Author: NewlifeDn

by

90 days & 1,800 kms

It’s been three months since I began my pilgrimage and it’s not over yet! I’m now about to enter Galicia heading toward Santiago itself! 😄

On reaching Cruz de Ferro the other morning, I placed at it’s base the stone which I’d carried from Switzerland! A symbolic act which had real effect! 😊

  

  

by

Navarra a Rioja a Castilla y León

 I crossed the Pyrenees June 2 and entered Spain with hundreds of other pilgrims, stretched out on a line like ants on safari! Luckily I’m not always walking with a crowd and each has the solitude of walking alone during the journey!

 
Having spent my first week in Spain walking through the province of Navarra, I arrived in Logroño during a festival, traveling a sensible 20 kms or under per day; that’s all I want in this heat (now on average nearly 30• C daily, becoming changeable however)

  
In addition, I actually like this pace, I take many rest breaks, drink liters of water and eat well! It’s a beautiful country to walk through and the villages are quiet and quaint, each with a small café or bar to sit outside and relax!

  
Today I’m taking a rest day in Groñón, since I’ve been on the move for 11 days without a day off! I’ve no particular schedule to keep, unlike some others who have planes to catch at the end! So I just take it easy and enjoy the whole experience of the Camino, which continues to be magical! 😊

  

by

End of stage 2…

Today I arrived in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, over 700 kms from Le Puy and the last stop before crossing the Pyrenees into Spain! I’ve covered a distance of 1,209 kms since leaving Lausanne and I will now take two days off…

…to recover from having overdone it last Tuesday, when quite inexplicably, as my eyes became glazed over having seen the Pyrenees up close and personal for the first time, and thinking I’d already arrived at the frontier, I thought it a good idea to go racing off like a cheetah! 😳

The result of which is tendinitis in my right leg, something I know a little about with my left leg before Le Puy! So lots of rest and arnica for a couple of days before starting off again! 😊 I will definitely  put the brakes on now…besides I am finding this Camino so enjoyable!

  
  

by

Half way to Santiago

A few days ago I passed the 1,000 kilometres mark from Lausanne, leaving me half-way on my journey! I am yet to arrive at the jumping-off point for Spain but I’m in sight of the Pyrenees! 😄

I’ve been travelling for nearly 50 days and expect to arrive at the border within a week or so!

Please keep following my progress and help me in supporting the animals at The Farm Animal Sanctuary! Thank you all in advance! 😃

  
   

  
 

by

One third to Santiago

Today I arrived in Figeac having walked 25 kms from Livinhac-le-Haut, taking me past 700 kms and leaving another 1,300 kms to go! Of that there’s another 500 kms before I reach the Pyrenees. So no rush…

Tomorrow is my bi-weekly rest day, so I’m keeping within myself and not overdoing it! 😄

  
  
  

  
  

by

Past the 600 kms post

Yesterday afternoon I arrived in Espalion, a lovely old town with a roman bridge. I’ve now covered 600 kms since leaving Lausanne, way back on 4 April! 😊

I’ve met countless walkers, pilgrims and even cyclists, and it’s been a real adventure so far! More to follow as I head south-west towards the Pyrenees! 😄

  
   
   

by

End of stage 1…

Some would call each day a stage like a bike race, except it’s not a race, competition or marathon, it’s a journey into self-healing, a voyage I chose to undertake, not exactly sure where it would lead me; but I am finding out! 😉

That single rest day wasn’t enough to clear my leg up, so I’m taking two more days here in Le Puy-en-Velay to get some strength back and recuperate. I’ve adjusted my pace to a much slower and precise method, first because I had to when my leg was hurting, but now I consciously do it and it is more enjoyable! 😄

So stage 1 is complete, having covered just under 450 kms in 3 weeks. Next will come stage 2, from Le Puy to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a distance on the Camino of around 730 kms. I’m not suggesting any timeframe here cause I don’t know! That will be followed by stage 3, the final 800 kms to Santiago de Compostela. 

I think I once said that hiking/trekking for me was like meditation, well walking the Camino can be too, I walk and I meditate, it’s incredibly liberating! 😊

  

 

   

by

Rest day…

It was inevitable I suppose, that after nearly 400 kms I would begin to tire, and so it has proved! Yesterday when I awoke I felt extremely weak and with a sore throat, lacking energy and a little motivation; I guess it may have been beneficial to rest last week instead of pushing on as I have! 3 days in the week were over 30 kms and that is the last time I attempt such elongated stages! 😊

I’m taking my rest day in Montfaucon-en-Velay staying in a small family run hotel! It’s just what I need after 2 and a half weeks of walking! Yesterday on the Chemin I met up with many others whom I’ve seen before, but in the end I had to say I couldn’t continue. They stayed in a gite and continued on this morning…some will be stopping in Le Puy-en-Velay, others carrying on just like me, to Santiago!

I had a really good sleep last night and I’ll be stronger after today , just lounging around, studying my guidebooks and practicing Spanish! 😄

  
  

  

by

Past 300 kms mark…

Saturday I arrived in St-Prim overlooking the Rhone river valley! Over 30 kms covered and the last time I’ll do such a slog! In fact I’ve done it 3 times this week and that’s too much! 😁 so I’ve decided to limit my stages to roughly 25 or so kms or under from now on! 😊

I’m motivated for my own personal journey and whenever I pass farmland and see cows or sheep or goats in the field, I’m motivated for the animals too! Please help me to help The Farm Animal Sactuary! Thank you! 😊

🐂🐖🐓🐇🐐🐃