Ponferrada to Finisterre - August 2025
03
Sep
Here we Go
Morning All – Southampton Airport and Looking like its time for today’s second leg flight.
Not saying i...
04
Sep
1500 metres – straight up
Early basque tortilla at Col d’Orisson –
already in excellent company
04
Sep
25k up – just 2k down ….. How does that work?
Buen Camino – the hardest day I can recall – 13kg pack – mucho pain . Now reduced to 8kg ( big package on the ...
05
Sep
Wardys Favourite 11.00 am feast
Una Caña por favor. A Small beer and fresh Spanish warm tortilla – with good company
Love Navarre !
...
05
Sep
Pains & Gains
Pain – it’s not the steps – it’s the floors
Other than that. – all good : Knees fine : Back has to be g...
06
Sep
Up early for Pamplona
Up in the dark and out by 7 AM to reach plaza Del Toro . Being in the last of the Pyrenees Foothills this earl...
06
Sep
Pamplona – Lunchtime- No Bull
The trail to Pamplona is remarkable but arriving there is so much more.
The fortified old city walls …..
...
06
Sep
International – Pop Translation
“What is this ?- ” 500 miles and No Proclaimers” on your blog ”It’s a long story…… hopefully one of ...
06
Sep
Albergue = Hostal
But if you think Hostal = Cheapo . Think again .Hostal 10€ , Dinner 10€ – and its fab . Wine inc’Alb...
07
Sep
Through Navarre
With the Pyrenees behind us hey beautiful hike through the farmlands of Navarre .
15 km before breakfast to...
07
Sep
Sierra Del Perdon – International version
Sziasztok sracok fenn vagyunk a blogon es a hegyen
The girls insist on being on the blog so all the friends...
07
Sep
To Puente la Reina
A warm welcome after a relatively easy day – flat last 4 hours after the amazing Perdon . Medieval town – stun...
08
Sep
Heading for Rioja
A startling change in heat , climate , colour of soil as I pass over the famous bridge
And one for the ...
08
Sep
Estalla + Pain & Gain # 2
Firstly – Pain – I just found the stats from the first days walk – St Jean to Roncevalles a real baptism of fi...
09
Sep
A Town where the One Horse left 😆
To Los Arcos – a town the size of a large English village , restaurants 1 , nightlife 0 – – consists of well p...
11
Sep
Hemingway Sunday Edit # 1
This will have to be an Edit as it started as simply as a long day could – our first 30km … AND … my 23rd wedd...
11
Sep
A Day …. where nothing happened😳
I suppose it’s a good counterbalance to yesterday.
Dusty – long , humid , foot injuries ( others) , not so ...
13
Sep
Camino People
When the way is unremarkable – it’s the people who make it ….
Heather Goodall and Carine – Fabulous Ladies ...
14
Sep
Extremes
From 8′ C to 28’C in a Day – starts dark / Raining .
We left the Alberques Quattro Cantons in Belorado in t...
15
Sep
Ice Cold in Burgos
From Atapuerca before Sun Up was a good move for our timetable ….. but crystal clear and very cold – somehow t...
17
Sep
High Plains Drifter
Day behind Blogging – this is yesterday:-
From Burgos in a chilly dawn and surprisingly quickly into the me...
18
Sep
You say Meseta , …. 🎶
Today !! – This supposedly bleak part of the Camino is something that’s imposing its grandeur on us all . This...
18
Sep
Boadilla del Camino to Carrión de los Condes
We leave our Alberque with its quirky sculpture-
And within the first cold hour encountered a rainbow …...
20
Sep
Half Way
With the medieval GPS a little hazy I either passed the half way mark this morning or definitely by the time I...
20
Sep
Even a desert has its moments.
And so it is with the Meseta . Can’t believe it but it’s growing on me . Covered 25k today – didn’t notice it ...
21
Sep
They really still use that stuff ?!
It’s another feature I have overlooked as it’s become commonplace. Considerable parts of the small villages we...
24
Sep
Lost Blogger Returns ….
….. Through a melánge of Wine , Beautiful people , 42 hours without sleep and fond farewells the blog became c...
25
Sep
Midnight Bus to …….
….. ah well – it’s early evening – I’ve got 5 hours to go – it’s been a blast – so how to end it ? .
– this...
28
Sep
Remote Editing …. & Post Camino Separation Disorder 😳
Well I’m in England – but via Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and whatever means are available I get messages da...
28
Sep
Cruz de Ferro
This place might be the best example of “function over form“ I have come across.
Cruz de Ferro – can’t be a...
