Received the following from the two Pilgrims, commencing 7 th May.
1. Hola John
Excellent flight to Seville and we have just checked in to our hotel.
We shall begin exploring shortly.
Regards
Roger
Sent from my IPad
2. From Dermot in Seville, where hesitated that he was unaware of the amorous activity taking place behind him!
3.First stage completed -By E- Mail, from Roger
On Facebook, Dermot described the walk as A Calavary, which is a highly appropriate description,hot sun and a dusty trail.
I hope he fares better, tomorrow.
Here is Derm undergoing running repairs on the morning of his first Camino.
Now nicely beered-up in the Hostel Frances after 15.75 miles (by my satnav) of the first stage. It is hot and sunny and very Catholic which is suiting Dermot, but making me feel nervous and expecting the ghost of Father Harrison to appear from behind every olive tree urging me to confess my sins!
More beer Father!
I am sure Dermot will get his own back!
Caminho Songs:- “One More Cup of Coffee” – Roger McGuinn & Calexico
” To Be A Pilgrim” – Maddy Prior
Next Day, “E” from Dermot:- Hola!
Another interesting day. Left Guillena approx 8am. Roger in great stride. My legs and hips complaining. Very slow progress for me. Didn’t want to hold Roger back so on outskirts of Guillena I decided to follow main road into Burguillos and thence to Catilloblanco. I didn’t want to become incapacitated on the track to Castilloblanco. When we met at about noon at the hotel Roger said I’d made a wise decision as it was a particularly challenging stretch for him let alone me. I was a bit exhausted from heat. My legs were beginning to get a bit painful. Roger strained a ligament (?) behind his knee on today’s camino. I’m looking at some options for tomorrow to Almaden de la Plata. It’s 29km ….
I think packing 12kg has made my progress more challenging. Next time (if I manage this!) I’ll pack lighter.
Hope all is well in Brum. My best to Barbara and Hannah.
Thanks again for encouraging me and planning so much of my Camino.
Today’s Caminho Song :-
Ron SEXSMITH ‘s “Gold In Them Hills”
“Give a The Day A Chance To Start…..”
“If you walk down the street and smile at someone,that will get passed on to someone else, and that has the power to change someone’s day”.
Juliana Marguiles
More News is Good News :-
Thanks John!
Glad to hear the news from Camino is being given a positive spin in the social media.
Am now googling Jarod Kintz to find out more about his book. Sounds good.
Parted company with Roger again earlier today. I’ve just arrived in Almaden de la Plata.
Hotel is quaint and very comfortable.
Almaden de la Plata is a very small village. But very charming.
Looks as it must have looked 50 or more years ago.
Mas noticias mas tarde.
Derm
Update 13.18pm local 12.18 Brum
Roger arrived safely about one hour ago – almost as quick as I was !
We met on a bar for una cerveza and are now relaxing before a stroll round town and a meal.
Photo attached of Roger in fine fettle along his route earlier today.
I secretly think he’s catching a taxi each time we separate then pretending he’s walked the route! (I’m just jealous of his stamina)
Derm
Almaden de la Plata
On Facebook, Dermot describes it as a” sleepy, picturesque, little town”.
Barbara, my wife and Roger’s sister, is also taking a keen interest in the
Pilgrims’ Progress…..in reply to her text, asking how Roger was enjoying the
Caminho, so far , eg The sun, the food etc, Roger sent a text stating:-
“Wonderful, thanks apart from sore tendons in my right knee.Better walking than still. Had a tomato & garlic salad for lunch with half a dozen raw cloves!
My factor of 30 isn’t letting much of the 35 degree sun through!
R xx ”
Sunday 11 th May
Today’ s Caminho Song:-
Peter Frampton “Show Me The Way”
( Especially in the dark before they
Dawn! )
Facebook message from Dermot:-
At Real de la Jara ” – ” Lovely little town nestled in a valley. Now concerned about having to climb to leave it tomorrow. Worrie. Worries”.
From Roger on E – Mail :-
Hola John
Safely arrived at the Alburgue about 10.15 this morning to find Derm had scored us a prime spot. Had a start in the dark but was disappointed that my Poundland torch failed to locate the yellow fletchas. Fortunately a couple of young French lads with powerful luminaries came to the rescue.
