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

walking in sunshine yay-ay and don´t it feel good

we are having exceptional weather.  coming down from El Acebo the trail was in blossom.  Wild flowers and lavender everywhere.  it was a difficult decent but would have been even more so if it was raining.  We had a nice rest in ponferrada and headed out today to Villafranca.  lots of up and down after many kms of concrete and highway.  we decided to wander along through the vineyards to get off the highway and really felt the heat of the sun this afternoon.  Tucked up in the little San Francisco hotel on the main square.  Tomorrow we are taking the high route out but sending our packs forward by taxi.  no blisters but very sore feet.  life has become extremely simple...even blogging is more than my brain can process. 

a fellow pilgram is an 8 year old boy from Chicago travelling with his spanish mom...being home schooled along the way and still has enough energy at the end of the day to play soccer with the local boys!

our surprise today was a man who had set up a fruit stand in a shaded wood.  fresh fruit cup by donnation.  another fellow was carving wooden scallop shells...will show you when I return.   buen camino...the tired pilgram...j


Dad we are meeting lots of people and everyone is very friendly, so stop worring.  Sorry to hear about Ian.

gratful pilgram

It´s hard to believe we have finished day 3 and our now in El Acebo...right on track.  Going slow but enjoying the magnificient views and getting used to the pilgram ´routine¨;  We had a nice walk into Rabinal yesterday and thank you to Darlene for sending us to the Confraternity of St James albergue...you are a legend there Darlene for you homemade  muffins.  We enjoyed the comforts and the tea.

also thanks to Ann for insisting I take two sticks...they were invaluable as we climbed up to pino alto and back down on the rocky trail.  So far no blisters or unusual aches and pains.  We are enjoying the company we meet...last night ¨hasty Case´´ from holland who thought he would be able to do 50 kms each day...but to his credit he is averaging 37.  Back in Astorga we met NickMick whom we helped decided between his Japanese and Koren girls.  We´ll never know if he followed our advice.

Tomorrow on to Ponferrada...wish I could figure out photos but we are lucky to have found a free laptop in the little El Acebo restaurant (1st on the right on the way in Ann!)...loving our experience here...buen camino

ps Marusia, Kai and Pat I left you and hola in the guest book at Raninal....j

hola.  arrived in madrid with no problems and booked into the Emparado hotel.  lovely to have a good sleep.  our last night in the barn we felt like we were being blown off the hill...huge winds and rattling windows.  the baby lambs were bleating all night long.

got our bus yesterday to astorga and spent the afternoon wandering the town visiting the museums.  met our first pilgram <<´lola<<<<<<< who gave us <<lots of advice>> bu tmost of all to keep a pilgims attitude...that it´s not a race.  she was up and out by 7 racing towards her next town :).  our day was leisurely with a detour to a beautiful little town with a flush toilet just in the nick of time.  first manifestation of the Way :).

will try to up load a photo...buen camino

ps no luck with that....there is quite a process to get photos from the phone to the computer. no time at the moment.  just imagine snowy peaks in the distance and gently rolling red clay hills behind us.  it is very green with the leaves just popping.  there was frost on the ground this morning leaving Astorga but now lovely and warm up against the stone wall at the albergue.

Spring has sprung....

We walked down into the village and back this morning...lots of hills so great training for our days in Galicia.  I couldn't help capturing this mama sheep and her twins.  So proud of her babies.

Buen Camino....j

Hills, Hills Everywhere

I arrived yesterday afternoon in Manchester after an uneventful overnight flight.  Sheila has been renting a converted barn in Rainow...a small hamlet (where else but England can you use the word "hamlet"?) in Peak District National Park.  The views from the barn are stunning and the hills daunting.  We'll be heading out on a walk through the countryside tomorrow but for now I am content enjoying the views and visiting with her family.

Buen Camino...j

Wet and Wild day .....

Today was my last walk with the Friday Camino group.  I looked out the window early this morning and was greeted with freezing rain.  Add that to the list of weather conditions we faced over the last several months of Fridays.  Undaunted, I got to test my rain gear and stayed nice and toasty.






But on my quick visit to Noah and Sam they had this to say about the day in general....

One more sleep....and then I am off.

Buen Camino.....j

As I count down the days before I go to Spain, I am reflecting on how easily I manifest what I REALLY, REALLY want at the moment.   The other day a friend called me the "mother of manifestations".  What a great thought to take with me as I head to the UK to meet Sheila and then on to Astorga where we will begin our 2 week journey along the Camino de Santiago. 

I didn't plan to blog about my experience but here I am wanting to share my adventure with those who have inspired me and helped me to prepare.  This time last Spring I answered the call of  my Friday Camino group, led by Darlene ... "let's walk, Pilgrims!".  And we do.  We walk in snow.  We walk in rain.  We walk on ice and in mud. We walk in sunny weather with the bite of winter still hanging on to the Spring winds.  Best of all, we walk within developing friendships, founded on our mutual enjoyment of the simple pleasure of getting out to walk.  Soon I will be able to add my experiences of the Camino to those of the others.


What will manifest along the path?  Stay with me to find out.

Buen Camino!  An excited pilgrim...j