Walking the Camino de Santiago
There’s just something about a cloister that invites contemplation – and photos. They are, after all, meant to evoke Eden. This is the cloister of the Monasterio de la Magdelena, now an albergue rather than a monastery. Spain’s government seized all Spanish churches and monasteries in the 19th century in their own version of what Henry VIII did in Britain. […]
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After circumnavigating about 75% of the great Royal Monastery of Samos, we finally arrived at the albergue! It would probably have been shorter if we’d gone the other way, although I suspect that we might have run into some trouble with the course of the river. We were so happy to finally find it! Time for a shower. Date: 26 […]
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As we continued circumnavigating the great Royal Monastery of Samos, we eventually passed the main entrance. It faces on to a long, curving road with a steep, walled embankment. Although the entrance is quite grand, it’s actually impossible to see it unless you’re right in front of it, as we are here. For the record, the small door to the […]
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Yesterday, amid a drenching rain, the Puerta Santa, or Holy Doors, of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela were closed. These doors are open only during the Jacobean Holy Year or a Jubilee Year declared by the Pope. So what is a Jacobean Holy Year? Simply, it’s any year when the Feast of Saint James, 25 July, occurs on a […]
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This Sacred Heart door sign is just a reminder that Galicia is a Catholic country. I keep meaning to get one of these when we’re in Spain, but I never seem to be able to find a place that sells them. Date: 26 April 2013Place: somewhere between Triacastela and Samos (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of Lugo, […]
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The contrast between the gate in front and the little bridge in back could not be more stark. I leave you to decide which you prefer, but this texture of new and old, organic and geometric is one of the things I love about northern Spain. Date: 26 April 2013Place: Triacastela (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of […]
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This might very well be my favourite Camino photo, one that sums up so much of the Camino experience. Francine walks the misty Way, somewhere between Biduedo and Filloval. It always reminds me of Bilbo’s Old Walking Song. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Biduedo and Filloval (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)
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My beautiful bride walks the misty Camino paths of Galicia, full of mystery and promise. Even now, I can easily call to mind the romance and adventure of this day, and I am reminded of the liturgical principle that sacred things are veiled. Date: 26 April 2013Place: between Fonfría and Biduedo (Province of Lugo, Galicia, Spain)Today started: Fonfría (Province of […]
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The tiny hamlet of Fonfría has a population of four humans and probably four dozen cows. Nevertheless, it also has this lovely little albergue. A small group of us piled in here at the end of a long day, including (in addition to Francine and myself) Anja from Germany, Iain from Scotland, and Isabel from Korea. For reasons lost to […]
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Is it a gate? A sort of screen door? I don’t know, but I very much would love one as a screen door at Pistachio House. I don’t normally go for this sort of art, but I find this delightful. Date: 23 April 2013Place: Fuentes Nuevas (Region of El Bierzo, Province of León, Castilla y León, Spain)Today started: Molinaseca (Region […]
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