29
Sep
Farewell Castille and Hola ! Galicia
For those still travelling – Contributing today are Brigitta , Carmen with a cameo from Joss King ……. These da...
02
Oct
Galicia – Where ?
….. 2 words – Green Spain
Think Portugal and up a bit. Or Ireland and down a lot, which isn’t quite as daf...
28
Jun
The Night Before the Night Before 🍻
Hard to believe that Camino # 2 is here . Sunday July 1st sees the restart in León – …….. here ……. ...
03
Jul
To León and Beyond
Getting here was fun – especially at 180 MPH – love these trains …
...
06
Jul
Into the Mountains
Hospital de Orbigo to Fóncebadon.Apologies for getting behind on the Blog – I blame it on blisters ...
07
Jul
Feet , Feat & Football & knights Templar & Cruz de Ferro
2 Days Worth here – Well – it’s been a day – watched the match in a bar of localness! I asked if I ...
10
Jul
🎶 River Deep – Mountain High 🎶 :- 👣 or 🚲 or 🐎
Where to start ? Get a coffee- it’s a long one .Ok there are 3 ways allowable to make Camino – and ...
13
Jul
The Final Countdown
……a milestone – for sure ! …. that’s the last 100k . A popular route & distance for people want...
19
Jul
Terminus ⛪
From coffee in Melidé to tiny Ribadiso da Baixo – the usual 20 houses – 5 picturesque ruins – the o...
22
Jul
🎥 After the Credits Roll
……… you know that moment in the Cinema – where the audience have got up to leave – and half way thr...
20
Mar
巡礼者が返す Junrei-sha ga kaesu
It’s been a while – I’m heading to Shikoku to link my last Camino to one a little further afield.Fo...
25
Mar
🇯🇵 Opposites
It’s a tough call to find a suitable word that could span a city that has so many opposites. This is 48 hours ...
28
Mar
First Steps on the Shikoku 88 …… 🇯🇵
First Steps on the Shikoku 88 …… March 28, 2019 / caminoramblings.comFirst Re-Packing – City to Hik...
03
Apr
The Real Deal & The Pacific
The Real Deal & The PacificApril 3, 2019 / caminoramblings.comThe vast mechanics of keeping the...
05
Apr
Into the Shikoku Mountains
The Iya ValleyI’m beginning to see what appeals about this island – both the cities and the rural l...
09
Apr
Cats , Cars , Saké & Kochi
Coming to an end of the parts of the 88 Temple route that we chose to take . Back to Tokyo after th...
14
Apr
🍒 B+ Positive 🍒
Timing is everything – a week either side and you’ll miss it ………. the all consuming annual cult of ...
27
May
“Bom Caminho”
Spelt that way it can only mean one thing – we are back on the original way – this time the Camino ...
27
May
Day 1 – Ponte de Lima to Rubiães
The hidden story behind today is the ascent of the Alto de Portela Grande . I must admit to being w...
27
May
Day 2 – Rubiães 🇵🇹 to Tui 🇪🇸
We’re excited to see what the day holds – a forecasted 29 degrees means we’re out before 7.00am . T...
30
May
Days 3 & 4 – 🥾 Tui ~ Porriño ~ Redondela ⛱
As promised – to give the girls some recovery time ; the day started 8:30 am – in an Artisan Tui ba...
30
May
Day 5 : The Way to Pontevedra 🏰
We leave “The Goat ” just after Sun Up and head through Arcade which is again a place you could spe...
31
May
Day 6 : Hot Foot to Caldas da Reis
You can see that one of the main influences that is changing our daily routine is the amazing weath...
03
Jun
Day 7 : Popping to Padròn
Sun rise ……. The whole country seems to be holding its breath – people moving slower . It looks lik...
04
Jun
🥾 Return to Santiago 🏰 & Ascension Party 🎉 2019
Hard to believe that by the end of today we’ll be standing in Cathedral Square.It’s odd – I do / bu...
06
Jun
🎉 “Domingo Gordo”🎉
Hard to believe we’ve only been here 24 Hours – from first sight yesterday through silent quaint vil...
26
Jun
🚂 Day 10 : We-Go Vi-Go 🚂
Pre-Dawn ……and like the Caministas we now are ; we regretfully but swiftly pack up our apartment ...
17
Sep
Dawn over Bolton 🇫🇴- Dusk over Galicia 🇪🇸
Travel day to the Camino Inglés – & &
A long day of connections ….. from
To …….
Wi...
18
Sep
Day 2 – Ferrol to Xubia
I intended to have a shorter first day – 18 K to break my feet inDark at the start with a cool Atla...
19
Sep
Narōn to Pontedeumé
Getting into the swing of things now – up at 6 am – apply “moleskin” a padding to tender areas of f...
