Santiago de Compostela

made it 2.30 pm!
arriving by bike was a lonely experiance, varing my distances and speeds I didn't get to meet so many other pilgrims.
booked into the Seminario Mayor where I stayed in 2010, bike secure I walked the final half km to the Cathedral, then found a long queue to receive my compostela, so decided food was more of a priority. Lovely pizza, beer, coffee and a whisky went down well.
7.30 pm mass next, not that many so we all got a surprise when the Botafumeiro was swung. Another treat was in store as a yonge pilgrim sang Ava Maria to close the service, very special.

Sunday I think

oh gee, my brain is in the same condition as my legs. I have wifi thisevening but I cannot put into words my journey. Ruitelan was very special, my 3rd stay there, a banquet dinner great company, only to be woken bt Ava Marie. Followed by more ups and downs.
The day over O Cebreiro again was tough going on a bike. Having stopped to refuel on a plate of greasy chips st lunch time, I got to Triacastela by sticking as much as I could by road. Only to find the albergues full, so a private room I found for 30€ which garenteed me at least a good nights sleep and not to be woken up at some rediculous hour.
Today I pressed on and am now in a realy nice private alberue in Portomarin. I was lucky to have passed through Samos at 9.30am to catch the early mass in the Monasterio de San Julian y Santa Basilisa founded in 5th/6th century and is one of the oldest monasteries in the western world.
A quick wizz throgh Sarria left me struggling back on the camino, with a rough off road cycle.
I'm know ready for bed 7.45 pm lol

Where am I ??

good question, at this moment sitting in front of a huge log burner surrounded by lots of pilgrims, oh in Astorga. We seem to have left the sun behind us, I've just been told that there is snow ahead in O Cebreiro, welcome to Galicia. But at least I making progress, been on a couple of sectons of the N120 but rejoin the camino when pos as I dont like being passed by the big ones which cause a wind tunnel.
3rd time through Leon but I still didn't get to see inside the cathedral, maybe another time NO I can hear myself saying.
557km behind me, please don't rain tomorrow.
Rain turned into sleet.
Was I pleased to have Janice nearby, our journey to Cruz de Ferro was not pleasent. With freezing winds, rain and sleet to test our strength, we stood at the cross shaking, I had to change into dry socks and put my feet into pladtic bags to bring them back to life. Our hands were no longer able to function, so my ride down was impossible as I couldn't operate the brakes. One could have perished up there. Were we pleased to get to Molinaseca in one piece.
The next morning I shopped for warmer gloves, magically I found a cheap shop and bought the best buy on the Camino - A pair of -20* water proof gloves made in China, not sure if I have a garentee lol. My hands are as warm as toast now, thankyou cheapie shop.

Sunday 18th

2 days have passed, I have spoken to so many pilgrims and passed through so many villages. Every night in a different bed, when I am woken at 5.30am I ask myself where am I.
Well I can certainly remember where I am this morning, waking up in Carrion de los Condes in the same bed as I collapsed into in 2012, after taking a full, resulting in a couple of fractured ribs and an injured knee. But hey this time all is good so I'm happy.
The pilgrims mass was very moving last evening ther must have been over 60 of us.
Highlight yesterday was finding a sandle on the way, attaching it to my bike I hoped to find the owner. Some 15km on I recognised a solo sandle attached to the back of a rucksack. A girl walking with her dog obvisously extremly grateful to be reunited with her sandle that she hadn't missed. Magical things happen on the camino.

Burgos

made it to Burgos last evening, havivg encounted riding across boulders, country lanes, forest, steep ascents and descents. Coffeee in a hotel, seeing the remains of a 9th century church, snow capped mountains, the back end perimeter fence of Burgos airport, an industrial estate, war memorial for the Republicans shot in 1936, beautiful views and to end my day after 50km + arriving at the most remarkable building of the Catedral de Santa Maria Burgos.

Wednesday 14th

Well I found a good resturant, had just sat down when Lyn and Sherrie invited me to join them. Us girls can always find something to talk about. What a lovely evning sharing our stories.
Bed time soon came upon us, feeling tired I thought I would have crashed, instead I lay awake listening to the guy in the ajoinimg bunk snoring gently, after a couple of shoves and a final yank of his pillow he shut-up. Sleep at last.
This morning I got the shove when everyone started to stir, no chance of a lay in. Getting into a routine now I was soon up and packed. Breakfast in a newby cafe, waiting for the Correos to open. Sending some equipment on as my 2 panniers are way too heavy, farewell tent and gaz burner and more stuff. a visit to the cathedral to see the hens.
Gee what a diffence the lighter load has made, able to cycle more and less of the pushing. Staying on the Canimo and popping into the churches on ou route. Made my day so much more enjoyable. Tonight I'm in Belorado with Lynn, Sherree and Paulina, waiting for 7pm, dinner together should be fun. Time for one more appero I think.

