tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12270445542611710572024-03-08T14:26:04.413-08:00A Good Walk UnspoiledJohn and Robin on the road to SantiagoKialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.comBlogger494125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-6970304335982663712018-01-06T23:43:00.001-08:002018-01-06T23:43:23.417-08:00Changing the guardI have decided to shift this blog over to WordPress. The new address is, agoodwalkunspoiled.blog. If you type this into your internet browser it should pull up my WordPress blog. This is all a bit of a mystery but we shall sort it out as we go. For now we are off in the morning to Spain. Let's just see how this all works out in the next few weeks. I will tweak this site as time allows and will do much more once Robin and I return home in early February.<br />
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buen camino,<br />
John<br />
<style></style>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-86879660035189343272017-12-27T22:09:00.000-08:002017-12-28T23:57:13.339-08:00Another winter's walk<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camino Ignaciano: Zumarraga to Arantzazu, Basque mountains</td></tr>
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The Advent and Christmas seasons have come and gone and Robin and I have enjoyed them immensely. It is our favorite time of the year. During this period we have looked both inward and outward, and have decided it is now time to get underway once again. We have been home since this past February and are now more than ready to stretch our camino legs once again. We have settled on walking the first week of the Camino Ignaciano, Loiola to Logroño, and then continuing with the Camino Invierno, Ponferrada to Santiago. We will be leaving in early January. The Invierno is a new route for us, and we are anxious to set our feet upon it. But, in truth, the most important thing for us is just to be walking, and enjoying the solitude. We are never lonely during our off season walks. We actually are quite content to embrace the winter weather, the stillness and to marvel at the simple joys that each day provides. I must admit it is all a bit of a mystery. We simply go forward in faith armed with a belief that a journey has been set out before us and we just try to see it through as best we can.<br />
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We do share a sense of hope that regardless of what we encounter we will always be able to continue to move along the road to Santiago. It is that hope that brings us peace and joy as we lean into whatever challenges the road presents. God willing it all ends well, and it usually does.<br />
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Peace be with you during this wonderful season and may many blessings follow you into the new year.<br />
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<style></style>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-92158189975964123392017-04-29T17:58:00.002-07:002017-05-02T15:33:46.232-07:00Nada te turbe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I seem to be on a spiritual roll here so I will offer this powerful prayer from St. Theresa of Avila. I was listening to this at the Chrism mass as it was being sung by the choir from St. Mary's Cathedral in Portland. I always find this beautiful prayer reassuring. The text follows.<br />
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Nada te turbe;<br />
nada te espante.<br />
Todo se pasa;<br />
Dios no se muda.<br />
La pacienca<br />
todo lo alcanza.<br />
Quien a Dios tiene,<br />
nada le falta.<br />
Solo Dios basta.<br />
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Let nothing trouble you;<br />
nothing afright you.<br />
All things are passing;<br />
God never changes.<br />
Patience<br />
overcomes all things.<br />
The one who has God<br />
wants for nothing.<br />
God alone is enough.<br />
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Below is the recording from the 2016 Chrism Mass at St. Mary's in Portland. Robin, front row second from right, is singing as well. Beautiful prayer. Beautiful arrangement. Beautiful voices.<br />
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-8740371877682045992017-04-29T17:36:00.001-07:002017-04-29T17:36:31.577-07:00And so it began<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Robin and I have been walking pilgrim roads for nearly seven years now. As I look back I can see more than just the length and breadth of these experiences. It has been a period of discovery that has often been confounding as well as awakening. When the pilgrim road first called I felt I was responding to a call to find more about my spiritual life. The pilgrim road with its long solitary days seemed perfectly suited to exploring my inner journey towards God. Back then I honestly thought that my relationship with God was sort of like sharing a seat with someone on a bus or train. You are in the same place at the same time, perhaps conversing, perhaps not. When the urge wells up to reach out in response to some inner motivation, then we speak trying to tease out some interesting thread that might be at best instructive (gaining wisdom) or more likely just trying to be present and pleasant. So there the stage is set. It is a belief system that places God somewhere where through prayer you can reach out for comfort, solace, and mercy. You are somewhere in your life and God is out there somewhere waiting for your call.<br />
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Today I feel quite differently. Perhaps the many long hours shuffling along the paths, hills and valleys of Spain, France, Portugal, and Italy have created in me a new space where I now believe God simply is. What of this then? How did I arrive here? In my experience, we all set out in life with some goals in mind. I suppose mine were typical. A happy marriage, a good job, able to pay the bills, and perhaps, even then, a sense that a spiritual relationship needed nurturing. So off we go into life following our hearts and most likely our best self interests. We move along discovering that some roads are better for us then others. Let's say we give the good roads, the ones that affirm our beliefs and reinforce our goals, a bright yellow arrow. These are the paths always to be taken. At other moments we find ourselves on a diversion and quickly realize that we have made a mistake. We sense that we must turn around and recapture the way that we lost. These paths we will award a nice big black X. Do not go there, do not continue, turn back. So it was over the years that I unknowingly created a locus of experiences that shaped many aspects of my life, including my relationship with God. So to the point. It now strikes me that we do not coexist with God side by side, but that God is us. For most of my adult life, being raised Catholic, I had this tortuous belief system that put us as failed sinners in pursuit of a loving forgiving God who would heal us with his mercy. A kind of us and Him relationship. We are here begging for mercy and He is there wondering what we are up to. Over time this belief of an existing separation between God and us changed to a more profound belief in singularity. Meaning that God is us, not just within us like some pleasant passenger sharing a seat, but truly is us as we are Him.<br />
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Yes, all this faith stuff is by its very nature mystical. Some people can never get there. It is just too much of a leap, but whether we acknowledge it or not (I believe) God, is there, is us. It also makes sense that this mystical singularity then supports the outpouring of God's love that is there to lead us beyond all the physical distractions and challenges of daily life. He would never just leave us adrift. He doesn't have his hands on the wheel. We are still doing the driving and making decisions, but a map is there for us to follow, or not. We decide whether to choose the bright yellow arrow or continue beyond the danger mark of the black X. Just a bit more about God's love. Remember this excerpt from scripture, "my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts." How true it is that we are so different from God, and thus our understanding of His love is limited to the emotional or physical aspect That we as humans know it. But, God's love is something totally different. Words are difficult to find to explain it. Again this is us, as humans, trying to figure out the nature of God's unlimited love. I guess we have to allow ourselves some room for error here, but let's just imagine a love that has no limits that starts from a place absent of self interest or self gratification. It starts from an totally empty space, pure humbleness, that then fills to overflowing with a boundless goodness that is offered to us if we are patient, still, searching, and receptive. We were created in God's image and likeness as christian teaching tells us, and so therefore as He is, we are also. We just have to try and live a life that reflects His grace. Yes, admittedly that is the tricky bit. But, I believe it is our nature to try to be Christ like. Heady stuff. Keep in mind these are my thoughts on my journey and where it has led me to date in my understanding of my Catholic faith. Your journey may take you someplace totally different, and your peace might be found following some other path. All I know is what I have encountered and related in this post. So, the pilgrim road still beckons. The search for wisdom continues. Admittedly, my faith occasionally runs more on the cooler side than the warmer. But, I now sense a joy, previously unfelt, for this life journey, although difficult at times, is leading me to a place free of darkness, and for that I feel forever blessed.<br />
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In closing, I heard Robin practicing this song she will be singing at mass this evening, Two were Bound for Emmaus. This excerpt from that song always touches me as it speaks to the road we all travel, our weariness, and our humanness.<br />
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"When the road makes us weary, when our labor seems but loss, when the fire of faith weakens and too high seems the cost, let the Church turn to its risen Lord who for us bore the cross, and we'll find our hearts burning at the sound of His voice." The complete song is below. Enjoy.<br />
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-39099350924661332432017-02-13T12:56:00.001-08:002017-02-13T13:13:43.014-08:00Home again.We left Padrón on Sunday morning at 7:40 and walked into the Pilgrim Office in Santiago at 1:15 pm. We had a great final day. We outpaced the weather until just at the very end when a few showers hosed us off. But, it was arrival day and nothing was going to stand in the way of the special joy a pilgrim feels on that day. As always there are reflections on this or that or some other thing regarding the Camino just walked. I'll leave those for another day. For now, our joy is palpable. Robin and I have experienced the gift of yet another Camino, two if you throw in our days on the Camino Vasco. Santiago continues to seem like another home to us. It isn't perfect, but for those on the pilgrim road there is no sweeter place to walk into. Now we just need to exhale and relax. Actually we are pretty good at that as well. Prayers and blessings to all from Santiago. We will be shapeshifting into our other selves as of this coming Thursday when we once again return to our home state of Washington in the magnificent Pacific Northwest. Thanks to all who in some way shared this journey. Peace be with you.<div><br></div><div>John and Robin<br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mAOApvHpfkg/WKIdYqzD1MI/AAAAAAAALfA/L2xOPmW6UtI/s640/blogger-image--953028429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mAOApvHpfkg/WKIdYqzD1MI/AAAAAAAALfA/L2xOPmW6UtI/s640/blogger-image--953028429.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Leaving Padrón. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0LUVQRuFh0/WKIddIHZPFI/AAAAAAAALfE/l2VedjG79m4/s640/blogger-image--361361435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0LUVQRuFh0/WKIddIHZPFI/AAAAAAAALfE/l2VedjG79m4/s640/blogger-image--361361435.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Arrival Santiago.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m7l34I5JbWM/WKIdT31O_1I/AAAAAAAALe8/ED-jygibWes/s640/blogger-image-429601868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m7l34I5JbWM/WKIdT31O_1I/AAAAAAAALe8/ED-jygibWes/s640/blogger-image-429601868.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Prayers offered at the chapel at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaC96kfqoMc/WKIhXo89djI/AAAAAAAALfU/z9lRlfY4xrs/s640/blogger-image--440730266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaC96kfqoMc/WKIhXo89djI/AAAAAAAALfU/z9lRlfY4xrs/s640/blogger-image--440730266.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View from our room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LtT1s6occYE/WKIhhcEdraI/AAAAAAAALfc/ZbkiA-KekrU/s640/blogger-image--178598609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LtT1s6occYE/WKIhhcEdraI/AAAAAAAALfc/ZbkiA-KekrU/s640/blogger-image--178598609.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vjr46wKyTU0/WKIhczCODII/AAAAAAAALfY/NbMsT2Mu-20/s640/blogger-image--1039778680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vjr46wKyTU0/WKIhczCODII/AAAAAAAALfY/NbMsT2Mu-20/s640/blogger-image--1039778680.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Changeable weather earlier today.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rR22Xd_wqaU/WKIhTBqbwRI/AAAAAAAALfQ/yK9NpXVtzm4/s640/blogger-image-1964087184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rR22Xd_wqaU/WKIhTBqbwRI/AAAAAAAALfQ/yK9NpXVtzm4/s640/blogger-image-1964087184.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-56136147343278011522017-02-11T09:45:00.001-08:002017-02-11T09:45:52.490-08:00Padrón, but no peppersWe awoke a bit early at Torre de Rio, and started in on the breakfast that had been set out the night before. We had told the lady in the dining room the previous night that we would like to get underway before their preferred breakfast service at 9:00. So she had everything laid out for us. As we were enjoying our meal the day staff arrived and immediately asked us if we wanted something else such as eggs, bacon, ham, etc. So we signed up for the full meal deal and felt more than adequately nourished for the day's walk ahead. A taxi took us back into Caldas de Reis and dropped us off at the church. Five minutes later we were crossing the Roman bridge out of town and heading off to Padrón our destination for tonight. We caught yet another break with the weather and set out under clear, cool conditions. As the sun climbed over a ridge whose shadow had kept us fairly cool it's radiant heat now forced a halt and our jackets were peeled away. We proceeded uphill (mostly) and then downhill (somewhat) following a mix of paved roads and forest trails. In all it was a very good day's walk. We arrived in Padrón at 1:30, had nice cold Estrella Galicia and headed off to our hotel, the Chef Rivera. After some lunch and a shower we walked over to the Church of Santiago. The sacristan invited us up to the alter where the stone pilar to which, according to legend, the boat that brought St. James' remains to Spain was moored, now resides. We enjoyed our visit to the church, that is until a Spanish tour group laid siege, after which we quietly retreated. We strolled around a bit just enjoying the evening air, and eventually called it a night. We are Santiago bound in the morning. It is always a time of mixed emotions when our time on the pilgrim road draws to its end and life back home beckons us to return. But, God willing, we will find another road to walk when, once again, we are ready. For now let's just get to Santiago. More on that tomorrow. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s00YB0GVV6E/WJ9NLWFVq8I/AAAAAAAALd4/nfpqGPLICWI/s640/blogger-image--1846582332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s00YB0GVV6E/WJ9NLWFVq8I/AAAAAAAALd4/nfpqGPLICWI/s640/blogger-image--1846582332.jpg"></a></div><div>The Roman bridge out of Caldas de Reis</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCptzNKi_C8/WJ9Npy20XfI/AAAAAAAALeU/q1hZrcIk-gw/s640/blogger-image-1014682654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JCptzNKi_C8/WJ9Npy20XfI/AAAAAAAALeU/q1hZrcIk-gw/s640/blogger-image-1014682654.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Leaving Caldas</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2aYnv_CJUI/WJ9NfpRkuuI/AAAAAAAALeM/ZKL8mzfC7OI/s640/blogger-image-559088029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2aYnv_CJUI/WJ9NfpRkuuI/AAAAAAAALeM/ZKL8mzfC7OI/s640/blogger-image-559088029.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Looking pretty good.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIozSmuY340/WJ9NaTTl0GI/AAAAAAAALeI/CXAqJ1HgoUk/s640/blogger-image--280255761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIozSmuY340/WJ9NaTTl0GI/AAAAAAAALeI/CXAqJ1HgoUk/s640/blogger-image--280255761.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TmoQllRv7iI/WJ9NGSY-6OI/AAAAAAAALd0/BnGdWKj-k0M/s640/blogger-image-1146388734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TmoQllRv7iI/WJ9NGSY-6OI/AAAAAAAALd0/BnGdWKj-k0M/s640/blogger-image-1146388734.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The countryside.