Pilgrims on the Way

Here we see Patrick walking into not-quite-gale-force winds. We were fortunate that the terrain was so easy and the scenery so beautiful, because this was a day where Patrick, Viola, and I were tested to the limit. We began to babble to each other about the mythical town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. The more we walked, the more […]

Although it was an insanely windy walk that afternoon, when I think of the Camino, when I think of Spain, this is the landscape that leaps to mind. In many ways, in my imagination this is the Camino. Is it typical terrain on a typical day? Not really. But there you go. Date: 09 April 2013Place: between Azofra and Santo […]

Maybe you can tell from the bent grass or, better yet, some of the trees in the distance. It’s windy. We’re walking into a headwind here that was officially listed at 30 to 40 kph. Patrick from Florida, though, thought they were much stronger, comparing them to the kind of wind you get in a full-on tropical storm. Today we […]

After a lovely lunch, consisting of a bocadillo and a beer, we set off again along the Way. And we quickly ran into the mother of all headwinds. Still, a beautiful afternoon for it. That’s Petra and Eamon ahead. Date: 09 April 2013Place: Azofra (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Ventosa (La Rioja, Spain)

Lunch! It looks like this place has all the bases covered. Certainly, while we were in Azofra, we all popped in and grabbed something to eat here. I recall the same in 2016. Here, Viola and Eamon lead the pack. Date: 09 April 2013Place: Azofra (La Rioja, Spain)Today started: in Ventosa (La Rioja, Spain)

Here we see Patrick and Petra walking through the village. We’re looking for lunch. Azofra is not large; the Calle Mayor is the Camino itself, and there are only a handful of other streets at all. It almost looks like a Hollywood set, but there’s something very homey and lived-in about the place. Date: 09 April 2013Place: Azofra (La Rioja, […]

Apologies for the dearth of posting lately. We’ve been working on the “Big Clean” of our property and buildings here at Pistachio House, and it involved a dumpster and more physical labour over a longer period than I’ve done in years. The dumpster is full, and the city is taking it away today, so let’s get back to it, eh? […]

Somewhere over that rise, we expected to catch sight of the town of Azofra. The locals were as anxious as we that we arrive safely, so much so that they wanted to make quite sure we didn’t wander down the side road and miss their town entirely. Not likely, with lunch looming. Date: 09 April 2013Place: between Nájera and Azofra […]

Here we see Patrick walking through the farms and vineyards of La Rioja. That red clay is emblematic of the Meseta, though he haven’t quite reached it yet. Although the sign says 580km to Santiago, I’m pretty sure this was the second sign we passed with the same number on it. Date: 09 April 2013Place: between Nájera and Azofra (La […]

After a few kilometers the strange, cliff-like rock formations to either side of the path (seen in the previous photo) gave way to broad valleys and endless skies. A good way to spend the morning. Our two Germans may be seen in this photo: Bavarian Petra on the left and Berliner Viola on the right. Date: 09 April 2013Place: between […]