Walking the Camino de Santiago
Past fields and pastures, past cemeteries and hermitages, past farmsteads and ruins, I walked with Patrick that morning. We talked about why we were on the Camino, about our painful pasts, our hopes for the future, and the last wish of his dying wife. Patrick’s time on the Camino was short, but he would return in subsequent years to finally […]
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After leaving Torres del Río, we were treated to a gorgeous view across the green fields and the snow-covered mountains beyond to the north. In my journal, I characterized this stretch as a beautiful and easy walk. Date: 07 April 2013Place: between Torres del Río and Viana (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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On our way out of Torres del Río, we ran into a flock of chickens. They seemed indifferent to us, as have most animals on the Camino. Except barking dogs. Always some of those. Not here, though. Them’s chickens. Northern Spain, where the Camino runs, is mostly rural, and there are a lot of animals here: sheep, cows, goats, horses, […]
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Although it’s difficult to tell except at the highest magnification, this is a photo of a dog sticking it’s nose under the corner of a door. It clearly wants to get out and into the fresh air. Seems appropriate for today. Date: 07 April 2013Place: Torres del Río (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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For those following closely, this 12th century octagonal church in Torres del Río may remind you of Santa María de Eunate. Indeed, both are reportedly Templar churches, though there is maddeningly little evidence to support this long-held tradition. Someday, I hope to go inside. On both occasions I’ve been through here it was locked up tight, and the person who […]
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From the hill town of Sansol, it’s just one hill over to the hill town of Torres del Río, seen here from Sansol. There’s a river between them, but it really does seem like you could just string a long bridge from one town to the next. Date: 07 April 2013Place: Sansol (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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Solely based on the coat of arms above this shabby door, this was once the grand house of some noble family. These days, like much of rural Spain, it’s a bit run down and in need of some love and care. As I mentioned yesterday, many of the older buildings here are constructed on this lovely red limestone. Date: 07 […]
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And we’re back! These arms are found on the side of an imposing, if rather plain, stone building in the hill town of Sansol. They are the arms of the Melgar family, and the building has the rather grand name of Palacio Melgar. Although it’s made of the same red sandstone one finds all over Navarra, for some reason in […]
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You may have noticed that I’ve not been posting our “Camino Photo of the Day” recently. There’s a story behind that. We’ve been in South Lake Tahoe in Nevada. Oh, not for any vacation – well, not really. We were there to complete our training as hospitaleros. But I’m getting slightly ahead of myself. Prologue: Virginia City We arrived at […]
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The kilometers flew by, and before we knew it, we were at the town of Sansol. It’s 9:30am, and we’re all feeling strong. Might be time for second breakfast! Date: 07 April 2013Place: approaching Sansol (Navarra, Spain) Maps!
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