Current Information

More details later

with an excellent early am hike up at steep hill and it was
gorgeous - the landscape all purple heather and white,
purple and pink broom! outlook fabulous with sweeping green
views in all directions and a bar at the top. then the rain
began and here the men were separated from the women! and
here we was the importance of tech clothes versus clothes
which patricia had! with the rain, vic showed his
preparation with literally all his clothes waterproof so he
is still on the trail completing the last 18 k of today. me
- i couldn´t stand a second more of the insanity and
caught a cab to an ancient auberge where i thought i would
have to climb into bed to warm up and warm up while all my
clothes - all of which i was wearing - were being washed and
dried. a lovely senora loaned me a fleece jacket which i am
wearing with great gratitude! the forecast is for rain all
week and frankly, i may be plotting my way out of here or my
way off the trail! i insisted this camino was not going to
be penance and today this felt like hell & penance!
 the important note - is preparation must include all
technical fibre fabrics if you want to enjoy the various
aspects and elements of the road. first they dry quickly,
secondly they hold their shape and looks - which of course
any walker wants - but finally are designed for technical
weather! today was such an example. of course the choice is
always ours - i opted for not bringing rain pants because of
weight and probability that i would not need them. however
today showed me otherwise! there was a wild run on ponchos
in one mountain town as dozens of walkers spilled into a
store to grab ponchos - literally flying off the shelves.
what tomorrow will bring remains to be seen - still i can
always opt for the 7 am bus to the next town which is a good
possibility and gives an option which is most encouraging.
counting the days, minutes and hours to santaigo and the end
of the trail!
 
 adios! patricia"

this is an expression we have used with our daughter when we realized a situation turned out for the best ... when it could have been otherwise ...

we have determined that we do not enjoy entering or leaving a sprawling city - concrete is a shock after rolling green meadows, the signs and yellow arrows are poorly and infrequently marked, and the sprawl is uninspiring ...

thus i had checked yesterday from the sunny deck of a beautiful aubergue the bus schedule into and through the next large town, ponferrada. the goal is always to use the early morning energy to cover some good distance at the same time to enjoy the natural settings. no sense wasting precious energy walking through a town ... we began this morning taking a bus 15 min into the bus depot of this big town - excellent value for approx $1.50 cdn ... by the time we arrived at the depot, it was raining - doubly uninspiring. meeting another pilgrim lady - canadian at that - we quickly purchased the extra bus fare - $.30 cdn and upgraded to drive us all the way. vic and i shared his meditation music taped into his i-pod touch and the time passed comfortably.

  then waiting for the aubergue to open, we went to a bar, took out our maps and planned the next few days which seem to be perhaps some of the most challenging uphill grades as well as inclimate - that is - rainy weather, as promised for this hike - grind tomorrow am. however, part of the preparaion is knowing what we are in for ... perhaps that will make the going easier!

  probably tomorrow our friend Boyjan from slovania will pass us and head down the camino solo! he has been a fabuous friend and we have shared many hot, stuffy rooms, covered the trail together and shared many stories and laughs. we truly care for him and will miss him. another interesting man last night is an irish catholic missionary priest who is stationed in tanzani, africa. together we looked at the PRIESTS on bojan´s utube and had a ball. later last night there were much snoring in the room although the odds for patricia were 6 men for 1 woman!

  the NOT could have had us still on the trail on this rainy day. instead we are in a cave type room with rock and plaster using the iternet. all in all we are grateful for tender mercies and prepare for this next ... leg ... of the journey.

XXXX please forward this to whomever would enjoy this update. over & out, patricia"