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FqYYoHfToc0/WJ9NBRzLj7I/AAAAAAAALdw/NWfFdQ3Z2fQ/s640/blogger-image--748117372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FqYYoHfToc0/WJ9NBRzLj7I/AAAAAAAALdw/NWfFdQ3Z2fQ/s640/blogger-image--748117372.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9WxYvLhJjQI/WJ9MtxUmtjI/AAAAAAAALdg/l-u2ysqCcU0/s640/blogger-image--1052228790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9WxYvLhJjQI/WJ9MtxUmtjI/AAAAAAAALdg/l-u2ysqCcU0/s640/blogger-image--1052228790.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qNllNaz-PZk/WJ9Moc2hh3I/AAAAAAAALdc/xAIq3dJBva8/s640/blogger-image-2048380859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qNllNaz-PZk/WJ9Moc2hh3I/AAAAAAAALdc/xAIq3dJBva8/s640/blogger-image-2048380859.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s6Z4EOaWY8c/WJ9NQnUSWGI/AAAAAAAALeA/QdOIu-Iseq0/s640/blogger-image-1376143399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s6Z4EOaWY8c/WJ9NQnUSWGI/AAAAAAAALeA/QdOIu-Iseq0/s640/blogger-image-1376143399.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eat your greens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o7bxD5RihY8/WJ9NVjlfTZI/AAAAAAAALeE/VWWV9yh6NJw/s640/blogger-image--1082339828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o7bxD5RihY8/WJ9NVjlfTZI/AAAAAAAALeE/VWWV9yh6NJw/s640/blogger-image--1082339828.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-go1t7r-bezI/WJ9Nz-3UKKI/AAAAAAAALec/ZH4cKAsjAZE/s640/blogger-image-1782722814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-go1t7r-bezI/WJ9Nz-3UKKI/AAAAAAAALec/ZH4cKAsjAZE/s640/blogger-image-1782722814.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In Padrón.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fiz3oGwgYuM/WJ9MyvIv49I/AAAAAAAALdk/7QSVAYgum8k/s640/blogger-image--1231426532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fiz3oGwgYuM/WJ9MyvIv49I/AAAAAAAALdk/7QSVAYgum8k/s640/blogger-image--1231426532.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pilar. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fxYtvINJNws/WJ9M8q53uXI/AAAAAAAALds/65DEaP7yUHI/s640/blogger-image-1914442233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fxYtvINJNws/WJ9M8q53uXI/AAAAAAAALds/65DEaP7yUHI/s640/blogger-image-1914442233.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbFk6URDDcs/WJ9Nu0snnMI/AAAAAAAALeY/yyLFD_TyUSw/s640/blogger-image--524149216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UbFk6URDDcs/WJ9Nu0snnMI/AAAAAAAALeY/yyLFD_TyUSw/s640/blogger-image--524149216.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXYNXnsAnZ4/WJ9NkrG5plI/AAAAAAAALeQ/3Kz9lEe-xSw/s640/blogger-image--896971290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXYNXnsAnZ4/WJ9NkrG5plI/AAAAAAAALeQ/3Kz9lEe-xSw/s640/blogger-image--896971290.jpg"></a></div>The pilar is just behind and below the altar slightly to the right of center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-DUCwm_y8U/WJ9M3vjjoXI/AAAAAAAALdo/7o6i6e1G4w4/s640/blogger-image--420975656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-DUCwm_y8U/WJ9M3vjjoXI/AAAAAAAALdo/7o6i6e1G4w4/s640/blogger-image--420975656.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pilgrim statue in Padrón. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><br></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-54120899175646435022017-02-10T06:23:00.001-08:002017-02-10T09:57:27.501-08:00Pontevedra and then onwards to Caldas de ReisWe had a fine and uneventful walk to Pontevedra. The weather started out chilly but quickly warmed up and layers of clothing were peeled off. There were some hills to climb, and more stream bed rocks to hop, but with abundant sunshine, the day just seemed brilliant. We were feeling strong and walked at a good pace all day. Once we walked into Pontevedra we stopped at the first bar we could see and ordered our usual two cañas. Once our thirst was quenched we caught a cab to the Parador where we would spend the night. The price was quite reasonable with breakfast included. No complaints, we had a great room and the hotel was just steps from the Camino. <div><br></div><div>Friday brought a few morning rain showers along for the ride. So, as we stepped out of our hotel we reached for our umbrellas as we set out for the bridge that would takes us across the river and set us on our way to Caldas de Reis. I would say within 45 minutes the umbrellas were back cinched alongside our packs. There was a little uphill work to do to climb out of Pontevedra, but after a couple of hours things really flattened out. We were walking in a shallow valley from that point on to Caldas, and it was pretty much dead flat. I wasn't watching the clock that closely but it seemed we left the Parador at 9:00, and walked into the palm lined church plaza in the center of Caldas at 1:15. We had kept up a good steady pace but our tongues were not hanging out as walked into town. Again, much like yesterday Robin and I both felt healthy and strong and the kilometers slipped by accordingly. Two great days walking that we thoroughly enjoyed. An added treat for us was the lodging I booked just outside of Caldas, the Torre do Rio. Very nice indeed. Beautiful building set on gorgeous grounds. It's worth trying I can assure you. Two more days to Santiago. We are off to Padrón tomorrow and will arrive in Santiago, in the rain, on Sunday. That's all for today. Time to start relaxing in our new digs. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTGqCPcmJFE/WJ38Wt6P6GI/AAAAAAAALbg/36jqHFxnXV4/s640/blogger-image--318796234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTGqCPcmJFE/WJ38Wt6P6GI/AAAAAAAALbg/36jqHFxnXV4/s640/blogger-image--318796234.jpg"></a></div></div><div>View from our apartment in Redondela </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2j-M5xzFa4/WJ39s19DFpI/AAAAAAAALcg/cbWdK-xfnhM/s640/blogger-image--147672631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2j-M5xzFa4/WJ39s19DFpI/AAAAAAAALcg/cbWdK-xfnhM/s640/blogger-image--147672631.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Redondela awakens</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-65xr-jPC98o/WJ32SPagtjI/AAAAAAAALas/aJflLUwk9c4/s640/blogger-image-1737271373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-65xr-jPC98o/WJ32SPagtjI/AAAAAAAALas/aJflLUwk9c4/s640/blogger-image-1737271373.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QW7sgb9ugqw/WJ39Wo5jcnI/AAAAAAAALcQ/U4w0aB5AjEM/s640/blogger-image-10594770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QW7sgb9ugqw/WJ39Wo5jcnI/AAAAAAAALcQ/U4w0aB5AjEM/s640/blogger-image-10594770.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z7JGqZtIJ4Y/WJ39QpOJ8GI/AAAAAAAALcM/VvpG8O13HZk/s640/blogger-image-1446031708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z7JGqZtIJ4Y/WJ39QpOJ8GI/AAAAAAAALcM/VvpG8O13HZk/s640/blogger-image-1446031708.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C1RGr2oy454/WJ387q4-ERI/AAAAAAAALb8/7I9FKKFKU8Q/s640/blogger-image--608349533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C1RGr2oy454/WJ387q4-ERI/AAAAAAAALb8/7I9FKKFKU8Q/s640/blogger-image--608349533.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dlc-0xPrBIg/WJ38iRcyn0I/AAAAAAAALbs/r4a91EwJg1U/s640/blogger-image--1616860478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dlc-0xPrBIg/WJ38iRcyn0I/AAAAAAAALbs/r4a91EwJg1U/s640/blogger-image--1616860478.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cf465DJJ1RU/WJ38cmCuh3I/AAAAAAAALbk/JSQ7aUTdPsM/s640/blogger-image--2073854696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cf465DJJ1RU/WJ38cmCuh3I/AAAAAAAALbk/JSQ7aUTdPsM/s640/blogger-image--2073854696.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SyMYvHzufo0/WJ39L_cyF7I/AAAAAAAALcI/7OComEbhQpM/s640/blogger-image--1591168016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SyMYvHzufo0/WJ39L_cyF7I/AAAAAAAALcI/7OComEbhQpM/s640/blogger-image--1591168016.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MQr--iL7G_k/WJ32Mm2MgyI/AAAAAAAALao/U5YT6GRN4Nk/s640/blogger-image--1790621797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MQr--iL7G_k/WJ32Mm2MgyI/AAAAAAAALao/U5YT6GRN4Nk/s640/blogger-image--1790621797.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chapel just outside Pontevedra </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1AOMOMo9d40/WJ38vSTkt1I/AAAAAAAALbw/gyTkxHL6PVg/s640/blogger-image--2021598831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1AOMOMo9d40/WJ38vSTkt1I/AAAAAAAALbw/gyTkxHL6PVg/s640/blogger-image--2021598831.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZZrw4b4w0E/WJ370qXhb6I/AAAAAAAALbI/9qCcKBdiicc/s640/blogger-image-134744939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZZrw4b4w0E/WJ370qXhb6I/AAAAAAAALbI/9qCcKBdiicc/s640/blogger-image-134744939.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pilgrim church in Pontevedra </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lss94OMFOLY/WJ32W4GvdfI/AAAAAAAALaw/nArTiZElkdI/s640/blogger-image--365800050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lss94OMFOLY/WJ32W4GvdfI/AAAAAAAALaw/nArTiZElkdI/s640/blogger-image--365800050.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NlU3mjnlQ50/WJ3_BTbZH-I/AAAAAAAALdA/gEZYp6nZkgQ/s640/blogger-image-1091876490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NlU3mjnlQ50/WJ3_BTbZH-I/AAAAAAAALdA/gEZYp6nZkgQ/s640/blogger-image-1091876490.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Basilica of Santa Maria in Pontevedra </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t_8HOuKsH3E/WJ375pwSB6I/AAAAAAAALbM/8BL6nw5080A/s640/blogger-image--1461553679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t_8HOuKsH3E/WJ375pwSB6I/AAAAAAAALbM/8BL6nw5080A/s640/blogger-image--1461553679.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNFy663O-qo/WJ38Ga9KJTI/AAAAAAAALbY/PsdeUGvYORo/s640/blogger-image--247803567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNFy663O-qo/WJ38Ga9KJTI/AAAAAAAALbY/PsdeUGvYORo/s640/blogger-image--247803567.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tiEKDi1YFWs/WJ39AeLn5DI/AAAAAAAALcA/0CZ16DFqDCE/s640/blogger-image-818743855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tiEKDi1YFWs/WJ39AeLn5DI/AAAAAAAALcA/0CZ16DFqDCE/s640/blogger-image-818743855.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m9QfqWgfiIM/WJ38RH_WbdI/AAAAAAAALbc/Ax0W1UMnMQg/s640/blogger-image-1369783911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m9QfqWgfiIM/WJ38RH_WbdI/AAAAAAAALbc/Ax0W1UMnMQg/s640/blogger-image-1369783911.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">House on the road to Caldas do Reis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NOdwFEZncs/WJ3XqW_e9EI/AAAAAAAALaY/C_ZHZt6RO9I/s640/blogger-image-2019203547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NOdwFEZncs/WJ3XqW_e9EI/AAAAAAAALaY/C_ZHZt6RO9I/s640/blogger-image-2019203547.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It wasn't all road walking today</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YyxqY8V07sE/WJ39-69OtGI/AAAAAAAALco/Js4G08bTBJ8/s640/blogger-image-660909667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YyxqY8V07sE/WJ39-69OtGI/AAAAAAAALco/Js4G08bTBJ8/s640/blogger-image-660909667.jpg"></a></div>Church plaza in Caldas do Reis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5zfs_wIAFRA/WJ3-1NfZK5I/AAAAAAAALc4/bmRSOWi-BYw/s640/blogger-image-1827009203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5zfs_wIAFRA/WJ3-1NfZK5I/AAAAAAAALc4/bmRSOWi-BYw/s640/blogger-image-1827009203.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our backyard at Torre de Rio</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvdeSZmQIYk/WJ3-799oUYI/AAAAAAAALc8/E4qVLuhF7Cg/s640/blogger-image-529046555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yvdeSZmQIYk/WJ3-799oUYI/AAAAAAAALc8/E4qVLuhF7Cg/s640/blogger-image-529046555.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zbD1Z2CLAgc/WJ39GIimQxI/AAAAAAAALcE/iptbXK4s7is/s640/blogger-image-1091909249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zbD1Z2CLAgc/WJ39GIimQxI/AAAAAAAALcE/iptbXK4s7is/s640/blogger-image-1091909249.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pool fed by a stream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yx23jjKmknU/WJ37qjQC8SI/AAAAAAAALbE/i2ouGzY0_Dc/s640/blogger-image--141240977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yx23jjKmknU/WJ37qjQC8SI/AAAAAAAALbE/i2ouGzY0_Dc/s640/blogger-image--141240977.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJjm5UcVhmo/WJ39zIWsc8I/AAAAAAAALck/bw7pytboKEE/s640/blogger-image-679055843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IJjm5UcVhmo/WJ39zIWsc8I/AAAAAAAALck/bw7pytboKEE/s640/blogger-image-679055843.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">New hotel to the left, ruins of old mill to their right</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CIOHVxZqp7g/WJ39jFVKQ_I/AAAAAAAALcY/W7yNMgh2A_o/s640/blogger-image--1182459340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CIOHVxZqp7g/WJ39jFVKQ_I/AAAAAAAALcY/W7yNMgh2A_o/s640/blogger-image--1182459340.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0pn12s-Y7M/WJ39dCXvfmI/AAAAAAAALcU/DVNWjrte5lw/s640/blogger-image-1909206124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A0pn12s-Y7M/WJ39dCXvfmI/AAAAAAAALcU/DVNWjrte5lw/s640/blogger-image-1909206124.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D3NQuFQeoC8/WJ3-u0lk1PI/AAAAAAAALcw/j-Hri61RDjo/s640/blogger-image--1208160806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D3NQuFQeoC8/WJ3-u0lk1PI/AAAAAAAALcw/j-Hri61RDjo/s640/blogger-image--1208160806.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91ouYZt7pP0/WJ381GH09WI/AAAAAAAALb0/QNw6lKQMavQ/s640/blogger-image--1316567319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91ouYZt7pP0/WJ381GH09WI/AAAAAAAALb0/QNw6lKQMavQ/s640/blogger-image--1316567319.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Covered patio</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_m7AIvFgH-c/WJ38AVqo7vI/AAAAAAAALbQ/4HObfduy04w/s640/blogger-image--1123196023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_m7AIvFgH-c/WJ38AVqo7vI/AAAAAAAALbQ/4HObfduy04w/s640/blogger-image--1123196023.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Robin and new friend</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mODYLVa0ips/WJ37kTJLwkI/AAAAAAAALbA/Zo2FE4nZ3v0/s640/blogger-image--1656241142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mODYLVa0ips/WJ37kTJLwkI/AAAAAAAALbA/Zo2FE4nZ3v0/s640/blogger-image--1656241142.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-26856705529402895202017-02-08T07:49:00.001-08:002017-02-08T07:49:18.230-08:00A peaceful day to RedondelaThis morning we picked up a ride from our hotel to Porriño, and set out from there for today's walk to Redondela. The day was much colder than yesterday with frost visible on the cars in front of the hotel as we set out. Other than that it was a beautiful morning that promised to stay that way through the day. Having cut about half of today's walk we had an easy day of it and thoroughly enjoyed just loafing along enjoying the scenery. The terrain started out with a gentle climb that steepened as the morning progressed. Once the top was reached it was a precipitous drop back down to something close to sea level. From that point it was just ambling along the flat until we swung into Redondela. No problems at all. We have an apartment at the Alvear Suites (right on the Camino), and have found its to be quite comfortable. We will set out for Pontevedra in the morning. We might actually walk the whole way. Maybe.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lPvWYsxUUE/WJs9vocFSAI/AAAAAAAALZc/fWR0chsENQM/s640/blogger-image-203110912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lPvWYsxUUE/WJs9vocFSAI/AAAAAAAALZc/fWR0chsENQM/s640/blogger-image-203110912.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Porriño</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--KMX6-aZHuk/WJs9-Vm7z4I/AAAAAAAALZs/irbfNiPrO_8/s640/blogger-image--759724174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--KMX6-aZHuk/WJs9-Vm7z4I/AAAAAAAALZs/irbfNiPrO_8/s640/blogger-image--759724174.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Same</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZy8BVcFQ3U/WJs8z5ac9XI/AAAAAAAALYs/o_THtx6rrUI/s640/blogger-image--2003489566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZy8BVcFQ3U/WJs8z5ac9XI/AAAAAAAALYs/o_THtx6rrUI/s640/blogger-image--2003489566.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Veggie garden</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkklDBU8XsQ/WJs95HhWveI/AAAAAAAALZo/Nu9BmsJU0jU/s640/blogger-image-1446201564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkklDBU8XsQ/WJs95HhWveI/AAAAAAAALZo/Nu9BmsJU0jU/s640/blogger-image-1446201564.jpg"></a></div></div><div>We passed a church along the way</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d4F-cp4Y_Ys/WJs9cvuR_jI/AAAAAAAALZM/RCJSJ3QvZ74/s640/blogger-image--1391507337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d4F-cp4Y_Ys/WJs9cvuR_jI/AAAAAAAALZM/RCJSJ3QvZ74/s640/blogger-image--1391507337.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVSruPwGCrE/WJs9OJ8Kp8I/AAAAAAAALZA/kLbtkfaevQQ/s640/blogger-image--1319632329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vVSruPwGCrE/WJs9OJ8Kp8I/AAAAAAAALZA/kLbtkfaevQQ/s640/blogger-image--1319632329.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_7xbMl61HE/WJs85XxlaNI/AAAAAAAALYw/vHRIy0uBKtg/s640/blogger-image--80708446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_7xbMl61HE/WJs85XxlaNI/AAAAAAAALYw/vHRIy0uBKtg/s640/blogger-image--80708446.