Pobena to Castro

Morning started at 7am.  Took cold shower, hot water never worked in apartment.  We were packed and out by 830 am. 

Nothing open in Pobena for coffee or breakfast, so we hit the trail.  The morning hike was beautiful with incredible views of the beach we'd walked through yesterday.

We ate protein bars at about 10, just outside of Onton about 4 miles into the trip, but still no coffee.

Lots of up and down today, very hard on my toes.  My right big toenail is damaged and lifting from the nail base.  It didn't seem to be problem yestetday, until we got to Pobena,  it is much worse today.

Had lunch in Miono, meat sandwich and water.  From Miono, we walked through long dark tunnel then on to beach. Walked long distance on beach boardwalk.  Lots of families at the beach.  Very sunny but not hot.

Upon arriving in Castro,  we walked up to the Parish Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion, then on to the albergue.   Line outside when we arrived.  We weren't sure we'd get a spot, luckily they had tents out back with mattresses, away from crowd and noise.

The albergue system works well if you can arrive by 3, after that there is chance no space available.   Tonight we were lucky.

Took another cold shower,  but thankful to get one.  Washed put my clothes from today,  hung them to dry and took nap.

Waiting for Paulette to finish her shower, wash clothes, and then we are going for dinner.

Day Two Done!

Bilbao to Pobena

Wow, what a day.

We got up about 8, 2 hours later than we planned, but we were both really tired.  Felt we needed the sleep.

Got breakfast at hotel, 4 € each, a bargain.   Headed out at 930.

Used guidebook to get to edge of town and on to Pobena.  At about 1230 we stopped for break.   We'd completed 5.84 miles.  Had lemonade, an orange,  and nuts for break.  Loved seeing lots of kids with families, grandparents  at the park.   Bilbao, like many European cities was mostly apartments.  Small city parks pulled families together for socializing.

Afternoon we hit our turning point to cross waterway, Las Arenas,  mechanical bridge, first in the world,  that ferried across autos and people, hung from tall iron bridge. 

Trail from Las Arenas to Pobena  wasn't  marked well, we had a few issues staying on trail.  

Had a very personal experience with dirty old Spaniard, too personal and very weird.

Today, our first day on trail seemed very long, but very beautiful.  We walked into Pobena  at about 7pm.  17.7 miles for the day.  Very tired, feet hurting and ready for rest.

The albergue system on the trail is first come, first serve.  It was full at 3pm today, according to some peregrinos we talked to on beach.   September is normally a low traffic time of year.  Pobena albergue has 22 beds, we didn't have chance, so we got apartment at $70 for both of us.  Has washer, so we are taking advantage of that.

Ate dinner next door, hamburger, fries, wine, then Sangria.   24€ for 2 of us.

Amazingly enough, we were alone on the trail all day. No other walking peregrinos (pilgrims ) at all.  We were passed on the trail by a couple on bikes, which is an option, but not my preferred method.

Our evening destination was small village of Pobena,  wonderful family community.

Tomorrow is about 9 miles, after today, that is piece of cake.

Day One Done!

I've attempted to add photos, but it won't upload them.  I'll have load photos later.  Sorry.

Seattle to Bilbao

Seattle to Philadelphia was uneventful.  I slept some, but of course not comfortably. Flight from Philadelphia to Madrid was enjoyable; nice dinner, movies, and breakfast.  Madrid to Bilbao flight was late, but very brief.

Arrived in Bilbao today about 2 pm.  We were both exhausted. Got cab to hotel and we both crashed for 3+ hours.

We headed out to see Bilbao and shop for a few things.  Went to a mall, so busy with beautiful clothes and lots of people.  Had dinner at small pub, nothing special.

Tonight we are shuffling things going for our trek that starts tomorrow.   Tomorrow  we will do about 13 miles.

Really looking forward to tomorrow.

Departure day

Our adventure began at 4am, due to 8am flight.  Madison, Paulette's daughter, came with her mom and drove us to airport. 

Amazing how many people are on highway at 5am!

I'm anxious, excited, and maybe a little scared.  This is just what I need at this point in my life.

Here we go!

Final preparations

Finished washing all my clothes for trip and started packing.  I found some compression bags and feel like they will help keep me organized. 

Decided to take protein powder instead of bars.  I have to sew the sleep sheets I  bought for me and Paulette, buy batteries and then I'll be ready.

I weighed my pack today, weighed in at 16 lbs, a little heavier than I had planned, so I may be trimming a few things. Plus I still gave to add sheet and sandals.  It's already very full.

Travis, Erica, and Jackson came for the afternoon.  So fun to see the little guy growing and changing.  I am blessed with 3 wonderful sons, a beautiful daughter in law, cutest grandson on the planet and a super husband, couldn't ask for much more.

Working out phone issues

Paulette and are very good friends, as well as family.  Feel fortunate to have her in my life.  This trip will be epic.

Now have better phone and blogger app, really looking forward to documenting the trip.

10 days and counting......

Departure day, September 2nd, is approaching quickly and preparations are coming to an end.   I haven't walked enough, or trained enough... not sure how much would be have been enough.  With only a few things left to locate or purchase, I am getting excited.

Paulette

I expect to have about 10 or 12 lbs packed into this guy.  Traveling light since I will carry it 420 miles.

Temperatures are expected to be 50's to 70's with about 14 days of possible rain - based on historic weather patterns.  Perfect for walking, hiking, and exploring.

Spain... here we come.