our journey. again i left wrapped in my sleeping bag and
kept covered up until 11 or so in the am. we hiked uphill
for approx 8 k through high mountain meadows covered with
purple heather, white and gold broom and aubergine hills.
truly it was a dusty purple sunrise and food for the soul!
over the course of this day we discovered that uphill is
easier and more satisfying than downhill - which of course
runs against typical logic. however, heading downhill we
have to contend with uneven paths and loose rocks which
meant constantly watching our feet and paying attention.
ultimately i became irritated with the downhill part and
gave voice to the unusual thought that i would prefer
climbing up!
 however i disgress and now swerve to tell you about the
Breakfast of Champions. what you need to know is that we
have never had what we would consider a healthy, substantial
breakfast on the entire trip - and we do not count coffee
and white bread with no butter or jam as healthy. thus this
story takes on greater import when you understand this.
 as we approached the summit of the mountain and the end of
the uphill climb, we could suddenly see a small ancient town
perched on the top! dusty and old and not a soul around. i
walked past a refugio and noticed the big wooden door
soundly shut! i walked past the door - vic was slightly
behind watching the proceedings - and i suddenly turned back
to the door. and opened it! and here was a scene from a
fairy tale ...
 the tired travellers arrive at an old inn - and on opening
the door - find a feast laid out on a table, as if the
innkeeper were waiting for them! expecting them, he had laid
out muesli, fruit, coffee, tea, juice, homemade yogurt,
integral toast - that is - homemade grainy toast and large
pats of butter along with jam and honey! on top of all this,
i ordered an omletta which comes with more toast and jam and
this is magic for the travellers! they are certain that the
gods of the mountain had them in mind when the innkeeper
prepared this bienvenido for them! they marvelled all day
and although they did not care for the downhill climb - the
lovely gift of the camino stayed with them throughout the
day. the breakfast of champions tells them that someone is
watching over their journey and knows precisely when they
need spiritual food as well as wholesome food for their
journey.
 the camino constantly delivers curious gifts!"

Coldest day so far Resting for a big day tomorrow. Learning All Alberque not equal Hostels are cheap hotels with minimal facilities.

Alberque have internet. Cooking areas Internet sometimes blankets that was Patriciaćs concern today

My hip had a small glitch today. but when I see Phillip of France on the hike for the third time I am impressed. Why  he has two hip replacements. The lat time he was here he lost the feeling in his legs. Others are cancer survivors. Others taking a short holiday

Today three gentlemen sending their pack ahead. Walking 20 K Now conclude that one can do 40 K in a day but not recommended. This is what some refer to as the Camino race. Patricia thinks 17 to 23 makes great sense."

Patricia is reporting today.

as we get set for beyond Leon tomorrow.

this computer is on an alarming angle but will persevere ... reminds me of my alarming anklel ... yes, which i have been working around - rather walking around - assuming that more miles on the leg will improve the leg! the camino makes for loco logic!

the programme today - walk 18 k - find - actually with patricia on the manifestation program - manifest a taxi which is no mean feet!

gotcha ... feat! today is domingo sunday and few people out on the roads. anyhow our driver appeared in 1 minute and drove us directly to the private refugio which is marginally ok but what the heck, 8 euros or $11 or so cdn. ah home sweat home --- gotcha 2! any place becomes home sweet home quite quickly - even this one with its metal beds and uninspiring ambience. however, there is a line for laundry and some green grass and soon i will have a cup of hot tea!

  now onto a different subject ... medical care in spain. no one gets to see a doctor without papers ... like our medical plan in BC which means it is essential to have a record of your health plan and all documention eg passport, ID, in order to even get seen at the front desk of the hospital. i needed to get the stitches out of my finger and imagined i could just waltz in, explain with cute spanish that i just needed a little help getting them out, and i would be on my way.

not on your life! as i approached the admin desk i instinctively pulled out my 1-page essential record of ALL MY ID AND medical etc.

info. had i not, there is not a hope in hell that anyone would have given me a minute of their time. as it was, i took the better part of

3 hrs. to work through the paperwork and supposedly have the staff phone the collect call to my cdn insurance co. i estimate that the call would have gone through in canada about 2 am - so i was very thankful to finally be moved through various closed doors in this very sober institutional bldg. and get treated. i had also imagined that i could just pay cash - not on your life. there of course would have been NO PROVISION whatsoever for a foreigner to pay cash, be seen or treated by a medico - MD. showed how naive i was! but learned an important lesson for all of us. stash a copy of your essential credential-information in your pack and also carry one on you at all times. also leave a copy of same information with 1 or 2 contacts at home. err on the safe side!

that´s all she´s going to write today.

adios, patricia"

We are at Carrion de los   Condes in a Hostel (another name for a reasonable hotel) last night was a private Alberque. The options are endless. There was  a monastery where many of our friends stayed (they were way ahead of us as today we had a sleep in and got off around 730) the Alberque claimed to have breakfast. Turned out to be a bowl of coffee and bread or juice too 3 Euros We had our fruit and then got a lunch later on.

One key is to look ahead to see the possible stops. The lady at the Alberque suggested that there would not be many places if any open. Now know that she was a shill for the Albergue and convinced us to stay for breakfast. Hot day but very manageable. tomorrow is the big one.  I find out what is to hike 40 K 17 K before coffee and eat so tonight we prepare. Insight ¨private hostels work but no washing machines¨Many Alberque´s have washers and dryers.

