Camino Frances 2018 day 6

Camino Frances 2018 day 6 - Arca do Pino

We woke up at seven and were pleased when we looked out of the window to see that it wasn’t raining.

Having packed we ate breakfast at the small bar in the albergue and so did not set off until nearly 8:30 when it was just raining so once we had walked out of the town we saw a rainbow ahead. The light rain only lasted for about half an hour and the rest of the day was sunny – I was even able to take off my raincoat for the last 5km!

We met and spoke to another group of Irish Pilgrims for a bit – most of them were from one walking group whose members had then invited a few other friends and family to join them.

The albergue we had booked was the one we had stayed at three years ago and there were only two other people staying there when we arrived.

Me and Becky went to do the food shop for the next day and then went to a small new bar we had found where we had a drink to celebrate that we would be arriving in Santiago the next day.

Dinner that night was pizza and pasta from a new Italian restaurant we had spotted.

When we got back to the albergue there was a new group of five in the albergue.

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

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