Anik2001
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017, 2022, 2024
They look like Spanish Mastiff dogs. I really like these big dogs.
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They look like Spanish Mastiff dogs. I really like these big dogs.CF September 2013: Leaving Hospital de Orbigo and after sunrise I met these friendly fellows.
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Magic.Falta poco
Apparently, it was the Normans, at least French-speaking aristocracy, who wanted to distinguish themselves from the Anglo-Saxon peasantry. Speaking as an Anglo-Saxon peasant myself, who can blame them? But they invented all these collective nouns (murder of crows etc) as a kind of in-talk or code that the peasants wouldn't know.Flock works.
But I vote for 'clatter' as a much more apt collective noun for these guys.
Edit~
Boo. I looked it up, and it's a "mustering."
(Sorry, but no. Who makes these decisions anyway? I want to register a complaint.)
Yes, Spanish mastiffs. Beautiful dogs, very good guard dogs but gentle when house trained. There was a lovely old fellow at the albergue at Guemes, who greeted pilgrims.CF September 2013: Leaving Hospital de Orbigo and after sunrise I met these friendly fellows.
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A very beautiful photo @Aspi !Falta poco
I am sitting here, drooling all over the keyboard.
Twenty years ago I had a six month spell in Porugalete. Rather hilly, and windy, and wet! I loved it. I learned a lot about what the mamas were cooking, had cooked, were going to cook, as I walked alongside them...The church and square in Óbanos, where the Aragonés meets the Francés. A doubly poignant picture. Not only was this our last day on the Aragonés, it is also the last photograph I ever took on my trusty little Sony compact. After this photo, it gave up the ghost and refused to function beyond a sad and pathetic opening, then closing of the lens mechanism. After a night in Óbanos (which has an excellent and much under-used albergue) we walked to Puente la Reina to get the bus to Bilbao for a stint as hospis in Portugalete. For the record, Foto Samar (temporarily closed, probably because of Covid), Doctor Nicolás Achucarro 2, 48011, is a really good, old-fashioned camera shop if you ever happen to be in Bilbao and need to replace a camera. If not, Corte Inglés will do.
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VN,Entering Pamplona at Arre, where the Baztanes and the Frances meet up. The old bridge and albergue are a tangible link to the past.
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You can now walk either side of the river. We followed the east side so came across the bridge, which is still functioning, by the way. Has it changed much? I suspect in some ways. Probably nowhere near as industrial and working class, but still a living community but maybe more of a Bilbao suburb - there is a metro line passing through. I know what you mean about a change of class, we used to walk along and stare at those mansions built in the heady nouveau riche days of the late 19th early 20th century. Maybe when the lockdown is over we can all get together and swap memories. In the meantime: -Twenty years ago I had a six month spell in Porugalete. Rather hilly, and windy, and wet! I loved it. I learned a lot about what the mamas were cooking, had cooked, were going to cook, as I walked alongside them...
The short trip over on the Hanging Bridge to the other side was a total change of class...I believe the river walk has been extended out from the city now, I hope to walk it sometime before I hang up my walking boots...
Obanos: where I stole some lavender for my hat, to cloak the awareness of the effect of the heat on my person... later, it was mint. Whatever helped to soothe the nostrils!
Phoenix,View attachment 106244
Leaving Estella, near the Irache wine fountain: Walking beside a vine-covered wall when this door appeared. I walked on and daydreamed about the garden or other peaceful place beyond the door.
CF, March 2014
I remember being warmly welcomed by one of the Marist fathers in September 2012 and spent a peaceful late afternoon in the beautiful garden of this wonderful albergue.VN,
Many of us veterans remember those tangible links and the sincere hospitality offered by the Marist fathers in their albergue. Sadly due to old age they left in 2017. Their story is here
Bill905,CF April 2019 - The lion of Spain - The City of León represents roughly the two-thirds completion point for the CF if leaving from SJPP. After departing Mansilla de las Mulas in the early morning and walking for several kilometers, we kept expecting to catch sight of the city around the next bend, or over the next hill. We were finally rewarded as a pedestrian overpass took pilgrims over the busy highway, and then after just a few more hundred meters we beheld the city with its majestic cathedral occupying a place of importance, and visible from afar!
