Time flies when you’re having fun eh? I surely hope my time in Spain doesn’t go by fast when I get there! Like the title says, I am 20 days before I start my 5th stint on the Camino Frances. I can’t believe I have been caught by this bug since June 2011. There is no sign of it letting me go also, judging my eagerness to return to Spain.
I have just over 2 weeks of walking ahead of me so if all goes well I should get to the Templar city of Ponferrada. Although I may reach Villafranca if I put in a few long days. My flight touches down in Bilbao on the 5th of May and I catch a bus from the city’s main bus station afterwards. It will bring me to Belorado where I plan to start the next morning. I have emailed Jana in Cuatro Cantones (I encourage you all to stay there – a fab albergue) and she will save a bunk for me there! Should my flight be delayed, I have option of catching a later bus to Burgos which is 50km westwards from Belorado.
I walked from Belorado to Atapuerca in 2013 , a 30km day, but I may stop short in Ages this year. It is a challenging first day with a good climb at Villafranca Montes de Oca and a long slog of 12km through woods before arriving at the barren San Juan de Ortega. I have good memories of devouring lunch and a cerveza at the bar there before moving on to the next town.
I’ve also learnt that some friends of mine are walking different sections in or around the same week. Unfortunately, we won’t meet but we will good stories to tell when we all return. I travel to Tipperary this weekend to walk two longish days (around 20km) and hopefully to have some tapas and vino.
I had a random thought of throwing on my backpack in work today and a big smile appeared on my face. It is strange what makes people happy. I can’t wait to get back out there.
Buen Camino!
Clearskies Camino 
Not far behind you David ! Fly to Madrid on May 9th and start walking from Belorado on May 10th. Plan to walk to Astorga which will see me complete the CF. Have to say that the sense of excitement and anticipation is IMMENSE – like a kid waiting for Christmas !!! This Camino bug has embedded itself in me alright ! Doing the ‘bog of frogs’ Cliff path loop walk in Howth each weekend now for the last six weeks and the rucksack has been released from the attic in preparation ! Buen CAMINO …. And many thanks for sharing your Camino thoughts. Peadar 👍
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Wow you are only 4 days behind me. Sure if you are a fast walker, you may even catch up with me 🙂 I’m not sure if you have accommodation booked in Belorado already but if not, check out Cuatro Cantones. I loved it there. I have the rucksack ready also. If I don’t hear from you, have a safe trip and Buen Camino!
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Thanks David. My walking pace can best be described as ‘steady’ ,so no chance of catching you up !!! I plan to cover around 25kms a day,the longest day being my first,Belorado to Agés !! This time in Belorado I’ve booked a bed in the Pension Casa Waslala just for the first night as the Madrid bus only gets to Belorado around 6.30pm. Just wondering if you are going to keep you blog going while you are walking.If so let’s know what Albergues you stay in .Hope you got on well in your @trip to Tipp !!’Rgds,P
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25km per day is good going. The first day is 27km I believe. I hope to stay in Ages also, but if the weather is fine I will walk on. I will do my best to keep the blog going Peadar. Wifi isn’t the best on the meseta at the best of times, unless you book into a pension or hotel. I’m a fan of municipals or donativos however 🙂 Got back from a great weekend’s walking and raring to go! David
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Thanks for this… I am going to do it for the first time in 6 weeks and really nervous! I just put up my own blog post (prior to trip) and tips would be great on clothing, footwear etc 🙂
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You have nothing to be nervous about! It is something you are going to really enjoy and what’s better is you will want to go back for more. The most important advice I can give is make sure your shoes fit you well and you have no problems with them. Also get a good fitting backpack and get used to it. And then walk, walk, walk! 🙂 Feel free to ask me any questions!
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