The sisters

I was dragged out of the bar kicking and screaming by some fellow pilgrims as the sisters of Augustin were coming to the albergue at 6 to sing hymns. Ok I’ll come. After their sing song, I ,being the first Tasmanian they had met was asked to sing a song in front of everyone. I ended up reciting the man from snowy river. Mucked up once or twice. However the crowd went ape shit, even the ones who couldn’t understand. The sisters also locked up a seat in heaven for me when I presented them with one of my huon pine maps of Tasmania. Back to the bar. then joined by Elise, Irene, Mike and rodollph, all from different parts of the world, we ate and drank vino. I’m glad I had a few as 16 to the dorm meant there was plenty of snoring and I am sure I contributed

Pig’s ear and cow’s stomach! !for dinner?

Yeah. I was having a beer with pommie John, riding a bike on the Camino and he decided to have pilgrims menu. I decided on bar food which was local dishes. I said a bit of this one and a bit of that one. Looked good. When I was nearly finished I had locals sitting with me and they laughed and explained what I was eating. The ear was a bit tough but the stomach was like stew. The ear didn’t help much as my hearing is no better

Blue skies

And that is where the good news ends . Climbing up the range out of hornillos the wind got stronger and colder. By the time I reached the summit even I had to put my wind jacket and gloves on. The next 10 ks were miserable. The penny should have dropped. Many wind turbines along the way. Got to hontanus for lunch and thought about staying. It was that cold even little hank was reluctant to come out for a pee when I requested. However the last 10 ks were walking through the valley. a lot less wind and nice to be the galah in the shorts and tshirt again. Arrived castrojeriz. Albergue 6 euro. 5 beds to the dorm. That’s good . I think tomorrow much more of today as a steep climb out of here and I can see many bloody wind turbines in the distance. Better go settle my nerves and look for bar and pilgrims to see who has the most blisters. Maybe I can score a free beer. so far my Kokoda boots are doing fine. No blisters for the tshirt galah from Tasmania

The dot on the right is where I started. The one towards the Centre on the right is where I am. And the ocean on the left is where I am going

Today’s victory. I need to stop eating

The road is old but many travel

Can’t pass up the good food

Many planes in Spain. The sky looks like a nought and crosses game

Freezing cold

The 24 th April. Leaving San Juan about 3 degrees chilly wind and rain on and off. Poncho on and off maybe 20 times. I can keep walking while putting it on or off. When the sun came out it was pleasant. Could not get warm as boots were wet from yesterday and staying in 11th century fridge were not able to dry. Couldn’t find newspaper to put inside. Made sure I got some for next time. Wore everything I had. Even thought about wearing my spare jocks. The terrain was ok most of it flat. Which causes another problem. Going up and down hills might be slippery and muddy but you don’t have to learn to swim. Most of the way I walked alone. 10 k from burgos found Barry and talked him into sharing a hotel room. I felt like a vagabond when I walked in. But after a hot bath felt like a camino king.

Hot bath. Yay

Wet track

Celebrity

Yeah, the camino jungle telegram is turning me into a talking piece. not sure if it’s because of the bullshit I spread or the fact I am always half naked. or maybe because I have become a miracle man. Yep I am saving people. Now you probably think this pilgrim thing has gone to my head. I have been fixing pilgrims blisters day and night. It’s simple. You place needle and thread through blister and cut thread so it hangs out of blister and a drop of betadine and the fluid keeps draining out. The price is one beer. The track yesterday to San Juan de Ortega was 25 ks, and apart from a couple of big hills was quite easy. Only the mud made it a bit slippery. Started under blue skies but as the wind got going the clouds rolled in and about 4 ks to go a storm hit. The sound of Thunder was incredibly loud, but with my poncho on I enjoyed it immensely. 7 am now cloudy and about 3 degrees

Saturday arvo on the Camino. 20 minutes later pouring rain

The way

Saw legs

Just as I thought the weather was improving, like cradle mountain it has reared it’s ugly head. yesterday from blue skies to black just like that, and the freezing cold wind came up. Thankfully no rain. Everyone in their katmandu out fits and ponchos except for me. still plodding along in my shorts and tshirt yesterday walked all the way 29.6 ks plus about 4 for wrong or missed turn with aussie mate Brian. He talks a lot of shit, but then so do I, so the time went quickly. He didn’t wake up to the fact that I allowed him to do all the talking going up the hills and couldn’t understand why he was more knackered than me when we got to the top each time. Getting ready to leave albergue in logrono 8am Wednesday and I’m afraid it’s raining. Some pilgrims catching the bus. I will put on my poncho and think about the 2.50 or 3 euro pint or litre stein that I will be embracing this evening. Another 30 k day if I decide to go all the way. Adios

Love these signs

Every village and city have the most incredible churches

No shortage of grape vines. The new growth starting to shoot

Pilgrims keeping on keeping on

Sunday afternoon yokkie  (aussie mate )and I tiring. 2 ks to go 4.30, in the camino afternoon. Look I said, tavern. Yay. We stopped had 2 pints and then had the energy to make it to the albergue in Estelle. Met up with Barry from cork in Ireland, he is going home. He is a big man. his legs gave way and now his ribs badly bruised and lost one of his toenails. He has a lot of pain. Monday morning, I am lone pilgrim met up with another guy from Tasmania. His name dicky knee. He wants to catch bus. I say no. He cracks up, but eventually settles down. I also thought I was still in pyrenees. Apparently different mountains. Still hills but not as bad. Beautiful spring day walked 20 something ks. Walked with my Canadian family for half of the way. Found a free wine font .yes free wine. About 11.30 so it was a reasonable time to have a drink. Tempted to stay a while. But left after one. The weather is becoming really good. Lots of pilgrims having foot problems with blisters

That’s my Canadian friends adopted 14 year old son. He’s a beautiful boy

Free wine. I want to move here

Heineken. All over the world

Day 6

Started flat walking 5 KS then 8 ks steep and back down hill. And blizzard wind and then the rain. Had it all. About 24 ks all up. Got to the albergue about 6pm. Hot shower was like heaven. Found Canadian friends I hadn’t see for 2 days. Like a sliding door sometimes you are in the same village but in a different cafe or albergue , but always seem to catch up again. Life is good on the Camino.

Amongst the canola. Old castle in the backgro

und

Glad I got the p

oncho

45 to 60 degrees up and  down hill. Hard on

the legs

Leaving albergue

Park in pamplona

Day 3, 4, 5.

Day 3, gale force wind. even I wore a jumper. 17 KS. Reasonable ground. Except for last 3.5 ks steep downhill , rocky, muddy, very slippery. Back of my legs very sore. Albergue good about 10 beds to the dorm. A few beers with Jack, young Irish bloke, Billy, old yank, Adrian, Spanish guy and others . Adrian and Irish girl, Irene, went food shopping and they cooked pasta and bread and vino , a well deserved feed and celebration after a hard days walk. The next day a bit hung over  again blizzard type wind and people from all over the world keep coming up to me and ask I must come from very cold country. I tell them I can’t afford long pants and jacket. Everyone looks like they just walked out of katmandu shop from head gear to snow jackets and the fancy pants and boots. I look like I come from poor immigrant family who stole a backpack. Stayed in 12th century monastery last night. Shit it was cold. Went to bar with other pilgrims and drank shots to get warm . Had kangaroo steak and chips. 8 euro. It was a great meal. Today walked into pamplona. Staying in albuge like a rocket ship . great showers. Checked out where the bulls run and heading to tapas bar tonight. Having my first shave for a week. Had my first Spanish hair cut. I look cute. Maybe not. Definitely feel stuffed. Hopefully feel good tomorrow after tapas and sleep. Won’t need ear plugs tonight. Cheers

Love the sandwiches

The scenery is awesome

The menu

OK,I did it !!!! Facebook friends! I do not like having a large number of friends, in fact… I do not accept some… Others I deleted over time, due to the way they do and some inappropriate comments. I don’t have the figures, but the facts ! So I have chosen the best solution. I am happy for you because you are among my best friends… Now I see who will take the time to read this post until the end. Copy the text in your page. I am curious to see who takes care of the friendship that I try to create. Thank you for being a part of my life. Copy and paste, PLEASE DO NOT ‘share’. This is a little test, just to see who reads and those who share only without reading ! … If you have read everything, select ‘like’ and then copy and paste into your profile, so I can even put a comment smile. To copy just touch the post and when the word copy pops up, touch it and go to your status and tap till it says paste then touch paste. It worked for me!
Somebody’s boots

Stuffed

Gotta go tell you later