Month: May 2019

Had toe checked. Not broken but badly bruised. Still very painful. Funnily enough (but not that funny) I did a similar thing last year when I slipped on the stairs at home, again not wearing shoes, and caught my other small toe on an upright spindle. That time I actually took the whole nail off which I just manage to avoid this time.

Another result of my walk was that I lost about three kilos in weight in the short time I was walking. As most of you know I’m not the heaviest of people or anywhere near it but apparently it does happen, a combination of sweating, exercise (like crossing the Pyrenees) and small meals. I better get back to Wetherspoon’s for Steak Tuesday!

Well, until next September, Buen Camino, as they say on the road.

Unfortunately I have to postpone my further adventures due to a suspected broken toe. I did this in the early hours of this morning when I went to the loo in the dark without shoes on and my toe came into contact with an immovable object. Needless to say it hurt but luckily for the other travellers I kept my swearing at low volume.

Rather than sit around Burgos for however long until my toe was OK I made the decision to bale out at this point. In addition , the road ahead for the next 60 miles or so is sparsely populated with accommodation or supplies.

I propose to resume my walk in September as the next three months are both very busy and very hot on the Camino.

In ten days I managed to do 189 miles, an average of almost 19 miles a day. Before I started I anticipated a daily figure of 15-20 miles so I wasn’t far off.

I met quite a few people on the way who had started at least 4 or 5 days earlier than me and were at the same stage as me so I think I was ahead of the game most of the time.

I’m really grateful for all the support and positive comments that have been posted and I hope you will resume following me in due course.

I also now know what I don’t need to take in my backpack next time.

I’m currently sitting in Bilbao Airport waiting for a flight to Gatwick, having got the train up from Burgos, so should be home later today. Then its a bath and a good night’s sleep (without any snoring!).

Normal service will be resumed in due course.

Bob

P. S. No photos today unless you want to see my toe. Not for the squeamish.

I got to Burgos really early this morning as it was only 13k from the previous stop. Weather excellent and up to 24° temperature.

Was thinking of stopping two nights but having seen the cathedral, climbed up to the castle and crisscrossed the streets I’ll be moving on tomorrow. Burgos is well worth a visit but not an extended one for me.

In last night’s accommodation I met an Australian couple, Bob and Susan, very nice but Susan must be the world’s loudest snorer. Unfortunately, her bunk was just across from mine so I got the full force of her output. And, I’ve just bumped into them again in Burgos and discovered they’ve booked into here.

Photos are two of the cathedral and obviously one of me.

Left Tosantos in brilliant blue skies and immediately had to climb a mountain (well a small mountain). Did some good mileage today and will be in Burgos tomorrow. Might stop for two nights and have a day off but you have to keep moving to a certain extent or else you’ll seize up.

Last night in Tosantos was memorable as there was a gathering of many nationalities at the communal dinner. The most memorable moment was the giant paella coming in through the window as it was too big to go through the door.

Sleeping on the floor last night was something people of my vintage shouldn’t be doing!

Just about to have dinner where I am tonight so see you tomorrow (probably).

Left this morning in a heavy drizzle which gradually eased off mid morning. Through plenty of wheat fields and vines but we’ve actually now left the Rioja region.

Managed 18 miles today but stopped earlyish as it was another 5k to the next town.

Staying in a parish hostel which means we can donate however much we like and we get a communal breakfast and dinner thrown in.

Only took one photo today and that’s my sleeping place on the floor of the loft. Very cosy!

Left Ventosa with blue skies and a cold breeze and it was much the same till mid afternoon.

After a slight unplanned detour (took the wrong turning) managed to do another 30k today. No outstanding features except the road that went on and on and on….

Currently booked into a convent (!) and sitting in front of the fire talking to a Frenchman who seems to be cycling all over the place.

Photos are of the fireplace, lines of (Rioja) vines and a stork nesting on top of a disused factory chimney.

Well, it’s been a lousy day weather wise as the temperature dropped by about 10°from yesterday and it drizzled for a good part of the day. However, that didn’t deter me and I managed to put another 27k behind me.

Now in Rioja country as can be seen by the two attached photos. The one with the Rioja bottle suggests a normal size bottle but actually it was about 8 foot tall. It was standing right at the front of the vineyard grounds, behind the fence fronting the property. A matter of perspective or what!

Went through Logrono which is the capital city of the Rioja region but didn’t linger. Narravette was more interesting with its ancient buildings.

Forecast not good tomorrow but as long as it’s no worse than today, no problem.

Nothing really to report today except that I covered about 20 miles which took the total from the start to just over 100 miles. Only another 400 to go but thinking positive as it only (!) took 5 days.

Left again at 6.00 and saw a great sunrise a short while later (see photo).

About the other photo – what was at the brow of the hill? Answer: Another long road.

I won’t bother with details of tonight’s sleeping arrangements but let me just say the women outnumber the men again!

After a very hot day today 26° it’s supposed to rain tomorrow and Saturday. But we’ll see.

Well, another day of walking, this time 27k in 24° heat. As usual, or so it has become, another early start. On the road at 06.10 just before sun up when it’s so peaceful and you can just hear the birds.

The terrain was a mixture of long drawn out hills, some exceedingly steep where it took real effort to reach the top. Many a time just when you think you’re going to reach the top the path goes round a bend and reveals a further climb.

The total distance walked so far totals 130k which equates to 82 miles, an average of nearly 17 miles a day.

Today’s photos are a shot of my pilgrim passport and an early morning (06.30) approach to the next village I passed through.

And finally, (don’t tell Maggie) I’m sharing a room with four woman tonight, one South African, one Slovenian, one British and one unknown.

Last night (Monday) we had a pilgrims dinner for twelve of us who were staying at the same place. It was €10 for which we got three courses and three bottles of wine (between twelve of us). A very good evening!

This morning I left at 6.30am and about thirty minutes later I met up with a lady called Mandy who was at the previous evening. I walked with her all day and discovered that she was very well connected, English but living in Barbados where her grandfather’s family once

had the biggest sugar production business.

Very hot day and the last five kilometres were up a very steep climb but through amazing countryside.

Just about to have another pilgrims dinner for €10.

The second photo was just about on sun up and the speck on the crest of the hill is Mandy before I caught up with her.

The first photo is a very well known (to those who know it) landmark on the Camino.

The third is an early morning shot.

Another 27k tomorrow!