June 3 - Montblanc and Borges Blanques

Anna and her mom took me on a lovely tour of Montblanc, the village where Guillem grew up about an hour outside Barcelona. This is the Plaza of Saint Francis.






In this next photo, we are standing in front of the Gate of Saint George who slayed the dragon. This is one of the entrances into this medieval city. You can still see the old walls and Roman aqueduct.

 

 Can you imagine growing up in an ancient village like this with magnificent churches and medieval walls, bridges and aqueduct? So different from the U.S., especially the west coast.



 Can you see the old remnants of this city among the newer?

 

 We enjoyed a lovely dinner outside in the plaza at El Mallol. I love dining in Spain! I can't get enough of al fresco dining and the free-flowing local wine here.

Amazingly, my jet leg wasn't too bad - just a twinge of tiredness started kicking in as I continued to enjoy my first day in Spain with a quick tour of Anna's nearby village Borges Blanques too - just 10 or 15 minutes away by car. This is the lake that Anna has memories riding around and around and around! There were a few lovely places around this lake to sit and enjoy the long, warm summer evenings in this peaceful rural city.



We finally returned to Anna's childhood room and slept in matching twin beds in her room decorated with photos of Anna from middle school. We laughed because I have essentially the same picture (of myself) hanging up in my parents' house - where she visited a couple years ago! I slept like a rock after the lovely and long first day of our camino!









 

June 12-Samos to Sarria 15km

We got an early start today because the monastery in Samos kicked us out at 6:30am. After a breakfast of blood sausage sandwiches at the Catalunyan restaurant Victoria across the street, we started walking by 7:30 or so. Anna enjoyed talking with the owners. We wish them well! They just started this family business.

 

We had a shorter day today due to tired feet and the beginnings of blisters, also because we heard all lodging was already booked up in the next town Barbadelo. I think our walk was about 15km today, with many more route markers and pilgrim monuments now.

 

The monastery albergue in Samos-we both had top bunks. Don't fall out of bed and good luck getting up there!

 

See you later, Samos!

Am I starting to look legit? Anna and I now walk with palos (walking sticks) just like Santiago (St James) and other peregrinos (pilgrims). This was a monument we passed leaving Samos.

 

 

On the way...There are now many markers like this-all through Galicia.

 

Hanging out with the king in front of our not-so-good lunch place in the plaza of Sarria.

Just saving a life after lunch...

 

The old church where we need to get our sellos (stamps) to prove we have walked the last 100km. This is the start of that pilgrimage!

June 4-to Astorga by train

I somehow managed to have an excellent night sleep and woke up refreshed at 7:30. Have I escaped jet lag? Anna's mom served us a lovely breakfast and we were off to catch the 9:40 train to Lleida and then to Astorga.

 

We waited for the train to Astorga....

 

The countryside was beautiful for the 5 hour ride.

 

We made it!

 

And immediately had no idea where we were...

 

But we soon found our way to the historic chocolate factory In a gorgeous mansion Astorga is known for-sweet!

 

We had a lovely dinner of octopus grilled in chorizo and squid with a lemony tartar sauce in the plaza.

We even found a great place to stay-Siervas Maria-check out the medieval wall outside the window-excellent first night!

 

 

June 5-Astorga to Rabanal

We got an early start-6am from Astorga. We had an excellent night at a historic pilgrim hospital now hostel -Servieras de Maria.

 

I immediately left my water bottle behind when I took that photo-Soy una patata!-as Anna would say. My life was spared when we encountered Bar Cris in Rechivalde by 10am. Cafe, orange juice, churro. I will be ok!

 

Our earlier search for water in Valdeviejas did not result in water, but check out this excellent pair of storks in their nest. This was a great detour!

 

Anticipating the Trip

Hi, friends, Anna and I will embark on our grand walk with Anna flying to Barcelona on Friday. I will make it to Barcelona on June 3 after spending a lovely night in Istanbul with my cousin, where I will get to meet his new baby.

We will begin the walk on June 3, currently with a plan to drive to San Sebastian en route to our starting point - Oviedo. We plan to follow the Northern route along the northern coast of Spain, but in case of inclement weather, we may head south to the French Route.

We are planning to walk until June 19th or 20th, at which time I will make a quick exit home for Lincoln's birthday on June 22nd. This has all the makings for a great adventure. Tune in for photos, detailed accounts of our escapades, and perhaps even some philosophical thoughts - we will be on a pilgrimage of "vinitos y tapas" after all. Pack towels, blister aid, and sleep sacks. Check! We are nearly ready to go!