common difficulties and joys is part of the camino spirit, as for example this cold night

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Sixth stage. Near to Cantonigros.
Cilff of Aiats.

 

[SabsP]

Last week Monday. CI.
Capela Santa Maria de Caranza.
Ferrol.

 

[Rowena]

October 4, 2016 Via Podiensis
Leaving Cahors, continuing on the Chemin de Saint Jacques across the bridge over the river Lot and up the scary stone steps on the other side.

 

[Bradypus]

Monday 4 September 2023
Between Viana and Logroño

Sloes. Lots of them this year. Should be a good year for patxaran!

 

[Bill905]

How can I repay the kindnesses that I receive along the Camino? I can't do it for everyone, but here is what I did for one person. The gentleman in the middle of the photo is Dimitri. He and his family have been producing Armagnac for over 100 years in the small city of Eauze along the Via Podiensis. I am on the left, and a Camino companion Dan is on the right of the photo. We visited for a tour this past April, and when he discovered that I was from Canada, he wanted to know all about making Maple Syrup and Icewine. The three of us spent a fantastic few hours with him, my unilingual American companion in the photo, my unilingual French ami taking the photo, and me, the intrepid interpreter! A couple of weeks ago, an opportunity presented itself. My granddaughter (whom some of you may remember walked the CP with me in 2022) was heading to Lille to attend university! She agreed to take along a package containing a bottle of Niagara Icewine, and a bottle of Ontario Maple Syrup! She mailed it from Lille last week, and Dimitri received it just a few days later in Eauze, and then sent me a fantastic letter of thanks!! He was very touched by this small act of kindness, which I consider minimal compared to the many many kindnesses extended to me on several Caminos. So, if you may be heading along the Via Podiensis and through the city of Eauze, why not stop in at Le Domain de Lagajan about a kilometer out of town, and tell Dimitri that "Bill de Canada" sent you? I think you will get a big smile and a warm welcome!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Grañón
San Juan Bautista albergue

photo taken February 20, 2007

During my 3rd CF this albergue within a tower of the church was again a memorable stop. Arriving early I was invited by the priest to climb onto the roof to enjoy the wide view.



Later the priest and we 4 pilgrims shared a generous supper cooked by the vivacious French hospitalero who next morning carefully drew this sello into my Credential.



What a precious memento this is!

 

[Rowena]

October 5, 2016 Via Podiensis
Between Montcuq and Lauzerte, many sunflower fields

 

[SabsP]

Last week. Etapa Ferrol-Pontedeume. Cool feet.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Grañón
San Juan Bautista albergue
my last visit

photo taken November 3, 2014



Eating dinner at Granon all shared ideas and thanks for the joy of being on the camino. Later as the local priest and a pilgrim sang in praise of the Virgin Mary their duet concluded a memorable evening of fellowship and caritas ...May it always be so.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Sixth stage. l'Esquirol.
Pont de la Gorga.

 

[Rowena]

October 6, 2016 Via Podiensis, Lauzerte to Moissac
A day of sunflower fields and apple orchards.

 

[SabsP]

Pension Restaurante Luis in Pontedeume last week. CI.
My friends had their room in the front and could participate in the local ambiance aka deafening noise of the young people at next doors discoteca.
My quiet room was in the back.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Redecilla del Camino
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de La Calle

photo taken October 16, 2004



On route towards Belorado I stopped
to see this handsome 12th c. baptismal font which depicts the towers/windows of Heavenly Jerusalem.

 

[Corned Beef]

Horses wait outside the Pilgrims Office while the riders go in for their Compostela. The dog has a shell on its collar.

Yesterday in Santiago.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
To Roda de Ter and Vic.

 

[SabsP]

Horreo with humour.
Outskirts of Pontedeume.

 

[Rowena]

October 7, 2016, Day 19 on the Via Podiensis
Leaving Moissac in the morning. It was to be an easy walk, alongside the canal for much of the way to Auvillar.

