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

[AlanSykes]

The Pico Sacro. Nearing Santiago from the Camino Sanabrés, 28 November, 2018

 

[SabsP]

Rain coming. Camino Ingles April 2018.
Ferrol.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Triacastela
Praza da Deputación

November 29, 2014



In the praza it was a surprise to find prominently posted and translated into Spanish lines from Rudyard Kipling's famous poem If . Although written during WW1 much is appropriate for the camino as well as ordinary life.

 

[Anne&Pat]

5th, July, 2022. The start of the Camino Ingles , Ferrol.

 

[Rowena]

April 22, 2018
Leaving Hontanas, CF

 

[AlanSykes]

The Corgo Valley nearing Vila Real. Camino Portugués del Interior, 29 November, 2017.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
towards Sarria

November 30, 2014



The landscape has changed; all mountains are past and low stone walls cross wooded hills/dales. Much is green even this late in November.

 

[Anne&Pat]

6th, July, 2022. First day walking the Camino Ingles. Between Ferrol and Pontedeume, in the vicinity of the rio de Laraxe before Cabanas Playa. Very warm weather but found a shady spot at the Playa for lunch, before crossing the bridge into Pontedeume.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Resting in Baiona

 

[Rowena]

March 26, 2022 Puente la Reina, CF

 

[Theatregal]

A very hot morning. Blue sky behind me, hazy cloud ahead. Camino Ingles, after Pontedeume. July 28, 2014.

 

[AlanSykes]

Between A Gudiña and Campobecerros. Camino Sanabrés, 30 November, 2016.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
leaving Sarria

December 1, 2014



Early morning after crossing the rio Pequeño on the medieval Puente da Aspera and traversing a railway track I eventually entered this misty, enchanted wood.

 

[Anne&Pat]

6th, July, 2022. Early evening in Pontedeume. The old tower Torreon dos Andrade, set in lovely gardens overlooking the rio Eume, it once formed part of the 15thC Paco do Conde. It is now the home of the local tourist office, where you can get a sello.

 

[Rowena]

May 3, 2018 Columbrianos, CF
The Ermita San Blas must have once been further removed from the town!

 

[AlanSykes]

The Tabernas desert, nearing Nacimiento. Camino Mozárabe from Almería, 1 December, 2019.

 

[SabsP]

Somwhere near Naron on the Camino Ingles. 2014.

 

[Anne&Pat]

May 3, 2018 Columbrianos, CF
The Ermita San Blas must have once been further removed from the town!

View attachment 137581

Our photo from the 12th, June, 2022 at 6.35am. With storks on board! We left Ponferrada just before 5.30am because of the very hot weather forecast!

 

[Anne&Pat]

7th, July, 2022. Santuario de Nuestra Senora del Camino as we were nearing Betanzos.
Renaissance-style church of the 16th-17th century (1568-1601). The construction of the building is attributed to Juan de Herrera. The plant is divided into three sections of different heights: apse, transept and nave. On the main facade it contains the images of Christ, Santiago and San Roque. The origin of the church is related to legends based on the apparitions of the Virgin. It is known that there was a former hermitage in this same place, which had a hospital for pilgrims.
Another very warm day for walking, we were glad to reach Betanzos just after midday.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Moutras

December 2, 2014



Following the CF and route LU P 4203 from Ferreiros I arrived at Moutras where a delicate scrim of mid-morning fog wrapped this two story wooden hórreo or corn crib.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

A Ramllosa Romanic Bridge

 

[VNwalking]

From the Vasvo, 2019:

 

[SabsP]

From the Vasvo, 2019:

View attachment 137610

Was this in between Zegama and Salvatierra?

 

[SabsP]

7th, July, 2022. Santuario de Nuestra Senora del Camino as we were nearing Betanzos.
Renaissance-style church of the 16th-17th century (1568-1601). The construction of the building is attributed to Juan de Herrera. The plant is divided into three sections of different heights: apse, transept and nave. On the main facade it contains the images of Christ, Santiago and San Roque. The origin of the church is related to legends based on the apparitions of the Virgin. It is known that there was a former hermitage in this same place, which had a hospital for pilgrims.
Another very warm day for walking, we were glad to reach Betanzos just after midday.
View attachment 137606

The exterior! April 2018.

 

[VNwalking]

Was this in between Zegama and Salvatierra?

That's in the park in Zegama. I don't know but wonder if that's not the building they turned into an albergue.

 

[SabsP]

That's in the park in Zegama. I don't know but wonder if that's not the building they turned into an albergue.

If this is close to the " watchtower " with the elevator then it could be the same building indeed.