21
Sep
Autumn follows
Mists and Fruit – such an Autumn theme and everywhere today .Leaving Campolongo as the early worker...
21
Sep
🎶 Singing in the Rain 🎶
I once saw a description of Galicia . The first question was – where!? . The second was – what?Well...
25
Sep
Four Seasons to Sigüeiro
So – what Sort of day – faces us :-
* Rain to shine ? ~ Surely
* Dark to light ? ~ Certainly
* Aches ...
30
Sep
Gear & Travel
Yesterday I responded to an interesting question on the premier Camino Forum https://www.caminodesa...
03
Oct
🏃♂️ Siguerio – 2 – Santiago 🕍
An unusual end to to the walking part of my Camino – Yes – Over too Soon ?I suppose it’s because th...
12
Sep
Lakeland “Tri-athlon”
As long as the word triathlon is used in it ls loosest sense then we’re in business . Maybe that sh...
13
Sep
☔️ 10% chance of Rain ☔️
When applied to the Lake District: –Any weather forecasting app needs to understand that the child’...
14
Sep
🎥 Brief Encounter 🎥
Days start was in the stylish understated Cycle Barn . My themed room ? – door shown below had a va...
04
Jul
☔️ Misty Return 🌧
DREICH ! ……
There’s never been a more appropriate description of today’s arrival at WHW ‘Baseca...
06
Jul
🏴 West Highland Way 🏴
July 5th – Under way at last …..
Well , Well my fellow Sassenachs’ …… pleased to report that all went w...
07
Jul
Journey – V – Destination
On this walk , of course it all about what the day holds for us …. but the amazing scenery lead us ...
08
Jul
⚔️ 🏴The Clansman Bar to Beinglas Farm 🥇⚽️
…… otherwise known Rowardenan to Inverarnen . Luckily we have the weather because this is the most ...
09
Jul
Occupation?-Tobogganist
Before I start describing the travels of the day can I skip to the end?The destination is Tyndrum –...
10
Jul
The Great Band of Iain’s
So this is the 9th July a Friday and Luke – the Young Strider heads back home from Beinglas via the...
21
Jul
🥾”Borneo Professional” 🥾
Back again !! – I really do not like to leave a blog unfinished. So the day in question is the 10th...
24
Jul
🥾”Forest” into the Forest🥾
It’s the final day – it’s Sunday 11th July and the prospect of Fort William awaitsSound sleep is ju...
27
Sep
Latin at the Metro
Hadrians Wall – Part 1Today started at 5:30 AM and after some lengthy inter-railing ended up here. ...
27
Sep
First Sight of the Wall
It’s Sunday 26th September – an unusually hot day as the promised deluge moves to tomorrow’s forec...
28
Sep
Boncius & Thomodicus
LOCALY KNOWN AS “CHANGEABLE” Before we go any further – the photographs today look like the sun was...
28
Sep
Sycamore Gap to Lanercost Priory – Sept 28th
Somehow I had forgotten to mention the wonderful jewel in the wall. The immens...
29
Sep
🥾Warm Boots & Bowie 👨🎤
Passing by the immense Lanercost Priory last night in fading light it was diff...
30
Sep
👑 Duke to King 👑
Pub-licist – have you ever wondered what the title would be of someone who recommends good Pubs ? …...
30
Aug
The Tour du Mont Blanc
PREP & PLAN – Aug/ Sept 2022My first thought is to explain why , when on the trail I would normally post d...
31
Aug
Chamonix Les Houches
Passing by the immense Lanercost Priory last night in fading light it was difficult to get photos . It’s r...
01
Sep
Les Contamines to Refuge Bonhomme
Dawn at Refuge Miage – it’s Sept 1st and each day starts with a chill. It’s going to become more noticeable as...
02
Sep
Rambling Unplugged
Here’s where the risks of writing a photo based blog occur.As we leave Bonhomme and happily get 3k up the firs...
03
Sep
Refuge Elisabetta to Refuge Berthone via Courmayer 🇮🇹
Passing by the immense Lanercost Priory last night in fading light it was difficult to get photos . It’s r...
04
Sep
It’s Starts High & Stays High
Refugio Bertone to Elena – Sept 4th 2022But first – last night 3rd Sept at Berthone – Another one of the famou...
05
Sep
Last of ITALY 🇮🇹 & into Switzerland 🇨🇭
A 2 Rifugio , 1 Helicopter , 2 Country type of day.Sept 5th 2022No decision yet – the Quebecois gro...
