We cracked the 200km mark today, a couple of kilometres past this way marker. Only another 500 or so to Santiago – then more after that to Finisterre on the Atlantic Coast.
Way marker just after the town of Najera
We named this part of the road, particularly the gully afterwards “Death Valley” on account of the heat, the flies, the stench of cow dung (we saw plenty of dung but no livestock) and the thirty or more buzzard type birds that continuously circled above us as we trudged on.
We’re in the heart of the La Rioja region now and the grape harvest is in full swing.
Grapes of La Rioja
The grapes are small and sweet with an intense flavour. Interestingly, there are no scarecrows, no blasts from bird scarers and the fruit appear untouched. Â I guess buzzards don’t eat fruit.
Camino angels are a feature of The Way. Often they have cold drinks, fresh fruit, sometimes hot coffee, all for a donation. Today we met this musician playing traditional hymns. His music made for a relaxing interlude while we stripped off our rain gear.
A musical Camino Angel
He told us about an ancient pilgrims’ hospital, dedicated to San Anton, only a couple of hundred metres along the route. (Hospital in this context means albergue or Refugio.) It was another reminder that Christian pilgrims have been walking this route since the 9th Century. And I’ve read before that Celtic peoples walked across the north of Spain to Finisterre, searching for the End of the world
Today, by time we arrived in Azofra the small niggles in my feet had turned to blisters.
Boots of the Camino
They’re not too bad. I hope it stays that way. Tomorrow we have another 20 plus kilometres. I’ll be cracking out the first-aide kit before we start.
Categories: Camino de Santiago, Europe, Spain
Jill's Scene 
Amazing how the distance mounts up one step at a time. Hope the blisters heal quickly
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Take care of your feet, blisters can be horrible. Wishing a speedy healing factor.
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Congratulations on 200km. Sorry about the blisters. How interesting to hear about the Camino Angels!
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What a milestone! Wondering if you weighed yourselves before you started on this adventure, and if you are getting leaner by the kilometre. 🙂 .
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You’ve done well not to have had blisters until now — well done ! Seeing you are going on to Finisterre, be sure to have seafood paella there — one of the yummiest we experienced anywhere. It’s so good to revisit the Camino with your superb photos and travelogue — keep it up.
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Blisters can be hell. I hope you manage to sort them out. And I am so impressed by your walk. 200 km. I can’t even imagine walking that distance. I am cheering you on from behind 🙂
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I’m sorry about the blisters! I hope they mend themselves soon. I would love to walk through the vineyards, but I don’t think I’d enjoy “Death Valley.” 🙂
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Oh dear! The blisters 😦 That waymarker puts it in perspective, Jill. It’s a long way! Thanks so much for the share again. Best of luck, and keep smiling 🙂 🙂
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that vineyard snap is SO great Jill………. inciting to walk past and just grab a bunch (or 3 :-)….Yes, pop those small blisters. Hopefully you have hikers wool or compeed with you
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