Destination Santiago Peregrino 60

 Elda - Sax - Santa Eulalia - Villena NOTE: Please read the Orito - Elda post FIRST then this one. Sadly I couldnt change the order on this blog... oops... An earlier start today we left home just before 6 am and our Support Crew dropped us at the Ermita San Anton around 6.30 am and we were on our way. As we climbed out of Elda up past the Hospital and into the countryside once more we had a fabulous sunrise view. We aimed to make as much progress as possible before the expected 35 degree midday temperature arrived! The guidebook needed to be followed carefully on this section as there a lot of interescting tracks and a little used road or two to negotiate. However soon after we had a limbo experience passing under the pipe show below there was a hitch. By now we could see Sax Castle in the distance so we began to become a little more excited and our steps quickened.  However, w e were dutifully following the guidebook only to discover that the track petered out into a jungle...

 Day One Many pilgrims choose to begin at the Basilica de Santa Maria in Alicante and obtain their first "sello" there. However we started out at 7.30 am during a Spanish heatwave and well before the Basilica was open. The Cafe opposite didn't have a stamp so we just moved onwards following the guide - which is good on this opening section, we passed through the famous "Mushroom Street" and having tried cafes, shops and a bank seeking a sello, all without sucess, the Camino provided! A  Valencian Government building was open, the IVAJ, an Albergue of the Instituto Valenciano  de la Juventad. The front desk staff were delighted to provide us with a stamp, even more so when I said it was "El Primero Sello". We were relieved as the stage beyond Alicante has no real opportunities for a stamp before Orito - our destination later in the day 25 km down the track. We stopped for water just before passing the Cimentario de Nuestra Senora del Remedio. The poet M...

 Camino del Sureste Well a lot has happened since the last Camino four years ago. I have retired, run a few half marathons, moved to the countryside in the province of Alicante, Spain, learned how to cultivate our olive trees, make olive oil from our own olives and begun to learn a little Spanish. Having seen a number of Camino signs locally in Aspe, and visited Pilar de la Horadada which is the starting point of the Rana del Sureste and looked at the map of Camino routes across Spain which sits on the wall above my desk... ...and knowing Sam - a friend on mine-  who has also walked a Camino (Ourense to Santiago), was coming to visit... you can probably work out what's coming next... ...as you will know if you have made a Camino to Santiago it reels you back in to come once more, to learn a little more, to see rather than to glimpse, to appreciate rather than take for granted, to be a little closer to God And so it was that on Thursday 18th June we began outside the Basilica d...

Those of you who have followed this blog for a while (since 2018) may recall that I missed out the Burgos to Leon section because of blisters. So feeling blessed now it is completed. We had a great time walking and saw lots of new sights. There were some personal bests and achievements too. If you include the sightseeing it's at least 225 km maybe a little more. Glad to report that the cafe Albany opposite the Cathedral is still open and serving good coffee and giant Pan de Chocolat. The view is arguably the best for an urban coffee shop. Don't forget to celebrate your achievements with someone, however big or small they may be. They are your blessings. Your moments. Ultrea! 

This picture needs few words. We are walking through La Meseta, a vast grain growing area of Spain. There are wheat fields and poppies in abundance. In another part of Europe there are even vaster wheat fields, and sadly, bloodshed the same colour as the poppies. Small wonder perhaps how this direction sign has been renewed. Check out the colours, the statement and if you are the praying kind, offer yours for the peace that is so badly needed. For those whose lives are blighted beyond all normality. 

Today we arrived at Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos, approximately 150 km into our journey from Burgos to Leon on the Camino Frances. Today we had chosen to start a walk along the longest remaining Roman Road in Spain still used. It is mainly a pebbled, dirt track. We shall follow that to Mansilla de las Mulas. We have stayed in a variety of Albergues along the way, but none in such a state of renewal as this one. Indeed, when we arrived we thought it was "cerrado" - closed. Fortunately there were 6 beds only and we were able to have the use of two. It was basic with a loo, a shower and few power sockets. The Spanish Hospitalero - host - was able to find me an extension lead to enable me to use my CPAP machine. We can see that the improvement works will result in a first class Albergue, renewed, extended, facilities all much better than they were. It is a converted school building. I guess our lives sometimes need that kind of treatment too, helping to make us more able, more l...