Plan Ahead is for sure the message every day. Water and food and 40 K. Patricia has her plan in order to handle her ankle and shin, and it is working very well. Now to Tony mentioned yesterday. He suggested a year ago that I go on hike with him, and here I am with out Tony who will go next year. My reason for taking in all the distances is to help Tony prepare."

Note from Patricia on April 30, 2010:

we spent the later part of the walk - always the most difficult when the town is in sight but because of the camino mirage - it is always much further away than it looks ... so we must play tricks with the mind ... to settle it down ...

we walked and reviewed the names of pilgrims we met on the camino ... people come and go ... we see them, we don´t, they reappear like magic. so, like chaucer´s pilgrims, here are some thumbnotes on pilgrims´progress ...

andre - fabulously handsome 30+ italian having trouble with his legs, would like to fall in love ben - sunny australian but smart and independent & although ladies love him - walks alone in the am becky - taking a break from job and leaving iffy boyfriend of 4 years - has to slow down due to pain

2 swiss stewardesses ... 1 so happy she is leaving for the camino at 5 am in the manana, her friend is whacked out & not so sure about all of this patsy and rory - amazing old irish couple who are steady tortoises although we lost them 3 - 4 days ago charlotte - from cologne with a group of lady cancer survivors ...

beautiful classy and i am still looking for her to make sure she visits me this summer when she travels from germany to visit her son in kamloops where he is taking an outdoor leadership program ricardo - half full sort of guy but big and determined despite frozen leg, hails from brazil jacqueline - forgot her poles at a bar and had to walk back to retrieve them; gave her the PP program which we are sure she will not forget ... always remember Poles, Pack and don´t leave home without them¨

enough pilgrim´s progress for 1 day. saying good night - over & out, patricia"

Patricia is looking after her Tibialis anterior and hike a little over 20 K before calling the taxi. As she said, ¨If shirley can do it so can I¨ I hesitated and then decided to walk for Tony.

Tomorrow is and easy day, But looking ahead I see a 40 so that will be a challenge. The key is that there are so many ways to do this Camino that every person needs to find their own pace. today I had a couple of firsts

1. I passed a pilgrim, sure I have passed them before but they were stopped. Today I actually went by a young fellow from Italy.

2. Took the rubber tips off the poles.

PPPPP This comes up again and again Prior preparation prevents a poor performance The weight of the sleeping bag is important . Patricia went in to purchase her light weight bag. She passed this on to David and of all things he found one today and was thrilled.

Patricia is helping people left right and center and has even helped a lady with the straps on her pack Our systems are working.

Patricia looks for fruit in the evening. We `plan ahead for early coffee break as we are usually off by 630 Today we found out there will be nothing open for 15 K so breakfast at the private Alberque Vic PS been wondering about towing a trailer with a harness and who shows up`but a guy that just that from Radical design and he has travelled 1500 k started in England in December"

curious language and all we had beautiful experiences in burgos yesterday ... many people we recognize from walking but have not specifically met or talked to. in this case, we had seen and said hello to the polish pilgrim for 10 days = never any real conversation. we recognize each other by the stance, the style and rate of walking. pp = polish pilgrim is a beautiful young man who walks very contained = seems to need none other.  so we were off at the decathlon = large french dept store for sporting goods ... i was there to replace my sleeping bag, buy new lightweight trail runners and thin socks = this takes a leap of faith to give up what we know even though it is not working = and trust something new can be ok or better. so we are at the decathlon which is really like a big sports french costco ... very big box style ... and we meet the pp. we are so excited to meet each other like long lost friends ... no one speaks exactly lo mismo language = the same language ... and we do the best we can. we established that this was good for the heart = to meet each other. pp had traded in his cheap polish runners and was wearing a lightweight hiking boot. he was ecstatic and although he had not appeared to be suffering AT ALL ...

of course he was because his equipment = shoes = were desperate or pathetic. we knew suddenly that this was extremely important for him to buy new shoes or he literally WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT TO SANTIAGO.

all is well ... pp disappears and then finds me in the sox dept = after i had found my own new trail runners ... he had not taken his passport and the dept store WOULD NOT TAKE HIS VISA = could i lend him

-- give him the money he needed to buy and walk away with new shoes.

cançt find the question mark ... smile here ... of course i would have paid for the shoes ... but just before  the relationship had moved to a much deeper more compassionate and heartfelt level ... we were into a totally different relationship. how had i appeared in this BIG BOX store in spain when he needed to see a friend ... for his heart ... and for her money. very curious and this is the mystery and magic of camino. angels appear and take care. very good for everyones corazon ... heart. these are the moments that sustain us on the long and winding road of the camino. humbling, magic, mystical and beautiful.

yes, the camino changes the brain and that, too, is bueno. mis amigo, i now say, goodbye ...

buen camino. patricia"

Population 25 to 27 depending on who you speak with. Stayed in a great private hostel maybe hotel. Patricia has pain in her ankle so decided to take a cab to Butgos which turned out to be a great decision. My walk was great for 20 K and then entered the outskirts of Burgos.

