• Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain Camino Del Norte: San Vincente De la Barquera and Llanes, and Camino interruptus the Unofficial camino begins

    I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed but I kinda knew this was going to happen. Not accepting it was being foolish however I did do well over 650 km of the toughest part of the Norte. Something to be proud of but to be honest I don’t feel so proud. Before leaving home even with 1 cortisone injection months on crutches and two plasma injections I was only thinking of losing the money I paid for my airline tickets, which is truly a valid concern, But now I am getting to see Spain’s northern coast. I admit it’s not the same. I feel I’ve lost my spirit on…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Camino Day 28 -30 Santillana Del Mar to Cobreces and a birthday

    An uneventful day with overcast skies and periodic rain. More pavement and I’m in pain. Heelsperricus is now downright ornery and not cooperating at all. Really sharp pain not only in the bottom of my heel but the back as well. Cyborg turtle is no better my usually sunny disposition is wearing thin and I’m searching for the positive . My brain is rejecting translations so I think I’m just tired. I’m 52 tomorrow and I just feel empty. I checked into pension Bella Vista and although it’s a nice place it only serves breakfast so I had to walk down a steep hill to the beach only to find…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Day 24-27 Santander to Boo De Peligros and Santillana Del Mar

    Not much In Boo it’s a sleepy town but the albergue was filled with boisterous laughter, great food and happy pilgrims sunning on the wonderful terrace. Albergue Piedad is the only one , clean and kind hospiteleros. More pavement but from Boo you must first catch the train one stop over the railway bridge.. walking is discouraged by local police. Take the train one stop or continue to puente San Miguel… I think I’ll stay in the train along with 2 Germans who also had foot problems.. the concrete pounding is comparable to walking on hot fire coals at a dinner with cannibals where your feet are on the menu.…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Semana Santa (Easter week)- in Santander

    Many people gather to watch the Easter procession on the Main Street of Santander. Seems like every family is here .. walking talking eating ice cream ..yeah it’s cold but ice cream seems to be more than cold it’s hot on a holiday. The music starts to play over the public speakers. I’m sitting just beyond the cathedral. It’s funny but I see several pilgrims wonder about with their giant mochilla no doubt searching for their hotel or albergue. They are so involved with walking they barely notice the gathering crowds. Their minds maybe set on the direction of travel. Last year I think I was the same but this…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Day 21-24 Santander, Pecos De Europa, Santo Toribio Monestery, Potes and the El Saplao cave

    Amazing amazing amazing ! I booked a tour with Gabriela from Exploring Cantabria. She picked me up at 8am for what I was expecting to be an amazing day and she did not disappoint me. We drove on the autopista 2 hours up into the Pecos de Europa mountains range . Winding our way to the top the view of the gorge and the surrounding mountains were terrific. I saw wild horses, wild goats , Cantabria specific white cows with the wide horns and some amazing small villages. We arrived at the gondola which would shuttle up to the top. As we climbed up along the wires in the gondola…