Friday, May 18, 2007
50 KM mark
So it is Day 2 of walking from Leon, and while tired, I have to report that I am holding up ok. Seems that around the 25 km mark is my limit so far which is one I will superscede by a couple of km´s tomorrow. Finally bought a guide book so that has helped me plan my days and just like a treadmill set on random I can see where the hills are coming up. I did push myself a little today with only having 5 min breaks, and walking for 5 hours and I felt it at the end. So I won´t do that tomorrow - consider it a lesson learnt.
One of the best things about this walk is the internationality of it all. Seems a lot of Europeans walk, especially Germans, but met an Aussie couple from Brisbane yesterday and they were great. Just a relief to talk to Aussies, and hear the accent nice and strong. Although a lot of people talk English I have to speak more slowly just to make sure I am understood - imagine that!
Finally also got my ´Pilgrim passport´. Should have got it in Leon but I didn´t realise and when walking was almost denied access to an albergue because I didn´t have one. Anyway that all got sorted and I stayed in one last night - the old communal room. Luckily I can sleep through anything so the multiple snorers didn´t bother me one bit. The one in Astorgo (where I am now) is also shared, and I am not going to have a problem sleeping here after my walk today that is for sure.
All up, I am loving this walk, and would recommend i to everyone. Some who have walked it a number of times are put off because it is busy, but really that is ok by me. Walking alone it is nice to know you are safe. And I am up for walking again next year - in May, as September seems too hot and due to Summer most things are /brown, and maybe walking from Portugal.
Anyway that is all from me for the momento.
Adios!
One of the best things about this walk is the internationality of it all. Seems a lot of Europeans walk, especially Germans, but met an Aussie couple from Brisbane yesterday and they were great. Just a relief to talk to Aussies, and hear the accent nice and strong. Although a lot of people talk English I have to speak more slowly just to make sure I am understood - imagine that!
Finally also got my ´Pilgrim passport´. Should have got it in Leon but I didn´t realise and when walking was almost denied access to an albergue because I didn´t have one. Anyway that all got sorted and I stayed in one last night - the old communal room. Luckily I can sleep through anything so the multiple snorers didn´t bother me one bit. The one in Astorgo (where I am now) is also shared, and I am not going to have a problem sleeping here after my walk today that is for sure.
All up, I am loving this walk, and would recommend i to everyone. Some who have walked it a number of times are put off because it is busy, but really that is ok by me. Walking alone it is nice to know you are safe. And I am up for walking again next year - in May, as September seems too hot and due to Summer most things are /brown, and maybe walking from Portugal.
Anyway that is all from me for the momento.
Adios!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
a few more pictures
Here are some other pictures. They won´t let me view them, so just have to pick random ones!
So the 4 comes from Bilbao - they had numbers through the streets so i took a photo from 0-9. The seconf one was from Day 1 - you could imagine how high up I took that picture from - and I had to walk that high! And the third from Zarrautz. Doesn´t really do it justice - have better photos if I could work out what they are. And the last from Bilbao again from the church - that is St James, the one I am walking to Santiago to go visit!
Santiago or Bust
Ola all,
Yes I have arrived in Leon, after bussing around Spain for a bit. At least I know what it feels like to be in a different town every night. Won´t even know myself when I get back to London.
have arrived in Pilgrim city, which is good. Every second person has a pack on their shoulders, so shouldn´t have any problems waking the trail tomorrow and for the next two weeks to Santiago. Going to give it my best effort and see how my body holds up. At least I am sporty spice, so that should help with putting up with soreness etc, although after Day 1 I didn´t bear up too well I have to say. But Santiago is not for sissies, so will put on my best butch face and get going! The landscape is really different I have to say. It actually reminds me of home- country home that is in Wagga. The heat ripples I saw today - I am familiar with. Was a little put off that everyone is wearing long pants etc- forget that! Sunscreen will become my best friend and I am sure after a couple of days of walking my shorts will be able to walk there by themselves. I do have some pictures of where I have been so far. Bilbao was great - interesting arty town with the Guggenheim that I didn´t get to visit, but I did walk with the whole town to the soccer stadium, and heard the roar of the crowd at the beginning of the game which I can only imagine sounded like what it would have been like in ancient Rome at a Gladiator tournament.
Anyway here are some piccies! Sorry I can´t get them to orientate right - my Spanish isn´t that good to get it sorted. First one is Maz with these random cartoons we found around Angloume in France - apparently the capital for comics - even ones of Lucky Luke. Second picture is of San Sebastian - what a place! Loved it. and the next one was on my walk of this statue in the sea. And the last is of Bilbao - note the mountains in the background Amore!
Reexo Pretzel x TPxo
