Day 16 Belarado to Ages

Today was a different kind of day. After our nice room in Belarado, Yaz decided to take a rest day there. It's a beautiful town, and well worth the time spent there.
I set out to climb 3hills today, but was not at all excited about the 600 meter, 1800 feet climb. When I stopped for coffee after 5 km, I met a woman who was taking a bus over the hills. My feet are feeling good today, and with the hills, I anticipated more problems, so for 1.5 euros, I took the bus. The bus dropped us off on the freeway, about 4 km from the town, so all in all, I still walked about 9 km. 5.4 miles, and bussed about 18 km.
I felt bad about doing this, but as I sat on the bus, it said the temperature was 4 degrees, probably about 40F, and I was glad. I have made a flexible schedule on what I what to accomplish about every 4 days, and I had fallen a bit behind, but with this, I am not behind. Tomorrow, I go to burgos, and will spend 2 nights there. There is a lot of culture there, and the cathedral is supposed to be fabulous, so I want to do some exploring.
I am feeling homesick these last few days, and I think it's cause of the weather.
I've been using the iPad mini for everything, and also as my camera, and it has worked fantastically. I've been able to FaceTime with John everyday, and yesterday I spoke to all three of my kids. There are lots of friendly people around, so all is well.this Florida girl is just tired of the cold. I've got enough clothes, so not to worry, and I am safe and feeling healthy.
Attached are pictures of the bridge at Belarado, it kind of looks like the bridge that Martin sheen lost his backpack on, as well as some pics of a little toen named Tosantos.

Day 15 Grannon to Belarado

17 km walked, about 10.2 mIles. Elevation about 100 meters, 300 feet.

After a cold rainy night in a not very clean albuergue, Yaz and I have settled into a nice pension. A pension is a hotel like room within someone's home. We have 2 nice beds with a bath!! I just took a nice hot bath, the best bath of my life at this moment. My hair is clean. The cost of the room is 21.5 euros each, probably about $30. Worth it. They are also washing our clothes, we put them together for 11 euros. A bit pricey, but worth it.
The walk today was better. I am feeling better. The weather here has been 40 and raining, all the way here. I have been wearing most of my clothes, and thank God I have a good raincoat that not only covers me, but my pack as well. I look like a large elephant in it, but it so does the job. And it helps keep me warm as well.

I think that the things that are getting to me are that the weather has been so rainy and cold, and all of my clothes are dirty. Most of the albuergues don't wash clothes, and with all of this rain, nothing can line dry. Problematic and depressing.
I went to church last night in the very small town of grannon. All of the churches are amazing, all stone carved, even in these small towns. Mass was short, about 30 minutes and the the priest has all of the pilgrims come up to the altar for a blessing.

The town of Belarado is a medium size town. We plan on going to sleep very early, so we can walk a long distance tomorrow. We have a steep climb of 400 meters 1200 feet. And the whole day might end up being 24 km, unless we break it in half. I'm trying to keep a good pace, so that I can get to Santiago, the finish point of my pilgrimage no later than June 18th. My flight is for June 20th.

My feet are better, but they seem to swell up after about 10 km. my toe is healing the best it can.
I am glad that Yaz and I am traveling together, she is from the U.K. But lives in Qatar. We walk at similar paces and get along well. Her birthday is a week later than mine, so we are both strong Gemini women!!
Attached is a pic of church last night and me walking in the rain. Also one of some of the artwork at
The albuergue last night.

Day 14 Azofra to Grannon

Km walked 22.4 miles-13.4.
A good day, walked very far ( for us ) today. But a good day all in all. Cloudy, and cool. Walked past a golf course today and also along  lots of mud. Settled I at the bar, and heading to church. Going for a shorter day tomorrow. Today I am tired, and wondering why I am doing this. Except for my bad feet, feeling good.

Day 13 Ventosa to Azofra

Km walked about 17.4 miles about 10.4. Elevation about 200 meters 600 feet.
Today started out really well, sunny and chilly, great walking weather. I decided to wear my tennis shoes to give my toe a break. It worked out well, until it started pouring. We even got hailed on. Yikes. We didn't walk as far as we had wanted to but we did pretty well.
Can't complain. I'm happy, feeling strong, hills are getting to be no problem. Only problem that is is the weather, it's supposed to snow in Burgos over the next couple of days. Hope this isn't true, cause we should be there by Tuesday.
Below are a few pics of dinner last night, we ate with some Brits. One looked just like Dustin Hoffman.  Pretty funny. We all were in the same bunk bed room of 10 people. I have not slept badly, considering.
Attached are some pics from last night and today. I have been reduced to wearing socks with flip flops.. Not great styling going on here, but we are having fun.