 

[VNwalking]

If this is close to the " wachttower " with the elevator then it could be the same building indeed.

Yes, it was near the viewing platform, but of course looking in the opposite direction.

 

[Rowena]

April 15, 2022 Santa Maria de Leon Cathedral
Inside the chapel which is inside the cathedral, next to the entrance to the cloister. A place for quiet reflection away from the crowd of visitors circulating within the main part of the cathedral and the cloister.

 

[AlanSykes]

Claustro de San Francisco, Ourense. Camino Sanabrés, 2 December, 2017.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
east of Palas de Rei

December 3, 2014



Somewhere (?!) east of Palas de Rei this folkart sign pointed the way.

 

[Anne&Pat]

The exterior! April 2018.

View attachment 137613

This is the exterior of the church we visited. From Brierley’s guide, the church in your photo is Igrexa San Martino de Tiobre. He describes it as a beautiful 12thC Romanesque church with corbels, tympanus and motifs. We didn’t go into this church, it was probably closed and we didn’t take a photo of it. Vaguely remember a church a little before the one we did visit.

 

[Anne&Pat]

8th, July, 2022. Long, hot walk from Betanzos to Hospital de Bruma this day. We tried to take the alternate path to Presedo via forest tracks but got a little lost on the way!! Just passed Presedo we came across a very welcome rest stop at Cafe Xente no Camino with its pilgrim themed cafe and restaurant owned by artist Alfredo Erias and his wife Maria Teresa and daughter who served us. Just passed Presedo. Pat met Alfredo, and he drew a fairly quick caricature of Pat with a dedication on the title page of a book of his paintings of medieval characters associated with the Camino de Santiago, which Pat had purchased.

 

[lalaone]

March 26, 2022 Puente la Reina, CF

View attachment 137528

It's really great to see familiar sights in different seasons. Thank you. This is what it looked like in summer, but now I'd really like to be there in March! One of the things I love best about this thread is seeing everyone's different perspectives by year and season.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

San Telmo patron saint of sailors, on the top of A Ramallosa bridge.

 

[SabsP]

The simplicity and true caritas of the donativo albergue in Tosantos. CF 2011.
When there were no apps or algorithms to coax us to a certain place or making us buy stuff we do not need in the first place.
A combination of having faith in finding a bed for the night and a good dose of anarchy.
And still lots of respect for other pilgrims.
Wish this attitude could be more widespread nowaways when it comes to all things Camino.

 

[Rowena]

@SabineP, Thank you for reminding me of one of the best albergue experiences I have had on the Camino Frances. I arrived there cold and tired on April 2 of this year, hoping to be able to stay but resigned to walking on if the albergue was closed.
What luck, it was their opening day, and all the hospitaleros had gathered for a party. They were surprised to see me, but welcomed me so warmly that I was somewhat overwhelmed by their kindness. Soon a young man from Italy arrived, then a Scottish man with his two teenage sons.
As I rested upstairs on the surprisingly comfortable mats, the hospitaleros were singing Ultreia downstairs in beautiful harmony. They served a delicious dinner followed by a special Semana Santa dessert, and afterwards we went up to the top floor for prayers.
I will always remember this very special place. Here’s a photo of the building.

 

[mspath]

@SabineP, Thank you for reminding me of one of the best albergue experiences I have had on the Camino Frances. I arrived there cold and tired on April 2 of this year, hoping to be able to stay but resigned to walking on if the albergue was closed.
What luck, it was their opening day, and all the hospitaleros had gathered for a party. They were surprised to see me, but welcomed me so warmly that I was somewhat overwhelmed by their kindness. Soon a young man from Italy arrived, then a Scottish man with his two teenage sons.
As I rested upstairs on the surprisingly comfortable mats, the hospitaleros were singing Ultreia downstairs in beautiful harmony. They served a delicious dinner followed by a special Semana Santa dessert, and afterwards we went up to the top floor for prayers.
I will always remember this very special place. Here’s a photo of the building.
View attachment 137669

Rowena and Sabine,
When you were at Tosantos did you also have a tour of the nearby Ermita de La Virgen de La Peña ?

 

[AlanSykes]

Castillo de La Calahorra. Camino Mozárabe from Almería, 3 December, 2019.

 

[SabsP]

Rowena and Sabine,
When you were at Tosantos did you also have a tour of the nearby Ermita de La Virgen de La Peña ?

No I did not do the tour. I remember I prepared the food meanwhile.

 

[VNwalking]

When there were no apps or algorithms to coax us to a certain place or making us buy stuff we do not need in the first place.

