Oct 25, 2009 - Soria, Pamplona, San Sebastian and to Royan

Soria, Pamplona, San Sebastian and to Royan We were very very sad little kids when we had to leave our beautiful Spanish home. ... We had breakfast in the town of Pamplona. ... One thing I did learn in Pamplona is that when you are lost, and want to do an illegal U turn; look in all directions, especially directly behind you. ...

Aug 15, 2009 - Spain

Driving into San Sabastien memories flood back to me of this vibrant city with its sun drenched beaches, lively Tapas bars and sultry vibe. We arrive at Pamplona and enter the main arena. ... We watch the big screen as 12 or so scary looking 500kg bulls are released into a narrow alley way crammed tight with men and women in red and white.Driving into San Sabastien memories flood back to me of this vibrant city with its sun drenched beaches, lively Tapas bars and sultry vibe. We arrive at Pamplona and enter the main arena. ... We watch the big screen as 12 or so scary looking 500kg bulls are released into a narrow alley way crammed tight with men and women in red and white....

Aug 4, 2009 - Natural Camino

By the time we had worked our way through the crowd deserting the bull stadium and set foot in our hotel, the time had moved to just after 9 pm.50 am bus to Los Arcos the next day. ... Los Arcos is a very small town, a village really, and owes its existence like many along this way to the hoards of pilgrims that flooded the Camino in bygone days. ... These towns and villages often sprung up a day’s walk apart to supply shelter and sustenance to the penitent souls of yesteryear.By the time we had worked our way through the crowd deserting the bull stadium and set foot in our hotel, the time had moved to just after 9 pm.50 am bus to Los Arcos the next day. ... Los Arcos is a very small town, a village really, and owes its existence like many along this way to the hoards of pilgrims that flooded the Camino in bygone days. ... These towns and villages often sprung up a day’s walk apart to supply shelter and sustenance to the penitent souls of yesteryear....

Aug 3, 2009 - A Lot of Bull

It seems that it is never early enough to leave. We reached Estella, our home for the night, by about 1 pm and walked straight into a town that was clearly on holidays. ... People had invaded the streets in droves, the vast majority dressed in Omo white trousers, shirts, skirts set off by bright red scarves and other accoutrements.It seems that it is never early enough to leave. We reached Estella, our home for the night, by about 1 pm and walked straight into a town that was clearly on holidays. ... People had invaded the streets in droves, the vast majority dressed in Omo white trousers, shirts, skirts set off by bright red scarves and other accoutrements....

Aug 2, 2009 - AFD

Puenta La Reina, a small town at the end of another hot day's walking - 6 hours over 22 km - is a welcome sight.Puenta La Reina, a small town at the end of another hot day's walking - 6 hours over 22 km - is a welcome sight....

Aug 1, 2009 - Walled In

After three days of hot hard track or road walking a rest day in the impressive walled city of Pamplona was just what the doctor ordered. ... The outskirts of Pamplona are forgettable - forlorn, grey, rubbish strewn and dead boring - so when the massive walls appear after crossing an ancient stone bridge the tired and thirsty traveller is suitably impressed. ... Of course Pamplona is famous for its ‘Running of the Bulls’ every 7th July – the last claiming the life of one of the testosterone driven young men – but it offers much more. ...

Jul 30, 2009 - What is a Pilgrim?

We started early but not near early enough.We started early but not near early enough....

Jul 29, 2009 - Foot Forward

The joy of walking is in the stepping out along an unknown path, knowing, however, that the day’s trek will usually reward one with a sensory palate; vistas; natural beauty; a surprising structure; flora; fauna; fellow trampers; diverse weather and difficulties. By the time we wandered into the hamlet of Roncesvalles, a pilgrim stopover harking from way back, we were in need of a rest and rehydration. ... The one star hotel, dinner and breakfast included, was a gem.The joy of walking is in the stepping out along an unknown path, knowing, however, that the day’s trek will usually reward one with a sensory palate; vistas; natural beauty; a surprising structure; flora; fauna; fellow trampers; diverse weather and difficulties. By the time we wandered into the hamlet of Roncesvalles, a pilgrim stopover harking from way back, we were in need of a rest and rehydration. ... The one star hotel, dinner and breakfast included, was a gem....

Jul 27, 2009 - Roncesvalles to Pamplona.. first 50kms (first cut is the deepest..)

RONCESVALLES - ZUBIRI - LARRASOANYA - ARRE - PAMPLONA Day One, as Lance Armstrong put it in his book 'Was all about the Bike'. MUCHAS GRACIAS to Alberto from Barcelona who on seeing my face of TERROR/PANIC in Pamplona when the bus driver asked us cyclists to remove the front wheel before putting our bikes on the bus to the starting point in Roncesvalles. ... Whew! Roncesvalles is the traditional starting point on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees for pilgrims doing El Camino Frances. ... Here I made my first purchase - a sleeping bag - necessary for sleeping in all pilgrim 'refugios'.RONCESVALLES - ZUBIRI - LARRASOANYA - ARRE - PAMPLONA Day One, as Lance Armstrong put it in his book 'Was all about the Bike'. MUCHAS GRACIAS to Alberto from Barcelona who on seeing my face of TERROR/PANIC in Pamplona when the bus driver asked us cyclists to remove the front wheel before putting our bikes on the bus to the starting point in Roncesvalles. ... Whew! Roncesvalles is the traditional starting point on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees for pilgrims doing El Camino Frances. ... Here I made my first purchase - a sleeping bag - necessary for sleeping in all pilgrim 'refugios'....

Jun 13, 2009 - Night Train Hell Part 2

Mark and I are zonked! My goodness it is hard to express how tired we are, we are going to need a vacation from our vacation when we get home.Mark and I are zonked! My goodness it is hard to express how tired we are, we are going to need a vacation from our vacation when we get home....

Jul 14, 2008 - San Fermin, Pamplona, Spain

Hello All, The most recent traveling adventures have seen a weekend trip to one of the more crazier festivals over here - San Fermin, Pamplona, otherwise known as the Running of the Bulls (and those humans who dare). ... We got lost getting out of Bilbao, and then once we made it to Pamplona 2 hours later, got lost there for 1 hour looking for the hotel. ... Very Spanish! We left Pamplona and all the drunk people there at 2pm and drove back to Bilbao via San Sebastian - a coastal town which was very akin to Nice, France, however it had a sandy beach rather than a pebble one. ...

Jun 24, 2008 - Tuesday 24 June road trip across Spain to Pamplona and San Sebastian

Noticed the roads etc are very quiet probably after last nights celebrations. Pamplona no Bull Called in to Pamplona but too early for the Festival of St Fermin ie the Running of the Bulls. ... They were getting ready though with some of the wooden barriers in place and the shops all had their merchandise on show.Noticed the roads etc are very quiet probably after last nights celebrations. Pamplona no Bull Called in to Pamplona but too early for the Festival of St Fermin ie the Running of the Bulls. ... They were getting ready though with some of the wooden barriers in place and the shops all had their merchandise on show....