The early Pilgrims get the lower bunk beds

I am generally an early morning person, especially when the folks around me are stirring.  So, when the pilgrims start packing at 6:00AM, I will be right in the mix.  As I have mentioned before, I love the early morning on the trail while the birds and critters are still out.


However, once I start walking, I am now trying to slow down and enjoy the time that I have here.  Others seem to be racing to complete the day for better bed selection or other reasons, I guess.  Today there were a few spots where I took extra time to just enjoy, because tomorrow I expect the experience to change.

 I am now in Sarria where many people start their Camino journey.  This is 114 KMs from Santiago and you need at least 100 KMs to get your certificate.  So, if it is like last year, the trail will be crowded tomorrow.  It is fun in a different way, but also challenging at times.  This picture is a good example of what I can expect tomorrow.

 

Sarria is also a logical place to jump off the Camino.  Yesterday we lost an injured pilgrim who took a taxi here and then headed home.  Today my friend Debbie ended her Camino in Sarria as she had already done the final stretch before.  It was fun walking with you, Debbie!  Hope to see you on The Porto next year. 


 

Only five more days per my current ETA.

Soon I will be back in Barcelona and then Seattle…  

 

 

  14.88 miles

30,476 steps

 

Location:  Sarria @ 42.782525, -7.416399


PS:  For those interested, an adjustment has been made to the Comments settings.  Hope it helps!

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 12, 2024 at 4:13 PM

    Aw thanks Tim. It was great to walk and talk with you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. DebbieJune 12, 2024 at 4:15 PM

    Aw thanks Tim. It was great to walk and talk with you :-) Buen Camino!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bonding

Image
It turns out, (at least for me,) that it is difficult to join the Camino midway as many relationships have already been established.  Don’t get me wrong, people are friendly, but they have also formed bonds over their first 3 weeks together.  So, when a group sits at a table, there is a good chance they are already a group. This was the case last night for me.     However, this morning I met up with the Rodrigos family that I had met by the pool and shared a room of eight pilgrims with.  It was fun to experience some good, memorable places together and have folks to chat with. Thanks, Wendy, for taking this year’s cow picture!   I also had a wonderful morning conversation with Liam from the UK.  So, my bonds are indeed forming as well. Tomorrow starts the next uphill stage with lots of great attractions coming.  I am both excited and a bit fearful.  Hang in there, toenails.  I want to take all of...
Read more

Plans Change on the Camino...

Image
 Last year I walked my first Camino.  I did the entire French Way and I was planning on attempting it again this year. At first I considered doing the Northern Route, so I decided to book a flight to Bilbao, Spain and then plan the details later.  Well, my plans for 2024 changed... I decided to take some time with Cindy and family before and after my planned walk.  As it stands now, I will officially start my second Camino in Leon, Spain on June 4th.  My bag is packed and I have my credentials.  My first stamp is from Bilbao, the second from Zaragoza and then I will get one from Barcelona. I've registered with the Pilgrim Office and will get my registration stamp in Leon. Until then, I will be enjoying Spain and meeting pilgrims along the way.  Stay tuned for daily updates starting on June 4th.  
Read more

The Road Less Traveled

Image
I got up super early today and was out the door by 6:00am.  Turns out it is still dark here at 6:00am, so I took a few minutes to ponder taking the alternative route.  It proved to be a delightful choice.  My first sunrise was stunning, the chorus of birds was magical and the path was without any traffic.  (Last year I did the main route and it was just a slog next to the highway.) You really can’t get lost on the Camino as you just follow the yellow arrows.  However, when you wander away from the main path, there are far less arrows to guide you.  This year I loaded OSM maps and downloaded the Camino waypoints. Now I have an off-line map giving me a lot more confidence to wander.  So, wander I did…   The bypass route was lovely, but I had already booked a bed at an albergue on the main route, so I needed a way to cut between the two routes and the OSM maps provided the solution.  I was in the middle of no...
Read more