Camino del Estrecho day 5: Tarifa (Tangier) to El Lentiscal, 19.7km

After being woken up at 0450 by the first call to prayer (in any other circumstances this might, perhaps, be described as an ungodly hour), we were sure to make our 0800 ferry back to Tarifa, Spain. First though, the ferry had to run the naval blockade: Coffee on the ferry constituted breakfast, plus our … Continue reading Camino del Estrecho day 5: Tarifa (Tangier) to El Lentiscal, 19.7km →

Camino del Estrecho days 3 & 4. Rest days in Tangier!

When it's only 1 hour by ferry, it's hard to pass up the opportunity of spending our 31st wedding anniversary in Tangier. We've had a marvelous two days, relaxing at Pierre's fantastic rooftop Airbnb, wandering the alleys of the medina, and sampling Moroccan food/mint tea/coffee etc. We booked a guide the first day, who gave … Continue reading Camino del Estrecho days 3 & 4. Rest days in Tangier! →

Camino del Estrecho day 2: El Pelayo to Tarifa and beyond, 17.7camino kms

Torre del Guadalmesi, a 16th century lookout to protect against pirates. We didn't see any, so it still works. An interesting coastal walk, especially once we deviated off the documented Camino and followed the GR92 coastal path (goat track). The dirt road was a bit tiring, and deviated uphill and down dale to avoid some … Continue reading Camino del Estrecho day 2: El Pelayo to Tarifa and beyond, 17.7camino kms →

Camino del Estrecho day 1: Algeciras to El Pelayo, 16.8km

Looking back from El Pelayo Fortunately the weather was not as forecast. The constant layer of marine cloud making haste towards the Atlantic ocean kept us pleasantly cool, which was perfect as day one was predominantly a generous climb up into the hills of the Parque Naturel del Estrecho. The birds of prey circling overhead … Continue reading Camino del Estrecho day 1: Algeciras to El Pelayo, 16.8km →

Day 0: Vancouver – Munich – Madrid – Algeciras

Plaza Alta, Algericas I'm not sure how such trips were planned pre-internet - although I did enough of them, so I guess I've forgotten - but here we are in Algericas ready to commence the Camino del Estrecho. Long flights, an overnight in Madrid, then an early morning train from Madrid to Algericas (pronounced something … Continue reading Day 0: Vancouver – Munich – Madrid – Algeciras →

VF del sud day 36: Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca, 49.97km

Tower of the day Actually it's day 37. I noticed that there are two days numbered Day 22. New high score in daily kilometres for this walk, and while the app had this listed as three stages, I decided to push on so that the three of us could move on to another adventure! The … Continue reading VF del sud day 36: Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca, 49.97km →

VF del sud day 35: Martano to Otranto, 23km

This sort of creativity is a rarity on this camino. It was supposed to be a 31km day, but a brief study of the route on Google revealed some economies of effort. Often such short cuts mean highways, but not today, as I managed to find obscure laneways not dissimilar to the real thing. It … Continue reading VF del sud day 35: Martano to Otranto, 23km →

VF del sud day 34: Lecce to Martano, 31km

The route headed east this morning, even though the final destination is south. After a couple of hours the reason was revealed: a town with a rather impressive castle. Less impressive was the fact that the cafe was closed. Fortunately I had already partaken in an earlier town at a cafe that I happened upon … Continue reading VF del sud day 34: Lecce to Martano, 31km →

VF del sud day 33: Rest day in Lecce

Nothing really to report, except an incident while at dinner street-side. Cars had difficulty in the narrow street. As one passed there was a loud crunch as it ran over an electric scooter locked up right opposite to our table. The car reversed up and the passenger opened his door briefly for him to judge … Continue reading VF del sud day 33: Rest day in Lecce →

VF del sud day 32: Torchiarolo to Lecce, 23.5km

Early morning in the olive groves. Many have died - drought maybe? A slightly earlier start and it was very pleasant walking while it was still cool. The first two hours was farm roads, the middle section through barren ground dominated by wind turbines, and the last seven km the inevitable trudge through the satellite … Continue reading VF del sud day 32: Torchiarolo to Lecce, 23.5km →