Author Archives: Stu

The weather forecast was rain and it was correct. Soon after starting the day the ponchos were out. The way followed a road that was once the main route through the valleys, before they built flyovers that criss-crossed overhead, spoiling what would be a very scenic section. We stopped at a panderia at Vega deContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 26 – Trabadelo to Fonfría”

We hit then road about 7.30 with route taking us through parks and suburban roads; it was like a rabbit warren, I totally lost my sense of direction, but I had full faith in the yellow arrows that are present on curbs, lampposts, walls and road signs. They led us out following a quiet roadContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 25 – Ponferrada to Trabadelo”

There was Camino Magic afoot last night, the municipal albergue had a wood burning stove that kept the cold away and there were no snorers! The route was up hill to Foncebadon. This was once an abandoned village inhabited by wild dogs that hounded pilgrims, however as the popularity of the Camino grew, the townContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 24 – Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada”

Today was a sort day after having a lie in. 8.30am I was up, the latest in the whole journey so far! We set off calling in for breakfast at Santa Catalina de Somoza. This is when I heard the rumours everything is full from this point on. I wanted to stay at Foncebadon onContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 23 – Murias de Rechivaldo to Rabanal del Camino”

The Night Walk. It had been discussed numerous times over the last week, whether to under take a night walk. It had been something I read about and thought it would be good experience. You get to see the Camino differently underneath the stars. At 3am me and Dirk set off into the dead ofContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 22 – Villar de be Mazarife to Murias de Rechivaldo”

It was another frigid 5 degree morning and I think I may have a cold coming on, as I’ve had a sore throat for the last two. Probably because I hadn’t packed for such temperatures. It was a late start as I hung around Leon waiting for the pharmacy to open. Due to it beingContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 21 – Leon to Villar de be Mazarife”

I felt like I had a little lie in getting up at 6.30am. Once packed, we had to find a place for breakfast, stepping out of the hotel immediately blew away any sleep left in us; it was cold this morning, 5 degrees Celsius! We set off through the town and over the bridge followingContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 21 – Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon”

To our disappointment the albergue wasn’t serving breakfast, so it was a walk for food. Only slithers of dawn light dimly illuminated the way when we left. Many pilgrims had their headtorches on as they continued onwards. After 2km or so I reached Moratinos. At the edge of the village, there are what looked likeContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 19 – Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino”

Greatfully the rain stopped over night, however a mist hungover Carrion de los Condes as we left the albergue. The route out of town joined an old Roman road. This was 17km of a straight gravel path, cutting through farmland and nothing else. No towns, water stops or points of interest. Just one straight endlessContinue reading “Camino Francés Day 18 – Carrion de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios”