Buen camino 3: Typical (?!)days.

Here are examples of a day on the Camino.
Roncesvalles to Larrasoana: 28.4 km, 7.30 hours walking time. Start at 6.20 a.m., b/fast stop at 6.35 for 20 min. Thru Zubiri at 1.15 (2 stops for 15 min along the way), arrived Larrasoane 2 40.
Najero to Granon: 28 km, walking time 7 hours. Start at 5.30,b/fast at Azofra 8.00-8.30, Santo Domingo for lunch 11.30-12.00, arrived Granon 1.30.
Sansol to Logrono: 21 km, 5 hours walking time. Started  6.30, b/fast Viana 9.00-9.30, arrived Logrono 12.00.
Have been making good time for Leon on 20th but have big blisters today so waiting for pharmacy to open at 5.00.
   

Water fountain in local village. 

Breakfast of cafe con leche, tortilla de patata and tablets. 

                             
                             

Buen Camino 2

June 8. The variation of pathways is very hard on feet despite a lot of training at home. Surfaces include sealed roadway, sharp rock pathway, smooth stone pathway, concreted sections (especially hard on downhills). Now in dirt/stone pathway area (in Lograno tonight).
A couple of small blisters and sore shoulder but good news is knee is better.
Temperature is touching low 30s and have 28 km day tomorrow, so will be in heat despite 6.00 start.

Buen Camino 1.St Jean to Romcesvalles.

Day 1 is completed - St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles. Anyone who says it is an easy day must have caught a taxi! On the road at 6.15 and finished at 1.30. Misty / light rain the whole way until descending into Roncesvalles.
First 500m out of town very steep and hard because not warmed up. Last 3.5 km into Orisson (8 km mark) veeery steeeep. Last 3.0 km into Ron. is steep downhill - tough on knees and calves. Cafe latte and cheese sandwich 6 Euro at Orisson and hot chocolate 2 Euro at coffee truck along track.
Not a lot of scenery pictures due to mist today. Will need to come back again for a clear day!
     
                  St Jean - starting point.
                                   

Paul with credential. 

Journey to Rancesvalles.

Tree at Orisson.

U 

I came second walking up the hill.

Greek Island hopping.

We have been privileged to have a few days with Vicky and Chris on their 45 foot Beneteau yacht. Started in Kos, headed north to Arki (2 nights due to winds), Lipso, Leros, Calymnos and back to Kos. Some good sailing and some motoring.

          "We are sailing"
                          

                               

 Kos town harbour.

Arki

Lipso

Leros

Calymnos

Flights of fancy

Napier to Auckland :10 May, 2016.
Air NZ. Usual ATR 72 on this route. Left on time, check-in at impersonal machines is the norm for Air NZ these days but the back up staff were great in helping with luggage label. Cabin crew were competent without being overly gushy. Waited for checked bag about 10-15 mins at Auckland. Overall a good experience.

Auckland to Hong Kong: 11 May, 2016.


Premium economy chosen to see if we could get some proper rest. Quicker check-in, didn't need to use full baggage allowance as only one checked bag.
Bigger seats (3 seats across the centre instead of usual 4 seats) with fold up leg supports for reclining comfort, champagne for pre-flight drink, very good choice of food and drinks. Service excellent on flight.
Very happy to recommend both Cathay and their Premium economy.

Hong Kong  to Munich: 14 May.

Night flight in Premium economy.
Comfortable, wide seats. Foot rest on seat in front but not as good as leg support on own seat. Food was okay and service okay - crew were often distracted as they served. Managed to get a little sleep. Not as good as Cathay flight.

Packing for journey

It is interesting to think  about how packing has changed since our first big trip in 1982-3.
- we now have backpacks with wheels.

- the camera is no longer a SLR with 3 lenses in a separate camera bag. It is now part of my phone!
- we now use email and Skype instead of waiting for snailmail at post restante in a range of countries.
- the bag is now loaded with medication and various plugins instead of toilet paper!

My pack weighed in at 8 kg for this journey.
Hopefully it will be enough for the Camino.