Day 18 - Ribadesella to La Isla

Left the hostel around 8:00 and walked along the sea wall and then through a small town and up into the hills and farms along narrow roads for about 6 klms until we came down to the village of Vega and the coast again! We followed the coast all afternoon past one gorgeous beach after another! We are now in La Isla where we stopped at a local pub for an ice cold brew and to greet other familiar pilgrims.

Kathy is cooking a pasta dinner tonight for everyone as she has only one more walking day before we take a two day break at the seaside town of Luerca and Kathy heads home and I continue walking on my own :(

Day 17 - Playa Del Poo to Ribadesella

Left early while it was still dark as we wanted to get a few klms in before it got too hot. We walked through small towns and made our way along the coast to Ribadesella. This is a really nice hostel and is right next to a beautiful beach and we got here early enough to enjoy a nice long walk on the beach in our bare feet! (Much better than hiking shoes)

Day 16 - Buela to Llanes and on to Playa del Poo

Another beautiful day and walking along the coast. Along this part of the coast are about 15 or so blow holes where at high tide water shoots out the top of these rock formations. We were there at low tide so could only hear the wind whistling thru the caves. Brett, our American friend from Kansas said it was dragon's breath! The hostel at Llanes was full so we went 3 klms further and stayed at the hostel at Playa del Poo. That evening on the beach there was a concert by a Spanish singer playing a floating piano at the beach! I've included a picture.

Day 15 - San Vincente to Buelna

We had had a couple of highway walking days and so decided to follow the Camino. It was longer and swung away from the coast and up into the hills and then down and down back to the highway. We did about 17 klms and along the way we met Paul and Angela from Vancouver! We have only met 5 other Canadians so far this trip, the most people of any nation that we have met have been Germans. It's great because they all seem to speak English.

Day 14 - Santillana Del Mar to San Vincente de la Barquera

Long walk today and hot again. I'm not complaining but we have had sunshine everyday since we started and walking up the long hills can get very hot. it rained for while last night but we had already checked into the hostel so we stayed dry. After walking for 5 hours or so we arrived at Comillas only to find the Hostel closed. So while we waited for the tourist office to open we had lunch. The best garlic shrimp ever! We were really tired and so caught a bus to San Vincente de la Barquera and found room in the hostel there. It is the building in the last picture with the ship on the side of the building

Day 13- Cudon to Santillana del Mar

A short day today as my feet are still pretty sore. We walked to the old city of Santillana del Mar, it is an old walled city all cobble stone streets and stone buildings. We are staying in an "Alberge" (Spanish for hostel) that was once a horse stable. It is actually a nice little hostel that can sleep 16 and is divided into two rooms with bathroom and shower in between. What is really great about these hostels is that you keep running into the same people over and over and it's great to see them all and hear everybody's stories. There are mostly Europeans with the majority of them German but also a Russian, several Frenchmen, one American, a Belgian, and 3 Canadians including Kathy and I

Day 12 - Guemes to Cudon

Left the wonderful hostel at Guemes at 8:30 or so and walked through some farmland then along the road to Somo where we caught the ferry across the water to the city of Santander. We bought some extra moleskin for our blisters and then had a good lunch and travelled out of the city by train (about 16 klms ) then walked another 6 klms to a beautiful little hotel the Posada La Victoria, that Kathy knew from her last Camino. It was a wonderful place and they treated us royally! Today we are staying in a stable . . .

Day 11 Santona to Guemas

Walked 28 klms today starting on a hwy but quickly turning to country roads and lanes. Not so much up hill and downhill at least at the beginning but a fair bit the last two hours mostly uphill. However we are now at the most beautiful hostel yet, georgeous buildings lots of rooms that sleep one person or up to 6 or 8, several lounges to relax in and washer and dryer to clean our sweaty clothes. They are going to serve supper in an hour or so at 8:30 and breakfast tomorrow !

Day 10 Islares to Santona

I thought that I was really prepared for this walk after all the walking I did before leaving home but walking 4 to 8 hours a day with a 20 pound pack is a lot harder. But, I am getting stronger my legs don't hurt much any more. My feet still do and I have blisters to take care of but this is an amazingly beautiful country and every hilltop offers a new breathtaking vista!

Day 2 San Sebastion to Orio

A shorter day today only 15.8 kilometres but there was a lot of up hill and of course it's cousin downhill. I think downhill is harder! We are now in the village of Orio. The scenery was as incredible as yesterday's although I would not have thought that possible. Everything is so peaceful and so amazingly green! The hostel here is really nice, very clean, great showers and the lady that runs it, Maria, is really great.