On the Camino: One Day at a Time, one Photo at a Time 7.0

[Reija]

You have completed some very interesting walks Reija. We crossed the Pyrenees in June 2015 after walking from Le Puy to SJPDP and those wild horses really intimidated a female pilgrim ... possibly because they were protective of the foal. A challenging day's walk but we were thrilled that the Napoleon route was open. Spectacular vistas.

Wow, the horses totally ignored us. If they had approached us, I guess I would also have been intimidated!

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

A well earned rest after a steep climb in the Pyrenees. I had a quiet moment of reflection under the watchful eye of the Vierge d'Orrison (Virgin of Orrison), protector of all pilgrims.

 

[Chenahusky]

Ermita De La Virgen Del Puente, on the approach towards Sahagun. June 2016 CF.

 

[Phoenix]

Up, up to Orisson...
CF, Sept 2018

When I took this photo, I didn't know that I would spend an evening in Zubiri and the day following walking to Pamplona with the couple from Texas on the right. He, a retired physician and she, a retired RN, were two of the kindest, most pure-hearted people I've met on any Camino.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The Baroque style chapel of the Virgen del Camino in the Gothic church of San Saturnino. Saturnino (also known as San Cernin) is the patron saint of Pamplona. The church is adjacent to the Camino de Santiago.



Iglesia de San Saturnino

Google Maps with location and photos:

Iglesia de San Saturnino · C. San Saturnino, S/N, 31001 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

★★★★★ · Catholic church

maps.app.goo.gl

Its website:

Iglesia San Saturnino – Conocida como Iglesia de San Cernin

iglesiasansaturnino.com

 

[VNwalking]

I almost didn't climb this hill. How glad I am that laziness did not win the day!
Zabaldika, Camino Frances, Don't miss it!

 

[Former member 49149]

I almost didn't climb this hill. How glad I am that laziness did not win the day!
Zabaldika, Camino Frances, Don't miss it!
View attachment 113341

You are far from being the only one! I used to watch the lowlanders skirt around the field far below, and it just showed me: what is for you does not pass you by. Roughly 75% of those who walk to Pamplona and beyond keep their eyes fixed on either the river route, or the second ascent, reached from the recreation area. Those who realise there is something to see... well, they find it!

 

[Theatregal]

Quiet and still. Early morning leaving Campiello on the Primitivo. July 30, 2013

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I almost didn't climb this hill.

We did too. What I remember about our climb up is Peg counting the calls of a cuckoo to tell the time.

 

[Rowena]

Near Le Pin, day eight on the Via Gebennensis, September 11, 2017

 

[mspath]

Camino Frances, alternate route
from La Virgen del Camino

photo taken November 13, 2011



Opposite the church in La Virgen del Camino one can choose to either continue on the main CF which parallels the N120 or follow this peaceful alternate camino going slightly SW towards Villar de Mazarife.

Escaping the busy highway noise and suburban sprawl was pleasant; however this alternate mud path was very slick from incessant rain. Furthermore from time to time hunters' shots could be heard, often too close for comfort!!

 

[FourSeasons]

CF Los Arcos, April 21, 2016. The storks became restless. I had a video but can’t seem to find it. It was an amazing display.

 

[VNwalking]

Those who realise there is something to see... well, they find it!

Indeed.
Beauty.
Heart.
Silencio.
Ahhhh.

(Two photos, outside and inside.)

 

[SabsP]

Olveiroa. On the way to Finisterre. 2016.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

You are far from being the only one! I used to watch the lowlanders skirt around the field far below, and it just showed me: what is for you does not pass you by. Roughly 75% of those who walk to Pamplona and beyond keep their eyes fixed on either the river route, or the second ascent, reached from the recreation area. Those who realise there is something to see... well, they find it!

And if you ask, you get to ring the bell.

 

[filly]

Some of the signage one encounters is priceless.... it livens up dull days!

This was a corker, encountered near Périgueux.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The corral that is the start of Pamplona's encierro. Behind the Museum of Navarra.

