Bueno Camino 6: across the meseta

It has been cold and rainy across the meseta the last couple of days. Normally expected to be long hot days so the drop in temperature is okay but chilly nights. I am down to 10-13 km per day due to blisters.
While some pilgrims skip the meseta it really is beautiful. Because I am moving slowly I have lots of time to myself - the fast movers are gone quickly and the next wave doesn't come through for an hour or more.

 I have stayed at little villages I would normally only have had a coffee stop at.

 A cold wind this morning.

Buen Camino 5: Keeping on the Camino

Some people wonder how you manage to find your way on the Camino. Of course there are the numerous guidebooks that some follow religiously and others use as

a quick reference for accommodation.

There are scallop shell motifs on the pavement in the towns and cities to guide the way.
Then there are the signs and markers. Finally there are the yellow arrows painted onto any available surface along the way.

Buen Camino 4: Some interesting visuals

There are all sorts of visuals along the Camino, here are a few. Sometimes they are for the peregrino and other times not.

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.

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I came second walking up the hill.