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Thx for the update.Phoenix,
Your handsome door shot in 2014 has changed a bit.
See it here thru this Google map link and photos.
It is now part of Talleres Montejurra
Talleres Montejurra · C. Carlos VII, 33, 31200 Estella, Navarra, Spain
★★★★☆ · Auto machine shopmaps.app.goo.gl
You are a determined and resourceful pilgrim! Thankfully we had a very calm day!Bill905,
For another opinion re the "rewards" of that pedestrian overpass see this earlier post.
I am intrigued. And I have plenty of time on my hands. Now you have piqued our curiosity, the least you can do is give us the bare bones to gnaw on (metaphorically speaking, that is).del Norte July 14, 2019. Beware and alert when walking solo through Bilbao. My experience started at this statue. It's a really long story but I'm so thankful my intuition was on high alert.
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So...?It's a really long story
Okay, give me time type it up best I can. Then I’ll paste it. Curious minds what to know eh?So...?
Please, tell us more.
We can take it.
You betcha! Besides, the bait was there and we chomped it down. Now you can reel us all in.Curious minds what to know eh?
Yes, we walked this way too, really in order to experience the bridge. It's fabulous!You can now walk either side of the river. We followed the east side so came across the bridge, which is still functioning, by the way. Has it changed much? I suspect in some ways. Probably nowhere near as industrial and working class, but still a living community but maybe more of a Bilbao suburb - there is a metro line passing through. I know what you mean about a change of class, we used to walk along and stare at those mansions built in the heady nouveau riche days of the late 19th early 20th century. Maybe when the lockdown is over we can all get together and swap memories. In the meantime: -
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I know and love this place. You're right, the cafe con letche is wonderful.View attachment 106277
Café Casino in Santiago de Compostela.The iconic place in town.
Wonderful coffee and tasty cake although too pricey for what you you get. But you pay for location ( and the atmosphere ).
Indeed it is iconic. Existing since 1873 the old-fashioned decor (upgraded with WiFi) reminded me of the old Algonquin in NYC. At the end of each winter camino I often sat in the Cafe Casino for hours nursing a drink watching the world go by.View attachment 106277
Café Casino in Santiago de Compostela.The iconic place in town.
Wonderful coffee and tasty cake although too pricey for what you you get. But you pay for location ( and the atmosphere ).
Funny. My one experience there was disappointing, in spite of the grand surroundings - stale churros and so-so chocolate. So I've never gone back. Maybe I should try it again.Café Casino in Santiago de Compostela. The iconic place in town.
Haha! I did take the road on the right, just to see what it was likeUnless you are a real fan of industrial estates, I reccommend the route on the left . Camino Portugues, May 2019, North of Tui.
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Caldas de Reis, CP May 2019.I can't remember the name of this town, but it is where the healing footbaths were, on the CP. We found a funny place with an ensuite room and a shared kitchen, and our constant companion did also. We met a Portuguese man there, with his little boy. Each weekend the little boy came to be with his dad who worked locally.
on the way next morning, the bravado and song of these flowers, growing from a drain, just made me laugh! They have served me many times to illustrate how adversity can be overcome by daring!
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Travelling, many years ago, in South America, we learnt the hard way about some of the tricks of pickpockets. You have to admire them - they are very good at what they do and (in some countries) never use violence. They rarely work alone, there will be at least one to act as a decoy or distractor, and they can be very persistent - we were once only saved from being robbed by the fact that a copy of 'War and Peace' got lodged over the slash in the bag they had made - we couldn't work out why people kept bumping into us. There is the 'Is that your $5 note you've just dropped' trick, and the old lady who falls over in front of you, you rush to help but then she gets up and walks away but where is your bag? Or the 'Can you watch my bags while I go to the toilet? There are so many thieves around here. Thank you, shall I watch your bags now?' My first experience of Bilbao was a weary, futile trudge looking for a camera shop. But we have stayed and enjoyed it a lot since then. Even located a fantastic camera shop.Okay for all you curious minds, here's my long story, short.