 

[Anne&Pat]

View attachment 156008


Pension Restaurante Luis in Pontedeume last week. CI.
My friends had their room in the front and could participate in the local ambiance aka deafening noise of the young people at next doors discoteca.
My quiet room was in the back.

We also had a lovely stay in Pension Restaurante Luis last year and a good dinner. No discoteca for us , thank goodness. Hope you found the square with all the Ice Cream shops!! I (Anne) discovered my favourite Ice Cream there, Dulche con Leche!!

 

[SabsP]

We also had a lovely stay in Pension Restaurante Luis last year and a good dinner. No discoteca for us , thank goodness. Hope you found the square with all the Ice Cream shops!! I (Anne) discovered my favourite Ice Cream there, Dulche con Leche!!

Yes! We found it. In between two rainshowers.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Viloria de La Rioja
Refugio Acacio & Orietta.

photo taken February 11, 2012



One special pilgrim oasis in Viloria de La Rioja, the birthplace of Santo Domingo, is the Refugio Acacio & Orietta. When I stopped their generous hospitality and multi lingual camino library were outstanding.

 

[Rowena]

October 7, 2016 Via Podiensis
Early evening view of the river Garonne from the lookout at Auvillar.

 

[SabsP]

Two today. Iglesia de San Martiño de Tiobre. A couple of k. before Betanzos.

SAN MARTIÑO DE TIOBRE, BETANZOS

GALICIA

galiciapuebloapueblo.blogspot.com

CHURCH IGREXA DE SAN MARTIÑO DE TIOBRE IN BETANZOS A CORUÑA

Cultural heritage in As Mariñas IGREXA DE SAN MARTIÑO DE TIOBRE, the place Betanzos o Vello of parish Tiobre (San Martiño) from the city council Betanzos (A Coruña)

www.turismo.gal

 

[mspath]

Camino France
east of Belorado

photo taken October 29, 2011



Walking towards Belorado these twin mounds were seen in the dry autumnal sun-baked landscape north of the camino; brown hills, blue sky and a bitter west wind composed the scene.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
Free cows.

 

[lalaone]

Villamayor de Monjardín, Camino Frances. September 2012.
Colors of late summer turning into early autumn.

 

[SabsP]

Lunchtime. 15.15 in Betanzos.
A table of four did not honour their reservation so we were able to get a table at Meson O Pote.

 

[henrythedog]

Looking up from the back of my house whilst considering whether I could fit in a third Camino this year. (Look up by the chimney)

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Tosantos
Ermita de La Virgen de La Peña

photo taken October 27, 2010



This remote hermitage is built into the limestone strata of a cliff. When I stayed at the Tosantos parish albergue all pilgrims were able to visit/enter here via a local guided tour.

 

[VNwalking]

From 2014, in the pilgrim-friendly pueblo of Villar de Mazarife. I'm sure almost everyone who passes through this village has a similar photo - it's quite a striking door.

 

[Rowena]

October 8, 2016 Day 20 on the Via Podiensis
Walking all day through rolling hills covered with cultivated fields, I thought that the terrain must make it difficult for the farmers. Not a flat bit of land anywhere!

 

[SabsP]

Yummie dessert at O Pote in Betanzos.

 

[Anne&Pat]

From 2014, in the pilgrim-friendly pueblo of Villar de Mazarife. I'm sure almost everyone who passes through this village has a similar photo - it's quite a striking door.
View attachment 156230

We certainly do! Taken just after 7am on 7th, June, 2022, as we were departing.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Ermita de San Felices

November 2014



On a bleak November day near Villafranca Montes de Oca I photographed this solitary apse which is a vestige of the once vast pre-Romanesque monastery, the Ermita San Felices.

 

[VNwalking]

I went by there on a similarly bleak March day, and was treated to snow a little higher up...followed by epic shin-deep mud. Looking back after I passed:

 

[Josep Montserrat]

From 2014, in the pilgrim-friendly pueblo of Villar de Mazarife. I'm sure almost everyone who passes through this village has a similar photo - it's quite a striking door.
View attachment 156230

This is my picture in 2021

 

[SabsP]

Betanzos by night.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Villafranca Montes de Oca
municipal albergue

February 12, 2009



Returning to this municipal albergue dorm always felt like coming home; it was simple, sufficient and filled with winter memories for in 2006 I had sheltered here when a whiteout developed into a true blizzard.