Day 12 Lograno to Ventosa

Kilometers walked 21.5 miles 13. Elevation climbed 200 meters, about 600 feet.

Last night in logrono, several of us had a meal together, and then I went to mass at 7:30.
I feel that if I happen to be in a place where mass is offered, I want to go, cause I never know when I'll be passing a church, and at what time, so if the timing is right, I want to go. The churches here are all fantastically beautiful, all of the seem to have been built between 900 and 1400. All of the stone is so beautifully set, and the statues are wonderful, and so much gold inlay.
Good day today after the rest day yesterday. My left foot continues to be a problem, especially my left small toe. I had a blister, and now it is macerated, and is rubbing, whenever I walk. I took the insole out of my shoe to give it more room and tomorrow, I am going to duct tape it to the rest of my foot, all the way across to give it support. If any of you have suggestions, please Facebook them to me.
The weather is cold, and I have on 4 shirts. Burgos, where I am headed may have snow. The Spanish people are very upset with all of this cold weather. My raincoat is working well, keeping me warm when I walk. I have on croc flip flops on now, though to give my feet some air, and hopefully some healing.
Otherwise, I am feeling fine, no other physical problems and I am happy to be walking toward Santiago, getting closer each day.
Below are some pics of the church in lograno

The pictures of the cafe in Navarette we stopped for coffee in had really cool guitars, and bathroom door and sink. And here I am dorkily sitting with a cup of coffee con leche.. A boosting shot of caffeine to keep me walking. Glad we finished well today. We started at 7 and were done by 1. Not bad.

Day 11 rest day in Logrono

Miles walked, 0. But legs and feet are feeling better. Bought some more socks. Dry socks , I am learning, and really have always known are so important. Wet clothing macerates the skin, causing blisters and skin breakdown. Even though I have been trying to change socks midday, the weather has become warm and with sweating, you have to be careful.
I lost my bad left foot toenail last night, all I can say is GROSS ! Doesn't hurt a bit though.
Doesn't hurt, and this all stems from being wet about a week ago. We have had a bit of rain, probably 3 days, and it make things so much harder.

Also bought some voltarin cream for muscle aches, everyone here swears by it, we shall see. I am in no pain at present, but my legs were aching last night. Elevated them on a pillow and that helped, I don't want to take too much ibuprofen. Bad for the tummy. It is called brufin here.
Looked at pedometers and found one for 20 euros. I didn't buy it. But considering. Control issues.
Problem is- directions are in Spanish.
Not much else going on, I'm going to go to bed early, so we can get an early start.
Below is a picture from our room. This albuergue is a converted hotel albuergue para peregrines, and it's quite nice. Jasmine  and I are splitting a room, 20 euros each for a private room with a balcony.

Day 10 Torres del Rio to Lograno

Kilometers traveled 22- approximately 13.2 miles. Elevation change 250 meters, 750 feet up and then down. - hard again on the toes, although the path was good, no mud.

I think I am just tired, today was a good, long, but hard day. My left small toe developed a blister, a small one on the inside of the toe and I think I'm going to lose 2 toenails, on on my left and one on my right foot. None of them are painful, but my feet calves, and knees feel sore today. Ibuprofen is my friend.
We've decided to take a rest day tomorrow, rain is in the forecast, and the albuergue we are in is nice, although the wireless comes and goes. We are in Logrono, a fairly large city, it has a university, and has beautiful parks. It will give us all a little time to heal and regroup. I have taken no rest days yet, so I am due.
The weather is warm not too hot though. The path was good, no mud, so the walking wasn't bad.
I saw a beautiful church in the town of Viana, and I have pictures of it. I lit a candle for my dad while there, and spent some time in prayer there.
In my really tired afternoon, a pretty butterfly led me down the path, and it was just so neat. I imagined it to be my loved ones who are gone, leading me. I was especially thinking of my brother Bill who died many years ago today. Tired, but blessed hallucinations!
Not much else for today. Here are pix of my traveling friends at dinner last night, Alex and Anna, and Yasmine, from the United Kingdom.
Til tomorrow all!