Tag: Food

Sweet Pea ~ May 12, 2018

• Saturday, May 12, 2018, Day #2

• Ibiri

• Distance 15 miles

• ? ascent and ? descent; 30% hard surface

• Time: 7 hours 45 minutes

• Weather: 50 degrees; rain

First rain on the Camino and I discover my Marmot Gortex jacket is no longer water proof. The immediate solution is a 5€ green vinyl rain poncho. I look as have been consumed by a sweet pea and am only less wet.

What do I have in common with a pig? We are both slathered in mud.

1st Deba…check out the legs under the table

2nd Deba

3rd Ibiri

Culture and Dinner ~ July 14, 2016

  • Thursday, July 14, 2016
  • Day 75
  • London
  • Weather: Blue sky with clouds, overcast

David Hockney 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life Exhibit at The Royal Academy of Art

Prime William and Prince Harry at The National Portrait Gallery

Dinner with James whom I met on the Coast-to-Coast Walk 12-years ago. James was my bandit runner at the 2010 Boston Marathon crossing the finish line with me.

  1. London
  2. London
  3. London


English Breakfast ~ July 2, 2016

  • Saturday, July 2, 2016
  • Day 63 (Day 2 Cotswolds)
  • Winchcombe
  • Distance: 12 miles (19 1/2 total miles)
  • Ascent 1,685 feet and descent 1,646 feet
  • Time: 6 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60-75 degrees blue skies, overcast, few brief rain sprinkles

English breakfast…no one does it like the English.

  1. Broadway – Dove Cottage
  2. Broadway  – Dove Cottage
  3. Broadway  – Dove Cottage

Christian…Amazing ~ June 23, 2016

  • Thursday, June 23, 2016
  • Day 54
  • Tourlaville, Normandy
  • Weather: 60-68 degrees overcast and rain

Amazing…the joy of being with Christian’s family. Dining on local oysters and Christian’s Strawberry Tarte with local berries. Sitting by an evening fire with my shoes drying.

  1. Tourlaville
  2. Tourlaville
  3. Tourlaville

French Fashion ~ June 20, 2016

  • Monday, June 20, 2016
  • Day 51
  • Orsay (14 miles from Paris)
  • Weather: 60-68 degrees overcast
  • After the life of a pilgrim, this pilgrim wanted some French fashion.

My first purchase was a French rain cape. Unlike the American poncho, it has sleeves and closed sides seams.

Next purchase was a couple pairs of trousers and a blouse to augment my pilgrim outfit. Master quilter, Christine, kindly hemmed my trousers.

  1. Orsay
  2. Orsay
  3. Orsay

Contrasts ~ June 9, 2016

  • Thursday, June 9, 2016
  • Day 40 (Day 37 Camino)
  • Jaca
  • Distance: 5 miles {time required to purchase Spanish SIM card for phone} (5% tarmac) 531 total miles
  • Ascent 321 feet and descent 425 feet
  • Time: 1 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 65-77 degrees, blue skies the clouds

What a contrasts!

Before a proper bridge was built, the river Aragón was crossed using stepping stones at three different heights according to the level of the river.

No French baguette for lunch. Today’s short walk allowed me to enjoy tapas and fine Spanish wine for lunch.

The snow capped Pyrénées seen in the horizon are such a contrast to the summer heat in Jaca.

  1. Towards Jaca
  2. Jaca
  3. Jaca

Outdoor Coffee ~ June 7, 2016

  • Tuesday, June 7, 2016
  • Day 38 (Day 35 Camino)
  • Col du Somport, SPAIN
  • Distance: 16 1/2 miles (60% tarmac) 510 total miles
  • Ascent 4,526 feet and descent 669 feet
  • Time: 10 hours
  • Weather: 65-75 degrees, blue skies the clouds

Such delight to have a coffee at an outdoor café in the last French village, Urdos, along The Way. This village has left me very satisfied with memories.

  1. Towards Col du Somport
  2. Towards Col du Somport
  3. Towards Col du Somport

Smashing Conclusion ~ June 6, 2016

  • Tuesday, June 7, 2016
  • Day 38 (Day 35 Camino)
  • Col du Somport, SPAIN
  • Distance: 16 1/2 miles (60% tarmac) 510 total miles
  • Ascent 4,526 feet and descent 669 feet
  • Time: 10 hours
  • Weather: 65-75 degrees, blue skies the clouds

The last village Urdos offers a smashing conclusion to France. Unplanned and just moments before mid-day closure, I enter a shop that not only sells me an envelope; but, also mails my “used” guide book pages to Virginia. For a grand finale, the shop sells me my very last French baguette.

  1. Towards Col du Somport
  2. Towards Col du Somport
  3. Towards Col du Somport

Cotton Sheets ~ June 4, 2016

  • Saturday, June 4, 2016
  • Day 35, Day 32 (Camino)
  • Estialescq
  • Distance: 14 1/2 miles (10% tarmac) 465 total miles
  • Ascent 2,007 feet and descent 1,685 feet
  • Time: 7 1:2 hours
  • Weather: 65-78 degrees, overcast

Even this pilgrim needs pressed cotton sheets and a home cooked dinner every so often.

  1. Estialescq – Chambre d’hôtes Maison Naba
  2. Estialescq – Chambre d’hôtes Maison Naba
  3. Estialescq – Chambre d’hôtes Maison Naba