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Some fortified coffee</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sJAkESs7jx8/WJs9VBYqH2I/AAAAAAAALZE/oOEodYpERew/s640/blogger-image-2115210444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sJAkESs7jx8/WJs9VBYqH2I/AAAAAAAALZE/oOEodYpERew/s640/blogger-image-2115210444.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SfJfNA3x0uQ/WJs8unYG1SI/AAAAAAAALYo/BWfL4-6hpRE/s640/blogger-image-1442774072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SfJfNA3x0uQ/WJs8unYG1SI/AAAAAAAALYo/BWfL4-6hpRE/s640/blogger-image-1442774072.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3L512aB3pWc/WJs90Wshi6I/AAAAAAAALZk/qz551TWUUIM/s640/blogger-image-1188062693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3L512aB3pWc/WJs90Wshi6I/AAAAAAAALZk/qz551TWUUIM/s640/blogger-image-1188062693.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-le9_2VFfXzA/WJs8-79GWDI/AAAAAAAALY0/KV3JYaU1Maw/s640/blogger-image-1847712461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-le9_2VFfXzA/WJs8-79GWDI/AAAAAAAALY0/KV3JYaU1Maw/s640/blogger-image-1847712461.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O5N9dTG32cs/WJs9E5zeBaI/AAAAAAAALY4/5UWZ6qp6jL0/s640/blogger-image-835702093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O5N9dTG32cs/WJs9E5zeBaI/AAAAAAAALY4/5UWZ6qp6jL0/s640/blogger-image-835702093.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Redondela ahead</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TogXRg8c_3w/WJs9hXH6HSI/AAAAAAAALZQ/JuRMOevXvWY/s640/blogger-image-546048441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TogXRg8c_3w/WJs9hXH6HSI/AAAAAAAALZQ/JuRMOevXvWY/s640/blogger-image-546048441.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S9Gh0IZyjw0/WJs9rEc1uCI/AAAAAAAALZY/V2Zw0-0664A/s640/blogger-image--638681927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S9Gh0IZyjw0/WJs9rEc1uCI/AAAAAAAALZY/V2Zw0-0664A/s640/blogger-image--638681927.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKll106XZc4/WJs9mWy7w_I/AAAAAAAALZU/SJ1pQ7pNmG4/s640/blogger-image-167596823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EKll106XZc4/WJs9mWy7w_I/AAAAAAAALZU/SJ1pQ7pNmG4/s640/blogger-image-167596823.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Junta albergue in Redondela </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RUUrrImKPBE/WJs9JlUAd4I/AAAAAAAALY8/zlum_KELZyY/s640/blogger-image--1332088938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RUUrrImKPBE/WJs9JlUAd4I/AAAAAAAALY8/zlum_KELZyY/s640/blogger-image--1332088938.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A nice lunch break in Redondela</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-63013646090663589352017-02-07T09:07:00.001-08:002017-02-07T09:07:08.275-08:00Back in SpainWe spent a restful night at Casa Capela, and happily awoke to clear skies. Marguerite, our host had breakfast in hand, and our laundry was folded in a basket. We thanked Marguerite for all her many kindnesses and stepped out onto the cobbles, made a left turn and set out for Tui. Nothing much to report as the day was close to being perfect. The weather was dry with temperatures topping out near 60 F. Robin and I simply enjoyed the time on the trail and before we knew it we were moving down the narrow streets of Valença enjoying the old town around the fort. After a few twists and turns and navigating through some shadowy portals we emerged back into the sunlight and headed across the Minho River bridge into the town of Tui and Spain. We stopped at a convenient bar for a cold beer, and to change our SIM cards back to the Spanish ones we had previously purchased. As we were sipping our Estrella Galicia we asked the lady at the bar where our hotel was. She confirmed it was about 5 kms outside of Tui but she felt sure they would come and collect us if we had a reservation, which we did. About 20 minutes later the hotel van arrived and we were off. We are now doing what we always do post walk. Showers, laundry, and lunch. We are staying in the Hotel Alfonso I and although it is outside of town, it has all that we need. As a side note the food in the restaurant was terrific. So we are in the decompression stage and simply relaxing. It was a very fine day and tomorrow promises to be more of the same. What luck.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZUXW5N5gsU8/WJn9IMDklmI/AAAAAAAALW8/zNoVrMsOpSE/s640/blogger-image--726942832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZUXW5N5gsU8/WJn9IMDklmI/AAAAAAAALW8/zNoVrMsOpSE/s640/blogger-image--726942832.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Leaving Our lodging this morning</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syDaHzeVcpY/WJn9iKFJoBI/AAAAAAAALXI/rkTOQ6E9D80/s640/blogger-image-246727705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syDaHzeVcpY/WJn9iKFJoBI/AAAAAAAALXI/rkTOQ6E9D80/s640/blogger-image-246727705.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3jLi2ItaCs/WJn9ToJ_GiI/AAAAAAAALXE/SWI4R2qOC8w/s640/blogger-image-234998939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z3jLi2ItaCs/WJn9ToJ_GiI/AAAAAAAALXE/SWI4R2qOC8w/s640/blogger-image-234998939.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Serious horns</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTuFziS15uI/WJn9CkM9szI/AAAAAAAALW4/4ki0rniyAmM/s640/blogger-image--346080708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTuFziS15uI/WJn9CkM9szI/AAAAAAAALW4/4ki0rniyAmM/s640/blogger-image--346080708.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kXEBUldv9Ug/WJn9sq5oojI/AAAAAAAALXQ/2hjstG81Ugo/s640/blogger-image--731411292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kXEBUldv9Ug/WJn9sq5oojI/AAAAAAAALXQ/2hjstG81Ugo/s640/blogger-image--731411292.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2mBqWI2ylYA/WJn936mSBBI/AAAAAAAALXc/y8udH1DvKDM/s640/blogger-image--595501936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2mBqWI2ylYA/WJn936mSBBI/AAAAAAAALXc/y8udH1DvKDM/s640/blogger-image--595501936.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8Cnn6VfbCY/WJn9N4mbINI/AAAAAAAALXA/c-WPCC3g8MI/s640/blogger-image--2085374659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8Cnn6VfbCY/WJn9N4mbINI/AAAAAAAALXA/c-WPCC3g8MI/s640/blogger-image--2085374659.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Valencã in the distance</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CkI1lDT9p5Y/WJn-Hvrs-fI/AAAAAAAALXo/VumO2e5S1P4/s640/blogger-image--935723008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CkI1lDT9p5Y/WJn-Hvrs-fI/AAAAAAAALXo/VumO2e5S1P4/s640/blogger-image--935723008.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zts7pnMPoqs/WJn-okbmNxI/AAAAAAAALYM/xC5HxTOkmqU/s640/blogger-image--225283163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zts7pnMPoqs/WJn-okbmNxI/AAAAAAAALYM/xC5HxTOkmqU/s640/blogger-image--225283163.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Albergue we passed by</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SDMbIiqhjNg/WJn9yGTaMZI/AAAAAAAALXU/GQUvHMVtCos/s640/blogger-image--596654832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SDMbIiqhjNg/WJn9yGTaMZI/AAAAAAAALXU/GQUvHMVtCos/s640/blogger-image--596654832.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The forteleza in Valencã</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rqlu1emUpn8/WJn9nQuBNQI/AAAAAAAALXM/rPNvpVu08Ys/s640/blogger-image-1786602573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rqlu1emUpn8/WJn9nQuBNQI/AAAAAAAALXM/rPNvpVu08Ys/s640/blogger-image-1786602573.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yoa11Vi4KEs/WJn-uWwvVFI/AAAAAAAALYQ/xTKBjfqW1j4/s640/blogger-image-2133961413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yoa11Vi4KEs/WJn-uWwvVFI/AAAAAAAALYQ/xTKBjfqW1j4/s640/blogger-image-2133961413.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B9neXwe-d0s/WJn98ypoZbI/AAAAAAAALXg/4A0ccBJXEAc/s640/blogger-image--352102864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B9neXwe-d0s/WJn98ypoZbI/AAAAAAAALXg/4A0ccBJXEAc/s640/blogger-image--352102864.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VfeUgRUOn_E/WJn-c6GKPGI/AAAAAAAALYA/5FWR4aDudu4/s640/blogger-image-1755295268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VfeUgRUOn_E/WJn-c6GKPGI/AAAAAAAALYA/5FWR4aDudu4/s640/blogger-image-1755295268.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljm_ucf4v9Y/WJn-iRX-mrI/AAAAAAAALYE/FdQ8ZPZnUAY/s640/blogger-image-1311889445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljm_ucf4v9Y/WJn-iRX-mrI/AAAAAAAALYE/FdQ8ZPZnUAY/s640/blogger-image-1311889445.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Tui across the river</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-laJllniFgpQ/WJn-CSyA5yI/AAAAAAAALXk/0-qOamoqRoY/s640/blogger-image-1589072998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-laJllniFgpQ/WJn-CSyA5yI/AAAAAAAALXk/0-qOamoqRoY/s640/blogger-image-1589072998.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The bridge to Tui</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TKwp7DNeMpI/WJn-Xl8pd_I/AAAAAAAALX4/U-HvuBO0018/s640/blogger-image-500095624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TKwp7DNeMpI/WJn-Xl8pd_I/AAAAAAAALX4/U-HvuBO0018/s640/blogger-image-500095624.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MATnQzhGLkg/WJn-M1gc3iI/AAAAAAAALXw/roNe7tZ0Vlc/s640/blogger-image--1092550300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MATnQzhGLkg/WJn-M1gc3iI/AAAAAAAALXw/roNe7tZ0Vlc/s640/blogger-image--1092550300.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L6ELO6jWTAE/WJn-SPB1gGI/AAAAAAAALX0/-gCbdw0H8tE/s640/blogger-image-1251022444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L6ELO6jWTAE/WJn-SPB1gGI/AAAAAAAALX0/-gCbdw0H8tE/s640/blogger-image-1251022444.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Crossing into Spain</div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-91866076391311380872017-02-07T08:06:00.001-08:002017-02-07T08:06:19.996-08:00Over the top to Rubiães<div><br></div>Today was another day where the weather was forecasted to turn wet in the afternoon. As we made our way out into the streets of Ponte do Lima a grand market had been installed overnight. We quickly forgot about the weather as we took in the number of tents. There wasn't a square inch of river front that did not have a vendors tent on it. We were told that this occurs every 15 days. All morning people were streaming into the town as we made our way out. We were off to a good start feeling rested, nourished and ready for the day ahead. We followed the Camino arrows out of town and down a rural lane until we rounded a bend and found the trail flooded. This part of the Camino immediately outside of Ponte do Lima is low and very flat. Recent rains had gotten the best of it and there was simply no where for the water to go. We opted to retreat and found a quick diversion onto the N306 that had us paralleling the Camino but on dry land. We carried on up the road, about 2.5 kms until we crossed under the A27. Shortly thereafter we took the next left turn into the the village of Barrosas where we found the Camino arrows once again. From this point onward we never had any serious high water. We did encounter a few spots that required some long steps to cross, but all in all it went smoothly. <div><br></div><div>Today's walk was more of a climb than anything else. We just seemed to be always heading upward. Many moments of the day we were on rock strewn trails that steepened up a bit from time to time, but still were quite manageable. We just took our time and chugged along. Thankfully the rain held off. We did come across some fallen trees that crossed the trail, victims of recent very high winds. We managed to scoot over or around them. However a thought came to mind that if we just happened to be on that part of the trail when one of those large trees crashed down, I might not be writing this post. As pilgrims we tend to set out at times when we probably shouldn't. High winds create any number of hazards and should be carefully considered before committing to the day's walk. It was quite a pleasant walk through quiet countryside as we enjoyed the sounds rushing streams. Water was clearly on the move today. The feel of this area is very reminiscent of Galicia. So at last we topped our hill and headed down towards Rubiães. Nothing much to report other than footing was a bit tricky with wet rocks and all but onward and downward we went until we were on the flat. We had booked a room a few kilometers outside of Rubiães at the Casa Capela. Upon reaching Rubiães we stopped at the first bar we came to and placed a call to where we were spending the night. As luck would have it the lady who answered our call agreed to come to the bar and pick us up. So after a cold beer our driver appeared and we were off to wash up and dry off. After our showers the lady at Casa Capela drove us back to the Restaurante Retiro (where she had previously picked us up). She arranged with the restaurant owner to drive us back home after our meal. All was very nicely and thoughtfully choreographed. We are now alone in the house as we are the only guests. A bottle of no label red wine is on the table with two glasses, a fire is in the hearth and our boots are drying nicely. The rain finally did settle in but only after we had arrived. Perfect timing once again. Tui tomorrow. Time to stoke the fire.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CaPBuxworww/WJnwNbjNbdI/AAAAAAAALWU/pq5-EiL6DO0/s640/blogger-image--894372004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CaPBuxworww/WJnwNbjNbdI/AAAAAAAALWU/pq5-EiL6DO0/s640/blogger-image--894372004.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Ponte do Lima</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MTKzpz6cT9s/WJnviz1bdAI/AAAAAAAALVw/YvWSjkSEfXo/s640/blogger-image-1508207841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MTKzpz6cT9s/WJnviz1bdAI/AAAAAAAALVw/YvWSjkSEfXo/s640/blogger-image-1508207841.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k17WqB1IQUw/WJnvdi1m9fI/AAAAAAAALVs/fobdxRZXEfo/s640/blogger-image--865032280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k17WqB1IQUw/WJnvdi1m9fI/AAAAAAAALVs/fobdxRZXEfo/s640/blogger-image--865032280.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IZBVbL-d8nM/WJnvtnU5DsI/AAAAAAAALV4/DhJbJGxXpfA/s640/blogger-image-491051062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IZBVbL-d8nM/WJnvtnU5DsI/AAAAAAAALV4/DhJbJGxXpfA/s640/blogger-image-491051062.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The market setting up</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6JodPTiovhA/WJnvnxMzt3I/AAAAAAAALV0/EuU1uZUMQdY/s640/blogger-image--2128052413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6JodPTiovhA/WJnvnxMzt3I/AAAAAAAALV0/EuU1uZUMQdY/s640/blogger-image--2128052413.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QWsMklxX2O8/WJnvMdd9aYI/AAAAAAAALVg/mxorBnwZbgQ/s640/blogger-image-1333805300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QWsMklxX2O8/WJnvMdd9aYI/AAAAAAAALVg/mxorBnwZbgQ/s640/blogger-image-1333805300.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Market sprawl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kL0wcloj4RU/WJnv9zLJs1I/AAAAAAAALWE/Td4zvu2O3qQ/s640/blogger-image-1203643510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kL0wcloj4RU/WJnv9zLJs1I/AAAAAAAALWE/Td4zvu2O3qQ/s640/blogger-image-1203643510.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking good</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X06EmFCQeG4/WJnvHNcnoII/AAAAAAAALVc/8lDTfNl6odQ/s640/blogger-image--198195260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X06EmFCQeG4/WJnvHNcnoII/AAAAAAAALVc/8lDTfNl6odQ/s640/blogger-image--198195260.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking not so good</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pc84hgHLmLY/WJnvRqUCk1I/AAAAAAAALVk/52CStDYr72c/s640/blogger-image--2049502907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pc84hgHLmLY/WJnvRqUCk1I/AAAAAAAALVk/52CStDYr72c/s640/blogger-image--2049502907.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kYaoim82CzA/WJnwDDtWyGI/AAAAAAAALWM/biMHkPqz3K0/s640/blogger-image-1894103426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kYaoim82CzA/WJnwDDtWyGI/AAAAAAAALWM/biMHkPqz3K0/s640/blogger-image-1894103426.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DRKowPeKDdM/WJnwIAorqLI/AAAAAAAALWQ/J0tMNjjeGg4/s640/blogger-image--1401999519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DRKowPeKDdM/WJnwIAorqLI/AAAAAAAALWQ/J0tMNjjeGg4/s640/blogger-image--1401999519.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zlEyQLMiCGk/WJnvygoXCJI/AAAAAAAALV8/bJyKYbkMgKk/s640/blogger-image-913306069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zlEyQLMiCGk/WJnvygoXCJI/AAAAAAAALV8/bJyKYbkMgKk/s640/blogger-image-913306069.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SmZG_0_9rUI/WJnwTr7HPCI/AAAAAAAALWY/PZJfiTapq4k/s640/blogger-image--1760093397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SmZG_0_9rUI/WJnwTr7HPCI/AAAAAAAALWY/PZJfiTapq4k/s640/blogger-image--1760093397.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CERWNvT2xwI/WJnvXTjcJiI/AAAAAAAALVo/dVpbGc7_vuU/s640/blogger-image-1144293970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CERWNvT2xwI/WJnvXTjcJiI/AAAAAAAALVo/dVpbGc7_vuU/s640/blogger-image-1144293970.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M5EE5LXx-ZQ/WJnwY4zLMGI/AAAAAAAALWc/jKOdf3kPK2U/s640/blogger-image-753627472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M5EE5LXx-ZQ/WJnwY4zLMGI/AAAAAAAALWc/jKOdf3kPK2U/s640/blogger-image-753627472.