 

[Corned Beef]

I have my camino pics set as a background to my screen.

If you are using Windows go to Settings/Personalisation and you can have both the Lock Screen and the background set your favourite pics.

My lock screen now looks like this

 

[SabsP]

Leaving Betanzos.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
La Pedraja

photo taken February 23, 2007



At the Monument to the Fallen/
Monumento a los Caidos, 300 people were shot in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.

 

[nycwalking]

Camino Frances
Villafranca Montes de Oca
municipal albergue

February 12, 2009

View attachment 156372

Returning to this municipal albergue dorm always felt like coming home; it was simple, sufficient and filled with winter memories for in 2006 I had sheltered here when a whiteout developed into a true blizzard.

Was this albergue right along the street with a grassy backyard?

 

[mspath]

Was this albergue right along the street with a grassy backyard?

Sorry I do not recall the backyard. However this was on the opposite side of the highway than the church in what had been an old school.

 

[nycwalking]

Sorry I do not recall the backyard. However this was on the opposite side of the highway than the church in what had been an old school.

Yes.

I stayed there in 2002.

Memories.

Thanks for picture.

Buen camino.

 

[VNwalking]

My lock screen now looks like this

And mine:

Between Agurain and Vitoria-Gasteiz on the Vasco, on a chilly May morning in 2019.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
A beautiful façade of an old restaurant.

 

[Rowena]

October 9, 2016 Via Podiensis, passing through the town of Lectoure

 

[SabsP]

Out of Betanzos.
We finished the first climb of the day. Many to follow.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
Alto de la Pedraja

photo taken February 2, 2008



This French pilgrim and I shared the snowy trail. Although we both wore sturdy waterproof hiking boots I worried about hidden ice beneath the snow.

 

[VNwalking]

Near the viewpoint and picnic area on the way up to the Alto de la Pedraja, 21 March 2015. It was pretty, and easy underfoot. (That was before the mud. )

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
Ter river.

 

[Rowena]

October 11, 2016, Via Podiensis Day 23, Condom
It was Monday, a tricky day for finding food in France. We considered this pizza vending machine, but thankfully found a nice Italian restaurant tucked away in a narrow side street.

 

[SabsP]

Iglesia San Esteban de Cos.
Two weeks ago on the Inglés.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest

photo taken October 18, 2004



Where a dirt road crossed the CF this fellow asked “would you like to rest and have a tea?” Slightly dubious, but glad to sit, I did.
I so enjoyed the unexpected pleasure of his ad hoc caritas consisting of a simple chair, a
friendly chat, and several cups of hot tea.

 

[VNwalking]

I so enjoyed the unexpected pleasure of his ad hoc caritas consisting of a simple chair, a
friendly chat, and several cups of hot tea.

I would have loved that, going through there on a cold rainy March day. But no. Just seas of mud.

On the first day of that camino, the sobering view once things started to get serious, after Valcarlos - knowing the camino was only going steeply up from there all the way to Ibanea. Until then it had been quite a mellow walk from SJPP. What a fabulous day!

 

[Rowena]

October 11, 2016 Via Podiensis, Day 24
Somewhere between Condom and Montreal du Gers

 

[SabsP]

Bar Carabel at Meangos.
Two today. Interior and exterior.
Camino Inglés.

 

[VNwalking]

Quite a bit higher than my last post, headed to the alto. It was a nice diversion, having lived most of my life where it never or rarely snows.
March 2015, CF Valcarlos route.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
sunrise

photo taken November 6, 2013



Alone on my 9th CF as the November sun rose I felt that all was and would be good. ...Perhaps such secular transcendence sensed while walking is akin to what runners call "the zone". Neither easy, nor impossible it simply is; thus, thankfully I continued

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
Gothic bridge near Vic. Pont d'en Bruguer

.

