Via de la Plata day 3: Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata, 29.4km

Unusual pine trees. I believe their botanical name is pinus pom pomas Due to the intimidating "very hard" categorization of today's stage, and the anticipated hot day, most of the inhabitants of the albergue were up well before the crack of dawn in order to beat the heat. I was amongst them, partly because it … Continue reading Via de la Plata day 3: Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata, 29.4km →

Via de la plata day 2 : Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos, 18km

Almost the entire albergue was up early in an effort to beat the heat, but that meant the first few kilometers in the dark. It also meant starting before cafe opening hours! Where the path crossed the road the gas station has a cafe attached, but for some reason I was the only one who … Continue reading Via de la plata day 2 : Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos, 18km →

Via de la plata day 1: Sevilla to Guillena, 21.8km

A picture of concentration trying to get both myself and the sign in. I don't think I have ever seen a Camino sign that big. And there's probably a way to not make it a mirror image! The first day is always a challenge, trying to unearth the muscle memory, along with the camino routines … Continue reading Via de la plata day 1: Sevilla to Guillena, 21.8km →

Via de la plata day 0

Not exactly km 0, but a tacit acknowledgement of the via's existence The usual planes, trains and automobiles to commence a camino - although not in that order. The morning departure from YVR was the optimal departure time but as it was a leg to Montreal, it meant being treated as a Canadian domestic passenger … Continue reading Via de la plata day 0 →

Days 10 & 11: Seville to Madrid to Toronto to Vancouver

The homeward journey.... a mid morning train from Seville to Madrid, which is likely quicker than flying when you factor in the airport processes. Leaving Seville at 10 Camino days per hour! Our high expectations for Madrid were deflated after a very full afternoon in the city. Perhaps the Madrid airport code should be changed … Continue reading Days 10 & 11: Seville to Madrid to Toronto to Vancouver →

Via Augusta days 8 & 9: Seville, many kms not tracked!

Not really part of the Camino, but part of the journey. Two full days in Seville, which we made the most of. Wandering the maze of old town alleys and strolling the wide boulevards of the newer city - newer being relative, as many of the incredible buildings date back to the heyday of Seville … Continue reading Via Augusta days 8 & 9: Seville, many kms not tracked! →

Via Augusta day 7: Alcalá de Guadaira to Sevilla, 20.5km

Another pleasant day of sauntering, with the route following the Guadaira river for about 12km before following a multi-use trail that led to the University of Pablo de Olavide. When I finish writing this post I intend to look him up on Wikipedia! Alcalá has a "world famous" dragon bridge. We think this is the … Continue reading Via Augusta day 7: Alcalá de Guadaira to Sevilla, 20.5km →

Via Augusta day 6: Utrera to Alcalá de Guadaira, 19.5km

Neither a highway, canal nor railway in sight! Today's stage was the best yet - awesome scenery, good route, and not too hot. There was an early morning shower pre-departure which made the first couple of hours feel like being on a treadmill in a steam room, but after that it was just normal Spanish … Continue reading Via Augusta day 6: Utrera to Alcalá de Guadaira, 19.5km →

Via Augusta day 5: Las Cabezas de San Juan to Utrera, 32.1 km

The last of the long days - unless of course we become geographically embarrassed. Also a day of starting in the dark to beat the heat, but fortunately high cloud developed during the day, meaning it was merely hot rather than unbearably hot. The route was less than inspiring, even though we followed the GPX … Continue reading Via Augusta day 5: Las Cabezas de San Juan to Utrera, 32.1 km →

Via Augusta day 4: El Cuervo de Sevilla to Las Cabezas de San Juan, 27.5km

As another stinking hot day was forecast, it was another start in darkness. The lobby of the hotel was open but we didn't want to assume the breakfast was for us, so we rambled off towards the first and only town with car lights to guide us. And it was only in that town that … Continue reading Via Augusta day 4: El Cuervo de Sevilla to Las Cabezas de San Juan, 27.5km →