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHbJSQYL_iE/WJnv4A9_iDI/AAAAAAAALWA/c0YjFTdupSs/s640/blogger-image-1274582130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZHbJSQYL_iE/WJnv4A9_iDI/AAAAAAAALWA/c0YjFTdupSs/s640/blogger-image-1274582130.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-biQx6I1THew/WJnwefHjp9I/AAAAAAAALWg/smXzlYgHd8E/s640/blogger-image-218598431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-biQx6I1THew/WJnwefHjp9I/AAAAAAAALWg/smXzlYgHd8E/s640/blogger-image-218598431.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-53318823890139028462017-02-05T12:52:00.001-08:002017-02-05T12:53:37.648-08:00Watching the weatherWe left Barcelos on Saturday morning after deciding that the dire weather forecast for the day would still allow us to walk. The previous night had been stormy indeed with heavy downpours and gale force winds, but come morning things seemed to have eased off a bit. The updated forecast for Saturday was for moderate weather during the day and heavy winds and rain to return mid-afternoon. We felt sure we would be safely ensconced in Casa Fernanda before the weather turned, so off we went. It was the right choice. Strong winds racked through the tree tops but we felt little impact close to the ground. We had a few rain showers but nothing our umbrellas couldn't handle. So we plunged in enjoying the day's walk until we reached the "old bridge" about 6kms from Fernanda's. Here the path, and all the surrounding fields were under water. Opting not to take our boots off we just waded in. The water came to about mid calf and then we were out of it. Surprisingly My boots didn't fill up. Not sure why but we walked another 6 kms to Fernanda's with wet feet without incident. We walked into Fernanda's yard at close to 1:30 pm. She was outside with her husband Jacinto. Before we knew it she had us in a private room and was gathering laundry together and planning for lunch. She is truly a force of nature, but a very caring force of nature. By 2:00 pm we were all in her kitchen, the laundry was in the machine (thank you Jacinto) and a pot of lentil soup was simmering away. She asked us what we would like to drink and so lunch began. The interesting thing is that lunch just sort of ran into dinner. A German lady trailed in after us just catching the change of the weather. It was now really howling. Fernanda got us all settled in with food and drink and then more food and more drink, and then great conversation, and then more food and more drink. At 10:00 pm (after 8 splendid hours of eating, drinking, and talking) we all agreed to call it a night (but not after one last shot of aguardiente) and headed off to our beds. <div><br></div><div>Sunday morning dawned with clear skies that lifted our spirits. The previous night's sleep had been interrupted by rolling thunder and tropical downpours. But that was then and the new day was nothing but peace and tranquility. Jacinto was in the kitchen cooking up eggs and ham, ands anything else that was within reach. I never thought I would eat again after yesterday, but there we were tucking it away. Amazing. In short Fernanda and her husband, Jacinto, are simply two of the finest happiest people we have had the privilege to meet. They showered us with kindness and hospitality and made it all seem normal and natural. We felt so very much at home. What an amazing experience. As sad as we were to leave, the pilgrim road was calling so off we went for a short walk to Ponte do Lima. The path we followed was beautiful, calm, and the weather was perfect. We walked into our hotel in Ponte do Lima close to 1:30 pm. We had a quick shower and then headed across the old bridge to a nice restaurant just opposite the albergue. A bottle of wine, a nice seafood stew, a couple glasses of port and we were ready for a siesta. We are off to Rubiaes tomorrow. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-av1C5eFqyw0/WJeOShW93jI/AAAAAAAALUE/u4r5Xv7BqHg/s640/blogger-image--1117165682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-av1C5eFqyw0/WJeOShW93jI/AAAAAAAALUE/u4r5Xv7BqHg/s640/blogger-image--1117165682.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the way to Casa Fernanda's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vc48Q-50A-U/WJeLcRhJndI/AAAAAAAALTU/El7EANrE2lY/s640/blogger-image-1122640520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vc48Q-50A-U/WJeLcRhJndI/AAAAAAAALTU/El7EANrE2lY/s640/blogger-image-1122640520.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O_J2mX_VOkE/WJeLtynJ-gI/AAAAAAAALTk/TdXVIsu-DAU/s640/blogger-image--1920265551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O_J2mX_VOkE/WJeLtynJ-gI/AAAAAAAALTk/TdXVIsu-DAU/s640/blogger-image--1920265551.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2NNAOVFe0U/WJeLx1Ox7OI/AAAAAAAALTo/tfGcpd0taZk/s640/blogger-image--569054299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2NNAOVFe0U/WJeLx1Ox7OI/AAAAAAAALTo/tfGcpd0taZk/s640/blogger-image--569054299.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TjYyCfi6pI0/WJeLYFxzwAI/AAAAAAAALTQ/zxkL6nu0jA4/s640/blogger-image-467716937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TjYyCfi6pI0/WJeLYFxzwAI/AAAAAAAALTQ/zxkL6nu0jA4/s640/blogger-image-467716937.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yuyD_qgVjBw/WJeOOT-hjhI/AAAAAAAALUA/RQGiAO9V9gE/s640/blogger-image--196002100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yuyD_qgVjBw/WJeOOT-hjhI/AAAAAAAALUA/RQGiAO9V9gE/s640/blogger-image--196002100.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7VISz2UmGw/WJeLplc9NZI/AAAAAAAALTg/8iyfFM_2u9E/s640/blogger-image--776742439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A7VISz2UmGw/WJeLplc9NZI/AAAAAAAALTg/8iyfFM_2u9E/s640/blogger-image--776742439.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-flyg7eScRRw/WJeObB3NJMI/AAAAAAAALUM/ir3uiXV8U5U/s640/blogger-image--1092001968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-flyg7eScRRw/WJeObB3NJMI/AAAAAAAALUM/ir3uiXV8U5U/s640/blogger-image--1092001968.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From the left: Carmen (Berlin), Fernanda, and Robin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KR1elvGERwE/WJePzhhbRSI/AAAAAAAALUc/-sjaq9KqI0Y/s640/blogger-image--1587508527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KR1elvGERwE/WJePzhhbRSI/AAAAAAAALUc/-sjaq9KqI0Y/s640/blogger-image--1587508527.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Warming up some chorizo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JLAmFtGElik/WJeQVwPB9XI/AAAAAAAALUs/QyglLlf01rk/s640/blogger-image-1371971656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JLAmFtGElik/WJeQVwPB9XI/AAAAAAAALUs/QyglLlf01rk/s640/blogger-image-1371971656.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fernanda and Jacinto</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cqyfmo69hWE/WJeLgwF1FlI/AAAAAAAALTY/wxO5OJxrR4A/s640/blogger-image-2030748952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cqyfmo69hWE/WJeLgwF1FlI/AAAAAAAALTY/wxO5OJxrR4A/s640/blogger-image-2030748952.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Underway for Ponte do Lima</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c_h0xC4hXIA/WJeQRl_hJ3I/AAAAAAAALUo/DDEO6UT6i8g/s640/blogger-image-2080118057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c_h0xC4hXIA/WJeQRl_hJ3I/AAAAAAAALUo/DDEO6UT6i8g/s640/blogger-image-2080118057.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zjzqKQJGXw/WJeOW0GfMyI/AAAAAAAALUI/rJGdv-FRFwg/s640/blogger-image-842489213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zjzqKQJGXw/WJeOW0GfMyI/AAAAAAAALUI/rJGdv-FRFwg/s640/blogger-image-842489213.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cbJ-KcEdkJk/WJeLKLJGGXI/AAAAAAAALTI/aenRGTbpEt4/s640/blogger-image-508237543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cbJ-KcEdkJk/WJeLKLJGGXI/AAAAAAAALTI/aenRGTbpEt4/s640/blogger-image-508237543.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zfkARcCZ28A/WJeP377mCRI/AAAAAAAALUg/DNRplGJ_ITU/s640/blogger-image-2008041707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zfkARcCZ28A/WJeP377mCRI/AAAAAAAALUg/DNRplGJ_ITU/s640/blogger-image-2008041707.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xjan_rEkbFI/WJeLOGN1jhI/AAAAAAAALTM/DodCWfLcHGs/s640/blogger-image-348784234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xjan_rEkbFI/WJeLOGN1jhI/AAAAAAAALTM/DodCWfLcHGs/s640/blogger-image-348784234.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vUP70Flrkks/WJeL6a5JFtI/AAAAAAAALTw/ESMx9HJk2ZE/s640/blogger-image--560886894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vUP70Flrkks/WJeL6a5JFtI/AAAAAAAALTw/ESMx9HJk2ZE/s640/blogger-image--560886894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0x955fLTBw/WJeQjP2SZgI/AAAAAAAALU8/fDdz2jGKLJo/s640/blogger-image-1368422119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0x955fLTBw/WJeQjP2SZgI/AAAAAAAALU8/fDdz2jGKLJo/s640/blogger-image-1368422119.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9o-vfQSkJg/WJeQNUI1qbI/AAAAAAAALUk/1jkzRZQUuvw/s640/blogger-image-900122805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c9o-vfQSkJg/WJeQNUI1qbI/AAAAAAAALUk/1jkzRZQUuvw/s640/blogger-image-900122805.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hOL_pbMEn5Q/WJeQZ_gM2XI/AAAAAAAALUw/q-Az4ORlIpA/s640/blogger-image--2089455527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hOL_pbMEn5Q/WJeQZ_gM2XI/AAAAAAAALUw/q-Az4ORlIpA/s640/blogger-image--2089455527.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADvfTrpWrSw/WJeL1_z7DUI/AAAAAAAALTs/D9j0A6MH5YM/s640/blogger-image--620581352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADvfTrpWrSw/WJeL1_z7DUI/AAAAAAAALTs/D9j0A6MH5YM/s640/blogger-image--620581352.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dEQWzty1rqM/WJeQekja5YI/AAAAAAAALU4/_1js6adLRJY/s640/blogger-image-777486424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dEQWzty1rqM/WJeQekja5YI/AAAAAAAALU4/_1js6adLRJY/s640/blogger-image-777486424.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BFknssgclb0/WJeLlEX46bI/AAAAAAAALTc/TOFL7MLFGdU/s640/blogger-image-949109895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BFknssgclb0/WJeLlEX46bI/AAAAAAAALTc/TOFL7MLFGdU/s640/blogger-image-949109895.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Entering Ponte do Lima</div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-35817637019518247932017-02-03T09:03:00.001-08:002017-02-03T09:03:15.274-08:00The way to BarcelosWe had a very fun and restful stay in Vila do Conde. Fortified with a healthy breakfast we swung out the door of our hotel and wandered down to a nearby taxi rank. A tap on the window got our driver at the ready and soon we were off to Arcos about 8 kms away. Our driver was a funny and expressive guy. He spoke almost no English but I could follow most of what he was saying in Portuguese. He brought us to the small village of Arcos where we immediately spotted Camino arrows. We paid our bill, included a nice tip (for the entertainment value if nothing else), and bailed out in front of the church. As our driver blasted off (no one in Portugal drives slowly) we saddled up our packs and set out to follow the yellow arrows to Barcelos where we would spend the night. Weather wise we caught a break. The wind and rain in today's forecast was now expected to cross our path around 2:00 pm. We hopefully would be in Barcelos by then. So off we went. No one else in sight. The temperature increased a bit ask we moved through Rates and Robin and I shed our rain jackets. Onward we went enjoying the early rural kilometers. Later in the day we found more road work and more crazy drivers that added a bit of anxiety to walking the shoulder of whatever road we happened to be on. The Portuguese just seem to enjoy driving fast, hugging the inside corner (where we were walking) and leaning on the horn approaching blind turns (not slowing down). But, all in all it was another fun day. Robin did very well and despite a lot of cobblestone walking our feet were none the worse for wear. That was good news. So we plunged on keeping a steady if not breathtaking pace and arrived at our hotel in Barcelos at 1:30 pm. Our habit is now, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">after making arrival, to go right to lunch. We skip dinner as this just seems more convenient. As it turns out there was a wonderful restaurant right next door </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to our hotel. In we went and continued to explore the seafood side of the menu. It was grilled sea bass for Robin and grilled salmon for me. Both were superb. But, an unexpected highlight was the grilled octopus salad. Wow, says enough. It was a fantastic meal (no menu del dia) that finished off another fun day on the Camino. Now back in our room the weather has taken a turn for the worse. Heavy rain and strong winds are now lashing our hotel. We arrived just before all this settled in. Perfect timing. We are off to Casa Fernanda tomorrow and God willing the storm will have passed by then. All is well.</span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4v0cGR4nC4/WJS3dinQaHI/AAAAAAAALSE/c52MJYiKyxU/s640/blogger-image-541393766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4v0cGR4nC4/WJS3dinQaHI/AAAAAAAALSE/c52MJYiKyxU/s640/blogger-image-541393766.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The church in Arcos</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f32pEM_wyXo/WJS3Qe7mAMI/AAAAAAAALR0/0c8eGW2fZDI/s640/blogger-image--1101532418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f32pEM_wyXo/WJS3Qe7mAMI/AAAAAAAALR0/0c8eGW2fZDI/s640/blogger-image--1101532418.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Getting ready to go</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3p22C9Hyu3c/WJS20i86HRI/AAAAAAAALRc/IK92QxdSE34/s640/blogger-image--1063390018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3p22C9Hyu3c/WJS20i86HRI/AAAAAAAALRc/IK92QxdSE34/s640/blogger-image--1063390018.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Roosters in a tree. First time for me.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPfGCljkcek/WJS3zV61sXI/AAAAAAAALSc/XPcMIYotnXk/s640/blogger-image-1915006872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPfGCljkcek/WJS3zV61sXI/AAAAAAAALSc/XPcMIYotnXk/s640/blogger-image-1915006872.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Tsrj2bpJ64/WJS3ZIHjD1I/AAAAAAAALSA/UUKJNYw1KgU/s640/blogger-image--452248369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Tsrj2bpJ64/WJS3ZIHjD1I/AAAAAAAALSA/UUKJNYw1KgU/s640/blogger-image--452248369.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-REtC_nwZeKE/WJS3qhJuV6I/AAAAAAAALSU/BBQogyA8tZM/s640/blogger-image--35655654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-REtC_nwZeKE/WJS3qhJuV6I/AAAAAAAALSU/BBQogyA8tZM/s640/blogger-image--35655654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DJg_1urM7IQ/WJS29qpcF1I/AAAAAAAALRk/JsK3SXSaM8Y/s640/blogger-image-1454571573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DJg_1urM7IQ/WJS29qpcF1I/AAAAAAAALRk/JsK3SXSaM8Y/s640/blogger-image-1454571573.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zjYiedhA9sM/WJS3h2Hc1QI/AAAAAAAALSI/c-g-WOW5MMc/s640/blogger-image--1458433877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zjYiedhA9sM/WJS3h2Hc1QI/AAAAAAAALSI/c-g-WOW5MMc/s640/blogger-image--1458433877.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwRtQYojPnk/WJS25Lki82I/AAAAAAAALRg/dBJJ4FQEiiI/s640/blogger-image--91849754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwRtQYojPnk/WJS25Lki82I/AAAAAAAALRg/dBJJ4FQEiiI/s640/blogger-image--91849754.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l84mvTKfHyI/WJS3u5SxaLI/AAAAAAAALSY/Q7grEKykPMo/s640/blogger-image--2057390092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l84mvTKfHyI/WJS3u5SxaLI/AAAAAAAALSY/Q7grEKykPMo/s640/blogger-image--2057390092.jpg"></a></div></div><div>These yellow blossoms smell great.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zsSdz5PzGNI/WJS3mJvLU9I/AAAAAAAALSQ/3nNrO6zRWYY/s640/blogger-image-554541557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zsSdz5PzGNI/WJS3mJvLU9I/AAAAAAAALSQ/3nNrO6zRWYY/s640/blogger-image-554541557.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_yIZ1g_MdU/WJS3B5G74kI/AAAAAAAALRo/GmG3O6iMsRw/s640/blogger-image-1493058806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_yIZ1g_MdU/WJS3B5G74kI/AAAAAAAALRo/GmG3O6iMsRw/s640/blogger-image-1493058806.jpg"></a></div></div><div>More eucalyptus. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KgjLs2DKYp8/WJS2v4P3tfI/AAAAAAAALRY/tKigypIP3Ts/s640/blogger-image--1966152193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KgjLs2DKYp8/WJS2v4P3tfI/AAAAAAAALRY/tKigypIP3Ts/s640/blogger-image--1966152193.jpg"></a></div></div><div>At lunch. We did eat.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWL9COyUItE/WJS3HM7vgGI/AAAAAAAALRs/4JjUaaaVXNc/s640/blogger-image--949415663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWL9COyUItE/WJS3HM7vgGI/AAAAAAAALRs/4JjUaaaVXNc/s640/blogger-image--949415663.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fDYyPaNEu4M/WJS3UmTsq6I/AAAAAAAALR4/mJPUkQ0WR-s/s640/blogger-image--136763764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fDYyPaNEu4M/WJS3UmTsq6I/AAAAAAAALR4/mJPUkQ0WR-s/s640/blogger-image--136763764.jpg"></a></div></div><div>My happy pilgrim Robin.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoHQMRjAcXY/WJS3L1bduNI/AAAAAAAALRw/SgaKWBR1lkY/s640/blogger-image--2228999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VoHQMRjAcXY/WJS3L1bduNI/AAAAAAAALRw/SgaKWBR1lkY/s640/blogger-image--2228999.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Artwork from our hotel. The Portuguese have a major rooster thing going on. