Frank's Big Bash

It's great to be back.  Would love to catch up with everybody soon. Hope to see as many of you as possible, let me know if you  can make it.  Should be a good night.

Franks Big Bash!

Day 90....I've done it - yeehaw!

I left Azura this morning at 8, most of the others had already got up in the middle of the night and left at 3 am.  I had a great rest, best sleep I've had for weeks. There was a little light rain, but then the sun came through and I enjoyed walking through the woods and the villages.  I walked for 8 hours and arrived at Santiago de Compostela - a final 26 miles, another  marathon walk.  Walked to around the cathedral, but was asked to leave as I had my backpack on,not sure what I was might to do with it, it has all my belongings in it - but they don't allow backpacks in the cathedral.  I will get my certificate for completing the Camino tomorrow.

So that's it, I've done what I set out to do, I walked from Scotland to Spain - a final total of 1606 miles. Tonight in the albergue, I feel ancient amongst all these young travellers but the journey is now over for me.  I met loads of people from all over the world, I spoken to great characters, been shown lots of kindness - seen beautiful places but now I feel glad it is over, I am really looking forward to getting home.  

Thank you for all your support, and thank you for helping me raise money for Alzheimer's, there were times on the walk sometimes I wondered if I would make it, but I have. 

As my dad would say - Jawahula! 

Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (with lyrics)     

Day 89...one more day..

Walked from Ligonde to Arzua - 26 miles in total.  Felt a bit cold in the morning but it brightened up later and was warm and sunny for the rest of the day.  I am in the Galicia area and this is probably the nicest part of the camino, lovely green rolling hills, just like the Ochils at home.  It felt like an easy walk and I really enjoyed it.  I found a nice albergue for the night.  

Can't wait to get to Santiago tomorrow.....

Day 88......What's Italian for 'Shut Up'

Had a hell of a night in the albergue.  The heating was on and it was far too hot and uncomfortable.  Then to make matters worse a couple of Italians starting talking to each other when everyone was sleeping and then turned the lights on!!!  I saw red and roared a few choice words in their direction but apparently they didn't understand my Scottish! However, I think they may have got the jist. 
Despite all that, had a great walk again today - sunny and 16c, I enjoyed fantastic views of great countryside. Walked another miles to Ligonde.  I am wearing my crocs again to save my feet from any more pain. Feeling good now, knowing I'm nearly then - the homeward stretch....

Day 87 ...about 70 miles to go

Got walking about 7.30 this morning and left Alto de Poyo while it was still dark and foggy.  Had a great walk down the mountain and then the sun came out.  Stopped at a bar for  coffee and then stopped again for lunch - another spanish tortilla, it's ok but I'm looking forward to getting hame for some good scottish mince n tatties - can't beat it. Yum.

 

We seem to walk about the same distances everyday now about 25 miles and arrived in Sarria at 4.30.  Met up with my pal from Switzerland, Benno, our paths keep crossing now for the last two weeks.  Plan to get to Santiago by Sunday, I've checked in my flight.  Bonnie Scotland here I come.

Todays song is in memory of Davy McGarry 

Rod Stewart-Maggie May     

Day85/86...Welcome to the real Camino - Martin Sheen!

Monday

Left El Acebo and enjoyed a beautiful walk through the mountains to Ponferrada, stopped there for a sandwich at lunchtime. Then continued to walk to Villafranca del Bierzo and caught up with Eric and walked with him.  I walked for 26 miles today.  Spent the night in Galicia and enjoying the stunning scenery but it's really tough going now -  only 5 days to go - yeehaw!

Tuesday

Couldn't get reception yesterday to get my blog sent home.  Anyway another beautiful walking day, up high over the mountain about 1300 metres - fantastic views.  Walked from Villafranca del Bierzo and ended up with a good crowd for walking, John from USA, Lorenzo from Italy, Jack from New Zealand, Karen from England and Taz, funnily enough from Australia.  It was quite warm today about 17c, really pleasant walking weather. Our wee group are all staying in the same albergue at Alto de Poyo, which is right at the top of the mountain in the clouds. 
 Managed another 23 miles today, and my feet are so sore now, can't imagine ever having pain free feet again.  It's funny that in the Martin Sheen film, 'The Way' nobody ever has sore feet and yet in the real Camino - it's the biggest challenge to overcome.

