tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3785466745594182062024-03-05T18:23:34.748+11:00Camino HeartbeatI am a heart attack survivor!! THE NO.1 KILLER OF WOMEN is HEART DISEASE? It kills more women every year than ALL cancers combined!! FACT! In 2010 I walked the Spanish Camino to raise funds for Heart Disease research. This is an 850km trek from the French border across to the western coast of Spain - St Jean to Santiago!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-8239266766206771592010-11-15T09:01:00.000+11:002010-11-15T09:01:10.103+11:00Day 34: Santiago de Compostela (Thur 28th Oct)
Today was a day of celebration and unity with others who I'd walked with the past few days and hopefully see others who had arrived days earlier but had gone on to Finisterre but were returning on this day.
I went to the 12noon Mass for Pilgrims at the Cathedral - it was for me strangely emotional - despite the fact that I am not Catholic and it was spoken in Spanish. It was packed to theUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-91262096351822917652010-10-28T01:10:00.003+11:002010-11-15T08:45:23.465+11:00Day33: SANTIAGO....finale! (Wed 27th Oct)
I DID IT...........wooooooooooohooooooooo!!!
An emotional and roller coaster walk this morning - so many things and thoughts and so much to ponder!!
This was a hard 18km as my lower back and knee were very bad from my fall....I had to undo the strap of my backpack and put my hands behind my back and lift the pack up from the bottom and hold it there for the last 6km into Santiago - needlessUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-59733076464527151652010-10-27T03:28:00.000+11:002010-10-27T03:28:04.711+11:00Day32: Arzua to Arco do Pino (Tue 26th Oct)
This is my last full day and tonight my last night in an Alburgue!! (shared dorm accomm, shared showers, shared toilets....etc)
Its a great start with brekky in the cafe in the Alburgue - always a bonus - its a little fresh but its not quite gloves or fluffy hat cold....its only 20km today and I feel a second wind blowing through my energy levels...despite when I wake up my body is hurting Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-68393440405651864822010-10-27T02:53:00.000+11:002010-10-27T02:53:47.106+11:00Day31: Palas de Rei to Arzua (Mon 25th Oct - I face slam the road today)
I look out the window as soon as I wake and am pleased that its not raining and looks like a clear sky! All my clothes and boots are dry and its not really that cold - I don´t need fluffy hat or gloves.
A cafe across the road for cafe con leche, fresh orange juice and toast are a familiar start to my days. Then I realise...."OMG" Woody has been locked in the bar....I´m finally Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-6102335130548880092010-10-27T01:54:00.000+11:002010-10-27T01:54:48.263+11:00Day30: Portomarin to Palas de Rei (Sun 24th Oct)
A much better start to the day after a few more hours sleep than I´ve had the past week. I still wake during the night with an aching right leg and aching feet. Sunday is always a bit "dodgy" for cafes-brekky and I´m so in luck this morning!
After a warming brekky and feeling in a brighter mood (I thought) off down the steps (Our Lady of the Snows) is what they´re called....and there is Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-20471847880720787382010-10-24T04:29:00.011+11:002010-10-27T03:33:43.621+11:00Day29: Sarria to Portomarin (Sat 23rd Oct)
The day started with yet another restless night and am unhappy and very tired and struggle out to get on the road by 9am....its misty rain and very very foggy - bit like how I feel really!! ;-)
My body aches and takes me ages to find my walking rythm this morning...but at first stop Barbadelo its too early, of course as its Saturday, so I carry on and am irritated by a bus load of "faux" Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-48935494754149949372010-10-24T04:29:00.009+11:002010-10-27T00:20:59.312+11:00Day28: Triacastela to Sarria (Fri 22nd Oct)
OK so this is my 2nd try - this computer is driving me nuts - so no one complain....!!!! The internet service has been way below par for what I was expecting and been horrendously difficult to find a) one that works b) one that works and doesnt drop out c) one that has the option to use my camera cards! ;-) even then to upload about 5 or 6 pics takes about 45mins!!!!
SO, here we go again, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-88472143973352493662010-10-24T04:26:00.001+11:002010-10-27T03:33:14.732+11:00Day27: OĆebreiro to Triacastela (Thur 21st Oct)
SOOOO after my crazy day yesterday I take it easy this morning and have a late start...9.30am! Its cold and windy up here on top of the world but invigorating!!