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-48988947024897011172017-02-02T10:22:00.001-08:002017-02-02T10:22:35.323-08:00Off to Vila do CondeDespite yesterday's scary weather forecast, today turned out to be better than I expected. At first light I could see from our hotel room there was water streaming down through the cobbles of the Plaza da Liberdade No rain but plenty of wind was evident. Robin and I had an early breakfast and were ready to go shortly after 8:00 am. We grabbed a taxi to head out to Matosinhos where we would begin today's walk to Vila do Conde 22 kms up the coast. Robin was feeling strong and the rain was still hanging offshore so we were off to a good start. We found the boardwalk and lots of Camino signage and off we went. The wind was pretty much just shy of gale force for most of the day. Coming out of the wsw it sort of quartered us on our left side. By snugging our umbrellas close to our shoulders we were able to create a rather snug, calm environment as we were buffeted along by the howling wind. A wide stance was required to keep from going right over in the peak gusts. As we moved along we saw an opportunity to move from the boardwalk to the sidewalk of the coast road. We shifted over and the wind eased off a bit and our footing was much more secure on the cobbles than on the slick boardwalk. <div><br></div><div>We carried on throughout the day with a mix of strong winds, heavy downpours and occasional sun breaks. It was a wild rollicking day that proved challenging just trying to stand upright. We took one timely coffee break as a thunderstorm passed over us. We sipped our cortados as hail hammered down on the roof of the dimly lit bar that offered us sanctuary. A kind younger man who had been hanging out at the doorway when we ducked through acted as our translator and organized our coffees. He spoke quite good English, though one never would have guessed it as the bar clientele was very much local and by the looks of it unemployed. Once he kindly sorted out our drinks he quietly resumed his post at the door an continued staring out at the rain. A few moments later I nodded and offered my thanks to him as we slipped back out into the momentarily clearing skies and pushed on towards Vila do Conde. The balance of the day was a mixed bag of cursing speeding drivers who pinned us up against the walls of narrow streets, and <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">unfurling and furling our umbrellas as heavy, but mercifully brief </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">downpours moved onshore as we moved along. But as always there is an arrival, and today was no exception. We crossed the bridge into Vila do Conde and swung left uphill to our hotel, the Hotel Brazao, where we passed through the door at 1:30 pm. Today's work was officially done. After checking in we took the recommendation of the desk clerk and headed back down the hill to the Restaurante Ramon, a wonderful seafood place that exceeded our expectations. Once again we are back attending to our daily Camino chores, and enjoying have some walls between us and the weather. The forecast shows more of the same for tomorrow, but now we know we are rigged correctly and the wind effect should be much less as we move inland tomorrow. Let's just leave it at that and we will see what tomorrow brings. All in all it was a great day to be out walking. </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2zdLEpPV_E/WJN41ZDrfBI/AAAAAAAALQg/NnCOqnQU0yw/s640/blogger-image-33760013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f2zdLEpPV_E/WJN41ZDrfBI/AAAAAAAALQg/NnCOqnQU0yw/s640/blogger-image-33760013.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LxVEAn5JAj8/WJN4ekBjFHI/AAAAAAAALQQ/7sJDL5OlubM/s640/blogger-image-416028626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LxVEAn5JAj8/WJN4ekBjFHI/AAAAAAAALQQ/7sJDL5OlubM/s640/blogger-image-416028626.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRB39jPYik4/WJN4wOw_hFI/AAAAAAAALQc/5QaDzLcUEKs/s640/blogger-image-336870261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jRB39jPYik4/WJN4wOw_hFI/AAAAAAAALQc/5QaDzLcUEKs/s640/blogger-image-336870261.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04073JV-ro0/WJN4nQMvK2I/AAAAAAAALQY/MO5tE2jw1bo/s640/blogger-image--515050238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04073JV-ro0/WJN4nQMvK2I/AAAAAAAALQY/MO5tE2jw1bo/s640/blogger-image--515050238.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_QzfIepC_QY/WJN4i6QaYiI/AAAAAAAALQU/N0x3iH_5CU0/s640/blogger-image--130042163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_QzfIepC_QY/WJN4i6QaYiI/AAAAAAAALQU/N0x3iH_5CU0/s640/blogger-image--130042163.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5Fkmmabj6w/WJN45WxEeII/AAAAAAAALQk/iNdcIin-rKA/s640/blogger-image-1930571272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5Fkmmabj6w/WJN45WxEeII/AAAAAAAALQk/iNdcIin-rKA/s640/blogger-image-1930571272.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P0sj340vH_A/WJN25kjcxxI/AAAAAAAALQA/FIgf2W9bi-w/s640/blogger-image--1862690471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P0sj340vH_A/WJN25kjcxxI/AAAAAAAALQA/FIgf2W9bi-w/s640/blogger-image--1862690471.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-88skGZcnswA/WJN4SKZLjPI/AAAAAAAALQM/MTUCkLfFg64/s640/blogger-image-167214686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-88skGZcnswA/WJN4SKZLjPI/AAAAAAAALQM/MTUCkLfFg64/s640/blogger-image-167214686.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-64374062715665287332017-02-01T09:49:00.001-08:002017-02-01T09:49:03.740-08:00Change of plansWe interrupted our Camino Vasco in Puebla de Arganzón to return to Vitoria where Robin had an x-ray to determine if anything was fractured after a fall (landing hard on her tailbone) when we arrived in Vitoria from Agurain. Fortunately nothing was amiss. But Robin was cautioned to rest a few days before resuming our Camino. So we headed from Vitoria to Bilbao and spent the night there, and then continued on to Porto the following day. We arrived in Porto yesterday and have been resting up before we begin<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> our walk to Santiago tomorrow. As always life on the Camino is filled with the unexpected. Sometimes those moments fall in the plus column and sometimes they fall somewhere else, but nonetheless life goes on and the journey continues (thank God). We have had a restful time, enjoyed some great meals, discovered a taste for fine port wine and and are keeping a wary eye on some heavy weather due to descend on us as we set out in the morning. The forecast actually said "tons of rain." Yikes! Maybe the 20-30 mph winds and thunder will distract us from the rain. Should be an interesting day as we slog on to Vila do Conde. It appears this weather system will be with us through Sunday. So we shall rig for heavy weather and hope for the best. For now the streets outside our hotel are showing occasional umbrellas but typhoon conditions have not yet been set. We shall see what the morning brings. This is our first time in Porto and it has been a perfect place to recuperate. We went to the 11:00 am mass at the cathedral, walked quietly through its cloister, got our first sello, and headed down to the river for a nice seafood lunch. All very peaceful and good fun, especially our lunch at the restaurant Ora Viva, where the food was great, and the staff truly excelled. One interesting quirk was that the kitchen was one floor below the restaurant and all the meals came up from the kitchen via a hand cranked tiny dumb waiter. I kept seeing one of the waiters cranking something behind the bar and when I asked about it I was invited to look down and wave to the cook smiling up at me. Somehow this led to a port wine tasting and a bottle of 20 year old tawny port appeared, and we were hooked. As I said, a fun afternoon. But, duty calls and it will soon be time to set out once again. Praying for </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">God's grace we will complete this Camino and arrive Santiago safe and sound. More to follow from the pilgrim road.</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O0AXyjx5Lpk/WJIedX2Gz8I/AAAAAAAALN4/QtIFg90hOCo/s640/blogger-image--1885508641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O0AXyjx5Lpk/WJIedX2Gz8I/AAAAAAAALN4/QtIFg90hOCo/s640/blogger-image--1885508641.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Down by the river in Porto</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2Hbl7YvmQQ/WJIfbdhIWjI/AAAAAAAALO4/hsrRT96HBM0/s640/blogger-image-95682054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n2Hbl7YvmQQ/WJIfbdhIWjI/AAAAAAAALO4/hsrRT96HBM0/s640/blogger-image-95682054.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u7duRYhGe9w/WJIe-j3jAdI/AAAAAAAALOY/gcSosdDwTt4/s640/blogger-image--235887093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u7duRYhGe9w/WJIe-j3jAdI/AAAAAAAALOY/gcSosdDwTt4/s640/blogger-image--235887093.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hn5CwOMYO_E/WJIfji0gamI/AAAAAAAALPA/f6SkCrG4LlA/s640/blogger-image--1979842927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hn5CwOMYO_E/WJIfji0gamI/AAAAAAAALPA/f6SkCrG4LlA/s640/blogger-image--1979842927.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View from our hotel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rs0lQ-7TSh0/WJIfKvJpPyI/AAAAAAAALOk/LCFTtmYzyDA/s640/blogger-image-1786529814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rs0lQ-7TSh0/WJIfKvJpPyI/AAAAAAAALOk/LCFTtmYzyDA/s640/blogger-image-1786529814.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qnl8GOAZjcQ/WJIeyLOpwII/AAAAAAAALOM/HfZmaLjEE_4/s640/blogger-image-1795740371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qnl8GOAZjcQ/WJIeyLOpwII/AAAAAAAALOM/HfZmaLjEE_4/s640/blogger-image-1795740371.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tile work at the train station</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0u69XRXYnWE/WJIfCak6zdI/AAAAAAAALOc/vTl7RgDYQMI/s640/blogger-image--932113914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0u69XRXYnWE/WJIfCak6zdI/AAAAAAAALOc/vTl7RgDYQMI/s640/blogger-image--932113914.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEKGzP3wgso/WJIfXOvFomI/AAAAAAAALO0/ayxI7Vf4cZ0/s640/blogger-image--744989753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UEKGzP3wgso/WJIfXOvFomI/AAAAAAAALO0/ayxI7Vf4cZ0/s640/blogger-image--744989753.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cathedral</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sygyyhQRNLQ/WJIe2W1TozI/AAAAAAAALOQ/o_ui7OJXdsU/s640/blogger-image--697820332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sygyyhQRNLQ/WJIe2W1TozI/AAAAAAAALOQ/o_ui7OJXdsU/s640/blogger-image--697820332.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Xlw9BBwV_A/WJIeY1ojAmI/AAAAAAAALN0/QryQvbL-6fo/s640/blogger-image--1540041303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Xlw9BBwV_A/WJIeY1ojAmI/AAAAAAAALN0/QryQvbL-6fo/s640/blogger-image--1540041303.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-raWJ9M1l3_g/WJIfGQKyrJI/AAAAAAAALOg/Sa89L_fPXAY/s640/blogger-image--1005759781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-raWJ9M1l3_g/WJIfGQKyrJI/AAAAAAAALOg/Sa89L_fPXAY/s640/blogger-image--1005759781.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nR3l03o0gMU/WJIehwACa8I/AAAAAAAALN8/_wbn_k2O00A/s640/blogger-image-1663541487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nR3l03o0gMU/WJIehwACa8I/AAAAAAAALN8/_wbn_k2O00A/s640/blogger-image-1663541487.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the cathedral cloister</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l8jbuKkxZdg/WJIe6U731HI/AAAAAAAALOU/esP7wKXUo8E/s640/blogger-image-179402877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l8jbuKkxZdg/WJIe6U731HI/AAAAAAAALOU/esP7wKXUo8E/s640/blogger-image-179402877.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2KmsRQ7K5V8/WJIel-DzcyI/AAAAAAAALOA/2AcUlt-YQ0I/s640/blogger-image-946993002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2KmsRQ7K5V8/WJIel-DzcyI/AAAAAAAALOA/2AcUlt-YQ0I/s640/blogger-image-946993002.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Following Camino arrows from the cathedral </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-whsosZfrV2Q/WJIffRoof-I/AAAAAAAALO8/zpNpZIEcWFo/s640/blogger-image-1588281122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-whsosZfrV2Q/WJIffRoof-I/AAAAAAAALO8/zpNpZIEcWFo/s640/blogger-image-1588281122.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W9ekvcLnSwQ/WJIeqEAnqMI/AAAAAAAALOE/abP_hb33hbA/s640/blogger-image-1960302794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W9ekvcLnSwQ/WJIeqEAnqMI/AAAAAAAALOE/abP_hb33hbA/s640/blogger-image-1960302794.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bgMAduWSlS0/WJIeuHpZ1LI/AAAAAAAALOI/tuHvBK3NOPU/s640/blogger-image-2089148384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bgMAduWSlS0/WJIeuHpZ1LI/AAAAAAAALOI/tuHvBK3NOPU/s640/blogger-image-2089148384.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAot0w1Qx4w/WJIfOo4bMBI/AAAAAAAALOo/uVPuADBUhp4/s640/blogger-image--673075356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAot0w1Qx4w/WJIfOo4bMBI/AAAAAAAALOo/uVPuADBUhp4/s640/blogger-image--673075356.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0KikBRvbtQ/WJIfSxXJhaI/AAAAAAAALOw/uBRlTWYHApk/s640/blogger-image-1870924654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z0KikBRvbtQ/WJIfSxXJhaI/AAAAAAAALOw/uBRlTWYHApk/s640/blogger-image-1870924654.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></font><div><div><div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-48299129023278466532017-01-28T11:05:00.001-08:002017-01-28T11:05:35.861-08:00Good friendsOur evening spent in Agurain with our amigos Zazpi and his wife Esther was a perfect cap to a great day's walk from Zegama. Zazpi organized a special dinner the main course of which was chuleton, which is a piece of beef about the size of a spare tire. Being in the Basque Country for our wine selection we went with the ubiquitous Basque white wine called Txakoli. A platter of grilled prawns and a salad rounded out the menu. The curious part of the evening is that neither Robin nor I can hold a conversation in Spanish (let alone Basque), and neither Zazpi nor Esther speak a word of English. Yet, for two hours we ate, talked and somehow communicated. It was great fun. In the early morning hours of the following day, as I lay half awake, I could hear the wind sweeping the streets of Agurain, and rain pelting the cottage where we were encamped. Dawn thankfully broke with a brief respite from the worst of the weather. Last night we had arranged with Zazpi to get a ride out of Agurain to a place somewhere down the Camino to make the day's walk a bit shorter. At 9:30 we were off in Zazpi's car going right down the Camino. He dropped us off at a location that left us a 16 km walk to Vitoria-Gasteiz where we arrived at 2:00 pm. At 4:15 our other Basque amigo Jose Mari Lizarazu picked us up in the city center on his way back from a business trip to Pamplona. He brought us back to his nearby home where together with his wife Isabel we cooked and enjoyed a simple but very tasty Basque meal of potatoes and chorizo. But, this was also accompanied by a number of other treats and a great selection of wines. Fine dining indeed, and more importantly, a nice time to reconnect with good friends. <div><br></div><div>The following morning as we gathered around the breakfast table Jose Mari offered to drop us off on the Camino outside of Vitoria. This sounded like top thinking so in due course we set out for Gometxa about 7 kms from Vitoria and resumed our walk from there. The weather was much improved over yesterday as we ambled along under sunny skies to La Puebla de Arganzón where we arrived at 2:00 pm. We are happily and warmly ensconced in the Hotel Arganzón Plaza where the heat is always on. Things are looking up indeed. Tomorrow our destination is Briñas and after that Santo Domingo de la Calzada, where this journey will end, and another will begin. Time is slipping by but we are making the most of it. <br><div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7lNyUSThBDE/WIzV_d-kmBI/AAAAAAAALK4/3R7pKm1Rs30/s640/blogger-image-315343921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7lNyUSThBDE/WIzV_d-kmBI/AAAAAAAALK4/3R7pKm1Rs30/s640/blogger-image-315343921.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Agurain to Vitoria</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vn4e12hNJlk/WIzrMf8MdDI/AAAAAAAALME/C-S8Pj4idT4/s640/blogger-image-561133766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vn4e12hNJlk/WIzrMf8MdDI/AAAAAAAALME/C-S8Pj4idT4/s640/blogger-image-561133766.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eastern outskirts <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">of Vitoria</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ngWxS2OCj0/WIzrfleIk4I/AAAAAAAALMU/Y7EDc9VVAXU/s640/blogger-image--181376290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ngWxS2OCj0/WIzrfleIk4I/AAAAAAAALMU/Y7EDc9VVAXU/s640/blogger-image--181376290.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The path into Vitoria</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXjtW9fxkgM/WIzV6hLlQ3I/AAAAAAAALK0/e8rEuuJ7Q5o/s640/blogger-image-757558995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rXjtW9fxkgM/WIzV6hLlQ3I/AAAAAAAALK0/e8rEuuJ7Q5o/s640/blogger-image-757558995.