Saturday 31st of August 2013

Walk the 21km into Pamplona on Friday, at the top of a hill where the metal sculptures of pilgrims are, along with lots of wind turbines had a coffee from an enterprising chap. It was down hill all the way into Pamplona then. Today I wandered around checking out the sites and enjoying the cafe, bar, restaurant culture that is here. I am relaxed and have changed plans again ..... had intended to go from where I was on Thusday and follow a different Camino to the coast north of Barcellona .... nope decided to go back to St Jean Pied de Port and check out the scenery in the oposite direction.

Thursday, 29th of August 2013

As I get ready to leave Lorca, I notice a cloudy sky but it is expected to get to mid to high 20's today.
So I push of .... the locals tell me I am going the wrong way, they are very helpful in keeping you moving on the right path .... I explain I am retracing my steps .... they are happy and wish me Buen Camino.
Basically the path is meanders this way and that, with the odd hill here and there, but the toll road is ever present. I pass through numerous towns, Cirauqui, Maneru, Puente la Reina and finally make Obanos for lunch ..... I have covered about 22km today, the skies are clear and its heating up.
Get into a private Aubergue here and settle in, its a lot qieter here than if I had stayed at Puente la Reina. Chores out of the way and a wander around town, fins a pleasant bar with some other pilgrims and we chat, have diner and back to the Aubergue.

Wednesday, 28th of August 2013

Sunday was a lazy day strolling around Logrono, a leisurely lunch, temp mid 20's.
Monday I was off again and walked the 10km to Viana, a coffee and snack  and then another 10km to Torres del Rio, again temp mid 20's ... at times I feel like I'm swimming up stream, as there is this constant hoard of people walking towards me.
Tuesday I alk some 18km to Villamayor de Monjardin, stopping along the way at Sansol and Los Arcos for refreshments and a rest. Again temp mid 20's.
Today off I go not sure where I will stop tonight, Estella a biggish town is only 9km up the road, the path is also getting hillier as each day goes by ... its a steep climb into Estella, stop for a cool drink and a snack, then wander on to Lorca another 9km.
My apologies, as I seem to be losing the plot with the blog and getting lazier and lazier with it .... will try better.

Saturday, 24th of August 2013

It was 16-17km to Navarrete, conditiond hot to very hot, luckily flattish country.
Today did the 12-13 km into Logrono, again hot -ish, flat country, some shade as I got close to logrono. I am settled into a smal hotel here may stay an extra day, see what pans out?

Thursday, 22nd of August 2013

Walked the 17-18km to Najera with cloudy threatening skies, still got to 30 degrees C .... thunderstorms about, but didn't effect me. Stopped for drinks along the way, but still made it by a bit after midday. Today Aubergue/Hostel not as busy, a balmy night so eat out in the street, pleasant food surroundings and company.

Wednesday, 21st of August 2013

Tuesday I walked to Belorado only 11-12km, a coolish morning with cloud, but in the afternoon up into the 30's again. A longer walk today, 23-24km to Santo Domingo de la Calzarda. It was cooler with a top of 25 this afternoon and cloudy. Walking well, toe not a problem any more (as long as I don't stub it again). Terain relatively flat with gentle inclines and descents ..... no trees along path, every thing dry and bleached. A few towns en-route so able to get a drink, snack, etc along the way.
Staying in a B+B here, seemed to be a lot of noisy and immature pilgrims at the Aubergues ..... so went for something a bit more private and quieter and, diner, breaky, vino included .... great meal with the hosts.

Monday, 19th of August 2013

Awoke this morning to a warm but cloudy sky, set off about 8am after a coffee and some breakfast.
As it turned out, the morning was the hottest part of the day .... though didn't get above 25C.
It was a pleasant walk of some 18-19km to Villafranca de Montes de Oca ..... it was amazing, in the afternoon people were rugging up and it was still high teens - low 20's .... weird.
Guess we are all used to the hot Spanish summer .... though this more like I had last year.
No rain, little dust, but still had to do washing, when there is only one change of walking clothes, it has to be done .... or go dirty.

