Day 4 Viskarret to Larrasoana

Use the guides and maps to lead you to Santiago; use the lessons learned on the Camino to find your way.

It is interesting that when I was planning this trip my ideals were that I would carry my pack as much as I could and walk all the way. No cheating. Well reality set in the first time we transported our backpacks to Roncesvalles. This is a real alternative and, with not feeling well, made things bareable. Now we were faced with rain and mud and the most treacherous part of the Camino Frances. Lots of jagged rocks with pieces of slippery shale between them. With help from a couple from the States we managed to find info on a bus to Zubiri. By the time we were at the Bus station there were 9 of us and as we loaded our backpacks in the undercarriage Roz counted 22 backpacks. Great minds think alike. Turns out there were 7 people taken off with injuries from that descent. We decided it had been a wise choice we had made. Turned out to be a 9 minute bus ride for 1.4 euros.

Zubiri. A quaint little town.
Magnetite mine.
I just liked this house in a little village in the hills.
Basque Country encompasses an area  around the Pyrenees of southwestern France and northern Spain. Their language is unique and not related to Spanish at all. 
Arrival in Larrasoana.
Now all my family and friends know that since my arrival in Europe September 9th, we have been on the hunt for vegetables. It seems Europeans enjoy meat and carbs. And of course wine and beer. We arrived before our albergue opened and across the street was a little shop. We decided to get a drink and a snack. The owner was very friendly and we noticed he made a salad mixta. He said he would make us the best salad. I tell you he was right. We had died and gone to heaven. We both wanted to lick the plate.
The albergue had some unique art work on its walls. If you can expand the picture you will see  the route we are taking.
Roz found a friend.
I want one of these for my home. 
But Vancouver Island doesn't exist.
Me in the morning. Except I am not drinking coffee in the morning as then I would have to find a bathroom too early in our walk.
Map of our route but not elevations.
I have to say we have not been sleeping well but this night took the cake. We shared a room with two teachers from North Carolina. Now Roz said she snores and I have witnessed it but not so bad that earplugs didn't work. Well the lady above me put most snorers to shame. It was so loud that Roz was across the room and had a pillow over her head. 
Tomorrow Pamplona.









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bratislava

Image
The most photograghed statue in Bratislava. Cumil known as "The Man at Work" or "The Watcher". Rumour has it that he is a sewer worker who is taking a rest or who is looking up the ladies skirts. He was right across the street from our apartment. There is so much graffiti in Bratislava. It is a shame as it is on the ancient as well as newer walls. We arrived early before our apartment was ready so we went for food. Roz has introduced me to homemade lemonade.  Around the corner from our place was a pirate candy store. So many types of candy. Even Lego bricks. The entrance hall to our apartment. Roz done qvlgood finding this one. It is right in the heart of old town. Beautiful staircase to the upper floors. Hi Wes. We are on the 3rd floor. Looking out the living room window in our apartment. There is a courtyard between us and the set of apartments on the adjacent street. ...
Read more

SOS On Another Adventure

Image
So like two young carefree adults, Ed and I are setting out on a new adventure. The SOS team, Roz and myself, have decided to add two addtions to our team. Our husbands, Ed and Wes. Roz and Wes have been in Europe for several weeks already, enjoying their obsession with curling and bonspieling in the most amazing places. We are meeting them in London at Victoria station to continue on the journey with them. I am hoping all the tricks I learned last year from Roz will help me navigate getting to the train to take us to Victoria Station. Unlike when we were young and backpacking now technology makes things so much easier. Early morning start at Departure Bay. Of course on our flight, Ed found a young mom with a baby and gave her some relief by holding on to a baby who just wanted to move and won't have a nap. We ended up having a bunch of people passing little Rowan around and mom was able to have some adult conversation. No sleep on the plane. We ...
Read more

Porthmadog to Caernarfon

Image
After, William Madocks constructed the 1.6 kms seawall, now known as The Cob, he inadvertently formed a natural harbour. It did not take him long to realize the potential of the channel. Porthmadog was built to house the port workers but also the flourishing shipbuilding trade. Between 1830-1913 over 300 ships were built here. With the harbour, came the need to replace horse-drawn slate cars bringing slate from mines and quarries in the mountains to the wharves in Porthmadog to be shipped around the world. A narrow-gauge railway was built called the Ffestiniog Railway that was fed by various tramlines from the quarries. Still later the Welsh Highland Railway was added. We took a ride on this section of railway. Cenotaph across from our accommodations in Porthmadog. The mountains behind our accommodations. The Garth Calvanistic Methodist Chapel that is abandoned then slated for apartment conversion but is now an eyesore. It is a lovely buildin...
Read more