I had a shite night - the Alburgue is huge with 50 beds and 24 were being used and they had the heaters on - so it was like a sauna and I woke at 2am with aching painful legs and feet (which is becoming a usual thing!!) and I takeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-5342198202741351262010-10-24T03:51:00.000+11:002010-10-24T03:51:04.923+11:00Day26: Cacabelos to OĆebreiro (Wed 20th Oct)
My crazy crazy day....oh what fun to be so crazy!! I do 40km (12.5hrs) to the top of the world....climbed to the top of "The Cebreiro" as we affectionately call her!! She is demanding and tough as old boots and sinks her teeth in hard and long....sunrise to sunset!!
Yep Iḿ officially a maniac but I was on fire...
Another early start and beautiful sunrise...iḿ off to Villafranca which isUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-66412738583362910122010-10-23T06:54:00.002+11:002010-10-24T04:28:23.456+11:00Day25: Acebo to Cacabelos (Tues 19th Oct)
I decide on a slightly later start as the Spanish aren´t great on early starts and the Alburgue provide us with brekky and when the temp is 1 or 2C to start you want fuel...namely COFFEE to start the blood flow!!
A 33km day. The scenery is spectacular as Acebo is high up and the days are clear - its worth the freezing cold and early start. My first stop is Molinaseca which is a total Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-1424337946217861882010-10-20T20:52:00.001+11:002010-10-23T03:50:02.827+11:00Day24: Santa Catalina to Acebo (Mon 18th Oct)
It´s soooooo freezing, is about -2C my fingers are almost frozen solid and I'm walking like a Tin Soldier - got my hands tucked up my sleeves and arms crossed over my body (doesn't make for efficient walking) BUT my priority right now is not efficient walking but keeping my almost frozen blood circulating!!!! Hoping Rabanal has a store with gloves!!! ;-/// brrrrr.
There is a lot of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-36183062565288172922010-10-19T04:53:00.001+11:002010-10-23T03:28:53.786+11:00Day23: Hospital de Orbigo to Santa Catalina (Sun 17th Oct)
A short day of only 26km is nice for a Sunday!! ;-)
Besides nothing is ever open, but unfortunately I´m walking through Astorga and I´d much rather walk through here when everything is open - I´ve missed the Chocolate Museum - not happy!!
It´s becoming very frosty in the mornings and I´d really like a pair of gloves - not going to get them in Astorga on a Sunday! Its a great walk andUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-69624810024051530102010-10-18T22:44:00.001+11:002010-10-23T03:11:37.543+11:00Day22: La Virgen to Hospital de Orbigo (Sat 16th Oct)
I´m blogging this on a computer in Foncebadon at the top of the 1st of the last 2 killer mountains left! However, out of the 2 available the only one that works is the one without the camera card reader....so again you will have to wait for the pics - hopefully tonight in Acebo there will be more luck!
SO Saturday.....am looking forward to my first full day going solo....only the 2nd full dayUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-30950367711086853452010-10-18T05:02:00.001+11:002010-10-23T02:55:46.061+11:00Day21: Leon to La Virgen del Camino (Fri 15th Oct)
A lazy start as I´m only walking about 9km to La Virgen this afternoon - its part of my rest day strategy without actually having an entire day of rest....so I want to cruise around more of Leon, its such a beautiful city and in the morning its so much more quiet....I have to find another card for my camera ;-) anyone would think I like taking photos!!!!
I find a warm cafe bar for brekky - Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-44929801651915211322010-10-17T06:10:00.000+11:002010-10-17T06:10:09.424+11:00Day20: Arcahueja to Leon (Thur 14th Oct)
SO I woke up and had survived the yuck day and the "Camino bug" either from the water or something in food - unsure but 3 others I know also had it over the previous 4 days.
So today is a short day of only 10km into Leon - although most days walking into a large city its a tedious walk and all through the whole city! It was FREEZING starting off and likely a -C temp and the fingers and lipsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-43848598619257081432010-10-17T05:46:00.000+11:002010-10-17T05:46:09.876+11:00Day19: El Burgo Ranero to Arcahueja (Wed 13th Oct)
Shadows....is how each day starts!
