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| Gaudi building in Astorga |
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| Cathedral in Astorga |
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| Hospital del Orbigo |
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| Leon Cathedral |
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| Gaudi work in Leon |
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Misc photos
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| Storks chilling out |
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| Leavijng Sahagun |
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| Stu with day's rations |
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| 13th century arch along the way |
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| Entering Mansilla |
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| Rest stop |
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| Rest stop for Stu |
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| Why we start early |
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| View from Foncebadon |
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| Foncebadon |
Day 20: Foncebadon to Ponferrada
Foncebadon to Ponferada
A hard day. We left at 6 and finally got here after 18 miles most down hill. I have problems with
my knee that I fractured 2 times Stu has problems with a shin so it was tough going. Spectacularly beautiful. The hills were loaded with flowers, the sky was blue, and the weather very warm. Every mountain hamlet lovely as we walked. We saw 2 women walking up the hill. Both had bicycle helmets one 70 or 80, the other 40 or 50. As we went around the turn in the middle of the road there was a rig. It was a wheelchair attached to the front of a bicycle. I was so amazed. The old lady stayed up the hill, and the other woman ran down and brought the bike up. This was a very steep road up a mountain. It was a surprise to see what they were doing. If you have enough heart there is way.
Be sure you have downloaded Google Earth. click on "View on Map"
then click on "View on Google Earth" found in the upper right top margin.
There are thousands of pictures of the Camino you can view.
A very long slow downhill along the road
Name: | Foncebadon-Ponferrada | |
Date: | May 4, 2011 6:00 am | |
Map: (valid until Oct 31, 2011) | ||
Distance: | 18.0 miles | |
Elapsed Time: | 6:24:53 | |
Avg Speed: | 2.8 mph | |
Max Speed: | 11.6 mph | |
Avg Pace: | 21' 22" per mile | |
Min Altitude: | 1,718 ft | |
Max Altitude: | 4,941 ft | |
Start Time: | 2011-05-04T04:00:07Z | |
Start Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.490962º N | |
Longitude: | 6.341528º W | |
End Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.543292º N | |
Longitude: | 6.586388º W | |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Day 19: Rechivaldo to Foncebadon
May 3 Tuesday
Murias de Rechivaldo to Foncebadon. 13 mile walk.
We started at 6:30 and only walked until 11:30. We walked straight out of town and then we started up. We walked through mountain hamlets. Some had as few as 50 people living in them. Some of these small hamlets are crumbling away. Main goal had been to care for the pilgrims. We stopped at Foncebadon. Our plan was to go to the next hamlet but learned that they had only mattresses on the floor, no hot water and an outside toilet. Foncebadon is a very small place. It was abandoned. Now has two Albergues and a resturaunt of sorts that does medieval cooking. We will try it tonight. For lunch we finally got garlic soup. Made with bread and garlic and it was hot.
Murias de Rechivaldo to Foncebadon. 13 mile walk.
We started at 6:30 and only walked until 11:30. We walked straight out of town and then we started up. We walked through mountain hamlets. Some had as few as 50 people living in them. Some of these small hamlets are crumbling away. Main goal had been to care for the pilgrims. We stopped at Foncebadon. Our plan was to go to the next hamlet but learned that they had only mattresses on the floor, no hot water and an outside toilet. Foncebadon is a very small place. It was abandoned. Now has two Albergues and a resturaunt of sorts that does medieval cooking. We will try it tonight. For lunch we finally got garlic soup. Made with bread and garlic and it was hot.
May 3 Leon to Foncebadon
We are on track. Foncebadon is a hidden secret. Once again bearing out the theory that passing up the most advertised stops such as Astorga and Rabanal you find such charming places in Rechivaldo and Foncebadon. Albergues in both places have been the result of remodeling and show great care by the owners. Albergue Las Aguedas in Rechivaldos rivals the albergue in Boadilla. The evening meal of tasty deep green soup and spagetti with a delicious meat sauce and a mellow red wine had the 12 of us cheering the hostest. The owner had walked the camino so he knew first hand how to slake the passion for filling the bellies of hungry pilgrims. The town was a picture post card of tiddyness.
We are on track. Foncebadon is a hidden secret. Once again bearing out the theory that passing up the most advertised stops such as Astorga and Rabanal you find such charming places in Rechivaldo and Foncebadon. Albergues in both places have been the result of remodeling and show great care by the owners. Albergue Las Aguedas in Rechivaldos rivals the albergue in Boadilla. The evening meal of tasty deep green soup and spagetti with a delicious meat sauce and a mellow red wine had the 12 of us cheering the hostest. The owner had walked the camino so he knew first hand how to slake the passion for filling the bellies of hungry pilgrims. The town was a picture post card of tiddyness.