I miss that camino. Fortunately it's still alive and well, off the beaten track.
About to get off track on the Via Monastica, sparsely marked in Belgium.

 

[mspath]

I miss that camino. Fortunately it's still alive and well, off the beaten track.
About to get off track on the Via Monastica, sparsely marked in Belgium.
View attachment 137694

VN,
Many of us wish we were with you.
Buen camino!

 

[Rowena]

Rowena and Sabine,
When you were at Tosantos did you also have a tour of the nearby Ermita de La Virgen de La Peña ?

No, I only saw it from the distance, as on previous Caminos. A French couple I met this time were planning to walk up and look at the Ermita but I was too tired.
How fortunate for you to have a tour!

 

[Anne&Pat]

The simplicity and true caritas of the donativo albergue in Tosantos. CF 2011.
When there were no apps or algorithms to coax us to a certain place or making us buy stuff we do not need in the first place.
A combination of having faith in finding a bed for the night and a good dose of anarchy.
And still lots of respect for other pilgrims.
Wish this attitude could be more widespread nowaways when it comes to all things Camino.

View attachment 137666

23rd, May, 2022. We didn’t stay there this year but were recipients of the warmth and kindness of the hospitaleros. We had walked from Belorado that morning and I was desperately needing a toilet stop and had hoped to find one in Tosantos but nothing was open except this Albergue as the hospitaleros were just finishing their daily clean. They very kindly let me in to use their facilities!
We left a donation, they had saved my day!!

 

[Anne&Pat]

9th, July, 2022. Hospital de Bruma to Sigueiro, another 6am start because of the hot day ahead. When we departed that morning we didn’t realise that we would have competition on the way! When we reached the hamlet of Cruce there was a starting banner across the road telling us that there was going to be a Marathon that day of varying lengths, the longest was all the way to Sigueiro. We took about 6 to 7 hours to walk that day, the lead runners only took 1 to 2 hours to go from Cruce to Sigueiro, they started at 10am, and passed us before Sigueiro. Locals were out clapping along the way, we felt we were part of it!!
The sculpture park at Cruce was very interesting. Three photos today of the Sculpture Park.

 

[lalaone]

The simplicity and true caritas of the donativo albergue in Tosantos. CF 2011.
When there were no apps or algorithms to coax us to a certain place or making us buy stuff we do not need in the first place.
A combination of having faith in finding a bed for the night and a good dose of anarchy.
And still lots of respect for other pilgrims.
Wish this attitude could be more widespread nowaways when it comes to all things Camino.

View attachment 137666

Thank you very much SabineP for this reflection. The first time I ever heard the word “caritas” was on the Camino. Once experienced, it’s impossible to forget. The word comes to life. It immediately struck me as a sublime word, perhaps because it is so well embodied, perhaps because once you experience it, you want to spread that same care to others, to the entire world! Your photo captures it beautifully.

Small moment of caritas after Melide, 2007 – raspberries, water, a chair. Simple. Perfect.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Melide

December 4, 2014



This effective marker is at the junction of the rue principal/travesia principal, a pedestrian passage which leads to rua San Antonio where the Melide municipal albergue is located.

 

[VNwalking]

Many of us wish we were with you.

Just to be clear, I'm not there now - sorry about the unclear English! I took the pic not long before ending up aimlessly wandering in apple orchards, off the proper track, back in April.

Another one from the Via Monastica, again off track. Never take a short cut, because usually they aren't! This took a long time but was beautiful.

 

[SabsP]

Just to be clear, I'm not there now - sorry about the unclear English! I took the pic not long before ending up aimlessly wandering in apple orchards, off the proper track, back in April.

Another one from the Via Monastica, again off track. Never take a short cut, because usually they aren't! This took a long time but was beautiful.
View attachment 137736

The one from yesterday seems to be from around Tienen?
This one further in the direction of Namur?

 

[SabsP]

A Sunday in Tudela. April 2013. Camino del Ebro.
I love to observe daily life when walking in Spain.
Always follow the locals when looking for a decent restaurant ! Then again, there are hardly any pilgrims on this Camino .

 

[Kanga]

Always follow the locals when looking for a decent restaurant !

Yes indeed, my ploy too.

 

[Rowena]

October 30, 2019 Padron, CP
Santiago Peregrino, 17th century carving within the Iglesia de Santiago.

 

[AlanSykes]

Puig Campana from Relleu on the Villajoisa variant of the Ruta de la Lana. 4 December, 2018.

 

[VNwalking]

The one from yesterday seems to be from around Tienen?

Right! Somewhere between there and Scherpenhuevel.

