Wednesday 16th June 2010 - Stansted To Sarria

Well it was an early start. I left the hotel about 5.30 am and walked out to the roundabout and waited on the local service bus back to Stansted Airport. In no time at all I was once more at the airport waiting on another 'plane. This one was delayed for half an hour and that meant that I arrived in Santiago Airport and missed my connection to Lugo. Rather than wait for the next bus and find out it was full, I caught the bus to Santiago itself. I then caught the bus to Lugo from there. It sounds a bit daft but it called in at the Airport on the way. I had been worried it would have been full when it arrived at the airport and I would have been stranded. As it was, the bus was very busy but everyone managed to get on anyway.

It was a lovely journey through scenery that was pretty much like back home. Once the ubiquitous - that's a good word! - eucalyptus trees around Santiago and Lavacolla were left behind they were replaced by the more familiar birch, oak and rowan. I passed through some of the places I am going to be visiting on my return - Arzua and Melide to name but two.

Once in Lugo, it was another bus to Sarria itself. This was a fairly short journey through similar countryside and the only thing of note were these big birds in huge bird's nests on the top of lamposts - didn't know any of the big burdz!! They were storks (I think?)

The Church Of Santa Marina

Getting Near Six



When I arrived in Sarria, I went up to the Church of Santa Marina to find out about the Credencials. They were available at 6 o'clock, so I then went back down the hill and found my hotel for the night - the Hotel Alphonso IX. Very nice it was too! First thing was a nice long bath and then some laundry was required for the stinky clothes. Suitably washed, fresh clothed and groomed and it was back to the Church to get my Credencials. Following that, it was some touristy stuff before the Pilgrims' Mass at 7.30.

Time To Get The Credencial

With The All Important Credencial

By now starving, it was a meal and a wee drink... then bed! It is going to be a long walk tomorrow to Portomarin and the Hotel Villa Jardin (Thanks again Iain!). The weather is beginning to clear up and I hope that is a sign of good things to come.

Tuesday 15th June 2010 - Carluke To Stansted

Everything has gone smoothly. The only delay was from GPIA (Prestwick), where the incoming flight was delayed because of a French Air Traffic Control strike. The Travelodge was only a ten minute bus ride from Stansted Airport followed by a short walk. The room is your typical Travelodge offering - very clean, functional and comfortable - and at £19 very reasonable. The weather is still warm and sunny which does help when you have a bit of walking to do. I hope to have a good night's sleep as I have an early start tomorrow morning. I plan to catch either the 05.35 or the 06.00 from the roundabout close to the Travelodge itself and then have breakfast at the Airport. My flight leaves at 08.00.

Chance Encounter

I completed my last weekly training walk yesterday. I say training walk, but it was just an excuse to get away from Carluke to avoid the Gala Day mayhem! So after the procession of gaily decorated floats had passed by my sister's house, we both set out on a walk to Crossford and a drink in the Inns. It was a lovely day walking down the picturesque, steep sides of the Clyde Valley to the friendly wee pub - The Crossford Inns - where we enjoyed a few drinks with the regular Saturday afternoon crowd.

It was while outside in the sun, that I was introduced to someone who was to help solve a problem in my last minute preparations.

I had already emailed to confirm all my hotel reservations but I had still to 'phone the Hotel Villa Jardin in Portomarin to do likewise. I was not looking forward to this as my Spanish is virtually nil. In fact, I wasn't even sure I had been successful in a previous 'phone call to reserve my room in the first place.

So, as it turned out, my introduction to Iain Gibson and his partner was a Godsend.

I need to explain.

I knew Iain by sight, but what I didn't know was that he was a near neighbour of my sister in Carluke - in fact he had been watching the Gala Day procession from his window as we had been watching from the street! BUT.... I also didn't know he was a Spanish Translator!!

In a matter of minutes this very helpful man was, by benefit of Skype on my mobile 'phone, confirming my reservation with the Hotel Villa Jardin! Brilliant! Not only that, but he had walked the Camino himself! Pressed for time, however, our conversation was cut short, but only after he gave me his contact details in case I needed further help. A real gentleman! Thanks Iain!

A chance encounter and everything was now in place. I am really looking forward to my Camino!

Heat and Sandals

Making the most of the nice hot weather (in the low 20s in Scotland recently), I decided to acclimatise myself to conditions further. I had a little walk yesterday over variable terrain and surfaces with a 7kg rucksack on my back and sandals on my feet. I covered about 16 kms in 2 hours 20 minutes. What did I learn to help me on the Camino?

I think the most obvious is the need to start as early in the morning as possible and to avoid the worst of the midday heat. Yesterday I set off around 12.20 and it was getting uncomfortably muggy and humid. Not the most pleasant conditions.

The experience of wearing sandals was not a positive either. I found on the downhill sections especially that they were uncomfortable and continual use would invite blisters.

So....on the Camino it is early morning starts and the walking boots with Bridgedale socks!

Two Weeks To Go!!

Well now I am getting to the sharp end! It is nearly time to Walk The Walk!

Yesterday was my first real long walk with a laden rucksack. It involved a walk down into the Clyde Valley from Carluke, then along what is known as the Clyde Walkway and upriver to Lanark - a distance of about 15 kilometres. There was a fair amount of climbing and descending into the bargain! A break at roughly the halfway point was followed by a break in Lanark itself. The return journey was by the same route but with a slightly longer break midway this time. The walking surface was a mixture of tarmac road and tracks, and although the weather was dry, it was cool. (What do you expect in Scotland at this time of year?)

All in all, it was a good test of the effectiveness of my preparations for the Camino. My feet stood up well - my footwear and socks didn't give me problems. The care I have been giving my feet seems to be paying off. (Fingers - or toes - crossed!)

I am not too worried about my pace either. (It took just over 5 hours of walking time.) Though the heat, and possible rain in Galicia, may have something to say about that!

Today, I awoke with a soreness and stiffness in my legs. I don't know what the effect of consecutive days walking would have on me. That can wait until next week!!