Approaching Bilbao past the large Church, I followed the arrows to this tiny church that lead me to this statue. I notice two really old looking/dirty backpacks leaning against the building near the door which was clearly locked. There was no one around in this small area except a man (Spanish) standing 15 feet or so on the other side of the statue. He appeared to be on his phone. Wondering where the owners to the backpacks were I proceeded to take a few pictures of this beautiful statue, then off I went.
Further into the town (I'm sorry I don't know how to explain where I was exactly) I was in a large open area like a square that lead into a street with a lot of people. As I approached the street, an elderly (mid 50's/60's) gray haired man got up from a bench where many were sitting and started walking straight towards me. Mind you he was quite a distance from me when he got off the bench. He had a daypack and spoke in English asking me if I new where a hotel was. As he unfolded a paper map of the city he proceeded to tell me he couldn't find the hotel where his wife was waiting for him. I asked if he had a phone and he said the battery was dead or something to that nature. I got the feeling he was not a pilgrim.
I stopped to help him look at the map, but I was just as confused as he was. He said, I think it's this way, the direction I was headed. As we walked further into the crowded street, him in front of me, I noticed through the refection in the windows to my right that two men were following very close behind me. Nearly touching me. We were moving at a fast pace. Then a man came rushing towards us from across the street and when he got just in front of me he dropped a lit cigarette. As he bent down to pick it up I had to stop suddenly so not to bump into him. I stopped and turned my back against the building so the man/men behind me couldn't try anything all the while keeping my hand over the pocket I had my cell phone in. HIGH ALERT!!
I managed to get past this. The elderly man was waiting for me. I said to him, "Did you see what those men just did? He said "Oh don't worry about them." We walked a little further when he said, I think it's up that way, so off he went. A little further down the street here he comes out again from the opposite side and started walking with me again. Then a block or so down he did the same thing, I think it's up here he said, then off he went. I kept on my way looking for the Bilbao alburgue where I had a reservation. I saw a pilgrim I knew from the Markina day, he was waiting at a light to cross the street. He was so happy to see me, he thought for sure I had died that day on the trail. He said, "Oh you're alive" with great enthusiasm. LOL
As the pilgrim and I talked here came the elderly man again from across the street. After my conversation with the pilgrim I stopped again to help this man but this time I had my phone out. I know the man had a phone but I don't recall the details of why he couldn't use it. Anyhow, I started thinking that he may be trying to steal my info from my phone so I closed my phone and wished him good luck as I went to find the alburgue. Come to fine out I wasn't far from it.
I decided not to stay in the alburgue. I went up to sign in but it was too early. I looked around, but got a really bad vibe, I didn't like the way it was set up and there were a few men in there that gave me the creeps. Needless to say I had to forgo my deposit and move on. At the Guggenheim, I went for a snack across from the big dog. I sat on the bench outside the shop when a man came, sat down next to me. I had my phone out trying to figure out how much further I would have to walk. The man pulled out two phones and was doing something on both. I closed my phone, got up and walked away.
My intuition tells me: The man at the statue gave my description (a solo female pilgrim) to the man on the bench. I believe they were working together and had targeted me for something. Bilbao has bad juju for me. I walked to Portugalete that day a total distance of 30.5 k's for the day. WHEW!!
Castro Urdiales, day 2 out of Bilabao, at night (obviously.) We've stayed there twice, both times at Pensión La Mer. La Mer? Yes, explained the proprietor, for us, the sea is feminine. Somewhere to the left of this shot is Alfredo's restaurant, which does very good seafood. The Albergue is a way out of town, which is a shame because Castro is a nice little town with lots of bars and cafés catering for Spanish holidaymakers. August 2019.
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Fascinating. We assumed that giving it the feminine grammatical gender rather than masculine was just a local idiosyncrasy. Thank you.It is indeed pension la Mar.
And someone explained me once that it is " el " Mar but " la " can be used also , in certain conditions?