 

[Bill905]

April 30, 2023 - on the way to Miramont-Sensacq, Via Podiensis

Your feet will take you where only feet can go ...

 

[SabsP]

Santa Eulalia in Leiro.
Camino Inglés.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
nearing San Juan de Ortega

photo taken February 23, 2007



During my 3rd camino on a cold overcast winter day walking on the CF as it emerged from the dense forest I could at last glimpse the distant San Juan de Ortega monastery.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
Roman temple of Vic.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_temple_of_Vic

 

[Rowena]

October 12, 2016 Via Podiensis, Day 25
Passing through the town of Eauze at lunch time.

 

[VNwalking]

On the Baztan, entering Ziga.
A short camino, but not short of hills!

 

[SabsP]

Up and up. Almost at the Embalse de Beche.
Camino Inglés.

Betanzos - Hospital de Bruma | Camino Inglés | Gronze.com

Hoy afrontamos la etapa teóricamente más dura y solitaria del Camino Inglés, si bien unas recientes modificaciones la han dulcificado, reduciendo su kilometraje y el desnivel. Disfrutaremos de un agradable entorno rural, cruzando pequeñas aldeas sin apenas servicios. Los que deseen dividir la...

www.gronze.com

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Montes de Oca forest
San Juan de Ortega monastery

photos taken October 28, 2010



San Juan de Ortega/ Saint John of the Nettles, a follower of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, was, like him, a 12th c. builder of roads, bridges and hospices for pilgrims. It is thought that San Juan began the construction of this monastery.



Within the monastery church in this sumptuous Gothic mausoleum San Juan de Ortega is buried.

 

[Bill905]

April 25, 2023 La Romieu, France, on the Via Podiensis

La Collegiale in the town of La Romieu is a World Heritage site. In the 12th century church, to the left of the altar, is a door to the sacristy, an unusual construction with frescoed ceiling and walls, but no windows. Here is a look at the incredibly symmetrical ceiling ...

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
Plaça del Mercadal. Vic.
Here there is a market twice a week, also popular festivals, musical concerts and other performances.

 

[SabsP]

Still quiet at the bar of Hotel Canaima at Meson do Vento. CI.

 

[Rowena]

October 13, 2016 Via Podiensis, day 26
On this day we crossed the Greenwich Meridian. Lots of corn fields and an interesting series of display panels explaining how the grapevines are tended throughout the four seasons.

 

[Bill905]

May 22, 2022 - Montredon on the Via Podiensis -
The church of Saint-Michel (i.e. St. Michael the Archangel) in Montredon, seems to be a plain gray building. I took this picture to demonstrate that one never knows what you might find if you look inside. Do you notice the three windows on the face of the building, beside the tower? Pretty plain looking from outside. But, step inside and look at the windows from another perspective, and you will be rewarded! One shouldn't judge a book by its cover! Sometimes it's like that with people too ...

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Agés

February 2, 2008



On a cold afternoon this tile marked the only open pilgrim place,
Casa Caracol/House of the Snail.



Once I entered the hospitalera, drew and then dated this special "stamp" in my Credential.

 

[SabsP]

Meson do Vento early morning.
View from hotel room.

 

[Corned Beef]

Merlú statue in Zamora.

From Wikipedia. During Holy Week in Zamora (Spain), the Merlú is the name given to those pairs of congregants of the Brotherhood of Jesús Nazareno whose job is to gather the other brothers to begin the processional parade. The warnings are made by the sound of a muted bugle and a distempered drum . There are a total of 6 pairs who before 5:00 in the morning on Good Friday, travel the different neighborhoods of the city in order to gather in the main square the more than 7,500 brothers who make up the Brotherhood.

There is a similar statue a few hundred miles south in Caceres, so presume Merlú are in most towns during the Easter period.

 

[Rowena]

October 14, 2016 Via Podiensis, day 27
Arriving in Aire sur l’Adour, a sizeable town.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
south of Agés

photo taken November 01, 2011



In Agés at the south side of Iglesia de Santa Eulalia a farming path/dirt road began which would cross the rio Vena via this bridge.