Tuesday 11th

Reached Najera in good time, then picked up a cycle track. however some inconsiderate farmer had ploughed right across it, not to be beaten I draged the bike across the deep ruts arond the edge of the field and rejoined the country road. I was making good progress with the A12 motorway along side, well it came to an end (work in progress) so all the lorries buses van were diverted onto my road. Not great having them passing at speed so close. Thankfully I came across a small road and managed to head off towards the camino. Back on stony ground thogh so unable to cycle, still i enjoed the walk. Tough hill so I thought of Ellie and the reason I'm doing this which gave me strength to reach the top, fab views and got the photo to prove it lol.
So now I'm in Santo Domingo thinking about finding somewhere nice to eat dinner. Great albergue where I stayed in 2010 - happy memories.

Karen I really do admire your strengh for pushing your trailler it looks so heavy. Not so many gifts of kindness here, too many pilgrims walking throgh thier villages.
keep safe.
Cxx

Sunday 11th

I eventualy got going, but that was only after I had drank my fair share of vino from Bodegas Irache Fuente de Vino, got a great photo as it dribbled down my chin. Weather turned grey and windy so decided to book into Los Arcos albergue, 17 bunk beds squeezed in tightly. So went to the Pilgrims Mass and afterwwards dinner, which was very good. Cannot say the same re sleeping, so hot and no oxygen, felt pretty colstrophobic, managed a couple of hours sleep.

Monday 12th
Early start, down hill glide freezing cold, dead fingers, chilly allday. 10.30 coffee stop in Viana. Contined through Logrono sonot to get lost.
Made it to Navarette to be told by aa fellow pilgrim that BA was here. Searched 5 albergues, no BA so booked myself into a private room with 4 other ladies. Entered the room to find BA hugs all round, had even spoken to the other 3 on my journey to Orrison when Ellie eas with me, amazing the happenings on the camino. The best evening together, with lots of wine. Gee did I sleep well.

Tuesday 13th
So good to wake in such wonderful company, breakfast together, then time to bid our fare wells. Thank you BA, Miriam, Joann and Tina for such a good time. Onward to Ventosa with wifi, so now having updated I on my way again.

on my way

Wednesday 7th
Said farewell to Ellie. Thank you Alan and Richard for saving me. Too late to attempt the Pyrenees, so staying put tonight.

Thursday 8th
9.30am packed and ready. To start for a 2nd time. Well that was the toughest day ever! I took the low route but what a climb, had to stop every 20meters to let my heart rate slow down. Reached Puerto de Ibaneta 1057m. Rather run 2 marathons back to back. Downhill glide into Roncesvalles feeling exhausted, set camp in the albergue grounds.


Friday 9th
Mixed ride today ups and downs, still imposible to cycle up so have to walk and push. Made it to Pamplona, staying in albergue tonight, meeting lots of lovely people, one couple gave me a 10€ donation.

Saturday 10th
Early start, lots of inclines again, took the track up to Alto del Perdon 735m just had to get the photo. Downhill reached speeds of 50km scary. Lunch in Puente la Reina. Continued to Estella, more inclines, extremly hot and full sun. Feeling "knackered" on a campsite, met up with Rita and her little dog, we first met in St Jean Pied. Lovely dinner together. Slept like a log.

Sunday 11th
slow start. Have wifi here so updating, will be leaving Estella 1pm.

Sat 3rd, after a good journey we arrived at St.JeanPdP. Pitctched camp and arranged to meet my friend BA for dinner,she is walking the Camino, so we have just 2 days together. Excellent evening, then an early night in preparation fot the big climb tomorrow. PS Ellie my little gem has been as good as gold.

Sun 4th Up and ready by 8am, 1st obsticle was getting through the barrier, had to remove the tent fron the rack to pass under, not the best of starts lol. Weaving our way through the narrow road to the top of the street to pass through the Pilgrims arch. It soon became obvious that today would be a difficut one. As the incline got greater we had to push the bike and trailer, Ellie did her share by pulling aswell. I could not have done it on my own, but with BAs help we reached Orrison exhausted, several times we nearly lost it as the weight pulled it backwards. I found a wonderful spot to camp havivg got the owners permission. Cooked up dinner whilst BA ate and slept in the hostel. I new I couldn'continue as it was goi,g to get much steeper. Phoned Alan (hubbie) and had to make a difficult decission how I could continue.

Mon 5th Returning to St Jean, Alan will come to take Ellie and the trailler home to allow me to continue on my own. Feeling very disapointed but Ellie and my safety must be paramont. Meanwhile BA continues to walk, so we hope to meet in a few days time as I whizz by.

Tue 6th Spending the day at St Jean with Ellie trying to get my head around the changes.