 

[Phoenix]

My son taking it all in on the first day of Camino.

CF, Sept 2016

 

[Reija]

This picture goes well in this situation when most of us are just dreaming of Camino and the future is quite well hidden in the thick fog. The late fall fog settling in over the old pilgrim path (Oberschwäbischer Jakobsweg) in Ulm Germany. This section of Jakobsweg is near where I live and it is a very popular place for taking walks. When the weather is good you can see all the way to the Alps. I have taken this picture in 2012, almost four years before I headed for my first Camino in Spain.

 

[Chenahusky]

I don't know why people keep talking about all the people after Sarria. I left Sarria at 0700hrs in the morning and didn't see anyone! CF June 2016.

 

[Phoenix]

I don't know why people keep talking about all the people after Sarria. I left Sarria at 0700hrs in the morning and didn't see anyone! CF June 2016.

View attachment 113409

Yep. I have at least a dozen photos of long stretches of empty trail between Sarria and SdC.

 

[Rowena]

After Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue on the Le Puy Camino, coming out of a long stretch of cold remote forest to this lovely view. September 18, 2017

 

[Reija]

After Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue on the Le Puy Camino, coming out of a long stretch of cold remote forest to this lovely view. September 18, 2017

View attachment 113412

Look at that sky! Wonderful!

 

[SabsP]

After Saint-Sauveur-en-Rue on the Le Puy Camino, coming out of a long stretch of cold remote forest to this lovely view. September 18, 2017

View attachment 113412

More and more I'm tempted to walk the Le Puy route... I visited lots of places on this Camino as a " regular tourist " but time to put on my walkingshoes!

 

[FourSeasons]

I don't know why people keep talking about all the people after Sarria. I left Sarria at 0700hrs in the morning and didn't see anyone! CF June 2016.

View attachment 113409

For me, the crowds were dependent on the time of year and the time of day I set out after Sarria. In August 2019 I tried leaving late 8:00a…wrong. They caught me. This is just one half, the other half are already in front of me.

It was only after I went back to starting my day earlier around 5:30a that I was able to quiet the chatter. I don’t recall this big of a crowd in September of 2013. I can’t speak for May of 2016 as I skipped this section. It’s kind of like trying to predict the weather.

 

[Rowena]

My apologies, the photo I posted a short while ago was from the Geneva Way, not Le Puy. It was two or three days before Le Puy.

 

[mspath]

Marvao, Portugal
castle

photo taken January 2013



This 8th c. castle is in Marvao, a picturesque mountain town in the Alentejo region of Portugal, where my husband and I happily celebrated New Years 2013. For future pilgrims this site will be on the Caminho da Raia which is presently being developed from Mértola to Alpalhão as noted here. Bom caminho!

 

[Anne&Pat]

Sleepy Murias de Rechivaldo, Casa las Aguedas. September, 2014.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

Some of the signage one encounters is priceless.... it livens up dull days!

This was a corker, encountered near Périgueux.

View attachment 113385

Yes, there are some interesting signs along the way. This one between Azofra & Santo Domingo April 2013

 

[SabsP]

Between Ferrol and Pontedeume. Camino Ingles 2014.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

More and more I'm tempted to walk the Le Puy route... I visited lots of places on this Camino as a " regular tourist " but time to put on my walkingshoes!

Sabine ... be tempted ... then go. It's a stunning walk. It may not have as many walkers as the Camino Frances (on some days we saw no others) but the countryside and spectacular villages are worth it. And ... despite what many may say about the "arrogant French", we could not speak more highly of their efforts to engage us with their sometimes surprisingly good English and make us feel very welcome. Another beautiful village ... Espalion

 

[SabsP]

Sabine ... be tempted ... then go. It's a stunning walk. It may not have as many walkers as the Camino Frances (on some days we saw no others) but the countryside and spectacular villages are worth it.