This one further in the direction of Namur?

Not far past that, after Profondeville. I was trying to go on paths and small roads from the river past Godinne to where we were spending the night near Evrehailles, rather than the main drag. I assumed once above the river it would be flat. But oh, noooooo, not at all. There was another deep valley to cross. Serves me right: I'm too cheap to pay for contour lines on OSMand.

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
Arzúa
Xunta albergue

December 5, 2014



In this repurposed/renovated historic school many original details were kept. However, best of all, in the new ground floor showers, hot water sprayed me/not the walls! ...Bliss

 

[Anne&Pat]

10th, July, 2022. Our last day walking the Camino Ingles from Sigueiro to Santiago, photo was taken at 7.07am about 40 minutes after leaving the very comfortable Albergue Camino Real in Sigueiro. Another hot day forecast.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

After A Ramallosa bridge you have to chose yellow arrows or green arrows.
We chosed the green arrows because we wanted to go on by the coast.

 

[Rowena]

April 30, 2018 Santa Catalina de Somoza, CF

 

[SabsP]

Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza. Camino del Ebro.

El Templo del Pilar - Catedrales de Zaragoza

El Templo del Pilar Raíces históricas La tradición afirma que hubo una capilla primitiva, respetada durante la dominación musulmana. Tras la…

catedraldezaragoza.es

 

[AlanSykes]

Nearing Tocón de Quéntar in the Sierra Nevada. Camino Mozárabe from Almería, 5 December, 2019.

 

[Anne&Pat]

10th, July, 2022. Our safe and happy arrival into Santiago after walking the Camino Ingles this year.
The Praza was much busier than our earlier arrival in June after the Frances and the weather was much better!

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances
east of Arca

photo taken December 6, 2014



All was cold but glorious in the golden early morning light leaving Arzùa going towards Arca on this penultimate day of my 10th CF.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

National Parc Cíes Islands



https://www.turismo.gal/que-visitar...-das-illas-atlanticas-de-galicia?langId=en_US

 

[Rowena]

October 26, 2019
The village of Mos, CP, between Porriño and Redondela

 

[AlanSykes]

The Pico de Mulhacén in the Sierra Nevada from the Camino Mozárabe. 6 December, 2019.

 

[Anne&Pat]

11th, July, 2022. Pilgrims Chapel adjoining the Pilgrim Office in Santiago. We attended the English Mass there on a few occasions this summer.

 

[Theatregal]

A rest and an incredibly delicious pastry from a little bakery at the Fisherman Beach at Angeiras. Camino Portuguese Coastal. July 31, 2015

 

[mspath]

Santiago de Compostela
Praza da Inmaculada

photo taken December 7, 2014



Weary yet thrilled I arrived in Santiago de Compostela sincerely thankful after 56 days of walking as always carrying my full pack on this 10th camino.

 

[Kanga]

Santiago de Compostela
Praza da Inmaculada

photo taken December 7, 2014

View attachment 137876

Love the yellow shirt. Very sensible when walking on the edges of the road in winter.

 

[SabsP]

Cee. Epilogue Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre in 2016.

 

[VNwalking]

If ancient stones could speak.
Santa Maria de Lara, Camino San Olav 2016. It being Good Friday, of course it was closed.

 

[Rowena]

October 26, 2019, Camino Portugués
After the steep climb up from Mos to the Santiaguiño de Antas, the descent towards Redondela offered this wonderful view.

 

[AlanSykes]

The Costa da Morte from the santuario at Muxía. 7 December, 2014.

 

[Anne&Pat]

12th, July, 2022. The bus to Oviedo, to start the Camino Primitivo, from Santiago. We really quite enjoyed this trip, as we were able to relive parts of the Camino del Norte that we had walked in 2018.

A brief stop in Luarca on the way.

 

[mspath]

Santiago de Compostela
Praza da Quintana

photo taken December 8, 2014



Brilliant winter sunshine lit the Praza da Quintana on this cold December morning as I headed to the Pilgrims' mass.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Menu do dia at Vigo.
Electrolyte drink and diet sport meal.

 

[VNwalking]

Not sure what to think, approaching a tunel on the way into Burgos on the Camino San Olav/Lana. It turned out to be long and a bit scary when in the middle I heard running footsteps from coming from behind.

 

[Rowena]

May 4, 2022 Santiago de Compostela
The bittersweet moment, coming around the corner and seeing the cathedral after 44 days on the Camino Frances and the Invierno.

 

[Theatregal]

Grazers - before Caminha, Camino Portuguese Coastal, August 6, 2015

 

[SabsP]

Cruceiro Marco do Couto. 2016. On the way to Finisterre.