Wonderful early morning walk through the natural park with steep inclines made tolerable with the Iberian pigs in the woods and the uplifting early morning birdsong.
On arrival at the hostel, I met again my friend, the Berlin Birder, who had snapped a wonderful shot of a Golden Oriel. Sadly, this creature isn’t listed in my British Birds app!
Derm has made friends with a Smethwick gent of his generation who is performing the role of Derm’s freelance pharmacist: (“It’s medication time boys”)
This guy (also a John) is recovering from your present affliction and is using his Camino as a convalescent.
Derm’s prowess with his Portuguese/Spanish is proving a big hit with the locals and he has just scored us a delightful lettuce and fruit salad with a litre of vino blanca plus coffee for €12.
So, now it’s siesta time.
Buenas tardas.
Rog
What follows are two views- one of lunch and one from the Albergue.
Monday 12th May
Early morning snap of the two walkers, about 6.30 am.
Two x E-Mail from Dermot:- “Hola John!
Thanks for organising such great accommodation.
Everywhere that Roger and I have stayed has provided a first class night’s sleep.
A wonderful experience all round. My leg cramps have dissipated. Feet are not blistered (have been following advice re plenty of vaseline on soles & toes.
If only I’d been more careful about weight.
Tomorrow is Monesterio.
Roger walked whole of this morning’s section. To be honest after the Seville – Guillena experience I’m apprehensive about having problems off the beaten track.
I’m hopeful I’ll get better with time.
Cheers,
Arrived Hotel Leo in Monesterio about 11am local (10am Brum) .
Phoned Roger, he about 4 Km from here.
I’ll send photos this evening.
Hasta luego
Derm
Two Cornish Tourists Derm got friendly with -Cornish Tartan, apparently!
”
Just look at those Hams – The ones hanging up,I mean!
Some photos Roger took on today’s stretch.
Today’ s Caminho Song ” I Like to Rise When The Sun She Rises”
Tuesday 13 th May
( on a personal note, booked flight to Gibraltar, 3rd June – 12 th June; have to get some of that sunshine that Dermot & Roger are enjoying! )
Today ‘ song has to be “Maybe I’m A Winner” by the greatly undervalued, but much loved GRAND DRIVE.
E-Mails and photos from today’s Caminho.
May have to view Video on Facebook!
Glad to see that they are very much in the “Ensuitepilgrim” tradition!
Hola John!
Arrived safely in Fuerte de Cantos.
My feet and legs are OK but unfortunately my hips are now giving me jip.
Roger arrived here fresh and cheerful after 4.5 hours walking.
He looked like he could jog back to Monesterio if he so wished.
He had a brisk swim to cool off and we’re now going to get something to eat.
And drink!
This apartment is remarkable. Two bedrooms including a “matrimonial” bedroom, fully fitted kitchen, lounge. The furnishings have echoes of the court of Louis XIV. Photographs will not do it justice so I’ve taken video which I’ll show later.
More later. Mas noticias mas tarde.
Derm
Wednesday,14 th May. UEFA CUP FINAL DAY
Between Seville and Benfica – two of my favourite cities, but given the context, I have to go for the underdogs, Seville!
So, today’s Caminho tune should get those legs moving….
http://youtu.be/VAny1bIApcA
“Seville” by Luis Bonfa, 1967; shades of the Ventures’ “Walk Don’t Run”.
Only contact today , via Dermot on Facebook :-
Dermot is in the Plaza Grande, Zafra
“Ahora la siesta”
http://youtu.be/cwqhdRs4jyA The Travelling Wilburys” singing
” End of the Line”
( Hope not, Derm! )
MZafra is larger than I anticipated.
Many plazas / squares conjoined by small side streets.
Beautiful architecture – none of which has been demolished by “city planners” unlike the vandals that got to work on Brum and other UK cities post WW2.
Anyway, here are some photos of Zafra:-
Just in from Roger -A classic in the making!
Doctor Derm can’t speak just now, he’s in surgery, please try later.
Bad foot day for Rog after 16.5 miles.
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