06
Sep
Suisse – douze points 🥇
Sept 6th 2022We awaken to one of the most striking dawns. It glows and then sharply illuminates the serrated p...
07
Sep
Trail Songs & Family – Sept 7th 2022
We had a great nights sleep in our 3 bed private loft room at the top of the barn annex at the Relais.Some str...
08
Sep
Last of Switzerland : The High Pass into France
Sept 8th 2022Feeling surprisingly good – no out of the ordinary aches and pains considering we’ve been activel...
09
Sep
Full Circle – End of the Tour
Trains , Hikes and TelécabinesWe have a multi transport treat in store for us today. We need to get under the ...
10
Sep
Chamonix
10th Sept 2022Well mostly the 10th but with a little of the evening of the 9th here too.The kids go for a brie...
08
Apr
Camino de La Cruz de Caravaca
This whole thing started as a reunion weekend with my lovely friends and Caministas . The original duo of Brig...
09
Apr
Murcia
The start of any day , any venture creates a special type of excitement and anticipation, but the first day, t...
10
Apr
Mula to Bullas – a narrow escape
A subtitle to today’s misadventure might be …..Never trust those little dotted lines on Google Maps when they ...
11
Apr
Fiesta de La Primavera
The trick they have mastered in Spain is to hold vast series of fiestas, but only on workdays. That way they w...
12
Apr
Inbetweeners
That’s in between culture, desert, hiking and sightseeing .April 12th – The Day after and the Day of – being a...
13
Apr
Holy City
This is part 1 of today . A lot happened in one day and there’s a natural break between Faith and Frivolity la...
14
Apr
Faith to Frivolity
Basilica to Beach ? – better stop aliterating
This is Final Day part two. We left off as we exited the shri...
12
Sep
Automobiles , Planes , Bus and a V.small Mountain train
4.00 am up – 6.00pm arrival but the journey is so varied it flys by.Liverpool , Dublin , Biarritz, Bayonne Gar...
13
Sep
SJPdP The best little town no one’s heard of
The overcrowded , excitable backpack filled train finally rolled into St Jean pied de Port. The official start...
14
Sep
Cross day / Cross Country blogging
The way this trek is going – we arrive mid afternoon at our Albergue – I have an hour to catch up with this jo...
15
Sep
Roncesvalles to Larrasoana
The Monastery looked after us well – an exuberant atmosphere from all who’d hiked the pass and into the deep v...
17
Sep
Pamplona Saturday – life in a day.
Late-ish on Saturday night . Back at the Alb’’ Plaza Catedral situated on Catedral square – (BTW no ‘h’ for Ca...
18
Sep
Puente la Reina & Farewell to the Irish
Leaving the early Sunday quiet streets of Pamplona through wide green spaces and out through the hill village ...
20
Sep
Town & Country burnt ochre .
Puente la Reine – had more life than expected. We were happy to head through the cool early streets –
T...
20
Sep
Old Mill to Palace
The old mill at Estella to the 1703 Palacio at SansolEstella got a bad press from me last time as did Los Arco...
21
Sep
What’s that coming over the hill 🎶 Is it a Wine Festival ?
We’ll bless my scheduling skills – it sure is.Sansol to Logronõ via the lovely Viana Super helpful Dutch Hospi...
23
Sep
San Saturnino – Ventosa from Logronõ at Dawn
The resilience of fiesta prone Spain is due in no small part to the early clean up Crews . Th...
23
Sep
Tail of 2 Hamlets Ventosa to Azofra
The Alberque with the strict curfew has an equally strict check out time. So by 8.00am we are packed , out and...
23
Sep
Tail of 2 Hamlets – Ventosa to Azofra
The Alberque with the strict curfew has an equally strict check out time. So by 8.00am we are packe...
27
Sep
Santa Domingo to Belorado
Sunday 24th Sept 2023Where : The trail since 883AD for penitents , supplicants and occasionally the...
27
Sep
Sabado Noché Domingo Mañana
We 3 appear to have developed a symbiotic trail relationship that suits all.6.00am alarms hardly ever figure i...
27
Sep
Sabado Noché – Domingo Mañana
We 3 appear to have developed a symbiotic trail relationship that suits all.6.00am alarms hardly ev...
28
Sep
Belorado to Olmos de Atapuerca
Atapuerca – we would all have heard this name in the early ‘90’s through to early ‘00’s . A place o...
28
Sep
Cutting the trail on the Atapuerca Massive .
We start at dawn and have a good plan to reach Burgos by Lunchtime . I changed the hotel booking la...
01
Oct
BurgoMeisters
The first daylight start to the day for 2 weeks. Thom the planner is keen to visit the enormous Hum...