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 →

VF del sud day 31: Brindisi to Torchiarolo, 24km

Porta Lecce, Brindisi Something of a late start today as I was trying to avoid the thunderstorms. It wasn't long after setting out that I got to practice the putting on and taking off of the pack poncho. While I had it on I felt safer - I suspect October 1 is opening day of … Continue reading VF del sud day 31: Brindisi to Torchiarolo, 24km →

VF del sud day 30: SMS to Brindisi, 27km

The old theory was that these columns marked the terminus of the via Appia, but more recent research believes they predate its construction. Why let facts get in the way of us posing at the end! A tough day at the office: Sam's legs bothering him combined with a long day, hot weather, and too … Continue reading VF del sud day 30: SMS to Brindisi, 27km →

VF del sud day 29: Torre Canne to Torre Santa Sabrina, 24km

Susan took the mochilla express, while Sam and I took the official alternate route. While the normal route is 30km, we were promised 20km. Unfortunately, not only was this a short measure, but the suggested path was not actually a path at first, but a walk along the beach. Having had a modest previous experience … Continue reading VF del sud day 29: Torre Canne to Torre Santa Sabrina, 24km →