Don't know if this source is reputable?
«El mar» or «la mar»? - Real Spanish
This poem by Rafael Alberti will help us to better understand the use of "the sea" and "the sea". We also explain the importance of the sea in the language.www.realspanish.eu
I did know about a difference between un rio and una ria, and it does not surprise me therefore that la mar is also in use. Isn't language fascinating?It is indeed pension la Mar.
And someone explained me once that it is " el " Mar but " la " can be used also , in certain conditions?
Don't know if this source is reputable?
«El mar» or «la mar»? - Real Spanish
This poem by Rafael Alberti will help us to better understand the use of "the sea" and "the sea". We also explain the importance of the sea in the language.www.realspanish.eu
Yes, I was taught about all the tricks of the pickpockets during my many travels through Europe. I never thought I would become an intentional target. Thank God for intuition. I don’t admire them, not in the least.Travelling, many years ago, in South America, we learnt the hard way about some of the tricks of pickpockets. You have to admire them - they are very good at what they do and (in some countries) never use violence. They rarely work alone, there will be at least one to act as a decoy or distractor, and they can be very persistent - we were once only saved from being robbed by the fact that a copy of 'War and Peace' got lodged over the slash in the bag they had made - we couldn't work out why people kept bumping into us. There is the 'Is that your $5 note you've just dropped' trick, and the old lady who falls over in front of you, you rush to help but then she gets up and walks away but where is your bag? Or the 'Can you watch my bags while I go to the toilet? There are so many thieves around here. Thank you, shall I watch your bags now?' My first experience of Bilbao was a weary, futile trudge looking for a camera shop. But we have stayed and enjoyed it a lot since then. Even located a fantastic camera shop.
And the group of kids with the newspaper in Paris.Yes, I was taught about all the tricks of the pickpockets during my many travels through Europe. I never thought I would become an intentional target. Thank God for intuition. I don’t admire them, not in the least.
Phoenix,
An easy way is to attach the file and then choose the thumbnail option when clicking on your image.I’d like to play but quick question: should I be using the attach files or the small picture icon to post. Not wanting to slow down anyone’s computer….
Thanks! I think I’ll need to use the laptop I didn’t see options on my phoneAn easy way is to attach the file and then choose the thumbnail option when clicking on your image.
It works on my android. But sometimes it takes a while for the options to come up on the screen once the photo has uploaded.Thanks! I think I’ll need to use the laptop I didn’t see options on my phone
Faced with a sign like this, my knee-jerk reaction is usually to be happy I'm not in a car speeding past everything I'm walking through. Unless it's pouring rain. Then I have exactly the same thought, preceded by "This is crazy..."There is always a point on every Camino where I think : " Hmm, if I would travel by car I would already have arrived....".
The view is of the bridge enroute to Padron, looking back to Pontecesures, over the river Ulla. I would guess near the Cafe Bar Obradoiro.According to the numbers this photo is of the bridge into Padrón. I am ready to be corrected. Tomorrow's is definitely in Padrón!
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They are beautiful and graceful trees, in the right environment. They grow well in Spain so have been popular with economically-minded (i.e. money-minded) landowners, but are ecologically very bad news outside their native habitat. Sorry to be a downer but that's the sad truth. If you want to see eucalyptus trees, come to Australia.This is what I call my 'Australia' photo.
Taken in the eucalyptus forest near to SdC at the end of March 2019.
Something to do with the light and the subject.
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Maybe they could sense the Magdalenas in your pocket?CF August 9, 2021: Have you ever seen the animated movie “Chicken Run”? Here’s a live version.They wanted to walk the Camino with me. I had to literally shoo them to go back.
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Whatever it takes to get some company during those high kilometer days.Maybe they could sense the Magdalenas in your pocket?
Ok fine. This has finally kicked The Proclaimers “I could walk 500 miles” out of my head (thanks @Paul Wilson ). Unfortunately this has taken its place.CF Aug 11, 2019 not long after leaving Belarado.“Who let the dogs out? Who, who, who, who, who. Who let the dogs out?”
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