Olveiroa - Corcubión | Camino de Fisterra y Muxía | Gronze.com

Hoy por fin, después de tantas jornadas lejos del mar, llegaremos ante el océano Atlántico. La etapa clásica finalizaría en Fisterra, pero nosotros preferimos dividirla en dos para disfrutar con más tranquilidad del maravilloso entorno. Recorreremos paisajes sublimes, solitarios y con desniveles...

www.gronze.com

 

[AlanSykes]

The Almohad castle of Biar from the Casa de la Virgen de las Nieves. Villajoyosa variant of the Ruta de la Lana, 8 December, 2018.

 

[mspath]

Santiago de Compostela
35 rua do Vilar
Cafe Casino

December 9, 2014



While nursing a drink watching the world pass by the window on my last afternoon in Santiago I happily sat for hours in the historic Cafe Casino which has existed since 1873; fortunately Wifi is a recent addition.

 

[Corned Beef]

The tienda in San Martin Pinario set up for Xmas 2022.

 

[Anne&Pat]

13th, July, 2022. Rest day in Oviedo. We visited the Iglesia de San Miguel de Lillo and Iglesia Santa Maria del Naranco. We got there easily by local bus and a bit of walking. It was a very hot day but well worth the visit, with fantastic views over Oviedo.

 

[Rowena]

April 23, 2022 The Rio Sil, Camino Invierno

 

[AlanSykes]

Callosa de Segura, ramal sur of the Camino del Sureste. 8 December, 2018.

 

[mspath]

Camino Portugues
Valença do Minho
Fortaleza/Fortress

December 10, 2014



After riding an Autna bus from Santiago to Valença do Minho, Portugal, I walked north on the Av de Sao Teotonio passing through the splendid 17th c. Fortress during the late afternoon. In retrospect I would not recommend doing this alone after dark.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Redondela. Albergue de Peregrinos.

 

[SabsP]

Taberna Txanton in Zegama.
Camino Vasco Interior 2019.
Aside from walking , this is my favourite passtime on a Camino. With a local newspaper, a pintxo de tortilla and a cold drink. Observing daily life.
Nice owners. Couple of days earlier we were in Tolosa in a restaurant and one of the waitresses there is the daughter of the owners from Txanton. She asked us to say hello to her parents when we would arrive in Zegama and so we did!

 

[Theatregal]

A truly memorable day - exploring the paths of Las Medulas, Camino Invierno June 9, 2019

 

[Rowena]

April 23, 2022
The ruined village of Nogueiras, Camino Invierno

 

[mspath]

Camino Portugues
Valença do Minho

photo taken December 11, 2014



My husband joined me and we relaxed at the very comfortable Sao Teotonio Pousada located within the Fortress walls overlooking the famous International Bridge.

 

[Anne&Pat]

14th, July, 2022. Short first day on the Camino Primitivo. We decided to break the first day’s walk into two days, as we had allowed ourselves three nights in Oviedo before starting, but because of the hot weather we walked on our last rest day.

On the way before Lampajua.
We continued walking to Escamplero and then got a taxi back to our hotel in Oviedo, returning to Escamplero by taxi early the next morning to continue our walk to Grado. This worked very well for us.

 

[Rowena]

April 30, 2022 Camino Invierno
Peto de Animas, just before Chantada

 

[mspath]

Camino Portugues
Valença do Minho

December 12, 2014



This view looking north shows the dense streetscape within the historic 17th c. Fortaleza/Fortress.

 

[Josep Montserrat]

Redondela Town Hall

 

[VNwalking]

Iglesia de San Miguel de Lillo and Iglesia Santa Maria del Naranco

Oh! Beautiful. These are way at the top of my list.

Further on the Invierno theme, the rather dramatic stretch before Villavieja, with a view of the Castillo Cornatel perched way up on the other side of the ravine.

 

[Rowena]

April 25, 2022
Montefurado, Camino Invierno

 

[mspath]

Camino Portugues
Viana do Castelo
rua Góis Pinto, 59

December 13, 2012



On the coastal route Viana do Castelo is a sea/river-side city with an active fishing fleet. Casa Primavera/Taberna Soares serves fishermen, locals and tourists delicious huge cheap portions of fresh fish and sides.

 

[Rowena]

October 21, 2019
After Barcelos on the Camino Portugués

 

[Anne&Pat]

15th, July, 2022. Crossing the Penaflor bridge, heading to Grado, over the rio Nalon and FEVE train tracks on the Camino Primitivo.