Camino de Santiago 2023

  1. Prior to day 1

    28 Apr - 30 Apr After arriving in Madrid, Spain, on April 28th 2023, I took a train to Zaragoza, spent the night there and then bus to Pamplona and spent the night there as well. While looking for a Hostal in downtown Pamplona, I discovered great people whom noticed…

  2. Day 1

    1 May 2023 Irun to San Sebastian Stage: 1 Walked: 27,07 km Planned: 24,8 km Steps: 37,348 I decided to head early for the camino.  I slept the minimum and I couldn’t hold myself in bed a minute longer. I had coffee in a rush and started walking quite early…

  3. Day 2

    2 May 2023 San Sebastian to Zarautz Stage: 2 Walked: 27,59 km Planned: 19,2 km Steps: 36,661  After a long and rewarding walk that felt better than I expected, we reached Zarautz.  Along the way, a lovely dog named “Lei”  walked with a French pilgrim and I for about 5…

  4. Day 3

    3 May 2023 Zarautz to Deba Stage: 3 Walked: 28,54 km Planned: 22,6 km Steps: 40,278  This was a tough day. After leaving Zarautz and the beautiful coastline - and a glimpse of the Flysch rocks (UNESCO Heritage), the third day of walking was challenging to say the least. I…

  5. Day 4

    4 May 2023 Deba to Markina Stage: 4 Walked: 27,45 km Planned: 24,2 km Steps: 38,218 The journey started with me thinking I had left my second  earpiece nd case behind at the Hostal - days later I realized it was in my backpack. Back to the good old wired…

  6. Day 5

    5 May 2023 Markina to Guernica/Pozueta Stage: 5 Walked: 33,53 km Planned: 24,7 km Steps: 48,196 The fifth stage, supposedly from Markina to Guernica, took me instead to Pozueta.  I left the Albergue de Peregrinos very early for what promised to be my first, very long walk of 30 km.…

  7. Day 6

    6 May 2023 Pozueta to Bilbao Stage: 6 Walked: 32,43 km Planned: 31,3 km Steps: 46,529 The day started at 07:56, a bit late for my starting time the previous days. I was feeling exhausted but willing to get to Bilbao and enjoy my well-deserved first day off - despite…

  8. Day 7 (Rest)

    7 May 2023 Rest day in Bilbao “Maintain and Repair”

  9. Day 8

    8 May 2023 Bilbao to Pobeña I left the hostal in Bilbao at 6:00 am. After a bit of a dull and quiet walk through the sleeping city, I headed for Portugalete. I crossed the Nervión river on a high suspended gondola, almost like a ferry pulled by a gigantic…

  10. Day 9

    9 May 2023 Pobeña to Castro Urdiales  Stage: 8 Walked: 26,21 km Planned: 16,7 km Steps: 36,107  The day started with what seemed to be a short walk that turned into a 24km lovely journey, transitioning from el País Vasco to la Region de Cantabria.  The landscapes were simply spectacular,…

  11. Day 10

    10 May 2023 Castro Urdiales to Laredo Stage: 9 Walked: 36,85 km Planned: 30,9 km Steps: 49,605 I started my journey with no stamp in my Peregrino credential as the stamp from the hotel was being repaired. Also, with no blisters - or at least almost cured. I headed out,…

  12. Day 11

    11 May 2023 Laredo to Güemes Stage: 11 Walked: 29,96 km Planned: 28,5 km Steps: 39,538 I started my day with all my clothes wet from the day before. Soaking wet. For the first time in the Camino, I crossed paths with people a bit unfriendly with the peregrines.  For…

  13. Day 12

    12 May 2023 Güemes to Santander  Stage: 11 Walked: 22,47 km Planned: 14,8 km Steps: 30,532 I started the day with breakfast hosted by the two wonderful ladies that greeted me the day before. They were beyond caring and thoughtful with me. I had lovely food and perhaps too much…

  14. Day 13

    13 May 2023 Santander to Peñacastillo (minor accident) Stage: 12A Walked: 14,67 km Planned: 5 km Steps: 19,679 I had the worst night since Irun -when I couldn’t sleep because of my anxiety to begin El Camino.  As I was fighting the pain in my splint, I would intermittently fall…

  15. Day 14 and 15 (Recovery)

    14 and 15 May 2023 Peñacastillo (minor accident) The day after the accident I slept for almost 16 hours. I woke up to one of the saddest days I have had in a long time. I can’t explain. I got a shower in the afternoon and walked back the last…

  16. Day 16

    16 May 2023 Peñacastillo to Santillana del Mar Stage: 12B Walked: 34,21 km Planned: 25,9 km Steps: 43,865  I started my journey at 7:30 after breakfast and right at the same spot where I had my accident three days ago. I was happy with the learnings and I was ready…

  17. Day 17

    17 May 2023 Santillana del Mar to Comillas Stage: 13 Walked: 25,84 km Planned: 22,5 km Steps: 33,931 My nose, lip and knee are healing from their minor bruises. I woke up to a lovely breakfast at the hotel and hit the road quite early.  On my first stop around…

  18. Day 18

    18 May 2023 Comillas to Colombres  Stage: 14 Walked: 32,11 km Planned: 28,9 km Steps: 41,306 The pain in skin beneath my blisters persisted but the blisters started to heal. Thank you universe for the fusidic acid. I woke up very early and headed into town to meet Encarnación. We…

  19. Day 19

    19 May 2023 Colombres to Llanes Stage: 15 Walked: 30,49 km Planned: 25,2 km Steps: 39,929 Encarnación spent the night in La Franca (3 km away from me) and we agreed on meeting at 6:30 so I started still during the early hours (with no daylight) and I got lost,…

  20. Day 20

    20 May 2023 Llanes to Piñares de Pría Stage: 16 Walked: 23,2 km Planned: 20,9 km Steps: 31,860 We left the albergue at 6:30 and walked by the coast where we took the opportunity to visit a beautiful beach (San Martin) and then headed for Naves for breakfast to a…

  21. Day 21

    21 May 2023Piñeres de Pría to La Isla Stage: 17Walked: 28,97 kmPlanned: 27,3 kmSteps: 37,955 With Encarnita, we left at 6:30 and we got lost at least twice. We walked very close to the Picos de Europa and reached Ribadesella, midpoint of my Camino (417 km).  Such an accomplishment!…

  22. Day 22

    22 May 2023 La Isla to Villaviciosa Stage: 18 Walked: 27,33 km Planned: 22 km Steps: 35,47 We left La Isla and in Colunga we had a bite to eat and coffee. We continued the journey in a very smooth, peaceful road with not many services. We stopped a few…

  23. Day 23

    23 May 2023 Villaviciosa to Gijon Stage: 19 Walked: 31,66 km Planned: 31,2 km Steps: 41,722  We headed for Gijon at 6:15. The ascent to the Alto de La Cruz was as demanding as rewarding. The top was covered in fog, quiet as the quietest place on earth and the…

  24. Day 24 (Rest)

    I slept roughly 13 hours. I felt re-energized. I headed for porridge with peanut butter and banana. Then my laundry, haircut, paid my outstanding bills from London, spoke to Ana Maria, scanned my passport for my visa for Malaysia. Busy and relaxing day.  

  25. Day 25

    25 May 2023 Gijon to Aviles Stage: 20 Walked: 32,6 km Planned: 24,7 km Steps: 38,505 I started my day very early. I didn’t have a great night but I felt fully rested. While heading out of town, a senior man yelled at me for help. I approached him to…
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