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNX0a_6SkYI/WIzUFHYyb6I/AAAAAAAALKY/_NbNfOwnvOM/s640/blogger-image--287671765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNX0a_6SkYI/WIzUFHYyb6I/AAAAAAAALKY/_NbNfOwnvOM/s640/blogger-image--287671765.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The next day in Gometxa</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0We6fog5FI/WIzrajvXilI/AAAAAAAALMQ/iNZqSYXGBYI/s640/blogger-image-386842012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0We6fog5FI/WIzrajvXilI/AAAAAAAALMQ/iNZqSYXGBYI/s640/blogger-image-386842012.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vCWpDbp91VI/WIzrV6SbzzI/AAAAAAAALMM/0hHSOKdyCPE/s640/blogger-image-2136401826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AYe3qZcZBFM/WIzWXFcmKrI/AAAAAAAALLI/14QKw85RyRc/s640/blogger-image-884737970.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2lUonpj_pt8/WIzTtbv_qNI/AAAAAAAALKE/HizaQ6AUdfg/s640/blogger-image-290702045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2lUonpj_pt8/WIzTtbv_qNI/AAAAAAAALKE/HizaQ6AUdfg/s640/blogger-image-290702045.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_8ykthnOko/WIzrQ4p_92I/AAAAAAAALMI/u3lLNLM_u-0/s640/blogger-image-1005801556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_8ykthnOko/WIzrQ4p_92I/AAAAAAAALMI/u3lLNLM_u-0/s640/blogger-image-1005801556.jpg"></a></div>La Puebla de la Arganzón</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFvPwgOrf8M/WIzTx3Uc0FI/AAAAAAAALKI/lJI2Rz9Okcs/s640/blogger-image-1411136411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TFvPwgOrf8M/WIzTx3Uc0FI/AAAAAAAALKI/lJI2Rz9Okcs/s640/blogger-image-1411136411.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U-FVuwDW714/WIzWbrv2BkI/AAAAAAAALLM/8DpOOllM9GU/s640/blogger-image--1844754114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U-FVuwDW714/WIzWbrv2BkI/AAAAAAAALLM/8DpOOllM9GU/s640/blogger-image--1844754114.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our hotel for the night</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qmkQzaGFIA/WIzWSqglpVI/AAAAAAAALLE/x-O-rSKhA3A/s640/blogger-image--1016721833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0qmkQzaGFIA/WIzWSqglpVI/AAAAAAAALLE/x-O-rSKhA3A/s640/blogger-image--1016721833.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div></div></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-55994067561083236832017-01-26T10:40:00.001-08:002017-01-27T00:08:09.646-08:00We made itOur lodging in Zegama proved to be a good conditioning experience for today's freezing mountain air. The señora initially fired up the heat in our room, as it was like a refrigerator. However, her generosity with the heat was short lived. Two hours later the radiators were cooling down never more to return. Our room held steady at 50 F. So Robin and I slept in everything we had not hiked in (including down jackets) and scored 3 extra blankets as well. Robin needed a total of four. I was okay with two. This morning, predictably, the radiators were stone cold and it was 21 F outside. Breakfast in the bar downstairs was also a bit tricky as a nice hot cafe con leche quickly became an ice coffee if you set it down for a second. Despite enduring the night at McMurdo Station we were very pleased with the clear weather we stepped out into. After a quick GPS calibration we set out uphill, on the road out of town, towards the mountains that beckoned us. <div><br></div><div>We climbed easily up the gentle grade scanning our legs and feet for negative feedback. Happily it was all systems go as Robin and I followed the well marked trail up the road and then into the mountains. It was quiet as a church and we were traveling solo, and enjoying this peaceful start to a vigorous day's climb. As we made our way up the grade predictably steepened, but it proved quite manageable. On the Zegama side (north side) of the mountains there was surprisingly little snow. There were some icy spots, but nothing that ever became problematic. Another pleasant surprise was the good condition of the trail. It is also worth noting that due to embankments on either side it could easily be followed even in deeper snow. It was also wide enough to make you feel safe. There were no precipitous drop offs. So we enjoyed great weather, gorgeous views down to Zegama below and to the mountains around us. The well marked trail led us right to the San Adrian tunnel, where we arrived at 11:30. We had left our pension at 9:00, and walked another 30 minutes to the base of the mountains where the climb really begins. After the tunnel it was another 30 minutes of climbing through snow to the summit at Portugaina. So basically, from our pension it took us 3 hours to walk the 8.5 kms and gain the 850 meters that brought us to the summit. </div><div><br></div><div>The trip down brought us through forested, snow covered paths that gradually thawed as we continued our descent. Again well marked trails helped us navigate with only the occasional comfort peek at the GPS. We walked into the first village off the mountain, Zalduando. As we were rounding the local church a familiar voice hailed us from a car. It was a local friend, Zazpi Ruiz de Infante, who is a bit of a legend for his knowledge of the all the nearby mountain trails. He has walked them all. We met him up on a Basque mountain on January 17, 2015, along with his good friend, Jose Mari Lizarazu while we were walking the Camino Ignaciano. They took us under their wing and helped us navigate through the snow fields. We have become great friends over the intervening years. Zazpi knew we were heading his way, but his timing today was just perfect. He bundled us into his car and off we went to his hometown of Agurain where we would be spending the night. We have set up a dinner with Zazpi and his wife, Esther for tonight, but now it is off to the lavendería to finally get some clothes washed. It has been a brilliant day, and we thank God for a safe passage across the Basque Mountains. This could have been a very different kind of day if the weather had taken a turn for the worse. We are off to Vitoria-Gasteiz tomorrow for the next stage of this Camino. I mentioned Jose Mari a moment ago. He lives in Vitoria, and has invited us to spend tomorrow night with him and his wife, Isabel. We are so thankful for the opportunity to catch up with both of these very good friends. An added gift is that they both truly understand the Camino spirit. What a day!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-11Ilr4nUzWM/WIpBIaDX2TI/AAAAAAAALH8/FznFAXUiLas/s640/blogger-image--1092349406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-11Ilr4nUzWM/WIpBIaDX2TI/AAAAAAAALH8/FznFAXUiLas/s640/blogger-image--1092349406.jpg"></a></div></div><div>9:00 am, departing Zegama</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-la0vjCJss88/WIpBD_upybI/AAAAAAAALH0/7_tHxImYJZg/s640/blogger-image-1752660846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-la0vjCJss88/WIpBD_upybI/AAAAAAAALH0/7_tHxImYJZg/s640/blogger-image-1752660846.jpg"></a></div>Zegama</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HaN48MpoHdM/WIpCBhhQ2lI/AAAAAAAALI4/ej840Q3iWWI/s640/blogger-image-2112103567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HaN48MpoHdM/WIpCBhhQ2lI/AAAAAAAALI4/ej840Q3iWWI/s640/blogger-image-2112103567.jpg"></a></div>The road out of Zegama</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RFZuMPsXfCM/WIpCljblesI/AAAAAAAALJc/R9HoyN03VyI/s640/blogger-image--147559285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RFZuMPsXfCM/WIpCljblesI/AAAAAAAALJc/R9HoyN03VyI/s640/blogger-image--147559285.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The climb begins</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I_esiT66Bio/WIpAxYu2YmI/AAAAAAAALHk/MWp0NTIICBE/s640/blogger-image-1596047876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I_esiT66Bio/WIpAxYu2YmI/AAAAAAAALHk/MWp0NTIICBE/s640/blogger-image-1596047876.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BnskNrd_gBY/WIpAs3haheI/AAAAAAAALHg/-48_NOGTmDE/s640/blogger-image-2032261511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BnskNrd_gBY/WIpAs3haheI/AAAAAAAALHg/-48_NOGTmDE/s640/blogger-image-2032261511.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Up we go</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogHHWnRIUqQ/WIpB43iLvJI/AAAAAAAALIw/oowQQ9hCAN8/s640/blogger-image--2055345354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ogHHWnRIUqQ/WIpB43iLvJI/AAAAAAAALIw/oowQQ9hCAN8/s640/blogger-image--2055345354.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VocvFFE5Li4/WIpCOQXMZKI/AAAAAAAALJI/Lxd-z4_K1_U/s640/blogger-image--2050790260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VocvFFE5Li4/WIpCOQXMZKI/AAAAAAAALJI/Lxd-z4_K1_U/s640/blogger-image--2050790260.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_rPYY6o3Fw/WIpBV6v__mI/AAAAAAAALII/FyHujXXQNAY/s640/blogger-image--1500356423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_rPYY6o3Fw/WIpBV6v__mI/AAAAAAAALII/FyHujXXQNAY/s640/blogger-image--1500356423.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuqqWoflh6Q/WIpA14nLZ0I/AAAAAAAALHo/dkv7Siw4GvA/s640/blogger-image-1942116715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuqqWoflh6Q/WIpA14nLZ0I/AAAAAAAALHo/dkv7Siw4GvA/s640/blogger-image-1942116715.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Er0gQD610dQ/WIpAj6o9ZzI/AAAAAAAALHY/UrWDikUiqfE/s640/blogger-image--427724432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Er0gQD610dQ/WIpAj6o9ZzI/AAAAAAAALHY/UrWDikUiqfE/s640/blogger-image--427724432.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cp2zeBGAHoo/WIpBsL2KdAI/AAAAAAAALIg/TjuMH8PXsYE/s640/blogger-image--848038385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cp2zeBGAHoo/WIpBsL2KdAI/AAAAAAAALIg/TjuMH8PXsYE/s640/blogger-image--848038385.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nT4NqmFYoMo/WIpB9LdnUCI/AAAAAAAALI0/LWpBYspG2iQ/s640/blogger-image-1191785158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nT4NqmFYoMo/WIpB9LdnUCI/AAAAAAAALI0/LWpBYspG2iQ/s640/blogger-image-1191785158.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ELMuYJ4zn3k/WIpAodH737I/AAAAAAAALHc/ZKRvvJ_EAhI/s640/blogger-image-1733412074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ELMuYJ4zn3k/WIpAodH737I/AAAAAAAALHc/ZKRvvJ_EAhI/s640/blogger-image-1733412074.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XGdSAIhHylI/WIpBev7oAJI/AAAAAAAALIQ/Qn4DgZa7fJ0/s640/blogger-image-712955423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XGdSAIhHylI/WIpBev7oAJI/AAAAAAAALIQ/Qn4DgZa7fJ0/s640/blogger-image-712955423.jpg"></a></div></div>Hermita Santi Spiritus </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO2kgTU-OrM/WIpA6YwignI/AAAAAAAALHs/f_8RRNNfXtI/s640/blogger-image-1334624852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PO2kgTU-OrM/WIpA6YwignI/AAAAAAAALHs/f_8RRNNfXtI/s640/blogger-image-1334624852.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">San Adrian tunnel upper right. 700 meters from Santi Spiritus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZIDYZykLcXA/WIpBaTV18mI/AAAAAAAALIM/O396otHlOrc/s640/blogger-image--922871026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZIDYZykLcXA/WIpBaTV18mI/AAAAAAAALIM/O396otHlOrc/s640/blogger-image--922871026.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B61gdOZdySs/WIpCF7JYiAI/AAAAAAAALI8/uHmLoKAKWt0/s640/blogger-image-882045242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B61gdOZdySs/WIpCF7JYiAI/AAAAAAAALI8/uHmLoKAKWt0/s640/blogger-image-882045242.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-cm8-wrfcc/WIpA_1ER9GI/AAAAAAAALHw/R5vLZbZ-f9Y/s640/blogger-image-68705363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-cm8-wrfcc/WIpA_1ER9GI/AAAAAAAALHw/R5vLZbZ-f9Y/s640/blogger-image-68705363.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">San Adrian Tunnel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cOXcf_I65kk/WIpCKDMCEdI/AAAAAAAALJA/jpvvZg7VhUY/s640/blogger-image-1535802637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cOXcf_I65kk/WIpCKDMCEdI/AAAAAAAALJA/jpvvZg7VhUY/s640/blogger-image-1535802637.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Looking back from the tunnel</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--JFEiY2i--c/WIpBNDVO2-I/AAAAAAAALIA/xytKXlnVtkI/s640/blogger-image-1369599221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--JFEiY2i--c/WIpBNDVO2-I/AAAAAAAALIA/xytKXlnVtkI/s640/blogger-image-1369599221.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Almost to the top</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YL0XEaj9J08/WIpBjELfnjI/AAAAAAAALIY/W94xDz-SSeY/s640/blogger-image--724241209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YL0XEaj9J08/WIpBjELfnjI/AAAAAAAALIY/W94xDz-SSeY/s640/blogger-image--724241209.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally heading down</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VmYmK6jn7LI/WIpCTLAFZLI/AAAAAAAALJM/AVBGztYgGAg/s640/blogger-image-369899111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VmYmK6jn7LI/WIpCTLAFZLI/AAAAAAAALJM/AVBGztYgGAg/s640/blogger-image-369899111.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qHCfJvwtXmo/WIpBn6bN3dI/AAAAAAAALIc/_g3OTNtGFnQ/s640/blogger-image--1047871339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qHCfJvwtXmo/WIpBn6bN3dI/AAAAAAAALIc/_g3OTNtGFnQ/s640/blogger-image--1047871339.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QcHqrFCOtIE/WIpCYKw3yxI/AAAAAAAALJQ/Guo5iAOQVks/s640/blogger-image--826225815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QcHqrFCOtIE/WIpCYKw3yxI/AAAAAAAALJQ/Guo5iAOQVks/s640/blogger-image--826225815.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking back</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/---NQW7nq7lM/WIpB0lt5MUI/AAAAAAAALIo/IT52cgS8Fe0/s640/blogger-image-510215097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/---NQW7nq7lM/WIpB0lt5MUI/AAAAAAAALIo/IT52cgS8Fe0/s640/blogger-image-510215097.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kPb1FQTr0vg/WIpChDilMCI/AAAAAAAALJY/CSeHQe01o_M/s640/blogger-image--914665188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kPb1FQTr0vg/WIpChDilMCI/AAAAAAAALJY/CSeHQe01o_M/s640/blogger-image--914665188.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Robin approaching Zalduando </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jpqoLtubq3k/WIpBRSsYGoI/AAAAAAAALIE/3NNHK7qhq4g/s640/blogger-image--1556787234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jpqoLtubq3k/WIpBRSsYGoI/AAAAAAAALIE/3NNHK7qhq4g/s640/blogger-image--1556787234.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YDZE-1ZprjQ/WIpCcWoU9UI/AAAAAAAALJU/a9DhXAFJB4Y/s640/blogger-image-656565012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YDZE-1ZprjQ/WIpCcWoU9UI/AAAAAAAALJU/a9DhXAFJB4Y/s640/blogger-image-656565012.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F3aG-wy_4Nk/WIpBwO9H7YI/AAAAAAAALIk/qffpBnUbNUY/s640/blogger-image--688759224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F3aG-wy_4Nk/WIpBwO9H7YI/AAAAAAAALIk/qffpBnUbNUY/s640/blogger-image--688759224.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Zazpi and Robin in Agurain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></span></div><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-89058047304293173812017-01-25T08:46:00.001-08:002017-01-25T08:46:19.715-08:00El Monte awaitsHaving spent a peaceful night in a warm cozy room at the Pension Zezilionea in Olaberria it took great fortitude to get going and out into the freezing morning air. All the cars were covered in frost when I first peeked out to check the weather. As today was only to be around a 16 km day to Zegama we decided to linger just a little longer over breakfast to let the sun climb a bit higher and hopefully thaw things out a bit. Eventually the front door of our pension quietly closed behind us and day four of our Camino Vasco was officially underway. A thin cold fog veiled the town and closed in on us from time to time as the temperature struggled to climb above freezing. But the clear sky (when the fog allowed it to) offered more gorgeous mountain scenery as we made our way along a very quiet rural paved road on our way to Zegama. We followed the folds of the landscape up and down enjoying the quietude of this section of the Camino. One mountain range, with its icy peaks, dominated the far horizon. It was always in front of us as we moved along throughout the morning. It finally dawned on us as we drew near to Zegama, and the mountains still stood front and center, that this was the range we would be crossing tomorrow as we ascend to the San Adrian tunnel and then drop down to the valley below en route to Agurain, Vitoria-Gasteiz and beyond, but first we must carefully negotiate some quite steep, icy trails. That thought has occupied my mind since we started this trip. But, the weather has been quite nice here<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> for several days so I am hoping that the trails are passable. If not we will just turn around and try again some other time. Zegama is quiet town nestled into the foothills of the Basque mountains. There is not much activity, but In all fairness it is still pretty cold outside so today is not a perfect day for strolling around the town. It is only about 8 kms from Zegama to the top, and in that distance one gains about 850 meters in elevation. Not the toughest climb, but not a walk in the park either. The snow and ice will rule the day. We remain hopeful that all will go well. For now we are finishing up our laundry and then we will sample a local white wine, Txakoli, that the owner of the Pension Zezilionea gave to us as a parting gift. An interesting note, this is the third time this has happened to us in the Basque Country. Twice on the Camino Ignaciano and now again here this morning. The Basque are very hospitable people. More on the wine tasting and tomorrow's climb </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">from the other side of the mountains. Light's out from here in frosty Zegama. </span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFmVWEPZHdk/WIjVvDRngcI/AAAAAAAALCU/6vbvOdAj8AM/s640/blogger-image--1363244627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DFmVWEPZHdk/WIjVvDRngcI/AAAAAAAALCU/6vbvOdAj8AM/s640/blogger-image--1363244627.