Now the hill towns we presently walk through are mostly in disrepair. Signs of renewal result from the ever growing interest of folks from around the world to endeavor taking on this remarkable journey.
As we have now ventured into the hilly country the trails off the main road are wet and rough. We stay on the road maybe walking a little further, but, in much greater comfort. We always walk on the outside of the curve. We plan to do this going down the mountain where the trail is more hazardous to your legs than the road. Tomorrow, Ponferrada and the albergue, San Nicolas de Flue.
Buen camino
Be sure you have downloaded Google Earth. click on "View on Map"
then click on "View on Google Earth" found in the upper right top margin.
There are thousands of pictures of the Camino you can view.
The mountain towns are most picturesque
Name: | Rechivaldo-Foncebadon | |
Date: | May 3, 2011 6:20 am | |
Map: (valid until Oct 30, 2011) | ||
Distance: | 13.0 miles | |
Elapsed Time: | 4:02:39 | |
Avg Speed: | 3.2 mph | |
Max Speed: | 4.2 mph | |
Avg Pace: | 18' 38" per mile | |
Min Altitude: | 2,910 ft | |
Max Altitude: | 4,655 ft | |
Start Time: | 2011-05-03T04:20:43Z | |
Start Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.459205º N | |
Longitude: | 6.107661º W | |
End Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.491169º N | |
Longitude: | 6.341602º W | |
Day 18: St. Martin to Rechivaldo
San Martin del Camino to Murias de Rechivaldo
We left our little hostel in San Martin after Anna fixed us a 6 am breakfast They always serve cafe and tea and toasted French bread. In addition she had orange juice and rolls. She served applesauce and butter for the bread. Another beautiful day. Generally we put on gloves and scarf because it is cold. We like the early mornings. As we walk Joan has her stash of almond cookies, yogurt, orange. We stop occasionally for bladder relief. It is rare that we see many other pilgrims
By 8:30 or 9 we have to take our gloves and scarves and our fleece jackets off because we are hot and sweaty. The sun comes out at 7 so by 9 it is warm. So we had a lovely walk to Astorga, the city of monuments. Astorga is a big city sitting on top of a ridge it is surrounded by medieval walls. There are 5 or 6 plazas and array of historic buildings there are many churches a beautiful cathedral and a building called the bishops palace which Gaudi built. My favorite with turrets soaring towards the heavens. It was a festival day and there were tents with different artistic products. We had a lovely time there. Still no wifi. Lots of restaurant s and shops. I could not buy a thing because I have a full and heavy pack and we start up into the mountains tomorrow. We then walked to Murias de Rechivaldo, about 17 miles. We stayed in a delightful hostel called las Aguedas. A beautiful place just all remodeled. It had an inside court yard where you can have a beer and eat your lunch and a place to wash your clothes by hand or pay 4 euros for wash machine and 4 for dryer. The beds were 8 euros each 20 bunks in the room and hot water shower. Dinner was 8 euros each and delicious. We had a thick vegetable soup a very good red wine, spaghetti with a delicious meat sauce and peaches.
We left our little hostel in San Martin after Anna fixed us a 6 am breakfast They always serve cafe and tea and toasted French bread. In addition she had orange juice and rolls. She served applesauce and butter for the bread. Another beautiful day. Generally we put on gloves and scarf because it is cold. We like the early mornings. As we walk Joan has her stash of almond cookies, yogurt, orange. We stop occasionally for bladder relief. It is rare that we see many other pilgrims
By 8:30 or 9 we have to take our gloves and scarves and our fleece jackets off because we are hot and sweaty. The sun comes out at 7 so by 9 it is warm. So we had a lovely walk to Astorga, the city of monuments. Astorga is a big city sitting on top of a ridge it is surrounded by medieval walls. There are 5 or 6 plazas and array of historic buildings there are many churches a beautiful cathedral and a building called the bishops palace which Gaudi built. My favorite with turrets soaring towards the heavens. It was a festival day and there were tents with different artistic products. We had a lovely time there. Still no wifi. Lots of restaurant s and shops. I could not buy a thing because I have a full and heavy pack and we start up into the mountains tomorrow. We then walked to Murias de Rechivaldo, about 17 miles. We stayed in a delightful hostel called las Aguedas. A beautiful place just all remodeled. It had an inside court yard where you can have a beer and eat your lunch and a place to wash your clothes by hand or pay 4 euros for wash machine and 4 for dryer. The beds were 8 euros each 20 bunks in the room and hot water shower. Dinner was 8 euros each and delicious. We had a thick vegetable soup a very good red wine, spaghetti with a delicious meat sauce and peaches.