On the contrary : I prefer quieter Caminos.
The Le Puy route seems ideal for me to walk in " parts "s eeing I live relatively close by.
High speed train from Brussels to a central point in France and walk different parts in different years.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

Sleepy Murias de Rechivaldo, Casa las Aguedas. September, 2014.
View attachment 113432

Sleepy yes ... but certainly peaceful. We spent the night of 13 May 2013 at this Albergue las Aguedas but what I remember most were the tiny village's brightly coloured doors.

 

[Bronte DownUnder]

On the contrary : I prefer quieter Caminos.
The Le Puy route seems ideal for me to walk in " parts "s eeing I live relatively close by.
High speed train from Brussels to a central point in France and walk different parts in different years.

Lucky you ... I wish we lived a lot closer

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Venerate Saints (mixed media).
Iglesia de San Lorenzo, Pamplona.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Marvao, Portugal
castle

I loved this village and its castle on a hill. A favorite memory spending a night here on a post camino road trip.

 

[Phoenix]

Setting out from Nájera.
CF, Oct 2016

 

[VNwalking]

Isn't it wonderful how sometimes the landscape along the way speaks to all of us.
I took a similar photo on a gray morning with a storm on its way - so (for that and other reasons) it's not nearly as nice a photo as yours, @Phoenix .

 

[Phoenix]

@VNwalking That landscape upon leaving Nájera is ethereal; I'm not surprised that many a pilgrim has been captivated by it and taken a similar photo.

 

[mspath]

@VNwalking That landscape upon leaving Nájera is ethereal; I'm not surprised that many a pilgrim has been captivated by it and taken a similar photo.

Indeed. All remember it well.

 

[Chenahusky]

The ubiquitous Coke vending machine. Pre-dawn, Villafranca Montes de Oca. CF June 2016.

 

[Theatregal]

A view from the Alameda. June 23, 2019

 

[Theatregal]

Setting out from Nájera.
CF, Oct 2016

Isn't it wonderful how sometimes the landscape along the way speaks to all of us.
I took a similar photo on a gray morning with a storm on its way

Lovely to see your beautiful photos! I didn't see this wonderful view, as I left Nájera pre-dawn to escape the jam-packed municipal albergue after a sleepless night - just needed to get out in the air!

 

[Rowena]

Near Itero de la Vega, September 30, 2015

 

[mspath]

Guchan, France
photo taken January 2012



Guchan on the French GR105 is a handsome mountain village in the Hautes-Pyrenees.

The GR105 crosses the Valley of the river Aure between Lortet and Ouridissetou Pass/Col d'Urdiceto on the border where it connects with
Spanish caminos leading towards Santiago.

 

[SabsP]

Bar Plaza. Pancorbo. Vasco Interior 2019.
Although open I did not go in .
Funny how a " Bar Plaza " seems so much more exotic than our local Belgian " Café 't Pleintje " though basically the same... .

 

[VNwalking]

Funny how a " Bar Plaza " seems so much more exotic than our local Belgian " Café 't Pleintje "

Haha. To you maybe.
Exotic is clearly subjective. The Dutch is far more exotic - at least with the Spanish, I know what it means.

When you grow up in a place where 1850 is old, here's what jaw-droppingly exotic looked like to me at the start of my first camino, in Leon, 2014. I was hooked before I'd walked a single step.

 

[Chenahusky]

Do I really have to climb up it to get the Compostela? Camino Inglese June 2018.

 

[Phoenix]

Looking back in the direction of Nájera.
Photo taken appx 25 minutes after the one I posted yesterday.
CF, Oct 2016

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A street in Pamplona on a wet November evening.

 

[Reija]

View attachment 113525

Looking back in the direction of Nájera.
Photo taken appx 25 minutes after the one I posted yesterday.
CF, Oct 2016

Wonderful! And of course I had to scroll back to see the picture from yesterday.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Approaching Foncebadon. September, 2014.