A full 1 hour navigating the town of Burgos population 170,00 That gives us Day 11 complete and now a rest day with 499.5 K left some key learning over the last few days. My buddy Wayne Smith would be proud of me as the water check is working. Be sure the urin is white.

Spoke with Richard from Port Hope last night. He says his walking pace is 6 K an hour (not counting breaks) Interesting to see how fast he goes and last night he hit the wall and his wife (slower went on) My observation to him is that if you run a marathon you go at marathon speed. If you run a 10 K you go at the speed. Not sure he got it but I sure did. The key on training is to do long enough distances with breaks and do at the pace of the Camino.

Patrica has learned this and is practicing it and doing well. Tomorrow is a rest day. Walked with the signing group from France. They stopped to sing on the trip . They sound great in some of the old cathederals. Today they did an out door concert. They are preparing to make a CD.

What a way to walk the Camino.

Wow on the family with mom dad and an 8 and 10 year old daughter and a 78 year old grandmother from Cambridge Ontario. The grandmother set a wicked pace.

Rest day tomorrow.

If any one has any question they would like to ask please contact me AT viclindal[at]gmail.com

Vic"

Seems they had a gentleman who could not walk so he moved ahead and set up the picnics. Oh they were enjoying themselves. Into Belorado and booked into an Alberque hotel (the first place we came to) Great room for 20 Euro each.

Now I will let Patricia give tips and thoughts that have come to mind on this great day.

Vic

Now Patricia

many thoughts on trail tend to vanish in front of the computer ...

however, thoughts like this arose today ...

  i have been training on shorter 5 - 10 - 15 k walks and going at a good clip! once on the camino, i started at this same pace - thinking this was how i walked. however, by today day 9, this pace is simply too fast. i know this because of swollen feet and increasing discomort, fatigue and more to be point, an unmistakable level of early am discouragement. when i slowed my pace as per vic,s suggestion, i not only felt great relief but also a lot of emotion. i had not realized that i was pushing myself too hard. the change of pace brought me to tears and thus i spent the first hour or so, walking a weeping. the message here is that body and soul appreciate being treated with care and compassion. perhaps a message of the camino is proceeding in a more gentle fashion, however we are so used to driving, directing and pushing hard in our business lives it is a dramatic change. and paradoxically we have seen that although we start out at 6 - 30 am there are others - like an elderly couple who start 1 hr later and move at a pace that accommodates his new hip and hew bad knee and blishters, they always manage to meet us on the trail. like the tortoise and the hare - it never fails. another life lesson - we do not have to feel pressured to hurry along the trail ... because we will still get there at the same time. curious and consistent finding.

another thing to trust in life!

  half way through the day i borrowed vic,s sandals and they were heaven albeit quite large. for once no worry about the pressure points on my foot, worrying about how that would play out over the long run - walk - of the camino and actually decided that i would buy a new pair in burgos. taking care of my feet now will be wise in the long run.

also maintain my dolce disposition as well!

bottom line ... listen to your body and do not override its messages! the strong will willl not win the day! also be prepared that all this exercise may produce adrenalin which will keep you wired and tired. thus i am sorry to say that you may have having difficulty sleeping.

over & out. patricia."

My comment is that it is a good idea every 3 months to do a 3 to 4 day simulation hike. (Wayne Desjardins tip) Include everything . Patricia has concluded that the heavy sleeping bag was way to much. Lots of lessons that we will relate as  we go. Oh one more thing and that is what I am about to do. Go out and shop for fruit for the evening and for the morning.

Heading out now.

Back to walking . The work that Sophia did with me is paying off. I even taught a young fellow how to place his feet to get the best advantage. Sophia and Feldenkris education can make a great contribution to walking and cut the hip replacement program.

We took a cab for 8 K today in order to be in town before the banks closed at 2. One more interesting experience was to pick up my new credit card but it had not arrived. No problem if it arrives they will forward to a spot further on the hike. We went to the Municipal Alberque and found it was not in the delightful department so went to a private one and are very satisfied. Every morning we meet many of the people we started with. They pass we pass and then meet again. We are planning ahead for our day 27.6 K tomorrow . Our feet hips and knees going fine.