The dirt road continued south to Zalduendo on route N 120 where an old camino path west to Burgos parallels the highway.

 

[Bill905]

Merlú statue in Zamora.

From Wikipedia. During Holy Week in Zamora (Spain), the Merlú is the name given to those pairs of congregants of the Brotherhood of Jesús Nazareno whose job is to gather the other brothers to begin the processional parade. The warnings are made by the sound of a muted bugle and a distempered drum . There are a total of 6 pairs who before 5:00 in the morning on Good Friday, travel the different neighborhoods of the city in order to gather in the main square the more than 7,500 brothers who make up the Brotherhood.

There is a similar statue a few hundred miles south in Caceres, so presume Merlú are in most towns during the Easter period.

Friday, April 19. 2019 - Ponferrada
This day was Good Friday. In the cool early morning as we started out from our albergue through Ponferrada, we had to pass right by the Templar Castle again. We came upon this scene ... El Hermandad de Jesus Nazareno (The Brotherhood of Jesus the Nazarene) preparing for their Good Friday processional duties.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Giant hibiscus just north of Tui, July 2023.

 

[Rowena]

October 15, 2016 Via Podiensis, One week left to Le Puy en Velay
Taking a break to look back at Aire sur l’Adour in the morning.

 

[SabsP]

Iglesia San Pedro de Ardemil.
Etapa Meson do Vento to Siguiero. CI.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Atapuerca
sculpture

photo taken November 7, 2013



This contemporary sculpture represents a Neanderthal who nearly one million years ago inhabited the Sierra de Atapuerca which is an UNESCO site.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Camino Catalan. Seventh stage.
The bishop and abbot Oliba, founder of the monastery of Montserrat.
The Romanesque bell tower of Vic Cathedral.



That's it for now. Maybe in the fall I'll continue on the Camino.

 

[SabsP]

Breakfast of breakfasts.
Pan con tomate.
Bread, tomatoe, olive oil and salt. Perfection.
Bar Novo at A Rua.

 

[Rowena]

October 15, 2016 Via Podiensis
After climbing out of the valley of the Adour the first glimpse of the Pyrenees! It was beginning to feel like the end of the journey was near. Saint Jean Pied de Port was a week away.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
in the Atapuerca hills
stone circles

photo taken November 6, 2013



This photo of stone circles was taken near Atapuerca but before Cardenuela on the long CF stretch between San Juan de Ortega and Burgos

 

[Rowena]

October 16, 2016 Via Podiensis
Setting off from the village of Pimbo in the morning.

 

[SabsP]

Less than 30k. A new and clean mojón.
CI.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
near Cardenuela Riopico

photo taken October 19, 2004



As far as the distant horizon the rolling vegetation was broken only by the giant curve of the trail. This was not an imagined vision, but a memorable vista, of my first camino.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos
Paseo del Espolón

photo taken November 8, 2013



The formal elegance of the pedestrian Paseo del Espolón was particularly impressive as I wearily entered Burgos after walking 26km from Agés wearing, as always, my full pack. Ouf!

 

[Bill905]

May 4, 2023 Navarrenx, France on the Via Podiensis, the first fortified city of France.

Here is a photo of the gite where we would stay in Navarrenx. To register for the gîte, one had to go to a local bar. We had some time before the gîte would open, so we ordered a beer. Right near our table was a mannequin, wearing a jersey from a sports team. I asked the bartender which uniform it was. He looked at me like I was crazy. "Why it's the Navarrenx Rugby Team of course. Where are you from?" After I told him Canada, I became "Mon ami le Canadien"!

 

[Rowena]

October 17, 2016 Via Podiensis, day 30
Passing through Arthez de Béarn, a linear town built on a ridge of high ground.

 

[SabsP]

When you have arrived for the day.
Sigueiro.


.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Burgos
Plaza de Santa Maria
cathedral

photo taken November 1, 2011



After a long meandering walk from Agés it was a great relief to finally arrive at the majestic Burgos cathedral mid-afternoon on
All Saints' Day /Día de todos los Santos.