 

[mspath]

Toulouse, France
Basilique Saint-Sernin
detail

photo taken January 6, 2012



This slightly salacious carving adorns the Basilique Saint-Sernin, Toulouse,
located almost midway on the 800 km
Via Tolosana/Voie d'Arles aka the French GR653 which connects Arles to the Col du Somport.

 

[FourSeasons]

CF August 7, 2019 Cacabelos. How a stork says Buen Camino from above.

 

[SabsP]

Albergue El Camino in Boadilla del Camino. This was in 2013.
I chose a private room that night.

Albergue rural “En el Camino”

El albergue rural “En el Camino” nace con la vocación de ocupar un lugar importante dentro de los servicios que el pueblo de Boadilla del Camino ofrece a sus visitantes, ya sean peregrinos o turistas de paso.

www.boadilladelcamino.com

 

[Former member 49149]

View attachment 113565

Albergue El Camino in Boadilla del Camino. This was in 2013.
I chose a private room that night.

Albergue rural “En el Camino”

El albergue rural “En el Camino” nace con la vocación de ocupar un lugar importante dentro de los servicios que el pueblo de Boadilla del Camino ofrece a sus visitantes, ya sean peregrinos o turistas de paso.

www.boadilladelcamino.com

Ah! The enchanted garden! It was fairly newly done up in 2006. I could be wrong, but my memory of the albergue space was that we had sheets on the beds...one of the markers of luxury for pilgrims with slippy silk sleeping bag liners.

 

[mspath]

Ah! The enchanted garden! It was fairly newly done up in 2006. I could be wrong, but my memory of the albergue space was that we had sheets on the beds...one of the markers of luxury for pilgrims with slippy silk sleeping bag liners.

Kirkie,
Indeed. Individual beds not bunks are another marker of true luxury!

 

[Phoenix]

The iconic view leaving Cirueña.
CF, Oct 2016

 

[Rowena]

Approaching Villamayor de Monjardin, April 12, 2018

 

[VNwalking]

The iconic view leaving Cirueña.

Or this:

 

[Phoenix]

Or this:
View attachment 113584

Looks like a nice walk in the morning fog.

I got the sunshine view in Mar 2014 as well.

 

[VNwalking]

I got the sunshine view in Mar 2014 as well.

Dang. Some people have all the luck.
Beautiful photo, @Phoenix!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Pamplona's French Gate

 

[FourSeasons]

CF April 24, 2016 I have two from the Ciruena area. Taken about 10 minutes apart. Mind the mud.

 

[mspath]

Cordes sur Ciel, France
photo taken January 2012



Cordes-sur-Ciel is a fortified town dating from 1222 in the Tarn department. The GR46 passes through Cordes on route to Toulouse.

After shooting this view I enjoyed a delicious/expensive lunch in an upmarket resto, the only place open that cold winter Sunday. I wore camino winter gear. As I stood to leave the owner's teenage daughter rushed to my side asking if I were a pilgrim. I nodded yes and we two sat down by their blazing fireplace to plot/plan together her future camino .

 

[Anne&Pat]

Cruz de Ferro, September, 2014.

 

[SabsP]

.

Solemnity. Semana Santa.Santiago de Compostela.

 

[VNwalking]

Mind the mud

Amazing how fast it can transform from friendly underfoot to sticky and annoyingly adhesive.
Another warm and sunny day []:

 

[FourSeasons]

Amazing how fast it can transform from friendly underfoot to sticky and annoyingly adhesive.
Another warm and sunny day []:
View attachment 113618

You got that right. and then there’s the slip and slide. CF approaching Santo Domingo de la Cazada April 24, 2016.

 

[SabsP]

Amazing how fast it can transform from friendly underfoot to sticky and annoyingly adhesive.
Another warm and sunny day []:
View attachment 113618

Ah! I remember such a day end of March 2013 somewhere on the Meseta. The wind was blowing right through me and there was also some hail to make it even nicer.I was grumbling to myself. Loudly! No one could hear me anyway seeing all sensible people kept inside...
I finally found Casa Barrunta in San Nicolas del Real Camino where I warmed up with some coffee. Meanwhile calling my mum at home in Belgium who said it was an exceptionally warm day and she was enjoying the sun in the garden.

