Tag Archives: Pilgrims

Day 2 of the Via Francigena

Yesterday ended at the Chateau Verdun in the charming town of St. Oyen, Italy (originating in the 11 century). The Chateau was given to the Canons of the Great Saint Bernard Monastery in 1137 by a Savoy. On the property is a Benedictine convent and a large cow milking barn chock full of cows with their tails tied up. Explanation pleaseThe staff treated us so kindly and felt like family. It’s the Italian way.

This morning had us well rested. Luck had it that the five of us shared a ten bed room. Fortuitously Bill and I got a king size bed in the private loft area.

Delicious coffee gave us to fuel to head into another gorgeous day. White fluffy clouds and 50+ degrees.

The icing on the gluten free cake is that it’s Rockenstein’s birthday!!!13.3 miles and another 2,600 feet decline in elevation.Our day was somewhere written in a fable. Rolling farm land lush with vegetables, pasture and alfalfa. Belled cows sounding like chimes blowing in the wind. Fruit trees heavy with fruit. Charming villages. Winding tree lined paths laden with pine needles. Fast flowing irrigation boxes rushing with excitement. Stream beds flowing in utter silence.Thank goodness for the surrounding beauty because every elevation change (however minute) hurt our weary legs. Yesterday’s descent was brutal.

We are now in Aosta. Staying at Albergo La Belle Epoque and living like royalty for tonight we have private rooms!It is Roxanne’s birthday and we’re all celebrating.

Here’s Roxanne’s post and photos:

If the Fab Five were one person, that person would be 28 1/2 feet tall and turn 329 years old on the Via Francigena.

Photo of the Day 152

Into the light Pilgrims emerge.

#camino #caminodesantiago #peregrino #pilgrims #light
North of Porriño, Spain.

May 31, 2016

Camino de Santiago Portugues Day 13

It POURED last night and continued this morning so once again only our waterproof amigos headed out to walk to Tui, Spain.

We were paid huge amounts of money to go ahead and secure a hotel with heaters and a bathtub for Roxanne.

Adios Portugal – Hola España.

Our rock stars walked 13.5 miles through the mud and around lots of puddles. The clouds parted and they showed up dry!

Camino de Santiago Portugues Day 11

Bill made it to 70 today! He said we were either going to have a celebration of life or a parrrtay! He is the first male in his family in generations to live this long. Something that can’t be topped since he is the last male Shaw.

Bill, feeling more alive than ever stepped out in front of all us. We struggled to keep up!

It was supposed to rain today but the skies parted and stayed clear as we walked through acres upon acres of vineyards and rose bushes galore! 27,279 steps and 11.55 miles later we rolled into Ponte de Lima – the oldest in Portugal.

Bill got to choose where we sleep tonight and it’s the Municipal Albergue. He wanted Chappy to have a real taste of Camino living. Chappy couldn’t be happier – he gets to sleep with 9 women at the same time.Tomorrow 1 inch of rain is predicted – 100% – all day! On a good day the path is muddy and the steepest climb of the whole Camino…. Here’s hoping for the best.

Corn dryer

From yesterday’s Corpus Christi Day

Washing laudry at the river

Poop patrol

Camino de Santiago Portugues Day 9

It poured and poured for hours. Our rain gear wasn’t a match – we were soaked to the bone.

The good news – today was the most beautiful of the Camino so far. Rolling hills with old stone buildings, rich dark brown tilled farmland, freshly sprouted corn rows and heavy with the smell of manure.

Since we managed to stay on the correct Camino today – we finally met up with other Pilgrims. All die hards. The walk continues in rain or shine.

The sun starting peaking out just about an hour or two before we got to our final destination of Barcelos. Our clothes dried but the shoes are still sloppy.

43,103 steps and 18.47 miles.

Camino Santiago Portugues Day 7

Another foggy start but the sun broke through much earlier today. We peeled off the layers earlier than usual. The sun makes our packs feel heavier.

We climbed straight uphill out of Agueda into a commercial area – our first experience with traffic lights – they cause congestion – roundabouts keep the traffic moving.

The yin and yang of walking….. ugly industrial areas to beautiful abandoned mansions.

Noisy construction zones to peaceful fishing on a Roman bridge.

Pavement to acres and acres of eucalyptus trees with trucks harvesting the same.
***In Portugal it is imperative to own a barking dog.
***In Portugal out of the cities it’s essential to own a tractor to work the fields and to go to town for dinner and shopping.