Day 83/Day 84....definitely getting weary...

Saturday

Enjoyed an easy walk today, left hospital de Orbigo and walked to Astorga, ate lunch with other pilgrims, I think there must be people from every corner of the globe here. After lunch walked to Santa Catalina de Samoza and met Simon from Oz, he was a right character and I enjoyed his company, best of luck mate. Then got chatting to Viatka from Croatia who was great company too and told me all about her country, she works as a tour guide and knows everything worth knowing. Tonight I'm in a good albergue and I'm looking forward to getting back walking in the mountains tomorrow.  The weather has turned much colder now, but I guess that is much the same as home, as it's heading towards the middle of November.  Walked about 15 miles.



Sunday

Left Santa Catalina d Samoza and walked the 18 miles to El Acebo, started off with the gang and then walked until lunchtime on my own.  Met up with Cyril and Viarta again.  Enjoyed a beautiful walk through the mountains, amazing scenery and views, we're about 4500 feet up, and today has really lifted my spirits, but this last leg is so difficult, I have lost too much weight now and I'm looking forward to a break from the walking a eating lots of food and putting a bit of weight on!  Never thought I would say that.  I only have about 120 miles to walk now to Santiago, so I should manage that in a week easy and the pressure is off.
This is another fantastic albergue in the mountains, and there are wolves living in this area, that would really make my night if I am lucky enough to hear them howling.....

Day 82.....about 190 miles to Santiago

My bunk was surrounded by snorers last night, the less said about sleep the better.  Anyway had a good walk from Leon to Hospital de Orbigo today which is another 22 miles covered.  The guys in main group set off at a very fast speed this morning so I stayed back and walked with Seonja again, as she is finding the pace hard to keep up with and was feeling discouraged.  I didn't want to leave her walking on her own again.  I walked in my boots today because although the crocs are easy on my feet, my ankles were getting sore without the support of the boots - so I've had to trade off one problem to avoid another problem.  I hope my feet will last out for the last bit, I only have 190 miles to go, which doesn't seem much after the miles I have walked since leaving Scotland.
We are now leaving the Meseta area and are heading up into the mountains again.  I'm meeting lots of nationalities from all over the world and  they are a good crowd and good company but you see new and different faces everyday, it is so busy now.  This albergue that I am in tonight is amazing building, it belongs to the church.  The rooms are smaller with just 6 bunks in each dorm.  I made my own pasta with choriza for tea and I am now relaxing and resting my feet, another early night but hopefully not a long wakeful night.

Day 81...my flights are booked, no pressure!

Felt wrecked this morning, couldn't sleep a wink, a Spanish guy snored all night.... now I realise how annoying it is for other folk if you snore.  I know more than anyone you can't help it but it is awful.  Anyway, walked with Seonja from South Korea from El urge Ranero to Leon.  I walked 25 miles altogether and it was perfect walking conditions, my feet are sore but like the saying goes - no pain, no gain.  I feel I must gained a lot from this walk.  I found a burger king, to be honest it was tastier than the pilgrim menu and I felt really ready for a burger.
Keith has got my flights home - and no, I am not walking back - booked for the 19th November, so I will have finished this walk well ahead of schedule, just better make sure I get to the airport on time!  Anyway, thanks Keith - looking forward especially to seeing wee Ethan.
I'm in the albergue for the night, staying in a dorm with 20 other guys, oh oh could be a few snorers tonight....yawn.

Day 80.....these crocs are made for walking

The day started off very misty, but cleared up later and it was a lovely day for walking.  I didn't put my boots on, my feet are really sore and now they feel too tight.  So I put on my crocs, when I was here on the Camino in March I did most of the walk in these crocs, once your feet are really sore, they are the best and most comfortable footwear - as long as it stays dry, of course.  The other good thing about them is they are so light and have been no problem to carry - I've had to ditch loads of stuff along the way but I'm glad I kept the crocs.
The breakfast at Calzadilla was poor - just croissant and coffee and I had to walk 12 miles to get to a shop in Morantinos where I bought some food.  Then I walked another 13 miles to El Burgo Ranero and I am in a great auberge tonight - I made myself pasta and stuffed my face with loads of fruit and chocolate. The wood burning stove is lit here and it is really cosy after a good walking day.  For anybody who wants me to add up, I walked 25 miles today in perfect walking conditions.  

