• Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Day 2 Pasajes de San Juan to San Sebastián

    Short day today only 6 km but a big hill … having difficulty walking with heel spurricus so I decided to take the bus to the edge of the city then walk the rest of the way this avoiding the hill and rocks. Plan see a physiotherapist get a stretch and massage on heel spurricus and rest a day. Everything is on a hill and the name is not the same.I walked thru San Sebastián enjoying the scenery along with a million other locals although I was the only one with a giant pack we were all doing the same thing… walking and enjoying the day. I stopped along the…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Day 1 Irun to Pasajes de San Juan 17 km or So They Say

    Un premieiro sello (the first stamp) So how does it feel? Well I’m a little anxious just as I was before my starting the Camino Frances last year but after visiting the tourist bureau in Irun I was happy to see that the donitivo albergue Ermita Dona Ana In Pasai Donibane or (Pasajes de San Juan) not too far outside San Sebastián, is open. This means by me nursing this heel spur I can rest a little easier know I’m not walking as far tomorrow. That’s 17 vs 26km (10.5 miles vs 16 miles) The first day. Yeah I know the therapist said 10 km but tell them there is…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    2019 Spain, Camino Del Norte: Arrival in Irun, Pre Camino

    I arrived in Irun yesterday by RENFRE Train with a short switch over in San Sebastián. Departing Barcelona I took a comfortable first class seat 22 euros but the long 6-hour journey to San Sebastián before waiting 30 minutes for the commuter train to Irun. There was a station manager holding a sign so the switch was easy she gave me a new ticket and I sat and waited. I must admit I was feeling exhausted and jet lag was setting in so much from Barcelona that I heard my self snoring on the train. Oops, I hope no one else heard me, equally I felt the same on the…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, Camino Del Norte: Pit Stop Barcelona, Spain

    Can I tell you how much I love this city? It’s vibrant, busy, yet artsy and laid back at the same time. There is a vibe here I can’t put into words.Coming thru the airport is easy and pleasant no time wasted … breeze thru customs grab your things and go just make sure you have your passport ready.  Point is they are up to date the latest advancements. The airport’s buses are easy and cost efficient (my new words for cheap and reasonable). TIP: Catch the T1 or T2 airport bus direct to Plaza Espanya or Plaza Cataluna and you are in the heart of the city in minutes…

  • Camino Del Norte,  Camino Travel

    Spain, 2019 Camino Del Norte: The Plan, Irun to Santiago De Compostela

    I’m not sure what is driving me to do it. Spain is beautiful yes, the Camino is refreshing yes, but there is something to be said for the simplicity of walking day to day with all your possessions on your back and nothing to worry about except being in my own headspace, daily walking, a place to sleep and shower and having food to eat. Is it crazy to walk 500 miles with a heel spur on one foot and a knee brace with a bad knee on the other? Maybe so, but I think it’s also freedom, It’s dancing thru pain, it’s keeping the faith, it’s the thought of…