 

[VNwalking]

calling my mum at home in Belgium who said it was an exceptionally warm day and she was enjoying the sun in the garden.

OMG....that's really one of those why-am-I-doing this days!

 

[Phoenix]

Pano: between Logroño and Navarrete.
CF, Mar 2014

 

[Chenahusky]

Amazing how fast it can transform from friendly underfoot to sticky and annoyingly adhesive.
Another warm and sunny day []:
View attachment 113618

A proper warm and sunny day, Spring flowers and sunshine CF June 2016.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

CF approaching Santo Domingo de la Cazada

I'm getting tired of Pamplona pictures so, same here.

Different views of the same building.

 

[Chenahusky]

I'm getting tired of Pamplona pictures so, same here.
View attachment 113637 View attachment 113638
Different views of the same building.

With non muddy path and Poppies CF June 2016.

 

[Former member 49149]

I'm getting tired of Pamplona pictures so, same here.
View attachment 113637 View attachment 113638
Different views of the same building.

?? Am I missing something? Different views of same building?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

?? Am I missing something? Different views of same building?

Exactly. I wrote that almost word for word (I had a the) but it was written under the pictures so you must have missed it. I zoomed in some with my camera for the first shot and then went wide for the second.

Edit: Maybe it was the other way around. I've lost the photos' EXIF data that would tell me (it's a long story).

 

[FourSeasons]

?? Am I missing something? Different views of same building?

I believe he was referring to my picture in post #569. Maybe?

 

[Rowena]

April 17, 2018
This was the day the sun came out. It had been cold and wet for the first week.
I had stayed in Cirueña so this was fairly early in the morning.

 

[mspath]

Bragança, Portugal
castle

photo taken late December 2012



This massive feudal castle complex built 1187 belonged to the Dukes of Bragança, the last Portuguese royal family.

Located In the NE of Portugal the historic city of Bragança is on the Camino Zamorano Portugués (Via de la Plata Portugués) which spans 282km from Zamora to Santiago as noted here.

 

[Anne&Pat]

La Rosa del Agua, Acebo, September, 2014. A welcome stop after the walk down from Cruz de Ferro and a delicious Empanada!

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

Welcome, everyone!
Continuing our daily dose of camino magic.
Some of us are already walking, while others of us are still long from being able to put our shoes on an actual camino.
Until we can all walk in person, please join us in the fun of sharing a single daily photographic memory of the camino. It's been a real joy to see the camino through so many eyes!
(Please post thumbnails, so people with slow connections can still see the thread. Gracias! )

Somewhere between Miranda de Ebro and Pancorbo on the Via de Bayona.
I loved the poppies and the silent drama of the crushed wheat plants.
View attachment 110678

I love this photo. I am drawn to shoot monochromatic scenes with textures, where ever I find them. The greens are delicious and the tracks draw you in.

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

Thirty minutes walk out of Sarria, early, looking back. CF May 2019.

Lovely. It makes you want around the bend into the light and the promise of good things!

 

[SabsP]

Towards Alto do San Roque. CF 2011.

 

[Chenahusky]

A long hard day. Rabanal to Molinaseca, rain all day, low cloud, right knee falling apart. A cheerful , young German peregrino to talk to from Manjarin, made it easier. Her bright red poncho a little beacon. El Acebo CF June 2016.

 

[VNwalking]

This stretch into Ponferrada nearly did me in mentally. Coming from Rabinal I kept walking through Molinaseca, and was just fine until the tarmac started to get to me. First thing in the morning on a previous camino this stretch seemed to have taken no time at all, but now it was taking eons.
And I had no beacon to keep me going, just legs acting like kids whining in in singsong from the backseat on a long road trip.
We got there eventually, of course.