Day 79...that's me over halfway on the Camino.

A lovely bright sunny morning, but I wasn't taking any chances and put on my walking trousers, after getting soaked yesterday. I left Fromista at 8am and arrived at Calzadilla at 4pm - I walked 24miles today. By mid day I had hit the halfway mark, I have walked 250 miles in 11 days and only 250 to go,  wuha! 

 Found a good albergue - great atmosphere here. Went out  for a drink to local bar and a couple of Spanish pilgrims were playing guitar and they were really good. I met  Jack from NZ, who's  walking the Camino carrying his guitar, he played a little blues stuff tonight.  Had a pilgrim dinner, to be honest I'm getting tired of eating fish,  I really fancy toast and beans, or even better, a big breakfast in the Tilly Tearoom!

Day 78....another hard day

Today was a hard day for walking, wet and very windy.  Got soaked through from the knees down,  I walked 22 miles from Hontanas to Fromista where I have stopped for the night.  Most of the walk was along a high flat plain with a few steep climbs along the way.  Really glad to get to auberge and have a hot shower and change into dry clothes.  

Meeting different people everyday and seeing new faces, seems to get busier as I go along.

Day 77.....Hasta la Vista, Eric.

Decided I needed to have an easier walk today, and walked slower, so unfortunately had to say goodbye to Eric, as he wanted to press on as usual.  Go speed, Eric hasta la vista my friend. Walked 19 miles today from Burgos to Hontanas and I'm in the Meseta now - 800 metres up , but its is flat.  Great views today and lovely weather.  I'm in an auberge now - only 5euro and had the pilgrim menu - 9 euro.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening.

Met lots of pilgrims walking along the way, but I just walked on my own - preferred it that way today...yeehaw.

Day 76.....my target to finish - 14 more days

It was very cold last night and I couldn't get a decent night's rest, there was no heating in the room.  I am still up in the mountains and the weather is very different to what I was walking in only a few days ago.  Left Villafranca first thing and walked in the rain to Atapuerca and enjoyed my lunch of egg and chips.  Still walking with Eric, he's a great guy but we do walk at times on our own and then catch up in the evening.  I met an American who busted his head open when he fell out of the top bunk, I know sore feet are standard on the Camino but he's the first I've met who has a sore head!  There are lots of Aussies and English too. 

Got a comfy bed for the night in a cheap hotel, I'm feeling very tired, having such sore feet isn't helping.  Eric and I met a bloke who is walking the opposite way from Santiago and he left Santiago 14 days ago, so that is my new target - 14 days to finish.  That would mean I would have completed the Camino proper in 3 weeks - I've definitely set myself a challenge, so here goes, just hope my feet hold out.  I've now walked 1290 miles since the 19th August.

By the way, I am not using that Spanish number anymore, it wasn't any cheaper so I am back on my UK number again.

Day 75.....That's 2000 kms walked - 500 to go!

Didn't get a great night's sleep again, it's hard to sleep in the auberge with so many people around. felt more tired today than any other day on the walk. I managed 22 miles but it was hard. For the first day for ages, my feet are really sore tonight.  I walked from Santa Domingo to Villafranca and it was mostly up hill.  Villafranca is 1000 feet up and I really feel the change in the temperature, so my rucksack is much lighter because I am practically wearing all my clothes to keep warm - the kilt is perfect walking gear no matter which season!  I am enjoying Eric's company, we don't always walk together but we usually meet up in the evenings and walk parts together.
Today is Ethan's birthday, my grandson who is 1 today and almost had the same birthday as his mother, Jen.  I phoned him and spoke to him, he went to the zoo with his mum and dad and had a fantastic day.  I send lots of love from Granda Mc Garry. I am missing you all and look forward to seeing you soon. 

 I am on the home leg now with about 300 miles to go. Yeehaw!