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Cantabria is nestled between Euskadi, the Basque country, and Asturias on the north coast of Spain and is named after the Cantabri, a Celtic people who settled the region during the Iron Age more than 1000 years BC. They fought as mercenaries for the Carthaginians against Rome during the second Punic Wars which ended aboutContinue reading “Day 10.”

I hiked eleven miles today, a leisurely walk along the coast and then a slightly more difficult climb inland to La Posada de Fernanda in Rio Seco where I am staying tonight. The trail was well marked, though I do keep my Buen Camino app handy which includes my gps position on satellite view map.Continue reading “Day 9. A Peaceful Moment”

Peter and I worked out our plans for the next few days and celebrated with a dinner of mussel curry, ox-tail risotto and lomo Ibérico with Jack Daniel’s bbq sauce. Peter will take one of the several options for leaving Bilbao and walk to Pobeña. I decided to take the metro train to Portulagete andContinue reading “Day 8: Start of Week 2!”

I took a break from the Camino and explored Bilbao from the medieval Casco Viejo to the ultra-modern Guggenheim Museum. There were people everywhere enjoying the sights and food on a pleasant sunny day. I had my coffee at a nice place down from the Carlton hotel and then Peter and I visited the Guggenheim.Continue reading “Day 7. R and R in Bilbao”

I hope many of you had a chance to watch The Way, Emilio Estevez’ film starring his dad Martin which takes place along the Camino Francés. It was re-released Tuesday for a one day run. It gives a good feel for both the camaraderie and the inner reflection and self-discovery which can occur on theContinue reading “Day 6. Push to Bilbao”

Today’s walk brought us to Gernika, the village bombed by German and Italian warplanes during the Spanish Civil War. We crossed through Bolibar, the ancestral home of Simon Bolivar where we visited a museum commemorating the city’s history and its famous son. We hiked a solid 16 miles of good trail through hilly farming countryside.Continue reading “Day 5.”

Today celebrates the feast day of San Isidro, Isidore the Laborer, patron Saint of farmers and by extension, those who live and work in the countryside. Luis, who runs the Pikua Landetxia Casa Rural where Peter and I spent the night, considers himself a country worker but laments that he does not get to celebrateContinue reading “Day 4. Happy San Isidro Day”

I woke up this morning and fitted a plastic cover over my backpack because rain was predicted all day until late afternoon. I stepped out of the hotel and a vicious wind ripped my plastic cover off. I went back inside to do some more engineering, then went over to Peter’s hotel. My cover survived.Continue reading “Day 3: Lessons in Geology”

I arose at 6:30 and after a quick shower, began reorganizing my backpack and day bag. It takes a few days to get used to the new routine and I wanted to make sure that the items I would need throughout the day were easily accessible. This included placing my Hefty trash can liner whichContinue reading “Day Two: My first “stamp” of the trip”

Day One was a very long day. It started on Thursday at 6 am in Houston and ended up on Friday at 6 pm in Pasaia at the Donibanea Hotel. I arrived at San Sebastián airport, which is actually located in Hondarribia, next to Irun, the Basque city next to France and the official startContinue reading “Day One: the Camino del Norte begins”