And now for the photos - Astorga to Acebo

Day 1:  Astorga to Santa Catalina via the detour to Castrillo de Polvazares

First marker as we headed for our Albergue

Gaudi Palace

The detour brought us to a very nice hotel where we had a cafe con leche.  We found that most little villages were mostly deserted.  This was Saturday and still very few people were out and about. 

Coblestoned village of Castrillo de Polvazares

 Our detour also took us via a forest of trees uniformly planted...

and on into Santa Catalina.

Stork's nest...one of many we would see

Almost deserted Albergue...so cold!!!!

Day 2:  Santa Catalina to Rabinal to stay at Albergue Gaucelmo run by the Con-fraternity of Saint James.  This is where we met a lot of our companions for the next few days.

Heading towards those mountains and hoping for no snow

Evidence of the pilgrims passage

Gaucelmo Albergue and stories of afternoon tea with scones

 Day 3:  Rabinal to Acebo...our first real "hill" climbing to 1500m.  Uphill was to be the biggest challenge of my Camino

Leaving just before sunrise

Every photo opportunity was a chance to rest so I took LOTS of photos.

Foncebadon at 1400M reminded us of a ski chalet

Marjarin meeting a group of school kids on 3 day Camino to Ponferrada

a more private Iron Cross

We reached the Iron Cross and found it very crowded so we started the descent...

Forest fire captured our attention

Our first descent was like walking on marbles.  Hard to look up to see the view.

ready to do it again

I am in the UK waiting to travel home tomorrow.  The last couple of days in Santiago were lovely.  I made it to the pilgrim's dinner at the parador and walked around the city many times.  my feet are very happy walking and would have loved to continue on to Finestere but that will happen next time.  Got to see my German friend in the square yesterday afternoon and took the roof tour of the Cathedral.  I will post a selection of photos from each day when I return. Buen Camino.  A tired but happy pilgrim...j

Santiago...too soon

we arrived this am in beautiful sunshine.  the mass was impressive and we are now out and about sightseeing...love the feel of the city although it does seem a bit strange to walk with a goal of simplicity and be greeted at our desitination by all that we left behind.  more reflections once i get to a keyboard that speaks english...xoxo...j

sunny days are here again

Hi Everyone who is still following me.  I have had an amazing 2 days...the sun came out and and we had 2 good days of walking...25kms yesterday from Melide and 23 today to the outskirts of Santiago.  it´s almost over.  I met a wonderful person from Germany who was hobbling  along with 2 sore knees.  We went to the same albergue in Melide and i gave her a reiki treatment.  The next day to my surprise she made the same 25kms walk and is here today with us.  I say i am surprised but really shouldn´t be.  Also met a couple from NB who have been walking since early March and a woman from Cape Breton (who know about Big Hill Beth)....nice to talk to Canadians.  Experienced pulpo in Melide in a very traditional place with lots of locals.  Also watched the soccer playoff with my German friend.  All is well and I will be sending atleast one more message before heading home.

i have taken so many tractor photos for Sam and Noah i hope to write a storybook for them....happy pilgrim....j

3 more walks

Hi Everyone:  just completed day 12 which puts us in Melide.  A couple of long days ahead so we can walk into Santiago Saturday morning.

we had great weather heading out of Sarria...sunny but crisp.  The crisp has continued but now we are having rain or very heavy mist. 

the tourist walkers joined us at Sarria so it was like the 401 the first day as they settled into their pace.  We have met a mom from New Zealand walking with her 2 kids...they are on a round the world trip for 1 year and the Camino was on the list of things to do.  Great experience for them.  We have also met a group of 3 that started in St. Jean and seem to be travelling at our pace.  We are together tonight and head out again tomorrow.  Walking most of the days on my own as Sheila is in a faster groove....but that is OK.

last night our hotel in Portos was closed so the neighbour of the cafe owner took us in ....a big room with 2 double beds and fleece sheets...heaven!  such nice people.

more later....j

Training has paid off

can´t quite believe that all that walking in the snow this winter would come in handy.  Today I woke up to a white world.  The monestary across the street was snow covered, as were all the trees and hills.  As I set out it really started to snow.  So beautiful.  A good day walking into Sarria where I met up with a well rested Sheila.  We set out together again and ended up in a beautiful albergue (according to plan) and are enjoying our roomies...not much else to report other than I am very happy and completely at ease with this life of a pilgram.

lots of hugs to Sammy and Noah....xoxo...mama tune

Hail Samos

literally hail...I walked from Fonfria this am in the icy fog, snow, sun, rain, hail and more rain.  Quite the adventure.  My walking partner took a day off and went to Sarria by taxi to wait for me.  Unfortunately the albergue that I was headed for is closed at the moment but I found a nice room to myself rather than bunk in with the guys at the monestary.  As I have been walking I compose my blogs...there was an excellent on on nature, specifically all the one time only sights I have seen like the wisteria on the museum in Ponferrade in full bloom like all the photos and the formal gardens in Vallafranca with the peonies blooming.  The hills are purple with heather.  But that blog didn´t get posted as there has been no internet in the mountains.  Another topic was on the birds.  Wow ...they sing all the time.  Another on the people.  My senses are on overload and I stop so often to take pictures of yet another beautiful scene.  Just a few steps further and there is something else just as remarkable.  I have made friends with many dogs along the way and the odd cat. 

today I could probably figure out how to post photos but I am charging my reader in the USB port.  You´ll just have to ask to see them.

Marusia the little hotel on the left just before Las Harrerias (sp) is the best so far.  Pariso or something close to that name. 

buen camino all...j