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Departing Olaberria </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiMgSNfFY2c/WIjV-3xpbvI/AAAAAAAALCk/qOhWSOA5hlg/s640/blogger-image-1359795918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiMgSNfFY2c/WIjV-3xpbvI/AAAAAAAALCk/qOhWSOA5hlg/s640/blogger-image-1359795918.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kkPM2qRYkZk/WIjVjjxGfUI/AAAAAAAALCI/De46UEHdFB4/s640/blogger-image-976477227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kkPM2qRYkZk/WIjVjjxGfUI/AAAAAAAALCI/De46UEHdFB4/s640/blogger-image-976477227.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RmONaJ7vP98/WIjVXQwSAuI/AAAAAAAALB8/NAtSbFz39WM/s640/blogger-image--630784697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RmONaJ7vP98/WIjVXQwSAuI/AAAAAAAALB8/NAtSbFz39WM/s640/blogger-image--630784697.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u406vhNOrdU/WIjVnQ0DxvI/AAAAAAAALCM/Ffqj39dULOY/s640/blogger-image-949058324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DEW4KirFl30/WIjWOogETXI/AAAAAAAALC0/rvy37e0dGaY/s640/blogger-image--224920842.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZmRqmoFEgXQ/WIjVOIVKOjI/AAAAAAAALB0/ZyeHT3AiT3M/s640/blogger-image-1439347601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZmRqmoFEgXQ/WIjVOIVKOjI/AAAAAAAALB0/ZyeHT3AiT3M/s640/blogger-image-1439347601.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25fwCIgeFuM/WIjWCxN_3PI/AAAAAAAALCo/OTRdGAoimyk/s640/blogger-image-532703155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25fwCIgeFuM/WIjWCxN_3PI/AAAAAAAALCo/OTRdGAoimyk/s640/blogger-image-532703155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hg0pZDEU9II/WIjWGmaXxNI/AAAAAAAALCs/b4irSEnukTU/s640/blogger-image--758857129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hg0pZDEU9II/WIjWGmaXxNI/AAAAAAAALCs/b4irSEnukTU/s640/blogger-image--758857129.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-frPNN-vFLpg/WIjVrXvWbkI/AAAAAAAALCQ/cgvXqC8_rKE/s640/blogger-image-705234156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-frPNN-vFLpg/WIjVrXvWbkI/AAAAAAAALCQ/cgvXqC8_rKE/s640/blogger-image-705234156.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-auBCn0R3DD4/WIjWWseFWXI/AAAAAAAALC8/TkqpG296_0Y/s640/blogger-image-1710784498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-auBCn0R3DD4/WIjWWseFWXI/AAAAAAAALC8/TkqpG296_0Y/s640/blogger-image-1710784498.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0W4cb0NuUA0/WIjVTbcUlOI/AAAAAAAALB4/UjSJgTwuM6U/s640/blogger-image-536635692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0W4cb0NuUA0/WIjVTbcUlOI/AAAAAAAALB4/UjSJgTwuM6U/s640/blogger-image-536635692.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pd1MBPQNVO4/WIjVbTyBKSI/AAAAAAAALCA/bfRktWJeta8/s640/blogger-image-1886805886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pd1MBPQNVO4/WIjVbTyBKSI/AAAAAAAALCA/bfRktWJeta8/s640/blogger-image-1886805886.jpg"></a></div>Approaching Zegama</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-euBrAmh26b0/WIjVfie82rI/AAAAAAAALCE/RpQjajxFbHw/s640/blogger-image-2020411689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-euBrAmh26b0/WIjVfie82rI/AAAAAAAALCE/RpQjajxFbHw/s640/blogger-image-2020411689.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Zegama </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></span></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-76713191257152053572017-01-24T09:03:00.001-08:002017-01-24T09:03:13.995-08:00FinallyOur stay at the Hotel Oria in Tolosa was restful and quite pleasant. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and the cafeteria produced some exquisite meals. But, the pilgrim road was calling so it was out of the warmth of our room and into a 35 F morning. We knew we would have another day of mostly pounding the pavement, but due to the many nice pedestrian paths it wasn't as bad as it might have been. We felt stronger today and stepped along, in the cold morning air, at what for us was a sprightly pace. We climbed gently but steadily overhauling one village after another as we made our way to Besain where would wave goodbye to the pavement and head off into the hills to tonight's destination, the village of Olaberria. The weather warmed gradually until at mid afternoon my little backpack thermometer read 60 F. We found our way out of Besain and over the N1 on a nice pedestrian bridge. Immediately after stepping off the bridge we should have turned left but there were no arrows and the left turn looked like it was just heading into a car park, so we went right. Looking at my GPS map I could see that there was a road around to the left but by that time we were invested in our turn to the right and as both roads seemed to meet we just carried on. <div><br></div><div>What became clear shortly thereafter was that the road we were following did meet up with the road we wanted, but it was all fenced in. We could not get from where we were to where we needed to be without performing some circus act to vault over the intervening barbed wire fence. Big problem, as we really did not want to retrace our steps back to the pedestrian bridge and start over. We found a section of fence that was down so we crossed over a field and walked towards the road we wanted to join. What we discovered after a little barnyard reconnoitering was that the owner had a more secure perimeter than Alcatraz. So with hat in hand we approached the farmhouse with a dozen dogs freaking out and straining at their chains and greeted the owner who stepped out to see what all the fuss was about. We explained our error and he graciously directed us around his house and out onto the road that we were so desperately seeking. We were underway again and finally heading in the right direction. We survived with no fang marks and minimal baggage from the dung pile we had to waltz around. All in all let's call it a victory for the home team. The good news is that once on this upward gravel path we started to see the most spectacular landscape appearing. As we inched our way uphill every step gradually opened an incredible mountain vista. After a couple of days of comparing industrial estates this was mana from heaven. Just spectacular. So with this lift to our hearts we continued along truly energized and dropped into the very tidy village of Olaberria. We have booked into the Pension Zizilionea, and couldn't be more pleased. We gave a nice warm room, and have just indulged ourselves in a delicious lunch. So, things have taken a turn for the better now that we are back in the countryside. Another beautiful day, and all our aches and pains are improving. Much to be thankful for. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AnpqCCvHHFk/WIeIKUBDr1I/AAAAAAAALA0/KwRiURJK4uU/s640/blogger-image--807640185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AnpqCCvHHFk/WIeIKUBDr1I/AAAAAAAALA0/KwRiURJK4uU/s640/blogger-image--807640185.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Morning in Tolosa</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oe9rpUfQfSY/WIeIjmdHgbI/AAAAAAAALBM/hSiazeDDnzg/s640/blogger-image--137988025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oe9rpUfQfSY/WIeIjmdHgbI/AAAAAAAALBM/hSiazeDDnzg/s640/blogger-image--137988025.jpg"></a></div></div><div>The path out of Tolosa</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ovhCg0DumM/WIeICHUjDUI/AAAAAAAALAs/R1xwi-7patU/s640/blogger-image--599146716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ovhCg0DumM/WIeICHUjDUI/AAAAAAAALAs/R1xwi-7patU/s640/blogger-image--599146716.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DflGuxEbH-A/WIeIr_GdY7I/AAAAAAAALBY/RAYKyk3qMEA/s640/blogger-image-1681339898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DflGuxEbH-A/WIeIr_GdY7I/AAAAAAAALBY/RAYKyk3qMEA/s640/blogger-image-1681339898.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwK17LsM_xU/WIeI0BdSqlI/AAAAAAAALBg/TmW1cMmQNwQ/s640/blogger-image--175205268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VwK17LsM_xU/WIeI0BdSqlI/AAAAAAAALBg/TmW1cMmQNwQ/s640/blogger-image--175205268.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Pedestrian path</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFioBE21N7A/WIeIOuIjNUI/AAAAAAAALA4/eIGI8q3AkN0/s640/blogger-image--828639884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFioBE21N7A/WIeIOuIjNUI/AAAAAAAALA4/eIGI8q3AkN0/s640/blogger-image--828639884.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mrnl39HU7BE/WIeH-dJ5-EI/AAAAAAAALAo/Oo2K_jCFRY0/s640/blogger-image--306254213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mrnl39HU7BE/WIeH-dJ5-EI/AAAAAAAALAo/Oo2K_jCFRY0/s640/blogger-image--306254213.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The right path to Olaberria </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y4ahfhbyyM/WIeIwFxxBRI/AAAAAAAALBc/JPUdIGCphLI/s640/blogger-image--1679885871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y4ahfhbyyM/WIeIwFxxBRI/AAAAAAAALBc/JPUdIGCphLI/s640/blogger-image--1679885871.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IrIBVa8OO_A/WIeIfQTRAOI/AAAAAAAALBI/UqPd9TAjqvI/s640/blogger-image-1619419013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IrIBVa8OO_A/WIeIfQTRAOI/AAAAAAAALBI/UqPd9TAjqvI/s640/blogger-image-1619419013.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZjM4MIkE4g/WIeIGbeTDsI/AAAAAAAALAw/_GD0hKuuM-Q/s640/blogger-image--1517959571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZjM4MIkE4g/WIeIGbeTDsI/AAAAAAAALAw/_GD0hKuuM-Q/s640/blogger-image--1517959571.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y75bszhRkRI/WIeInoVDAnI/AAAAAAAALBQ/O3gBVEClmYM/s640/blogger-image--2031103652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y75bszhRkRI/WIeInoVDAnI/AAAAAAAALBQ/O3gBVEClmYM/s640/blogger-image--2031103652.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9q5IwZDJCw/WIeIWnoEYYI/AAAAAAAALBA/7udfdX7pcUQ/s640/blogger-image-1266648818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9q5IwZDJCw/WIeIWnoEYYI/AAAAAAAALBA/7udfdX7pcUQ/s640/blogger-image-1266648818.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDFZB3F5Pkw/WIeISuPETKI/AAAAAAAALA8/rzWGE7yDsAE/s640/blogger-image--1449500497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDFZB3F5Pkw/WIeISuPETKI/AAAAAAAALA8/rzWGE7yDsAE/s640/blogger-image--1449500497.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our pension just ahead to the left</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2CnU3qfFe2U/WIeIbFB8DRI/AAAAAAAALBE/P4Pb7uvk3mw/s640/blogger-image-1240407253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2CnU3qfFe2U/WIeIbFB8DRI/AAAAAAAALBE/P4Pb7uvk3mw/s640/blogger-image-1240407253.jpg"></a></div>The local church</div></div></div></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-62391677589224627602017-01-23T07:34:00.001-08:002017-01-23T09:26:03.468-08:00Two days laterRobin and I are now two days into the Camino Vasco. We arrived this afternoon in the town of Tolosa and have checked into the Hotel Oria. But, let me back up to our first day from Irún to Astigarraga. We set out in cool and dry weather mustering a measured pace as our legs sought to reach an accommodation with the backpacks they were now having to carry. So off we went and made our first wrong turn about 100 feet later. As it turns out a sign had been damaged and we missed it, but as I also was running a GPS app on my phone we quickly caught the error and backtracked. We followed a mix of paved rural roads and dirt tracks over the many hills and valleys that added to our growing fatigue as we ambled along. We believe it is always wise to ease into any Camino by walking a bit more slowly and covering shorter distances for the first few days. The walking slowly part took care of itself as we just didn't seem to any more throttle left. As for the distance we wound up walking about 22 kms. A little shorter distance might have been better for by the time we reached Astigarraga we were both running on little but fumes. The terrain was challenging, but quite scenic. All the twists and turns of the trail forced us to pay attention to our navigation and that helped to pass the time that otherwise would have been marked by increasing levels of knee pain. Arriving in any town in Spain on a Sunday is always challenging as shops and bars will often be closed. Our funky hotel, the Pension Astigarraga, is right on the Camino, but in an industrial area. The owner directed us to the one bar that was open, and we managed to stay awake long enough for the kitchen to open so we could have something more substantial than potato chips to eat, but it was close. So that was day one. It was a good challenging walk that got us back in the groove and refocused on the work required to move along this pilgrim road. We are coming around in spirit, now our bodies just have to catch up. <div><br></div><div>This morning, after the usual toast and coffee Camino breakfast, we plunged Ito the half light of another cold and thankfully dry day. Looking at our guide we saw the elevation profile for today was pretty flat. As it turns out that was because we followed the main road from Astigarraga to Tolosa. A few times we were shunted off to dedicated pedestrian/bike paths, and that added a much appreciated additional layer of safety, but still the entire day was spent pounding the pavement. Upon arriving in Tolosa we looked back at our guide and saw there was an alternate route that went out through the the countryside, and at the cost of some extra distance and the lack of intermediate towns all the roadwork could be avoided. Some food for thought if we come this way again. But for now we are in the maintenance and recovery mode of daily pilgrim life. There is washing to be done, dinner to be sorted and aches and pains attended to. So we are two days into this journey and are bearing up, gaining strength in our knees, and settling into a daily routine that should carry us to Santo Domingo de la Calzada in another week's time. But, in the short term, there is still quite a bit of hill scrambling ahead, particularly as we make our way up to the San Adrian tunnel in three day's time. More on that later as the journey unfolds. Let's call this a wrap for now, as I sign off tired, a bit achey, but so happy to be back on the pilgrim road. Good night to all from Tolosa.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kheCx0PLpKA/WIY8mYFHP1I/AAAAAAAALAE/p-FWmkL58Hc/s640/blogger-image--1549362017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kheCx0PLpKA/WIY8mYFHP1I/AAAAAAAALAE/p-FWmkL58Hc/s640/blogger-image--1549362017.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ohWZfe-TEC4/WIY7wJAVOyI/AAAAAAAAK_M/gl7R_abC5fo/s640/blogger-image--509041947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ohWZfe-TEC4/WIY7wJAVOyI/AAAAAAAAK_M/gl7R_abC5fo/s640/blogger-image--509041947.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mc0GK_Y0ZwI/WIY8quQBfZI/AAAAAAAALAI/uaTVH-V68go/s640/blogger-image-297951065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mc0GK_Y0ZwI/WIY8quQBfZI/AAAAAAAALAI/uaTVH-V68go/s640/blogger-image-297951065.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2q1m2hk5D3A/WIY77k6AHRI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/chKArQXcPjU/s640/blogger-image--2138372466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2q1m2hk5D3A/WIY77k6AHRI/AAAAAAAAK_Y/chKArQXcPjU/s640/blogger-image--2138372466.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6VmAHgUiiUc/WIY8DHjV6bI/AAAAAAAAK_g/bYk_wNN1PYM/s640/blogger-image-1107261228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6VmAHgUiiUc/WIY8DHjV6bI/AAAAAAAAK_g/bYk_wNN1PYM/s640/blogger-image-1107261228.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y53oNaARwYU/WIY7_M3nhiI/AAAAAAAAK_c/agBMgSiTwyw/s640/blogger-image-1234649590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y53oNaARwYU/WIY7_M3nhiI/AAAAAAAAK_c/agBMgSiTwyw/s640/blogger-image-1234649590.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j_tfjcx5JzE/WIY7k29G_RI/AAAAAAAAK_A/8hFWaHi6jI0/s640/blogger-image--1018287998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j_tfjcx5JzE/WIY7k29G_RI/AAAAAAAAK_A/8hFWaHi6jI0/s640/blogger-image--1018287998.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6ddUVGO5MU/WIY8ek5awOI/AAAAAAAAK_8/i2_sxKbHPr0/s640/blogger-image-1074170569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6ddUVGO5MU/WIY8ek5awOI/AAAAAAAAK_8/i2_sxKbHPr0/s640/blogger-image-1074170569.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F9WLqXbSgCw/WIY8iRVExAI/AAAAAAAALAA/X5CLWtc6qzY/s640/blogger-image--1597802280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F9WLqXbSgCw/WIY8iRVExAI/AAAAAAAALAA/X5CLWtc6qzY/s640/blogger-image--1597802280.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHRwxTSw4oU/WIY7zy1qkKI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/v7p7KEEePiY/s640/blogger-image-670190959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHRwxTSw4oU/WIY7zy1qkKI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/v7p7KEEePiY/s640/blogger-image-670190959.