Today is from El Burgo Ranero to Arcahueja which is about 31km! (my 2nd worse day of Camino)
Started great and a fun laughing 13km to Reliegos...then about of nausea came to visit....the closer I got to Mansilla the worse it got! I sat and rested in shade for 45mins and no food...continued on the last long bland stretch of Meseta ...to Arcahueja makingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-34538703809702359392010-10-16T22:55:00.002+11:002010-10-16T22:59:26.827+11:00Map of where I´ve been and where I´m going to:
I am 2 thirds done - 1 third left to tackle with 2 monster mountains and 1 not so monster....then onto the finish line ;-) through Galicia where I could get several days of constant rain and COLD!! I´m headed for Astorga tomorrow - you will find it in the LEON section! Click on the map and it will open to a larger size ;-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-65076261379747769762010-10-16T06:46:00.001+11:002010-10-17T05:21:43.980+11:00Day18: Terradillos to El Burgo Ranero (Tue 12th Oct)
Off to El Burgo Ranero (the Burger) 31km. A slow start 8am but a beautiful sunrise and lots of other lovely little things to take pics of makes the morning a much better one.
Am walking solo this morning and looking forward to coffee in Sahagun as will be the only place for that today as it´s a public holiday today and nothing is open - NADA!! However I find a little pokey place in Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-83469562485072692212010-10-16T06:29:00.000+11:002010-10-16T06:29:05.296+11:00Day17: Villalcazar to Terradillos de los Templarios (Mon 11th Oct)
So today is yet another cracker....off to Carrion de los Condes for coffee then onto Terradillos de los Templarios to finish a BIG day as not much in between to sleep at so a tortoise day - long N slow - 35km! More rain coming...sooooo fekin over the severely sore feet - it is so draining and has been a constant now for 10 days and had a few days of minimal relief...now its horrendous Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-49329146130074630582010-10-16T06:08:00.000+11:002010-10-16T06:08:13.054+11:00Day16: Itero de la Vega to Villalcazar (Sun 10th Oct)
Is all over 10.10.10 today! Having an awesome brekky at Boadilla, cafe con leche I love you, and greatly appreciated after a 10km cold N windy food and drinkless start ;-) another 31km day YAY - meeting some awesome ppl ;-). The scenery is still stark but weirdly appealing and still great to photograph.
Through Fromista which was bland and ugly onto Poblacion de Campos where the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-80211484851200315312010-10-15T23:45:00.000+11:002010-10-15T23:45:17.218+11:00Day15: Hornillos del Camino to Itero de la Vega (Sat 9th Oct)
We decide to have a crack at another big day - 32km! Through Hontanas, the ruins of San Anton and the city of Castrojeriz up a crazy mountain and along a looooooooooooooooooong and neverending stretch to Itero!
Luckily you don´t know in advance what lies ahead...hehe! Its dark and no brekky or coffee until Hontanas so 11km of clomping until happiness! BUT how rewarded, a super lil Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-42355713322437073302010-10-15T22:51:00.000+11:002010-10-15T22:51:37.784+11:00Day14: Burgos to Hornillos del Camino (Fri 8th Oct)
Good morning Meseta.... ;-)
We being the 6-8 days walk across the Meseta - depending on the injuries on how long it takes! Walking out of Burgos is just as long as walking in however, a much more picturesque area and is a fun time with the camera (as you can see above)! Its an exciting and long anticipated as the Meseta has a special kind of madness about her and we´re all keen Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-72200137476490890532010-10-15T22:18:00.000+11:002010-10-15T22:18:54.612+11:00Day13: Atapuerca to Burgos (Thurs 7th Oct)
Today is the first big milestone - BURGOS!!
We start the day on the road out of Atapuerca only to be greeted with lava type rocky path - seriously what is with the ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arggghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Luckily it is only an 18km day - another short day but painful - the rocks at the start do not bode well and the long long neverending path into Burgos is a mind bender!!! Everyone Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-37021213566991137332010-10-15T21:49:00.000+11:002010-10-15T21:49:45.645+11:00Day12: Villafranca to Atapuerca (Wed 6th Oct)
Im on the road again....boot loosened to compensate for the heavily strapped foot N ankle - off to Atapuerca today via San Juan, about 19km - another short day except with 3 killer hills UP and DOWN so am being a tortoise again today ;-) only 525.5km left til Santiago!! Lol
Whilst sitting in the sun in San Juan I here more aussie accents....look up and made a comment to the couple walking Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378546674559418206.post-59457495416790756192010-10-15T21:31:00.000+11:002010-10-15T21:31:53.450+11:00Day 11: Vilamayor del Rio to Villafranca Montes de Oca
I started up early and on the road by 7.30am - walked thru Belorado, Tosantos, Villambistia on to Villafranca de Montes de Oca - after the painfully long day yesterday it was a be kind to me day and only doing a short day!
Bumped into the Aussies again, Alison & Mario along with Ana the Polish girl and we all walked from Villambistia to Villafranca where I stopped and they went onto San Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0