 

[Former member 49149]

I believe he was referring to my picture in post #569. Maybe?

I zoomed in and saw straight away what Rick was referring to. I started to wear glasses when I was around 6 or 7 years old. That is my excuse, and I am sticking to it!!!

 

[Phoenix]

Navarrete: so close yet so far away.
CF, Mar 2014

EDIT A comparison of the same photo: uncropped (above) vs cropped (below). Although I like the broad expanse of the uncropped photo, the cropped version is more intimate and detailed, IMO.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In @Chenahusky's and @Rowena's pictures of the approach to Santo Domingo I don't see the little building that I had in my picture taken earlier than theirs. No problem there, I have pictures of other little buildings. The problem here is I'm not sure where this building is, somewhere near Los Arcos?

 

[filly]

A well-earned lunch at Portomarin at a hostelry recommended by a local. With a view ‘sans pareil’. Zamburina selected in honour of Laurie R. who recommended them.

 

[Rowena]

View attachment 113679

Navarrete: so close yet so far away.
CF, Mar 2014

EDIT A comparison of the same photo: uncropped (above) vs cropped (below). Although I like the broad expanse of the uncropped photo, the cropped version is more intimate and detailed, IMO.

View attachment 113682

I agree, @Phoenix. In the original photo I think that the highway off to the left draws the eye away from the pilgrim. I like that he has become the focus.

 

[Rowena]

Sansol, April 13, 2018

 

[FourSeasons]

CF After Los Arcos before Sansol. April 22, 2016. It was a lovely misty cool walking day.

 

[Anne&Pat]

Ponferrada, as we crossed the Pons Ferrada, with the castle on the left of the river. September, 2014.

 

[mspath]

Torreira, Portugal
Aveiro Lagoon

photo taken December 2011



Torreira is located on the coastal strip that separates the broad Ria d'Aveiro aka the Aveiro Lagoon from the sea .
This misty view was shot near the Pousada da Ria on route N327 which parallels the calm waters of the lagoon from São Jacinto in the south to Furadouro in the north. Porto is 40 km. further north of Furadouro.

 

[SabsP]

Between Beasain and Zegama. Around Idiazabal is my guess... .
Well maintained roads in Pais Vasco and no busy traffic!

Beasain - Zegama | Camino Vasco del Interior | Gronze.com

Recuperamos a la salida de Beasain al agradable sosiego de los caminos de montaña, con bellos paisajes, entre prados, caseríos y bosques, alejándonos del tráfico, de los polígonos industriales y del bullicio urbano. Luego, a partir de Segura, volvemos a avanzar por un bidegorri. Destaca la...

www.gronze.com

Camino Vasco Interior 2019.

 

[VNwalking]

Well maintained roads in Pais Vasco and no busy traffic!

And the sun had come out!!
Pins, all given to me except the red and white one, which I bought in the Burgos municpal albergue. I'm not a pin kind of person, but I must say I like each one of these, a lot. They come with memories.

 

[kohara]

I love this church in Santiago, San Pelayo de Antealtares - part of the wonderful monastery of the same name. It's a real refuge from crowds, pipers etc in the adjacent squares at busier times of the year. I feel the more oval design of these baroque churches adds a more human dimension (Bernini's church of St Andrea in Rome being another fine example - https://www.arttrav.com/rome/bernini-sant-andrea-al-quirinale/)
I spent a lovely time listening to the chanting at what i believe what a service for Maronite Christians. Felt i was transported to the holy land. If i may add two photos as the detailing on the wooden alters was remarkable.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

A well-earned lunch at Portomarin at a hostelry recommended by a local. With a view ‘sans pareil’. Zamburina selected in honour of Laurie R. who recommended them.

View attachment 113690View attachment 113689

Looks like O Mirador. We both ate and stayed there in 2015 when they offered lodging. I don't remember seeing the Portomarin sign though.

 

[Phoenix]

Santo Domingo de la Calzada --> Belorado
CF, Oct 2016