Friol to Melide to Salceda

The Camino has changed. The increased number of people have made the alone times less frequent, reduced even further after Melide when the Camino Frances melds with the Camino Primitivo. The earlier collective comraderie has narrowed to one’s immediate circle. The pilgrimmage is beginning to feel more like a long tourist walk through the countryside.Continue reading “Friol to Melide to Salceda”

Lugo to Friol

Lugo is 100 km from Santiago de Compostela which makes the city a popular starting place for people desiring the certificate at the end of their Camino. The trek today, as a result, was considerably busier with those just beginning and those continuing. Lugo is a travel destination in its own right. Olga and IContinue reading “Lugo to Friol”

Castroverde to Lugo

The hope was for the swelling and pain in Olga’s ankle/shin to subside enough for her to resume walking. We would have four days of down time and skip the mountains to allow for the possibility. Castroverde would be an excellent place to start again as the path is mostly flat and the inevitable inclinesContinue reading “Castroverde to Lugo”

Oviedo to Grado to Salas

The guide book estimated 7 – 9 hours. It took us 10.5. We left our bachelor apartment in Oviedo at 8:20 am We finally arrived in Grado at 6:50 pm. The authors also declare the distance to be 25.5 km. My Pacer app measured 29.1 km; and counted 49,980 steps. New league record. For OlgaContinue reading “Oviedo to Grado to Salas”

Oviedo

The flight was ahead of schedule, the train was behind. A nearly lost Maria during the security screening, a frustrating technology connection, challenged my patience and left me wanting. We arrived in Oviedo, sleep deprived, to a lovely room, grateful, in the heart of the old centre, amidst a quaint downtown vibe. The plan to spendContinue reading “Oviedo”

The Wind

The documentary, Walking the Camino: Six Ways to Santiago, follows several pilgrims across the French route, each with their own story. One was a young Danish woman, traveling on her own who eventually partners with another solo traveler, a French Canadian, because they are both walking the same pace. Agnes ported a heavy backpack, jammedContinue reading “The Wind”

On The Road To Find Out

My father passed on to me several small possessions of my Uncle, Fr. Kees de Cock who died in 1981. I received his reading glasses, his pipe, two prayer books and his crucifix, all showing loving wear. In a 2017 family pilgrimage, I visited the Kamuli church where Fr. de Cock, a Mill Hill missionaryContinue reading “On The Road To Find Out”

Good work if you can get it

“I am going to work. Some of us have a job, you know!” I suppose that is an excuse to rush into a left-hand turn while someone is crossing the road on a green. I had just stepped into the intersection as the walk signal began its countdown. He saw us. How could he not;Continue reading “Good work if you can get it”

For those who paint the rocks

When 2020 started, I made a commitment to walk an average of 10,000 steps per day. I deliberately used the word average knowing there would be numerous days when I would not meet that target but would compensate on other occasions with a larger number of steps. My goal was publicly announced in front ofContinue reading “For those who paint the rocks”