Where was I?

I am back from Spain, with many tales to tell. But why didn't I post from Spain? Well, I was blocked from my blog for the duration of my time outside Canada. I made many attempts to get in, but it is all a blur to me now, as Yahoo also frequently blocked my email, and between the two, it was very frustrating trying to stay in touch.

Meghan, Cy and I walked 180 kms on the Camino Frances.



 

"3 generations of McKee family from Toronto with Hospitalero Gilbert. Grandmother Darlene, daughter Megan and grandchild Cy.
Darlene will be back as a hospitalera at Gaucelmo on September 15th. — in Rabanal Del Camino, Castilla y León, Spain"

I walked 123 kms - the entire Camino Ingles, by myself.

 
 This is a picture that Ingrid took on the Camino Ingles last year.


I spent about a week in Santiago, with a visit to Carantonia, Muxia and Finnesterre, spending most of this time with a new pilgrim friend - Irene, from California.


 
 Irene took this picture of me at
the  0 cairn in Finnesterre.

I spent 16 days caring for pilgrims as a hospitalera at Refugio Gaucelmo in Rabanal.



 

 Ray and I at Refugio Gaucelmo

I was in Madrid for 4 days, staying at the OK Hostel,
http://okhostels.com/ (highly recommend it!)



 



 and for 2 of those days, Julie and Michele and I were roommates as we wandered around Madrid.


 

 Thanks to Julie for the 2 pictures above.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
I'll be posting more on my adventures.

Return to the Camino 2016

My next Camino - but not my last, I know, will be in August of 2016.

My grandson Cy and I have chatted about doing the Camino together, but this winter Meghan, his mom and my eldest, came to me with the idea of the 3 of us walking in August of 2016 - and my answer? SI!

No details have been worked out, but I have a rough plan.

 Astorga,with a visit to the Museo del Chocolate
 http://www.travelbelles.com/2011/02/chocolate-castles-astorga-spain

Museo de Chocolate, Astorga
 

 Rabanal, Refugio Gaucelmo, where I volunteered for 2 weeks in 2012, and will again in Sept 2016
https://www.facebook.com/RefugioGaucelmo



 Refugio Gaucelmo, Rabanal

Ponferrada has a Templar Castle - we'll stay here for sure - who wouldn't want to visit a Templar Castle?
















It is still another 200 km or so to Santiago - too soon to make definite plans, but I have more ideas.

After they return home for school at the end of August, I'll walk to Finisterre, bus back to Santiago, and on to Ferrol, in order to walk the Camino Ingles.




Then, back to Rabanal for another 2 weeks taking care of pilgrims.

So, I'll be busy this year, training, planning and dreaming!