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMNefnb83Sg/WIY7dffXjJI/AAAAAAAAK-4/WHa8I1Eqdv4/s640/blogger-image-1659887751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XMNefnb83Sg/WIY7dffXjJI/AAAAAAAAK-4/WHa8I1Eqdv4/s640/blogger-image-1659887751.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The hermitage of San Juan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G18KMzIyDpQ/WIY73o1DtBI/AAAAAAAAK_U/jq_DGgcF6TE/s640/blogger-image--2014066707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G18KMzIyDpQ/WIY73o1DtBI/AAAAAAAAK_U/jq_DGgcF6TE/s640/blogger-image--2014066707.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">San Sebastián in the distance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IeaFG11WswI/WIY8SzigMYI/AAAAAAAAK_w/ZkWGAelJFnA/s640/blogger-image--657305025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IeaFG11WswI/WIY8SzigMYI/AAAAAAAAK_w/ZkWGAelJFnA/s640/blogger-image--657305025.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pension Astigarraga </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3kibffidreU/WIY8GiyQqOI/AAAAAAAAK_k/yKpf32L4_fo/s640/blogger-image--1368515223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3kibffidreU/WIY8GiyQqOI/AAAAAAAAK_k/yKpf32L4_fo/s640/blogger-image--1368515223.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Starting day two</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rcgho9fiAd8/WIY7VSiucEI/AAAAAAAAK-w/v2gqHjsqmWM/s640/blogger-image-1652922672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rcgho9fiAd8/WIY7VSiucEI/AAAAAAAAK-w/v2gqHjsqmWM/s640/blogger-image-1652922672.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCvo5IdjmHQ/WIY7ZXxI-UI/AAAAAAAAK-0/exJRP6B3sqo/s640/blogger-image-519863336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCvo5IdjmHQ/WIY7ZXxI-UI/AAAAAAAAK-0/exJRP6B3sqo/s640/blogger-image-519863336.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Andoain, San Martine de Tours</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BaudqgHeXBo/WIY8PL5ZQ1I/AAAAAAAAK_s/A_Y_J42kYU8/s640/blogger-image-345158436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BaudqgHeXBo/WIY8PL5ZQ1I/AAAAAAAAK_s/A_Y_J42kYU8/s640/blogger-image-345158436.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uegBSi4hZA/WIY8WyATcyI/AAAAAAAAK_0/eWsIO_T7xKU/s640/blogger-image--1450294761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--uegBSi4hZA/WIY8WyATcyI/AAAAAAAAK_0/eWsIO_T7xKU/s640/blogger-image--1450294761.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Aduna </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1flu_SG_Ad0/WIY7hMahFbI/AAAAAAAAK-8/q4-Lz90eta8/s640/blogger-image--915481301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1flu_SG_Ad0/WIY7hMahFbI/AAAAAAAAK-8/q4-Lz90eta8/s640/blogger-image--915481301.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gksm36WATw/WIY8a5_PdiI/AAAAAAAAK_4/aXd0TAFAO94/s640/blogger-image--1809589219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5gksm36WATw/WIY8a5_PdiI/AAAAAAAAK_4/aXd0TAFAO94/s640/blogger-image--1809589219.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-eV1qE-SHU/WIY8LcrfJNI/AAAAAAAAK_o/JhcEstZ0KJ8/s640/blogger-image-707142820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-eV1qE-SHU/WIY8LcrfJNI/AAAAAAAAK_o/JhcEstZ0KJ8/s640/blogger-image-707142820.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WMDEZc2fS2s/WIY7sL9H1fI/AAAAAAAAK_I/8CiYHQUR-FQ/s640/blogger-image-1799614268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WMDEZc2fS2s/WIY7sL9H1fI/AAAAAAAAK_I/8CiYHQUR-FQ/s640/blogger-image-1799614268.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anoeta </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tM1lys67GXE/WIY7oeGycfI/AAAAAAAAK_E/vsyfzi3zJk8/s640/blogger-image--906223641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tM1lys67GXE/WIY7oeGycfI/AAAAAAAAK_E/vsyfzi3zJk8/s640/blogger-image--906223641.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-80474016906256345402017-01-21T08:39:00.001-08:002017-01-21T11:48:41.819-08:00Hanging out in Hondarribia<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Robin and I finally arrived in Hondarribia last night at 8:30 pm. We were bone tired and desperately in need of a decent meal and sleep. On the positive side we made all of our connections, even our checked hiking pokes arrived. On the negative side the number of connections made for a very tiring day. But, we treated ourselves to a room at the Parador Hotel in Hondarribia and soon thereafter salvation was at hand. We dumped our camino gear in the room and shuffled across the plaza to a nearby bar that showed signs of life and in we went. A nice crowd was scattered about, but we managed to find a table. We ordered lamb chops, pimentos pardon, crepes, jamon Iberico, pulpo and a very nice Rioja reserva. All of that went down the hatch in record time as the bar owner (with a raised eyebrow) kept the food flowing to match our pace. It turned out to be a bit of an eclectic meal, but it definitely kept the wolf from the door. Settling up we made our way back across the plaza to the hotel, albeit at a slightly more stately pace, and were comatose a half hour later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We arose about 6:30 this morning and felt as though we just might make it. Food, a nice shower, and a great night's sleep worked their combined magic and gave us a new lease on life. The day proved to be chilly, but clear, as we set out to pick up some SIM cards and do a bit of sightseeing. Today was meant to be a recovery day and that was how it played out. Everything happened at a leisurely pace as we ran our errands and strolled around the Casco Viejo. We are now heading off to mass to be followed by another healing dinner, and then bed. We start walking the Camino Vasco tomorrow, and we are anxious to get underway. The weather forecast looks promising and our camino spirit is high. Another trip through the Basque countryside is about to begin and that, for us, is great news.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gbiad9r6dzs/WIO6dG31oTI/AAAAAAAAK8M/C4dsw2x8oHg/s640/blogger-image--1629564418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gbiad9r6dzs/WIO6dG31oTI/AAAAAAAAK8M/C4dsw2x8oHg/s640/blogger-image--1629564418.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qgNpbtp8wXQ/WIO6MFrIqzI/AAAAAAAAK78/OEPpK9N-QOI/s640/blogger-image-1978333027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qgNpbtp8wXQ/WIO6MFrIqzI/AAAAAAAAK78/OEPpK9N-QOI/s640/blogger-image-1978333027.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YhyuJ0p_peY/WIO66Yo4r4I/AAAAAAAAK8Y/weDoi8BzBhY/s640/blogger-image-193406581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HZVpxLThvY/WIO6HBIBA9I/AAAAAAAAK74/QtuSxmWWF14/s640/blogger-image-315185089.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-47229746138890954322016-10-15T09:39:00.000-07:002016-10-15T20:03:36.763-07:00The healing continuesTaking advantage of a great weather window we continued to explore other sections of the Olympic National Park. The photos below are from a hike up to Sol Duc Falls and another hike up into the Hoh rainforest. Both are beautiful and well worth a visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk grazing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby Beach on the way home</td></tr>
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-75717093253940424752016-10-13T21:11:00.001-07:002016-10-13T21:11:27.213-07:00Oh God, please heal me.Robin and I were at mass the other day and the presiding priest made a point of leaving the congregation with a simple prayer for the week ahead. It was focused on the brokenness of humanity and how each of us has something that needs healing in our lives. It was short and focused and made good sense. It was simply this, "Oh God, please heal me." So off we went with this bit of encouragement tucked away not knowing exactly how this healing would actually play out. How could we.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Angeles, WA</td></tr>
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As it turns out we decided to visit one of America's great National Parks, Olympic National Park. It is a remarkable place for its variety of climate zones, flora and fauna, and 600 miles of hiking trails. We drove 4.5 hours up to Port Angeles and set out the following morning to go up to Hurricane Ridge to see if we could find a suitable trail to hike. It is about a 45 minute drive to get to the visitor station. The day was brilliantly clear and cool. We decided to make the additional 8 mile drive out to Obstruction Point and then hike out along Elk Ridge and back. It was a wise choice. There were only a few other cars at the Obstruction Point parking area so this was not going to be a crowd scene by any stretch of the imagination. We laced up our hiking boots and set off. Now the healing part slowly started to happen. Our faith journey has seldom been punctuated by lightning strikes. More often it is like a mist burning off in the rising sun. A gradual clarity emerges and it becomes a form of guidance. Such was this day. Virtually alone, high upon this striking ridge, it started to dawn on us how much we depend on these moments alone in nature to sort things out and and give thanks for all God's many gifts. We always seem to discover a better sense of who we are, and why we are, and how all things are connected, as we move through the natural beauty of this amazing planet Earth. At the turn around point as we looked down on the waters below and the mountain peaks in the distance we were sure that our simple prayer had been answered. What a day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departure from Obstruction Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up we go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Baker in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Angeles harbor way below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin enjoying the glorious clear weather.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is a trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailhead is just behind the ridge on the right.</td></tr>
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-5927090556130487562016-09-27T23:32:00.000-07:002016-09-27T23:32:56.478-07:00Finding our sea legs again<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the trailhead</td></tr>
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It is always a challenge to try and stay camino ready. Life tends to get in the way of the best laid plans for good nutrition and exercise. But, as always, the lure of another camino helps to recapture our resolve to get our minds and bodies ready for another walk. This coming January we will be returning to the Basque Country, Euskadi, to walk the Camino Vasco from Irun to Santo Domingo. This is a short camino of about 8 days. We then are hoping to move on to Porto and walk the Portuguese Camino as well. There are always many options but these two shorter routes seem right for us at this point. So, God willing, we will be getting underway mid January and should be away for about a month. Weather is always an issue when walking in the winter especially in the Basque mountains, but we will be cautious, and roads can be walked when passes are not open. So, now Robin and I must dust off our fitness goals and get ready to face the new year in fine camino trim. To that end we already have been doing some hiking in the local mountains. Today, was another exceptionally fine early fall day and we decided to challenge ourselves with a difficult hike in the Columbia River Gorge, Dog Mountain. This is a great training hike which we have done before. It is a steep climb all the way up to the summit at 2800 feet. What makes it particularly exhausting is that it is accomplished in 3.5 miles. It took us 2 hours to reach the summit, and then after a quick lunch break, another 1.5 hours to descend. We were pretty tired but the gorgeous weather and cool temperatures made for a perfect day in the Gorge. But, I'll let you be the judge. Have a look.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steeper trail is to the left. Guess where we went.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back early on</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one reasonably flat spot on the whole mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin pushing towards the summit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood beyond the ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit lunch break spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin holding onto her hat (25 mph wind)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Call a taxi!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail heading down</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mind your step</td></tr>
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-53897693498840461642016-09-17T19:07:00.001-07:002016-09-17T19:07:20.228-07:00Way of St. Francis slideshow May 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227044554261171057.post-69231325476223939002016-09-11T13:36:00.000-07:002016-09-22T19:26:16.576-07:00Into the woods and then some<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood greets us on the trail</td></tr>
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One of the ongoing gifts of walking the camino is the joy one finds in simply being afoot in nature. Busy lives and bustling communities make modern day life stressful, but fortunately help is often nearby. Most of us can find a bit of solace and quietude in some nearby park or less traveled part of whatever town or city we live in. We who live in the Pacific Northwest are truly blessed to have an abundance of places of great natural beauty, close at hand, where our weary bodies can go to find peace and renewal. Yes, it takes a bit of effort and there is some physical challenge, but the feeling one finds after a day in the mountains is worth every calorie burned to get there.<br />
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Yesterday, was a perfect early fall day with clear skies over the Cascade Mountains in western Oregon. A friend of mine emailed me and suggested a trip up to Mt. Hood to hike the <a href="http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/McNeil_Point_Hike">McNeil Point trail</a>. I have never hiked this particular trail and with the weather being so perfect I quickly agreed to join him. We met up, I shifted my gear into Hal's Suburu, and off we went. We chugged along freeways and then secondary roads and then after the little town of Zig Zag (Named after a local river), we turned onto Lolo Pass road and headed off to where we thought we would easily find the trailhead. We ambled along and as luck would have it we drove past our turn off and spent another 40 minutes or so probing the flanks of Mt. Hood looking for our destination. Eventually, we came to our senses when we chatted with two young ladies who were wandering around, as we were, looking for the same trailhead. They mentioned an unmarked road that they had briefly followed before abandoning it because it just didn't seem like it was taking them where there wanted to go. They read off the road number from their GPS and we compared that to our very sparse notes and sure enough that was the road we were looking for. As it turns out it was just before where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Lolo Pass road. We backtracked together and after a few miles we found ourselves snaking into a parking pass alongside a narrow road filled with many other cars. This had to be the place, and it was. A few minutes later, with backpacks snugged up, off we went into the woods and started climbing. This is what unfolded as we ascended the mountain. Quite a day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail begins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hal, my hiking partner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Adams to the North</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Rainier with lenticular cloud over it</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. St. Helens missing its pointed top due to its major eruption in 1980</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch break</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sandy River which originates at Mt. Hood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raven looking for lunch as we ate ours</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridges in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hal at our lunch break</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Adams again</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Hood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFs5qp5qQXo/V9W4abBU-HI/AAAAAAAAKME/ViEKA-tnuEsSIf2IXVwAAtAL7lvbMZ_1QCLcB/s1600/DSC03778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lFs5qp5qQXo/V9W4abBU-HI/AAAAAAAAKME/ViEKA-tnuEsSIf2IXVwAAtAL7lvbMZ_1QCLcB/s640/DSC03778.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where we diverge from the Timberline trail that circles the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyKkN3_EFsw/V9W-xL5dSCI/AAAAAAAAKMk/epUlhSGTBbQeHg0Hd8beZOCoZ17cHNAEQCLcB/s1600/DSC03784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lyKkN3_EFsw/V9W-xL5dSCI/AAAAAAAAKMk/epUlhSGTBbQeHg0Hd8beZOCoZ17cHNAEQCLcB/s640/DSC03784.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last view of Mt. Hood before descending into the forest</td></tr>
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<br />Kialoa3http://www.blogger.com/profile/07882994365699938315noreply@blogger.com0