Tuesday the 3 of May
As we walked today we went over a bridge to Hospital Orbigo. I could not get a picture of the bridge but I took a picture of a painting on the other side of the bridge It depicts a knight fighting. The story goes that a knight asked the woman he loved for her hand. She rejected him so he put the word out that he would fight all comers and defend the bridge He fought every one of them for a month. When the month ended his honor was restored and his love for the woman was over.
As we walked today we went over a bridge to Hospital Orbigo. I could not get a picture of the bridge but I took a picture of a painting on the other side of the bridge It depicts a knight fighting. The story goes that a knight asked the woman he loved for her hand. She rejected him so he put the word out that he would fight all comers and defend the bridge He fought every one of them for a month. When the month ended his honor was restored and his love for the woman was over.
Be sure you have downloaded Google Earth. click on "View on Map"
then click on "View on Google Earth" found in the upper right top margin.
There are thousands of pictures of the Camino you can view.
There are thousands of pictures of the Camino you can view.
Track is off. Ran out of juice forgot to connect portable charger
Name: | San Martin-Rechivaldo | ||
Date: | May 2, 2011 6:25 am | ||
Map: (valid until Oct 30, 2011) | |||
Distance: | 17.5 miles | ||
Elapsed Time: | 6:31:56 | ||
Avg Speed: | 2.7 mph | ||
Max Speed: | 4.8 mph | ||
Avg Pace: | 22' 27" per mile | ||
Min Altitude: | 2,592 ft | ||
Max Altitude: | 3,053 ft | ||
Start Time: | 2011-05-02T04:25:51Z | ||
Start Location: | |||
Latitude: | 42.494570º N | ||
Longitude: | 5.809153º W | ||
End Location: | |||
Latitude: | 42.459388º N | ||
Longitude: | 6.107584º W | ||
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| Astorga behind Joan |
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Day 17: Leon to San Martin
May 1. Sunday
Leon to San Martin del Camino
We had a late start because Stu thought someone had taken our black bag that we carry our food in. He thought he left it with his backpack and we could not find it. 6 hours later we found it and probably I packed it in his bag. He has a tendency to have his things scattered around which is difficult in a dorm setting with 90 other people. I go around picking up his things and stuffing th in his bag which I guess I did. Well he was up set because he thought someone took it so we started out discombobulated. We did not follow the arrows and I had to flag the police down to correct our course. We walked for ever getting out of the city, almost 10 k. It was overcast and we had sprinkles on and off. We decided to stop early at 16 miles. We have a room for 2 so Stu can spread his belongings out it was only 10 euros each. Bath down the hall and Anna our hostess will make us dinner at 7. She will also provide breakeakfast at 6 .We are having a restful day and reading. We are off for Astorga and the beginning of the mountains.
Leon to San Martin del Camino
We had a late start because Stu thought someone had taken our black bag that we carry our food in. He thought he left it with his backpack and we could not find it. 6 hours later we found it and probably I packed it in his bag. He has a tendency to have his things scattered around which is difficult in a dorm setting with 90 other people. I go around picking up his things and stuffing th in his bag which I guess I did. Well he was up set because he thought someone took it so we started out discombobulated. We did not follow the arrows and I had to flag the police down to correct our course. We walked for ever getting out of the city, almost 10 k. It was overcast and we had sprinkles on and off. We decided to stop early at 16 miles. We have a room for 2 so Stu can spread his belongings out it was only 10 euros each. Bath down the hall and Anna our hostess will make us dinner at 7. She will also provide breakeakfast at 6 .We are having a restful day and reading. We are off for Astorga and the beginning of the mountains.
Miss you all.
Be sure you have downloaded Google Earth. click on "View on Map"
then click on "View on Google Earth" found in the upper right top margin.
There are thousands of pictures of the Camino you can view.
Off And on showers. Getting tuned for the hills ahead
Name: | Leon-San Martin del Camino | |
Date: | May 1, 2011 6:23 am | |
Map: (valid until Oct 28, 2011) | ||
Distance: | 16.3 miles | |
Elapsed Time: | 4:53:35 | |
Avg Speed: | 3.3 mph | |
Max Speed: | 4.9 mph | |
Avg Pace: | 17' 58" per mile | |
Min Altitude: | 2,360 ft | |
Max Altitude: | 3,046 ft | |
Start Time: | 2011-05-01T04:23:43Z | |
Start Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.595286º N | |
Longitude: | 5.567978º W | |
End Location: | ||
Latitude: | 42.495994º N | |
Longitude: | 5.806292º W | |
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