More tomorrow - Oh in down town Lograno we had a great meal at the Victoria Restaurant

Vic"

just a few quick notes ...

plan on starting the day with fruit at the refugio and plan that no bar cafe may be open until you´ve maybe walked 10 k. by that time, without food, you are verging on the NOT WELL BEING condition. that also comes about without enough water. you cannot override your body´s message - pain and discomfort - because it will only get worse. try to get anything grainy - bread although hard to find, oatmeal cookie to munch on early in the am. wear your headlight as you head off and feel confident you can see where your feet are landing. your feet are ALL IMPORTANT - precious! trust yourself when knowing how far is enough ... give yourself the luxury of a private refugio for 15 or 20 euros - no roommate, and you will feel like a queen or king. small pleasures now go a long way!

the jist of this is - take your body very seriously ... and program in regular consistent breaks - your body mind and soul will thank you. we have finished our 5th day and starting to feel much happier.

buen camino!

Patricia"

so what people have said that we you start the travel you will end up meeting people over and over again as you pass stop have a coffee and rest later. Many of the same people. High light of today was the church at Eunate linked to the knights of Templar.

We missed the turn off as when we asked someone they were more confused than we were. Not to worry, we talked to a family after we had gone a good 2 K past the turn off. The father then suggested he would walk down the hill and show us a short cut. Great and next we me a man harvesting his white asparagus. We spoke with him briefly and Patricia in her Spanish charm convinced this fellow that we  could do with a lift. Bingo he had us at the church and all was well. Met some friends has a picnic and got back on the trail. Again a short cut that was recommended . In to Puente la Reina population 2500 and we now have 696 K left Staying at the Santiago Apostol Oh we were glad to see this place after a gorgous day. Many fields if green . The fields had been planted recently and were up at 15 centemeters

• Patricia commented on how important it is to take the breaks and how important it is to take care of your feet.

Ask for help <( today Patricia asked a gentleman to show us where they run the bulls in Pamplona. He walked us to and around the streets.Proudly as our tour guide and Patricia using her Spanish Stick to the routine of 47 minutews walk and then break-- you will soon get used to it and want it.

Plan on eating a late big lunch if schedule permits rather than a late dinner.

The Urban poles of >Patricia´s were a hit when she demonstrated them to 3 U S students. stay away from ski poles. with straps Urban Poles

Vic´s note . Patricia is fantastic at picking up on the yellow arrows.

Going through Pamplona was a breeze. >I may have stll be there shower quickly as often little hot water and shower may be on timer Plan the next day and know when your breaks are.

Ready to go for day 3 715 K to go with a big climb in the morning.

So far not able to down load photos but will check next village.

Vic"

• Water
• Practice with your poles - we did, and it paid off
• Take the breaks
• Enjoy the flowers - we did
• There is no hurry

800KM Hike through Spain

• Day 1: Roncesvallas 25K to Larrasoana (April 16, 2010)
• Day 2: Larrasoana 20.7K to Cizur Menor (April 17, 2010)
• Day 3: Cizur Menor 20.4K to Puente la Reina (April 18, 2010)
• Day 4: Puente la Reina 22.4K to Estella (April 19, 2010)
• Day 5: Estella 20.9K to Los Arcos (April 20, 2010)
• Day 6: Los Arcos 29.5K to Logrono (April 21, 2010)
• Day 7: Logrono 27.6K to Najera (April 22, 2010)
• Day 8: Najera 21.2K to Sto. Domingo de la Calzada (April 23, 2010)
• Day 9: Sto. Domingo de la Calzada 23K to Belorado (April 24, 2010)
• Day 10: Belorado 24.3K to San Juan de Ortega (April 25, 2010)
• Day 11: San Juan de Ortega 26K to Burgos (April 26, 2010)
• Day 12: Burgos 30.9K to Hontanas (April 27, 2010)
• Day 13: Hontanas 34.7K to Fromista (April 28, 2010)
• Day 14: Fromista 20.9K to Camon de los Condes (April 29, 2010)

Vic & his Granddaughter - 2010 Vancouver Olympic's A proud moment for any Grandfather to be able to support his granddaughter as she runs the Olympic Torch. If you know Vic, you'd know that he'd be right beside her supporting her while she was running!

Vic with his Granddaughter at the 2010 Olympic Torch Run Vic holding his "I <3 My torchbearer - Stephanie Lindal" - A proud moment for any Grandfather