Sunday, 18th of August 2013

Decided this morning to hit the road again, left at first light about 7.30 ish. Stopped for a coffee on the outskirts of Burgos, then onto Atapuerca, some 19-20km down the road .
I could tell its going to make it to mid 30's again today .... but still comfortable walking early in the morning. Once out into the farmlands, it dry and hardly a tree to be seen, shade non existent.Walk into Atapuerca just after midday, temp must be in the high 20's .... first things first, a long cool drink at the first bar I find ... this is not a big town so may be the only bar? Lunch out of the way its line up for a bed for the night at the Aubergue .... then settle in wash and clean up .... clothes dry in minutes as its hot, hot, hot.
Hook up with fellow pilgrims and back to the bar .... conversations are weird a numerous languages .... well its what makes this interesting. A mishmash of food on the table with everyone diving in, then back to the Aubergue for a restful evening .... after ear plugs are in, and drift off to the snuffles, snorts and down right loud snoring of some.

Saturday, 17th of August 2013,

In Burgos, taking it easy, having a break, as foot a tad sore. Its only a minor inconvienience but know I have to look after my feet! Its only a minor injury, but take them all seriously.
Wandering around town talking with the other pilgrims, thunder storms gone, no rain, its hoy and for the next few days up near the mid 30's temperature wise.
Looking at next destination, but enjoying myself here, have fell in with a group and spending time with them ..... I guess Monday morning they will head off toward the west and me to the east.
Cheers for now, Luke

Thursday, 15th of August 2013

Took my time as only 13km to Burgos, its hot even early in the day, with the threat of thunderstorms about. Despite the heat, no shade, a sore foot .... I made good enough time to enjoy my walk and be in Burgos before midday and the real heat set in. There was several towns en-route to get a cool drink and take the weight of the feet. Had Lunch with some fellow pilgrims at a bar in Burgos .... under the shade of umbellas and trees .... fantastic. Will give my foot a rest and spend an extra day here.

Wednesday, 14th of August 2013

Only got about 8km today, hobbling along after stubbing my toe on the leg of the bed last night.
Have managed to get this site working again, on my computer, its very difficuilt to get onto the hostels/albergues computures with all the people that hog it updating facebook or chating on line for hours ...... theres always a cue waiting to get on.
Weather still very warm to hot, especially in the afternoons, and balmy to hot evenings for alfresco meals.
After some of the other Caminos, its refreshing to be able to stop anywhere along the path, as towns close together and lots of accommodation .... just as well as there are hordes of people looking for a bed each night. You could get by by only walking 5-10km a day, like me today ..... little toe is rather bruised, but it wasn't all that bad today while walking ..... just walked slowly and less distance.
Oh .... I'm in Rabe de las Calzadas.

  

Tuesday, 13th of August 2013, have ventured the 20 odd km to Hornilles del Camino in warmish to hot weather. Great afternoon respite, even better evening meal.

Monday12th of August 2013, 25km to Castrojeriz, hot and dusty, little to no shade, easy walking, got here a bit after midday.

Sunday 11th of August 2013 ..... yes still problems, lay over in Fromista, all well, still computer problems.

Saturday 10th of August 2013, walked the 19km to Fromista, before the heat of the day hit to hard .... a rest day here so hope to be able to get on another computer to update this properly. There's always some one on them ... very frustraiting.

Friday, 9th of August 2013 ..... at Carrion de la Condes ..... will fill in rest when I can get on another computer, mine still playing up.

Wednesday, 7th of August 2013 .... its hot, flat walking, taking my time ... at Sahagun .... still have that blog error happening

Monday, 5th of August 2013 ... left Leon this morning and on my way backwards on the Camino Frances

Sunday 4th of August 2013 - NB have updated previous days.

Rest day in Leon, lovely city, spent a good part of the day with fellow pilgrims in the main square, loads of bars and restaurants around here.

Saturday, 3rd of August 2013

An easy days walk into Leon, still hills to go up and down but very gentle in comparison to the previous days. Its beautiful country side though getting a bit dry and parched. Another day heading up to the 30's and that last hour into Leon was a tad draining, but nothing like on the Camino Francis .... guess I have that to look forward to on the way out in a few days?

Friday, 2nd of August 2013

Had a choise of 40km to Leon or break it up so stopped about half way at La Robla. Not a bad day today with easy walking, country lanes and tracks, not as hot and plenty of shade.

Thursday, 1st of August 2013

Only 10km walk today but very steep and easy to slip, so carefully does it. Though the majority is down it still takes over 4hours to cover this section with little to no shadevery . And its another hot day .... that beer looked and tasted great when I finally got to Buiza